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PubUahed Weekly mt 1C4 Weat ,46th ! St., New York, N. br-VMlety, loo. . AnDua,! Bubiicrlptlon. t*> Single copies. IS cents, 
phiteretf M Becdnd-clao* matter ^December 22, 19D6, at the Poet OStee at New York. N. T., under the aot of March 3, 1871. 



OOITIUGHT. loss, BT YABDSZT; fHC. tAIA WGHTS RESERVED 



iVoK 109. 



No. 9 



NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JieBBUARY 7, 1933 



64 PAGES 




DIVORCE DIRT 




on &une BilL Said 
; SiOOO B'way Date Out 



MotlvQ.ted from accounts by 
Starr .Garden's experience at the 
dapltol,' New Toilc, laat week, Grace 
E^oore insisted on what Is probably 
the stranerest clause ever Inserted in 
it variety bookins contract, before 
■he would sign the papers for a 
week's engagrement at the Xoew's 
Broadway picture house. Clause 
.would have restrained Loew's from 
t>laclng a colored act on the same 
bill. 

Miss Moore would have played 
.fhe Capitol week of Feb. 24 at |4,000 
,but the Lioew ofBce took a look at 
the contract as rewritten by Miss 
Moore, with the non- colored clause 
inserted and called the deal off. 

Mary Garden and the Mills Bros. 
Were in last week's Capitol stage 
•how, and the colored quartet shared 
equal billing with the opera singer. 
It was Miss Garden's first pop priced 
appearance. 

Mlas Moore, lately gone from 
«pera to pictures, thence Into 'The 
DuBarry' (legit), would have started 
her picture house slumming at the 
Capitol. 



Sympathy Stuff Gives 
Way to Hotcha in L A. 
At Unemployed Behest 

Los Angelas, Feb. 6. 

Couple of major radio stations 
here have agreed in future not to 
vse songs sympathetic to the unem- 
ployed. Tacit ban is aimed particu- 
larly at 'Brother, Can You Spare a 
Dime' and 'If I Ever Get a Job 
Again.' Several band leaders have 
also turned thumbs down on this 
type of number. 

Air depots declare the ban was 
prompted by many of the unfortu- 
nates writing in saying that hearing 
these songs makes their lot so much 
harder. They prefer hotcha themes. 



PASH PUSHED BACK 



In Northwest, Theatre-Goers Want 
To Laugh and Forget 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

Local exchanges are finding that 
the business depression is hurting 
the market for sexy pictures in this 
territory. Exhibitors no longer 
Clamor for hot love scenes and strip 
•tuft because their customers ap- 
parently have lost Interest In this 
sort and are demanding, Instead, 
more comedj'. 

Psychologists' explanation Is that 
the minds of people with financial 
and other trouble don't run for sex. 
Thoy want to laugh and forget. 

Even the feminine trade, formei:ly 
the .«!tandby of the Elinor Glynlsh I 
kind of screen drama, is turning ' 
away luiw from the pash stuff, ac- 
coriiing to the exchange managers. 



Unbelievable 1 



Al . Ijewln la a picture su- 
pervisor with a head so small 
he can't buy hats ready made. 



DRYS MAY BAN 
BREWERY ADS 
FROM AIR 



Chicago, Feb. 8. 

Beer may join certain toilet per- 
quisites as among the great unmen- 
tionables of the air. 

By commpn fissumption only a 
few months, or weeks, intervene be- 
tween the reality of 3,06 beer. Nu- 
merous brewers have everything, in- 
cluding advertising campaigns, set 
to start popping. Nevertheless, it is 
possible that beer will be barred as 
an advertiser from the ether waves. 

Reason is that radio channels do 
not recognize geographical frontiers, 
and beer advertising originating in 
wet states can't be spread in dry 
states. This entanglement is known 
to be holding up two or three brew- 
ers In Chicago who are keenly in- 
terested in going on the radio. 

Trade Marks Lapsed 

Immediately beer is legalized, and 
manufacture started, various brew- 
ers will seek to build up trade 
names, and they are looked to for 
a considerable volume of advertis- 
ing. Most of the old trade names 
have lapsed and the public doesn't 
know one brand from another. This 
will be especially confusing, as some 
of the old, respected labels have 
been bought up in Chicago by 
racketeers who will undoubtedly 
produce inferior beer under once 
respected trade marks. 

Dry states have already shown 
their power In the fij^lng of the 
alcoholic content, and the govern- 
ment is expected to be very jittery 
on anything the dry states may 
complain of as a violation of their 
privilege of staying arid. 

This brings up the point that if 
dry states try to bar magazines con- 
taining brewers' advertisements on 
the same basis, radio and beor will 
be denied afflnltv. 



GIRL'S DEATH FROM 
BEAUTY PREPARATION 




State's ConvhuQity Property 
Law Too Strongs Tempta- 
tion for Divorce-Minded 
Wives — Eastern Couples 
Find Meat in Uberal 
Statutes 



102 MARITAL SPUTS 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Hollywood — ^tha end of the road 
from Matrimony to Alimony. The 
climate that confirmad CalifornlacB 
crow about seema to breed hiaBec 
and better divorces, and that much- 
vaunted 3G5-day-a-year sun melts 
those marriage bonds. The rice and 
old shoes turn into wild oata and 
courtroom dirty linen. 

California's liberal divorce laws 
are Just the right kind of meat for 
eastern couples who dive into Hol- 
lywood's social swimming pool as a 
two-act, and come up as far apart 
as Africa and the North Pole. Of 
the 102 marital meltings In the past 
two years, 40% consisted of pairs 
who hied themselves westward since 
talkers began to blare. 

Hollywood gets 'em, just as It 
splits the regular run of film cou- 
ples, with five-sixths of the legal 
separations due to 'That Holljrwood 
Influence.' This la what goes to 
make up the latter: 

1. One of the parties becoming a 
success. 

2. Gossip, ribbing and chattering 
of columnists. ' 

3. California's liberal divorce laws. 

4. Propinquity of Nevada and 

Mexico. 

6. Picture grind, which leaves the 
non-working mate Idle. 

6. Glare of publicity to which 
every celeb marriage is subject. 

7. California's community prop- 
erty lawl 

What Splits 'Em Quick 
No quicker way for love "to fly 
out the window has been devised 
than for one member of the family 
to become a hit in Hollywood and 
the other to fail in climbing as 
swiftly, either artistically or soci- 
ally. For example, the cases of 
(Continued on page 2) 



Moss Hart Keeps Up HollyWood 
Ribbing, aDd Tells Wby Over Air 



No Time Waste 



A showman Just returned 
from Florida, saya he saw John 
D. Bockofeller, Sr.; sitting on 
the irdlf coiirse reading Ta- 
riety's' box office reports. 



Hanover, P.n., Feb. 6. 
Hilda Hemler, 23, cashier at a 
local theatre, died suddenly 10 days 
ago, victim of a beauty preparation 
which she was using Internally. It 
contained arsenic to whiton the 
stain. 

Used over too long a i)(»rii»l anrl 
in quantities too large. Dr. L, U. 
Zech, coroner, .said. 



Hollywood Splits 



Prominent Hollywood di- 
vorces of 1931-32 102 

Keasons: 

Cruelty 26 

Incompatibility 6 

Desertion 4 

Non-.support 4 

AnnuUments 2 

Assorted (mainly cruelty) 32 

Did not state 20 

That Hollywood Influence 84 
Former Eastern couples.. 41 

(!ranted husband 18 

Granted wife 84 



MARRIED NAME 
TEST 100% 
BUST 



Boston, Feb. 9. 
Stars had an Impromptu appear- 
ance (oral) before the State legis< 
latlve committee this week. Promi- 
nent women here argued for their 
bill to permit married women In 
political life to retain their maiden 
names. 

Afary Livermore Barrows, herself 
a member of legislature, urged that 
if actresses and singers could use 
maiden names, why not femme 
pels? Marion Cowan Barrows 
Garland, former representative In 
the House, in her argument, added: 
"We all know Helen Hayes as a 
great actress; but how many of 
you legislators know the name of 
her husband?" 
Not one knew! 

"And,'' pursued the lady, "how 
many of you could address one of 
hundreds of famous women as Mrs. 
and flU out the blanks?" 

Lost fhe Election 
Mrs. Garland said she lost her 
flght for reelection last fail simply 
because she married between flling 
her papers and the date of the elec- 
tion. On advice of secretary of 
state, she had the ballot changed 
to conform to her new name. 

"Voters didn't recoernize the 
name," she said. "Those who had 
voted for me before gave the votes 
to somebody else, and I lost — ail 
because the married name was my 
handicap." 

"Let us women keep the names 
we make famous," appealed Mrs. 
Alfred E. Lafayette, Republican 
Women's Club president. 



JERITZA IN OPEREnA 
FOR THE SHUBERTS 



Maria Jeritza is slated to star 
In a Shubert operetta Oct. 15 next, 
'Night In Venice,' by Johann 
Strauss. Operetta has been a Eu- 
ropean success. 

Currently under NBC concert- 
opera management, the broadcast- 
ing outfit didn't do any too well on 
the Jcrltza signaturing owing to 
the large guaranty. 

The .Terltza-Shubert deal calls 
for Jack Buchanan opposite her. 



Hollywood, Feb. 9. 
Moss Hart, on tlie Metro payroll 
as a writer for the last six months, 
is still kidding Hollywood. Co- 
author of 'Oiice in a Lifetime' used 
the' -Air for hto latest dle^ at the 
colony and its personnel when ap- 
pearing with other writers and di- 
rectors on a "Hollywood on the Air' 
NBC program. 

Using' a straight man. Hart was 
interviewed to show that he was all 
wrong about tlollywood In 'Life- 
time:' Some of his ether lines show 
how wrong he believes he was: 

'Remember the author who sat in 
the outer ojOIee waiting for the.pro- 
ducer? You never had to wait for 
Mr. Thalberg that way, did you?' 

"No, I naust admit I never waited 
in the outer office for Mr. Thalberg. 
I was ushered right In and waited 
in the inner office.' 

Then In the play you had a man 
coming' along and taklngr people's 
names olt * doors without their 
knowing they've been fired. Never 
saw that happen In the studio, did 
you?' 

'No. Sometimes you come back 
from lunch and it says 'barber shop' 
on the door.' 

'In the play they made the wrong 
picture. Now that couldn't happen.' 

•No. I guess the play was wrong. 
Of course, you remember the first 
two weeks at the studio they gave 
"us a story to work on and then 
found they'd given me the wrong 
story — after two weeks,' 

That doesn't count. They didn't 
make it, did they?' 

'No. 1 guess they've got wrong 
stories here they've worked on for 
years.' 



COAST'S 1ST EXaUSIVE 
BROADCAST THEATRE 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Beaux Arts' (riabe) had been re- 
named the Radio -Playhouse and will 
be used . expjusiv.ely. in future for 
audience broadcasts by commercial 
programs. 

The Glfmore Circus, weekly air 
period of the Gllmore Oil Co., is 
now using this 550-seater, with tick- 
ets for admiss16h given for each 20- 
gallon purchase of its gasoline. 

Hour IS belngf staged as a legit at- 
traction m costume and scenery. 



Threats Over Song 



Broadcaating of 'Buy American' 
has brought a flood of protest let- 
ter.s, according to the networks. 
Some of the epistles go beyond the 
bounds of mere protest and threat- 
en bodily harm. Some letters liave 
been turned over to the Federal au- 
thorities. 

Most of the communications con- 
demning the song have come from 
Canada. Less restrained letters 
post-maiked V. 3. aver things are 
bad enougli without spreading na- 
tionalistic propaganda. 



2 



VARIETY 



P I CTO R E S 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



Government Issues Distinct Order 
Stamping Out Alien Actors in U. S.: 
Refusing Many Permit Extensions 



Wnshlnffton, Feb. 6. 
The Federal government has put 
a distinct curb on alien motion pic- 
ture actors, writers and directors, 
an order having Just been issued by 
Secretary of Labor W. N. Doak to 
the agents of his department that 
no more labor permits shall be ex- 
tended to this Imported studio per- 
sonnel unless their ser\'ices ar« vital 
to employers. 

This order, along with the recent, 
checkup by the special labor de-. 
pariment. agents, . is expected to 
bring about an exodus of foreign 
film people with more ^han 60 mem- 
bers o.f the colony , in .Hiolly wood; 
understood to have departed already 
or planning to do so. within iO day& 
In their checkup, the agents have 
listed all players, writers and di- 
rectors who have.gone to HoUywpod 
on labor pernfiits In . the last few 
years. Those who .have overstayed < 
their original six months license, or 
future renewals have been advised 
to leave or be liable to..dej)ortatlon. 
Hop to Nearby Ports 
It is known also that several of 
the film crowd have gone to Mexi- 
can or Canadian ports ■ of entry, to 
await their quotoi! numbers for their 
retjurn to the .studios. 
"Another restriction .on the whole- 
sale entry pt. foreign picture re- 
cruits Into thiS: country-Is the DJck- 
Btein bill , which , is expected to pass 
the senate shortly and be signed by 
the president 



Saving a Name 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Economy is getting a fair 
start in the business end of 
one studio. Engaging a writer, 
John Goodrich, the studio 
placed him in the offlce of an 
ex-writer for it, Frances Good- 
rich. 

Through this finesse the sign 
painter^ only had to change the 
first name. 



Garsson at Colony 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Immigration _ authorities" under 
direction of Murray W. . Garsson, 
special assistant to .Secret,ary of 
Labor, have rpujidei .up over 200 
foreigners over . the week end for 
questioning. .. , 

A large number of . ih^m have 
agreed tp leave, the counti-y within 
the next few months and get re- 
entn? Fcire.dentials f or their return. 

Sheilla . Teri*y^, . ;Wamer contract 
playeri. agceed tp go to Canada next 
month and get proper qupta num- 
ber. It's understood, two Metro di- 
rectors were ordered, out of the 
country. 

J[ohn Farrow, wi'ltjer," is only 
one arrested by Qarsspn thus far, 
the chaxge b^ing .. mpr.al-i^jrpitude. 
It is. expected ][ie will .be' sent back 
to New Guinea. Marquis de Falals, 
husband of Constance Bennett, here 
on a permit which has expired, 
sailed for his homo in France Satur- 
day (4). 

Garsson has advised those unem- 
ployed to make arrangements to 
leave the country within a certain 
period. Those requesting renewals 
or extensions have received little 
but discouragement. 



KEATON RELEASED 
FR0K MEinO LOT 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

.Buster Keaton asked and received 
his release from his $3,0.00-a-week 
Metro contract Thursday (2). Con- 
tract had eight months to run. 

Kesiton wks dissatls^jc;^ with .the 
secondary billing he received in 
"WJiat— No Beer,' picture previewed 
ltist"week. Jimmy Dufante given 
tops. Understood the co|nic also 
objected to Dui-ahte reti^lvlng the 
meatier roles In the laiet two pic- 
turcid in which both apip^ared. 

Keaton was not figured mUch late- 
ly on his American dra'w but made 
money for Metro abroad, especially 
in England. He has been on Metro's 
payroll for 10 years with the ex- 
ception of a short period at United 
Artists,' where he made two features. 



3 WALK ON 'RECKONING' 



Lombard, Grant and Stephenson— 
! Out of Par's Cast — Successors 



Pearl's Price 

Jack Pearl is virtually set with 
Metro, but not yet signed at $100,000 
per picture, or any other flgrure. 

Metro is amenable to $50,000 for 
the first filckcr and $100,000 on the 
option, when and if. 



INDEX 

Bills 46 

Burlesque 61 

Chatter 58-60 

Editorial 47 

Exploitation 19 

Film House Reviews 14 

Film Reviews 12-13 

Foreign Film News 17 

Foreign Show News 50 

Inside — Legit 51 

Inside — Music 65 

Inside — Pictures 47 

Inside— Radio 86 

I.iside — Vaude 47 

Legitimate 48-62 

Letter List 62 

Literati 63 

Music 64-55 

New Acts 45 

News from the Dallies... 66 

Nlte Clubs 64 

Obituary 62 

Outdoors 63 

Pictures 2-34 

Radio 35-42 

Radio Reports 40 

Talking Shorts 12 

Times Square — Sports. ... 57 

Vaudeville 43-44 

Vaude House Reviews .... 45 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Wholesale walks on Paramount's 
'i>ead Reckoning' have Carole Lom- 
bard, Cary Grant and Henry Ste- 
phenson out. Stephenson, here from 
New York for a major role, found 
his part cut down to a bit by the 
time he arrived. 

Grant took advantage of the sit- 
uation to enter the Cedars of Leb- 
anon hospital for -a minor opera- 
tion. He may be replaced in the 
cast by Ben Lyons. Shirley <3rey 
gets the Lombard role and MorgOta 
Wallace will play the bit which 
Stevenson declined. 

The story is still in rewriting 
stage with Claude Blnyon and Frank 
Butler toiling over It. Slated for a 
start today. 




WILLMAHONEY 

. Th^s .Weeli.' Alhee./Prpvldience. 

Tne San ° Francisco Examiner 
said: "I don't.-know- a man -.alive 
who can make a stage fall quite as 
funny as Will Mahoney. He puts 
an audience through such an ordeal 
of laughter that ^ they becjome... rib- 
weary, ^t- Be. Bur6' to see Mr. .Jla- 
honey." 

Direction 

RALPH G. FARNUM 

. '.IIBQll) Broadway . 



Divorce Dirt 



Pick Up Jenkins, Farrell 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Warner-FN took up options on 
Allen Jenkins and Glenda Farrell. 

Both former legit players were 
originally contracted six months 
ago. 



F. B. Kent Has Flu Again 

Los Angeles, -Feb. 6. 

Percy R. Kent, Fox West Coast 
vice-president in charge of real es- 
tate, laid up with the flu. 

His second attack in past two 
months. 



SAILINGS 

Feb. 8 (New York to London) Mr. 
and Mrs. Harvey Watkins (Levia- 
than). 

Feb. 8 (Nfw York to Paris), J. 
Hummell (Leviathan). 

Feb. 4 (Mediterranean cruise), 
Richard Wallace (Columbus). 

Feb. 4 (Los Angeles to New York) 
Sidney Lanfield (Santa Paula). 

Feb. 4 (New York to Naples) 
Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Geraghty 
(Conte de Savola). 

Feb. 4 (Mediterranean cruise) Otis 
Skinner (De Grasse). 

Feb. 4 (Los Angeles to Havana), 
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Borzage (Santa 
Paula). 

Feb, 4 (Los Angeles to New York), 
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wallace 
(Santa Paula). 

Feb. 4 (Los Angeles to Paris), 
Constance Bennett, Henry de la Fa- 
lafser-Gladys Young (Delftdyke). 

Feb. 1 (Paris to New York), Henry 
Garat (Paris). 

Jan. 2S (New York to Paris), Mar- 
cel H. Morhange (Lafayette). 



(Continued from page 1) 

Ruth Chatterton - Ralph Forbes; 
Ann Harding - Harry Bannister; 
John (3ilbert-Ina Claire;. Loretta 
Young-Grant Withers; Lola Lane- 
Lew Ayers; ^obbe Arnst- Johnnie 
Weissmuller; Maurice. Chevalier- 
Yvonne "Vallee, and Mervyn Leroy- 
Edna Murphy. 

Insidious gossip, some starting as 
supposedly ' innocent ribbing, and 
the catty columns have contributed 
heavily to the breaklni. up of plenty 
Hollywood homes, although the rea- 
son usually glyen la totally different. 

Rules fbr calllng tbe Mendelssohn 
march off are many in California, 
with the toughest part the year's 
wait between interlocutory and final 
decree. For those who are anxious 
to try it again, it's a day's trip to 
either Tifi Juana or one of the Ne- 
vada resorts. 

Anything Can Happen 
Production widows and widowers 
— those halves of the team who toll 
not nor spin, 'add another menace 
tp smooth matrimonial navigation. 
With time on their hands and no 
opportunity to share In the work of 
thtiir mates, anything can, and 
sometimes does, happen. 
. Living in glass houses Is strict 
privacy compared with the omni- 
present Umelfght that illuminates 
the married life of film celebs. Last 
night's cross-words becomes today's 
hot news. Every time one makes a 
sour face across a restaurant' table 
at the other — It hits the papers. Try 
and square a tlft when word-of- 
mouth and print have bandied it 
around town. 

According to the California law, 
all the wealth and property accum- 
ulated by either party while both 
are married and living in California 
becomes community property, with 
each having an equal share in It. 
It is easy for a discontented wife to 
effect a property settlement when 
the pair divide — that gives her a 
sizable slice of .the* family bank- 
roll, even though It does not equal 
a 60-60 split. 

Generally It's 'Cruelty' 
That there is no basically serious 
reason for most Hollywood divorces 
rs apparent from the grounds on 
which they are obtained. One- 
fourth of the splits In the past- two 
years were due to 'cruelty,' which 
includes everything from refusing to 
put on 'a dinner jacket every night 
to staying out late without an alibi. 
In one-third of the remaining suits, 
even more inconsequential reasons 
were given, almost all of them fall- 
ing under the cruelty category. 

In addition to the actual divorce 
cases, there are a number of agree- 
ments to disagree, with the parties 
living apart, going out with other 
friends and seeing each other only 
once in a while. Among the couples 
living thus are Claudette Colbert 
and Norman Foster; Janet Gaynor 
and Lydell Peck; Miriam Hopkins 
and Austin Parker; B. P. and Ad 
Schulberg. 



Durante Wants Trio 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Jimmy Durante will leave shortly 
to go into rehearsals for 'Strike Me 
Pink' on a 10-week leave of absence 
from Metro. 

He hopes to bring Clayton and 
Jackson into the show with him, 
reviving the old trio formation. 



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Plaintiff Defendant Reason 

Maurice; phev%lier..... yvonne ^yallee......j.3real.ousy 

Tvonn^ -'Vallee". . ; Mauj^ice ';Cheval^er . L Cruelty 

Natalie Talmadge' .... Buister Keaton' " 

Judith VosselU John E. Lloyd " 

Muriel Flnley ..Edward Cronjager .. " 

Phyllis Birock • .Ijouis Brock ** 

Lola Lane Lew. Ay^®° *** " 

Lillian Al^rtson .... .Louis Q. Macloon. .. " 

Josephine Dunn ..... Clyde Qreathouse ... " 

Kina Wilcox Putnam. . Arthur J; Ope. •• 

Eugenia McEvo'y J.'P. McEvoy <• 

Virginia Goodwin ....Ralpl^ Graves i 

ClltC Edwards Irene '.L. Edwards , 

Peggy Doner Ted Doner 

Rul>y Porter HerblNacio Tgrown..-' <. ■•■' 

Jean liarioyr .......... Charles ^F; McGrew.. « " ~ •■ 

Bea Williams ^ Warren Hymer < 

Jocelyn Leia Lutiieif Reed « - • ■ 

Helen Twelvetrees. .. ... cia,rk!.n;w.elvetreeB .. « ' • 

Elizabeth Luden ....VL Jack ^liiden " 

Faiillhe 1 Starke^ ...... j^ack IWlilti ' " ' ^ • 

Madeline Wel|ier , ... . • ArmaiM Kaliz . . . . . . i«' ' •" • ' 

Helen Lubitsch ...... Ernst, ^ubltsch <»•'• 

Billie Dov? .• « "Irving iwi^llat , . " ,. 

Dorj^thy .Lee v...j{^me6'Frdier ....... " 

Gertnalne-'^erahfleld. ..Ben Hjershfl^l^ • •••• . 

Janet Hamllton-GajltlBjQhn Mcjborinick ". ' 

(Colleen Moore John McCormlck • • tincornpatlbillts 

Zasu Pitts Tom (jlallery •-Desertion " ' 

Gaylord Lloyd .BaTbai)a Starr » 

AUeen Prlngle Charlels Pringle . . . . • <• 

Suzette Renaldo ....... Duncan. Renaldo ... ' ' 

Edna May Oliver D. W. iPratt i . " 

Jahies Kirkwood Llla lieer ; « 

Walter Huston Bayohiie Whipple .. » ' 

Mildred Harris Tenry McGovern .... «• 

William Boyd Clara- ^oel 

Mildred Richler Jerome .Storm «- 

Claudia Dell . Phillip; H. Offln 

Charlotte Lange Arthur Lange « 

Wilbur Giiethleln .....June McOloy 

Lillian Roth William M. C. Scott. incdmpatlbillty 

Jack Dempsey Estelle Taylor 

. Edna Murphy Mervyn Leroy •• 

Llna Basquette Peverel Marley •• 

Lottie Plckford Russell O. GiHard. . .Non-supjiort 

Olive White .' .William Farnum ... *< 

Loretta Young Grant Withers " 

Marion iSals Jack Hoxie " 

Mary Duncan Lewis' Wood Annulment 

Nita Ca-valler And. B. Warrington. «< 

Vivian Duncan Nils A'sther He spoke Swedish 

to his mother 

Lala Clair L. R. Margolies He borrowed money 

frofn her -mother 



Gertrude Van Loan . . H. H. Van Loan . 



in 



Bobbe Arnst 



.Att^v .12 inrs 
court 

.Johnnie WelBmuller..HIs brother lived 
I with therji . 

William Davidson ..... Mra. \^m. Davidson. Ridiculed hit) 

professioii 

Lucille Mendez Ralph Ince Objected to her 

i ' stage career 

Monte Banks Gladys' Frazln .Her chronic 

I disappearances 

Dorothy Appleby Morgan Galloway ...Called hef a, 'lousy 

actresr^ 

Lowell Sherman Helene| Costello Called him a 

'ham actor* 

Helene Costello Lowell Sherman 



her 



Irma Weltzenkorn ...Louis Weltzenkorn. 



, .Feared for 
life 

.Practically 
everything 

Mary Poulson Bull Montana Made faces at her 

Anne Harolde Ralf HaroUle His parties kept 

her awake 

Donald Gallaher Josephine Gallaher .. Fighting 

Dorothy Perry Stepln Fetchit WIfe-beatIng 

Jacquette Cedar Ralph Cedar He beat her 

Patricia Caron William J. Begg Intoxication 

Eleanor Hunt Rex Lease lealouey 

George Hill Frances Marlon Temperamental 

Irene Rich David Blankenhorn. .Picture work 

Interfered 

Ethel Kenyon Eddie Sutherland ..Unbearable 

temperament 

Agnes Miller Tim McCoy Gone Hollywood 

Clara Horton— . . . . . -?TT-Hyman- Brand .t-..;. Spent nights out 
John J. Mescall Florence Mescall 



! 



Esther Mulr Busby Berkeley . . 

Bert Roach Gladys M. Roach., 

Robert Armstrong 



False accusations 
.Tore her dress off 
at dance 

Threw objects at 
him 

Jeanne Kent Refused to stay 

home 

Ina Claire John Gilbert Mutual. asreement 

Ethel Clayton Ian Keith Intoxication 

Segunda Yriondo Otto Lederer Swore at her sister 

Ann Harding Harry Bannister ....Interfered with 

their careers 

Ruth Chatterton Ralph Forbes Did not state 

Bernlce Speer Bert Wheeler " 

Nathalie Morton Charles Morton .... " 

Corliss Palmer E. V. Brewster " 

Jean Malin Fay Hyman 

Lillian Rich L. E. Nicholson 

Victoria Forde Tom Mix " 

Roslna Gaudio Tony Guadio " 

Alice Joyce Jim Regan " 

Eleanor Boardman ...King Vidor " 

Lillian Bonner Eph Asher " 

Ann Alvarado Don Alvarado " 

Gloria Swanson Henri de la Falaise.. " 

Kathlyn Williams ....Charles Eyton " 

Mrs. Monta Bell Monta Bell 

Muriel Evans Michael Cudahy .... " 

Kenneth Harlan .... Doris Booth " 

Hazel May Borden. .. .Eddie Borden " 

Fanchon Royer Ray Cannon " 

Dorothy Dunbar Jamie De Garson. . . . " 



Tuesday, February 7, 1935 



p I era res 



VARIETY S 







Sweaters and The Brown Dubby 



Mark Kelly of 'Examiner* Lets Loose What He Saw 

and Heard 
(From Lo9 Angelet 'Examiner,* Jan. 30, 1933) 



By Mark Kelly 

Flashlights were popping. A guy 
^ith a home-madfe easel and cray- 
ons was sketching this and that 
petson. I thought I could at times 
detect the purring of cats, but dls- 
<A>vered it was the chattering of 
the femmes. It was Friday night 
after the Hollywood bouts and the 
Brown Dubby was packed. 

•Where's the training camp and 
who's getting ready for a fight, 
Walker and Fields or Dempsey?' 
I asked of Mr. Nick, the splendid 
headwalter man, whose last name is 
unpronounceable, let alone spellable, 
I had to ask Nick because Mr. Her- 
bert Somborn doesn't talk to any- 
one less than a featured player, and 
smiles only for the executives. As. 
head man he has more frappe on 
tap than Pierre of old Delmonicos, 
and Pierre was tops in the ice cir- 
cuit of his day. 

Sweaters Ruled Off 

'And i»hcn did you change policy?' I 
further interrogated. 

Nicli looked at me suspicioialy, sniffed 
to see // it was Johnny/ talker's backfire 
and, convinced that it naant, led me to 
a railbird'i seal and Oified pointedly, 'vhat 
}fou mean?' 

1 pointed io several guys vearing those 
around-the-neck sneaters that were ruled 
off the turf, as contraband about the time 
that the term 'rough neck' came into ex- 
istence. I didn't think that even Mr. Die- 
Irich could get away with one of them, 
particularly in the Brown Dubby where 
as late as last July, they ' wanted striped 
trousers and frock coats as badges of ad- 
mission at lunch — pardon me, luncheon I 

Nick looked bewildered, but will- 
ing to be smarted to what I was 
getting at. 

With a sweep of my arm that 
took in at least twelve blokes in 
said sweaters, I wanted to know 
who the embryo pugs were; what 
were their nstlc records and how 
come they were not bearing the 
usual bashed pans, tin ears, cut 
eyes and other honorariums of their 
calling, I thought maybe they were 
being 'schooled' and were training 
In the neighborhood for their fistic 
debuts. . ' 

'Why,' and Nick was a bit pat- 
ronizing of my stupidity, 'ain't you 
heard that them's the newest style 
for gentlemen in the pitchers.' 

I said I hadn't and wanted to 
know Just what variation of sweat- 
er went for evening wear on formal 
•(jpenlngs' such as cinema classics 
get in Hollywood. 

Coney Island Touch 

I / further pressed Nick to tell me what 
newspapers the camera man and the 
sketch artist represented, because I'll be 
doggoned if 'The Examiner is gonna be 
scooped by any Arthur Ungars and his old 
yarlcly'. 

• 'They ain'l newspaper guys' said Nick- 
'They take pictures of the big stars, who 
et>mc here always to eat. That artist fel- 
low, he draws those sketches which you 
see on our walls' 

I offered Nick 'o one that the artist 
guy couldn't identify half of the pictures 
hfmsclf, without sneaking a peek 
autographs. Nick ducked the wager. No 
sucker he. 

< Tlie or Dubby has taken on a 
doney Island touch with a Metro- 
politan Museum tinge at no convert. 
You can see the stars — okay, then, 
the featured players — and you can 
rubberneck through the picture gal- 
lery at no upped tab, wliich ought 
to burn up Boos Brothers or 
Lelghtons. 

Nate Stein There 

If you look real strange and 
•ijourlsty' Mr. Kid Fringe (Nate 
Stein), will pop up as a garrul- 
ous guide and gab you down. I 
liike tliat mnnicker Tor Mr. Kate 
Stein ijecause It proves he's ahvayp 
on the edge of things and some- 
times gets In your soup. Tlio fight 
mob occasion.ally hangs out In the 
Dubiiy, too. However, tlicy arc the 
conscrv.'jllves of the iil.nee. the not- 
on-exhiI)iti(>ni.<-ts, .ind they rate 
about X minus with the head man 
of the place. No sketch artists 
bother thorn nor are the camera- 
men popping flashlights over their 



Logicaji 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Titles for three, successive 
pictures for Zazu Pitts and 
Slim SummervlUe at Universal 
have been: 

'The Unexpected Father,' 
'They Just pad to Get Mar- 
ried,' and 'Niagara Falls.' 



U REJECTS OFFER FOR 
PAUL LUKAS IN PARIS 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Alexander Korda's offer to Paul 
Lukas to do one picture in Paris 
was vetoed by Universal, to whom 
Lukas Is under contract. Studio 
contends salary offered wasn't suffi- 
cient. Universal has been showing 
a profit on the actor by loaning 
him to other producers here at 
more than his U salary, and re- 
fused to let him go abroad, al- 
though Lukas wanted to make the 
trip. 

Actor Is now in 'Kiss Before the 
Mirror,' his first picture for Uni- 
versal, although studio took over 
his contract from Paramount a 
year ago. He has been constantly 
on loan. 



ROYAL CARAVAN FADES 



Picture Assignments Put Countess' 
Junket in the Minus Column 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

With Mary PIckford leaving here 
today for a three -week stay in New 
York before going to St. Morltz to 
Join Douglas Fairbanks, the caravan 
of picture nanres that was tripping 
to Italy as guests of Countess dl 
Frasso is gummed up. Miss Pick- 
ford will remain In New York until 
her picture opens. 

The dl Frasso party went hay- 
wire when Joel McCrae, Gary 
Cooper and Donald Ogden Stewart 
found their picture assignments 
crossing the trip. Elsa Maxwell, 
another tripper, has a local deal on 
to write for pictures. 

The countess has been a guest of 
the Fairbanks' for seven months. 



Barrymore on Personals 



Culver City, Feb. 6. 

On completing remaining picture 
assignments at Radio, Lionel Barry- 
more will make a six weeks' per- 
sonal tour In Loew houses. Expects 
to leave in about three weeks. 

Edgar Allan AVoolf is writing an 
act for Barrymore. 



Joe E. Brown's Bows 

Hollywood, Feb. G. 

Joe E. Brown opens for Publix at 
Detroit, (17) with a week of per- 
sonals in Chicago to follow. Unde- 
cided whether he will then join the 
'42nd Street' exploitation caravan at 
Washington or not. 

Meanwhile, studit Is looking for 
his next story. 




Sales Mgr. Turns Critic 

And Tells Pres. Why First Act of 'Crazy 
Rhythm' Crabs It for Pictures 



tables. They are the best dressed 
because their regalia has no siren. 
They'd be ashamed to appear in 
sweaters, which they use only for 
road work in the hours of dawn. 
They are the only ones who come 
strictly to eat. 

In due course of time a waiter 
was at our elbow. He looked Swissy, 
talked with an Alpine accent, yet in 
the absence of a feather, the yodel 
or the rope, why prod the man? 

'What have you special,' I popped. 

He gazed nonchalantly around the 
vast room, took in my be-sweatered 
friends and dryly remarked: 

'We have much ham tonight.' 

Now I just wonder . . but 
there's the bell. 



J. Stuart Blackton's Pro- 
duction or Reproduc- 
tion— 5ho.wn on Coast — 
Goes Way Back Bieyond 
Start of This Moving Pic- 
ture Era 



VERY INTERESTING 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Producers have steadfastly held 
out against any feature wherein 
dramatic sequence was not included. 
War propaganda, adventure features 
and travel pictures have slipped 
into general circulation, but never 
with the approval of any major 
studio. 

It is fitting that the first feature 
length history of pictures should be 
turned out by J. Stuart Blackton, 
veteran producer and onetime head 
of Vitagraph. Blackton tried hard 
to interest various major studios in 
his project, but they declined. The 
idea of producing the history of mo 
tion pictures minus a story was 
against their better judgment. 

Were Blackton to Include a yarn, 
such as an old actor telling the story 
of pictures, that would be nother 
matter. Without a thread of a 
story, his Idea was out, they said. 
Blalckton stuck to his guns and re- 
fused to have any part of a yarn. 

Result is a seven reel feature, 
packed with interest Blackton has 
dug deep in history, and traced mo- 

(Contlnued on page 25) 



Cagney Takes WB 
Cut; Chatterton 
Gives Free Film 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

James Cagney has agreed to a 
salary slice at Warners of around 
$500 a week. He agreed to take the 
cut after Darryl Zanuck had pointed 
out to hira the necessity of economy 
in actors' pay. 

The voluntary cut comes within 
four months after Cagney's fight 
with the studio for a raise that went 
to the courts and later to the Acad- 
emy. Slice, however, is much less 
than the amount boosted in his pay 
envelope following the holdout. 

Cagney's willingness to submit to 
a reduction follows an attempt by 
the studio to get all contract play- 
ers to take a cut, held up for a <.ime 
with Richard Barthelmess leading 
his associates in. opposition to this. 

Ruth Chatterton was one of the 
holdouts for a time and while not 
yet agreeing, has consented to do 
an extra picture this year without 
pay. 



Stanwyck Parallel 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Hollywood sees a twist of 
fate in Barbara Stanwyck's 
present experience In angeling 
the revue, 'Tattle Tales,' which 
ai.Sk.Ta her husband, Frank Fay. 
Some years ago the screen 
actress played a part in ^Bur- 
lesque', wtilch.. parallels the 
real-life difflcultles which have 
confronted her in her present 
legit venture, which had cost 
her $32,000 on the line up to 
the night the revue departed 
for San Francisco. 



BUDDY ROGERS' YEAR 
WITH FOX-3 PICTUilES 



Charles 'Buddy' Rogers goes back 
to pictures, this time for Fox, on 
a one-year contract calling for 
three pictures. First will be '5c a 
Glass.' Rogers was set direct for 
Fox by Sidney Kent while playing 
Iioew's State, New York, last week. 

Film Juve, who staged a brief 
film comeback at Paramount last 
year, will play three RKO vaude 
weeks on his way out to Hollywood. 
Following a current week for Loew 
In Washington, he goes to Kansas 
City, Omaha and Minneapolis. 



FIGHTING TIME 



Roach Ordrs New Plane With 
Cruising Speed of 180 MPH 



Culver City, Feb. S. 

Figuring the cost and upkeep of 
a plane small as compared to the 
time saved in traveling between 
here and New York, Hal Roach ia 
having another aircraft built, faster 
even than his now winged mono- 
plane which cracked up in South 
America Nov. 17, last. 

With a cruising speed of 180 
miles per hour and capable of 215, 
Roach says he can attend a confer- 
ence in New York and return over 
a week end. Plane, being built with 
the conference idea in mind, will 
carry 10 passengers and two pilots. 

Roach's former air liner had 
made east-west and west-east hops 
In a day. . 

Metro win pay Roach for his 
other plane, wrecked while carrying 
Arth-ur Loew and Joe Rosthal on 
Metro business. Lockheed Is build- 
ing the new twin motor machine 
at United Airport, Burbank. 



HEMINGWAY AS FINANCIER 



Might Be Behind Milestone's Film 
'Carmen' 



Lewis Milestone and Ernest Hem- 
ingway, author, are considering a 
picture adaptation of 'Carmen' as 
a Joint effort. Before going to Flor- 
ida on a motor trip, Hemingway, 
who would do the adaptation, con- 
ferred with Milestone In New York. 

Milestone's year's contract with 
Joseph M. Schenck on a sharing 
directorial basis, was up Jan. 1, 
with no intimation that It would 
be renewed. Milestone directed two 
for UA, 'Rain' and the Al Jolson 
pirturc. 

Financing on a Milestone-Hem- 
ingway picture might come from 
friends of Hemingway's, among 
wliom arc several very wealtliy 
persons. It is said. 



Wheeler-Woolsey East 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Wheeler and Woolsey will shortly 
start east, where they will probably 
make some personal appearances 
under the guidance of their agent, 
Leo Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald Is report- 
ed asking the deluxe managements 
$10,500 weekly for the co-star com- 
ics. 

The team has just finished a com- 
edy for Columbia. They hold a con- 
tract with Radio Pictures for one 
more feature, but may do another 
for Col before commencing Radio's. 



Tashman in Duffy Play 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Lllyan Tashman in 'fi.r.unds for 
Divorce' opens ut the VA Capiian 
Sunday (13), moving In from r 
three-week run at the Alcazar, San 
Frn ncisco. 

'Divorce' follows 'Bridal Wl.xe.' 
wlnoh folds here, having h^xil lis 
'Fri.sco run previously. 



Opposite Cagney 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
MadKC FJvuns was borrowed from 
Mdro by Warners to replace CJlcnda 
r'arrell on 'Mayor of I Id I.' 
It stars James Cngncy. 



Apparently Greenwich thesplans 
are tiring of Village exclusiveness 
and now want to do things in thcj 
big way. Some one sold one of the 
alley's troupes that picture com> 
panics are hard up for stories, and 
that if they preview the show and 
sell the screen rights thcre'd be 
enough 'money to pay roof expenses' 
on Broadway. So, the experiment 
was tried last . week in Channln's 
exclusive little uptown skyplece. 

All the picture compiinles were In- 
vited to send the president or kn' 
executive. Several did; One sales 
manager of an independent com- 
pany summed up Russell Arm- 
strong's play, 'Crazy Rhythm,' with 
a cast of 15, in a written memoran- , 
dum to his chief as follows: 

'This is the play that they sent 
us an Invitation to see. 

'The first act takes place in a 
speakeasy in New 'JTork City run by 
a wise old baby. People come In 
and out like nobody's business — the 
same characters appear in the first 
act four or live times for no reason 
whatever, except to grt a drink. 

Xet me lightly <frnumerate the 
things that happen in the first act: 
First Act Action 

'A lady comes in desirous of cele- 
brating the fa6t that her husband 
is going on a six weeks' trip.: A 
newspaper reporter Is on a continu- 
ous drunk. A crooner who sings in 
the Joint becomes a Rudy Vallee. A 
mother and daughter meet — they 
bring In a baron two or three times 
during the act. 

'A gal on a bat away from her 
husband, who is a ho-good, doesn't 
like her tnother and hates her step- 
father. The stepfather tries to in- 
terest the girl. He appears' on the 
scene with a revolver and insists 
on her golhg home. 

. 'JSverybody confides In the old baby 
who runs the Joint, telling her all 
their troubles. Her neph'ew urrlves 
afid whoops my dear he is in girl's 
clothes. The nephew Is a he-she — 
then we have the reason why a boy's 
a girl — environment, sisters — and 
then I left. It got too mixed for 
me! 

'. 'I was afraid of the second act. 
'As a motion picture, I would sug- 
gest that we forget 'Craiy Rhythm'. ' 



HUNGARIAN EMERGENCY 
niM PROVES BONANZA 



PlcTj>»-jirgh, Feb. 6. 

What was a last-iteinute move, 
made necessary In order to keep 
open last week, may |>rove a life 
saver for little Avenue Cfnema, for- 
eign film site here. Playing German 
pictures for last year and a half, 
management found too late that it 
was unable to book a German-made 
product currently and substltuated 
a Hungarian, 'KIss-Me Darling'. 

Business astounded everybody 
locally Magyars from miles around 
flock to see the first talker In Hun- 
garian ever exhibited here. When 
word got around, capacity trade re- 
sulted. 

It has given the Avenue Cinema 
an Idea now. German pictures ex- 
clusively are out. Owners are going 
Into the market for Polish, Italian 
and Yiddish talkers and will alter- 
nate them. 



DUPONT'S SPOT 



After Weeks U Gives Foreign Di- 
rector Picture to Do 



Hollywoocl, Feb. 6. 

Carl Laemmle, Jr., has finally 
found a spot for E. A. Dupont, with 
the foreign director now set to do 
'The Wizard.' starring Boris Karloff. 
r-.'en^rer hail been around the Unl- 
ver-^sal I'tudio for weeks without an 
assignrnenl. 

'Uluebeaid' probably will be Du- 
ponl's second. 

.Studio found Dupont on their 
hands with nothin;; in view for him 
whon lie failed to arrive to rnakt 
•Tlic Invisible Man. 



VAXJETY 



PICT 



ES 



Tiie8d«7, Febraarj, 7, 1933 



Keep Studios Clear of Eastern End 
Of Fdm Trade. Pleads Wfll Hays: 
Hollywood Must Remain Peaceful 



The film Industry's leaders and 
bankers are In agreement that the 
•west must be divorced from the 
east during the Industry's recon- 
struction era. Hollywood, under 
the new dictum, is the industry's 
all-Important spot. It cannot de- 
liver If it is harassed by fear and 
conflict. In the words of Will Hays, 
this is a description of what 
amounts to a guarantee to the West 
Coast that it will not be disturbed 
unless all other means fail: 

"Every thoughtful factor in the 
industry and the financial repre- 
sentatives who have analyzed the 
business of motion pictures agrees 
upon these things: 

•The show must go on I Movie 
entertainment still commands a 
vast popular audience which must 
be served by a continuous flow of 
pictures produced by the Industry.' 

Further interpretation of the dic- 
tum reveals that receiverships will 
be sought to be conflned to New 
York. And, that these receiver- 
ships will function in such a way 
that at no time will there be a 
shortage of product, is part of the 
Hays statement. 

The purpose of Hays' sudden 
'flight to Hollywood on the eve of 
Paramount's receivership is now 
revealed. It was to implant in the 
West Coast a confidence and inside 
slant on the whole matter, rather 
than Just a periodical visit And 
with Hays' return is promised to 
have come the acceptance of Holly- 
wood's appreciation of the position 
it now occupies. 

Hay's 4 Points 

With product assured. Hays is 
confident that fllmdoin will 'ride 
through and witness at the termin- 
ation of its reconstruction four 
salient points: They are: 

"First, that the continuous ser- 
vice Of feature pictures, shorts, 
newsreels and novelties from the 
studios will have remained un- 
broken. 

'Second, that greater economies 
will have been effected and that un- 
profitable enterprises will have been 
eliminated. 

'Third, that the best pictures will 
command the best possible prices 
for the producer and the best busi- 
ness for the exhibitor. 

'Fourth, that the financial struc- 
ture of the industry will have, been 
reorganized and stabilized, and that 
the screen will be among the first 
to feel any Improvement in "general 
business conditions.' 

Gradual Change 
From the Hayslan program 
shapes up the first definite depart- 
mental re-organization. Following 
the adjustment of circuit theatres, 
distribution will be thoroughly 
scanned and revised in many ways. 
After those two departments are 
disposed of, Hollywood will be sur- 
veyed. But, it is stated, .changes 
on the Coast will be gradual — s o 
gradual, it is emphasized, that most 
of the people in the colony will 
hardly be aware of what is happen- 
ing. 

In the new policy set-up the po- 
sition of the Hays ofllce is assured, 
it Is claimed. At least for the next 
four years it will function as the 
Industry's point of fixation. Hay- 
sians are confident that even if 
their member companies dwindle to 
^ two or three, w^hlch is not considered 
^ probable at this time, the Hays if- 
H fice income will continue. 
|r Will Hays, personally, is having 
his duties added to by receiverships. 
These are called 'abstract duties,' 
but they bear on the necessity of 
convincing the courts that the busi 
ness has everything in its favor to 
fight Its way back to the top. 

'The problems of readjustment 
will not be made easier by captious 
criticism. Wo are bound to hear of 
alleged mistakes made in commit- 
ments that were undertaken at a 
time when conditions seemed to 
justify them, of the alleged extrav- 
agance and w^aste in the upbuilding 
of a creative art — an art in which 
stories, plays and artists are the 
raw material of a continuous ex- 
perimental process of pleasing the 
public,' the Hays announcement 
says. 



HENRY'S HOPES 



Bergman Lists $4,000 in Unpaid 
Meal Cheeks as Assets 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
In Henry Bergman's bankruptcy 
schedule, filed h,ere, $4,000 worth of 
Henry's restaurant meal checks be- 
yond collection are listed In the 
total of $106,906 in assets. Against 
this are liabilities of $69,055. Cred- 
itors threw Bergman into involun- 
tary bankruptcy. 

Equipment of $20,697, real estate 
worth $49,000, and a $24,000 ad- 
vance to Henry's Ranch are among 
the assets. 



FOX SCRAPPING 
WRITER OPnONS 



Westwood, Feb. 6. 
As part of the general program 
of economy and retrenchment to be 
followed by all the major studios. 
Fox will not take up options on its 
writers, and on only a. few directors 
and players. 

The un-optloned will not be 
dropped but are to stay on a week- 
to-week basis if they desire. This 
gives the studio an opportunity to 
save on salaries by laying off peo- 
ple when no assignments are avail- 
able. Policy went into effect last 
week when Arthur Kober and Sam 
Mlntz were not renewed. 

Economy drive resulted from re- 
ceivership and bankruptcy proceed- 
ings which have hit Paramount 
Publlx and RKO. 



Arthur Films Horror 
Play Despite Hays' Ban 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Despite a Hays' oflQce ban on the 
Grand Quignol playlets, George K. 
Arthur Is producing on spec 'Some- 
thing More Important.' Picture had 
a one day filming schedule at Trem 
Carr studio. 

I. E. Chadwick Is loaning his 
'Oliver Twist' sets to Arthur, and Is 
eported to be Interested In the proj- 
ect. Cast, same as In the legit 
showing at the Music Box, Is on a 
percentage basis. 



ACTIONS IN DENVER 
TIE UP PU6LIX HOUSES 



Denver, Feb. 6. 

Two lawsuits filed here are looked 
on by many as the forerunner of 
bankruptcy proceedings against the 
Mountain States Theatre Corpora- 
tion, holding company for Publlx In 
Colorado. 

Sixteenth Street Realty Company 
has sued for $16,600, two months' 
rent on the Denver theatre, and has 
secured an order preventing the 
Denver National Bank from paying 
out any money belonging to the the- 
atre or corporation. Fifteenth 
Street Realty Company is suing for 
$9,626, back rent due from the Para- 
mount, and has secured an order 
stopping the United States National 
Bank from paying out any of the 
theatre or corporation funds. 

District Judge Charles S, Sack- 
man &lso granted orders preventing 
the Corporation from disposing of Its 
assets. 

The complaints charge the corpo- 
ration, known In the i)ast as the 
Paramount-Publlx Corporation, with 
fostering a conspiracy to enable it 
to go Into bankruptcy or receiver- 
ship to enable It to avoid terms of 
theatre leases. 



Film Supply Shortage Looked for 
By June, Next for Key City Houses; 
No Pinch for Deliveries Just Now 



LESLIE HOWARD'S TILT 

Sends Salary to $76,000 and Loses 
Out as Dsviss Lead 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Leslie Howard, up for the male 
lead in Marlon Davles' 'Peg O' My 
Heart' at Metro, asked $66,000 for 
the engagement. Studio balked, 
but William Randolph Hearst later 
okayed the deal. But when Howard 
Hater raised the ante to 76 grand, 
Hearst balked at this figure. 

In the meantime, studio had 
tested Colin Clive for the part, and 
for the difference In money pre- 
ferred to use Cllve. 

Cllve was okayed for the lead 
when Hearst refused to pay Howard 
his price. 



51 MIDWESCOS 
BACK TO SAXES 



TEX. TALKER PROMOTER 
UNKNOWN EAST-WEST 



Galveston, Feb. 6. 
Sam Houston hall, at Houston, 
has been leased by David Clayton 
SmIUi, said to be a *well known 
Hollywood director,' and Mrs. Edna 
W. Saunders, Houston, theatrical 
woman, for the Immediate produc- 
tion of a five-reel talking picture, 
using Houston talent exclusively. 

Hundreds of applicants, mostly 
girls, registered for parts. Roles to 
be awarded after rolls are closed. 
Public will be invited to witness 
making of picture. 



taSy, Landy in Opposish 
For Wampas Presidency 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Tom Baily, publicity director at 
Paramount studios, and George 
Landy, freelance, have been nom- 
inated by the Wampus for the presi- 
dency. Election is In three weeks. 

Other nominations are: Vice- 
president, Sam W. B. Cohen, Car- 
lisle Jones, Oliver Garver and Lin- 
coln Quarberg; secretary, Teete 
Carle, Max Shane and Robert Burk 
hart; treasurer. Milt Howe, Mel 
Riddle and Andy Hervey. Slate of 
20 was brought In for the seven 
board of director berths. 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

David Clayton Smith, reported 
promoting a talking picture at 
Houston, Tex., Is unknown here 
either as an independent or major 
picture director. 

Neither Is he listed as an assistant 
director. 



Same report as from Hollywood 
regarding David Clayton Smith, re- 
ported as 'a well known Hollywood 
director,' can stand for New York 
Smith is unknown also in the east 
as a film director. 



Geo. Marks Killed in Crash 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

George Marks, 32, film cutter at 
the Warner studio, was killed when 
another car sldeswiped his auto, 
head on at Azusa, Sunday, as he 
was coming from San Bernardino 
to Los Angeles. Crash also Injured 
hla wife, who is in Azusa hospital 

Marks, former bantamweight 
fighter, has been with Warners six 
years and was working on 'Adopted 
Father.' His three brothers, all at 
Warners survive, besides a widow 



'Bed of Roses' for Connie 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

When Constance Bennett returns 
from abroad the end of March, she 
will start to make 'No Bed of Roses 
for Radio Pictures. It will be 
book adaptation. 

Story is of a courtesan, from her 
home to the gutter. 



French Lead at Fox's 



Paris, Feb. 6. 
Henry Garat sailed Wednesday 
(1) for Hollywood and the Fox lot, 
He's the newest Fox foreign import 
Spot has been set aside for Garat 
opposite Janet Gaynor in 'Her 
Majesty Commands,' retitled 'Ador 
able.' He played the role in : 
French version a couple years back 



Milwaukee, Feb. C. 
Thomas and John E. Saxe, 
pioneers in Milwaukee's plctiu^ 
world, once more became active the- 
atrically Thursday (2) when they 
took back 61 theatres in Milwaukee 
and Wisconsin from the Foz-Mld- 
wesco chain. 

The Saxes turned over their the- 
atres to the Fox Interests Jan. 1, 
1928. Harold J. Fltzgrald, present 
general manager, and who held a 
similar position for the Saxes be- 
fore the swap, will remain. No 
other immediate changes are con- 
templated. 

The Saxe brothers established 
their first theatre here 28 years ago. 



DANNY AHEARN GOES 
TO WARNERS AS WRITER 



Hollywood, Feb. S. 

Danny Ahearn, newest writer 
from the east to Join the colony, 
is due at Warners late this week. 
His synopsis of a story treating of 
gangs of abandoned boys who 
range certain sections of the coun- 
try has been accepted by WB. 

Ahearn will collaborate with Earl 
Baldwin on completing the story. 
It is to be called 'Desperate Youth.' 

Ahearn's first picture story, 'Pic- 
ture Snatcher,' has been Just com- 
pleted by Warners and will be the 
next James Cagney release. 

Ahearn first gained notice through 
his initial book, 'How To Commit 
Murder.' 



Commencing this summer, prob- 
ably In June, film shortage Is ex- 
pected hy theatre men to reach Its 
most acute stage and from then on 
may become permanent. Possibili- 
ties are not remote that It will then 
be essential, sectlonally It not na- 
tlopally, to eliminate theatre ac- 
counts. Increase in the pumber of 
pictures to be made ' Id biaijanclng 
the situation, now away off keel, is 
an unlikely remedy. 

Just now there is no national 
shortage felt, although In certain 
situations, especially those Includ- 
ing a lot of doublerfeaturlng, diffi- 
culties are being experienced at the 
moment. One of the leading film 
buyers reports that except for fail- 
ure of Metro tc deliver according to 
schedule, no shortage other than to 
be -normally expected in distributor 
dealings is b^lng felt. Metro has 
fallen down on delivery the last five 
months, it is claimed, but is begin- 
ning to now catch. up with releases 
scheduled through March. 

Paramount and Warners, in de- 
livery of fllih to their accounts, 
have *been right on the nose' in 
meeting dates, while Radio and U 
are not , seriously behind, possibly 
falling back a week or so on a sin- 
gleton here and there. 

Until April 1 
All distributors at the moment 
hav^ notified chains of releases 
through the entire month of March, 
with delivery virtually certain. 
Paramount leads with six films to 
go on national release In March 
alone. 

That June, possibly May, is going 
to bring trouble for the film buyer 
and theatre operator is asserted as 
virtually certain. Getting into the 
off hot-weather season, with distribs 
pushing out the last of their pic- 
tures on the '82-'88 programs and 
genially thinning out in June and 
July, the theatre men will have to 
worry about situations which now 
take care of themselves. 

While a general shortage Is not 
expected immediately, in some of 
the larger keys, including New 
York and Chicago, the demand for 
film la stronger tiian It ever has 
been. This has been brought about 
by numerous developments of re- 
cent years. 

Drastio narrowing of playing time 
all along the line, with nms which 
formerly held pictures on an aver- 
age of six weeks, now lucky to get 
as far as two weeks, has contrib- 
uted by eating up film rapidly. The 
average picture, unless protection 
holds it back, now gets its circula- 
tion about three times, as fast. 

Overseatlng again figures with 
the average city or, town's patron- 
age spread among tbo many houses, 
with result none are supported 
properly. 



Receivership Costs Average from 
30 to 38% of Amounts Salvaged 



Receivership costs In certain 
classes have reached the point 
where they can be virtually stand- 
ardized, according to 'Standard Sta- 
tistics,' which, after reviewing 10,- 
000 cases, reports that between 30% 
and 38% of amounts salvaged were 
written oft as expenses of the ad- 
ministration overseers. 

Equity receiverships are a differ- 
ent matter, it being pointed out that 
no figures by comparison are avail- 
able because the most expensive 
item in such voluntary types is the 
grade of legal talent retained. 

Of all the receivers the record at- 
tributes the popularity of Irving 
Trust to its low administration 
costs. It charged an average of 
30.95% of the amount salvaged from 
a total of 1,680 cases. In the in- 
stances of 7,488 other bankruptcies, 
handled by ninny banking interests, 
the same average was closer to 
38%. 

Gross and Net 

In dollars this means that of a 
total of $5,734,000 salvaged Irving 
wrote off $1,774,000 as receivership 



expenses. Of the $32,240,000 saved 
in the second group receivers 
charged off a total of $12,498,000 to 
their administration. 

With the film industry the re 
ceivershlp matter is regarded as 
more a supervisorial endeavor to 
effect adjustmentis and reorganize, 
rather than to liquidate. Its main 
costs for the reconstruction period 
cannot be estimated in advance ex- 
cept in cases involving direct the 
atre bankruptcy. 

While no one in Paramount will 
hazard a guess as to cost, there are 
some executives close to the finan- 
cial structure who predict that the 
company will be through with its 
receivers by the end of 1933. Few 
executives throughout the industft' 
including repretentatlve spokesmen 
for all, believe that receiverships 
for either Paramount or Radio- 
Kelth-Orplicum. will extend mucli 
over a year. 

Were lawyers' fees in a class 
with other commodiUes estimating 
the cost of a friendly receivership 
would bo as simple as budgeting 
the average production. 



De Sylya Returning to 
Fox for Two Musicals 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Buddy De Sylva, over long dis- 
tance phone, has made a tentative 
deal with Winnie Sheehan to pro- 
duce two musicals for Fox on the 
current year's program. 

Contract will be signed after the 
return of Sheehan from the east 
Feb. 11. 



On the Sich List 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Home with a severe cold for a 
week, Carl Laemmle, Jr., is expected 
back at his desk today (Mon.). 
Emanuel Cohn was also a victim of 
a cold that kept him home for sev- 
eral days. 

Following appendix operations, 
Mrs. Will Rogers and Mrs. Joe E. 
Brown are both doing well at the 
Cedars of Lebanon hospital. Allan 
Roscoc is also there recovering from 
a major operation but still in a seri- 
ous condition. 

Robert 'Red' Gnlden is proBresslnjT 
at the Hollywood hospital where lie 
was taken aCtor an auto accident. 
.Tames Parrott. at the same hospital. 
Is better in his battle against flu 
germs. 



Tuesdaft FeBniarj 7, 1933 



P 1 C T ■ R E S 



VARIETY 






Fox Sets Pace to 
Preside by 



Gain Forep 
B.O. Names 




Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Indications here are that Fox Is 
. contemplatlngr a big play for Euro- 
pean business aiid will utilize Lilian 
Harvey, Henry Garat and Heather 
ADgel In American pictures, in the 
hope! that films with known names 
in Europe will have. a better chance 
In that market than the former pic- 
tures sent from here with names 
that mieant little to foreign box of- 
fices. Foreign' language versions 
may follow, but not likely. 

Importance) In this direction is 
also placed on a deal Fox has with 
Brie Pommer, who is on his way 
here, which involves either Pommer 
producing German language pic- 
tures here, or else returning to Ger- 
many to set up a unit there. It is 
not decided which course will be 
followed, but the latter Is consid- 
ered most likely. 

There are also indications that 
-Harry Lachman, who recently di- 
rected a domestic here, will go to 
France to inaugurate a French pro- 
ducing unit for Fox. 

European Plans Set 

Fox future plans to recruit busi- 
ness In Europe, lost with the intro- 
duction of talkers, are believed to 
"have been carefully laid, with Great 
Britain and its colonies the first 
considered. Pointing to this was 
the making of 'Cavalcade,' and the 
■good will for Fox expected to follow 
the showing of that picture In those 
countries. 

Good Back Home 

Along the same line, the Fox rea- 
soning is that pictures carrying the 
Pommer name will be an open 
sesame in Germany, and likewise in 
France, England and Germany for 
pictures starring or featuring Garat 
or Miss Harvey, while Miss Angel's 
name will help in England. 
• Currently, Fox is the only major 
company making foreign language 
pictures here, but confining produc- 
tion solely to Spanish. 

Practically all the American com- 
panies are now set on production 
In Europe, Universal and United 
Artists having the heaviest sched- 
lUles. Metro is trying to confine it- 
self to dubbing abroad solely, but 
most of the others are making films 
there, with Fox to follow suit. 

Fox's hope is that the American 
made films, with foreign stars, will 
supplement the list made abroad 
and get the entire list, including 
the oidlnary dubs, better returns. 



'Secrets' Last on Art 
Cinema Cash This Year 



Hollywood, Fe"b. 6. 
- AftQi- completion of 'Secrets,' the 
Mary Pickford picture, Art Cinema 
Finance Corp will cease to provide 
budgets for United Artists releases 
for .it least the balance of the cur- 
rent year. 

Joseph M. Schcnck will devote 
most of his time to United Artists 
Corp. afCairs besides participating 
in the productions of Keliance Pic- 
tures, or which Schcnck holds 50% 
interest, with the balance divided 
between Eilward Small and Harry 
Goetz. Likely that this company in 
the future will produce all outside 
pictures in which Schcnck is inter- 
ested Cor United Artists release. 

Schenck may go to New York in 
two weeks at the time his brother, 
Niclc, i-eturns. 



OTHER NEW STAR REISSUES 

Vallee and Downey Musicals Be- 
longing to Radio Pictures 



Sliort of product and with the 
radio vokuc set by Ed Wynn's re- 
vival of 'Follow the Leader' (Par), 
at tlio Winter Garden on Broadway, 
RI\() may reissue two of its 
old 'iins, 'Vagabond Lover' and 
'Motlier'.s Boy.' 

l-'nrmor .stars Rudy Vallce with 
Mnrit: Dr.sslor and 'Boy' holds 
MiMii):! I'd Alley, Warlng's Penn- 
eyl v.'iiii.iiis ;<iul I'.arbara Bennett. 



Expense Acs. Vs. Cots 



With salary slashes starting 
again In the business, lesser 
employees for the first time 
are becoming outspoken. 

In one company which re- 
cently reduced the pay check 
for the fourth time $16 and $18 
a week clerks are criticizing 
extravagant expense accounts 
granted visiting directors, ac- 
tors and directors. 



irS4THCUT 
TOTALS 45% 



Fourth salary cut in a year and 
a half, with a wide shifting about 
of personnel in exchanges, was ef- 
fected by Universal last week. For 
the man who was making $100 a 
week and over before the series of 
cuts, the latest brings his salary 
down to 66% of what it was. 

Ail salaried employees earning 
from $15 weekly up are affected by 
the latest slash which ranges from 
seven to 15%. 

Out in the field district managers 
are taking over exchanges, - while 
former managers are being demoted 
to the sales ranks. 



SHERIFF'S AnACHMENT 
aOSES ORPHEUH SITE 



Davenport, la., Feb. 6. 
With the 'Lawyer Man' on the 
screen and a flesh-and-blood sheriff 
in the box office, the RKO Orpheum 
theatre passed out of the theatrical 
picture Saturday night. Box of- 
fice receipts of $497 were attached 
by the Third and Bradye Sts. Corp. 
on a rental claim of $12,500 a short 
time before Charles Eagle, man- 
ager, would have removed the 
money for the night. 

Office files, furniture and stage 
settings were grabbed, the 'seized 
property being valued at $100,000. 

Attorneys indicated that further 
suits may be filed under the 25- 
year lease, rentals of which ag- 
gregate $1,800,000. The RKO Corp. 
leased the house May 29, 1930, at 
an annual rental of $76,000. 



U's Unit on Lot 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Benny Ziedman has been given a 
contract by Universal to make an 
untitled action picture independent- 
ly on its lot for U release. 

It is probable that similar deals 
will be made with other producers, 
with U having about six outside pic- 
tures on its program. 



RKO Hearing Feb. 17 



Federal Judge William Bondy has 
set Friday, Feb. 17, as the date for 
a hearing on the RKO receivership. 

RKO attorneys are preparing an 
answer to the petition for an equity 
receivership brought in the Balti- 
more state courts by Joseph G. 
Basker and Edward Goldman, of 
Boston, stockholders. 



Thalberg to Europe 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Irving Thalberg before returning 
to Metro studio will take a six- 
week trip to Europe, starting 
around March 1. 

Xick Schenck and rest of Loew 
party leave here for New York 
Tuesday night (7). 




Warner Brothers Tdl Its 
Thoughts Upon Legal Op- 
erators and Possibilities- 
Statement Shows Losses 
Reduced First Quarter 



Reorganizatioii, Not liquidation, 
For Majority of Mlix Theatres, 
Objective of Bankruptcy Trush 



BETTER MINUS BANKERS 



As the only major picture com- 
pany independent of the bankers, 
and as the one organization which 
has thrice thwarted attempta to 
throw it into receivership, Warners 
want nothing to do with receivers, 
or not until the industry precedent 
established by Paramount and RKO 
is sufficiently developed to record 
disadvantages as well as advantages 
in receivership operation. 

With this attitude ofncially ex- 
pressed by the Warner organiza- 
tion yesterday was revealed that the 
Brothers are heading into their new 
fiscal year with a status far more 
encouraging that In '31. For the 
first quarter ending in Nov., last, as 
carried in the current statement re- 
leased yesterda.y are losses of |i,746,- 
000, or $102,000 less than the sanie pe- 
riod for '31. The brothers are suffici- 
ently into the second quarter to be 
able to predict that It will be under 
$2,000,000. Last year for the same 
quarter losses were $8,400,000. 

Officially the brother* follow the 
form of announcing the status of the 
organization as a whole. Because 
of this, formal figures in connection 
with the theatre department are not 
available. Informally, it is con- 
firmed, the theatres are aggregat- 
ing an average weekly loss 'in ex- 
cess of $60,000.' 

Within a year, up to the present 
date, the brothers have sheared an 
approximate $166,000 off the weekly 
operating costs of their houses, it 
is claimed. The bulk of this saving 
is reflected in lease adjustments. 
Other than continuing these, it is 
pointed out, Warners can scarcely 
cut further without endangering the 
productivity of the box office. 

Not only have the Brothers as- 
sumed a watchful-walting-for-re- 
sults attitude toward current com- 
pany receiverships but, Monday, de- 
centralization talk was at its ebb 
In the home office. Theatre execu- 
tives then maintained that even with 
a slight upward trend Warner the- 
atres could be made to pay. 

Pittsburgh Situation 

Warnerites scoifed at their de- 
faulting to meet on Feb. 1 Interest 
on 6% bonds maturing in 1946, in 
Pittsburgh as the first indication 
that they are headed for receiver- 
ship. Pittsburgh is held up as among 
their worst theatre territories. In 
all there are 10 zones coming under 
the general supervision of the home 
office. 

Warners are allowed 30 days 
grace, and do not have to meet the 
payment until March. Meantime an 

(Continued on page 61) 



incidentally 



Warner Brothers received a 
cable from Porto Rico Thurs- 
day (2) to the effect the WB 
exchange there had burned 
down that morning. 

'Incidentally,' wire continued, 
'the cashier has disappeared.' 



HORROR COLD, 
ANIMALS TOO 



Theatres are going cold on hor- 
ror angle in selling pictures that 
otherwise might have called for 
that. Anything on animals, also, is 
avoided, with Fox having advised 
already on preparation of press 
books to stay away from that angle 
on 'Zoo In Budapest.' Must be at- 
tacked from some other slant 

In preparing to distribute 'Island 
of Lost Souls,' Fubllx was divided 
on whether the horror or panther 
woman angle should be the point. 
In theatres where it's been sold 
from the panther girl side, draw 
has been better than where sold as 
another chiller. 



Par Sets New Year's 
Production Lists 
In 4-Day Session 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Four-day Paramount production 
session at La Quinta in the desert 
ended Sunday (5) with decision to 
make 62 pictures for next year. Of 
this number, 16 will be made by out- 
side producers. 

There will be three specials on 
program, one Marx Brothers, one 
Chevalier and one Dietrich, with 
production cost to average $260,000. 

Several action pictures are to be 
made at $100,000 top, also quite a 
number between $160,000 and 
$200,000. 

Russell Holman and Geo. Palmer 
Putnam, who came on from New 
York for meeting, return Feb. 8. 

Paramount's sales convention will 
be held here ir. May. 



Goldstone at IT 

Hollywood, Feb. 

Phil Goldstone moves his offices 
from the International studio to 
Universal today. 

Although he has had his offices at 
International for the past eight 
months, he has done most of his 
producing at U. 



Studios Take Unkindly to Tactics 
Of Sam Katz in Approaching Talent 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

With the Marx Brothers claimed 
in his bag as Sam Katz's first inde- 
pendent production unit, Katz has 
abandoned secrecy in connection 
with his plans. He is talking to all 
players, directors and writers whose 
contracts are about to expire with 
major studios. Katz, with John 
Zanft, and Max Gordon arrived 
Thursday (2). 

Understood they already have of- 
fered deals to Gary Cooper, Whcjler 
and Woolsey, Edmund Lowe, Ernst 
Lubltsch, Janet Gaynor, Marleno 
Dietrich and Buster Keaton, who 
obtained his release from Metro 
Thursday, Marx Brothers will com- 



plete their final Paramount feature, 
'Cracked Ice,' end of March, and 
are expected to start production 
preparation with the Katz group 
immediately following. 

Cry of 'raiding' has been already 
thrown at the Katz overtures to 
names. Other studios feel that Katz 
is stepping in at a time when .sludlo 
opposition is not expedient in re- 
spect to grabbing off selling names. 

Though Katz said he would re- 
main on the coast for but one wcelt 
understood he will stay here until 
he has set at least half of his plan- 
ned production. He is also clafmlnp 
a string of thpntrps waitiriK to piay 
his features. 



Every effort will be made by the 
Irving Trust Co., it is promised, to 
reorganize rather than liquidate 
Publix Enterprises, Inc., over which 
I. T. is receiver in bankruptcy. This 
will presumably hold true in the 
case of all other Publix subsidiaries 
in receivership, numbering a half- 
dozen or more to date. 

George W. Topllff, representing 
the I. T. on the Publix bankruptcy, 
is working out a complete analysis 
of the entire situation to determine 
the exact assets and just which 
properties may possibly be salvaged. 

Hope expressed is that only a 
minority of the theatres in. the Pub- 
lix Enterprise group, taking in ICS 
towns in one way or another but 
as guarantor for only around 75 
theatres, will have to be abandoned 
or sold. It is stated that those which 
are In a hopeless state will be dis- 
posed of, while the balance will be 
I'eorganized. 

Friendly Receiverships 

This is the only group In bank- 
ruptcy receivership; others are in 
equity. Latest is an apparently 
friendly recelverslilp over the Olym- 
pia Theatres, Inc., and Olympia Op- 
erating Co., Boston, operating over 
40 houses in Boston and other New 
England towns. Sam Pinanski, In 
Publix operation up there, and 
Harry LeBaron Sampson of Cam- 
bridge, attorney, are the temporary 
receivers, with hearing set for Feb. 
10 to make them permanent. 

Petition was brought by the New 
England Theatres, P-P' subsidiary, 
alleging the Olympia companies 
owed it $350,000. 

In Columbus, O., during the past 
week, W. B. Bartels was appointed 
ancillary receiver through ties with 
Publix Enterprises over theatres in 
Columbus, Hamilton, Cincinnati, 
Steubenvllle, Middletown and Mari- 
etta, as well as local receiver for 
Publix Ent. 

In view of the efforts Irving Trust 
believes will be successful in re- 
organization of Publix Enterprises, 
salvaging most of the properties in- 
volved, it is assumed results will be 
more far-reaching as far as other 
groups are concerned, through 
friendly receiverships. 

TopUfE, with an office in the Para- 
mount building, will shortly sur- 
round himself with a staff of his 
own. He will also utilize the Pub- 
lix staff so far as he can with his 
own men mostly In a supervisory 
capacity. 

A week or more is expected to bo 
consumed in preparation of com- 
plete analysis of the Publix Enter- 
prises setup. 



FILM CREDIT THE SAME 



Metro and U. A. Make No Change 
Through Receiverships 



A vote of thanks, notably from 
Publix, its major customer, has 
gone up in favor of Metro and 
United Artists in the matter of film 
credit. RKO, also in receivership 
and like Publix, immediately faced 
with paying for film In advance, 
uses very little Metro and UA prod- 
uct. 

All the two distributors have 
sought from Publix since others 
C.O.D.'d that circuit, is some pro- 
tection in doubtful situations 
through shortening of usual three 
weeks' film credit. With Publix this 
Is okay. 

Continuing on a C.O.D. ba.sis as 
dl.strlbs are^irmer Bros., Columbia 
and Radio. Fox and U are both on 
a basis of shortened credit, with 
sui)ply of film according to bookings 
not othTwi.se interferred with. 

While it was believed .the unex- 
pected quick mov6 of WB in 
C.O.D.'ing Publix would panic other 
big distrlh customers of the chain, 
notably Metro, into similar action, 
that coniitany and UA will probably 
l)l:iy .'(lonS indefinitely. 



6 VARIETY 



1 



PICTURES 



Tuesday, Fcbrnary 7, 1998 



No Plrodu6tion at Radia as 
Gtoper Socceeds Selznick 
Latter to Head Metro Unit 



Hollywood, Feb. 6 
Production activity on the Radio 
lot ' ceased temporarily with the 
resignation of David O. Selznlck, 
production chief. Merian C. Cooper 
Is acting temporarily In this capacity, 
while, Selznlck finishes the editing 
of the pictures made under his su- 
pervision, but there is little likeli- 
hood of there being any filming on 
the lot for at least two or three 
weeks. Selznlck moves over to Metro 
Feb. 18 as an executive producer to 
make four pictures with his own 
unit this year. 

Two pictures set for early filming 
have been set back for complete 
rewrites because of deficiency of 
story. These are the Wheeler and 
Woolsey, 'In the R<^,' and the Wil- 
liam Boyd, 'A Brave Coward.' 

It was understood that W & W 
would go on the Badfo payroll 
March 1, but with the set-back, 
teani Is now negotiating for a three 
weeks' personal appearance tour. 
Boyd picture may be thrown out In 
its entirety, and a new story sub- 
stituted. Others that were due to 
go In soon were 'Deplasso,' with 
Ann Harding, and an untitled film 
for* Irene Dunne, Neither of these 
Is expected to be ready for several 
weeks. ' 
' " Selznick Wrafthino Up 
Selziilck will wash \fp completely 
with Radio ' wlthlii the next two 
weieks. The last picture under 
his guidance to be edited is 
•Christopher Strong,' that finished 
Friday (3). As deadline for delivery 
on this is March! 10, editing must 
be completed at least two weeks be- 
fore this. 

While Merian C. Cooper is cur- 
rently sitting in siB production head, 
it Is understood that he is holding 
th,e berth only temporarily, and. that 
by the time active production gets 
underway aga^in B. B. Kahane's 
plan for out and out. unit filming 
will have been, instituted. Under 
this plan Cooper *will handle fout 
pictures a year, and the other prod- 
uct w;ill be similarly divided among 
other '• producers. 

Kahahe*s Opposition 
Kahane ' is " vl61ently' Opposed to 
ajiy -such one-man - supervision as 
\^as in, existence during the Selznlck 
regime, and it is a certainty that 
whoever goes In there to follow Selz- 
nlck in any executive capacity will 
be limited in scope. 

As Kahane looks upon production 
under present conditions no pro- 
ducer should concern himself with 
production beyond choosing stories 
to be made and passing upon com 
pleted scripts. He says that one of 
the recent mistakes in this regard 
has been executive Interference on 
details, In story conferences and the 
like while scripts are In preparation; 

Selznlck leaves Radio on Ills re 
fusal to accept a proposition that 
would have given him $2,500 a week 
and 20% of the profits on pictures 
that he made himself. Before Join 
Ing he will first take several months' 
I'est in Europe. 

Had Many Deals On 
Selznlck had various deals on with 
the studio since his contract expired 
last October to renew the deal un 
til Feb. 28, 1934. Numerous deals 
were worked out between he and 
Kahane. However, New York 
stepped in as each proposition was 
worked out between the two here, 
and found some objection. Half a 
dozen contract drafts were drawn In 
the past month, with the final offer 
coining through last week which 
would have made Selznlck a unit 
producer had he accepted. 
. During the process of these nego- 
m tlatlons, Selznlck has had numerous 
" outside propositions. Most recent 
one was from John Hay Whitney 
heir to the Harry Payne Whitney 
fortune, to combine with Cooper and 
Lewis Milestone to produce a group 
of pictures, with Selznick to head 
the combination. 

Another was one from Louis B 
Mayer, his father-in-law, to come 
over to Metro and produce a series 
of pictures under his own name for 
MO release. Latter proposition 
which gave him his own unit and 
building as well, mentioned a re 
ported salary of |4,000 a week on a 
five year contract. Seznick orig- 
inally shied from this proposition, 
claiming that the Industry might 
construe the offer as a family aftair 
•nd that he wanted to go on hia 
(Continued on page 12) 



Another Bad Slip in 



Corliss Palmer's Path 

6an>^ancisco, Feb. 6. 
Victim of what she described as a 
busted romance with Al Cohen, Uni- 
versal scenario editor, Corliss 
Palmer, former screen player and 
ex-wife of Eugene Brewster, was re- 
moved to the emergency hospital 
last Tuesday (1), booked for acute 
alcoholism. 

Miss Palmer was taken from a 
downtown hotel where she had reg- 
istered as Corliss Mason. Locjal 
newspapers, at a low ebb for stories, 
played the affair up,, using many 
pictures and running the life story 
of Miss Palmer along with Tivld 
descriptions of her love affair with 
Cohen, Including a letter from 
Cohen in which he told her all was 
over. 

Miss Palmer was taken from an 
Atlanta cigar counter several years 
ago when she won a beauty contest 
promoted by Brewster,, magazine 
editor. Later she married Brewster, 
only to divorce him lakt.",y^ in 
Holljrwood when his wealth went 
blooey. At that time she was sued 
for $100,000 alienation of affections 
by Mrs. Cohen, 

Miss IPalmer -.was placed In, a 
^traitjacket rsuid confined to a 
c^ll-hke Voom of the detention hos- 
pital, where she continues under ob- 
servation. ' 



PAR MAY DROP 
^SHOWS 




list Rans iw Broadway 

(Subject to Chano*) 



Week Feb. 10 

Paramount-r-'She Done Him 
Wrong* (Par). 

Capitol — 'What, No Beer' 
(Metro). 

Strand — 'Hard to Handle' 
(WB) (2d wk). 

Mayfair-'State Fair* (Fox) 
(8d run). 

Rivoli-r-<EaUeluJah, I'm a 
Bum' (UA) (8). 

Winter Garden— icing's Va- 
cation' (WB) (2d run). 

Roxy — 'Terror Trail' (U). 

RKO Roxy ~ Unknown at 
noon Monday (I). 

Music Hall — Topaze' (Radio) 
(9). 



Ac- 



' Week Feb. 17 
Paramount — 'Woman 

cused' (Par). 
Strpnd — 'M ystery of Wax 

Museum' (WB). 

Rivoli— 'I'm a Bum' (UA) 

(2d wk). 



$2 Pictures 
. 'Rasputin' (Metro) (Astor) 
(8th wk.) 

'Cavalcade' (Fox) (Gaiety) 
6th wk). 



Foraign Film* 
'£ine Tuhr Geht AuP (Pro> 
tex) (German) (Little Car- 
negie) (2d wk). 



dne Big Me Wk^, 
Giveaways at 20c; 
Rest of WH, 10c 

Tacoma, Feb. 6. 
- Victory^ lOoal naher, putting seats 
In the 'aisles on 'treasure night.' 
Giveaway's of t scarfs, hams, chick- 
ens, electrlo stoves, sausages, pan- 
cakes, etc. Admlsh at 20c., with 
other nights 10c. 

Supplies secured by promise of 
advertising and some extra money. 
Program of old plcts and some si- 
lent one-reelers. 

Tokels 0eem to like this night, but 
on other nights, oh my I 



Paramount, New York, may drop 
stage. shows after the current week 
and go straight pictures v^ith a cut 
in admission scale to possibly 56c. 
This becomes a possibility as a re- 
sult of last week's brutal $16,000 on 
the Kate Smith picture 'Hello, 
Everybody' and the state qt busi- 
ness so far this week. Howard Bros., 
at $4,600, headed the Par stage show 
last week. 

Show currently is "Luxury Liner* 
(Par) and the 'Desert Song,' stage 
unit, booked by Publlx from F. & M. 
It probably won't get over $26,000, if 
that« on the week. 

Decision on whether stage shows 
shall be retained or dropped will be 
reached next week after it is seen 
what Mae West on stage and her 
picture, 'She Done Him Wrong* on 
screen, does at house. Cliff Edwards 
and George Metaxa will be in the 
Mae West unit. Show comes in 
Thursday (9) for an eight-day stay. 
Bklyn. Par. 

The Brooklyn paramount, which 
is holding up better than its sister 
house on Broadway, will retain 
stage shows under the present in- 
tention. Question of taking them 
out hasn't been raised as yet. Under 
negotiations with the landlord of the 
Brooklyn house, looking to a per 
centage of gross over $20,000 as 
rent, there is little likelihood house 
win close. Deal is expected with 
Prudence Bondd, landlord. 

Future stage Sodklngs for the 
New Tork Par, if house shifts to 
straight pictures, will be transferi^d 
to other Pufolix theatre's. ! These In- 
clude AI Jolson and George Gersh 
win, in for $15,000 and percentage 
and $5,000, respectively. They'll 
probably play the Brooklyn Par in- 
stead If N. T. goes out of stage 
shows. 

The N. Y. Par has been Publlx's 
principal stage show theatre since 
It opened in 1926. As one of the 
moat prolific players of high-sal- 
aried stage names, it teamed with 
Laew'e Capitol, on Broadway, In set 
ting unprecedented salary figures 
for stage attractions. 

In contrast to last week and this 
week's gross, the Par at one time 
averaged $70,000 a week, very fre- 
quently topping $80,000. Its record 
high Is $102,000, established in 1928. 

Before the b. o. scale now In force 
on Broadway the houses charged a 
.)0-cent top and even went so high 
as $1.60 for loges at the Capitol, 
Broadway, f 



HG Exec Board Handling 
Story, Prodnction Details 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
With Louis B. Mayer operating 
the Metro studio since illness forced 
Irving Thalberg to take a long rest, 
all story and production matters are 
now being handled by an executive 
board comprising Mayer, Walter 
Wanger, Harry Rapf, Edward Man- 
nix and Hunt Stromberg. 

All studio matters of importance 
are threshed out by this board 
which, while operating similarly to 
the story boards at Paramount and 
Fox; goes further and Includes pro- 
duction affairs in its operation. 



Hollywood 



— I- — — - 

' ' '» * 

Briefly rewritten extract* from 'Variety's' Hollywood ' Bi^lotln,. prInCsd 
each Friday in Hollywood, and plaeed as a wrapper upon the regufiif 
weekly- *Varloty.' 

The Bulletin does not circulate other thsn on the Pacific Slops. 

News from the Dailies In Los Angeles will be found in that eustoma»|| 
department. 



Hal Roach will team the Dutch 
comics, Billy Gilbert and BUly 
Bletcher, In a two-reeler, with a 
series In prospect 



Partial rewrite of 'Police Surgeon' 
by Manny Seff has put back the 
starting date on the B. P. Schulberg 
picture till Feb. 20. ... 



East for Play's Production 

Norman Rellly Raine Is on a six- 
week leave from Metro's writing 
state to be In New Tork for the 
production of 'Hangman's Whip,' 
which he and Frank Butler wrote. 



Henry Meyers Is supplying the 
gags for the Malrx Brothers picture, 
'Cracked Ice,' at Paramount. 

Warners is putting eight new pics 
in production before the shutdown, 
April 8. They are: 'Narrow Cor- 
ners,' *Llly Turner,' 'Goldlggers of 
1932,' 'Voltaire,' 'Bread Line,' "Easy 
to Love,' Warre^., William and a 
Loretta Toung picture. 

Neil Agnew, hew Western sales 
manager fof Par, in Los Angeles on 
his first coast tour. 



Mascot foi' the second time puts 
a pair of directors oh a serial; ii)t 
this fnstanpe, Armand Schaeffer f,nd 
Colbert Claris on 'The Three MusJteti. 
eers.' 



Howai;d Emmett Rpgers will write 
the dlAlog. .;for ■ •The Ambulance 
Chaser' at Metro. Lee Tracy to' be 
featured. 



Baum' on Crawford Yam 

Vlcki Baum Is doing an° original 
for Joan Crawford at Metro. Writer 
has been ott lot since adapting 
'Grand Hotel.' 



Al Rosen, agent, east on talent 
hunt, with possibility of lining, up 
stage players for B. P. Schulberg. 



' Two U. A. P.A.'s Go 

Harry Brand and Hank Arnold 
left Schenck and Goldwyn units at 
United Artists Saturday (4). Leaves 
lot with but one press agent, Rus- 
sell Phelps, with Reliance. 



Gene Markey goes on a new five- 
week contract^at Warners when, the 
studio opens Hay 16. 



Warners has termed Theodore 
Newton, Juve, brought on from the 
east for 'Adopted Father.' — 



Two Edgar Allen Poe yarns, 'The 
Black Cat' and 'Fall of the House 
of Ussher,' will be combined by 
Universal in another horror pic. 



With Universal Oalling off pro- 
duction of 'Kid Gloves,' Pat O'Brien 
has released studio from his con- 
tract, with provisions, however, for 
another picture, at tilted salary, 
during the year. Actor will ap- 
pear in Phil Goldstone's 'Public Be 
Damned.' 



Same Receivers for Par in Calif.; 
$400,000 Wkly Payroll at Studio 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Paramount studio has a weekly 
payroll of about $400,000 and is 
meeting that obligation regularly, 
Henry Herzbrun, studio's attorney, 
told Fedei-al district Judge William 
James. .S.a,turday .(4),. "The statement 
was made in connection with the 
motion of E. W. Reynolds, company 
creditor of Paramount Phblix, for 
the Appointment of a' local disinter- 
ested party to act as ancillary re- 
ceiver In California to conserve the 
assets. 

Judge James granted the motion 
as to a receiver but refused to name 
an outside person. Walter K. Tul- 
ler, of O'Melveny, TuUer & Myers, 
Paramount attorneys, made the re- 
quest that Adolph Zukor and Chas. 
D. Hilles, primary receivers be 
named ancillary, pointing out that 
the nomination of some outsider un- 
familiar with the internal conditions 
of Paramount might disrupt a gi- 
gantic organization with assets of 
approximately $160,000,000. Zukor 
and Hilles will act as ancillary re- 
ceivers for a period of 40 days, at 
the end of which time they are to 
report to the court for further In- 
struction. 

Tuller demonstrated to the court 
that the picture business was one 
requiring prompt and intelligent ac- 



tion on questions as they arose and 
that the appointment of a person 
uninformed as to procediu-e and 
conditions at this particular studio 
would tend to retard production and 
disrupt routine to a point where 
serious financial losses might re- 
sult as consequence of delays, while 
the stranger pondered the problem. 

In response to the question raised 
by the suitor as to the recent crea- 
tion of several subsidiaries to Para- 
mount Publlx, including Paramount 
Productions, Paramount Pictures 
and Paramount Enterprises, with 
the intimation that these had been 
formed undercover with a design to 
evade the consequences of a possi- 
ble receivership, Herzbrun asserted 
that there bad . been no secrecy 
about it when these were formed 
last November, 'in fact probably 
every newspaper in the country had 
carried a notice of it.' 

The plaintiff's case was materially 
weakened when he admitted that 
there had been no default of pay- 
ments in the past, and that he had 
no reason other than conjecture to 
assume that such would not be the 
case in the future. In this connec- 
tion, Herzbrun stated that the 
studio always paid its bills prompt- 
ly, to take advantage of the cash 
discounts. 



Mayfalr. has R^eglnald Denny Mi 
four pictures. 

Bennie Zeldman's troupe, wMoH 
has been filming 'Samarang* In fh^ 
Malay iienii^sula with a native oas^ 
haa arrived in Hollywood with 100,x 
000 feet of film. Ward Wing, Lorl 
Bara and Doo Cook were in th4| 
party. 

Sir Guy Standing la doubling be.* 
tween two pictures at Paramount. 
The Story of Temple Drake,' mad 
'A Bedtime Story.' 

Like's Six for Freuler 

John R. Freuler has returned t«r 
New Tork after completing a deal 
for Ralph Like to produce six fea* 
tures for Freuler Film Associatesu 
First, 'E^asy Millions,' starts in tyrtS 
weeks. Fix to cost around 126,000 
each. 



Stuart Erwln most go into 'Undec 
the Tonto Rlnf' after all, although 
he had apparently won his argu^ 
ment to keep out of the Par western* 
This leaves his part in ^ntematlon 
House' unfilled. 



Suffering a relapse of a previous 
illness, Percy Heath has been forced 
to give up his associate producer 
duties at Paramount, and will taktf 
a long rest. 

After completing two more west* 
ern pictures, Radio, will discontinue! 
loaklng the horse oprya ' and will 
epot Tom Keene^ its w'estern star, 
in outdoor adventure filmd costinff 
hd more than- the sagebrush pix. 

Coast road show of Fox's 'Caval^ 
cade' starts Feb. 16 at the C^allfor^ 
nla (F-WC), San Francisco. Out- 
side of current Chinese run, ploturd 
will play to $1.10 top oh the road. 

Placing conti'act players In two 
features (Imlng at the same time la 
being tried by Paraipount.. Sir Guy 
Standing is in 'The Story of Temple 
Drake' and 'Bed-Time Story'; Patri- 
cia Farley in 'Under the Tonto Rlmf 
and 'Pick Up,' and George Raft Idl 
'Temple Drake' and 'Pick Up,' 



Helen Freeman Set 

Coming w$st two weeks ago* 
Helen Freeman, Theatre Guild char^ 
acter actress, gets her film break ia 
Paramount's 'Song of Songs.' 



Next Eddie Cantor picture for 
Goldwyn will bO ditected by Franlc 
Tuttle. starting around May 15. Er^^ 
nest Pascal, will work with Nunn 
nally Johnson on the original story. 

Edwin Justus Mayer ' writing- ai 
new yarn to start Anna Sten foi^ 
Goldwyn. 



John Kraftt Is working at Metro 
with Zelda Sears and Eve Greene on 
the adaptation of 'Tugboat Annie.' 
Chiick Relsner will direct for Metro. 

Morrison, Agent, Expands 

Enlarging his agency staff, Leo> 
Morrison has added Louis Baum, 
former film producer and distrlbu« 
tor, and Lee Chadwick, son of I. IL 
Chadwlck. Latter will handle story 
and authors' department. 

Morrison is bringing Robert 
Gleckler, Pauline Moore, Art Jarrett 
and Diane Borl, players, from New 
York. 



Chadwick Sues Dentist 
I. E. Chadwick, indie producer, 
has filed $100,000 ~ daijnage suli 
against W. T. Stover, dentist. 

(Continued on page 29) 



Pro- 



Hays' Coast Cuts 



Hollywood, Feb. 9. 

Reduction of the annual ant«> 
from members beginning Feb. 1, ha0 
forced the Producers' Association 
into further reti-enchment at the 
local Hays' headquarters. 

Billie Laymon, on the staff three 
years as publicity contact with the 
studios, has resigned. Joe Breen 
and his aides have given up two 
offices and are doubling in other 
quarters. 



L. A. to N. Y. 

John R. Freuler. 
Norman Rellly Ralno. 
AI Rosen. 
Jimmy Durante. 
Mary Plckford. 
Mark Larkln. 
Gary Cooper. 
Elsa Maxwell. 



N. Y. to L. A. 

Samuel Hoftenstein. 
W. R. Sheehan. 
Danny Ahearn. 
Kay Swan. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



p I er a RES 



VARIETY 



LOCAL PROMOTION SAMPLE 



Pttblix Theatres as a Name Only 
Is Now Left, with Over 100 Notices 
Issued-Some Required Execs Stay 



A3 an operating and servicing or- 
ganization, Publlx Theatres has vir- 
tually ceased to function. It has 
but a skeleton of departmental 
heads left to carry on matters that 
must be handled from the home of- 
fflce for the parent company, Para- 
mount-Publlx, 

With receivership abov^ In P-P 
and over a number of theatre sub- 
sidiaries, purported to have cut off 
funds to Publlx Theatres as a home 
office servicing company, it became 
necessary during the past week to 
clean house quickly. Thlf was done 
without delay, with -ver 100 no- 
tices given out effective Saturday 
(4). In most cases that was but 
a day or two after issuance. 

It left executives, assistants, au- 
ditors, stenographers, clerks and 
oth«rs completely stunned. 

Presumption is that executives in 
Publlx, along with some essential 
assistants or sees, who remain on 
the payroll, will be carried by the 
parent company (P-P) If for no 
other reason than that it will be 
naturally essential for the receivers 
to have a skeleton crew in Publlx on 
theatre matters 

All Gone 

Publlx Theatres' funds have come 
from the theatres all over the coun- 
try, whether wholly operated or In 
partnership, In the form of fixed > 
home office charges to cover serv- ' 
Icing. That takes in film buying, 
advertising, auditing and many 
other functions, all of which are 
virtually wiped out. 

Move of the past veck means 
that every tneat»'e subsidiary or In- 
dividual house is placed on its own, 
with Publlx as a home office serv- 
icing organization not drawing In 
future on its receipts, if any are 
left to take care of fixed charges. 

From last Thursday (2) on, when 
Adolph Zukor and Charles D. Hllles 
were affirmed as receivers, all 
checks on Publlx became subject 
to the receivers' approval before 
banks on which written can honor 
them. This is an automatic fea- 
ture of receiverships. 

Leo Spitz, Sam Dembow, Leon 
Netter and George "Walsh, although 
all contracts are wiped out by the 
receivership, were spared last week 
In the wholesale firing barrage. 
Whether these department heads 
continue indefinitely on Publlx mat- 
ters for P-P or not cannot be stated 
With any certainty since that is ce- 
pcndent on the co-receivers. 

Netter, It is said, may be trans- 
ferred to the field. He has been 
general manager of film buying at 
the h.o. Unless it is determined 
that each individual grour or house 
among subsidiary theui.re companies 
shall work out readjustments on 
film buys, Netter may be required 
by the receivers in New York on 
this end. 

It is made clear that some top 
execs will have to remain, that the 
washout at the Publlx h.o. Is not 
all the way down the Publix pay- 
roll. Louis E. Schneider, operating 
assistant for Dembow over the west, 
received notice but in connection 
with it Publlx is turning over two 
theatres on a deal with Schneider. 
They are in Yuma, Ariz. 

Walsh, Dembow's other operating 
lieutenant, recently brought in from 
the Comerford chain and under 
Dembow over the East, is to take 
charge of upstate New York in di- 
rect operating supervision of that 
division. 

Harry Sherman and the labor de- 
partment he headed are dropped. 
Sherman is likely to become the 
new president of New York opera- 
tors local. No. 306. He is among 
those who had a contract with Pub- 
lix. 

Others Remain 

Three contact ad-operatlng men, 
Ed Olm.titead, John Smith and Rod- 
ney Uush, whose salaries had been 
ch.arpod to Publix, were also tak- 
en downstream but may transfer 
to the Paramount payroll on press- 
books. Dffcr Is suld to have been 
made them, with acceptance likely. 



Important to Know 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Since receivership boys are 
greeting one another in this 
fashion: 

'Hello, Joe. Who you work- 
ing for now?' 

'I'm working for Peoria Or- 
pheum Corporation account 
number two.' 

To which Pete adds: 

'I'm on the payroll of 
Publlx Productions Company, 
Northw.est Division, Petty Cash 
account.' 



DELUKER COSTS 






DISTRIBS FIGHT 
P. C CUTS OF 
RECEIVERS 



Distributors are set to battle re- 
ceivers this week If, in the new 
booking deals made necessary with 
Publlx and RKO, the court ap- 
pointees disaffirm existing contracts. 
Two Items which will precipitate a 
direct clash will be any attempt 
in the receivership end to reduce 
percentages on a wholesale scale 
and economies by receivers which 
would lessen theatre advertising. 

Certain heads of the solvent com- 
panies declare themselves ready to 
cut oflC the picture supply, stating 
that this will be the general pro- 
cedure, unless a satisfactory ar- 
rangement is reached. 

Not only are the solvent distribs 
intent upon getting, their average 
return of from 20 to 25% of the box 
office gross but they are preparing 
to demand a lower gross percentage 
for the theatre If advertising Is 
further cut. 

The feeling In this respect is that 
the average theatre today is spend- 
ing the minimum in exploitation 
and that additional cuts in this part 
of the budget will react materially 
to the detriment of the receipts. 

Main current item which distribs 
are concerned about Is the money 
owing them up to the time of the 
functioniing of the receiver. It is 
figured that film bills of the indus- 
try to the two companies in re- 
ceivership for credit of weeks rang- 
ing from one to four, according to 
organization policy, is in the neigh- 
borhood of $500,000. 

Distribs are not concerned about 
circuits which are being, and will 
be, returned to their original own- 
ers or others. It is an industry law 
that film contracts existent at the 
time of the sale are a part of the 
buy. 



Ah's \% Bin 



Birmingham, Feb. 6. 

With Legislature in session at 
Montgomery a bill has been intro- 
duced by Representative Harrison 
to place a 10% tax on amusements. 

Measure in general retail sales tax 
bill by Harrison. 



Persons in Publlx charged to New 
York theatres will remain. This 
will Include Boris Morros, deluxe 
operator over New York and Brook- 
lyn; Louis Notarius, film booker; 
Jack Mclnerney, advertising rep, 
and others. 

Daily screenings of pictures for 
Publix operators, film buyers, ad- 
vertising men and others were cut 
out last week. Paramount will con- 
tinue to screen its own pictures for 
the distribution department, as 
usual. Publix screenings formerly 
included the product of all distribs 
doing business with the circuit. 



Story of Publix-F&R in 
Northwest — Likely Simi- 
lar to Many Others in 
Theatre Deals and Oper- 
ations 



INVESTORS* LOSS 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

One of the situations which will 
have to be ironed out by the Para- 
mount- Publix receivership is the 
Minnesota theatre lease here. The 
4,200- seat house, dark the past year, 
has been setting the Publix ex- 
chequer back ^,300 every week. 

Notwithstanding reports to the 
contrary, Publix failed to obtain any 
readjustment on this rental or relief 
from the loocal owner. Yet the pres- 
ent $5,300 weekly dent represents 
considerably less of a loss than 
Publix was suffering during the 
final months of the big house opera- 
tion with pictures and stage shows 
During its last week the theatre, 
with an overhead of $20,000, was 
grossing on an average of $12^000 a 
week. 

Rental and taxes for the theatre 
total $208,000 a year. Even closed, 
the theatre must be heated during 
the winter months. There are In- 
surance and other items, 90 that the 
company places the cost of carrying 
the dark house at $5,300 a week. 

A local group of bankers and 

financiers built the house for Publix 
after Flnkelsteln & Ruben, then in 
control of the local theatre situation, 
turned down the proposition. This 
banking group peddled the first 
mortgage building bonds to the pub- 
lic here, getting out from under 
themselves. These bonds are now 
quoted at $6 per |1,000 par value on 
the open market, so that the public 
once more Is holding the sack. It is 
indicated that the building will re- 
vert to the owners of the fee, and 
the bond purchasers are likely to 
lose their entire investment. There 
is regarded as little possibility of 
leasing the theatre at a rental suf- 
ficient to pay the taxes and ground 
rent. 

Another Case 

It also has been revealed that the 
Minnesota Amusement Co., the 
northwest corporation of Para- 
mount-Publix, is paying a rental of 
1156,000 a year for the 2,600-seat St. 
Paul Paramount theatre, which has 
been a consistent loser from the 
start. The Co's total monthly rent 
bill for the 70 theatres comprising 

(Continued on page 62) 



Gains in Wheat Help Stocks to 
Modest Upturn; Amusements Show 
Ragged Changes; Par-P Bonds Up 



Yesterday's Prices 



Sales. 
400 

aoo 

1.800 

1,200 
600 

2,100 
100 
100 

8,100 
100 

8,100 
000 
600 



High. 



1% 

16% 
60% 



Col. Plo.. 
Cons. F.. 
Cons. P... 10% 
East. K... 67 
Fox .... 
Loew 

Do pf 
Orph. pf . . 1% 

Par % 

Pathe .... % 

RCA 4% 

RKO 1% 

W. B IH 

Bonds 

$0,000 Keith .... 34% 

17.000 Lo«w 00% 

6.O00-Ptr-F-L .. 9 

26,000-Par-P 1014 

1.00(t RKO 0 

0,000 W. B 14 

Curb 

100 Qen. T. pf. % 



Low.Last. 

3H 3% 

10 10% 

65% 67 
1% 1% 

16% 10% 

60% 60% 
1% 1% 



% 



% 
% 
4% 



1% 1% 
IH 1% 



Nel 
chse. 

V. 
to 

+ % 

- % 

- % 

- % 
-1% 

+ H 

+ % 

+ % 

+ % 

+ H 



34 

00 
8% 
0% 
8% 

13% 



84%- % 
00 - % 

0 - % 
10%+ % 

0 + % 
14 



% % 



3DAND4THRUNS 
ALL IN TIMES 
SQ. FOR RKO 



Making the RKO Roxy a second 
run after the Radio City Music Hall 
occurred this week when 'State F.air' 
moved over. The Music Hall's cur- 
rent feature, 'Sign of the Cross/ it 
is hoped, will also go a second week 
into the adjoining Roxy. It Is fairly 
certain that after 'Cavalcade' plays 
at the M. H. Easter week it will 
also shift over for an extra stanza 
at the new Roxy. 

The Music Hall's set policy of 
single weeks forfends holding 
over in the same house. This 
makes the RKO Mayfair a third run 
and the Palace fourth run, when 
playing those pictures. 

With the likelihood that RKO's 
receivers will slufE off the Walter 
Reade-Mayfalr lease, it points the 
way to the RKO Roxy taking on the 
vaudfilm policy current at the Pal- 
ace and making the Palace a film 
grind, a la Mayfair. The RKO 
Roxy's going vaudfilm would elim- 
inate the idea of two sister houses, 
a block apart, opposing each other 
with presentation policies. 



By AL GREASON 

Minor stock market gains in the 
last hour came in response yester- 
day (Mon) to Improvement of a 
cent and a half in wheat. Up to 
that time prices had been Inclined 
to drift lower as the market awaited 
the action of General Motors on Its 
quarterly dividend, due after the 
close. 

Early prices were lowest of the 
day, some encouragement coming 
from the fact that the bull spon- 
sors threw In support as the aver- 
ages approached the critical level 
of the December bottom. 

After the close Motors announced 
declaration of the regular 25 cent 
rate on the common and (1.26 on 
the preferred, but the income state- 
ment that accompanied the an- 
nouncement was not any more fav- 
orable than the bulk of recent 
financial reports. Net profit was 
around $600,000 for the year, ac- 
cording to the preliminary figures, 
compared to more than |90,000,OQQ 
for 1931. Net for last year was 
only 9 cents on the preferred stock. 
Dividends thus come out of 8ur> 
plus and the trading community 
is more and more disposed to look 
askance at these gestures. 

Street heard In advance that 
Warner Bros, income report issvied 
last night for the first quarter, in- 
cluding November, would show a 
loss much reduced from that of the 
like period of the year before and 
current operations Insured further 
reduction of the deficit for the sec- 
ond quarter up to March 1. There 
was a timid drift toward the low 
(Continued on page 25) 



Young Laemmle's Sinus 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Carl Laemmle, Jr., will be con- 
ilned to his home for another week 
with sinus trouble. 



Roxy Cuts Salary $1,000 Weekly; 
Back to Radio City Early in March 



Setting an example for his Radio 
City help whose salaries are des- 
tined to be adjusted, and some of 
whom have already received cuts, 
Roxy (S. L. Rothafel) has reduced 
his own weekly salary by |1,000. 
His salary was $2,000 weekly. 

One of the few times an exec in 
show biz has voluntarily reduced 
his own pay. Another is M. H. 
Aylesworth, who does not take any 
salary as president of RKO, or as 
chairman of the board of its sub- 
sidiary companies. 

Roxy, presently convalescing from 
his recent operation, is at home. He 
is expected to be back at his desk 
in the Radio City Music Hall the 
first week in March. 

It is Roxy's reported contention 



that it would be unfair to ask the 
help to cut while he and other execs 
as the company leaders stuck to 
their contract salaries. 

When Roxy returns, it is likely 
that a policy will be set for the 
RKO Roxy. It is evea likely that 
this house may be turned over to 
legit productions, with a possible 
plan which would have the spot ro- 
tated among the four or six leading 
mu.slcal comedy and drama pro- 
ducers. These would be retained 
by the manasrement on a .jerccntajjc 
basis, but they would be an in- 
tegral part of Radio City. 

On such a policy for the RKO 
Roxy, it is hoped, the Radio City 
management under Roxy thon could 
concentrate on the Mu.sic Hall as 
the picture center. 



11 COAST STUDIOS BID 
FOR INDIE'S PRODi 



Hollywood, Feb. 4. 

Surplus of studio space here has 
11 lots bidding for rental biz from 
the few independent producers not 
already tied up. 

To take advantage of the competi- 
tive price arrangements, several in- 
dies have moved their headquarters 
from studios Into office buildings. 
This enables them to shop around 
for the best deals, without being 
bound to produce on any one lot. 
Sig Neufeld has moved Premier of- 
fices from Republic studio, Morris 
Cohen has taken the Invincible- 
Chesterfield headquarters oft the 
Universal lot, and Phil Goldstone Is 
leaving the International. 

Studios making a bid for the 
rental business are United Artists, 
Sennett, Fox for its Western Avenue 
lots, Warners for Sunset lot. Re- 
public, Metropolitan, Pathe, Uni- 
versal, International, Western Pic- 
tures and Educational. 



New Par Office Holders 



Charles D. Hilles, co-receiver 
with Adolph Zukor over Paramount 
Publix, has taken ofllce quarters 
near Zukor on the 11th floor in the 
Paramount building. One of the 
P-P secretaries was assigned him 
immediately. 

George Topllff, appointed repre- 
sentative by Irving Trust Co., over 
the Publlx Enterprises bankruptcy 
receivership, also moved into the 
P-P. home office. 



Eastern Capital for a 
New Coast Laboratory 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Ea.Htern capital is reported Inter- 
fstcfl in liuilding a new laboratory 
iiere to take care of the business 
which formerly went to Royal Lab, 
which closed Wednesday (8). 

Sain Wolf, attorney for the Inde- 
pendent Producers' Association, Is 
i(.>pipsontlnK several indies and the 
easlern money. 



8 



VARIETY 



piCTimiE G 



SS ES 



Taesday* Febroary 7, 1933 



'State Fair' at L. A.'s State Tops, 
21G; -Entrance 20G in 2 Houses 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Trade over the weekend proved 
very brisk. 

'State Fair,' at the State, has the 
town all to itself this week. Start- 
ing the house oft on its new 25c. and 
40c. policy without stage shows this 
all-etar opus clipped close to $3,000 
on Its opening day, and looks as 
though it will outdistance any of the 
other attractions by an easy $10,000 
In drawing around $21,000 on the 
week. 

'Cavalcade,' In fourth week at 
Chinese, is holding fairly well with 
drop of around $3,000 below the pre- 
vious stanza. Warner's Downtown 
and Hollywood got nice break with 
•Employees Entrance' by using one 
of those sex bait advertising cam- 
paigns. 

'Luxury Liner* at Paramount 
nothing to brag about after the nice 
week that Mae West got the house 
with 'She Done Him Wrong,' and 
'Had to Get Married' at the RKO 
not heavy either. 

Estimates for This Week 

Biltmore (1,656; 55-$1.65)— 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par) (3rd-final week). 
Jumping two days over second 
week, ended its run with around 
$11,600 for flnal nine days. House 
going back to legit policy. 

Chinese (Fox) (2,028; B5-$1.65)— 
'Cavalcade' (Fox) and stage show 
(4th week). Picture getting great 
word of mouth break and looks like 
close to eight-week stay. Last 
week spurted nicely to little short 
of $16,000. 

Downtown (WB) (l,80fr; 26-70)— 
•Employees' Entrance' (FN) and 
vaudeville. Them inartlculates, as 
they call them, sure went for this 
one here and should help it toward 
around $11,000. Last week 'Lawyer 
Man' (WB) came through okay with 
around $9,900. 

Hollywood (WB) (2,766; 26-66)— 
"Employees' Entrance' (FN). Start 
better than average and should 
bring in around a good $8,600. Last 
week 'Lawyer Mati' very good at 
around $7,000. 

Los Angeles (Wm. Fox) (2,800; 
16-25)— 'Daring Daughters' (Allied) 
and 'Phantom Express' (Majestic). 
With double bill at the short iscale, 
fairly gobd at $6,000. Last week 
'Her Mad Night' (Mayfalr) nicely at 
$4,900. 

Pantages (Fox) (2,700; 26-40)— 
•Devil Commands' (Col) and 'Rob- 
bers' Roost' (Fox). Started oft bet- 
ter than previous week, and will 
show $4,000, very good. Last week 
'Death Kiss' (W-W) and 'Hypno- 
tized' (Educ) meant little In combo 
as poor $2,600 shows. 

Paramount (Publlx) (8,696; 25-65) 
—"Luxury Liner* (Par). This one 
may only bring in around $10,000. 
Last week 'No Man of Her Own' 
(Par), a big load of 'Diamond Lil,' 
to the tune of $13,100, okay for this 
house. 

RKO (2,950:26-65) — 'They Just 
Had to Get Married' (U). Pltts- 
Summerville combo not big enough 
to get a real heavy draw with oke 
pic that will have to be satisfied 
with around $6,100. Last week 'No 
Other Woman' (RKO) dud at $4,400 

State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 26-40)— 
•State Fail' (Fox). Has them grind- 
ing day and night, and looks as 
great omen for house under new 
scale without stage shows. A great 
big $21,000 for this one. Last week 
•Whistling in the Dark' (MG) did 
not have a chance due to lack of 
name draws so came home with 
$7,800, which Is bad. 



BIG MErS REOPENING 
JAZZES UP PKOV. A BIT 



PORTLAND WON'T BUY 
GIOOM REAUSM NOW 



Portland, Ore., Feb. 6. 

The hunt for b.o. hypos is on 
Fox- Parker revived the auto door 
prize gag, but admittedly it has a 
bad reaction. The Orph is stand 
ing pat on policy o£ only vaudo and 
stag© band in the burg. House is 
getting by on that monopoly but 
the grosses don't warrant any stage 
competlsh. 

'Hot Pepper* clicked better than 
expected at the Broadway, giving 
that hou.se a winning week. Cur- 
rently '20,000 Years' is tepid, local 
fans wearying of the gloom realism 

'Kid From Spain' Into the United 
Artists this week a sure winner. 
Should be good to hold two weeks 
'Cynara' last week not up to ex- 
pectations. General lobby comment 
said It hit too close to home and 
failed to connect with public sym- 
pathy. 

Liberty, with its two-bits policy 
Is clicking so well that Ted Gamble 
launched the Rlalto this week on 
same policy of first run pictures at 
25c top, 'Second Hand Wife' In the 
Rlalto looks good for fair results. 
Estimates for This Week 
Broadway (Fox-Parker) (2,000 
J6-40), '20,000 Years In Sing Sing' 
(FN). Poor biz, around $4,600. Last 
week 'Hot Pepper* (Fox) better 
than expected and closed at $6,000, 
fair. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 26-65), 



Providence, Feb. 6. 
Things bit out of gear this week, 
largely due to the reopening of the 
Metropolitan Sunday (5)withvaud- 
fllm at 25c top. The Met, Provi- 
dence's newest theatre, was built 
last summer at a cost of $960,000. 
It flopped six weeks after opening 
in a $2,000,000 bust. 

Theatre is being run on a co- 
operative basis by money men who 
got stuck in the venture last sum- 
mer. Chai-les H. William, long Iden- 
tified with theatrical activities here, 
and Harry A. Storin, former city 
manager for RKO in Providence, 
are behind the new enterprise. 

The Met has capacity and with 
half a break it should figure strongly 
in the theatrical scheme here. 

The two other combo houses, the 
RKO Albee and Fay's are playing 
forte vaudeville to offset the Met's 
reopening. Will. Mahoney is head- 
ing stage at the Albee, while Fay's 
has about the strongest variety bill 
it has had in months. 

The heavy plugging of live en- 
tertainment Is certainly putting the 
talking screen in the biackground, 
and while grosses seem to be around 
average the final tally will probably 
give picture houses a slight drop 
under recent takings. 

Three picture houses have twin 
bills, and are playing it safe. Out- 
standers will be the Paramount and 
the Majestic. 

Estimates for This Week 
RKO Albee (2,300; 16-66). 'Past 
of Mary Holmes' (RKO) and vaude, 
Will Mahoney headlining. Fine 
stage show is keeping things going 
at this spot, with feature picture 
some help from the femmes. At 
least $8,000 assured, okay. Last 
week 'Mummy' (U) $7,400. 

Fay's (1,600: 16-96), 'Ladies They 
Talk About* (WB) and vaude. 
House plugging stage show heav- 
ily. Bill exceptionally good all 
around, and feature helping to bring 
in close to $7,000. Last week 'Dar- 
ing Daughters' (Tower) depended 
mostly on vaude to come through at 
$6,200, fair. 

Loew's State (3,700; 10-26), 'Big 
Drive* (FD). Third week of cut 
prices finds this spot in a bad way. 
House led the parade here for sev- 
eral years, week after week; now 
it's always at the tall end of things. 
Only ex-servicemen going for the 
film, and nothing to indicate that 
gross will be over $6,000. Last week 
Whistling in the Dark' (MO) suf- 
fered from lack of names, but was 
up a peg at $6,600. 

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 16-55), 
'Employees' Entrance' (WB) and 
Parachute Jumper* (FN). House 
managed a fairly good toe-hold on 
opening, and even if there is a slide 
for the rest of the week gross of 
$7,000 is going to look good consid- 
ering how things are in town for 
this stanza. Last week 'Hard to 
Handle' (WB) and 'Gambling Sex' 
wasn't exactly strong, but oke at 
$7,700. 

Paramount (2,200; 10-40), 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par) and 'Penal Code.' 
Popularity of Kate Smith in these 
parts augurs well for this house, 
Radio star just about strong enough 
to keep things from sliding back 
where they were few weeks back 
before house cut prices and went 
into double features. At least $6,000 
assured. Last week 'She Done Him 
Wrong* (Par) and 'Vampire Bat' 
pulled a surprise and came in from 
scratch to $6,500. This despite the 
fact that house ads were yanked 
out the town's leading newspapers, 
'Bulletin' and 'Journal,' for week 
after misunderstanding. 

RKO Victory (1,600; 10-25), 'Self 
Defense* (Mono) and 'Animal King 
dom' (RKO). Holding up, and house 
anticipates getting at least $2,800, 
oke. Last week 'Cornered' (Col) 
and 'Half Naked Truth' (RKO) 
only $2,300. mild. 

Metropolitan (3,400; 10-25), 'Afraid 
to Talk' (U) and vaude. House 
making no bones that It's depend 
ing largely upon the seven acts of 
vaude to make a go of things. 
There'll be no hollering if gross 
sticks around $3,600. 



C<^iiinbiis 1b Just Ku-razy 
About Its Radio Favea 

Columbus, Feb. 6. 
After a record crashing attend- 
ance mark set last week by the 
radio stars, Oene and Glenn, the 
Palace Is following through with 
Kate Smith's first feature surround- 
ed by a fiock of radio stars In short 
subjects and is all eet to grab the 
big money again this week, although 
It will be far under the last ses- 
sion. 

'Island of Lost Souls' is drawing 
well at the Broad, and Cagney's 
latest release is also in the money 
at the Grand. 'Big' Drive' may or 
may not go over at the Ohio, \rlth 
the ancient photography Its biggest 
handicap. 

The radio duo at the Palace last 
week set an all-tlme attendance 
mark for the town, more than 65,000 
crowding In to see them, but failed 
to reach the bouse gross mark be- 
cause of present low admissions. All 
other theatres suffered badly due to 
the run on the Palace. 

Estimates for This Week 

Palace (RKO) (3,074; 25-40)— 
•Hello, Everybody' (Par). Kate 
Smith's pic. opened nicely and 
should get away with good $3,000. 
Last week 'Handle With Care* (Fox) 
plus Gene and Glenn drew $17,900, 
tremendous at low admission fig- 
ure. 

Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25-40)— 
'Big Drive* (FD). None too hearty 
at start and hardly looks better than 
$7,000, fair enough. Laat week 
'Whistling in the Dark' (MG) as 
hard hit as all others and Just man- 
aged to hit $6,000. 

Broad (Loew-UA) (2.600; 25-40)— 
'Island of Lost Souls' (Par). Horror 
angles should buUd it to good $6,600. 
Last week slop-over from Palace 
standees across the street aided 'Hot 
Pepper* (Fox) and film did nicely at 
$8,000. 

Grand (Neth) (1,100; 26-40)— 
'Hard to Handle' (FN). Should do 
average $4,000. Last week '20,000 
Years' (WB) did -well enough with 
strong competlsh and garnered 
$6,200. 

Hartman (Great Lakes) (1,700; 
20-30)— 'No Living Witness* (Ind) 
and vaude. Should step up to aver- 
age after low last week ai\d get $4,- 
500 or better. Last week 'Woman 
in Scarlet* and vaudo tumbled to 
Just $4,000. 

Majestic (RKO) (1.100; 20-35)— 
Devil Is Driving* (Par). Good class 
film here and $2,600 possible. Last 
week 'Unwritten Law' well off at 
$2,000. 



Mae Wests Saga 




'No Other Woman' (RKO) with 
vaude. Holding up to a fair aver- 
age, $5,000. Last week 'The Mummy' 
(U) same. 

United Artists (Fox-Parker) (1,- 
000; 25-55). 'Kid From Spain' (UA). 
Getting good results and should 
click nicely for big $8,000. Last 
week 'Cynara' (UA), $4,600, disap- 
pointing. 

Oriental (Hamrlck) (2,500; 26-35). 
'Ladles They Talk About' (WB). 
In line for an average week, around 
$3,000. Last week 'They Had to Get 
Married' (U) good for $4,000. 

Liberty (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 16- 
26), 'Central Park* (FN). Getting 
results for this low admlsh house 
and should connect for okay $3,600. 
Last week 'Divorce In the Family' 
(MG) failed to hold up and closed 
at $3,000. 



Draws in Frisco 



San Francisco, Feb. 6. 

First decent weather in a month 
upping biz around the town. 

Mae West's 'She Done Him 
Wrong* Is the Interesting one to 
watch. Paramount spicing up the 
ads as much as traffic will bear 
with hot punch lines and still hot- 
ter art counted upon to bring In the 
Iron men. And It's the men who're 
laying down the iron men. 

KarlofCs growing popularity cou- 
pled with the pull of a shocker re- 
sponsible for Golden Gate's neat 
returns on 'Mummy.' 

United Artists pulling 'Cynara* 
after 11 days despite a good first 
week and fair flnal four days. Al 
Jolson in 'Hallelujah I'm a Bum* 
takes the screen with big ad cam- 
paign preceding. 

Estimates for This Week 

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 30- 
40-65) 'Mununy* (U) and vaude; 
Karloff In another shocker and re- 
sponse big at $17,000. Last week 
'Match King* (WB) quite good at 
$13,800. 

Paramount (Fox) (2,700; 30-40- 
55) 'She Done Him Wrong* (Par). 
Mae West in a broad-minded one. 
Males aplenty. Okay at $13,000 on 
six days, house bringing in new 
show Thursday (9). 'Panther 
Woman* (Par) surprised with good 
$16,000 last week. 

United Artists (1,400; 25-35-60) 
'Cynara' (UA). Last four days not 
bad at $7,000. Stayed only after 11 
days to allow Jolson's 'Hallelujah 
I'm a Bum* (UA) in. 

Warfield (2,700; 35-55-66) 'Sec- 
ond-Hand Wife* (Fox) and stage 
show. Pulling biff $17,000. Last 
weok 'Lawyer Man' (Par) got 
$14,000 



Battle of 'Nice Little Pictures' Gives 
Loop No Thrills,' 'Show Boaf 




JOLSON'S 15G, KATE'S 
14G,B0TH0KEINST.L 



St. Louis, Feb. 6. 
Not a great deal of excitement 
around the boxofllces this week al- 
though Loew's and Ambassador 
stand to do fairly w«ll. The for- 
mer has Al Jolson and the latter 
Kate Smith. Neither will set a 
record, but will do better than aver- 
age. 

On the whole, though, nobody is 
kicking for 'things could be a lot 
worse and have been In the recent 
past. 

Estimates for This Week 
Ambassador (WB) (3,000; 26-86- 
66) — 'Hello Everybody* (Par) and 
stage show. Radio fans account- 
ing for the good $14,000. Last 
week 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) 
$10,000, fair. 

Fox (Fox) (6,000; 26-36-56)— 
'Dangerously Yours* (Fox) and F. & 
M. unit. Doing falrlshly at around 
$10,000. Last week 'Hot Pepper* 
(Fox) and big stage sho\^ $20,000, 
flne. 

Loew's State (3,000; 26-36-65)— 
'Hallelujah I'm a Bum* (UA). Looks 
llko big $15,000. Last week *Kid 
from Spain* (UA) (2d week) $10,000. 

Missouri (RKO) (3,500; 25-36-56) 
— 'No More Orchids* (Col) and 
'Lucky Devils* (RKO). Under 
average at $6,600. Last week 'Half- 
Naked Truth' (RKO) and 'Air Mall' 
(U) $8,600, fair. 



'Nile's' Sand Scenes 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

'Man of the Nile' company at 
Metro left Feb. 4 for Yuma, Ariz., 
where 10 days will be spent for lo- 
cations among the sand dunes. 

Roger Manning Joined the studio 
as unit manager for that produc- 
tion. 



ALBEE, CINCY, RADIO 
SHOW NS6 AT $11,000 



Cincinnati, Feb. 6. 
Island of Lost Souls* best screen 
draw currently, with neat improve- 
ment indicated for downtown houses 
in general ^ver last week*s biz. de- 
spite cold snap that set in Satur- 
day. 

Last week's cinema trade suffered 
from tremendous draw of $35,000 by 
Of Thee I Sing* at Shubert, which 
is roadshowing 'Rasputin' currently. 
It opened Sunday night to light pa- 
tronage. For which there's a rea- 
son. 'Sign of Cross* roadsbowed 
there Just three weeks ago and 
comes into Palace next week at pop 
prices, and Clncy folks are the kind 
to wait a few we^ks to save that 
difference. 

Estimates for This Week 
Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-65)— 
'Hello HJverybi dy* (Par), and vaude 
headlined by East and Dumke, who 
are known to radio fans as Sisters 
of the Skillet. All radio Idea no 
draw at $11,000, poor. Last week, 
'Billion-Dollar Scandal* (Par) and 
Pola Negri, in person, disappointed 
with a sorry $10,500. 

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 80-65)— Is- 
land of Lost Souls' (Par). Good 
for $17,000. Last week, 'Kid from 
Spain* (UA) pulled $14,700 In its 
second week. 

Lyric (RKO) (1,285; 80-55)— 'To- 
night Is Ours' (Par). March and 
Colbert finlitting type splurge with 
title. Romanceers In line for $11,- 
000, flne. Last week 'Madame But- 
terfly' (Par) $7,600, great. 

Keith's (LIbson) (1,500; 26-40)— 
'F trd to Handle' (WB). Cagney 
large lettered and aided in draw of 
laugh fans for $6,700, good. Last 
week, 'Ladles They Talk About' 
(WB) $6,300, dandy. 

Grand (RKO) (1,026; 16-30)— 
'TraUing the Killer* (WW), and 
'Laughter In Hell* (U). Split week 
getting a good $3,000. Last week, 
•Penguin Pool Murder* (RKO), and 
'Goldle Gets Along* (RKO), $2,800, 
n. s. h. 

Family (RKO) (1,000; 15-25)— 
'Mysterious Rider* ^Par) and 'Tan- 
gled Destinies' (Fischer), split 
week. Maybe $2,000, mild. Last 
week, 'Dynamite Ranch' (WW) and 
'Slightly Married' (1st Div.), $2,200, 
fair. 

Strand (1,160; 15-25)— 'Death 
Kiss' (WW). Top cut from 36p. to 
26c. by the owning-operators In 
third week after reopening. Now 
source of b. o. product the big head- 
ache. Likely to change soon to sec- 
ond run. Current take $],100, poor. 
Last week, 'Self Defense' (Mono), 
$1,400, fair. 

Ufa (400; 30-40)— 'Scarlet Dawn' 
(T/B), and 'Virgins of Ball' (Prin). 
Plugged as a 'double feature.' Head- 
ing for $1,300, good. Last week 
'Williamson Beneath the Sea' 
(Prin) $1,200, oke. 



Chicago, Feb. 0. 
With the sole exception of the 
Chicago theatre where a tabloid ver« 
slon of 'Show Boat' is on the stage 
the loop this week will present a 
horizon empty of anything exciting, 
it's a battle of 'nice pictures* and 
not an explosion in a carload of 'em. 

•Cavalcade' will barge into the 
ErIanger Feb. 12 to defy the Chi- 
cago adage that $1.66 is too much 
money for a picture. Even in good 
times Chicago is a tough spot for 
a reserved seat picture. Two weeks 
was enough last week for 'Sign of 
the Cross.' 

Estimates for This Week 
Chicago (B&K) (8,940; 35-66-76), 
•Second Hand Wife* (Fox) and 
'Show Boat* tab. Ought to brush 
$40,000 with stage attraction out- 
drawing the screen. Last week 
'Frisco Jenny* (WB) got $32,300, 
mild. 

McVickers (B&K) (2,284; 35-56), 
'Hello Everybody' (Par). Kate 
Smith picture prospects surprisingly 
disappointing at under $8,000. Last 
week 'Billion Dollar Scandal' (Par) 
took only $6«700. 

Oriental (B&K) (8,200; 35-65-76), 
'Strange Interlude* (MG) (3d week). 
Holds longer than expected, around 
$10,000. Last week $14,100. '20,000 
Years In Sing Sing* (WB) next 
after which house gets 'Sign of the 
Oros9>' 

Palace (RKO) (2,633; 40-66-83), 
'Past of Mary Holmes' (RKO) and 
vaude. Look for $18,000 this week. 
Last week's headliner, Babe Dldrik- 
son didn't sensationalize. House 
ended with $17,600 on 'They Just 
Had to Get Married* (U). Cur- 
rently local .radio turn, Sinclair 
WENR Minstrels, is headliner. 

State Lake (RKO) (2,766; 85-66). 
'Nagana* (U). Another $6,000 week 
probable after a ditto last week 
with 'Death Kiss* (WW). John 
Joseph strapped a defenseless 
blonde in front of the house as 
publicity for 'Nagana* 

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 35- 
65-75). 'King's VacaUon' (WB). 
Moderate takings for George Arlisa 
whose last opus played the Chicago 
and flopped badly. Figure $13,000. 
Final week of 'Kid From Spain* 
(UA) was $11,600. 



TOO MUCH COMPETISH 
FROM LEGITS IN WASH. 



Aheme's 2d 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Bryan Aheme's second picture at 
Paramount will be 'Peter Ibbetson.' 
He then goes to Metro for lead In 
'Barretts of WImpole Street.* 



Washington, Feb. 6. 

With string of legit hits cashing 
In at National, the cinemas aren't 
breaking any records. Palace is sole 
exception, with 'Kid From Spain.' 
going Into second week. Finished 
first with beautiful $20,600, giving 
all credit to Cantor's air rep. 

Other radio show, "Hello EJvery- 
body,' disappointing at Met All 
accompanying short subjects are 
air names, but Kate Smith will have 
to be content with $7,000. Home 
town should have done better by 
her. 

'Rasputin* in second week at Co- 
lumbia at $1.50 top fell short of 
hopes last week. Vaude houses 
started out big last week, but 
slipped toward end. 

Estimates for This Week 

Earle (WB) (2,424; 25-30-40-60- 
60-70), ladies They Talk About' 
(WB) and vaude. Harriet Hoctor 
and Irene Beasley won't be able to 
push week above fair $16,600. Last 
week 'Hard to Handle* (WB) bet- 
ter with $18,000. Press spreads on 
Helen Kane*s marriage helped. 

Fox (Loew) (3,484; 15-25-35-60), 
'Face in the Sky* (Fox) and vaude. 
Buddy Rogers heading stage bill 
but week will be lucky to see $20-,- 
000. Last week 'Son-Daughter' 
(MG) opened beautifully but died 
beginning Monday; fair $24,000. 

Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 16-26-35- 
60), 'No More Orchids' (Col). Not 
so good, maybe $C,500. Last week 
'Big Drive* (FD) got very good 
$9,000. 

Palace (Loew) (2,363; 15-25-35- 
60), 'Kid From Spain' (UA). Sec- 
ond week will see swell $12,000. 
Last week $20,500. 

Met (WB) (1,583; 26-35-60-70), 
'Hello Everybody' (Par). All radio 
screen bill In Kate Smith's home 
town; only fair $7,000. Last week 
'Parachute Jumper' (WB) not so 
hot, $5,000. 

Rialto (U) (1.853; 25-35-50-00), 
'Nagana* (U). Second week may 
turn In weak $3,000. House used 
24-shcet board.s all over town for 
first time playing up animal and 
Jungle love angle which got sur- 
prl.slng opening with $7,000. 

Columbia (Loew) (1,232; 50- 
$1.00-$1.50), 'Rasputin' (MG). Sec- 
ond week at two-a-day will gpt o.k. 
$7,500. Last week opened to nice 
$11,000, but nothing eensatii)n.nl. 



MILES SWITCHES TO FOX 

Hollywood, Feb, 6. 

John Miles, copy editor in Radio's 
publicity department, has resigned 
to Join the Fox p. a. department. 

Mel Riddle, who was acc F-WC 
theatre publicist, replaces him at 
atudlo. 



Tnesdajr, Febniary 7, 1933 



PICT 



E C 



SSES 



Londons West End Cinemas 
Holding Up WeD; 'Interlude 
32G, 2 Weeks; 'Savage $U400 



Liondon, Jan. 20. 

Despite West End show business, 
particularly vaudeville, being bad, 
picture houses are grossing exceed- 
ingly well. In the cose of vaude- 
ville, the reason advanced Is short- 
age of novelties, with houses con- 
stantly playing repeats. 

High prices of admission charged, 
top $1-60, and in some Instances $2, 
1b another reason for vode flopping. 
Estimated GrooBes 

Academy — 'Kadetten' ('Boys In 
Uniform'). Sequel to 'Maedchen' 
not strong meat, but doing fairly at 
around $2,000. Will stay a few more 
weeks, as Erlo Hakim likes to force 
run of Continentals. 

Capitol— 'Call Her Savage' (Fox). 
Surprisingly good at J7,000 first 
week and $6,400 second week. 'Me 
and My Girl' (Fox), released here 
under 'Pier 13,' replaced. Picture 
likely one week or two weekt at 
most, as is playing under flat rental 
instead of percentage. 

Carlton — 'Trouble In Paradise' 
(Par). In sixth and last week, it 
started as a smash, grossing $9,600 
a week for the first four- weeks, but 
has now dropped to around $8,400. 
Closing Jan. 29, with 'Sign of the 
Cross' (Par) replacing, house going 
back to thrice-daily instead of con- 
tinuous. 

Dominion — 'Rome Express' (6-B) 
and sub-feature, supported by Al- 
fredo's Tzigane band. Opened to 
smash, despite picture on third West 
End pre-release. House easily gross- 
ed $9,600, and could have held over, 
but policy of house is second runs 
and weekly changes. 'Rome Express' 
returns to Marble Arch Cinema for 
another extended run. 

Empire — 'Strange Interval' 
('Strange Interlude') (MG). Opened 
to $19,000, but dwindled second week 
to $12,800. 'Rain' (UA) replaced. 

March Arch Pavilion — 'After the 
Ball' (Gainsborough). In second 
West End run, lastec a week at 
around under $6,000, with 'Rome 
Express' now current on return 
trip. 

New Gallery — 'Sherlock Holmes' 
(Fox). Opened splendidly to $8,000 
first week, with second week sliding 
to $6,400. 'Deception' (Col) re- 
placed. 

.^laza— 'If I Had a Million' (Par). 
Grossed highly first week at around 
$15,000, and 'Sally Bishop' was held 
bade to keep 'Million' for another 
week. 

Regal— T Am a Fugitive' (WB). 
A litt to $14,000, exceptional for this 
house. Holding over another week, 
with still another week likely. 

Rialto — 'The Blue Light,' (^rman 
revival brought in as last-minute 
stopgap, and doing around $2,000. 
Will linger till new Continental is 
available. 

Tivoli — 'Baroud.' Rex Ingram's 
latest not In the money. First week 
around $8,300, with second week 
still lower at $6,600, which about 
worst week in months at this the- 
atre. . 'Yes, Mr. Brown' (UA), 
starring Jack Buchanan, which 
makes it good for three weeks, suc- 
ceeded. 



B'ham Concludes Times 
Are Getting Better 

Birmingham, Feb. 6. 

No one seems to know just wliy, 
but business men say business is 
picking up. That may or may not 
be Just talk, but the streets are be- 
ing a little more crowded every day. 
Shows naturally get a certain 
amount of these walkers and night 
business is fair. And right now 
Birmingham can use a little monej'. 
Estimates for This Week 

Alabama (Wllby) (2,800; 25-40)— 
'Hot Pepper' (Fox). Should flag a 
nice $6,000. Last week 'Tonight Is 
Ours' (Par) and 'Silver Dollar" (FN) 
on split, good, $5,700. 

Ritz (RKO) (7,600: 25-40)— 'They 
Had to Get Married' (U) and 
'Afraid to Talk' (U). Double fea- 
tures helping slightly, but comedy 
feature Is drawing a few extra buck 
this week, $3,400. Last week 'No 
More Orchlrds' (Col) and 'Flames' 
(Mono) fair, $3,000. 

Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 25)— 
•Ble.ssed Event' (WB). After bring- 
ing the scale down to two bits any 
time, house now switched to Sat- 
urday openings, $1,800. Last week 
'False Faces' (WW) around $1,100. 

Strand (Wilby) (800; 25)— 'Me 
and My Gal' (Fox). May not come 
up to what Wllby has been getting 
here last few week.s, hut a nice $1,- 
800. Last week 'M.ifl.ame Butterfly' 
(Par) neat $2,100. 

Galax (Wilby) (500; 15-20)— 'Iron 
Ma.ster' (Allied) and 'Self -Defense' 
(Mono) on spilt. Former okay if 
word gets around that plx is a Kteel 
mill picture, which will be a help; 
fair woek, $1,000. Last week 'H&n-. 
die With Care' (Fox) and 'Fast 
Companions' (U) fair, $900. 



Poor Product Reflected 
In Lincoln's Off Grosses 

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 6. 

Picture biz falling back into the 
lethargy that developed pre-Xmas, 
principally because of so-so prod- 
uct. Exploitation in most cases Is 
something read about and ignored 
by the exhibs. 

Talk about Bob Livingston mak- 
ing another picture house out of the 
Liberty is allayed since the theatre 
is opening with a second stock com- 
pany currently. Latter may have 
some effect on the pic houses be- 
cause of the .15c top. 

Mild weather is staying on, but 
with the current layout, there's 
little to pull the locals away from 
the radio. Especially since the 
Stuart has Kate Smith's 'Hello 
Everybody' right on the tall of 'Big 
Broadcast' at the Orpheum less 
than a block away and second run. 

Estimates for This Week 

Colonial (LTC) (650; 10-15-20), 
'He Learned About Women' (Par). 
Off to a moderate week at $750. 
Last week 'Billion Dollar Scandal' 
(Par) flrst half and 'Mysterious 
Rider' (Par) last half fair at $800. 

Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-25-40), 
'Lawyer Man' (WB). So-so $1,750 
in view. Last week 'Tonight Is 
Ours' (Par) averaged off at $1,600. 

Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15- 
26), 'Handle With Care' (Fox) flrst 
half and 'Grand Hotel' (MG) sec- 
ond half. Should touch $1,000. Last 
week 'Scarlet Dawn' (?ar) sched- 
uled for full week but 'fulled after 
three days and subbed by 'Big 
Broadcast' (Par), slow at $850. 

State (Monroe) (600; 10-25-35). 
'Death Kiss' (WW). Looks good 
for $1,500, nice. Last week 'Big 
Drive' (R&S) okay biz at $1,700. 

Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-36- 
50-60), 'Hello Everybody' (Par). 
Will greet many empty seats to a 
doubtful $2,000. Last week 'Frisco 
Jenny' (WB) didn't click at $2,200. 



MONTREAL BETTER, 
lET'S GO,' NICE 14G 



Montreal, Feb. 6. 

Main stem outlook good this week 
with much above average plx every- 
where. Last week was on the 
whole below expectations, but com- 
petish is less keen for the next 
seven days with His Majesty's out 
of the picture and weather not so 
good for outdoor sports. 

Yanking 'Match King* out of 
Loew's after big ballyhoo and put- 
ting in 'Lawyer Man' didn't hurt 
gross any, which rose to $14,000 for 
past week, while current plx 'Let's 
Go' and Fatty Arbuckle in person 
should hold that flgure again. 
George Rotsky isn't passing up any 
chances on the panther woman 
flicker, 'Island of Lost Souls,' which 
will hand the local femmes a thrill 
by showing them what they missed 
in recent continent-wide contest. 
There are good hopes of close to 
$15,000 for the Palace currently. 

His Majesty's Is dark which will 
lielp some and Capitol which is 
picking up nicely lately, has 'Match 
I^lng' and 'Flesh' currently and on 
prospects and local press boosts 
should touch $13,000. Princess goes 
back to Columbia with 'No More 
Orchids' and 'Last Man.' This brace 
looks like return to better gross at 
$8,500. Imperial catering to French- 
speaking element, has a fair draw 
In 'Mg-ter Dolorosa.' 

Nabes, down In the red last week, 
may recover some of the losses cur- 
rently. 

Estimates for This Week 
His Majesty's (Ind) (1,600; 50-75). 
Dark this week. Last week 'The 
Outsider' (MG) got the expected 
$8,000. 

Palace (FP) (2,700; 60), 'Island of 
Lost Souls' (Par). Clever press 
work locally should bring the Pal- 
ace back this week and may gross 
$15,000. Last week 'No Man of Her 
Own' (Par) slipped to $11,500. 

Capitol (FP) (2,700; 50), 'Flesh' 
(MG) and 'Match King' (WB). Lat- 
ter, with two weeks' publicity, 
should gross $13,000. Last week 
'Madame Butterfly' tPar) and 'Devil 
Is Driving* (Par) collected $11,000. 

Loew's (FP) (8,200; 65), -'-Lefs 
Go' (MG) and vaude with Fatty Ar- 
buckle headlining. Looks like big 
$14,000. Last week 'Lawyer Man' 
(WE) and vaude did well at same 
figure. 

Princess (CT) (1,900; 35-60), 'No 
More Orchids' (Col) and 'Last Man" 
(Col). May get $8,500. Last week 
all-British bill of 'Leap Year' and 
'Love Contra.Ht' grossed $7,000. 

Imperial (Franco-Flm.s) (1,900; 60) 
'Mater Dolorosa" (French). Should 
gross around $2,000. Last week 
'L'Enfant Martyr' and 'Avcc L'As- 
surance,' $1,800. 

Cinema de Paris (Franco-Film) 
(600; 26), 'L'Atlantide.' In Its sec- 
ond' week, $800.. Last week, $1,000. 



'SOULS/ B'KLYN, 30G 

Borough Across the Bride with 
Pretty Fair Takings 

Brooklj'n, Feb. f. 

Everything considered, biz this 
week is encouraging. 

Particular Interest Is the lift at 
the Fox, which Is running better 
than usual, even with other de- 
luxers. 

Tstimates for This Week 

Paramount (4,200; 25-36-55-73-86) 
— 'Island of Lost Souls' (Par) and 
Willie and Eugene Howard on stage. 
Should get $30,000, not so bad these 
days. Last week 'Billion Dollar 
Scandal' (Par), and Kate Smith In 
person $25,600, red. 

Fox (4,000; 26-35-55-65-75)— 'Hot 
Pepper' (Fox) and stage show. Hit- 
ting a better pace for this house 
and should end with a good $15,- 
000. Last week 'Air Hostess' (Col), 
too bad at $8,000. 

Albee (3,000; 26-36-55-75-85)— '>o 
Other Woman' (RKO) and vaude. 
Moderate $18,000 In the ofllng. Jack 
Denny on stage helping. Last week 
'E-ltter Tea' (Col) $17,300. 

Metropolitan (3,000; 26-36-53 ■65- 
76)— 'Madame Blanche' (MG) and 
vaude. Disappointing at $15,000. 
Last week 'Whistling in the Dark" 
(MG) couldn't get started, $16,000. 

Strand (2,000; 25-35-56)— 'Pnra- 
chute Jumper' (WB). So-so, $9,000. 
Last week '20,000 Years' (WB), $10,- 
000, fair. 



HUB'S 2 $1.65 PIX 
SPURTS REST 
OF TOWN 



Boston, Feb. 6. 
Merriest race this town ever had 
is on bct\fceen 'Cavalcade' and 'Ras- 
putin.' Former is by far the better 
picture, but somehow they're neck 
and neck, and It isn't Just the over- 
flow from the streaming tide toward 
'Cavalcade' that Is putting capac- 
ity audiences before the Barry- 
mores' vehicle. Clever exploitation, 
and the queer fact that 'Rasputin' 
is getting both the highbrows and 
lowbrows account for the MGM 
film's draw. 

• Fox pic is at the Tremont and 
diagonally down the main stem is 
the Majestic housing Metro's Roo- 
shian spectacle. Starting In almost 
together, at same $1.65 top, this is 
the second week, and each is sold 
heavy for some time ahead, with al- 
most contiuous queues out. 'Caval- 
cade' has become a word of mouth 
success; Its long stay seems guar- 
anteed by Its class and praise it 
gets. Boston also has always liked 
the Barrymores. 'Cavalcade' smacked 
off $16,000 for flrst week, while 
•Rasputin' knocked out $16,900. 

Popularity of both Is sure drum- 
ming up fllm biz; folks are talking 
films as they haven't since ye 'Cock- 
Eyed World.' 

Elsewhere films only of lukewarm 
quality, but biz could be a lot worse. 
Estimates for This Week 

Majestic (Shubert) (1,600; K6- 
$1.65)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Beating 
the record made by 'The Big Parade' 
years ago, and jamming them in. 
Honeyed words boosting pic heard 
everywhere. First week set up total 
of $16,000. 

Tremont (Indie) (1,633; $1.65 top) 
-'Rasputin' (MG). Mounted away 
ahead of expectations of $10,000, 
which would have been gloriously 
satisfying but roared to $15,900, sen- 
sational. Second week probably Just 
as fat. Advance almost as good as 
'Cavalcade.' 

Keith's (RKO) (4,000; 25-40-55)— 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
vaude. Town Is show-struck and 
indications look bright for $19,000. 
I.^st week 'Past of Mary Holmes" 
(RKO) and vaude, okav $15,100. 

Boston (RKO) (4,000; 25-40-55)— 
'Lucky Devils' (Col) and vaude re- 
vue. Lucky to get $10,000. Last 
week 'Air Hostess' (Col) and vaude 
had three fair days and then broke, 
all for $9,400. 

Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-50)— 
'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum' (UA). Ju.st 
hoboing along for a carefree $13,000. 
Last week 'Big Drive' (1st Dlv.) 
with Metro screen tests on stage to 
help, under the wire to $14,500. 

State (Loew) (3,000; 30-50)— 'Hal- 
lelujah I'm a Bum' (UA). Headed 
for $11,000 or a shade better. Last 
week, 'Big Drive,' aided by screen 
teats on stage, up to shade over 
$12,000. 

Met (Publlx) (4,330; 35-50-65)— 
'She Done Him Wrong' (Par) and 
stage show, 'Irene.' Hou.<ie antici- 
pating oke return at $26,000. Last 
week 'Hello Everybody' (Par) and 
double stage bill, tough on Kate 
Smith and the house, at $17,200. 

Paramount (Publlx) (1,800; 20-30- 
55)— "Face In the Sky' (Fox) and 
'Luxury Liner' (Par). Hopeful for 
$9,500. Last week, fine b.o. In 'f:m- 
ployees' Entrance' (FN) and 'Hot 
Pepper' (Fox), hitting it up to $11,- 
OOO, mighty fine for the house. 



Radio City's Lure as a Showplace 
Continues to Sock B'way; Old Roxy 
In the Money; Cap and Par Brutal 



Radio City continues to knock the 
bottom out of Broadway grosses, 
with only a couple t : houses able to 
withstand the strain. Attractions 
are counting more than ever, with 
the poor ones almost dying outright 
in the face of the R. C. opposition. 

That was evidenced last week 
with Kate Smith's picture, 'Hello, 
Everybody,' at the Paramount, dip- 
ping that house deep Into the red 
to a new low of $16,000. This week 
the Par with 'Luxury Liner' and 
'Desert Song' unit will be lucky to 
get $25,000. 

Against this kind of grossing on 
Broadway, the old Roxy, which for- 
merly had been hardest hit. Is In 
the monPi'. It reached $2r,800 for 
a profit of around $10,000 last week 
on change to new policy at a 35c. 
top, and this week, If repeating that 
flgure. It will mean an improvement 
with the giveaways and the cut- 
rate deadheads eliminated. 'Iron 
Master' (Allied-First Division) is 
the picture. 

The old Roxy is proving that the 
question of price with the filmgolng 
public Is taking precedence over the 
shows. To hit $30,000, the old Roxy 
must play to a large number of cus- 
tomers. 

Another Interesting point Is that 
outside of the two Radio City the- 
atres, the old Roxy at $28,800 led 
the rest of the street last week, and 
with the possible exception of the 
Strand, will again top all other 
houses from indications. 

Cagney's 'Hard to Handle' will 
get around $30,000 at the Strand 
on Its first week, which means a 
holdover. 

Capitol Is in the Paramount class 
but probably worse off with 'Secret 
of Madame Blanche' unlikely to get 
house as much as $25,000. Sloughed 
badly of late, house last week looked 
into a lot of red at a brutal $24,000 
with 'Whispering In the Dark.' 

With Radio City drawing strongly 
on curiosity, Broadway showmen 
expected to feel the loss of busi- 
ness at flrst, but not as seriously 
as has occurred. As the novelty of 
R. C. wears oft, business will re- 
turn to Broadway for proper dis- 
tribution. It is felt. It's certain the 
situation now existing can't last. 

Prices may have to come down 
in the interim, it is believed. Op- 
position from the old Roxy in Itself 
may cause this along the street. 

'Cavalcade' is untouched in the 
general drop in business, Fo;c pic- 
ture still playing to capacity at the 
Gaiety. 

Over at R. C, the big house. Mu- 
sic Hall, this week will go to $106,- 
000, with 'Sign of the Cross,' the 
same as last week with 'State Fair.' 
The RKO Roxy should get $40,000 
on 'Pair,' moved from the Music 
Hall.' 

RKO Is Itself hit at the Mayfalr, 
which has 'Hot Pepper' on second 
run following engagement at the 
RKO Roxy. Mayfalr's prospective 
$10,000 tally Is bad. Palace isn't as 
bad off on a chance for $12,000 or 
better with vaudfllm. Pal also has 
a picture over from R. C, 'Bitter 
Tea.' which played the Music Hall. 

Winding up at around $16,000 to- 
night with 'Kid from Spain,' which 
lasted three weeks, Rlvoll tomorrow 
(Wednesday) opens 'Hallelujah, I'm 
a Bum,' the Al Jolson fiicker, at a 
special preview performance. 

Winter Garden down to around 
$9,000 currently with the Ed Wynn 
revival, 'Follow the Leader' which 
came In Friday (3). Wynn In per- 
son with his 'Laugh Parade' show 
Is scheduled for the Capitol stage 
Friday (10), while the Paramount 
Thursday (9), brings in Mae West 
along with her picture, 'She Done 
Him Wrong.' If business does not 
get nearer to normal on that week, 
stage shows may be dispensed wltl^ 
at the Par and admission brought 
down to possibly 55c. 

Estimates for This Week 

Astor (1,012; $1.10-$1.65-$2.20)— 
■Rasputin' (MG) (7th week). Ex- 
pected to t£il < the air just as soon 
as Metro has another picture ready. 
'Plgboat.s' probable successor. 

Capitol (5,400; 35-75-99-$!. 65) — 
'.Secret of Madame Blanche' (MO) 
and stage show. Taking It brutally, 
again under $25,000 from indications 
with no b. o. draft in either pic- 
ture or stage show. Last week, 
'Whislllng in Dark' (.MO) and Mai-y 
Garden on stage awful at $24,000 

Gaiety (811; 55-$1.10-$1.65) — 
■Cavalcade' (Fox) (5th week). Ca- 
pacity, which is around $13,000. 
With some standing room sold, 
fourth week's take was $13,100. 

Mayfair (2,200; 35-55-75)— 'Hot 
Pepper' (Fox) (2nd run). Will bo 
under $10,000, whlc»- Is very poor. 
I'lclure first played the UKO Roxy. 
Last week on holdover for six days 
of 'Big Drive' $10,300. 

Palace (1,700; 30-40-55-80-f I.JO)— 
'Bitter Tea of Gen. Ten" (finl) (2nd 
run) and vaude. Should do $12,000, 
not good, hut In view of bad blz 



on Broadway, better comparatively 
than most other houses. Last week. 
'Animal Kingdom' (Radio) and 
vaude, $14,500, fairly good. 

Paramount (3,064; 36-55-75-99)— 
'Luxury Liner' (Par) and 'Desert 
Song' unit on stage. Vivienne Segal 
and Gus Shy were added to the 
'Desert Song' production, but no 
draw. Intake wicked at $25,000. 
Last week Kate Smlth'b picture, 
'Hello, Everybody' (Par), sloughed 
house into new low bracket, $15,000; 
only lasted six days. 

Radio City Music Hall (6,945; 36- 
55-75)— 'Sign of the Cross' (Par) 
and stage show. Hitting on all sixes 
for a mighty $105,000. Even in good 
times this would have been excep- 
tional here or anywhere else. Last 
week 'State Fair' (Fox) $100,000. 
hence Its extended stay at the new 
Roxy. 

Rivoli (2,200; 40-56-75-86)— -Kid 
from Spain' (UA) (3d week). Wind- 
ing up tonight (Tuesday) at around 
$:C.OO0, not bad. Al Jolson's first 
picture In several years, 'Hallelujah, 
I'm a Bum' (UA), Is new tenant to- 
morrow night (Wednesday). 

RKO Roxy (3,525; 35-65-76)— 
'State Fair' (Fox) (2d run) and 
stage show. Indlcitlons are for 
around $40,000, not too big. Picture 
came over Jrom the Music Hall after 
a week there, but whether or not 
this may be a stationary policy un- 
known. Last week 'No Other 
Woman' (RKO) $40,000. 

Roxy (6j200; 25-36)— 'Iron Master' 
(Allied-FD> and stage show. Its 
nut down to $18,000, thiis looks an- 
other nice profit week at $28,000. 
Last week 'Death Kiss' (WW) 
brought house $28,800, arouhd $10,- 
000 gravy with a flock of cut-rate 
giveaways, hence current pace 
might be deen^d an improvement. 

Strand - (2,^00; 86-65-65-76)— 
'Hard to Handle* (WB). With 
Broadway in a tough situation right 
now, house needed a Cagney to get 
somewhere. Should draw around 
$30,000 for a profit. Picture is to 
holdover. 'Parachute Jumper' (WB) 
last week only $10,000. 

Winter Garden (1,418; 35-66-76) 
— 'Follow the Leader' (Par). Ed 
Wynn revival made several years 
ago will mean only around $9,000. 
Last week 'Frisco. Jenny' (WB) on 
second run $6,000. 



DENVER LIKES 
CUTADMISHK 



Denver, Feb. 9. 

Cut prices at Orpheum dragging 
in crowds. Balcony at 26c. any time 
Is proving popular while downstairs 
40c top filling It frequently. 'Hard 
to Handle' is receiving favorable 
word of mouth comment. 

Denham snapped out of slump 
last week and Is doing a grand 
better than previous seven days. 
Moran and Mack are doing the pull- 
ing. 

Denver Is away down from last 
week, Kate Smith weak as draw. 
Paramount ups while the Rialto is 
tying former stanza. 

Snowstorms hit Denver Monday 
morning and that always hurts the 
box office. Auto show starts today 
but It's thought it will help business 
by helping pull people downtown. 
Estimates for This Week 

Denham (Hellborn) (1,700; 15-25) 
— 'Hypnotized* (WW). Moran and 
Mack the magnet here; $4,200, a 
goodie. Last week 'Hell's House" 
(Prin) and 'Savage Qlrl' (Freuler), 
double bin, a good $3,200. 

Denver (Publlx) (2,500; 25-35-40- 
50)— 'Hello, Everybody' (Par). Kate 
Smith's .screen pull very mild at 
$6,600. Last week 'Strange Inter- 
lude* (MG) did a good $9,600. 

Orpheum tRKO-Huffman) (2.- 
600; 25-30-40)— 'Hard to Handle* 
(WB). Cagney attracting bullishly 
up to $12,500. Last week 'Hot 
Pepper* (Fox) did a good ?10,500 on 
the first week of thu price slash 
from 50 to lOc top, with balcony 25c 
anytime. 

Paramount (Pul>li.\) (2,000; 25- 
40; — 'Luxury Liner' (I'arj and 'Knt- 
ployce.s' Entrance' (FX), split work. 
Uppish al.so; .$7,500. La.st woek 
'I'Jvcninff.s for Sale' (J'ai-) and 'iiin 
Drive* (Rule) bad $3, COO. 

Rialto (KKO-lIurfm.'iii) (900; 20- 
:i5-40j— ■.Second Hand Wife' (Fox), 
i^amc as liist week ivith 'Lawyer 
.Man' (WUk a good $2,750. 

Glucksmann for Work 

M;ist(;r Arts, sliorti? maker.*?, being 
nliead on their production, E. M. 
Cliicksmann has left the outfit. 

He was assistant to the president, 
K. Schwartz, but with curtailed 
work the former RKO theatre exec 
Is after another undertaking. 



10 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E GROSSES 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



PhiDy s Both Roadshows Doing Oke; 



^Rita' Tab Helps Earle to $22, 




Philadelphia, Feb. 6 
Interest along film row centers 
this week In the competition of the 
two roadshow pictures, 'Rasputin' 
at the Aldlne and 'Cavalcade' at the 
Locust. Former Is In second week 
and latter in Its first, both at $1.65 
top. 'Rasp,' which grossed a satis- 
factory $11,600 in its first week 
should get close to $10,000, while 
'Cavalcade* is figured -on having a 
chance to get $13,000. 

Stanley's 'Strange Interlude' 
which, not more than two months 
ago, was roadshowed at the Aldlne, 
ought to hit a satlsfartory $14,600 
at the reduced scale. It opened 
Wednesday when 'Bitter Tea' proved 
to be a complete and utter flop. 

The Boyd's 'Tonight Is Ours,' 
which won better notes here than 
In New York, should get a fair 
$10,000. 

The Earle expects another hot 
week with the condensed 'Rio Rita' 
as the stage attraction this time, 
and 'They Just Had to Get Married* 
on the screen. Combination will 
hardly touch l^t week*3 $24,500 due 
to 'Vanities.* but ought to beat $22.- 
000. The Fox, w4th 'Dangerously 
Yours* as film, and Zelda Santley 
heading a stage show which has six 
acts featured. doesn*t look any too 
strong; $19,000 or $20,000 Indicated. 

Rev'val of Ed Wynn's 'Follow the 
Leader' may give the Karlton an 
unusually high week, possibly up 
to $6,000. 

'Billion Dollar Scandal,* current at 
the Stanton, figures for an ordinary 
$7,600 or $8,000. Keith's, which 
nose-dived last week, doesn't look 
miich stronger with its present 
Une-up, 'Thie Iron Master' on the 
screen, the 'Mystery Baritone' stage 
headtlner, and Eddie White m. c. . 

The Arcadia looks for lively trade 
with 'Farewell to Arms.' Ideal pic- 
ture- for this excluelve little house. 
Estimates for This Week 

Stanley (3.700; 40-55)— 'Strange 
Interlude' (MG). Roadshowed two 
months ago at the Aldlne. Should 
get a satisfactory $14,500 here but 
holdover Is uncertain. Last week, 
'Bitter Tea* (Col) complete floppo, 
only lasted three days to about 
$4,000. 

Aldine (1,600; 55-$1.66)— 'Ras- 
putin* (MG) (2d week). Ought to 
get close to $10,000, okay. Will 
have tough sledding to get more 
than three weeks. Last week, $11,- 
600. 

Locust (1,110; e5-$1.66)— 'Caval- 
cade' (Fox). Round $13,000 figured 
certain and may beat that by a 
grand or so. 

Boyd (2,400; 40-55)— 'Tonight Is 
Ours' (Par). Doesn't look very ex- 
citing, although notices were good. 
About $10,000 Indicated. Last week, 
*No Man of Her Own' (Par) pretty 
good $13,000. 

Fox (3,000; 35-40-75) — "Danger- 
ously Yours' (Fox) and stage show. 
House off some again lately $19,000 
or a little more figured. Last week 
'Face in the Sky' (Fox) and stage 
show, $20,000, pretty fair. 

Earle (2,000; 35-65)— 'They Just 
Had to Got Married' (U) and vaude 
Condensed 'Rio Rita* is drawing 
card and sound $22,000 figured. 
Last week, 'Xo More Orchids' (Col) 
with 'Vanities' on stage, a fine $24,- 
600. 

Stanton (1.700; 40-55)— 'Billion 
Dollar Scandal' (Par). Figures a 
fair-to-mlddlln' $7,500. Last week, 
'Hard to Handle' (WB) good at $9,- 
600. 

Keith's (2,000; 15-25-35)— 'Iron 
Master' (Allied) and vaude. House 
having troubles those wee]iSi only 
$7,500 indicated. Last week. 'De- 
ception' (Col) and vaude, weak at 
$7,000. 

Karlton (1,000; 30- 10-50)— 'Firo 
Chief (Par). Nee 'Follow the 
Leader,' Ed Wynn's revival looks 
promi.«!inK; ought to hit $5,000 
easily and mny get a grand better. 
I.ASt week. 'Man Against Woman' 
(Col) $3,300, weak. 

Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)— 'Fare- 
well to Arms' (Par). Looks hot for 
this second run, $3,500. Last week, 
'Flesh' (MG). $3,000, good. 



(WB). Not 80 
name ought to 
Last week 'Em- 
(WB> n.s.g. at 



CAGNEY NICE $11,000, 
NEW'K OTHERWISE Q.T. 



Newark, Feb. 6. 
Nothing big here this week. Cag- 
ney's return to Branford not show- 
ing old draw. 'Big Drive' at Loew's 
opening well, but pulling different 
sort of audience and question Is how 
many of them are there? 

Doubtful If any house goes over 
$14,000. 

Empire (burlesque) continuing 
with cut prices and pickets. 

Estimates for This Week 
Branford (WB) (2,966; 16-65)— 
'Hard to Handle' 
big, but Cagney 
mean nice $11,000. 
ployees' Entrance' 
$9,800. 

Capitol (WB) (1,200; 15-25-35- 
60)— 'No Man of Her Own' (Par) 
and 'Parachute Jumper' (WB). 
Should continue to top $5,000. Last 
week 'Frisco Jenny' (FN) and 'Me 
and My Gal' (Fox), good at $6,600. 

Little (Cinema) (299; 25-40)— 
'Living Corpse' (GaiTlson). May 
scrape through to $1,100. Last week 
Voice of Ireland' (Haddock-Ross) 
nice at $1,400. 

Loew's State (2,780; 16-75)— 'Bl;, 
Drive" (1st Div.) and vaude. Strong 
on start, but not the usual crowd 
and hard to Judge continuance. Not 
likely over $14,000. Last week 
'Strange Interlude' (MG) held to 
last day and tremendous at $21,000. 

Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16- 
99) — 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) and 
vaude. Another strong opening 
may be partly due to Keller Sisters 
and Lynch on stage, but will hardly 
reach okay $12,000. Last week 
'Island of Lost Souls' (Par) good at 
$14,000. 

Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 16-75)— 
Bitter Tea' (Col) and vaude. Not 
likely to pass $12,000. Last week 
'No More Orchids' (Col) weak at a 
little over $10,000. 

Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 16-60) 
— "Maedchen In Uniform' (Krlmsky) 
(2nd week). Broke record for this 
season on opening week, but tap- 
ered. Should travel on its own mo- 
mentum to $3,600. Last week gieat 
at over $7,000. 



Ruggles on Par Air Pic, 
Roberts Gets New Spot 

Hollywood, Fob. fi. 
Wesley Ruwies will replaco Ste- 
phen Robort.<5 a.s director, of Parii- 
mount's 'The Eagle and the Hawk," 
the Gary Cooper-Fredric March- 
Jack Oakie picture. Uoborls, as- 
signed to direct B. P. ScIuilherR'«! 
'The Story or" Temple Drake,' will 
not finish the latter in time to start 
the air piclnre. 

Paramount is talking to Gary 
Cooper, hoping that the player will 
postpone hi,3 ])lanned European trip 
to the Countess de Frasso's Italian 
home, which Is scheduled to start 
about the s'xyt.* time as the picture 
In March. 



lost Souts/ $12,000 
But Pitt Won't Boy 
Kate at 3G, 4 Days 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 

Looks like another week of Indif- 
ferent grosses. 

Best bet is 'Island of Lost Souls,' 
at the Penn, which may get some 
money If town Isn't fed up on the 
horror stuff, and should enable the 
house to pick up around $12,000 
anyway. 

Stanley, with 'Hello Everybody' 
(Kate Smith), enjoyed the dubious 
distinction .of the biggest flop in 
years, lastinp: only four days to un 
der $3,000. 'Wax Museum' succeed 
od. It's a new all-time low for the 
Stan. 

Fulton Is showing a little action 
with 'Uptown New York,' and 
ought to mean around $3,900 for 
small-seater, while Warners' news- 
paper fight, in which all opening ad- 
vertisements were eliminate, didn't 
handicap 'Employees' Entrance' par- 
-tlcularly; $6.500_ is n't bad. 

Variety with vaudfilm, sliding" a 
bit to $1,750 with 'Speed Demon,' 
but that's not so terrible, while 
Davis will doul)tlessly experience 
some dimculty getting $3,800 with 
'Devil Ts Driving" and 'Air Hostes.s' 
on twin-bail layout. 'Cavalcade' 
opens roadshow engagement tonight 
(G) at Nixon at $1 top, with two 
weeks set and an option on a third. 
Estimates for This Week 

Davis (WB) (1,700; 25-30-40)— 
'Devil 1:5 Driving" (Par) and 'Air 
Hostess' (Col). Fairly attractive 
brace of features, but lack of mar- 
quee names against it. Maybe $3,- 
KOO. Last week 'Parachute Jumper' 
(FN) and 'Secretis of French Police' 
(RKO) around the .same. 

Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 13-25- 
40 — 'Uptown New York' (WW). 
I.ook.« fair for $3,000. Last week 
'I<'ace In the Sky" (I-'ox) wound up 
strong to close with neat $4,400. 

Nixon (Krlanger) (2,100; 55-^3- 
$1.10) — 'C^•lvak•a(lo" (Kox). Film 
open.s roadshow eiv.;;igemont tonifrlit 
(C) jind a lot of iiilerest already 
ahown. Advanco .sale impressive, 
and it's llgurcd N'oel Coward's re- 
cent apjiearanco at thl,s house in 
'Design for Living' and columns of 
copy he got at that time isn't going 
to hurt the picture any. 

Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 
50) — 'Island of Lost Souls* (Par). 
By far the best of the horror pic- 
tures. Had It come along a year 



UVILLE INFAIR SHAPE 

Bad Raps for 'Dangerouily' Offset 
Pola's Expected Draw 

Louisville, Feb. 6. 

Earl Carroll's 'Vanities' eans Al 
Trahan, still packed good size 
crowds into Memorial Auditorium 
at 66c to $2.76. As usual Louisville's 
gallants besieged the chorus girls. 

Hlnda Wausau leaves Gayety 
after two weeks* run. 

Pola Negri, at the Rlalto In per- 
son, was expected to prove one of 
theatre's biggest draws as Negri's 
singing of 'Paradise* Is still remenn- 
bered by large crowds of youngsters 
who didn't know her in 'Passion* 
days, but the film 'Dangerously 
Yours,' with her, drew critical razz- 
berrles and that's hurting the gate, 
plenty. 

Louis Armstrong and orchestra 
played one night stand at Madrid 
ballroom to big crowd. Jimmy Bltt- 
ner big shot at Log Cabin these 
days. 

'The Road of Life,' Russian 
talker, being brought to Towers the- 
atre by PI Beta Phi fraternity. 
Estimates for This Week 
Loew's (3,400: 26-35-50) — 'Big 
Drive' (FD). Playing up horror 
angle as an Instrument of peace. 
Falrlshly for $6,000. • Last week 
'Whispering in Dark' (M-G) not bad 
in spite of unknown quantity of 
Ernest True?, $6,600. 

Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,700; 26- 
30-65) — 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox) 
and Pola Negri in person. Bad no- 
tices downed house to $7,700 pace. 
Last week 'Lawyer Man* (Par) and 
Mitzl Green, $7,800. 

Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,786; 26- 
36-60) — 'Frisco Jenny' (WB). Oke 
$6,60Q in view. Last week 'Tonight 
Is Ours' (Par). $4,600. 

Brown (2,000; 26-36-40)— 'Penguin 
Pool Murder' (RKO). Weak with 
$1,800 as the apparent countup. Last 
week 'Bitter Tea' (Col), $2,000. . 

Alamo (Fourth Ave.) (900; 15-26- 
40) — 'Parachute Jumper' (WB). Fair 
gait, $2,100. Last week 'Mysterious 
Rider' (Par), $2,400, okay. 

BVay, Tacoma, Clocking 
Nice Biz with 1H\rin Bills 

Tacoma, Feb. 6. 
The shakedown following PNW 
receivership closes Rialto this week 
with strong probalities it will join 
the procession of Indie houses, like 
the Brdadway did last week. H. T. 
Moore, fomier show operator here, 
owns the building and equipment, 
so with PNW surrendering the 
lease, way is open for indie continu- 
ance. Its future for the present, 
however, is indeterminate. This 
puts PNW entirely out of this 125,- 
000 pop burg, John Hamrlck, Jen- 
sen-von Herberg and Doug Klm- 
berly having the three downtown 
first runs, with Moore likely for the 
fourth. 

Bookings just fair th!^ week, Roxy 
putting over ballyhoo for 'Phantom 
Express' similar to Liberty, at Seat- 
lle, last week, attracting attention. 
Eroadway is strong with 'Animal 
Kingdom' set for five days after a 
big $4,200 last week. 

Estimates for This Week 

Broadway (Kimbei'ly) (1,400; 25), 
'Son-Daughter' (MG) and 'Animal 
Kingdom' (RKO). spMt week, latter 
for five days. With new low-price 
policy, two bits any time, effective 
results indicated by strong $3,800. 
Last week, 'Madame Butterfly* (Par) 
and 'Strange Interlude* (MG), split 
week, bullish with big $4,200. 

Roxy (.Tensen-von Herberg) (1,- 
300; 15-20), 'Phantom Express* 
(Maj). Heading for ok.ay $4,000. 
Last week, 'Trailing the Killer' (Ed) 
and 'Breach of Promise,' 'Exposure' 
(Cap), split week, nice going at 
$4,200. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (650; 25). 
'Lawyer Man* (WE). Low at $1,600. 
Last week, '20,000 Years* (FN), good 
at J2.000. 

Rialto (PNW). This week dark. 
Last .week, 'No Other Woman' 
(RKO) and 'Man of Action' (Col) 
first half, 'Goldie Gets Along' (RKO) 
and 'Air Hostess* (Col) second half, 
slow for $1,700. 



Mpk' Sub-Zero Dents Grosses 



Paul Ash on Stage Aids Orph — Kate Smith's 
Pic No Panic— 'Pepper,' $4,500 



ago would have been a clean-up. 
Chances now somewhat doubtful, 
but should have little trouble gath- 
ering $12,000 anyway. Last week 
'Son-Daughter' (MG) not so hot at 
$10,000. 

Stanley (WB) ,(3,600; 25-35-50)— 
'Hello Everybody' (Par). They'll 
listen to Kate Smith on the air for 
nothing, but apparently won't pay 
to see her in a picture. No draw 
at all apparent, and house called it 
quits in four days to a terrible ne.ir- 
$3,000. Last week 'Hard to Handle" 
(WB) only $7,000, despite rave no- 
tices. Funny how Cagney has con- 
sistently failed to mean a thing 
locally. 

Variety (Jaffe) (2,100; 25-40)— 
•Speed Demon' (Col) and vaude. 
Sliding to $4,750, but that still per- 
mits of a slight profit. Last wimM< 
■Virtue' (Col) around $5,100. 

Warner (WI5) (2,000; 25-35-50) — 
'Eni))loyces' Entrance' (WH). Tiff 
with newspapers, who refused to 
accept advance ads on this one, 
seems to have helped, according to 
the $6,500 in prospect. Last week 
'Billion Dollar Scandal' (Par) 
yanked after five days to brutal 
$3,000. 



JOLSON, 9G, AND BIG; 
KATE. TOO, IN INDPLS. 



Indianapolis, Feb. 6. 
This is a big week of advertising 
and exploitation for biz, and it's still 
lacking. Auto Show and change of 
ownership of the Indiana and Circle 
downtown theatres, among other 
causes. However, the fare Is strong 
and grosses should build. 

'Vanities' three days at English's 
will not hurt flickers at their $3.30 
top. 

Estimates for This Week 

Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 26- 
40) — 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox). In 
for a fair week, maybe $2,000. Last 
week 'Mummy* (U) fell to $1,800. 

Circle (Circle) (2,600; 26-35)— 
'LuxuVy Liner' (Par). Around $3,- 
000, but win have to climb. > Balcony 
at nights 26c, lowest first run price 
in town. Last week 'Bitter Tea' 
(Col) fair around $2,800. 

Indiana (Circle) (3,300; 26-40)— 
'Hello Everybdoy' (Par)^ should do 
well, maybe $12,000. Last week 
'Hard to Handle' (WB) down to 
$7,600. 

Lyrie (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25-40) 
— 'Pengula Murder' (RKO), Lehr 
stage unit and three vaude acts 
prefacing. May get $8,000, little 
better than last week, with 'No 
Other Woman' (RKO) and same 
stage lineup. Lehr has his best 
stage show this week. Has been in 
house a month-now, and, along with 
giving a#&y a free auto every week. 
Is drawing good shekels; but it's 
not up to the regular RKO vaude 
bill of seven acts and film. 

Palace (Loew) (2,800; 26-40)— 
'I'm a Bum* (UA). Jolson should 
get big $9,000. Standees from the 
first. Last week 'Kid from Spain* 
(UA) did best biz in town at 
$10,000. 



Seattle's Rem. 
Have Right Idea 
On B. 0. Operation 



Seattle, Feb. 6. 

Double bill policy through at the 
Fifth Ave., with this week washing 
it up. 'Hot Pepper' as a solo clicked 
nicest gross In long while at this 
house, and makes another argument 
for the balanced program, instead 
of double pixes. 

Washjngton State Theatres. Inc., 
subsidiary of PNW, Joins procession 
of receiverships, with E. W. Scott 
appointed receiver. WST includes 
Fifth Ave. and Fox, in Seattle, and 
three houses in Yakima. Back rent 
brought this to head. 

Under receiverships there Is no 
angel and box office must provide 
cash to keep things going. Court 
order may go bang on any one spot 
at any time, where the red looks 
too hopeless. Anyhow the washup 
will continue until stabilization 
point is reached, and the court pro- 
ceedings must run their course. 

Blue Mouse holding 'Kid" second 
week after great opening week is 
doing so well it may necessitate a 
third. ' 

Liberty, indie house, hitting 
steady grosses and holding its own, 
with some to spare right along. 
Coliseum going along without double 
bill this week only, having 'Prosper- 
ity* on screen and in b. o. Para- 
mount looking better this week with 
'Interlude* after some troubled 
weeks. 

PNW publicity department plans 
big campaign for 'State Fair* (Fox) 
next at the Paramount. 

Estimates for This Week 

Paramount (PNW) (3.106; 25-40) 
— 'Strange Interlude' (MG). First 
time at pop prices here, after oke 
roadshowing at Fox theatre, big at 
$7,500, considering. Last week, 'To- 
night Is Ours' (Par) didn't get very 
far, nice production but no b.o. at 
this spot, slow at $4,000. 

Fifth Ave. (FWC) (2,300; 25-40)— 
'Island of Lost Souls' (Par), 'Em- 
ployee's Entrance' (FN), double 
bill. , Final one, at that, looks for 
only $4,600, slow. 'Hot Pepper' 
(Fox) surprised and pulled house 
well into the black at $6,100. Last 
week, mats off but evening biz good. 

Liberty (Jensen-von Herberg) 
(2,000: 10-15-25)— 'Secrets of French 
I'ollce' (HKO) and 'Hell Fire Aus- 
tin' (WW) double bill. Good with 
$4,500. Last week 'Phantom Ex- 
press' (Maj) with licaucoup street 
ballyhoo, went for $4,800. 

Blue Mouse (llamrick) (1.000; 
25-35)-'Kid From Spain' (UA). 
Held over a second and may go a 
third with lines holding strong. 
Looks for $5,000 currently and last 
week, same film, record in a blue 
moon, reached dandy $7,200. 

Music- -Box (Hamrlck) (950; 25- 
36)— 'Penguin Pool Muider* (RKO). 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6 

Continued lack of outstanding 
screen attractions, more below zero 
weather and heavy snowstorms are 
still depressing grosses here. Ag- 
gregate loop boxofflce takings are 
at an unusually low level. 

The best current boxofflce bet 
seems to be Paul Ash and his en- 
tertainers at the Orpheum. His 
past Chicago fame has percolated 
here and that helps. In nearly 
normal times the Orpheum prob- 
ably would gross around $15,000 
with this show. It will do well to 
cop $9,000 this week, despite the 
fine exploitation Job of Manager 
Marvin Park. 

As a film magnet, Kate Smith 
l3n*t so hot. For 'Hello Everybody' 
at the State, Manager Frank Steffya 
has a highly effective front and 
lobby that Is drawing attention but 
the takings are no so. 

Comparatively the best showing 
Is being made by one of the lesser 
theatres, the Century, with 'Hot Pep- 
per.' House has been doing unusu- 
ally well the last few weeks, prob- 
ably due In large part to its skill- 
ful handling by Manger Ayres, Its 
popuar priced 26c matinees and its 
proximity to the shopping center, 
as well as its bookings. 'Second 
Hand Wife' last week pulled the 
biggest gross In several months. 
'Three on a Match,' at the Lyric, 
also opened well and looks set for 
a good week. 

Estimates for This Week 

State (Publlx) (2,200; 55), 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par). No rush to wit- 
ness Kate Smith's stellar screen de- 
but despite big exploitation and ad- 
vertising campaign. Looks about 
$7,k00, light. Last week 'Island of 
Lost Souls* (Par), $8,000. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 65), 
'Child of Manhattan* (U) and Paul 
Ash band on stage. Ash merits 
draw credit, his name carrying b.o, 
value here and his act going over 
big. Pictui-e satisfactory but no 
knock-out; Carroll and Boles no 
big cards here. May reach $9,000, 
fair. Last week 'The Mummy' (U), 
$7,500, light. 

Century (Pubiix) (1,600; 40), 'Hot 
Pepper* (Fox). Getting heavy male 
play and well received. Snappy 
stuff with plenty of laughs seems 
to be depression antidote. Looks 
about $4,500, pretty good. Last 
week 'Second Hand Wife* (Fox), 
$5,600, big. 

Uptown (Publlx) (1,300; 40), 
'Farewell to Arms' (Par). Around 
$3,500 indicated, good. Last week, 
'Animal Kingdom* (RKO), $3,000. 

Lyric (Pubiix) (1,300; 35), 'Three 
on a Match' (FN). Good picture 
getting heavy play from the male 
fans. Off to a fair start, maybe 
$3,700, okay. Last week 'Fast Life* 
(M-G-M). $4,000, oke. 

Grand (Publlx) (1,100; 35), 'Ani- 
mal Kingdom' (RKO). Second loop 
run, should tip $2,800, fair. Last 
week 'Rain* (MG) and 'Tess' (Fox), 
second loop runs, split, $2,700, fair. 

Aster (Pubiix) (900; 25), 'Too 
Busy to Work* (Fox), second loop 
run, and 'Robber's Roost' (Fox), 
split. Ought to hit $1,200, pretty 
good. Last week 'Trouble in Para- 
di.se' (Par), 'Night After Night* 
(Par) and 'Old Dark House' (U), 
second loop runs, split, $1,000. pretty 
good. 



'ENDORSEMENT' GAG FOR 
'BLANCHE' GETS 14G, K.C. 



Kansas City, Feb. C. 

Standout pictures and names on 
the downtown first run screens, but 
the boxofflce reaction is not as 
rushed as expected. Loew s :\l id- 
land, with 'Secret of Madame 
Blanche' for two-bits, anywhere, 
anytime, has the ' edge as far as 
number of customers is concerned. 
The picture was heavily publicized 
and well patronized from the start 
Theatre elaborately heraldincr, via 
lobby display, 'Big Drive,' the ne.Kt 
attraction. Consists of a number 
of machine guns and other v. ar ap- 
paratus, and is getting the interest 
of the women as well. Preview for 
4,000 vets and leaders of patriotic 
organization in line with the bally. 

Although the Mainstreet didn't do 
so well last week with "The Mummy' 
and Lita Grey Chaplin, in person, 
this week's 'Child of Manhattan' 
and Rac Samuels heading the stage 
show is a better brace. Miss Sam- 
uels has a large personal fullowlng 
in Kan.sas City. Manager T..aw- 
rcnce Lehman is Kradiinlly Iriiilding 
his stage shows and has Tliiss Co- 
(Continued on page 27) 



mystery liUed $4,000 wortli. tiU;- trade. 
Last weok, 'Animal Kl;).i;(li)m' 
(UKO) in its second woiU. held 
steady for .satisfactory $.1.3''". 

Coliseum (I'XW) (1,S00; l."-2.".) — 
'Prosperity' (.MG). Getting along 
for $3,200, slow. Last week 'Toss' 
(Fox) and 'Cabin in Cotton" (FN) 
oUcked nicely at $3,800. 



i Tttesdaj, February 7, 1933 



PI € WORE S 



VARIETY 



11 



Going Places 

By Cecelia Ager 



New Kind of Mammy 

Ruth Donnelly presents a re- 
IHsed version of motherhood, a 
lively blonde who — far from a^c- 
rlflclnff herself for her little daugh- 
ter — ^keeps violently busy doping out 
■chemes to exploit her. She advises 
her daughter to show her figure, to 
try to get the chump to put it in 
writing, to overlook her fiance's 
transgressions since he's In the 
money now. She's hard, she talks 
back, she outsmarts them, she out- 
cracks them. Instead of a shawl, 
ahe wears exact replicas of her 
ehild's dresses, only her own are 
more tightly fitted, more concerned 
with detail about the hips. She de- 
clares herself in on her daughter's 
dates, slie believes she looks Just 
like her baby's sister. She's fiercely 
aggressive — but for her own future 
comfort, she doesn't wait to be 
taken care of — she sees about that 
herself. In short, she's a level-head- 
ed individual with so much person- 
ality of her own that she's able to 
snatch attention from the star — 
using his own swift, strident weap- 
ons. 

Mary Brian, who plays her 
daughter, is much too sweet and 
er^ntle to come out from behind her 
mammy's skirts. 

Miss Brian has new blonde hair 
too, and it's given her a new self- 
confidence. It's just her hard luck 
that Miss Donnelly happens to be 
smashing through 'Hard to Handle,' 
or Miss Brian's new animation 
would be creating Its own little 
tempest 

'Hard to Handle' doesn't think 
much of college educations for 
women either, by the by, for Claire 
Dodd no sooner graduates than she's 
bribing her way Into a man's hotel 
room with the avowed intent of 
staying through for breakfast • She 
also wears little frocks with eve- 
ning decolletages in the daytime, 
and in general disports herself in a 
manner that indicates her four 
years at college were & great waste, 
keeping h3r out of circulation for 
all that period. 



spirited heiresses, to discover anew 
that ladies who've had their face 
lifted are still comic subjects, to 
catch glinipses of what the invasion 
of modernistic decoration can do 
to Hollywood studio sets. 

Llla Lee plays the spoiled daugh- 
ter of wealth with nice snipplness 
and acting fervor, but looks better, 
more youthfully pretty than in a 
long time. Her dresses display far 
more tasteful selection than gener- 
ally found in indie productions, but 
hats defy her. She's addicted to 
mushroom br:ms worn at an angle, 
and at the same time masses her 
hair on her cheeks. The total's too 
much for her face. 

To ratify her statements that 
she's in 'society,'- Esther Howard 
gesticulates with her long pearl 
necklace entwined in her fingers. 
Then too, she's furnished her home 
with modernistic plaid curtains, vio- 
lently patterned upholstery and 
madly figured carpets. It's a cozy 
little place, a little too given to in- 
ducing headaches, however, for real 
peace and quiet 



RKO HOUSE ORGAN GONE 



'Now/ for RKO, Suspends Thia 
Week— Like Other House Sheets 



Morals on 'Luxury Liner' " 

Right now when steamship com- 
t>anles are doing everything they 
can to nurture an urge to sail the 
Seven Seas comes tactless 'Luxury 
Lilner' and tries to make trouble for 
tliem. Folks will grow wary of their 
wanderlust if transatlantic travel' Is 
the dull, debilitating business this 
picture paints. The tang of salt air. 
Instead of inducing a sparkle In 
•Luxury Liner's' passengers' eyes, 
affects them like a hypnotic. "With 
vacant stares they traverse the 
ship's passages, timorously they 
sneak about — nor is it for reasons 
of a rough crossing. The ship sails 
smoothly. 

Zita Johann is the ship's nurse. 
Strange her patients recover, she 
stares at them so. Though her hair 
is tucked elllciently under her 
nurse's cap, though her neat 
starched uniform suggests the 
promise of good health, she herself 
gives a most convincing portrayal of 
a prophetess of doom. Stealthily 
she moves, and ominously she 
speaks. Enough to scare a well man. 

Vivienne Osborne, very decorative 
In an artful coiffure that's discov- 
ered a new way to use bangs — she 
curls them up along the edges o." her 
cheeks — and very la-de-dah in a bed 
jacket that covers her shoulders 



'Desei^t Song' at Par 

'Desert Song' has been telescoped 
to fit the Paramount's stage show's 
running time, but that doesn't pre- 
vent Vivienne Segal from showing 
what a nice big wardrobe she has, 
even if she has to wear a Foreign 
Legion cape, a red beret and a 
swagger stick over an evening dress. 
They've all got to be in for her en- 
trance. Later there are riding 
clothes, Arab girl dancing dresses, 
and harem favorite rigs, but it's the 
first Impression that counts. 

Miss Segal goes through the plot's 
melodramatics . with experienced 
conviction, sings plentifully into the 
stage mikes, and generally disports 
herself in sweeping operetta style. 
Assisting her are a goodly chorus of 
singers and dancers In costumes 
neither too fresh nor too bristling 
with current style. Nevertheless, 
by their numbers, their trained 
familiarity with the production's 
dance routines, they impress the 
customers with the pleasant reali- 
zation that they are getting no 
small return on their box-office in- 
vestment. 



with" masses of wliite ostrich, but 
leaves her back bare, tries valiantly 
to be consistently something or 
other in a role that gives her no 
help at all. Verree Teasdale, they 
whisper aboard ship, is a celebrated 
prima donna. Singers, no matter 
how celebrated, it develops, are as 
swift to snatch at a pick-up as 
ambitious little girls, exemplified by 
Alice White, way down in the 
steerage. 

Miss White of J.11 'Luxury Liner's' 
troupe is the only one who's been 
able to hold on to her vitality. In 
fact, she may have some fresh 
young good spirits to spare. Pert, 
wriggly, zestfully Ingratiating, she 
prances from steerage to second to 
first class, creating a shining im- 
pression along the way, only to find 
that morals go down as class goes 
up. Miss White, despite her ambi- 
tions and roguLsh blonde curls, re- 
mains a good girl, for 'Lu.xury Liner' 
may stand for a lot of things, but 
not for aii\- violations of the con- 
ventions. 



Lila Lee and 'Iron Master' 

It's rcfi-osliin!? to noo ' 'Tlio Iron 
Master' uml IcLirn ihiit in ll'dlywood 
strong silent men are still taming 



A Prim Amazon 

Lady Yultona Cameron, who for 
quite a spell now has been sweep- 
ing off various stages using Al Tra- 
han as a broom, may be seen this 
week at the Capitol applying her 
customary frenzied activity to a 
task which to her has yet to grow 
monotonous. Lady Cameron has 
discovered a way to hurtle heraelf 
about the stage with Mr. Trahan 
in her grip, tossing him around in 
gigantic arcs with Herculean might, 
yet never disturbing one hair of 
her sleek blonde head, never allowing 
a shoulder strap to slip from her 
Juhoesque shoulders. Through all 
her magnificent battling she pre- 
serves her personal neatness. Her 
dresses fit so well they could scarce- 
ly manage to get out of place no 
matter how hard they're pulled, but 
her hair — only she knows the 
answer. 

Joyce Coles, slim, pliant, crisply 
pretty, dances with George Fontana 
In a costume so lush with unrelated 
detail its profusion very nearly 
bests her. It's a costume, that has 
everything, white chiffon with white 
net godets, starched shoulder ruffles 
crossing in back over a waist low 
tJecolletage, a V neckline in front 
that runs down to the waist held 
together with nude net and out- 
lined with silver sequins, and a 
forest of shaded white-to-char- 
treuse ostrich plumes appended 
vertically to the skirt 

Miss Coles wears this dress just 
as it Is for her waltz, but when 
she skims gracefully through her 
flirtation fox trot, she adds a little 
white muff, one lace mitt, and a 
white tilted pancake hat to make 
the ensemble good and pointless. 

Arlene Selby ?ets hot and low- 
down dancing before Cab Callo- 
way's band, a shimmering, agile, 
willing young figure in bright dark 
blue satin, and not too much of 
that, who forcefully demonstrates 
there's nobody like a Caucasian to 
do an elemental Ethiopian cooch. 



This week another company 
house crgan is alnglng its swan 
song, following iii the wake of 
'Publix Opinion' personal herald of 
the Publix chain execs. RKO's 
'Now* seeing its own last issue tlfe 
current week. "Flash,' organ of the 
RKO picture end, remains. 

'Now' came into RKO following 
Harold Franklin's entrance Into 
that company. His personal order 
has also proscribed the thing. Sev- 
eral hundred dollars weekly had 
been formerly expended on the 
pamphlet. 

Hard to enumerate all the house 
organs in show biz. Every now and 
then a new one springs up. Colum- 
bia probably has the largest num- 
ber, three or four, with Warners a 
close second. 

Every company still maintains a 
distribution organ. These are sales 
plug sheets for the field. 

For texture and typography, the 
RKO 'Now' probably stood supreme 
among its class, of unanlmated 
news sheets. 'Now/ under the di- 
rection of Bob Slsk, attempted to 
maintain a newsy character. Des- 
pite these efforts, it still resolved 
only into a home office plug sheet. 
The more Important company execs 
have their 'own columns.' 'Now' In 
the east was the same in title and 
make-up as the 'Now' Franklin 
installed as the organ' of Fox-West 
Coast when he was in charge of 
that chain. 

As a circulator, 'Now,' like some 
of the others, circulated even out- 
side tlie company officers. Bankers, 
lawyers, other company heads and 
Hollywood studid officials were on 
the maUlng lists, unsolicited by 
themselves. They received the or- 
gan as a courtesy. . . 



Receiverships May Mean Benefit 
To Them, Indie Picture Men Says; 
Indies Told to Lay Off Old Roxy 



Irene Dunne Suffers 

Irene Dunne may think .she's been 
noble in the past. Actually she was 
just practicing up for 'The Secret of 
Madame r.l.nuho.' 

This is real nobility, real self- 
sacrifice, real virtue, real troulilc. 
Miss Dunne plunges into it like a 
thorouKhljred. Since she's to sink ;<o 
low, she's Kot to start very high. 

(Continued on page 17> 



HAYS POINTS TO CODE 
OF NAT'L AD ASS'N 



Action of the Association of Na- 
tional Advertisers in establishing a 
code of ethics which, itmong other 
Items, frowns upon 'statements or 
suggestions offensive to public de- 
cency,' is being capitalized by the 
Hays Organization as record proof 
to its own members that there will 
be serious trouble unless the indus- 
try's advertising code is taken more 
seriously by cerfkin of the major 
companies. 

Two other clauses in the ANA 
catechism are seen also as having a 
bearing on the film industry. 

One of these is: 

'Testimonials which do not reflect 
the real choice of a competent wit 
ness.' 

Under the second clause could be 
considered certain start tie-ups with 
certain members of the ANA itself, 
if this specification were not as 
broad as many of the clauses in the 
Hays production as well as advertls 
Ing code. 

Haysites concede only one picture 
company as the consistent violator 
of its ad code. They do not regard 
star hook-up?, as now being con 
ducted, unethical. 

The declaration is made that re- 
gardless of the type of star en- 
r'orsements, neither the producer 
nor the star Is receiving money for 
the same; that the only return to 
the industry under all such present 
deals is the publicity. 



Those Lawyers! 



So many attorneys now 
mixed up In the receiverships 
somebody suggested that they 
ought to decentralize the law- 
yers. 



Jaydee's Figures WOt 
As He Annoances New 
First Choice Company 

Instead of 6,600 theatres, his am- 
bition, Jaydee Williams so far has 
Interested not over 60 theatres If the 
exhibitors which he mentions in 
formally announcing First Choice 
Pictures, Inc., as the second First 
National, are any criterion. 

Largest of thesei, described as 
among 30 voting trustees whose 
names 'are made public at this 
time,' is Frank Durkee with about 
16 houses In Baltimore. 

John Hamrick of Seattle comes 
second with six, while three more 
are credited to Louis Blumenthcd of 
N. T, and N. J. 

Tom Boland of Oklahoma City and 
Fred Levy of LoulsViUe are officially 
considered exhibitors, while John 
McGulrk, former Stanley head, is 
regarded as retired, though lately 
back with his former partner, Abe 
Sablosky. 

Just Organizer 

Williams doesn't list himself as 
an officer In the company and takes 
no credit except that of organizer. 
Roy Curtis is president Williams- 
describes him as 'a behlnd-the* 
scenes operator since 1918.' William 
M. Vogel, secretary. Is credited with 
being 'for years one of the largest 
distributors of American-made pic- 
tures in foreign markets.' H. O. 
Schwalbe, of the original F. N., is 
treasurer. Arthur De Young, di- 
rector. Is labeled as 'a partner In a 
prominent New York banking firm.' 

New company Is described as re- 
sembling First National, except that 
It will not produce pictures nor own 
nor operate theatres. 



TALENT DISCOVEfiER 



Coast Morris OfHee Found Mae 
West — And Merivale 



Leading Independent film produc- 
ers have a number of strategic 
moves under way. They are not 

worrying about receiverships for 
themselves because if there is any- 
thing like that on their horizon their 
own franchise holders will, person- 
ally, handle the liquidation. But 
they have a general feeling that 
there is something which they can 
capitalize from receiverships of ma- 
jor companies. 

As the result, conventions are be- 
ing postponed, plans for 33-34 
schedules are temporarily tabled, 
and the contracting of all pictures 
which they consider outstanding 
and possible first run bets Is being 
held up. 

Indies don't agree with Hays 
about no picture famine. They are 
certain that within 60 days after the 
receivers in Paramount and RKO 
are functioning^ there will be a con- 
spicuous shortage of good key ma- 
terial. Keeping tbat in mind they 
are looking to April as their big 
month. 

Bunching Relaaees 

As an example Monogram is 
bunching its ace product for release 
during April at the rate of one a 
week. Its several scheduled for 
March release, but Instructions 
were sent to branch managers to 
accept no contracts .from exhibitors 
on such product. Other of the larger 
indies are doing the same thtnigr. 

Strangely, the 7th. avenue Roxy, 
once too high for any indie to- even 
dream of, now Is getting the snub. 
There's a reason. A booking in the 
Roxy means from $1,500 to. .$8,600. 
but a date over parts of the> RKO 
or Loew circuits represents- $10,000. 
Indie men declare they have re- 
ceived word from both of these cir- 
cuits that they either play "With 
them altogether or else be satis- 
fled with an exclusive datei In the 
Roxy. 

6,000 Good Accounts 

The best in the indie field now 
figure 6,000 good sales accounts but 
they look forward to changes In the 
major theatre field, and the new 
sales season with a lot of theatres 
in the hands of new owners, adding 
at least another 500 to that total. 
In 1932, a good indie yeAr, and 
when double features were at their 
height, the record shows the best of 
the indies didn't have over 4.700 
accounts. 



Murray Fell of the Hollywood 
William Morris agency branch will 
remain In New York for A month 
looking over talent for pictures. He 
came east with Mae West who will 
precede him back to the coast after 
her personal apps with her picture, 
•She Done Him Wrong,' at the New 
York and Brooklyn Paramounts 
next week and the week after. 

Morris agency's impression with 
discovering Miss West as 'a new 
type' for pictures (Paramount), and 
also in connection with the Philip 
Merivale-Fox deal, has resulted in 
the Coast studios practically com- 
missioning the Morris office to fur- 
ther scout for new talent. 



Kate Smith Picture Only $15,001) 
Par,N.Y.Outm6Day»-B'klynO(f 



The Kate Smith picture, 'Hello, 
Everybody' cut to six days on Its 
first run at the Paramount, New 
York, after drawing only $15,000, 
has been yanked from the schedule 
for Paramount, Brooklyn. 

Booked at first for the Brooklyn 
house Feb. 3. Publix set In 'Island 
of Lost Souls,' from its Rlalto run 
as substitute. 

Kate Smith's picture went Into 
the New York Paramount on top of 
a personal engagement by the radio 
star the week before. With 'To- 
nl:;ht Is Ours' on screen, she failp^l 
to draw in person also, hou>'>- 
grossing only $13,100. 

In the Sticks 

Failure of 'Hello, Everybody' on 
the New York engagement docs not 
necessarily dictate a change in 
bookings outside of the, Brooklyn 
cancellatloo. Although oa most 



dates so far picture is disappoint- 
ing. When 'Big Broadcast' played 
the N. Y. Paramount, with other 
air stars in cast with Miss Smith, 
it did not reflect even average draft, 
but in the sticks where Miss Smith 
and others are heard plenty but 
never seen, it did a nice business. 

Last week's stage show with 
Willie and Eugene Howard went out 
Willi 'Hello, Everybody' after the 
six-day run. New show of 'Luxury 
Liner' (I'ar) on screen and 'Desert 
Song' stage unit came in Thursday 
(2) and will stay seven days, house 
hringlng In Mae West on p. a. and 
her picture 'She Done Him Wrong' 
also on a Thursday (9) but for a 
total of eight days. 

Miss Smith has stated she has a 
contract with Paramount for a 
third picture, signed immediately 
after 'Hello' was finished. 



Three-Day Week for Most 
AU RKO Stndio Workers 



Hollywood, Feb. 0. 

Radio has put everyone on a 
three-day-a-week basis for the pur- 
pose of keeping everyone on the lot 
working. Studio figures also to save 
$6,000 weekly on the payrolL 

Only ones excepted are secretaries 
to executives and the accounting 
department. Sam JafCee effected the 
economies. 



Universal Sues Palace,- 
State-Lake for Rentals 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Universal exchange here has filed 
suit against the Palace and State - 
Lake theatres for film rental. Ac- 
tions against Chicago Orpheum 
Company (Palace) and State-Lake 
Theatre Company, neither corpora- 
tion as yet affected by the RKO re- 
ceivership, alleges $2,500, each, due 
on three pictures. 

They are 'Air Mail,' week of Nov. 
5; 'Old Dark House, week of Nov. 
12, and 'They Just Had To Get Mar- 
ried,' week of Jan. 20. 



Indie 'Buy American' Pic; 
Reverse Plug for Europe 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. ' 

Kenneth Goldsmith, Indie pro- 
ducer, will make a feature based on 
the 'Buy American' idea. Goldsmith 
expects the picture to be released 
in England with 'buy honest mer- 
chandise' plugs substituted for 'buy 
American.' 

Story to be called 'I'argain Day,' 
is being tailored for Betty Compson. 
It starts next week. 



12 



VARIETY 



FILM REVIEWS 



Tuesday, Febraary 7, 1933 



Talking Shorts 



JACK HALEY 
'Wrongorilla' 
Comedy; 21 Mins. 
Winter Garden, New York 
Vita. Nos. 1483-4 
A better break goea to Jack Haley 
In this subject and a better break 
to the accounts playing all the 
Haleys made by WB. In produc- 
tion, dialog, gags and cast the Im- 
provement over previous Haley 
shorts is quite marked. Of first 
run caliber and okay In big keys or 
whistle stops. 

There's plenty of background and 
movement to the latest Haley re- 
lease. It starts with a sap's diploma 
as a trombone player, has him on a 
tralii next, then tossed off and ac- 
cidentally on a carnival lot -where 
he finally makes good by dumb luck. 

Story has two of the carny own- 
er's right hand men conniving to 
take his show away from him by 
wising opposition on dates and get- 
ting performers to walk out. Haley 
Jumps in as knife-thrower's assist- 
ant, then as the featured hynoptist. 
Quite laughy the sequences in which 
these acts are carried out. 

To top it, Haley thinks a real 
gorilla, escaped from a cage is ac- 
tually one of the carny schemers, 
who he's overheard is going to dress 
up as a gorilla to scare him off the 
lot. On the escape with the carny 
owner's daughter, the two sit down 
in hypnotist tent and mugg behind 
with hammer who's been knocking 
•em cold on the proper cue, thinks 
act is sUU on and gives It to Haley 
from behind the canvas. 

Direction Is by Alf Goulding. Op- 
posite Haley the eye-warmer, Joan 
Castle. Char. 



CLIFF FRIEND 
'Master Mslody' Series 
8 Mins.. 

Projection Roomt N. Y. 

Master Art Products 

Sentimental story built around the 
songwriter, this being No. 3 in the 
Master Arts series. 

Friend Is disclosed on porch of 
a humble cottage. Dialog develops 
that Cliff Is going to take his mama 
to a finer home. Moving man ap- 
pears with a stack of sheet music, 
and Cliff instructs him to 'leave 
that Junk behind.* This is cue for 
mama to sentimentalize over her. 
boy's triumphs. So film cuts back to 
Cliff at piano singing the number, 
or a performer doiiig it on the' stage. 
In latter group are some fairly well- 
known people, including Peggy 
Healey, Jack Fulton, Ben Wise and 
Pickens Sisters. 

By this variegated scheme an 
Immense amount of material Is 
packed into the eight minutes which 
moves right along. Sentiment Is 
laid on pretty thick, probably in- 
tentionally for the older femme 
trade. Friend himself makes a good 
camera appearance, which goes a 
long way to Justify the sketch and 
sympathy angles. 

Mildred Holland as the mother 
does extremely well for the purpose 
in mind. Oke subject for the 
minors. Rush. 



TOM HOWARD 
•The Mouse Trapper' 
Comedy 
8 Mins. 

Academy, N. V. 

Educational 

An especially goofy and amusing 
comedy idea In the familiar Howard 
manner. Howard is a half-wit 
night watchman In a warehouse 
with an aversion against mice. He 
takes a special dislike toward one 
brown nibbler and Interrupts his 
boss' flirtation with his stenog to 
complain about it. 

Left alone on his nightly rounds, 
he welcomes the appearance of two 
safe-craclters and obligingly helps 
.tj).em tQ,OD£n. tJi£_. strongbox, to en- 
courage them to stay. They go Into 
the vault, and in his nervousness at 
the reappearance of the brown 
mouse he accidentally shuts the 
door on thorn. 

Cops come in and take all hands 
to jail, Howard being delayed in the 
trip until he's convinced there won't 
. be any ntlce there. First-rate laugh 
item for any program, averaging up 
with the rest of the long Howard 
list. Rush. 



SINGING SAM 
Organlog 
6 Mins. 

Projection Room, N. Y, 

Master Art Products 

Glorified Illustrated song sheet In 
Idea and neatly carried out. Singln' 
Sam, of radio (Barbasol) fame, ap- 
pears before mljce for announce- 
ment and promptly goes into a num- 
ber having to do with the name 
•Sally,' to organ accompaniment. 

Brief action of gray-haired old- 
ster sentimentalizing over boyhood 
sweetheart who appears in shadow 
form and then Into another 'Sally' 
ballad. Printed lines of the song in 
all cases to invite community sing- 
ing where there Is no organist. 

Neat Idea for Its purpose and 
brief and brisk in pattern. Rush. 

BENNY DAVIS 
'Melody Makers Series' 

8 Mins. 

Projection Room, N. Y. 

Master Art Products 

Rather over-elaborated comedy 
background, but arranged for speed 
and action in delivery of songs by a 
considerable cast for a short. Along 
the lines of- tire act Davis has been 
doing In the vaude and picture 
houses. 

Setting is a courtroom, Davis on 
the stand charged with writing 
songs. Various witnesses called to 
testify by singing his better-known 
numbers, Davis doing several him- 
self. 

During these proceedings there Is 
a running fire of comedy with Roy 
Atwell (the stutterer In Fred Allen's 
radio program) as the comic prose- 
cutor making gag mistakes In the 
use of words^ People concerned fire 
Jackie Green, Martha Ray, Stewart 
Sisters, . Charlie Carlisle and Helen 
Rowland. 

As a medium of getting a song- 
writer on the screen doing his own 
numbers It serves, the big asset of 
the subject being its spejd. Each 
number Is cut down to a single 
verse and chorus, or even less. Fair 
laughs. Rush. 

'SPORT THRILLS' 
Sports Novelty 
With Ted Husing 

9 Mins. 

Winter Garjlen, New York 
Vita. No. 1449 

One of the better subjects In this 
shorts group, runner-up to the 
former Husing series known as 
'Sport Slants.' Husing, doing nar- 
rative, doesn't get benefit of facial 
billing In main title, as In the 
'Slants,' but they're the same on 
the off-screen spieling. Rates booker 
consideration for 'A' spotting. 

^At opening kids down on the 
farm are going fishing and beating 
the old man on catch with his mod- 
em equipment. Cuts to skiing on 
Ice behind bosses, then to water- 
skiing with too much footage given 
over to latter sport. 

Follows up and closes with se- 
quence on pacers and trotters, 
showing In slow motion and by 
stopped film the difference between 
two types of racing horses. Finish 
a championship trotting race at 
Goshen, N. Y., 'Marchioness' win- 
ning. Very exciting and exceed- 
ingly well photographed. Cliar. 



•BOSKO IN DUTCH' 

Cartoon 

7 Mins. 

Winter Garden, New York 
Vita. No. 5584 

•siiado above avci-age for cartoon 
filler. In this release, as noted of 
late In other series of Its kind, is a 
predilection toward dubbed-In sing- 
ing. Apparently that had to come, 
with sound effects and music alone 
not suflflcing. 

Offscreen singing adds .«;omething 
that win increase the favor and 
value of cartoon series, most of 
which have suffered from sameness 
through synchronization of music 
with character actions as principal 
bid. 

Skaters In Holland, with Bofsko 
and his girl doing a song double and 
same number fphis voices' apply- 
ing to a cat couple, figure In this 
f>nf> with a drowning re.soue for a 
I.,.. ••. ' ' ■ . 



Radio Studio Idle 



(Continued from page 6) 

own. That deal considerably modi- 
fied. Is now all set. 

Young Whitney, keen to go into 
the business, was then reported as 
insistent that Selznlck accompany 
him to N€w -York immediately to 
make necessary financial arrange- 
ments. Whitney, it is understood, 
must get the consent of his mother 
for any deal, as it is reported that 
she and banking Interests hold some 
strings on the family resources. It Is 
said that the estate of H. P. Whit 
ney had dwindled from $260,000,000 
to around $60,000,000, due to inherit 
ance tax and value depreciations. 

Whitney, It is understood, also 
made a deal with Milestone whereby 
he agreed to furnish $500,000 finances 
for the director to malte one pic- 
ture. 

Part Time Plan In Effect 

Studio anjiounccment of a three- 
day-week on the lot for almost all 
workers is not entirely that in ef 
feet. Day workers will be laid off as 
soon as finishing their work, and lay 
offs will be general In some depart 
ments during slack periods, but a 
.straight halt-time basis, it Is stated 
cannot be wholly worked out. 

Camera crews, soundmen and 
other technicians will work right 
through pictures assigned to them 
but a.j in the ca.so of studios on a 
.stagger plan of employment an of 
fort will be made to scatter tlio 
work so that all employees will pot 
part time work, Instead of some get 



Hiniatore Rem 

'Secrets of Madame Blanche' 

(M-G)^ Fine picture, about 
best made on 'Madame X' 
theme, but draft aside from 
what title affords wIU have to 
be provided for It in the cam- 
paign. Including house Ironts 
and ads. Direction, casting, 
story and dialog excellent. 
Irene Dunne starring with 
Lionel Atwill and Phillips 
Holmes featured. Picture will 
live up to promises made. 

'Hard to Handle' (WB). Be- 
low past standard of Cagney 
films In way of story, but 
enough through star and gags 
for moderate rating. 

'Luxury Liner' (Schulberg). 
Thin and obvious gn^^ndhotellsh 
theme, sans marquee strength. 
Over - evaluated Broadway 
spotting at the Paramount. 

'The Iron Master* (Allied). 
Fairly well-made production 
with trite plot that looks good 
enough for lower A dates. 

'Cowboy Counsellor' (Allied). 
Hoot Gibson doing comedy to 
very fair effect. Different sort 
of western that should please 
where they flourish. 

'Malay Nights' (Mayfalr). 
Indie effort to make something 
out of nothing much. Listless 
development and colorless pro- 
duction. 



Secret of Madane Blanche 

(With Songs) 

Metro production and release. Directed 
by Cbarles Brablii. Based on stage play. 
The Lady,' by Martin Brown, with screen 
adaptation by Frances Ooodrlcb and Albert 
Uackett. Stars Irene Dnnne. with Lionel 
Atwlli and Phillips Holmes supporting. At 
Capitol. N. T., week Feb. 8. Running 
time. CB mins. _ 

sSl^ V..T. Irons Dunne 

Aubrey St. John Lionel Atwill 

LeoiSd St. John Phillips Holmes 

jjjljj Una Merkel 

Leonard Junior..'. Douglas Walton 

State's Attorney C. Henry aordon 

i<i-ian • Jeaji Pareer 

Duval : .*:...!....!."!!. I ... . Mitchell Lewis 

Here's a picture that will have to 
prove the theory of the path that s 
beaten to the door of a mouse-trap 
builder. It's a fine picture in every 
respect, a nice little tear-jerker for 
the galp, and a beauty In the mak- 
ing, but it has nothing to hang on 
the shingle for the passers-by. 

Nearest approach to draft at the 
ticket windows is the title. Much 
Is conveyed or suggested by that. 
Names are Irene Dunne, billed above 
title, and Lionel Atwill, plus Phil- 
lips Holmes, under title. They 
won't mean half as much as the 
name of the picture and the ad at- 
tack, if advertising is carried out in 
showmanly style. There can be no 
question as to what the ad attack 
should be in both copy and house 
fronts. 

The , 'Madame X* formula serves 
again, with this about the best 
treatment of the theme the screen 
has produced. In careful stimula- 
tion of sympathetic interest, the plot 
weaves a pattern surefire In every 
direction, Including for the ladles 
who like to sob. 

Mother interest is Intense, about 
from the second reel, while the son, 
in Ignorance of the Identity of his 
mother. Is not forced Into a position 
where he vlllifles her. Since 'Ma- 
dame X,' the formula has almost in- 
variably sought to hSive the boy hop 
on his mom without knowing her, 
either to put him in a spot on con- 
fession or leaving him in the dark 
for a finish. 

Not so In 'Madame Blanche,' with 
mom's secrets and those of others, 
including the tough old grand- 
father, all laid out In the open in 
the final reel. Too often, perhaps, 
the symjpathetlc interest of audi- 
ences has been worked up to a point 
by other pictures where what it Is 
hoped will happen never does. Not 
so here. In that last 1,000 feet or 
so, with the courtroom the final se- 
quence, every possible desire for the 
mass audience is fulfilled. The 
mother, for once, Is reunited with 
her son, and they plan to start life 
together again. Story In this varia- 
tion of the old plot puts the boy in 
jail, where he must stick out a sen- 
tence of two years. 

Feature begins slowly and until 
around the second ree.l begins to 
look like a dud, with no tip as to 
what's to come — not even the 'Ma- 
dame X' thing. Suddenly it gathers 
pace, piling on developments with- 
out cramming them into action, and 
eventually is riding high as spell- 
binding entertainment. 

Direction and casting superb. 
Miss Dunne, moving through most 
of a normal lifetime as the action 
progresses from the 1890's to war- 
time, is at all times excellent. She 
is as much the picture as any part 
of it. That she will increase her 
following, a deserved due. Is certain 
after 'Secrets' gets Into circulation. 

Lionel Atwill is the aristocratic, 
family- proud English father of the 
boy suicide (Phillips Holmes) who 
kills himself In the second or third 
reel as a result of his dad's rcfu.M.il 
to okay his marriage to a show girl. 
It's the son born out of this mar- 
riage who In the end Is to reunite 
with his mother. 



carries a good role to conviction. A 
weakling, unable to shift for him- 
self when shut off from his fathers 
bankroll, young Holmes was Just 
the caster's choice, although the. 
actor is trying to look older than he 
actually is. It might eventually be- 
come a strain. 

Some music and singing in 'Se- 
crets' and pleasant to h^r for a 
change. When musicals went out 
along with backstage stories, no one 
missed them, but now a tune or two 
In a film, such as here, more than 
welcome. Miss Dunne does a com- 
plete finale number with her show 
and later on sings at the piano In 
cheap Paris cafes. More of this 
sort of thing could be stood, espe- 
cially if the singing Is In as capable 
hands as Miss Dunne's. 

In the cutting, 'Secrets' represents 
a swell Job. Photographically, it 
rates Just as high. Oh 



HARD TO HANDL 

Warner production and release. James 
Cagney starred. Directed by Mervyn Le- 
Roy. Adapted by Wilson MIzner and Rob- 
ert Lord from Houston Branch's story. 
Barney Mcaill, photog. At Strand. New 
Tork, starting Feb. 2. Running time, 71 
mine. 

Lefty Merrill James Cagney 

Ruth Waters Mary Brian 

Lil Waters Ruth Donnelly 

Radio Announcer Allen Jenkins 

Marlene Reeves Claire Dodd 

John Hayden Qavln. Gordon 

Mrs. Hawks -..Emma Dupn 

Charles Reeves Robert McWade 

Ed McGratb John Sheehan 

Joe Goetz Matt McHugh 

Mrs. Weston t.oulse Mackintosh 



Hokum this time Instead of the 
realism that boosted Jimmy Cagney 
to stardom. It's a non-smash screen 
return for hliiti after a quite lengthy 
and much-publicized absence. On 
what Cagney will drag in and on 
entertainment value, 'Hard to Han- 
dle' should rate moderately. 

Plot trips a light fantastic over a 
series of gags and the gags account 
for most of the merit. Between the 
good ones, the yarn rushes Cagney 
through some far-fetched situations 
that won't satisfy his following. 
They're still waiting for Cagney to 
smear another half grapefruit In a 
lady's face at breakfadt time, and 
doubtless would prefer seeing him 
do that than play 'Hamlet.' 

As a sort of safety net to catch 
any laughs the star might miss, 
story Includes a comedy mother-in- 
law, played by Ruth Donnelly. For 
the first half hour or so Miss Don- 
nelly runs away with the picture, 
after which the role Is softened up 
by repetition. Brevity was needed, 
for had this role been whittled down 
for background purposes only, the 
film as a whole might have been 
much funnier. 

Cagney Is a press agent in this 
one, beginning with a dance mara- 
thon, and then starting from scratch 
all over again when his partner kid- 
naps the gross. That happens In 
California. When reaching New 
York, Cagney high-pressures his 
way Into the money, putting over a 
college, a reducing cream and Flor- 
ida grapefruit farmland among 
other projects. Front-page news- 
paper streamers about grapefruit 
sweeping the country are hard to 
take. 

Stage-mother stuff sustains the 
romance background while Cagney 
Is space -grabbing on the side. When 
daughter (Mary Brian) is dying 
with bad dogs after the dance 
marathon, ma brings in a pan of 
water for 'our feet.' She dresses 
like daughter's twin, only a little 
more elaborately, and declares her- 
self in on everything, Including key- 
holes. Aside from being stretched 
beyond its natural length, the char- 
acter is cleverly written and staged. 

Cagney's antics while p.a.'ing 
range from petty larceny to the big 
dough. If the rest of his material 
were as comical as the testimonial 
scene, there would be no question- 
ing. But when a society matron 
holds out for more coin before she'll 
pose with a jar of cold cream, 'Hard 
to Handle' reaches a laugh peak 
that's never reached again. 

While his material isn't up to 
average, Cagney's playing is as 
usual and as effective in its way as 
always. Miss Brian doesn't look at 
home under blonde tresses. Allen 
Jenkins shares featured billing with 
Miss Brian, though his is but a brief 
bit at the start of the picture. 

'Handle' will neither set Cagney 
back nor push him ahead. As a re- 
turn picture for him It should have 
been considerably strongor. In the 
next one he'll have to come back all 
over again. JBige. 



JULY 14 

(FRENCH MADE) 
(With Songs) 

Berlin, Jan. 22. 

Itene Clair's new picture has been 
generously welcomed by the Berlin 
press. Indeed, 'July 14' Is a repetl* 
tion of hlB song about Paris 'Sous 
les toits de Paris.' In an equally 
interesting, often fascinating and 
poetic way, he tells of the love of a' 
taxi driver for bis little flower girl. 
The second part repeats the first) 
part over, and the first part re« 
minds of 'Sous les Toits.' This no 
fault of Rene Clair's, but rather the 
production company's — the French 
Tobis moulds this studio genius Into 
a production , apparatus and forces 
him to do his annual work. Rene 
Clair must be independent and 
work Independently to develop. 

Clair plans to go to the States 
and may work in Hollywood. It Is. 
sure that both parties, he and 
Hollywood, will profit from such an 
association. . 

Clair's new picture Is sometimes 
too slow. Often of a touching and 
poetic sensibility and strange 
sweetness. It's a fairy tale about 
Paris. Meerson's settings are pure 
in style and natural. The music Is 
simple. 

Annabella seems more developed 
under ClaU-'s direction. Her charm 
is fascinating. Pola Illery, some- 
times an Inert actress, plays. In 
contradiction to Annabella, a little 
vamp. The other actors are typical 
Rene Clair figures, as we know . 
them from his former pictures. The 
picture was shown In Its original 
French version. It may possibly for 
this reason not be a great success 
In Germany. Fraenkel. 

LUXURY LINER 

Paramount release of B. P. Schulberg' s 
production made on the Far lot. Lothar 
Mendes director. Screen ploy by Gene Mai-- 
key and Kathryn Bcola based on novel by 
Gilna ^aus; camera, Victor Mllner. Run- 
ning time, TO mins. At Paramount, New 
York, week Feb. 2. 

Dr. Thomas Bemhard George Brent 

Miss Morgan 2lta Johnnn 

Sybil Bemhard Vlvlenne Osborne 

Mini Stem Alice White 

Lulse Marhelm Verrce Teasdal* 

Edward Thorndyke .C. Aubrey Smith 

Alex. Btevanson Frank Morgan 

Fritz Henry Wadsworth 

Dr Velth Wnllla Clark 

Schultz Billy Brvan 

Exi Theodore Von Eltz 

Sold along the most obvious lines 
—as a 'Grand Hotel* of the high 
seas — not even the frank hookup 
with that cinematic smash will help 
this entry much. It's a loose and 
thin catch-as-catch-can affair which 
had all Its novelty edge worn off 
by last year's 'Transatlantic* (Fox). 
'Lrtixury Liner' doesn't rate the de- 
luxe spotting Into the ^roadway 
Par, where not even the elaborate 
stage portion can sustain it. It's 
not for the deluxers. 

No cast pames for the marquee 
either. George Brent,, Zita Jbhann, 
Vivienne Osborne, Alice White, Ver- 
ree Teasdale, C. Aubrey Smith and 
Frank Morgan are competent as far 
as the story permits, but their op- 
portunities are limited. 

Entire structure readily becomes 
apparent and interest sags almost 
immediately. With it the lines are 
at times banal, and Lothar Mendes, 
whose previous career as a Para- 
mount director has been rather 
haphazard on the lot, has shown 
nothing upon being shunted into the 
Schulberg camp. 

The camera's eye on everything 
from first class to steerage and at- 
tempts to embrace a variety of 
emotions and highlights misses fire 
almost consistently. It becomes 
utterly lacking in plausibility or 
conviction. 

Brent is vague and almost ha])less 
in his role. Premise for his pas- 
sionate chase after the faithless 
wife (Vivienne Osborne) Is among 
the several shortcomings. Miss Os- 
borne's light heavy is oke, but she's 
appeared under better auspices. 
Alice White as the naive golddlgger 
is likewise Inept for book reasons. 
And so on down the line. 

There are sundry other glaring 
deficiencies which even the not cap- 
tious will wonder about. Until the 
'Germanic,' as the 'Luxury Liner' is 
labeled, gets under way It eats up 
lots of footage, Including closeups 
of the engines turning over, the 
stock clips of the waving farewells, 
etc. But aside from accounting for 
one or two nights. In what sets out 
to be a painstaking chronological 
sequence of the liner's events, sud- 
denly the skyline of New York 
looms up (It's a westbound voy.icre), 
and that's that. Abel. 



The Woman Angle 



'Hard to Handle' (W. B.). String of punchy gags slapped together for 
the boys. James Cagney's Inconsistently written characterization weak- 
ens his flap appeal for this one; wise-guy conception of the heroine's 
mother alienates the matrons. 



'Luxury Liner' (Par). Foggy story, vague characterIzatIon.<!, feeble 
acting make slow, hazy hodge-podge that never convince, Interest nor 
entertain the girls. Doesn't even keep Its 'luxury liner' promise to them. 



'The Secret of Madame Blanche' (MGM). Best production and treat- 
ment yet <in int'ller maternal self-sacrlflce, dlsgu.'se the croakiness in its 
old joinis and assures a goodly audience of matrons. 



'The Iron Master' (Alllcil). Strong silent hero and the heiress. Si-ant 
'p -ij. M • • .1 ]'■■!•■ 1- ..-i,' >\ ii^ n-.f nin. ...^.ii ,>1s1l»/^rt fnv fr>mmf> ntfiil ion. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



FILM 



E V ■ E W S 



VARIETY 



13 



IRON MASTER 

Hoaman production, XlWed release. Pea- 
turlne Reginald X>enny and Llla Liee. An- 
nounced as from th6 stage play by Georges 
Ohnet Screen Klay by Adele Buffington. 
Directed by Chester M. Franklin. Sidney 
Alsler production manager. Harry Neu- 
mann, Tom Oalllgan, photogs. Mildred 
Johnson editor. Gene Hombostel art dir. 
Gene Anderson asst. dir. F. M. Redd 
sound. At old Boxy one week commenc- 
ing Feb. 9. Bunatng time, 65 mins. 

Bteve Moaon Reginald Denny 

Janet StIIlman • • i,- ' ' * V," w"42l 

J ■ C. Stlllman J. Farrell MacI>onald 

Mrs. Stlllman Esther Howard 

David Stlllman William Janney 

M|s3 Smith Virginia Sale 

Paul Rankin Richard Tucker 

Flo Lancert Astrld AUwyn 

Turner. Tom tendon 

Plana Nola Lux ford 

Omngc Otto Hoflmnn 

Uttle Billy Freddie Frederick 

lattie Billy Ronnie Cosby 

Apparently an effort to work Reg- 
Jnald Denny Into the old Thomas 
Meighan-liila Lee setup, with Miss 
Lee holding her own but Denny not 
quite regleterlng. Antique flavoring 
of the story Is more or less against 
it, but the photography Is gener- 
ally good arid the sound adequate, 
80 this can venture single handed 
into houses which usually • dodge 
Indie product, not that it classes 
with the majors, but because there's 
a shortage. 

According to the program an- 
nouncement this an adaptation by 
Adele Buffington of the play of sim- 
ilar title by Geor^res Ohnet. It 
would be as correct to tell that the 
story was derived from Roget's 
'Thesarus' or Darwin's 'Species.' 
Evidently the adaptor threw the 
drama Into the wastebasket and 
went ahead on her own. There is 
not a single situation derived from 
•Le Maltre des Forges' other than 
that there is a mill owner in both. 
The drama, long a clajsslc of the 
French arid English stages, deals 
with a woman who marries beneath 
her class, for money. This produc- 
tion Is the reliable formula be- 
loved by authors of western pic- 
tures In which the orphan from the 
east shares the ranch with the cow- 
boy foreman. Only difference is 
that here it's an iron mill. 

Denny is the sterling young mill- 
worker, who la left to administer 
the estate of his dead boss with the 
family working against him, chiefly 
the girl. He makes her and her 
brother go to work in the mill, with 
that giving them a chance to betray 
trade secrets to a rival factor and 
the usual reversal at the birth of 
love. 

Denny scarcely looks or acts the 
part of the business genius, and 
seems ill at ease once the play goes 
Into action, scoring only in the 
early scenes, where he fits. Miss 
liee is still a sure player, but like 
the other she suffers from poor 
dialog and the unsubtle direction 
which marks the effort of the Indle 
producer to make the story so ob- 
vious that it can't muff with any 
patron. Virginia Sale gets one brief 
moment, and Richard Tucker is 
generally good. Others fair. 

Development is a fairly straight- 
forward run of action, halted here 
and there with sure-fire stuff, and 
never rising to any high degree of 
suspense, even toward the close. 
There Is an utter absence of the 
deft touches and nice timing which 
usually marks class A product, but 
It's pretty good for an Indle. Chic, 

YES, MR. BROWN 

(BRITISH MADE) 

London, Jan. 26. 
British & Dominions production, released 
through Gnumont British. Directed by 
Jack Rurhanan. In cast Jack Buchanan, 
Hartley Power, ClIfTord Hentherley, Vera 
Fearce, Margot Grahame, Elsie Randolph. 
Length 7,000 feet epprox. ; running time 00 
mlns. Previewed TlvoU theatre, London, 
Jan. 18. 



There seems to be no limit to the 
entertaining talents of Jack Bu- 
chanan. He not only stars in this 
picture, but directed it In a man- 
ner which establishes him as an ex- 
pert. Tlie story is an adaptation 
from the German play 'Geschafte Mit 
Amerlka,' which was produced on 
the stage here recently under the 
title 'Business With America,* and 
suffered collapse through the ill- 
ness of Madgfe Tltheradge, who 
came from the States to star. The 
stage version was a comedy bor- 
dering on farce, but the picture Is 
roaring farce with music. 

Story unfolds situation of a Vien- 
nese representative of American 
film entertaining his employer who 
Is on a visit. Agent quarrels with 
his wife Just before dinner, because 
she insists on having her pet dog 
at the table. Wife walks out and 
■ecretary pretends to be wife. It 
culminates In employer taking sec- 
retary back to American as his wife. 

The complications are hoked to a 
point where they develop Into up- 
roarious farce with Buchanan 
utilizing some of the best bits he 
did on the stage here In his nu- 
merous musical comedies. For In- 
stance, they visit a cabaret and 
whon the star adagio performers 
walk out, Buchanan substitutes 
with his cook, who is the buxom 
Vera Pearce. Another instance Is 
his return home from the cabaret 
With hia secretary, (Elsie Randolph, 
who hng workPd with him in his 
shows so many years, she can fol- 
low his steps to a n.iocty.) They 
make an Intoxicated effort to ascend 
a nipht of staira, and create a 
.cla.'^sir bit of buffoonery. 

Hartley Tower plays the Ameri- 



can, and sets the pace by doing 
'straight' for the others. A gener- 
ous production, directed in good 
taste, marred, occasionally by defec- 
tive lighting, but hot enough to In- 
terfere with the fact that it Is an- 
other successful British film. 

Jolo. 



SO EIN MAEDEL 

('One Can't Forget Such a Girl') 
(GERMAN MADE) 
(With Songs) 

Berlin, Jan. 24. 

Projeotograph Film production un<l re- 
lease. Musical comedy. Manuscript, Hans 
Wllhelm and Fritz Kortm-r. Direction, 
Fritz Kortner. Music, RaJph Erwin. 
Photography, Robert Baberske. Production 
management, Hans Conrndl. . Recorded on 
Tobls-Klangfllm. Cast: Dolly Haas, Willy 
Forst, Oscar SIma. Max GuelstoriT, Ida 
Wuest, Paul HoerUger, Hans Lclbelt, Theo 
LIngen, Kdwln Juergensen, Hans Schau- 
fuas, Julius Falkensleln, Hans Walden, 
Donegger. Running time, 66 mlns. At 
Mozartsaal, Berlin. 



It's typical of the uncertainty and 
disorganization of conditions in the 
Industry in Germany, that a man 
as able and important as Fritz 
Kortner should have to direct a 
shallow musical comedy. It was 
to be expected that superficial 
gaiety and Fritz Kortner would not 
agree. 

The story of unemployed actors 
and the actress who get to know 
each other only after various mix- 
up.s, and who by chance And em- 
ployment and success, Is shown in 
unfortunately too true a light by 
Kortner. 

Kortner knows how to get the 
best out of his actors and the story. 
His talent, which made him one of 
the best-liked German actors, helps 
him make the most of this picture. 
Willy Forst has never been more 
charming, more natural, or more 
sympathetic. Never was Dolly Haas 
so truly herself and never has she 
been more fascinating. 

Kortner has devised some excel- 
lent scenes and shots. It is to be 
hoped German film producers will 
recognize and remember what Kort- 
ner can do, and that they will en- 
trust him with a task worthy of 
him. 

Robert Baberske's photography is 
too dark and heavy. Sound is good. 
The remaining actors, Oscar Slma, 
Max Ouelstorff, Ida Wuest, Paul 
Hoerbiger, Hans Leibelt, Theo 
LIngen, Erwin Juergensen, Hans 
Schaufuss, Julius Falkenstein, were 
well handled by Kortner. Ralph 
Erwin's music pleasant and impires- 
sive. His tango, 'So ein Maedel 
verglsst man nlcht,' will be a gen- 
eral hit. Fraenkel. 



Zapfenstreich Am Rhein 

('Retreat on Rhine') 
(GERMAN-MADE) 
(With Songs) 

Triumph Film production. Whitney re- 
lease In U. S. Features Hans Stuwe and 
Charlotte Susa. Direction Jaap Speyer; 
camera, Franz Planer and Friedel Behn- 
Orund. No other credits available. At 
72a St. Playhouse, New York, on grind. 
Running time, 00 mlns. 

Daisy Corlnna Charlotte Susa 

Count Oskar Hans Stuewe 

Karl° Wolfgang Zllzer 

KaroIIne Camilla von Hollay 

Der Oberst. Hans Junkermann 

His Wife .Tulle Serda 

Kemp' Ferry Slkla 

His Wife I Joscflne Dora 

Max Hoffmann Ernst Verebes 

Fritz Boettcher Paul Westermeler 

Maly Else Reval 

Alfred Deverlnl Siegfried Amo 

RpsI Lleselotte JacobI 

General von Rastenf eld. .Herman Boettcher 



This one Is of the 1930 German 
vintage. At that time Germany 
liked it very rhuch and called it 
one of the best of the year, b.o. re- 
turns being excellent. 

Why it hasn't come to America 
before this is one of those things. 
At this time it is under serious han- 
dicaps because of age. It still may 
do fairly well strictly in German 
nabes because of the cast lineup. 

Fast, highly Impossible, improba- 
ble and intangible farce with a lot 
of interpolated songs and dances. 
Handled In the old-fashioned man- 
ner. It looks pretty sad_as compared 
to today's product. Sound Is 'way 
off. But the comedy is funny, most 
of it, and the songs are tuneful — 
when they don't screech too much. 

Cast has such sure drag-'em-in 
names as Charlotte Susa, Siegfred 
Arno, Ernst Verebes and Hans 
Stuewe, which will help. Kaiif. 



MALAY NIGHTS 

Weeks production, Mayfair rclea-se. Di- 
rected by E, M.-xson Hopper. .Supcrvlfied 
by Cliff Broughton. Story by Glenn Ellis. 
Jules Cronjager, cnmora; Byron Robinson, 
editor: Dean Daly, sound. Wm. Nolle, es.it. 
dir. Cast: Johnnie Mack Brown. Dorolhy 
Burge.13, Rnlph Ince, Raymond Hntlon. 
Carmellta Geraghy, Geo. Smith, Lionel 
Belmore, Mary Jane. At T^oew's New York, 
one day. Jan. SI, on double bill. Running 
time, 00 minutes. 



'Malay Nights' has a good sale.s 
title. That about lots it out. Other- 
wise a trite story, with a vain effort 
to Inject kid appnal, parental love 
and waterfront dive stuff, witli the 
.stuff not making an emulsion. Pho- 
tography Indifferent, sound poorly 
recorded and direction only aver.icrf 
for Indle work. Xo particular appeal 
and a safe booking only where 
there's nothing el.se. 

With the players thoro should 
have boon hotter rosiilt.s ol)tain.'i>)lo. 
but they have notliiner to work with, 
.since the slowly moving story l.s 
more or loss of a ball and chain. 
Homo money ha.s boon spent on 1hr> 
production, but it does not .show 
value. Chlo. 



Eine Tuer Geht Auf 

('A Door Opens') 
(GERMAN-MADE) 

Ufa production. Protex release In U. 6, 
Direction Alfred Zelsler; script, Walter 
Forster and P. Roswalt; camera, Werner 
Brandes and Werner Bohne; music, Hans- 
Otto Borgmann. At Little Carnegie, New 
York, on grind. Running time, Oil mlns. 

Karl Bergmann Walter Steinbeck 

Martin Flchtner Curt Lucas 

AnnI Schubert Erika Fiedler 

Kurt Bitter Hans-Joacblm Buettner 

Hans BraunmuUer Herman Spcclmans 

His mother Therese Rauloend 

Vera Bessel Lily Rodlen 

Ackl Hans Dcppe 



A German thriller and pretty 
good. When the local distributor 
gets through experimenting with the 
print it will probably be left as It 
was when leaving the boat — and 
then easily salable in all German 
spots. 

It's not an especially Ingenious 
detective yarn, but well handled 
and acted, and with sufllcicnt speed 
to hold interest. Trail is compara- 
tively simple to follow, but enough 
red herrings to hold Interest. 
Strangest of all things — for a Ger- 
man picture — the tempo Is pretty 
rapid. 

Has to do with a bank robbery 
leading to murder. Motivation is 
pretty clear and the situations are 
so laid as to make it easily under- 
standable without a knowledge of 
the language. As shown here the 
film had cut-in Fnglish titles, a good 
deal more odious than even super- 
imposed titles and are brutal to the 
film. They're probably out by now. 

Acting iS' handled by comparative 
unknowns, but excellently. Herman 
Speelmans as the mobile, smiling 
detective is all that can be asked, 
and Hans-Joachim Buettner Is a 
splendid cashier. Walter Steinbeck 
as the chief villain is acceptable. 
Erika Fiedler, love Interest, is 
pretty. Lily Rodlen, the vlllalness, 
is number umpteen in the series of 
Dietrich Imitators and not so good. 

Photography and sound above 
par. Kauf. 

Cowboy Counsellor 

Allied production. First Division release. 
Starring Hoot Olbson. Features Shtela 
Manners and Skeeter Bill Bobbins. Directed 
by Geo. . Melford. Story and screen play. 
Jack Natteford, Tom Galllgan and Harry 
Neumann, cameras. Mildred Johnson, ed- 
itor. Gene Hombostel, art. Wllburg Mc- 
Gaugh, asst. dir. Sidney Algler, produc- 
tion mgr. Caet Includes Bobby Nelson, 
Fred Gllman, Jack Rutheford, Al Bridges, 
Wm. Humphreys, Gordon De Main, Wm. 
McCormIck, Sam Allen. At Loew's New 
York, one day, Jan. 81, on double bill. 
Running time, 03 minutea 



Hoot Gibson goes in for comedy 
here and gets away with it. Back- 
grounded by an average western 
story, carries laughs along with the 
hard riding. Comedy Is not the 
usual slapstick. 

Photoerraphy hurt by a prepon- 
derance of night scenes, but pro- 
duction average good and sound 
satisfactory. Wherever westerns are 
liked this will have a good' period. 

Gibson is a book agent selling a 
compendium of state laws with a 
smooth line of talk. As a supposed 
lawyer he is retained to clear the 
brother of the heroine, and he es- 
tablishes an alibi by repeating a 
stage coach robbery himself. Chic. 



STADT STEHT KOPF 

('A Town is All Upset') 

Berlin, Jan. 23. 
Elite Tonfllm proiluctlon and Cinema film 
release. A comedy after Gogol's 'Revlsor.' 
by Curt Alexander. Direction, Gustaf 
Gruendgems. Photography. Franz Planer. 
Music, MIscha Epollanaky, Settings, Rochus 
Gllese, Gabriel Pellon. Muslcol manage- 
ment, Willi Schmldt-Gentner. Recorded on 
Tobls-Klangfllm. Cast: Szoeke Szakall, 
Jenny Jugo, Hermann Thimlg, Helnrlch 
Schroth, Berthe Ostyn, Arlbert Wnescher, 
Lotte Stein, Maya Bnihns, Fritz Kampers, 
Carla Bartheol, Paul Henckels, Theo 
LIngen, Hana Deppe, Arthur Malnzer, Her- 
bert Pnulmueller, Frlclrlch Honna, Lotte 
jAieMnger, Renate Bergk. Lore MoRhelm, 
Willy Schur. Running time, 80 minutes. 
At U. T. Kurfuerstendamm, Berlin. 



A picture that stands out, due to 
the artistic ambition and careful 
background given by Gustaf Gruend- 
gens. This Is his debut as film di- 
rector, though he enjoys great fame 
as actor and stage director. 

Out of a weak book Gruendgens 
made a fairly Interesting picture, 
which for Germany and the German 
speaking countries will do moderate 
business. Talkiness up to the mid- 
dle of the picture reveals the stage 
director. The careful background 
and detail work result In charming 
pictures of a little town. 

The story tells of a little travel- 
ling salesman who Is given a lift In 
the car of a government official. He 
gets out In a little place. Every- 
body believes him to be the ofllclal 
who is to audit the finances, which, 
of course, are not In order. They 
all try with all means to throw dust 
in his eyes. The happy end of the 
story has the salesman marrying the 
daughter of the mayor. 

Kurt Alc.vander's manuscript Is 
far from perfect, with regard to 
speed and continuity. A few g.-zsrs 
are original and laughable. Jenny 
jugo Is the sweet liltl© mayor's 
(laughter. Hermann Thimlg the 
salesman. Tyi)lcal Teutonic figures 
are Fritz Kampers, Carla P.arthcel, 
Arlbert Wacscher, Paul nenckels, 
dans Doppp, Arthur Mo Inzer. Theo 
r^lncen ;ik son of a tailor does very 
well. ."-S/ookc Szakall as the mayor 
on Ms short feet, but doe.s not suc- 
ceed Ui07c. I'liotogr.-..phy r.ecepta- 
l)lc. Musical seoro by Spoliansky 
vcrv artistic, but too high for the 
great public i-YoenfccJ. 



Holes in Exploitation 

By Epes W. Sargent 



Not since 1919, wlien the sporadic 
efforts of the independent exhibitors 
to create business through out-of- 
the-ordlnary advertising methods 
were transformed Into concrete ex- 
ploitation drives, has this medium 
been put to such a grueling test as 
in the last year. At no time in the 
history of theatricals has trick or 
freak advertising reached such a 
low peak. 

It Is not very creditable to say 
that at no time has there been de- 
veloped fewer original Ideas than 
In the past 12 months. One reason 
is that the field had been pretty 
well developed. A second Is found 
in tiie chain demands for costless 
advertising. And finally managert- 
In desperation settled upon gift en- 
terprises and stunts which closely 
approached the lottery for their ap- 
peal. 

Bringing them in through clever 
adaptation of unique ideas was not 
enough. They had to be coaxed' 
with the promise of a dish or bed 
spread or tantalized with the hope 
of winning an automobile, a radio 
or — in a few cases, a fully furnished 
home. 

Now that the managers are try- 
ing to get away from the give- 
aways, they are going to find they 
have an Old Man of the Sea on 
their backs. 

Originally exploitation was con- 
ducted pretty much on the hit or 
miss system. If an exhibitor had 
an Idea and the energy, he borrowed 
some railroad flares for a train 
story or sent around a cow blan- 
keted 'This Is no bull.' 'Wedded 
and Parted' at the BlJou is a super- 
film.' 

Paramount changed all that when 
It prepared to put out the first 
silent version of 'The Miracle Man' 
in 1919. It wanted more rental than 
It figured it could get from the still 
Independent managers. It conceived 
the idea of selling the picture for 
the exhibitors and sharing the 
profits. When that run was over, 
the staff was dispersed, but the 
demand was so strong and the re- 
sults so uniformly good that the 
men were recalled. Claud Saun- 
ders was appointed to maintain an 
exploitation staff. 

Chains' Indifference 

With the coming of the chains 
the idea languished somewhat. No 
longer was an exploitation man 
maintained at each exchange, but 
there was some effort at exploita- 
tion. W. R. Ferguson, of Metro, 
has been on the Job continuously; 
the only one to maintain an un- 
broken record. 

Up to 1929— and the crash— the 
efforts were not as keenly watched 
as they were in the earlier years of 
that decade, but with the Wall 
Street break, a lessened interest In 
the talking pictures and shortened 
incomes, there began a steady 
mounting of endeavor. Most of the 
Important theatres were in the 



hands of the various producer or- 
ganizations, and a drop In income 
hurt two ways. 

Ordinary exploitation methods did 
not seem to stem the tide to any 
great extent. The financial slap 
had been too strong to permit the 
public to react to the usual spurs. 
By the fall of 1931 It was seen that 
more Intensive methods must be 
employed. 

Many of the large mills and fac- 
tories were seeking to hold their 
production staffs. There was hope 
eternal In their breasts and rather 
than disrupt their smoothly work- 
ing organizations, tliey dumped on 
the market product in carload lots 
at less than the former wholesale 
prices. Sometimes the costs were 
barely met by the new terms,, but 
the factory kept its wheels turning 
and hoped for that better day. 

It was possible to offer brand bed 
linen, chinaware, towels, table 
cloths, etc., at a price which would 
enable the theatre manager to toss 
In something with each admission 
ticket sold a woman. 

Even before the smash It had 
been common practice to 'promote' 
gifts of merchandise to serve as 
prizes in newspaper and other con- 
tests. Now the managers broad- 
ened out. 

Got the Farmers 

In many small cities and the 
larger towns the merchants now 
were persuaded to kick in some 
'stickers,' or slow selling goods, 
some more valuable merchandise 
and make a cash donation. The- 
atres took the cash and drcused 
the neighborhood towns with an- 
noimcement of a grand gift dis- 
tribution. It brought the farmers, 
into town like circus day, and busi- 
ness boomed, for that day at least. 
Distribution generally required tlie 
recipient to be In the theatre at the 
time of the drawing. Frequently 
there was such a standout that the 
rules were changed, it was suffl-. 
clent that the holder have a p&ld 
admission and be in the crowd In 
front of the theatre In case he could 
not get in. 

Some of these 'distributions' 
represented merchandise of a sales 
value in five .figures. Some of them 
WQre so important that the rail- 
roads even ran special excursions 
from nearby points. 

Autot Too 

On top of this was the gift of 
automobiles. At first new cars were 
promoted, one to a theatre, when a 
new model came out. The agency 
had the car on dls;)lay for a num- 
ber of weeks, and figured the ad- 
vertising paid. 

But not enough new models came 
out, so the theatres took to handing 
out used cars, some as often as 
once a week. It all started, with 
free radios, but that got too small. 

And now that the tide has turned, 
(Continued on page C3) 



Special Publicity in 




Under a Special Plan 

"Variety's" Special Publicity Plan has been functioning for 
some years. 

The campaign is designed to keep a professional name con- 
tinuously before the show Business, all over the world, every week 
for 52 weeks in a year. This publicity may be used in displayed 
type or pictorially, but does not include reading matter, other 
than a limited caption under cuts. 

A copy of the plan with other information as may be desired 
can be obtained at any "Variety" office. 



NEW YORK— 154 West 46th St. 
CHICAGO— Woods Theatre BIdg, 
HOLLYWOOD— Taft Building 
LONDON— 8 St. IVIartin's PI., Trafalgar Sq. 



14 



VARIETY 



FILM HOUSE REVIEWS 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



CHICAGO THEATRE 



('Show Boat' — Stage Tab — New) 
Chicago, Feb. 3. 

An unusually long and many 
ecened musical production, 'Show 
Boat' becomes an unusually long 
and many-scened picture theatre 
stage show. Some 12 scenes were 
counted at the Chicago and this 
census ignored several bits in front 
of the olio. Riverfront saloon, room- 
ing house, and convent scenes are 
the most notable deletions. They 
•were chucked out altogether, while 
others were compressed, speeded 
up, or ripped clean of all foliage. 

Result may seem to some a dese- 
cration of a fine theatrical achieve- 
ment. That is perhaps beside the 
point. The proper question to be 
asked is how well the necessary 
Burgei-y has been performed. To 
that the answer of anybody who 
realizes the enormous problem of 
boiling down so much material and 
talent is that, all things pondered 
and weighed. It was neat amputa- 
tion. 

To bo sure the already obscure 
role of the production's star, Helen 
Morgan, has shrunk even further. 
And her .session atop the piano from 
want of that leisurely tempo and 
attentive listening that she needs 
was not the smash in a picture the- 
atre It ahvays has been in legit and 
was only a week past In the Audi- 
torium theatre, from which house 
the production underwent its meta- 
morphosis. 

This same galloping through the 
libretto has sacrlflced many of the 
laughs and heart tugs of the orig- 
inal. The residue is a colorful 
kaleidoscope of many actors, who 
never tarry long, a chorus that 
is seen as it races by, and Jerome 
Kern's lovely music That stands 
the test of shrinkage better than 
Oscar Hammcrsteln's book, ports of 
which dangle In midair without be- 
ginning or end. 

Of all the musicals that have been 
carpentered for picture theatre 
stages 'Show Boat' possibly is the 
niiost plotty. -It's narrative orig- 
inality was a novel with all of Sdna 
Ferbei*'s verbose love of detail. 

Many changes will no doubt be 
made along the 90-minute stretch, 
of the present version before it gets 
to New York, which will see a 
tighter, more compact, perform- 
ance. Yet it must be reported tba:t 
on the opening day - at the B&K 
4,000-seater 'Show Boat' was re- 
markably smooth in -the playing. 
There wasn't a solitary stage wait 
or occurrence of that nature. Only 
mechanical defect was that in the 
opening levee'.scene and later in the 
play-wlthin-the-play the action 
transpiring on the right side (audi- 
ences) was not visible to a substan- 
tial portion of the Chicago theati^e 
customers. 

'Show Boat' held together on in- 
herent musical appeal, the unction 
and experience of its cast, the 
worthy stage direction of Leighton 
K. Brill, the scope, glamour, and 
multitude of its scenic investiture, 
and the able command of the musi- 
cal conductor, George Hirst. Which 
Is by way of saying that as a pro- 
duction it was a solid success but 
that individual standouts were rare. 
Naturally 'Old Man River' by now 
an American classic gave Robert 
Raines the cream opportunity and 
he discharged himself honorably. 

William Kent's splendid perform- 
ance as Captain Andy Is smartly 
foiled by Bertha Belmore's shrewish 
wife. Harland Dixon and Peggy 
Cornell are another effective team 
In the comedy mood. Paul Keast 
Is Gaylord Ravenal. Recognizably, 
swaggerlngly, attractively he vlvi 
iles the river gambler whose love is 
deep but who capacity for honest 
labor Is weak. Keast has the voice 
and elegance of manner required by 
the role. Margaret Adams, who re 
placed Norma Terris in the Mag 
nolia part, is dainty in person, sin- 
cere In her work, and pleasantly 
lyrical. 

•There are a number of bits ex 
ceptlonally well done, as Steve 
(George Blackwood) and the back 
woodsman (Jack Daley). Sprln 
kllng of laughs throughout but no 
bellies and no sock specialties at 
any time. 

'Show Boat,' now under A. C 
Blumenthal's direction, is salaried 
in the picture houses at $12,500. 

'Second Hand Wife' (Fox) is the 
picture. Land. 

ROXY, N. Y. 

New York, Feb. 3. 
'Just Plain Bill' is holding over at 
the old Roxy, so it's still anybody's 
guess as to how the latest policy 
will draw when It gets on Its own 
feet. Has all the drug stores as 
branch ticket offices, for purchase 
of a tube of a certain kind of tooth 
paste will give a free admission to 
the cathedral. Still, some of the 
crowd look as though they would 
not know what to do with the tooth 
paste if they bought it, so it maybe 
the price, too. 

Friday afternoon business was 
pretty constant at full middle sec 
tion or about 2,000 persons, but 
there Is almost continual movement 
Which does not help the enjoyment 
of the show. Bach time anyone 
down front quits a seat, three rush 
down to take It, with only one win- 
ner in each heat Breaks are not as 



ample as in the old days, with more 
walking out at the exact point 
where they entered when it comes 
around agair^ even If It's In the 
middle of an act. Ropes are up for 
the mats, but chiefly used at night, 
when there's really a standout at 
times. That's a novelty on Broad- 
way nowadays, whether it's price or 
tooth paste. 

And whether it's two bits or four, 
it's not a bad show, though due 
more to staging than the acts them- 
selves. Runs around an hour; an 
additional eight minutes at the 
show caught. Not the glamor of 
the old days,* but something to look 
at and to enjoy in an unsophisti- 
cated fashion. 

Starts with the travelers closed 
and the line of 24 girls on from the 
choral stairways, each carrying a 
fancy stool. A walk around and 
Uiey sit on the stools with their 
backs to the audience as Dave 
Schooler comes through the curtains 
for a greeting. Does a brief bit with 
them that makes for flash, curtain 
up, and then into a line number 
followed by Hite, Kenny a;nd Casey, 
three hoofers in the usual blonde, 
brunette and strawberry hair outflt. 
Good opener, with the girls doing 
fairly well with their steps, but sell- 
ing them to look like more, which is 
showmanship. 

Paul Remos and his midgets next 
In their familiar specialty with 
with plenty of response from the 
crowd. It's far from the hardbolled 
regulars, and they unloose the mitts 
freely. Schooler helps along with a 
bit of quiet stooging, for he's one of 
the few.m.c.'s who seems to realize 
that he's the pacer and not the 
headllner for the acts. He gets his 
own, knows It's coming and is sat- 
isfied. 

Martha Ray does a coon shout 
that got her three recalls from a 
hopeful audience, but she merely 
kept bowing and they Anally quit 
to let on 'Just Plain Bill,' who was 
programed (they still have pro- 
grams) with his daughter Nancy as 
presenting 'Elmer Bps.' Nancy must 
have been out shopping, but Elmer 
did bird calls ajid a whistle solo, 
and Bill took half the credit, though 
he let Elmer do most of the work. 
Had a cinoh here with the tooth- 
paste element strong for him. 

Schooler injected his piano solo 
at this point, having previously led 
the band, and the girls are back in 
white military costumes for a fancy 
drill; a showy number which keeps 
them continuously on their toes for 
four or five minutes. Enormous 
white plumes help the effect, and 
they work with satisfactory preci- 
sion, managing to All the stage ade- 
quately, not only here but in their 
other numbers. They <do not sug- 
gest a scratch line and they're not 
novices. 

Pablo, a card-and-cigaret magi- 
clan, is rather small time for the 
big house, but he manages to look 
like something even on this huge 
stage, though his tricks are small. 
Last week the house had Three 
Radio Rubes. This week it's the 
Three Radio Rogues, who have b^n 
about quite a bit with their imita- 
tions, but right down this alley with 
a preponderance of radio fans. 

Finish gives the girls away as a 
Fanchon -Marco line, working on the 
webbing, one on. the tra,peze and a 
contortionist doing stunts on a ped 
cstal. Girls not on the job sit 
around and scream as the trap ar 
tist does her intentional slips. This 
will class well with the old produc- 
tion stuff, and brings the show to a 
smart, flnish. 

Film division has 'The Iron Mas- 
ter' (Allied), a chapter of 'Zane 
Grey Diary' and the newsreel. Chic 



RKO ROXY 

New York, Feb. 3. 
In the sixth week of its career the 
new Roxy in Radio City has become 
a second -run stand. Taking 'State 
Fair* (Fox) from its bullish week 
at the Music Hall, a blbck away, for 
an extended week's dtay — judging 
by the biz 'Sign of the Cross' Is 
doing currently at the big house — 
the Roxy is due for a denting. 

Apart from the economic ramlfl- 
catlons of the holdover, the present 
sample of the 'small' theatre's pres- 
entation is explanation enough why 
the stage hors d'oeuvres makes the 
rest of the course not particularly 
appealing. 

Why they should come over to 
Sixth avenue for a presentation 
such as this, apart from the sec- 
ond-run element, can't be suffi- 
ciently offset by any architectural 
appeal of a hew temple of amuse- 
ment That the masons and interior 
decorators are still the headliners 
so far this particular one of Radio 
City's two theatres is concerned is 
fulsoihely evidenced by the gaping 
and gawking of the tourist-custom- 
ers. 



NEWSREELS 



EMBASSY 



FOX, BROOKLYN 



Brooklyn, Feb. 3. 
This house hasn't found the an- 
swer yet. 'Hot Pepper' (Fox) is 
menued for the screen, day and 
date on a second-run basis with 
the RKO Mayfair. First three turns 
are comedy dancing acts, the flnal 
two are singing and instrumental 

Nothing bad about the acts. They 
haven't a chance against the pres 
ent program setup. 

Pickens Sisters (NBC), harmony 
trio, of course, stand out. This 
handsome threesome could melt 
with their tenderly-sung strains of 
"Play, Fiddle, Play.' Both before 
and after the Pickens Sisters comes 
Jack Pepper. He also sings. One 
set with painted hangings in 'full' 
is used for all. The acts are slapped 
together against an Inactive line, or 
almost, of 16 girls. The three danc 
ing acts comprise Hayes, Haig and 
Howe; Erlln Sisters, and Gine, De 
Qulncy and Lewis. 

AH of which only makes It tough 
for the acts and tougher for the 
customers. Erlln Sisters are unorig 
Inal. Pit has Sam Kaufman as. 
baton swinger. 

Before Kauf comes Bob West 
who herds the customer like a re 
vivalist at a tent meeting Into sine 
ing pop songs. In the usual organlog 
stuff which the Fox Brooklyn, alone 
apparently retains currently among 
the so-called deluxers. 

Newsreel and a cartoon round 
out. At 65c top house hasn't 
chance to please customers. At half 
this flsure the show would have a 
struggle. 



That goes also for the higger 
house, but something about this 

particular show's attendance (open- 
ing day) made it appear as if Radio 
City were shilling its 'State Fair' 
feature with real, live bucolic at- 
mosphere. There were patrons 
whose hats were the moujik type of 
Canadian fur trappers' headpieces. 
They looked literally as if they were 
going to town and had the family 
fllwer parked outside for the trek 
back into the cornbelt. 

Show, almost intactly moved over 
from the big bouse, should have 
shaped up better in the not-so-wlde- 
open spaces of the Roxy, not to 
mention the additional advantage 
of having, been groomed for a full 
week Just preceding. But no such 
thing happened. It anything, per- 
haps the added intimacy showed up 
its shortcomings. 

It's another of those formula rou- 
tine. That Marionette Ballet is a 
familiar puppet number previously 
seen around, the girls doing their 
terps with pseudo -puppeteers' tapes 
manipulating them. It's all on a 
supplementary rostrum, Margaret 
Sande the solo ballerina instead of 
Patricia Bowman last week at the 
Music HalL 

John Pierce, who did the vocal 
chorus with Charles Previn's over- 
ture in 'Isn't It Romantic?* plugs a 
wait with a ballad from the pit. 
Eleanor Powell repeats her taps 
specialty, shaping up as the individ- 
ually best entry, evidencing by the 
acclaim that mebbe the mugg flicker 
fans are getting good and tired of 
having the 'better things in the 
hoofing line foisted on them, such 
as ballets, ballerina S($loist6 adaglo- 
ists and the standard fol-de-rol 
which seems to be regarded as 
'must' for deluxe cinematic presen- 
tations. 

Seems nobody has thought of the 
idea that maybe the things with 
which Joe Plunkett whammed his 
Strand customers 10 years ago must 
be sickening to these same custom 
ers who have seen every sample of 
that sort of presentation through a 
decade. And as for the idea of en 
couraging the new generation of 
theatregoer, the kids can cut their 
own hooflng capers on the dance 
floors In a manner that slows all, the 
hoked-up terp stuff down' to a 
crawl. 

This sort of presentation is cer- 
tainly not keeping pace with ^he 
times, and this antiquated deflcency 
Is being startllngly reflected at the 
boxoffice. So much so, that it's be 
coming Increasingly dlfflcplt to over- 
come what should be an enhance- 
ment, but which has devolved into 
a handicap, for too often they've 
calling up for the picture alone. 

If a house manager clocked the 
requests to his doormen and lobby 
staff, and also the boxoffice phones^ 
about 'when does the feature go 
on?' that would tell much. There 
was a time when the public was 
just as avid about the stage show 
and concerned about missing noth- 
ing of it. 

Here's a show, spotted in the last 
word in picture house deluxers, sit- 
uated in what is New York's ultra 
modern civic center, giving out a 
routine presentation that went out 
of style with the old, old, old. Roxy 
Charlie Prevln overtures 'Roman 
tic' in seven different languages, ac 
celerating and switching tempos 
from Viennese to Espagnol, but it's 
still the same 'novelty jazz over 
ture' he used to do in St. Louis and 
at the Fox, Brooklyn, yahrs and 
yahrs ago. Then that Marionette 
ballet and Mr. Pierce's song plug 
from the pit, followed by the tap 
sololste, Eleanor Powell, into 
'Dance of the Pierrots' by the RKO 
Roxyettcs, and Anally a Coney 
Islandiah 'Mcrry-Go-Round' as the 
blcnd-ln for 'State Fair.' 

Oh, yes, a two-piano interlude! of 
Ravel's 'Bolero' rates a lino as the 
most modern interlude in tho ontlrc 



Fox editors dug down to the bot- 
tom of the vaults for Embassy's 
Hitler coverage this week, with the 
lack of applause Indication no one 
cared much. Entirely too long, but 
a good selling point on the front 
boards. 

Prof. Soddy, a likable Englishman, 
discussed technocracy without heat 
and expressed the hope that it 
would come in without the threat- 
ened violence. Got quite a hand at 
the close, perhaps as much on per- 
sonality as his tAlk. Merle Thorpe, 
of the 'Nation's Business,' led off 
on the depression and urged that 
Congress cut off a billion by show- 
ing some political courage. Fol- 
lowed by Roger Babson, who halt- 
ingly gave the opinion that people 
buy more, spend more and not 
worry about wages. Did not • tell 
what to do it with. Seemed to be 
having trouble with his notes, but 
better than Mayor O'Brien, who 
pinned a medal on Capt. Stedman 
of the 'American Merchant. Mayor's 
pronunciation was poor, and he 
went back several times to correct 
a word, always fatal. More mis- 
pronunciation from Sid Grauman, 
who spoke of 'Calvacade,' revers- 
ing the V and a. But he had a lovely 
time grabbing Diana Wynyard's 
ankle and pressing her foot into the 
wet cement for the Chinese theatre's 
forecourt autograph album. Miss 
Wynyard's self-possession made him 
look like a stooge. 

The real hit of the Embassy bill 
Is a Aght between a bull and a Hon 
In a bullring, with the Hon sending 
an SOS after a couple of rides on 
the bull's horns. It was thrilling 
for a moment, but got a big laugh 
when the Hon tr}ed to grow wings. 

Kid boxers in Madison Sq. Gar- 
den not very hot. Ice-boating in 
Wisconsin to contrast with outboard 
motor races In Florida. A real eye- 
ful was some Australian bathing 
beauts, now enjoying their summer, 
and more legs in a clip showing 
Jimmy Durante brealcing into a 
dance rehearsal. Embassy caught 
both the 'Indianapolis' and 'Port- 
land' on their trials, where the 
Luxer got only the former. Pretty 
shots, but more art than news In- 
terest. Laugh bit was a Jap with 
a new style llfesaver, and M. S. 
Sloan urged everyone to share his 
; ob with an out of worker. No ap- 
plause. 

Embassy tied with Lux on the 
New England coast storm, with a 
dual on the Lake Arrowhead bliz- 
zard. Both had the Grand Prix 
steeplechase at Nice, but the Luxer 
got more and better spills, with Em- 
bassy contributing a better general 
view of the race. Both went for the 



TRANSLUX 



Using 20 clips at the Luxer this 
week, with Pathe taking half, and 
Paramount and Universal 60-50 on 
the other 10. Of course, it starts 
off with Hitler, but a more rapid 
succession of views and less Ger. 
man oratory. Done in less than 
half the time of the Pox coverage, 
but it shows the same succession 
of leaders. 

Exclusive here Is a speech by 
Debuchi, the Jap ambassador, who 
brieAy remarks that he won't dis- 
cuss the Manchurian situation since 
all must know where Japan stands. 
Followed by the troops Sfittlng back 
to Japan after their share in the 
campaign, also exclusive here. 

Congressman Brown ribs technoc- 
racy with some rather cheap and 
heavy-handed sarcasm. Not a rip- 
pie. Other house gets a reaction 
to Its favorable tech clip. 

Ely Culbertson as another mis- 
guided humorist who Jams a couple 
of pretty poor jokes into his dls- 
cusslon of 1933 contract bridge. He 
laughed, but he laughed alone. Fete 
at Monaco took more footage than 
it was worth, which goes double for 
a Boston police pup. Something out 
of the usual line was the army mov- 
ing a house across the Delaware 
river, with slow turning for rapid 
action movement and a laugh. 

Usual ski jumplnjr out in Wash* 
ington this week, James Montgom- 
ery Flagg drew from a model for 
charity, and the Lux was alone In 
showing Capt. Guymon i>f the Ma- 
rines presented with the Schlff Ay. 
Ing trophy. 

Both houses had the annual pic- 
tures of the bathers through the 
Ice at Manchester, N. H., the high 
water along the Massachusetts 
coast, Campbell and his car, with 
Pathe showing the beach trials, 
where the Fox men stopped with 
uncrating the speedster. Arrowhead 
shown, races at Nice also at both. 
Comedy hit at the Lux was a New 
Rochelle kid who can reel off the 
names of all 48 states without tak- 
ing more breath. His lung pumping 
before the start was really funny. 

Comedies were a back number 
Mickey Mouse, 'The Musical Farm- 
er,' Willie Creager's band in 'Break- 
ing the Lease' (Vita) and 'The 
Cure,' a Chaplin which was made 
by. First National, reissued by 
Pathe. and is now sounded for RKO. 
Comedies seem to fare better than 
the news clips. Chic. 



223-pound toe dancer, with the Em- 
bassy playing straight and the Lux 
with some clumsy comedy. 

All straight news this week, witlj 
the Magic Carpet series rolled up. 

Chic, 



Bhan. I proceedings. 



MUSIC HALL 

New York, Feb. 3. 
Instead of standing off by Itself 
this week as a separate entertain* 
ment the stage show Is just a build- 
up for the picture. Par's 'Sign of the 
Cross.' And not a very good one. 
Its last and major section is devoted 
to gladiator takeoffs by the house 
ballets. They interpret with danc- 
ing what occurs later In the pic- 
ture and suffer by comparison. 

Whole stage show, conflned to two 
numbers this week and running 
only 36 minutes, is performed by 
the house staff, but for a brief con- 
tribution by the Manglnis, a hand- 
to-hand team. Their slow-motion 
stuff with the muscles always bulg- 
ing blended well with the Roman 
arena atmosphere. 

Three stage Items were pro- 
grammed. The one omitted at the 
Thursday night show was a Roxy- 
ette number called 'Cocktails.' 

Settings for the two remaining 
presentments were more effective 
than the dancing and singing con- 
tents. Opener utilizes the raised 
second stage, with which the effect 
of an animated lampshade is gained. 
After a fisherman dance by a mixed 
line, the scene melts into another 
piece of bric-a-brac, this time a 
Dutch wlndwill. A rear third stage, 
raised to the same level, carries 
the extra baggage, the whole se- 
quence taking place on the elevated 
platforms. Patricia Bowman and 
the ballet are the participants. 

The coliseum prolog is preceded 
by a chant out in what seems to be 
'one' at this house by the house 
chorus. It suggests the Christian 
martyrs' secret meeting scene from 
the picture in mounting and stag- 
ing. Then into the coliseum on full 
stage, containing much color and 
scenic eye stuff. But what goes on 
in front of the scenery in the way 
of dances by the Roxyettes apd bal 
let is never as effective as the set 
ting Itself. 

Pit symphony, Erno Rapec con- 
ducting, plays the 'Second Hun 
garlan Rhapsody' as It should be 
played, but adds nothing more than 
another sombre touch to a jiroKram 
that's pretty sad all around. News- 
reel rounds out. 

Orchestra floor filled at 8:30 
Thur.Hday niRht, but only two rows 
o<-<'uplcd in the Kpaclous first mez- 
zanine. Bige. 



CAPITOL. N. Y. 

New York, Feb. 3. 
The show Is Inside and worthy of 
t:-e price, but the trick will be in 
getting the folks past the box office. 
Unlikely to get off to a fast start, 

business may build after opening If 
enough word gets around, particu- 
larly on picture, a tear-jerker the 
women will go for in a mighty way. 
Feature Is 'The Secret of Madamo 
Blanche' (Metro), exceedingly well 
constructed, but minus names that 
make a difference at the old ticket 
window. 

Stage includes a vaudeville type 
lineup, something Cap is going for 
lately. Acts, In order played, are 
KIkuta Japs, Al Trahan, Fontana 
and Coles, Georgle Price, and Cap 
Calloway's orchestra. A flve-acter, 
any way you look at it, playinc un- 
der picture-house auspices without 
benefit of such crass things the 
vaude theatre stands for, among 
them annunciators, olio drops, etc. 

It's an okay way of deciding to 
play vaudeville without making 
house a vaudeville theatre. It 
might seem strange to find that 
Trahan is No. 2 instead of next-to- 
closlng, which is meted out to 
Georgle Price, but chances are pic- 
ture house audiences won't know 
the difference and it all won't look 
as though Trahan is trying to es- 
tablish himself. Nor for Price will 
it mean he must be the big head- 
liner plenipotentiary plus through 
spotting given 1.1m. 

Trahan does well where he is. and 
Price well where he it. Each 
achieves what after, but Trahan 
does It with less apparent strain. 

Price, to begin with, is on too long 
and on Impersonations springs a 
new one. He does Chevalier, Can- 
tor, Jolson and finally Jimmy Du- 
rante, putting on a nose effect for 
latter. Nobodv would miss any of 
these Price Impersonations nor for 
that matter most of his gags, which 
fall to arouse more than a ripple. 
A hard little worker and selling a 
song number cleverly. Price is well 
liked. He did the Durante bit to 
cinch a hand Thursday night on an 
encore. It worked. 

A white dance team In the. Cab 

(Continued on page 62) 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



PICTURE S 



VARIETr 15 



RKO Receiver May Shortly Start 
To 1% Around Its Studio Mairs 



It seems fairly certain that under 
the present Paramount and RKO 
recelvershlpis, the whole atudlo pic- 
ture for both comi>anles win under- 
go a wide change. That's because 
the receivers In fact become the 
principal stockholder Interest in 
both companies and as such stock- 
holders' have their say-;SO in all subt 
Bid b\z, although hpt as receivers. 

This may. or may not mean the 
receivers will .move Into the studio 
angles. There is bound to be a 
repercussibn that will have but one 
direction, the downward revision of 
everytbtii^ -ieepe&ially • salaMes arid 
production ctists, it is skid. ■ ' , 

All this niiy tie something which 
Hbliywoodi urder its dally sun 
baths,. Jtniy be overlook'lng. The 
studios are abc^t to hear and listeti 
to a new, Wnd of talk, deflation chat- 
ter as -spokon- by receivers. 

It may 'be difBcult for certain stu- 
dios to grasp, receivership estates in 
esseh'ce ■■• tii*e • nothing but business 
dlctatonr^Hlpa. ' Where the shidio 
people fifiay,' ha v^ been tlbie to side- 
step pn '^liee«^W away from regular 
home '^^te 'administration, it maiy 
.prove . ;e»tremfily hazardous . to at- 
tempt: to flldestep a principal stock- 
holder -.when: he Is the company's 
receiver 's well. • 
.^-"Prfesetit indications are that the 
ftKO recefivers will begin ' rectifica- 
tion of their, ,st,udio problem^ ahead 
of iPar. iig "RKP. is expected to fin- 
ish with Jits theatre . problem^, much 
eooner,. ' .' .■ 



NO f>(tiFElffl|ENT UNDER 
PAR'S RECENT SUBSIDS 



Som'e ■; thought has been Ijield 
whetTiei^.tHat paramount .dlylded its 
activities 'ifito separate- subsids 
within four .months before the re- 
.cfelvership action, has any bearing 
-on thatr-case.'! It has been said such 
an act-tJf ^^transferring certain assfet-s 
t6 subsids 'bfef ore the four months 
nilght (?6n6tl'tnte ■ a preferment ^ri- 
der the bankruptcy laws- 
Creditor lawyers a.galn3t Pai' are 
"autHorijty that it' doesn't apply in 
the Parain9uA,t situation. . That'3 
because /the iPac:. receivership is es- 
sentially tlie protector of all the 
companies' subsids as such, and in 
a measm-e can supervise operations 
of all. i 
The. recfelyership estate of Par 
automatically supersedes the regu- 
lar company officers and thus aa- 
' sumes authority as principal stock- 
. holder in the' subsids. While as a 
receiver the recelversliip estate of 
Par cannot delve Into subsld op- 
erations, as the principal stock- 
holder, it holds a privilege to over- 
see operatiojis. 

That four months' . provision ap- 
plies only in federal actions. It 
does not apply in any case under 
the New York State laws. 

As for RKO, that firm has op- 
erated ..'1th separate subsids al- 
most since Its inception so that 
RKO can't bie affected one way or 
another' this Way. 



AD AGENCY AFFECTED 

Lord & Thomas' Art Dept. Closed 
Up Through Film Receiverships 



Lord & Thomas ad agency has let 
out Its entire art department as a 
result of the RKO and Paramount 
receiverships. Principally the Par 
, retrenchmetits affected the agency, 
as RKO hasi not been having any 
national ad V'ork Uirough L&T for 
several months. 

L&T Is said to be tied up quite 
a bit in the two receiverships, hav- 
ing handled considerable RKO and 
Par national advertising under Jack 
Pegler's supervision on behalf of the 
agency. 



Film Editors Forming: 
New . Academy Section 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Technical branch of the Academy, 
already divided Into two sections, 
will possibly be split three ways to 
accomod.itP' dim editor's. Committee 
of film editors meet tomorrow 
(Tuesday) to work out the section. 

Technicians branch will hold a 
meetl'iR Feb. 16, with members of 
other liranclies invited, to demon- 
■strate newest development In .«ound 
recording and dubbing. 



ELECTRICS WIN IN N.W. 



Patent Infringement Charge Against 
Minneapolis Concern 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

Western Electric Co., ERPI and 
associates' won their patent In- 
fringement suit In federal court 
against Ultraphonc, local sound 
equipment manufacturers. 

Judge G. H. Nordbye's final de- 
cree, ordered no accounting of 
profits made by the local firm on 
sales of its products. It reserved 
Jurisdiction . in oro(er to permit the 
piaIntifli..to apply for . an injunction 
In case the tJitraphor.e Co. falls to 
live up to the terms of a private 
agreement not made public. 

The agreement followed a counter 
action brought by the Ultraphone 
Co., charging Western Electric Co., 
etci, had. combined in restraint of 
trade contrary to the provisions of 
the anti-trust law and seeking $1,- 
00,0,000. damages. : This action also 
was settled out of court. 



Metro|H)Gtaii Studios 
File Bankroptcy List; 
Liabilities $252,354 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Listing $252,354' in Habllities and 
assets of $^33,643,. Metropolitan 
Sound Studios flied a .schedule in 
its banjcruptcy proceedings, and 
admitted that the two-thirds of a 
million in assets were practlcklly 
uncollectable. 

Among the accounts receivable, 
but listed as almost all bad debts, 
are: Christie Film Co. and Charles 
Christie, $248,200; James Cruze, 
Inc., $45,000; Harold Lloyd, Inc., 
$10,600; Auer Productions, $41,338; 
Triangle. Pictures, $12,164; Cliff 
Broughton, $35,500; Brown-Nagle, 
$19,000; J. B. Hehaberry Prods., 
$41,532; A! Rogell, $71,000, and Sono- 
art, $88,000. R^any. of the hun- 
dreds 6f accounts were Incurred by 
Indie . producers . who. have gon,e 
bankrupt. Largest' unsecured debt 
is a note given .'by J. E. Brulator 
for $28,927. 

Of the liabilities, $196 -is secured 
claims, $56,231 unsecured. ERPI Is 
chief creditor, having $144,500 In 
notes and Interest and $10,936 due 
In royalties. This is secured by va- 
rious assignments of property by 
the Christie Realty Corp. Another 
secured debt is $30,796 to Sound 
Pictures Finance Co., with another 
$35,000 returnable to Sound Pic- 
tures, on films still being distrib- 
uted. 



Wesco and Receiver 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

If and when Fox Wesco goes 
through the wringer depends on 
confabs to be held the current week 
in New York. The Wesco matter 
is one of the things stated to be 
sending Charles Skouras east. 

The Wesco outfit is a holding 
company and .if it should go into 
receivership, cannot affect Fox- 
West Coast, the theatre operating 
firm. 

Wesco is on several leases on 
theatres operated by Fox-West 
Coast. 



Five Films Will Be 

Made by KBS and Ed 

KBS as a producing unit will 
complete the five pictures It is com- 
mitted to make under a contract 
with Educational. When the five 
are delivered, it not meantime, a 
new contract will be written if KBS 
is to continue furnishing product to 
Educat on the same basis as now. 

Question of whether the trio of 
Burt Kelly, Sam Blschoff and Bill 
Saal will again head the producing 
unit, would also come up at that 
time. It is stated the five pictures 
remaining on this year's schedule 
will be made under the present 
KBS setup. 



Two Pics for Digges 

Hollywood. Feb. 6. 

Warners li.a.s given Dudley Digpes 
a two-picture contract. 

IMayer has been in half a dozen 
Warner Pii;ture3 in the past few 
months. 



'Smatter Iowa? 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Fox has discovered that 
corn-fed gals in the extra 
ranlcs are scarce. 

Searching for 16 amazons 
towering between 5-11 and 
6-6, for 'Warrior's Husband,' 
the studio located only three 
to fit. Others had to be re- 
cruited from the outside. 

From 'Variety's' Hollywood 
Bulletin, 



NOT LIKELY CMSY 
HOUSES WILL GO BACK 



Cincinnati, Feb. 6. 

Until the local court wrangle over 
RKO is straightened, asseta of the' 
RKO Midwest Corp. are apparently 
impounded, with the court dlsailow- 
Irig any monies being sent from 
RKO's Ohio spots concerned in this 
corporation, to New York. This 
move by the court looks like a com- 
promise action by also having . the 
ancillary receivership action brought 
locally for RKp, tenipprarily sus- 
pended until further notice. 

From all accounts, the Midwest 
Corp. is- solvent. RKO attorneys 
argued this before the court which, 
resulted. In the temporary lifting of. 
the receivership. RKO's original 
investment in Midwest was around 
$8,600,000, of which about $4,000,000 
has been paid. 

Elmer Rauh' and Ike Libson, for- 
iper owner, were, named ancillary 
receivers for Midwest, wihch oper- 
ates, houses in Cincy, Dayton and 
Columbus. Every effort is to be 
continued by RKO to lift the re- 
ceivership permanently. Rauh and 
'Libson were appointed by Judge 
Nevtn, at an ex parte hearing ih the 
local U. S. District Court on a pe- 
tition filed by Jack S'llbernian, of 
New Yqrk, holder of a $1,000 bond 
of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corp., 
on which interest payment was 
alleged overdue. Rauh is a former 
owner of the Strand,' Dayton, oper- 
ated by RKO. 



Protest Against U. A. Franchise 
With Puhhx Started by L V. Richards 



KICKS OUT CENSORSHIP 



Mass. Legislature Also Plants Kick 
at Reformers' Society 



A SWOPE LET-OUT 



Ahd 50 Others in Various H. 0. 
■■ bepts. 6f RKO in' N. Y. 



Jolin Swope, nephew of Gerard 
Swope, is among' those whose Jobs 
have been proscribed at RKO. 

Young Swope, whose uncle is the 
president of General Electric, was 
latterly employed in the film book- 
ing department of the RKO theatre 
end. Others dropped are stated to 
Include Jack Kelly, shorts booker; 
Jolin Pollock, in the publicity di- 
vision, and W, Fisher. 

These . are besides minor clerks. 
Altogether maybe around 50 Jobs in 
the home office have been cut out 
In the latest economy swing of the 
circuit. 



Bostoq, Feb. 6. 
Censorship got a kick Friday on 
Beacon Hill. State House of Rep- 
resentatives Jolted the Watch & 
Ward Society, which recently 
achieved .notoriety by closing up 
thie Old Howard, by a solar plexus 
to the bill the society advocated 
immediately- after shutting that 
theatre. . 

It was known as Watch & Ward 
padlock bill. Provided that any 
buildihg. or part thereof in which 
any indecerit show or exhibition or 
any e'htertainraent suggestive of 
Immorality or impurityi tending to 
break moral code and corrupt 
morals of youth, shall be deemed 
a nuisance and shall be padlocked. 

House, without any talk, pro or 
con, killed the bill. 
' Theatre' men at committee hear- 
ings had argued that present stat- 
ute'd are '. stringent enough and 
amply, cover the matter of any in- 
decent shows. 



Distribs Pay $70,000 
For $18^000 M of 
Chicago Censorship 



Chicago,.. Feb. .6. 
Henry Herbel of Universal, who 
recently succeeded Felix Mendel- 
sohn of M-G-M as chairman of the 
local film board, has- filed a pe- 
tition on behalf of the distributors 
with the Finance Council, of Mayor 

CermaH- . 
. It is . pointed out that Flln^ R<>w 
is paying, approximately $70,000 In 
annual fees to the Censor Board 
and tliat the operating expenses. 
Including salaries, of this board, 
are' around $1'8,000 per year./ ■ ' 
. X>lsf ribs' 'thli^k they sho\ild. not 
pay this 'dif?,erence aa the cei^sdr 
board .is- not a profit-seeking, hu-' 
reau. Unfair and unlawful -.tax- 
ation Is film row's Interpretation of 
the censor board's expensive in- 
spection fees. ' 



Women 'S Secret Spci% 



Hollywood, Fieb. 6. 
Local branch of 100% Americans, 
a secret National Woman's organ- 
ization, formed here last week. 
. Trying ' to get petitions sighed 
locally for national motion picture 
censorslilp. 



Finding Out What Fduis, Alone, Draw 
By H^her Scale Than for Stage Shows 



New Haven, Feb. 6. 

Making films stand on their ov.n 
the Poll circuit currently Is malting 
a marked switch In b.o. prices for 
a number of Its houses. Straight 
film spots are to be scaled at n 
higher level than the vaude houses. 
Four towns are concerned, Bridge- 
port, Worcester, Hartford and 
Springfield. 

Change comes after considerable 
consideration which aims to nullify 
the attempts of the film distrlbs 
to collect from patronage drawn in 
solely by the stage show and al.eo 
with a view to determining both for 
the distrlbs as well as for the thea- 
tre operators how much a film Is 
actually worth as against stage 
shows. 

Vaude-fllm houses In the four 
keys are to come down to a 35-cent 
top for evenings, and 25c matinees. 
Children 10c. any time. Picture 
houses are scaled at a 50c top, with 
35c matinees and 15c for kids. 

Direct cause for the Poll move 
comes through Harry Arthur as op- 
erator of that circuit, due to de- 
mands from certain dlstrib.s thiit 
cilled for unwieldly percentages foi- 
films In the vaude-film hou.«es. No 
allowances v/ere made pllher for 
the cost of the stage show or its 
drawing j)ower by such distrlbs. 

The roll idea Is that If the enr- 
rent- film iirridiiot is the draw Iciml 
it can stand on its own. 



State-Lake Pays Daily 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

State-Lake theatre is paying rent 
daily. This arrangement followed 
the visit of the sheriff acting on de- 
fault judgment for $30,000 obtained 
by the landlord. 

State-Lake, a separate corpor- 
ation, still owes the $30,000 but 
meanwhile there is no further piling 
up the unpaid landlord fees. House 
under recent averages has been 
grossing $5,000-$6.000 weekly. 



Receiver Now Named for 
Talking Pictures Epics 

Having been petitioned into 
bankruptcy early In January, the 
Irving Trust Co. has Just been ap- 
pointed receiver for Talking Pic- 
tures Kplcs, Inc.. H West 42d 
street. New York; Frank R. Wilson, 
president. Consolidated Film Labs 
with a Judgment for $5,429 on Xov. 
4 last, along with Ufa Films (fSer- 
man), on an $80 claim, and Albert 
IC. Goodman, Inc., with $1,081 claim, 
were the petitioning creditors. O. 
\V. Klirhorn is the referee. 

T.P. ISplcs lias since bf-en nb- 
srirbed by I'rincipal rirtiiifs. of 
which .Sol I.csser is prez and VS'il- 
bon a v.p. 



In consequence of the receiver- 
ships over Paramount-Publix and 
several theatre subsidiaries, ex- 
pectation is that demands will be 
made upon United Artists to re- 
write a deal in substitution of the 
long-term film franchise now ex- 
istent. E. 'V. Richards, receiver 
over the Saenger group, has made 
the first attack upon that fmnchise. 
He has ordered it out and is asking 
for a new deal. 

UA is said to have anticipated 
difficulties over its franchise as a 
result of the receiverships. If 
thrown out entirely, UA may take 
the position that it will listen to a 
substitute franchise or yearly deal, 
but doesn't have to accept it. 

The UA franchise with Publix 
isn't up until. 1937. It was written 
for 10 years and negotiated with 
Publtx at the time William Saal was 
In charge of film buying. 

Compjicated 

MathematlcallVr the franchise is 
one o£ the most complicated ever 
written. It is based on the point 
system, with each situation covered 
under the deal' hteiVlng its own pro- 
portionate sriare of the negative 
cost. Rental is. determined by mul- 
tiplication of. number of points ac- 
cording to situation as against neg 
cost, whether $200^000 or $1,000,000. 

•While In the good times (1927) 
when written, the franchise operated 
successfully for Publix, UA money 
stars then ihcliidlng Doug Fairbanks, 
Mary PickfQrd. and others now not 
big box office;, in the poor times its 
rental demands have been entirely 
out of line with receipts. 

The franchise covers slightly over 
100 Publix situations, including most 
all of that circuit's Important towns. 
Under It, no .'ight is extended to 
UA to C.p.D. Publish .theatres called 
fon . ...... • . . • 

UA has-been very careful in 
five years the franchise has been 
In existence to not violate any of its 
terms or'Tequlromenta. 



COAST SCWJTS SCHOOL 
DRAMillli^lOR TALENT 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
' Search for ne"w screen taces has 
all major stuSio casting directors 
arid a nuriibfer bt a'g'ent&-cja.tchlng'all 
the high sdliool, dramatic perform- 
ances in Southern .California. 

Recently, the' Covlna: High School 
gave a performance of • one-act 
plays. Three major studio casters 
and 11 agents were in the audience 
the first night ;tp look at a boy who 
had been touted as a screen bet. 
Kid had nothing to offer. 

In Santa Barbara Several other 
scouts spotted a girl with screen 
possibilities. After the performance 
Ihey tried to Interest the girl and 
her parents in a screen career. 
Father would have none of it, say- 
ing his girl was cut out for house 
work. He ordered the picture boys 
to lay off. 



ERPI IN PAR'S L I. STUDIO 



New Terms With $60,000 Yearly 
Minimum Guaranteed 



Paramount studio at Astoria, L. 
I., dark for over a year, reopens 
Feb. 15 with ERPI as the new 
lessee. Deal is on a daily rental 
basis, for two years, with Erpi 
guaranteeing Paramount minimum 
rent of $5,000 a month. ERPI does 
not agree to make continuous daily 
use of the studio. 

Originally the proposition in- 
volved the $680,000 which Para- 
mount owed Erpi for equipment 
royalties. New terms were neces- 
sitated by the Par receivership. 

The Rowland-Brlce columnist 
shorts, Univer.sal-released, in pro- 
duction at Erpl's uptown Eastern 
Service studio in the Bronx, will 
be transferred to Astoria, with a 
Walter Winchell two-reeler the first 
to go in work there. Same firm's 
'Undlo City' feature with Morton 
Downe.v. which Educational will re- 
i lease, is also set for the Astoria 
plant. 

Erpi cf;nferred yesterday (Mon- 
day), on a proposal to make a 
talker of the Peugy Fears' current 
stnge oiierctta, 'Music In the Air.' 
Hron\ studio will be maintained 
j l':rpi for indu'slrial and com- 
I merclal (ilnia. 



16 



VARIETY 



PICT 



ES 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



Hays Office Finances Cut 50% 
But Members Paid in Full to Date; 
Exhib Bodies Quandary on Funds 



Trade associations in fllmdom are 
being forced to curtail expenses as 
the result of the industry's reduced 
Income. Hays Office. Motion Pic- 
ture Theatre Owners of America 
and Theatre Owners Chamber of 
Commerce, as well as certain of the 
Allied state unita, are entering their 
leanest year. 

There Is a i>osslbllity that support 
of some of the exhibitor aggrega 
tions will be eliminated entirely and 
the same will be left to scr.amble 
for strictly independent fimds. 

Income of the Hays Organization 
has been cut almost 50% to date. 
This is always more or less in a 
state of fluctuation since it is de- 
pendent upon returns to producers 
and distributors. Elach member 
pays 1/10 cf 1% of its own gross. 
This total gross represents about 
10% of the country's box office in- 
come. 

No member company, according 
to tabulations up to the last few 
weeks, has been in an'ears In its 
dues to Hays, it Is declared. 

Receiverships will not cut di- 
rectly into the Hays fund. It is be- 
lieved in informed quarters. What- 
ever further diminlshlns^the Hays 
bankroll experiences will be due to 
Industry conditions, and nothing 
else, it is claimed. 

Trimming 

Haysitea expect a trimming of 
the organization according to the 
times; that one or two departments 
may be dropped or skeletonized. 

Exhibitor organizations are suf- 
fering more from decentralization 
of circuits than they are from the 
depression. This is revealed In the 
fact that circuits have always been 
the mialnBtay of most of the ex- 
hibitor bodies. Budgets for 1933 
expenses of certain of the groups 
have not yet been made. There is 
a feeling the major Industry will 
not let what It' considers meritori- 
ous organizations go by the way- 
side. If for no other reason than 
the one that a strong theatre owner 
body is the best combatant against 
adverse legislation. 



U Given $11,000 Award 
In Suit Against Davidge 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Judgment of $11,000 was awarded 
Universal Pictures Corp. by Su- 
perior Court Judge Trabucco, in its 
suit against the Roy Davidge Lab- 
oratory, Principal Pictures Corp., 
Sol Lesser and Mike Rosenberg, as 
royalties due for assertedly unau- 
thorized use of the Hunter- Pierce 
developing process, on which U has 
a patent. 

Lesser and Rosenberg were named 
in the suit, through their holding a 
financial interest in the Davidge lab 
when the Hunter-Pierce process 
was assertedly installed. They have 
since withdrawn their Interest. 



rm6 PAPQtS REJECT 
'EMPLOYEES' AO COPY 



Par After 'Skqipy' 2d 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Paramount Is planning another 
'Skippy' feature, and has asked 
contract writers to submit Ideas. 
Studio Is negotiating with Joe Man- 
klewicz to write the story. 

Mankiewicz walked off the lot 
two months ago when accused of 
lifting Ideas from the Marx Brothers 
picture for the Wheeler and Wool- 
sey story at Radio, where he bad 
gone on loan from Par. He was 
given a clean bill, however, after 
Par heads had read his WW story. 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 
All three Pittsburgh dailies, 'Post- 
Gazette,' TPress' and 'Sun-Tele - 
grjiph,' turned down . advertising 
copy submitted last week by War- 
ners for "Employees' Entrance.' It 
was the same display stuff dallies 
In other cities had refused for the 
same picture. 

Liocal newspapers complained 
that the copy was too lascivious 
and asked WB ad men to tone It 
down. Latter refused to make any 
alterations and cut Warner the- 
atre's usual opening splurge to one 
Inch In each of the three papers. 

Exploitation on 'Employees' En- 
trance' is said to have incurred 
plenty of wrath on part of local de- 
partment stores. Latter objected 
principally to the sexy, sensational 
heralds distributed at various em- 
ployees' entrances of the stores dur- 
ing the week. 



OWES $35,00O-ASSETS, 0 

Cora C. Wiikenning Taking Bank- 
ruptcy Bath — Former Agent 



Cora C. Wiikenning, former film 
agent, who figured most prom- 
inently in a sizeable commlsh claim 
against Mary Plckford and her 
mother some years ago, has taken 
the bankruptcy route through her 
attorney, Arthur S. Friend. 

Miss Wilklnning's $34,974 In li- 
abilities are chiefly on leases, mer- 
chandise, bills, etc. Assets are $100 
worth of clothing, claimed exempt. 
Her address is given at 65 West 
45 th street. New Tork. 




Studio Placements 



Unemployment Committee 



A.M.P.A. has formed an unem- 
ployment committee with the idea jf 
giving its members first in on pos- 
sible picture company, or other 
berths. Members will tip off the 
committee on openings, with the 
committee then starting negotia- 
tions for its members. 

Monroe Greenthal, of United 
Artists, Is chairman of the com- 
mittee. 



Florence Eldridge, Kent Taylor, 
Oticar Apfel, Harlan Knight, Clar- 
ence Sherwood, Henry Hall, Grady 
Sutton, Paul Shoreham, 'Story of 
Temple Drake,' Par. 

George Barbier, Patricia Farley, 
Kathleen Burke, John Lodge, Ed- 
ward Brady, "Under the Tonto Rim,' 
Par. 

Helen Freeman, 'Bedtime Story, 
Par. 

Mai-y Brian, 'Public Be Damned,' 
Majestic. 

Lee Kohlmnr, 'Strange Bedfel- 
lows," Charles Rogers. 

Emerson Treacy, 'In the Bag." 
Sf nnett. 

Morpran Wallace, 'Dead Reckon- 
Iner,' Par. 

. Charles Grapewln, 'Pilgrimage,' 
I Fox. 

' Murray Kinnell. '\'oUaire,' WB. 
Maurice Black, Purnell Pratt, Lil- 
lian Harmer, 'Scream in the Dark,' 
Allied. 

Veree Teasdale, Barry Trlvers, 
•Dead Reckoninp,' I'ar. 

Betty Lorraine, "Bedtime StoJ-y,' 
Par. 

George Meeker, 'Pick Up,' Par. 
Henry Stephenson, Declasse,' 
Radio. 

Eddie Kan?. 'Lov.-ible Liar,' Col. 

f'laiKlla Coleman, Lionel Belmore, 
'AVarriro's Husband," Fox. 

Anna Mav Wong, 'A Study in 
Scarlet,' KBS. 

Robin Adair. Tom Whitely, George 
Berlolat, Sam Apfel, Hedda Hopper, 
'Man on the Nile," Metro. 

Mlscha Auer, 'Clear All Wires,' 
Metro. 



'Man Alone' with 2 Stars 

Hollywood, Feb. «. 

Metro has purchased 'A Man 
Stands Alone' story by J. D. New- 
son, to star Wallace Beery and Rob- 
ert Montgomery. 

Rowland Brown, who will direct. 
Is also doing adaptation with Dell 
Andrews. 

John W. Considlne, Jr., to pro- 
duce. 



P-P Contracts 
During R ship 



All contracts In Paramount Pub- 
lix or subsidiaries affected by its re- 
ceivership may become void. They 
can be repudiated by the receivers 
for the duration of the receivership 
and. It Is anticipated in P-P quar- 
ters, will quickly call for the re- 
writing at an early date of ..11 film 
deals. 

Paramount Itself will be forced to 
set up new deals at 'receivership 
terms' in Puhlix houses its film is, 
played, along with Warners, Metro, 
Radio, Universal and other distribu- 
tors with Publlx as a customer. 

It is stated by P-P that readjusted 
contracts and new deals will prob- 
ably be started without delay. Un- 
til new terms and conditions are 
agreed upon with the distributors, 
Publlx theatres, under yoke of re- 
ceivership, will be continuing to pay 
according to contracts written last 
summer or before. 

The burden, by virtue of receiver- 
ships. Is Increased since they be- 
came effective due to C.O.D.'ing on 
film shipments and general restric- 
tion of credit. For the theatres the 
most Important and urgent relief, 
aside from rent readjustments with 
landlords. Is stressed as being on 
film. 

With credit cut all around and out 
entirely with some distribs, the the- 
atres are In a bad position. Under 
percentage engagements in a lot of 
spots, distribs are taking their share 
out daily, a right that is permitted 
them under the percentage plan. If 
desiring. This means that in the 
case of low grosses, distrib is get- 
ting his first, which after payoff cf 
staff and advertising may be leaving 
the landlord in the cold. 



Bway Houses So Far Unable to Stand 
Off Curiosity (?) Rush to Radio City 



New Royer Group Starts; 
Taking Spanish Pic East 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Starter in a group of six to eight 
features Fanchon Royer will do for 
George Weeks' Mayfalr program, 
goes in work today (Mon.). Picture 
Is 'Tiger Girl', with Helen Chandler 
and Leon Waycoff in the leads, and 
Breezy Eason directing. 

She made six features for Weeks 
on a previous contract this year. 

Miss Royer Is leaving for New 
York, Maixh 1 with a print of 'La 
Republica no Peligra,' Spanish talk- 
er which she made Independently. 
Picture used story outline and aete 
of 'Revenge at Monte Carlo.' made 
by Miss Royer for Mayfalr. 



Stewart in Agency 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Stuart Stewart, casting head at 
Warners' Brooklyn studio until 
shorts production halted there last 
month, has connected with the Ed- 
rington & Vincent agency here. 

Stewart is a brother of Rosalie 
Stewart of Radio Pictures. He was 
formerly an RKO vaude agent. 



F-WG F. A. Staff Shrinks 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Dropping of stage shows at Loew's 
State last week, for a grind first- 
run policy, has Pat Patterson han- 
dling the advertising-publicity out 
of Bob Collier's office, dropped from 
the F-WC payroll. 

Circuit's local publicity dept. now 
reduced to four men. Including one 
artist. 



Bard in Bankmptcy Denial 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Denial was entered by Louis L. 
Bard, theatre operator. In the invol- 
untary petition in bankruptcy filed 
against him by M. I. Hill, a creditor. 

Hill asserted In his petition that 
Bard had transferred ?4,000 to Eu- 
nice Bard, his wife, in an effort to 
conceal assets. 



Borrowings 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Paramount Is trying to borrow 
James Cagney from Warners for 
'Police Surgeon,' which goes Into 
production March 20. 

Meantime Metro has borrowed 
Spencer Tracy from Fox for a po- 
lice surgeon story, untitled, going 
into production March 25. 



Fox BnlHsh on Writers 
With 20 Yarns Readying 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Fox, which for the past several 
years has kept Its writing staff 
down to from 14 to 20 writers, has 
suddenly gone bullish and now has 

38 on the payroll. 

Studio has some 20 stories In the 
various stages of adaptation, with 
most of the writers on assign- 
ments for production Immediately 
following the delivery of final 
scripts. 

Winnie Sheehan, now In New 
Tork, is expected to close for half- 
a-dozen new yarns which will be 
sent on to the studio for treat- 
ments. 



Placements Jump 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Jump of 1,101 in extra place- 
ments recorded last week over the 
one previous. New total is 6,904, 
and better than usual for this time 
of the year. 

Warner's 'Elmer the Great' con- 
tributed to the total by using 1,400 
extras In five days for bleacher 
background. 



Indie Second at the Post 
With Buy American Pic 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Another or second feature based 
on the 'buy American' idea is being 
prepared by Kenneth Goldsmith, in- 
dependent producer. J. I. Schnitz^r 
previously announced a film built 
around the slogan. 

Gold.smIth's story Is to be called 
'Bargain Day.' 

Yarn is being tailored for Betty 
Compson. It st.irts next week. 



Skouras Theatres, East, May Go 
Through Reorganization Move 

Charles Skouras is expected cur-by Harry AiilMir, then general man- 



rently '.n New Tork for a conclave 
with his brothers, Spyros and 
George. Among the matters which 
the trio will discuss is the con- 
templated reorganization plan for 
Fox theatres by banker Interests. 
Skouras' upstate New Tork houses 
and known as Skouras Theatres are 
part of the Fox theatre setup. They 
were taken over by Skouras before 
the Fox theatre outfit went into re- 
ceivership. George Skouras is vice- 
president In charge for the New 
York operation, for the brothers. 

There was an original clause in 
the Fox theatre leases which privi- 
leged former owners to take hack 
certain of those leases if Fox thea- 
tres landed In receivership. This 
particular point is being mode p.irt 
of the reorganization plan In some 
way and which has been the f.actual 
oloment which permitted PI Fabian 
to step into the Fox theatre picture. 
Fal>ian to all intents represents cer- 
tain banker interests. 

The deal which gave Skoinas the 
upstate theatres was m.ide under 
the decentralization plan initiated 



ager of Fox theatres. Skouras was 
able to stand unaffected by the re- 
ceivership because the deal which 
Arthur made for him called for op- 
eration of the Fox upstat-> theatres 
on an ownerehip basis by Skouras. 

It Is said the reorganization plan 
is set and ready to be presented 
before the Skouras brothers. In- 
side leanlnss are to the effect that 
no basic change In the setup may 
occur, as the Skouras Theatres have 
shown a profit and from all ac- 
counts have more than fulfilled the 
Intake expected of them under the 
conditions. 

Among new conditions which arc 
attendant on the reorganization arc 
that Skouras make some wide sal- 
ary and otlier reat'ijuslments. 

Also affected in the rcorganlzn- 
linn jilan may bo tlio piv.scnt Rand- 
force circuit in l^rooUlyn, comTU-Is- 
\ri^ former Fox theatres in that cir- 
cuit which were dcconlrnlized b.v 
Arthur and sold to Sam Hinzler 
and lliirry l-'ii.sch on the same kind 
of ownership-operator basis. 

W. W. Atkinson and John Sher- 
man are receivers for Fox Theatres 



Radio City's shai-e of Broadway 
picture house patronage, which Is 
held accountable for a drop of 26 
to 60% In the grosses of Broadway 
straight fllmers and deluxers dur^ 
ing the past three wekes. has about 
another month to go. In the opinion 

of the more optimistic big street 
managers, dependent of course on 
Its pictures. Then the public will 
flock back to Broadway for pictures 
and shows — they hope — If those pic- 
tures and sh^ws on Broadway are 
better than those at Radio City. 

Paramount and Capitol theatres* 
disastrous grosses last week might 
have been attributable to weak pro« 
grams at both houses; the R. C. 
drag had shown Itself before. Most 
significant drop and the one pointed 
out has been that taken in the past 
few weeks by Loew's State at 
B'way and 46th, vaude-dlms at 60o 
top. 

The State, in propei'ty value, as« 
sessed higher than any theatre In 
the country, has been always the 
Loew circuit's niost dependable 
money-maker. Opening of the indie 
Hippodrome on 6th avenue with a 
26o combination grind show a 
couple of months ago was felt some- 
what by the State and .previously 
when RKO operated the Hip with.8 
acts, but the big dent was made by 
Radio Olty. 

Affected as well as the others by 
the Radio City patronage magnet 
have been the Palace, Mayfalr, 
Rlvoli and Rialto theatres. Latter 
Is now dark. 

$150,000 a Week 

Thus far neither Radio City house 
has offered smash entertainment on 
screen or stage, with the theatres 
themselves as sightseeing curi- 
osities the obvious attraction. This 
encourages the temporarily fading 
Broadwayites more than anything 
else, since they figure that when the 
RC theatres have been seen and It 
becomes a question of competing hi 
entertainment only, that they'll re- 
gain most of the $150,000 a week 
now going to the two Radio City 
houses. 

What the Capitol and Paramount 
have not realized until now Is that 
nothing in th4< way of a headline 
name that they've booked for their 
stages has been able to compete as 
a draw with the R. C. theatres 
themselves. The rush for some- 
thing to hold the business on Broad- 
way and away from 6th avenue In 
recent weeks panicked them into 
buying pome heavy money names 
that didn't draw their salaries. Nor 
did the entertainment value of the 
B'way stage bills appear to hold 
draw power. 



Mack Sues U for Salary 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Because Universal refused to pay 
him the salary remaining on his 
contract, Russell Mack has filed 
suit. Claim is for |B,300 for 3% 
weeks' salary at $1,600 weekly on 
a 40-week contract. 

>I.ick contracted pneumonia on 
the last day of the production of 
'Private Jones' and was still in the 
hospital when the contract lapsed. 
It is his claim that U should have 
paid him the salary since he would 
not have worked that period had 
he been in health. 



Blumberg Back West 

Nate Blumberg left for Chicago 
Sunday (5) to supervise operation 
of the Orpheum houses. He will 
continue until further notice as op- 
erator of those western houses for 
RKO, under the receivership until 
reorganization winds up the situa- 
tion. 

Blumberg has spent the past 
week in New York conferring with 
home office execs, receivers and 
bankers. 



Same Cast for 'Berkley' 

Hollywood, Fub. 6. 
Fox win use the same lineup for 
'I?erkley Square' as he used for 
'Cavalcade.' Reginald Berkley and 
Ponia Lev ion arc on the script with 
George Iladdon putting in the 
dialog. 

Production Is due to start around 
April 3. Meanwhile Frank Lloyd, 
slated to direct, is taking a vaca- 
tion in Mexico. 



•TAURT'S' LOMDOW OTFIOK 
• St. Martin'* FIaoe» Trafslcor SquSN 



FOREIGN FILM NEWS 



Cabl« Address: VABIETT. LONDON 
Telephone: Temple Bar SOlt-SMS 



17 



36 of Pars Foreign Tkeatres and 
Nearly AD to Profitable Trade 



Paris, Feb. 

J, H. Seldelman, Paramount's 
foreign chief, sailed for New Torlt 
Saturday (4), on orders from the 
h.o. without having completed any 
of the theatre deals he came over 
to make. Before sailing he rushed 
over to London, on request of Ralph 
Kohn, Par treasurer, to put off 
proposed building of a new Para- 
mount theatre In Liverpool for 
Bome time. 

Paramount now still owns 36 the- 
atres spread about the world, 26 in 
Europe. In Britain Par's theatres 
have been doing fairly well, losing 
money in only three of the 12. 
Seven of the eight French houses 
have also remained fairly con- 
sistently in the black, though the 
Paramount in Toulouse has been a 
Bteady loser. 

Most anxiety has been caused by 
the two Paramount theatres In 
Brazil, with C. C. Margon recently 
making a special trip down there 
attempting to lose the houses, but 
unsuccessfully. 

Complete Par foreign theatre 
chain is: 

Australia — Capitol Theatre, Mel- 
bourne. 

Belgium — Coliseum, Brussels. 

Brazil — Imperlo, Rio de Janeiro; 
Paramount, Sao Paolo. 

Cuba — ^Fausto, Havana. 

Denmark — Kinopalast, Copen- 
hagen. 

Franca — ^Francals, Lille; Familla, 
Bordeaux; Odeon, Marseilles; Paris 
Palace, Nice; Paramount, Paris; 
Opera, Rheims; 3roglie Palace, 
Gtrassburg; Paramount, Toulouse. 

England — Futurist, Birmlng- 
ham; Paramount, Leeds; Para- 
mount, Manchester; Paramount, 
Kew Castle; Carlton, Plaza, As- 
toria Brixton, Astoria Old Kent 
!Road, Astoria Finsbury Park and 
Astoria Streatham, London. 

Ireland — Capitol, Dublin. 

Jamaica — Gaiety and Palace, 
Kingston; Movies, St. Andrews. 

Japan — Denkl Kan and Hogaku 
Ka, Japan. 

Mexico — OUmpia, Mexico City. 

Spain — Coliseum, Barcelona. 

Sweden — Drott and Palladium, 
Ifalmo; China, Stockholnu 

Wales — Capitol, Cardiff. 



Hmnmel Meeting Morris 



J, Hummel of the Warner foreign 
department leaves tomorrow (8) for 
Paris to join the Sam Morris, WB 
foreign chief. They'll both be there 
a couple of months or so looking 
over conditions and will decide on 
Warners' disposition of the foreign 
production thing. 

There's a possibility Hummel will 
remain there to start production 
when Morris returns. 

Warners is the last of the Ameri- 
can majors to make up Its mind 
about Europe. Some doubt still as 
>to whether the company will pro- 
duce in Germany and France or for- 
get the German market for the time. 



CANADIAN WHEAT AREA 
THEATRES WORST HURT 



Going Places 



(Continued from page 11) 

Dramatic contrast. Therefore Miss 
Dunne's eys shine in the beginning 
with such tremulous expectancy, 
euch innocence, such sweet dewy 
zest for life that nobody could doubt 
her goodness. And that's just why 
Lionel Atwill's such a vicious villain 
in the picture; he dares to question 
her Integrity. 

The audience knows better, for 
they saw her get on the boat that 
was to carry her theatrical troupe 
to England. The other girls stumble 
up the gangplank in fancy clothes 
hiccoughing along the way. Tes, the 
pretties have been drinking. 

Now Miss Dunne comes abroad. 
She walks up straight, she's wear- 
ing discreet black taffeta with a de- 
cent white jabot at her throat. Fui;- 
thermore she's an orphan. Shyly she 
confesses It as wistfully she watch- 
es the other girls wave goodby to 
their loved ones. She is all alone in 
the world, but brave. 

When, after a perfectly proper 
series of encounters with a dashing 
young blade, she accepts his invita- 
tion to supper in a glided cafe, she 
orders a plain ham sandwich. Sub- 
sequently in their tender moments 
he likes to call her a dear little ham 
sandwich. 

Miss Dunne, so that there can be 
no mlsapprenhenslon whatever, re- 
fuses an apartment, goes home alone, 
slaps the young man's face. But as 
always, her kindness Is her own un 
doing. She marries the lad. To her 
surprise, there's a child. 

Soon Miss Dunne has to change 
her flatteringly stylized period dress 
es for the tawdry costumes of a 
ribald songstress In a Paris dive. 
Tet even here her honor Is unassall 
able. Now she's going down and 
down, but only in the eyes of the 
world and by the help of expertly 
devised make-up. She ages well; she 
achiev es the transition in convincing 
gradations. Madame Blanche Is her 
great opportunity; she rises to It 
with nU lipr thorouglily experienced 
aplendl'lnoss. 



Ottawa, Feb. 6. 
A statistical survey of the thea- 
tre situation in Canada has brought 
out some rather encouraging data. 
Out of 824 theatres across Canada, 
111 houses are closed temporarily or 
otherwise, 69 of the dark theatres 
being in the Middle West Provinces 
of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Al- 
berta. 

The report shows only 6 theatres 
are closed out of 273 theatres in the 
Province of Ontario; 16 closed out 
of 128 in Quebec; 8 out of 82 in New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia; 12 out 
ot 77 in British Columbia, and (19 
dark out of 240 in Mainitoba, Sas- 
katchewan and Alberta, where the 
wheat comes from. All of these are 
wired theatres. 



AU-Austrian Film Set 

Vienna, Jan. 23. 

Mondial will start shooting a pic- 
ture of Prince Eugen of Savoia, 
17th century Austrian national hero, 
at the Sascha Studios shortly. 

Prince Eugen's feats on the bat- 
tlefields, giving the last blow to 
Turkish power in Central Europe, 
will form backbone of the picture. 
Austrian scenery and architecture 
In Vienna and country towns lend 
themselves to background of just 
that period. 



'Brown' for Broadway 

Tes, Mr. Brown,' newest Jack 
Buchanan British & Dominion film, 
will be given a Broadway showing 
in about six weeks, with full dis- 
tribution in the U. S. 

B. A. distributes all B. & D. Alms 
throughout the world, but doesn't 
have to show them in America, ex- 
cept as willed. 



Native-Foreip 
1-Nite Hookup 
Proves Tonic 



Columbus, Feb. 6. 
German films once each week, 
shown Thursday nights, are bring- 
ing new theatregoers to the RKO 
Palace here. Idea was initiated 
three weeks ago by Mgr. Kahn and 
has proved a tonic to last day show- 
ings. 

Actual flguies say that over 1,000 
Germans turn out each week es- 
pecially 10 see these films, and 
they're not regulars at the Palace. 

Censor fee Is the only drawback 
but with other state bookings being 
made, the sting is taken out of this. 



UFA.MAY TRY AGAIN 
WITH N. Y. OmCES 



Australian Deadlock on '33 Product 
Bankers Force GFs Costly Holdout. 
Fullers Steal March by Signing 



Sydney, Jan. 14. 

War's on seriously between the 
American film distributors and the 
Australian exhibitors. Can't get to- 
gether on money, with the result 
that practically nobody has signed 
contracts for the new season's prod- 
uct as yet. 

Australian theatre owners are 
standing up pretty solidly against 
American rental demands and mak- 
ing an Issue, also, of the block 
booking thing. They Insist they 
want the right to pick their pic- 
tures. 

Thus far only product signed for 
tile country Is Fox and Metro. Fox 
goes over to the combined circuit 
thing as a matter of course. 

The dailies are now publishing 
stories concerning the 'war' that 
were known to the trade weeks ego. 
Great pity local newspapers playing 
up the battle because It naturally 
places the American distribs in an 



SARDI QUITS FILMS TO 
BE AT CHICAGO FAIR 



Leo Brecher has informed Ufa 
that he will not pick up his option 
on next year's Ufa product for the 
United States. His current Ufa 
contract runs to May 1, having been 
in force a year. 

Ufa will reopen ofSces on Broad- 
way with distribution in mind, al- 
though a deal with someone else 
will be acceptable to them, they 
Indicate. 



HEX. FHHER besumes 

/ Mexico city, Feb. 3. 

Xlantecatl Cine Co., native pro- 
ducer, announces it has been com- 
pletely reorganized and has re- 
sumed work at its studio in Toluca, 
west of here, on 'Vamonos a la 
Feria' (O^t's Go to the Fair'). 

Company is backed by a group of 
Mexican capitalists headed by Ro- 
berto Rojas de la Torre. J. R. 
Baires is the company manager. 



Shorts for Spanish Field 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Financed by loc^l Mexican capital, 
Frank Z. Ciemente has organized 
Latin American Pictures to produce 
a series of three-reel shorts for the 
Spanish market. 

Pictures win be dialog originals, 
which Rene Borgia is writing the 
stories and dialog, with Carlos Bor- 
cosque set to direct. 



VLeQging Spanish Version 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Deslder Josef Vecsel, Hungarian 
director, will pilot the Spanish 'Face 
In the Sky' at Fox. 

Raul Roullen is starred. 



Reading House For Foreigns 

Reading, Pa., Feb. 6. 

San Toy theatre here, part of 
Warner- Stanley group, closed for 
several months. Is to reopen middle 
of February on private rental. 

It win show Italian and other 
foreign pictures, changing each 
week. 



Abel Lands at Par 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Walter Abel, now in 'When Ladles 
Meet,' on Broadway, comes here 
May 1 under contract to Paramount 
for two pictures. 

Under the agreement. Paramount 
must be through with him by Sept. 
30, to allow him to return to the 
stage for the Fall season. 



German Artists' Reps 
Shoni of Authority 



Berlin, Jan. 26. 

The Office of Labor has issued 
new regulations with regard to so- 
called 'managers' for actors of stage 
and film. 

In future a manager can only 
work for one artist, and this on 
fixed salary. He is considered as 
employe of the artist, a sort of sec- 
retary. He is no longer allowed to 
sign employment contracts with 
various artists. 

It is high time the strange posi- 
tion of 'managers' was cleared by 
official regulations. Managers were 
working In Germany as employment 
agents, without, however, being of- 
ficially considered as such. At pres- 
ent private employment agelnts are 
not yet allowed, but concessions 
will shortly be Issued. 

All suits pending against artists 
by so-called managers will from 
now on have no standing. 



Rome, Jan. 29. 

President Sardl, of Luce Films, 
has resigned In order to represent 
the Italian Government at the Chi- 
cago State Fair. His board of direc- 
tors resigned with him, as a ges- 
ture, Luce being the official Italian 
government film producing and dis- 
tributing company. 

Ezlo Maria Gray has been ap- 
pointed as temporary head of Luce 
In Sardl's place, with an entire new 
organization for the company prob- 
able. 



'Cynara' at London's Plaza 



London, Jan, 29. 

United Artists has completed a 
deal with Paramount for the West 
End showing of 'Cynara' at the 
Plaza. Picture goes into the house 
oi. a guarantee of a minimum four- 
week run. 

Par's other London house, Carl- 
ton, has gone ^hree-a-day for 'Sign 
of the Cross,' meaning that no Par 
pictures will be shown in the West 
End for some weeks. 



Gonld on Visit 

Walter Gould, United Artists' 
manager in Central and South 
America, is in New York to look 
over current product. 

He'll remain in New York about 
10 days. 



Dowling on Coast 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Ambrose Dowling, foreign sales 
head for Radio Pictures, will re- 
main here for another fortnight. 

Delay is due to his desire to take 
east with him the print of 'King 
Kong.' 



International Picture Contest 



For Best Two Features in Original Ver- 
sions — All Countries Invited 



Radio After Jannings 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Radio is dickering for Emil Jan- 
nings to star in 'The Doctor.' 

Jannings would arrive here April 
1 if plans materialize. 



UFA NEWSSEEL DATA 

Berlin, Jan. 28. 

The production management of 
Ufa and Deullg newsreels publish 
Interesting figures of newsreel pro- 
duction in 1932. 

Prints measured 3,000,000 metres, 
or distance from Berlin to Cairo, 
Kgypt 

Camermen employed the world 
over for Ufa newsreel number 130 
and 103,000 units of mail of news- 
reel were dispatched to Ufa In 1932. 
t'fa sound apparatus cars covered 
SO, 000 kilomoters, tv.\<-e aroflnd the 
world. 



Milan, Feb. 6. 

An international film contest is 
being arranged to be the feature of 
the 14th International Fair here, 
starting April 12 and continuing two 
weeks. All world film producers, in- 
cluding American companies, have 
been Invited to participate. 

Idea is for each company to sub- 
mit what It considers its best two 
pictures to be shown In the original 
version. Best pictures will then be 
officially picked from those shown. 

American companies are figuring 
on taking part, as they did last year 
In a similar' contest in Venice, with 
the hope the government will be 
convinced of the value o£ original 
ver.sions and change the quota laws 
allowing them to be shown as Is, 
rather than in dubl)cd form. Hopo 
comes from tho f.ict llic f.iiihsi Is 
of an ofricl.al nfilui o. ihr- f;i,\cri;::p lu 
appointing the judging cimniiiKis. 



unfavorable light with the public. 
One paper in particular is very bit- 
ter against the American film men. 
It is quite likely that a lot of dirty 
linen will be washed before a set- 
tlement is reached. 

Two more Sydney houses will 
close this week, and It Is expected 
smaller theatres in Melbourne will 
shut. G.T. say they are closing 
these theatres so as to conserve 
picture supply for their ace houses. 
Maybe these same theatres would 
have closed shortly, war or no war. 

Said that the Fullers made G.T. 
an offer to take over at once the 
closed theatres and operate them. 
G.T. refused to consider the idea. 

Distribs now offering nabe show- 
men bookings on first releaise pic- 
tures, and the nabe showmen not 
In the pool are taking up the offer. 

Nabe First Runs 

Fox is handled by the newly 
formed General Theatres, combine 
of several former circuits, with Fox 
interested for a considerable 
amount. Metro has been taken by 
the Fuller circuit on a special deal. 
Paramount has a special deal for 
its own house in Melbourne and 
tile Prince Edward in Sydney. 
Outside of that Par has no product 
deal arranged. Nobody else from 
the U. S. is getting in, except that 
Universal has offered its films to 
nabes for first runs. 

In the meantime, the Fullers are 
anxious to get more city theatres to 
play both American and English 
pictures in. They figure on strik- 
ing while the iron is hot. 

If the 'war' does not soon finish, 
then the nabe exhibitors will be 
screening most of the big pictures 
before the city theatre. 

It is expected that the fight can- 
not go on much longer because the 
big men back of both the G.T. 
combine and the distribs realize 
that the fight will set back the in- 
dustry enormously unless settled 
quickly. 

The fly in the ointment is the 
banker. 

As reported some time ago, the 
bankers are behind G. T. They 
want — and will fight to get — cheaper 
pictures. Both Doyle and Munro 
must do as they are told and can- 
not possibly go against the bankers' 
instructions. 

Charlie Munro told 'Variety' that 
Hoyts and Greater Union would 
drop about £80,000 on the past six 
months' trading — this l>efore the 
combine came into being. 

Fullers Close for '33 

^ Standing apart from the combine 
are the Fullers. Sir Ben Fuller 
stated that his circuit would remain 
independent, and this week signed 
up the entire product from M-G-M 
for 1933. For some considerable 
time M-G-M played their big at- 
tractions in Fuller's ace Sydney 
house. Under' the new contract 
Fullers will screen all M-G-M prod- 
uct in those of their theatres not 
solely devoted to British pictures. 
This will mean that more theatres 
will be sought by the Fullers, and 
they will offer very powerful opposi- 
tion to the combine. 

The Carroll interests in Queens- 
land linked up last week with the 
combine. This will give them a 
further 17 theatres, and possibly the 
main Carroll Sydney house — the 
Prince Edward. Besides the Car- 
rolls, many nabe chains are Joining 
forces with the combine In the fight 
for cheapter pictures and the abol- 
ishing of block -booking. Roughly, 
General Theatres will control about 
200 theatres. So far the distribs 
have refused to make a statement to 
the press, but It is believed they will 
unite to combat the demands made 
by the combine. 

If the fight continues very much 
longer, hundreds of Australians will 
be thrown out of employment and 
the Americans will be blamed. Un- 
doubtedly, exhibitors have united 
with the combine to force the dis- 
tribs to give them cheaper pictures, 
and back of it all are the bankers. 

Will American film men allow the 
combine to dictate terms to them? 

Will American producers quit the 
Australian field if exhibitors refuse 
to buy under the block system? 

Should the American companies 
realize the altered conditions In 
Ausiralla and assist the exhibitor? 

Why can the Fullers operate suc- 
cessfully under block-buying while 
fiili'-r (ir'_-;iiiiz;iti()iiR say they can't? 

'I'l.'"' • ;ii>- tiu- iir.'in ((iieslions be- 
int: ;i:.l.fd. 



18 VARIETY Tuesday, February 7, 1933 




Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



19 



EXPLOITATION 



By Epes W. Sargent 



UVE BULL. REAL UON 

NOT RrrzY puBucin 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Press agents fancies ran to the 
animal klngrdom last week, but in 
two cases reported the principals 
chilled and the stunts .11 flat. 

It was proposed that Don Pedro, 
Mexican orchestra leader at the 
Terrace Gardens, should attire 
himself in the vestments of a mata- 
dor and make grimaces at a bull to 
be tied to a post in front of United 
Artists where 'Kid From Spain' is 
playing. Eddie Solomon of B&K 
and Herbert Smolen of the Hotel 
Morrison had the stunt set, and a 
'contented bull' picked out, but 
litionard Hicks, general manager of 
the Morrison, said It wouldn't be 
dignified for Pedfo to be seen In the 
loop with a bull. 

Ather stunt germinated In the 
cerebellum of Lou Cowan and in- 
volved a Hon. Hagenbeck-Wallace 
in Peru had the crate waiting, but 
Harold Stokes, NBC musical direc- 
tor, developed qualms. Lion Impor- 
tation was to be ostensibly to aid 
Stokes In composing a new Jun- 
glesque ditty and his landlord had 
okayed bringing the lion into the 
flat. Mrs. Stokes decided that It 
wouM upset things around the 
house too much and stunt was 
called off. 



stage P.A. mike and by advertising 
it on trailers as Broadcasting Sta- 
tion ALA — using first three initials 
of theatre's name. Stunt was so 
successful and novel that even radio- 
critics gave It a big plug and rival 
theatres started Imitating it. 



Pnlmotors 

While the tendency is id bujld 
business with giveaways, it' must be 
rena^mbctred that the gain does not 
represent the net profit. If' sotne 
big handout is used for a limited 
period of weeks, there is bound to 
follow a drop in the receipts after 
the stimulus has been abandoned. 

The success of the campaign 
should be figured on the additional 
Intake less cost, less drop in busi- 
ness the next few weeks. Done on 
this basis, some of the big Schemes 
do not look so hot, but most man- 
agers figure each week by itself 
and do not appear to realize that 
even a poor film will hurt or a good 
picture help the following week's 
receipts. It may even happen that 
a picture may play to an unusual 
gross because of some sensational 
and other appeal, and still wipe out 
the black- by flooding the next 
couple of weeks with red. 

Arithmetic which extends beyond 
the immediate seven days would 
frequently help a theatre to- keep 
out of a Jam. 

For Employee's Entrance 

One house Is all ready for 'Em- 
ployees' Entrance' when it comes 
along. Will have a special ticket 
booth in the form of a doorway, 
lettered 'Employees Only,' and will 
sell tickets at a 10% reduction, 
which sounds better than 4c off. 

Good only for those who present 
employees' tickets, and these will 
be distributed only at the large 
stores as the sales people are leav- 
ing. 

Manager does not flgure on get- 
ting much of a play, because he 
thinks that most girls will disdain 
to classify themselves as such to 
save four cents, but argues that the 
stunt will get attention, and that's 
what he's after. 



Olassine Programs 

Most American theatres have dis- 
carded programs, but where such 
still exist, it may be interesting 
to note that the Rex theatre, Paris, 
does its house announcements on 
glasslne paper. Not a reaching for 
a novelty, but for some reason it is 
easier to read the program on trans- 
lucent paper than on€> on a heavier 
white sheet. 

That's the point to Interest the 
local man. Print the coming an- 
nouncement on glasslne or cello- 
phane, tell them it's easier to read 
in the dark and for once, at least, 
practically everyone will be read. 
And they probably will be carried 
out of the house to be reread in a 
better light. 

Hasic Week 

One of the best draws In a nabe 
house In recent months had an en- 
core angle. Prizes were hung up 
for performances on the most novel 
musical Instruments. These ran 
from the musical saw to the tuned 
classes^ neither of which Is a nov- 
elty any more. One boy had a set 
of musical horseshoes and another 
a set of tuned cigar boxes on which 
a tune was almost recognizable. 

Hoiise organist organized the best 
of the players into an orchestra, and 
two performances on a Thursday 
and Friday night brought out a 
bumper houses. Some attention was 
paid to the instrumentation, and the 
result was hot as bad as it sounds. 

For a payoff the manager booked 
the act Into two other non-conflict- 
ing houses in other sections of the 
city and used the fees to blow the 
band to a dinner. 



Painted Curbs 

Theatre In. a city where they have 
elevated Isles of safety at Impor- 
tant car stops has a deal with the 
authorities to contribute regularly 
to the unemployment fund for the 
privilege of painting these curbs. 
Uses a- solution of waterglass and 
whiting, which is more permanent- 
than whitewash, and' yet easily re- 
moved. Paints each new title. 

People crossing the street are at- 
tracted .by the lettering, and man- 
ager figures that the stunt has a 
better display value than a block 
three sheet. 

Same stunt can be used for paint- 
ed sidewalks where permission may 
be obtained. Better than wash and 
yet more easily oblileratod than oil. 



Badio Street 

Cleveland. 

Current craze among kids for any- 
thing that's radio gave Bob New- 
klrk the idea for a radio audition 
gag for 'Saturday matinees, which 
has proven to be the most origi- 
nal, sure-flre stunts of the year in 
building up a .phenomenal Juve 
trade for Loew's Alhambra. 

Promoting a PA. amplifying out- 
fit from WHK, and installing it on 
his stage, NewUirk drew ' a record 
afternoon crowd by offering tickets 
and cash prizes to youngsters who 
did the best -work ovor the mike. 
Try-outs are being .strotclicd out 
over four Saturdays, with a* station 
rep present to pick out tlie best 
ones who are given a chance to 
bro.idcast over WTAM. 

Newkirk shrewdly caught the im- 
agin.itions of ambit lou.s kUl.s hy 
building studio settings around the 



Flashy 

House using the revolving disc 
with flitter bands added to the ef- 
fect by setting into the red and 
green circles the Jewels which are 
sold for auto license plates. These 
were screwed into the red and green 
discs at Intervals and with a white 
spot gave a flashy flnish to a good 
eye catcher, A color wheel other 
than red or green may be used, if 
desired. 

A more recent .model turns the 
disc into a cone with a spiral strip 
leading from the base to the apex. 
This requires to be spotted from 
overhead, unless three spots are 
used, but the effect is novel. 

Useful, if on a large scale, on 
the marquee. Smaller sizes can 
go on top of the box office if the 
motor can be arranged. 

In default of the Jewels, also 
known as cats' eyes, small mirrors 
may be fastened to the surface, but 
these are not quite as showy. 



Coffee Sensation 

Tacoma. 

Biggest coffee store and market 
here starts the 20-year-old gag of 
a dame picking a buyer of a pack- 
age of Java on certain designated 
streets and giving a shiny 50-cent 
piece. Started out good but ad 
hungry people also began to help 
her and stop everyone on the streets 
designated and tear bundles apart 
to find the prize package with a 
view of getting a split on the money. 
It started to be a frisk party and 
people of any sort of package that 
might look like coffee but contained 
red underwear or bottle of gin be- 
gan to holler. The stunt caused a 
sensation nearly as impressive as 
the local Carstens Packing Com- 
pany's "Pig Circus" when five grunt 
porkers were caged to tell about 
hams and sausage. 



Paying the Patrons 

Pittsburgh. 

Through a tleup with Transconti- 
nental and Western Air Lines, Inc., 
Joe Feldman, advertising chief here 
for WB, has promoted four tree 
round-trip p?ane tickets to Holly- 
wood for winners In Warner busi- 
ness drive in this territory. Local 
campaign, called the Kalmine Gross 
Derljy, is in connection With coun- 
trywide WB drive. 

Air trips to coast, together with 
two-week vacation and all expen.ses 
paid and cash prizes, some of the 
inducements held out for local man- 
agers. 



Hillstreet's Stage Wedding 

Los Angeles. 
RICO (MUKstrect) is reviving the 
marriage on stage gag for current 
engagement of 'They Had to Get 
Married.' Couples are being adver- 
tised for to i)ai-ticipate in a ]>u1.ilic 
wedding on rloslnsr night (H), with 
hou.sc promoting presents from co- 
operating merchant.<t. Stunt has not 
l)ccn worked locally in a long time 
and house figures time is ripe for 
revival. 



U's Radio Script 



Universal has turned out a 
15 minute radio script for 
'Nagana' with the suggestion 
that the local theatre manager 
recruit the cast from among 
the high school dramatic so- 
ciety or a little theatre group. 
Idea, it Is pointed out, makes 
for a three way tie in — the 
station getting the program 
for nothing, the newspaper 
playing up the local talent and 
the word-of -mouth publicity 
by the players. 

Continuity prepare^ by Joe 
Weil, U's director of exploita- 
tion. 



Agents Acts 

Old-time actor who runs a house 
In the Middle West in a town where 
there is no booking agency Is get- 
ting a lot of free acts by running 
an agency for acts for dance halls, 
club entertainments and similar re- 
ports. Careful where he books the 
turns, for they^ are mostly young 
people of good families and he can- 
not afford to book them into a tough 
spot. 

Acts are mostly young people with 
a stage yearn. He plays a couple 
of acts on Friday night each week 
and spends sonie time in rehearsing 
his talent, building up the turns and 
even writing material. They work 
for him free for the advertising and 
experience and* pay 6% on dates, 
which slightly better than covers his 
circularlzatloh and other expenses. 
He figures that vaude will be back 
after a time and that some of his 
pupils can step into professional en- 
gagements. 

Meantime he Is getting talent 
without cost and they have a lot of 
fun and make a little money, so 
everyone's happy. 



Hnstlin' in St. Fanl 

St. Paul. 

Cliff Bust, manager of St. Paul's 
RKO. St Paul, and his assistant. 
Art Steagall, have been teaming up 
lately to produce the neatest pic- 
ture exploitation work in town. 

Quipped with an enormous lobby, 
Rust and Steagall are using the 
space every ^eek to exhibit un- 
usual displays.- Rust borrowed' com- 
plete bedroom furnishings from- a 
local furniture store to help insinu- 
ate the haughtiness which the pub- 
lic already assumed was rife in 
They Just Had to Get Married.' 
Cliff also hired a tall bloke, made 



up a la Slim Summerville, to push 
a baby carriage through the loop 
ballyhooing the film. 

For 'Air Hostess' Steagall. bor- 
rowed half an airplane from North- 
west Airways, Inc., Installed It on 
one side of the lobby and rigged up 
the thing to function exactly (ex- 
cept for motion) like the real Mc- 
Coy. The natives flocked In, i^ve 
the three cane-backed, leather- 
cushioned chairs a real workout, 
snapped the lights on and off, turned 
the radio dials, slid the windows 
open and shut. Outside the win- 
dows, hitched to an electrically- 
driven belt, moved an oil-painted 
panorama of northwest country. 

Across the lobby from the plane 
was mounted a 425-horsepower air- 
plane motor. People came to gawk, 
slgnifled their genuine approval by 
making the ticket vending machine 
work overtime, the turnstiles whirr. 

Local rags picked up the thing 
and gave it space as news. 
Haug had an idea it would be well 
for any house to adopt. He placed a 
large book In the lobby for doctors 
to register as they went in and 
promised to page them for their 
calls. This extra service was also 
announced in .the ads. 



Played Up Short 

Des Moines. 
H. R. Sheridan, manager of the 
Des Moines, P-P deluxe house, be- 
lieves exploitation answers some Of 
the problems of the" house manager 
today. 

One of Sheridan's recent exploi- 
tations brought the house the 
largest Dec. 23 and 24. figures in 12 
years' history cf. the theatre. He 
used Ed Wynn's 'Follow the Leader' 
with a Texaco tie-up. Local sta- 
tions gave 20 certlflcates for orders 
of five gallons of Texaco Fire Chief 
gasoline each, with the pertlflcates 
going to patrons on two evenings. 
Texaco supplied newspaper and 
handbill advertising and ithe. picture 
was used ta addition to the regular 
program. 

When there Isn't a logical tie-up 
with the feature, the shorts are 
carefully searched for an idea. Last 
week he tied up an aero short, 
'Across America in Ten Minutes,' 
which showed a shot of Des" Moines. 
Sheridan had local shots made of 
the new airport,- hangar, etc.,- here 
and spotted them in the middle of 
the picture with the D. M. shot. He 
further tied this uj> with a special 
showing to the local Aeronautic 
chapter of the national organiza- 
tion, which later In the week 
brought in a good theatre party. 
Next week he plans to use a short 
having to do with hunting, and is 
tying up with the local Hunt club 
for a special showing. 



BEHIND ihe KEYS 



Ennis, Tex. 

Ennls, one of the three towns in 
Texas without Sunday shows, got 
Sunday show classlflcation by a ma- 
jority of only 26 votes. Population 
around 10,000. 

John L. FranconI, former film 
man, operates only theatre there. 



Glenns Falls, N. Y. 
Milton A. Schosberg, manager 
local Paramount, transferred to 
Plainfield, N. J. 



Waterloo, la. 
Palace has reopened with straight 
pictures, stock out; 16c. any time. 



Bronx. N. T. C. 
Picture Guild has relinquished two 
more of Its theatres, Belmont and 
Blenheim, previously having let go 
of the Parkway. Sole house re- 
maining to Picture Guild now is 
Benenson. 



Pittsburgh. 
Another Film Row tenant here 
dropped out last week when 
Educational-World-Wide exchange 
moved Into Fox offices. Only three 
of the EWW staff have been re- 
tained, Jim Sharkey, manager; Joe 
Davidson, booker, and Miss Murray, 
cashier. 

They'll work under the supervi- 
sion of Ira Cohn, Fox exchange 
manager in Pittsburgh, for the time 
being at least. 



Los Angeles. 
Edward Hussong replaced Frank 
Arkush as mgr. of the F-WC San 
Mateo, at San Mateo, Calif. 



Denver. 

L. M. Harris, manager of the Fox 
Egyptian, Delta, Colo., has received 
an appointment on the west coast. 
Succeeded by Harry R. Moore. 

Kermal Booker, confessed robber, 
who held up the Palm theatre in 
Pueblo, was sentenced to 16 years. 

Harry Burcher has reopened the 
Annex, renamed the Grand, with a 
10-cent price. 



Washington. 

Managership of newest Loew 
house. Grand, at Atlanta goes to 
Eddie GUmore, with only 10 months 
of show experience behind him. Ed- 
die left court reporter Job on At- 
lanta 'Journal' last year to handle 
publicity for Loew's here under Car- 
ter Barron. 

Stunts have been consistently hit- 
ting front pages. E. A. Schiller, 
Louis K. Sidney and Joe Vogel all 
graduated through exploit level. 



New York City. 
Jack Lustberg has taken the San 
ffose theatre from Manhattan Play- 
houses and will reopen It Feb. 10 
with Spanish-language pictures. 
House formerly played a mixed 
policy of Spanish-language films 
and stage attractions. 



Jack Lustberg has arranged to 
reopen the San Jose theatre, located 
in Harlem's Spanish quarter, in as- 
sociation with Manhattan Play- 
houses. A special season of Span- 
ish talkers will be launched Friday 
(10). 

Lustberg is with J. H. Hoffberg 
in the film export trade. 



San Francisco. 

S. M. Parlseau has transferred 
from Los Angeles office of ERPI to 
Frisco, where he is in as district 
superintendent. 

Charlie Newman, brother of 
Frank R, and manager of Curran 
some years ago, re-enters show biz 
In berth of manager El Camlno, San 
Rafael, a Joe Blumenfeld house. 

William Baron is consolidating 
with the Kraft Bros., architects, in 
reopening Baron's Powell street 
grind, the Edison. Renamed the 
Powell, renovated house lights up 
Feb. 10 at 20-25. 



Seattlf. 

Andy Gunnard succeeds Ernie 
Liidwig as mnnngcr of the "Venetian 
(Jfn.son-von Herbert,'), with Ludwig 
going to L. A. Frank Coylc i.s Tiow 
manager of the Libr-rly (J-vIl;. 



Kicked In 

Recent performance of a stage 
play with an amateur cast spon- 
sored by the newspapermen of the 
various sheets was to be given in a 
moderate sized city. House was one 
shuttered to reduce the overseating 
and was donated. It was situated 
directly alongside an open picture 
theatre. 

Manager of this house and an« 
other further up the street were 
asked to help put the one-night 
show over. The more distant man- 
ager refused screen mention and 
lobby display on the grounds he 
would be cutting bis own throat. 
Manager of the house next door not 
only kidked In to the full extent of 
his ability, but he sUged the Hol- 
lywood opening over a local air sta- 
tion, doing the m. c. in opposition 
to his own box offlce. 

As It turned out, the event drew 
a crowd greater than the theatre 
could accommodate and the obliging 
manager got better than normal 
business from the turnaway. Even 
had he lost money, he would still be 
ahead, tor now he has the goodwill 
of every dramatic desk In town with 
an added good mark because the 
other man acted up. It does'nt pay 
to crab. 



More Free Parking 

Hartford, Conn. 

With the city sti-eets Jammed 
every night and hundreds unable to 
find parking space for their automo- 
biles Manager Louis Schaefer of the 
iPubllx-Allyn took advantage of the 
situation by arranging with Hart- 
ford's newest ramp garage to care 
for evet-y patron's automobile with- 
out charge. The service Includes a 
driver who will tak^ the auto from 
the theatre-goer, deliver it to the 
garage, surrendering a ticket In ex- 
change, for which the owher will se- 
cure the .return of the attto. 

For 'Sign of the Cross' this new, 
unique s.eryrce was taken advantage 
of by scores nightly. For the same 
picture Manager Schaeffer managed 
to place booklets oh the picture In 
more than one. hundred aind fifty lo- 
cal doctors', dentists' and beauty 
parlor offices in addition to thou- 
sands of throwaways in department 
stores, hitherto an impossibility. 
Lavish window displays were further 
secured without cost to the theatrew 



Time Schedule for Pic Scenes 

Hollywood. 
The old vaude time schedule has 
been amplified for the exploitation 
of 'Cavalcade' at the Chinese, Huge 
board, lined similar to a railroad 
time-table, stands in the fore court, 
where it catches the eyes of pass* 
ersby. On this table are 66 listings, 
with the exact hour and minute for 
the appearance of each on the 
screen; Barring the schedule for 
the short, the prolog and Intermis- 
sion, the listing Includes three or 
four-word descriptions of scenes 
from the pic. 



Theatre Cooking Schools 

Los Angeles. 

Series of cooking school demon* 
stratlons will be staged at the F- 
WC Boulevard by the Bureau of 
Power and Light, having as its pur- 
pose the exploitation of electric 
ranges. A $160 range, used in the 
demonstrations, will be given away 
the following Monday evening. 

Cooking demonstrations will be 
staged In other circuit housed later, 
with the stove giveaway following 
In each case. 



2-1 for MD.'s 

Birmingham. 
Charlie Haug, manager of the 
Empire, recently inserted in his ads 
a two for one to be used by doctors. 
The two for one -vvas-good-for two 
admissions when the M. D. was ac- 
companied by a lady. Whether 
house managers look with favor 
upon the two for one idea or not 



Sang in Window 

Birmingham. 

For 'Madame Butterfly' Strand 
made a deal with a local muslo 
house for the use of one of its win- 
dows. Music company is noted for 
its beautiful window displays, made 
with real settings and scenery pretty 
much as stage sets are made. 

Display consisted of a Chinese 
room occupied by a Chinese girl and 
boy, with a window looking out over 
a lake with surrounding cherry blos- 
soms. A piano was in the corner, 
with Chinese figures carved into the 
wood and highly decorated. Bark a 
few~~years ago they were all the 
ragf for Chinese rooms in homes. 
(Continued on page 4.6) 



i 



ADVERTI.SING 



NOVELTIES 

WHICH CREATE BUSINESS 
ThoiisandH of Ideas on file, oa« of 
tvlilrit u-lll fit your ni^dM. 

Economy Novelty & Printing Co. 

S.to H'pHt 30lli Btrret, New York 



20 



VARIETY 



WHEN RADIO CITY 



CANT HOLD THEM 

BIG 




news. 



• 182,217 people... in one week... twice 
Nevada's 'total population.. .within a 
hair's-breadth of the world's atten- 
dance record (^t in Prosperity days) 
. . . that's what "State Fair^' drew at 
Radio Gty Music Hall. 

• Set in die new ^oxy this week... 
and SR-O-ing THAT house. 

• And then dated into the Mayfair 
(a couple of blodcs away) ... for an 
indefinite run . . . because all of Radio 
City can't hold the crowds! 




One of the 



Cavalcade 
of NITS 



FOX.,. maker of im- 
mortal pictutes...tiow 
hitting its stride...tak- 
ing it» rightfiul place 
as industry leader. 
Watch FOX this year 
...and get an eye-fuL 



.Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



21 



Honest' Fan Clubs Grow Sore Over 
Hint Some Clubs May Hold Grifters 



Ever since "Variety' recently ran 
a seemingly Innocuoua story to the 
effect that picture fan clubs were 
being reorganized with the usual 
'gimme' attachment, the janitor has 
been soft pedaling the furnace and 
everyone but the "Variety' sobble 
has been working In shirtsleeves and 
with the windows open. All due to 
the letters from righteously in- 
dignant honest fan clubs who hotly 
protest that a minister in a country 
parsonage is living the life of Rellly 
alongside the tribulations of the of- 
ficers of these enthusiasts who are 
hard put to it to provide fuel for the 
altars of adoration. 

They make a little charge for the 
magazine, which Is the inevitable 
concomitant of the honest fan club, 
but don't get the idea that they are 
rolling in wealth. The subscflption 
price does not pay the printer, but 
somehow they manage to struggle 
along. Just pure tribute to the su- 
preme artistry of the selected star 
and a humble but ardent effort to 
supplement the endeavors of the 
highly paid studio and personal press 
agents who loll around Hollywood 
and take femme fan mag writers to 
the Brown Derby for lunch and slap 
It on the swindle sheet. Honest fan 
clubs have no swindle sheets. Just 
printers' bills and postage due. 

Elsewhere there la repeated a 
letter from a fan club In support of 
a musical comedy star, proving the 
idea is spreading. Here are a couple 
of more letters from picture fan 
clubs. 

Honest Fan Club, 

555 West 173d St., 
New York, Jan. 3. 
Editor 'Variety': 

Here Is another honest fan club 
and In behalf of my fellow members, 
I am writing to object to the article 
you ran on profiteering fan clubs. 

Our club in honor of Maurice 
Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald 
is just seven months old. So far, we 
have been successful in getting 
members, but the dues paid by them 
barely covers the cost of publishing 
our monthly newspaper, 'Chevalier 
News.' To publish a four sheet 
paper, such as the one enclosed, 
costs $2 and if we have trouble in 
raising that much,. you may be as- 
sured that we aren't making any 
profits. ■ 

Members know that the two stars 
do not and cannot support this club, 
because of prohibitive clauses In 
their respective contracts. We have 
never tried to misrepresent on this 
score. Our purpose in having this 
club" Is merely to bring together the 
admirers of these stars whom we 
admire, and to help them as much 
as possible by word-of-mouth pub- 
licity. The members do know that 
thanks to my newspaper connec- 
tions, I am able to meet many of 
the theatre and cinema stars and 
they are interested In reading my 
intimate little sketches on them. 

Xo doubt, you will be receiving 
dozens of these letters, protesting 
against the unfairness of your 
article. My particular point is that 
our stars do not support our club, 
and the members know It and they 
don't care. 

Pearl A. Katzman. 



Sue Carol Fan Club, 
051 Drake Ave., Chicago, Feb. 2. 
Editor 'Variety': 

In reference to your article 'Fan 
Clubs Again Sprouting with Mem- 
bers Kicking in $1.50 Per Gyp,' I 
would like to ask you, how much do 
you know about fan clubs? In all 
my experience and I have been con- 
nected with fan clubs for the past 
four years, I have never heard of a 
fan club with a $1.59 membership. 

What you had reference to was 
an outfit in Los Angeles, who were 
organizing an International Fan 
Club. These people claimed they 
were in the fan mall business, Just 
what they did I don't know but I 
have learned just recently that they 
folded. They claimed that they had 
the backing of several producers 
and were not going to charge any- 
thing for membership, but, and the 
catch, they were going to publish 
a magazine and that they felt the 
members should pay $1.50 a year 
for it. 

Miss Lenore Heidorn is secretary 
of the Sue Carol Fan Club. There 
are severat fan clubs functioning 
here in Chicago and Miss Heidorn 
and myself are acquainted with 
most of them. 

Let's h.ive an article in "Variety' 
about the good points of honest fan 
cluhs. 

Walter Dreffien, Pres. 



74'Tuers Ave., 

Jersey City. Feb. 1. 
Eilitur. 'V.Trlety': 

I w;iR very glad to ."see Lenore 
Heidron'.s article in this week's 
'Variety' -n dofcn.^e of the Fan 

Ciu1->«:. 

1 wi.-ili li) r.nli \(iiir aiionlion to 



INDIE DOUBLING A FILMS 



Kingsbridge, Bronx, Playing Pic- 
tures After 14 Days' Protection 



Bronx, N. Y. C, Feb. 6. 

Lee Ochs* Kingbridge theatre Is 
billing a double feature in about a 
week's time, of Warner's 'Silver 
Dollar' and Radio's 'Animal King- 
dom.' Both of these pictures are 
shown as a double feature bill here 
with 14 days' protection from their 
first run in the Bronx. 

'Kingdom' played a week ago at 
the RKO Fordham, and 'Silver 
Dollar' at the same time was at 
Loew's Paradise. 

The Kingsbridge is eight blocks 
away from both of these houses and 
also the Valentine, the latter an in- 
dependent house. 



More Denver Cats 



GOOD CHANCES FOR 
OPEN SUNDAYS IN PA. 



Philadelphia, Feb. 6. 
With the second reading of the 
Schwartz bill legalizing Sunday 
sports except boxing and wrestling 

between the hours of 2 and 6 P. M. 
scheduled for today In the Penn- 
sylvania State House of Represen 
tatlves and final action scheduled 
for tomorrow. It seems evident that 
the first substantial victory against 
the Pennsylvania Blue Laws will be 
gained. 

After a public hearing on the bill 
last week, at which 2,000 Philadel- 
phians attended as protestants 
against the Blue Laws, the bill was 
approved by special committee. 

Theatrical and picture men are 
strongly back of the measure as It 
seems most likely that if sports are 
legalized, Sunday shows will also 
get their chance. 



another very legitimate and honest 
fan club, the Johnny Downs' Club, 
of which the president is Ruth 
Keast, 141 S. Artesian avenue, Chi- 
cago. I am the secretary of the 
New Jersey branch. 

There isn't a grander guy in the 
world than Johnny Downs, and we'd 
work our hands of^ to boost him and 
help him in his career. He deserves 
every break he can possibly get, not 
only being a good-actor but a great 
artist. He has worked hard every 
step of the waj' to get as far as he 
is today and deserves to reach the 
top. 

Enclosed find a copy of the club 
paper and ii write-up which came 
out in the Pittsburgh 'Press' when 
Johnny was playing there in Brown 
and Henderson's 'Strike Me Pink.' 
If you look in 'Variety' of Jan. 3 you 
will see Brown and Henderson's ad 
presenting their cast for 'Strike Me 
Pink.' 

We have always read and boosted 
'Variety' and would certainly appre- 
ciate It If you would give Johnny 
a mention about being in 'Strike Me 
Pink' and about him being one of 
the original members of Hal Roach's 
Our Gang, also three years as fea- 
tured player on the RKO circuit. 

Thanking you in advance, and 
here's hoping. 

Thos. J. Ellis, sec. 
New Jersey Chapter. 



The enclosures are a newspaper 
clipping and a four-page issue of 
'Yours for Fun,' organ of the club. 

Clipping frem the Pittsburgh 
"Press' Is from a drAma column, 
mentioning Downs' local appearance 
and referring to a communication 
about the ^lub from Mr. Ellis, there 
being no Pittsburgh chapter. It in- 
cludes an allusion to the fact that 
Brown and Henderson referred to 
Downs as a second 'George M. 
Cohan.' 

The bulletin is dated September, 
presumably the last issue of the 
occasional publication. It lists a 
meniber.shlp at that time of 441, in- 
cluding 80 honorary members, and 
eight chapters in addition to the 
mother organization. One of these, 
with 16 members, is located in 
South Africa. 

It may be only a coincidence that 
both clubs have headquarters on 
the same Chicago street, though the 
Downs club is at 4411 and the Billle 
Dove organization, mentioned last 
wppk. Is .at 57S7. Maybe it's just the 
influence of envli'onnient. 



Denver, Feb. S. 

Price cutting has again hit the 
first runs. Orpheum, ace of the 
KKO-Huffman pool, has cut Its top 
from 50 to 40c, thus escaping the 
tax, and have made the balcony 
seats 25c at all times. This is the 
flrst price slash in several months 
in first run houses. Then the Rlalto 
and Paramount were cut from 60 to 
40c top to escape the tax. 

The Denham is still the low-price 
first run, 15-25. 



MORE RKO CUTS 
IN N. Y. OFHCE 



Without waiting for the parent 
company receivers to tell them how, 
the RKO heads on the theatre end, 
anyway, have begun to trim both 
home office and field expense com- 
mensurate witli the operating condi- 
tion which will exist when Orpheum, 
Pantages and th Hoblitzelle houses 
are finally sent adrift. Already 
around $5,000 weekly has been lop- 
ped off the h. o. overhead. There's 
more coming. It Is likely that some 
of the theatre personnel may be let 
go. 

The apparent aim Is to shave off 
around $20,000 weekly or $1,000,000 
on a yearly basis. 

Some departments may be elimi- 
nated In toto. Others will be merged. 
One already fixed tbls way, is the 
construction and maintenance divi- 
sion, headed by D. P. Canavan. Lat- 
ter is slated to be crossed off the 
company payroll in a couple of 
weeks. The department is to be 
broken up. It will become a direct 
part of the regular theatre operating 
setup under H. B. Franklin. 

RKO heads are said to have been 
of the attitude that the construction 
and maintenance division was an 
unnecessary sub-division , of regular 
theatre operating work. Certain In- 
side machinations plus supposed 
outside influence prevented the com- 
pany administrators from making 
any change. When it was apparent 
that a change was on the way in 
the interest of theatre operating ef- 
ficiency and economy and that a 
shift was inevitable. Canavan was 
suddenly shifted into the Radio City 
theatres. However, Canavan Is now 
scheduled to exit regardless. His 
salary amounted to more than $11,000 
annually. Besides office expense. 

Another elimination is George 
Godfrey, of the booking offlce, who 
also leaves the company in around 
two weeks. Hereafter, Martin Beck 
will be in sole charge of that divi- 
sion. 



Two Producers So Far See Money. 
Maybe, in Them Thar Florida Glades 



USHER STRIKE AVERTED 



Returned to Work in Detroit — No 
Recognition of Ushers' Union 



Detroit, Feb. 6. 

Ushers' union difliculties were 
straightened out here last week 
when the discharged ushers re- 
turned to work. Eleven ushers were 
fired in three theatres. 

Having a union charter in the 
A.F.L. the boys were helped by the 
other crafts, but the reinstatement 
was made without recognition of 
their union given oi asked. 

Boys wore prepared to picket any 
house that refused to reinstate the 
ushers let out and picket signs had 
been prepared. This was avoided 
when all operators agreed to rein- 
state men without recognition of 
the union. 



25c AT DELUXER FOR 
'STRANGE INTERLUDE' 



Tacoma, Feb. 6. 

Doug Kimberly, former Fox-WC 
manager for houses here under re- 
ceivership, has taken over the 
Broadway, downtown deluxer, from 
receivers and will operate it him- 
self under a cut scale. A five-day 
booking Tuesday of 'Strange Inter- 
lude' at 25c any time any day. 

Kimberly announces other big 
features, including 'Sign of the 
Cross,' under the same policy. 

After the first week under Klm- 
berly's policy, Broadway was out of 
the red for the first time. 

Independent booth men are being 
used by Kimberly, and pickets are 
walking, but this Is not hurting. 



Depts. Moved to K. C. 



Kansas City, Feb. 6. 

Four departments, the auditing, 
accounting, insurance and real es- 
tate, of the Fo.^ Midwest theatres, 
have been moved from Los Angeles 
to this city, and combined with the 
operating office, under the manage- 
ment of E. C. Rhoden. 

Operation of the St. Louis divi- 
sion and the Midland divsion of the 
circuit comprising 125 theatres in 
Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri 
and Kansas, will be controlled here- 
after from the Kansas City office. 
Ninety of the houses are open. 



lOc Giveaway at Old Roxy 

Set Several Angles Going Last Week — Pic- 
ture Troubles for House 



The Plain Blll-Kolynos carton 
giveaway at the old Roxy, New 
York, last week, along with the 10c 
angle of the cut-rate admish, 
created much concern all around. It 

included the theatre proper which 
found that the traffic of 100,000 ad- 
missions In a week past the gate of 
the theatre created unexpected wear 
and tear which forced an anteing of 
the overhead for extra ushers, 
porters, etc. 

The film problem still obtains, 
since all the major circuits play 
double bills in their naborhooders 
and the circuits no like this luring 
of Its locals downtown on a cut- 
rate pull. This created a squawk 
from Loew's, for example, against 
World-Wide giving Ita 'Death Kiss' 
to the Roxy, that picture being 
slated for a Loew circuit booking. 
The Roxy theatre's income, nor the 
prestige of a Broadway flrst run in 
so distinguished an auditorium, can- 
not compensate any Indie distrib for 
what the chains' nabe hou-ses can 
yield from a protracted booking of 
their product, now and in the fu- 
ture. 

This is a problem which the pres- 
ent old Roxy operators are fully 
cognizant of. 

Kids' Discovery 

Along with that, the kids suddenly 
discovered that the Kolynos tooth- 
paste could be had for a dime in the 
Woolworth stores. Some youngsters 
were making some extra pennies by 



buying up quantities of the dime 
toothpaste and reselling them around 
the theatre at 12c to 15c, which in 
turn meant a saving to the elders, as 
well as youngsters, for the differ- 
ence between that and the Roxy's 
25c or 35c admission, depending on 
the day or night time. The adver- 
tiser on the air at once emphasized 
that only 'full size' containers could 
act as passes. These were 50c each. 

On the other hand, the Roxy was 
a flrst-time treat for many who 
never ventured downtown, bringing 
forth stay-at-homes who probably 
may not even patronize their nabe 
houses. The cop in front of the 
Roxy was dizzy the flrst couple of 
days when the rubes asked for di- 
rections to the theatre. When he 
tried to be patient and inquire 
whether that meant the old or the 
new (RKO) Roxy, that only added 
to the confusion. After a while he 
got the idea and thumbed the tour- 
ists into the lobby. 

Showmen further deprecate the ad 
angle because the major circuits 
were forced to cut It out even when 
it meant big money through the ad 
reels which not alone fetched sizable 
sums from the commercial product, 
but also was sold on a rental to the 
circuit's own houses. This Is 
claimed as Just another form of tho- 
atre advertising, off the screon, but 
even deadlier, for It's a ciit-rfitc on 
the boxofflce, and conif.s fivmi .n 
gratis source — the etlier — v. hlcli is 
deemed the greatf».«)t Inimical f;i.-">r 1 
to the boxofflce patronaq:^. | 



IliillywocM.l, Feb. 6. 

Kloriil.T Is looming for the inde- 
pendent producers. Already Aubrey 
Kennedy and FrnnUlin-Stoner have 
made deals to produce in the south- 
ern state. Kennedy's proposition Is 
with banking interests in St. Peters- 
burg, while Franklln-Stoner, who 
made one picture here last year, 
'The Phantom Express,' have simi- 
lar backing in Coral Gables. Pat 
Powers is in for a reported 50% cut 
in Kennedy's deal on the distribu- 
tion end. 

Half a dozen recognized and shoe- 
string producers are getting ready 
to break camp here and trek to 
Florida and the reported easy 
finances. 

Oral D. Coaklcy, representing 
various banking and civic organiza- 
tions from Jacksonville down to 
Miami, has been here for three 
weeks talking deals with various 
indie producers. The former Chi- 
cago and New York producer and 
promoter, however, has closed only 
the Kennedy negotiations so far. 
Financing Tough on Coast 

With financial backing almost 
impossible to get in Los Angeles 
and Hollywood, the Indie producers 
figure that Florida Is their oppor- 
tunity. Most of those talking of go- 
ing east have been inactive for some 
time and are dependent on indi- 
vidual finances for each picture they 
turn out. Few have had any distri- 
bution tie-ups outside of the state 
rights. 

Florida hau been itching to get 
some picture production for several 
years, holding out the nearness to 
New York and community co-opera- 
tion as the main attraction. Until 
the present, finances . have be~en 
hinted, but always in a sotto voice. 
Arrival of Coakley with reported 
backing of several banks In various 
sections of the state has cinched 
the idea for the indies who have 
been having tough breaks of late. 

Those who plan going to Florida 
on their own will try to set them- 
selves with the money people on 
their arrival there. To this end 
their trunks are packed with old 
press sheets and clippings of past 
performances, always helpful In 
promoting a bankroll. 



In Florrda 

Birmingham, Feb. 8. 

Florida Is out after California. 
The state has been after a part of 
the film industry for some time, but 
but last week saw the first real ac- 
complishment. Aubrey Kennedy, 
indie producer of Hollywood, is re- 
ported to have signed with St. Pet- 
ersburg, Fla., people to move his 
studios there. 

Tho announcement came out of 
Hollywood where the St. Petersburg 
city manager and M. N. Dietrich, 
presld.ent of the Chamber of Com- 
merce, had gone to talk things over 
with Kennedy and other producers. 

It Is understood a financing syndi- 
cate has been formed with Florida 
capital to help bring producers to 
Florida to make their pictures. 

It is understood that Kennedy is 
sending a group of technicians to 
Florida right away to make prepa- 
rations for the move- 



MINN. BOOTHMAN KILLED 



Roy A. Williams Found Dead Near 
St. Paul — Carried Savings 



St. Paul, Feb. B. 
Roy A. Williams, 35, motion pic- 
ture operator at the Mohawk, sub- 
urban house, for three years, was 
slugged, robbed and left to freeze to 
death early Thursday (2). His body 
was found about 12 hours later two 
miles south of the St. Paul city 
limits. 

Several rr.'-nths ago, losing fallh 
In banks, Williams withdrew his 
savings and carried the money with 
him. According to his widow, he 
had $125 on his person. -When found 
pockets were rifled, but the mur- 
derer failed to find $80 concealed in 
Willlnm.s' hn'.^and. So f.ir the cops 
have no clues. 

VVIlIi.ims, born In Hjron, S. D., 
was a member of Moving Picture 
.Machine Operators, Mitchell, S. D„ 
Lor.nl No. .")03. His widow, to whom 
hr- left $3,000 Insurance, and two 
clilldron .survive. • 

I''unfr.'il .sf r\ ires were held Mon- 
(l;iN- (C). Interment was In Calvary 
fprivlcry, St I'aul. 



yARIETY Tuesday, Februarj 7, 1933 




SING A SONG! 




DANCE A JIG! 



Are we happy? Will you have htood^pressure! 

Joan CRAWFORD 
Gary COOPER 

Together! In a heluva 
hit! In a picture that 
only one word describes: 
GREAT!" We've just seen 
it! Watch! Wait! And be joyous! 

rODAY WE LIVE 

with Robert Young Franchot Tone Roscoe Kariul 

A Howard Hawks Production. Story and Dialogue by William Faulkner. 

METRO - GOLDWYN - M AYER 

year after year after year! 




Just one ofa 
flock of Big Ones 
on the way from 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



ES 



VARIETY 



23 



Hofly wood Production 



Week of Feb. 6 



(Pictures now filming, or about to start, are listed below alphabetically 
by studies. Symbols are D — Director. A — Author, C — Cameraman.) 



COLUMBIA 
'Lovable Liar* 
(Snd week) 
D — Geo. ScUz 
A— Harry O. Hoyt 
C — Teddy Tctzlaft 
Cast : 

Buck Jones 
Dorothy Rovler 
Arthur Hankln 
Alice Uahl 
<Mnr(1or of tlio Circus Queen' 

(iHt week) 
P — Roy Wm. NelU 
A — Jo Swcrllns 

Adolphe Menjou « 
'Beneath l:ie Sea' 
(Slid week) 
D — Al Rolfell 
A — Jo Swerllng 
C — Jo Walker 
Cast : 

Jlalpn Bellamy 

Fay \Vray 

Uether Howard 

Fredrlk Vogeding 

raul Paeo 

Trevor liland 

Wm. J. Kelly 
FOX 
'PllgrlroiiKe' 
(iBt week) 
D — John Ford 
A— R. A. H. Wylle 

Barry Connors 

Philip Klein 

Dudley Nichols 

Henry Johnson 
Can' : 

.\.'urlaii Nixon 

Norman Foster 

Henrietta Grossman 

Heather Angel 

Minna Uombell 

Frank Craven 
- Wm. Collier, Sr. 

'Honse o£ Itetnge 

'(Snd week) 

D — Alfred Stantell 

A — Orace S. Leake 
Arthur Kober 
Uoris Malloy 

C — Luolen Andrlot 

Cast : 

Di^i'oiliy Jordan 
AlexiinObt KIrkiHnd 
Merl} Pottenbam 
NydIa Westman 
Edward Woods 
Isabel Jewell 
Hcrta Llnd 
Catherine Navarro 
Jane Darwell 
Dorothy Labalre 
Betty Barrlsdale 
Trick for Trlek' 

{iHt week) 
I> — Hamilton MacFadden 
A— Harry Wagstaft Grlbble 

Howard Qreen 
Cast : 

Ralph Morgan 

Vlctoi Jory 

Tom Dugan 

Sally Blane 

Wlllard Robertson 

Luis AlbernI 

Ed. Van Sloan 

'Pleasure Cruise' 
(2nd week) 
P — Frank Tuttle 
A — Austen Allen 

Uuy Bolton 
C — Ernest Palmer 
Cast : 

Genevieve Tobln 

Roland Young 

Herbert Uundln 

Frank Atkinson 

Minna Uombell 

Ralph Forbes 

Theodor Von Bltz 

Arthur Hoyt 

Robert Greig 

Fred Hlllson 

Robert Corey 

George Klrby 

Una O'Connor 

'Snilor's Lack' 
( itb week) 

D — Raoul Walsh 

A — Marguerite Roberts 

(.'hnrlotte Miller 
Cast : 

.luiiics Dunn 

Sally Ellers 

Summy Cohen 

Frank Moraa 

Victor Jory 

Esther Mulr 

Luclen Littlefleld 

Phil Tead 

Buster Phelps 

Will Stanton 

Curly Wright 

Jerry Mandy 

Edward Dillon 
'.Man Eater' 

(12tli week) 

D — Clyde Elliott 

A — James C. Spearing 

C — CnrI rierger 

Casi : 

Murlon Burns 
Kane Richmond 
Harry Wood 

'Zoo In Undapest' 

(Lasky) 

(4th week) 

D — Roland V. I.eo 
A— Melville Baker 

Jack KIrkland 

Dan Totherob 

Louise Long 

Roland V. Lee 
C — Lee Onrmes 
Cant: 

■ •iircllu Vuung 

Uene Raymond 

O. P. Heggle 

Wallle Albright 

Murray KInnell 

Frances Rich 

Ruth Wnrren 

Hoy Stewart 

Nllea Welch 

Lucille Ward 

Russ Powell 

Dorothy Llbalro 

Dora Marcnilo 

Paul Fix 

'Warrior's Husband' 
(I.uNky) 
C^ntl week) 
D— Waller Lnng 
A — Julian S. Tlionipaon 

llalph .'^pencc 
C — Hal Mohr 
Cast: 

Elljs.i I.iinJl 

ICrnoHt Tniox 



Marjorle Rambeau 
Helen Ware 
David Manners 
Helen Madison 
Maude Eburne 
John Sheeban 
Lionel Belmore 
Ferdinand Gottschalk 
Bobby McLeod 
Jane McL.eod 
INTEBXATIONAI, 
'Dcadwood Fobs' 

(Ist week) 
P, McGowan 
A — J. P. McGowan 

Oliver Drake 
C— Eddie Kull 
Cast: 

Tom Tyler 

3IETRO 
'Reunion In Vienna' 
(iHt week) 
D — Sidney Franklin 
A — Robt. E. Sherwood 
Ernest Vajda 
Claudlne West 
C — George Folsey 
Cast; 

John Barrymore 
Diana Wynyard 
Frank Morgan 
Henry Travers 
Charles Giblyn 
May Jiobson 
'.Wan On the Nile' 
(2nd week) 
D — Sam Wood 
C — Len Smith 
Cast: 

Ramon Novarro 
Myrna Loy 
Reginald Denny 
C. Aubrey Smith 
Edward Arnold 
Louise C. Hale 
Marcelle Corday 

^ . -Hlvets' 

<3rd w^k) 

D — Tod Browning 

r — Pevral Marley 

Cast : 

.lack Gilbert 
Mao Clarke 
Robert Armstrong 
Sterling Holloway 
Vlnce Barnctc 
Warner Richmond 
Robert Burns 
Muriel KIrkland 
Reginald Barlow 
Herman Bing 
Harry Shultz 
'Hell Below' 
(ISth week) 

D — Jack Conway 

A — Comm. Edward EUsberg 

C — Hall Rossen 

Cast : 

Robert Montgomery 
Walter Huston 
Madge Evans 
Jlmmle Durante 
Robert Young 
Eugene Pallette 
David Newell 
John L. Mnhln 
Sterling Holloway 
Chas. Irwin 

'Today We Uve' 
(10th week) 

D — Howard Hawks 
A — William Faulkner 
C— Oliver T. Marsh 
Cast: 

Joan Crawford 

Gary Cooper 

Robert Young 

Louise Closser Hale 

Franchot Tone 

Tad Alexander 

Jtoscoe Karns 

David Newell 

Hilda Vaughn 

Rollo Lloyd 

'The White Sister* 
(8th week) 

D— Victor Fleming 

A — F. Marlon Crawford 

Donald Ogden Stewart 

Leonard Pra.<;kln3 
C— Wm. Daniels 
Cast: 

Helen Hayes 

Clark Gable 

Lewis Stone 

Louise Closser Hale 

May Robson 

Edward Arnold 

Alan Edwards 

'Clear All Wires' 

(Rth week) 

D— Geo. Hill 

A — Bella & Samuel Spewack 
C— Percy Hllburn 
Casi . 

Lee Tracy 

Benlta Hume 

James Gleason 

Una Merkel 

C. Henry Gordon 

Lya l^ys 

Alan Edwards 

Lawrence Grant 

Eugene Flgaloss 

Arl Kutal 

SIONOUBAU 
'False Front' 

(l8t week) 

D — Phil Rosen 

A — Tristram Tupper 

Cast: 

Unassigncd 

PARAMOUNT 
'Legal Crime' 

(Ist week) 
D — Harry Joe Brown 
A— Wlllard Mack 
Gene Towne 
Graham Baker 
Cast: 

George Bickford 
Richard Arlen 
Jean Ilersholt 
'Dead Reckoning' 
t2nd week) 
D^Paul Sloan 
C— Harry Flschback 
Cas! : 

.Nancy Carroll 
Charles Hugglea 
John Halllday 
Wm. Janney 
Jack La Rue 
Henry .Stephenson 
Donald .Stuart 
Ellse Cavanna 
'The Story of Temple 
Drake' 
(Znd week) 
D — Stephen Roberts 
A — Wm, Faulkner 



Maurlne Watklns 

Oliver H. P. Garrett 
C — Ernest Laszio 
Cast: 

Miriam Hopkins 

George Raft 

Wm. Gdrgan 

Wm. Collier, Jr. 

Irving Plchel 

Sir Guy Standing 

Elizabeth Patterson 

Kent Taylor 

'A Bedtime Story' 
(3rd week) 
D — Norman Taurog 
A — Waldemar Young 

Nunnally Johnson 
<3 — Chanea Lang 
Cast: 

ilaurlce Che>'aller 

Helen Twelvetrees 

Charlie Ruggles 

Ed. Everett Horton 

Gertrude Michael 

Ernest Wood 

Adrlenne Ames 

Minor Watson 

Leah Ray 

Baby Le Ray 
'Pick Up' 
(Srd week) 
D — Marlon Gerlng 
A — Vina Delmar 

S. IC. Lnuron 
Cast: 

Sylvia Sidney 

George Raft 

Wm. Harrlgan 

LilUnn Bond 

Clarence Wilson 

Louise Beaver 
'Under the Tonto BIm' 
<lst week) 
D — Henry Hathaway 
A — Zane Gray 
C — Archie Stout 
Cast: 

Siuurt Erwln 

Verna HlUle. 

Raymond Hatton 

Fred Kohler 

Fuzzy Knight 
'Song ot SoDgs* 

(Ist week) 
D — Reuben Mamoullan 
A — Herman Sudermann 
C — Victor Mllner 
Cast : 

Marlcne Dietrich 
Brian Aherne 
Helen Freeman 
Hardle Albright 
Alison Sklpwortb 
PATUE 
•A Shriek In the Night' 

(2nd week) 
D— Al Ray 
A — Kurt Kempler 

Frank Hyland 
C — Harry Neumann 
Cast: 

Ginger Rogers 

Lyie Talbot 

Purnell Pratt 

Harvey Clark 

Arthur Hoyt 

Lillian Harmer 

RADIO 
"Son of the Border' 

(2nd week) 

D — Lloyd Nosier 

A — Wellyn Totman 
Stuart Palmer 

C — Nick Musuraca 

Cast. 

Tom Keene 
Julie Haydon 
Crelghton Chaney 
Edward Kennedy 
DaVld Durand 
CidOdla Coleman 
'Christopher Strong' 

(7tli week) 
D — Dorothy Arzner 
A — Gilbert Frankau 

Zoe Aklns 
C — Bert Glennon 
Cast: 

Katherlne Hepburn 

Colin Cllve 

BlUle Burke 

Helen Chandler 

Ralph Forbes 

Jack La Rue 

Ireno xirown 

'Declassee' 

(Ist week) 

D— E. H. Griffith 
Cast: 

Ann Harding 
Joel McCrea 
Untitled 
(Ist week) 
D — Wm. Seller 
Cast: 

Wheeler & Woolaey 
BOACH 
'Fra Dlavolo' 
(2nd week) 
D— Hal Roach 
A — Jeannle Macpherson 
C — Art Lloyd 
Cast: 

Laurel & linrdy 

Dennis King 

Thelma Todd 

Henry Armelta 

Donald Reed 

Lucille Brown 

James Flnlayson 

UNIVERSAL 
'Kiss Before the Mirror* 
(0th week) 

D — James Whale 
A — Ladlalaus Fodor 

Wm. Anthony McGulre 
C — Karl Frcunrt 
Cast: 

Nancy I'arroll 

Frank Morgan 

Paul Lukas 

Gloria Stuart 

Jean Dixon 

Chas. Grapewln 

Walter Pldgeon 

'Niagara Falls' 
(-ttli week) 
D — Sam Taylor 
A — I'reston Sturges 

Wm. Anthony MrGuIre 
C — Jerry Ash 
Cast : 

Slim Summervlllo 
/asu Pitl.s 
Shirley Grey 
Laura Hope Crewes 
Rollo Lloyd 
Cora Sue Coltlna 
'S.0J9. Iceberg' 
(3eth week) 
D — Arnold Fank 



Heartbrealdiig Hollywood 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Hollywood has no monoply on 
year-round climate. Only break 
around here Is that one can get 
along without an overcoat and red 
flannels. 

Most of the people who ran into 
hard luck from the day they landed 
hero were those who came confi- 
dent that pictures needed them. 
They were welcomed by their for- 
mer pals, but Immediately dropped. 
Hollywood's that way. It comes 
with the climate. 

Biggest sufferers were those who 
came from vaude where they were 
establlsl.ed as type performers. Be- 
cause they had been knocking them 
dead in the two and three-a-day 
for years, they figured they'd re- 
peat In pictures. Few got a chance. 
Charlie Grapwln waited five years 
for his first good picture part. 
Side Lines 

Result was that a great number 
of them went into side lines. First 
is always a little bootlegging. It 
takes them about four weeks to dis- 
cover that it's the wrong line. Fol- 
lowing that ' ley try agentlng. An- 
other mistake. 

Next break is a small part in a 
local legit show, usually a co-opera- 
tive musical which winds up behind 
th^ eight ball. They do their vaude 
specialty which as a rule creates 
little or no interest among the pic- 
ture execs. 

When the show folds they try ra- 
dio which pays about $25 top out 
here. They jse their vaude mate- 
rial which goes sour after the sec- 
ond broadcast.. From then on it's 
anybody's guess what they'll go Into 
Some of them do a little writing 
at the two-reel comedy lots. Up 
pops their vaude material again. 
About this time they realize they've 
used up all their stuff and decide 
to try acting again. So from then 
on It's a round robin. 

Break-in Route 
Legit people, not so blatant as the 
vaude mob, go for the radio routine, 
but outside of that have to stick to 
their last. Most of them go the 
break-In route of bits and small 
parts in pictures. If competent they 
manage to get a living out of pic 
tures, but it's just about a living 
and no more. After several months 
here they usually hit out for New 
York again and the call of the legit, 
Recognized stage performers who 
don't get the big break In Holly- 
wood can usually get something to 
do on what Is left of the legit stage. 
But what happened to vaude? 



Dialog Rights Not Separate from 
Owner of Drama and Silent Rights 



EMBASSY, FRISCO, BARE 

Markowitr Wouldn't Pay $6,500, 
for WB $20,000 Equipment 



San Francisco. Feb. 6. 
Dan Markowltz ran into a mess 
of trouble In trying to open his Em- 
bassy (formerly Warners) Saturday 
(4). He had to change date to 
Thursday (12). 

Lou Halper and Frank Blount, of 
Warners, which last week bowed 
out of the house, offered Markowltz 
all booth equipment, wiring, etc., for 
$6,500. Markowltz countered with 
$3,600, refused. 

WB ordered removal of projec- 
tion machines and electrical equip- 
ment, totaling some $20,000 worth, 
with Markowltz plastering Injunc- 
tions to no avail. 

Markowltz rushed In a flock of 
machinery to replace that removed. 
He'll run Embassy on a non-union 
basis, making It the only trst run 
non-union house In the town. 
Markowltz has a 35c top at night, 
running indie product 'Laughter in 
Heir (Mono) being the opener. 



Publix May Retain N. Y. 
Rialto if Rent's Right 

If no deal can be made by Publix 
on the Rialto, which closed 
Wednesday (1), Publix will con- 
tinue to operate it under its own 
banner. Meantime, a rent adjust- 
ment will be attempted. 

Rent and taxes on Rialto reported 
at $3,500 a week. 

Question of future operation of 
the Rialto by Publix rests largely 
upon the attitude taken by the les- 
sor, should no deal be made through 
Publix turning house over to an- 
other tenant. 

House is leased from the Gerry 
Estates by a company known as 
Orbi Mundus Realty Co. Latter, 
which Is said to be lessee company 
headed by Felix Kuhn of Kuhn, 
Loeb & Co., In turn has its deal 
with Publix. A similar arrange- 
ment applies over the Criterion, 
with the lessee there the Cedrlc 
Realty Co. 

Lease on Rialto has six years to 
go. Rental and taxes on house are 
$3,149 a week and the charge-off on 
equipment, depreciation, etc., $530 a 
week. 



100,000 Deadheads to Help Merchants 

Free Picture for Wk. at Canton Auditorium — 
7 Local Theatres Feel Effect 



Canton, O., Feb. 6. 

Free Alms proved opposition to 
seven local film houses last week. 
Over 100 merchants distributed free 
to some 100,000 patrons In all of 
Stark County, free tickets to a pic- 
ture, 'Robin Hood,' showing five 
times dally for seven days in the 
city auditorium, seating 4,000. 

Stunt was supposed to create good 
will among Stark county shoppers 
and bring them into town during 
the seven days. Despite all of the 
theatres had above average bills, 
they all suffered from the free dis- 
tribution. 

While theatre operators did 
nothing to oppose the free show, 
they were greatly dissatisfied with 
this medium of mercantile exploita- 
tion. 



RKO Only L.A. Downtown 
Pic Grind Over 40c Top 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

RKO (Hillstreet) now has the 
highest b. o. tariff of any of the 
downtown straight sound houses, 
the 65c top matching that of War- 
ner's Downtown, which adds five 
acts of vaude for the take. 

With passing of stage shows at 
Loew's State Wednesday (1), that 
house dropped Its admission to 40c 
top, (after 6 p. m.) which Is also 
the Paramount fee. 

Hillstreet Is also holding Its af- 
ternoon price up to 40c, with the 
combo policy at the Downtown get- 
ting only 36c. State and Paramount 
get 25c to 6 o'clock. 



A — Lt. Comm. Frank Wead 

Arnold Fank 
C — Hans Schnefberger 
Cast: 

Gibson Howland 

Lenl Relnfenstabl 

Sepp Rlst 

Brnst Udet 
'CohenR and Kelly* 1b 
Trouble' 
(Ith week) 
D — Geo. Stevene 
A — Vernon Smith 

Al Austin 

Fred Uulol 

Jack Junftmeyer 
C — Len Towers 
Cast: 

(ieorge Sidney 

('has. Murray 

Maureen O'Sulllvan 

Andy Devlne 

Frank Albertson 
WARNER 

'Elmer the Great' 
(etb week) 
D — Mcrvyn Loltoy 
A — King Lardner 

Geo. M. Cohen 

Tom Geraghty 
C. — Arthur Todd 



Cast: 

Joe B. Brown 
Patricia Bills 
Frank McHugh 
Claire Dodd 
Preston S. Foster 
Sterling Holloway 
Jessie Ralph 
Berton Churchill 
Charles Wilson 
Lloyd Neal 
J. Carroll Nalah 
Douglas Dumbrllle 
Gene Morgan 
Emma Dunn 
The Mayor of Hell' 
(1st week) 

D — Archie Mayo 

A — Islln Auster 

Edward Chodorov 

C — Barney McGlll 

Cast: 

Jarncs Cagney 
Glcnda Farrell 
O. Pat Collins 
Arthur Hohl 
Sidney Miller 
'Frlvate I>etectlve' 
(3rd week) 

D — Michael Curtlz 
A— Raoul WhliUplit 



Rlan James 

C — Tony Gaudio 

Cast: 

William Powell 
Ruth Donnelly 
Margaret Lindsay 
Gordon Westcott 
James Bell 
H. B. Warner 
Natalie Moorhead 
Sheila Terry 
Theresa Harris 
Renee Whitney 
Ann Hovey 
Irving Bacon 
'Lilly Tomer' 
(Ist week) 

D — Wm. Wellman 

A — Philip Dunning 
George Abbott 

Cast: 

Ruth Chatierton 
George Brent 
Frank McHugh 

'Narrow Corner' 

(lat week) 

D — Al Green 

A — Sommcrsct Muughan 

Robert I'resnell 
Caul: 

Doug. KulrbankH, Jr. 
Pat Kills 



The importance of a legal decision 
recently, of vital trade signiflcance, 
had to do with the relation of dialog 
rights to formerly vended screen 
(silent) rights. It was handed by 
Justice .Shlentag of the New York 
Supreme Court in the suit of Cinema 
Corp. of America against Konrad 
Bercovici and Cecil De Mllle, on 
'The Volga Boatman.' Court decided 
against the author. 

According to the suit, Bercovici, 
In 1925, made a contract with the 
De MlUe Pictures Corp. granting It 
the motion picture rights and dra- 
matic rights to his book 'The Volga 
Boatman.' Film was then made by 
De Mllle and distributed through 
P.D.C.. DeMlIIe later turning all 
rights over to C. C. A. DeMIllc is 
named only as a court gesture. 
Now Bercovici Is dickering to 
sell the rights for a remake as a 
talker, with the plaintiffs claiming 
that their rights Include the priv- 
ilege of making a talker, although 
Bercovici says he never sold them. 

Bercovici, through his attorneys. 
Insisted that where one owns silent 
film rights, plus drama rights, that 
does not give the rights of making 
a talker without buying additional 
rights from the author, these rights 
being those of dialog and recording. 

Justice Shientag's decision found 
against Bercovici, to the effect that 
owning dramatic and silent film 
rights is sufficient for talker pro- 
duction purposes. It creates the 
first legal background in this type 
of argument. 

The Opinion 

Justice Shientag's decision says, in 
part: 'Talking motion picture rights 
must, by necessity, follow as the 
part of combined dramatic rights 
and moving picture rights. Motion 
pictures, when first presented in si- 
lent form, were a new art. They 
lacked an essential of stagd plays 
performed by living actors in the 
presence of the audience- — the au- 
dible speaking of lines, and so it 
was that silent motion picture rights 
were recognized by the courts as 
something separate and apart from 
what has always been known as 
dramatic rights. 

'However, the talking motion pic- 
ture combines the pictorial element 
of the old silent film with the new 
element which was formerly insep- 
arable from dramatic rights, the au- 
dible reproduction of words. If the 
various recognized forms of rights 
in a story are split up so that one 
person becomes the owner of the 
sjlent m.p. rights and another per- 
son becomes the owner of the dra- 
matic rights, a party wishing to 
make a talking motion picture of 
that story would have to obtain the 
permission both of the owner of the 
silent motion picture rights and the 
owner of the dramatic rights. Each 
one controls an element essential to 
the production of a talking picture. 

'But where the same person owns 
both rights, he owns everything 
necessat'y to the making o^ a talk- 
ing motion picture, and he neces- 
sarily must own the talking motion 
picture rights.' 

Jesse A. Levlnson, attorney for 
the defendant, Bercovici, filed an 
appeal to the Appellate Division 
from Justice Shientag's decision. 



Memphis Orph Indie 

Memphis, Feb. 6. 
The Orpheum will continue to 
operate Independently under the 
management of L. R. Pierce, backed 
by local men who own the theatre, 
despite the fact that no conces- 
sions were made by any of the 
unions. 

Receivership and bankrupt pro- 
ceedings by RKO and the Orpheum 
circuit caused the lease on the 
house to be voided and its opera- 
tion returned to the Memphis The- 
atre & Realty Co., which owns the 
house. When directors of the com- 
pany turned the theatre over to 
Pierce, he sought concessions from 
the unions, claiming they were nec- 
essary for operation. 



Judgments 



Ilendllne riolures Corp.; C. 



520. 

Wcstrliestpr I'lctures. Inc.; 

Puthc DlHtrlbutlng Curi}.; t86. 

.\. L. Krianger Realty Corp. 



SchifC; 
RKO- 

. . ; s. J. 
Baron, as temporary administrator; 
^.11 1,31$. 

.\. L. ICrliinger Amusement Eoter- 
prmf-i. Inc.; J. Daron; $537,629. 

Cini'mii Prmhiots Corp.; W. H. 

I'rIlclKiril : $13,51)2. 

■tally lioo l'ro<lur(lunH, Inr.; Russell 

I'ai I' i vnn nu'l I.miiIh K. (Jensler; Oatea 
Ji .Mi^ninKf, Inc.; tJ,5.T3. 



24 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 7, I933 





• . . says in New York Journal'- 

It Mm 






G N E Y 

JUST ONE PHRASE FROM THE PRODIGAL PRAISE FOR 
THE MOVIES' PRODIGAL SON-OF-A-GUN! HERE'S MORE! 



4t 




ACagneyhit. A smash. You'll howl. Punch, 
uproar and fun. You'll relish every minute of it 
and cheer the return of Cagney."— iV.K Mirror 



*'Gagney grand. Extremely funny.*'- /ourmii 

**Will keep you amused from opening scene to 
final fadeout."— Tcre»ro/>ii 



"Of course you'll see the picture. Everyone 
sees Cagney pictures."— ^m^can 

"One of Gagney's best. Assured success." 

'^Brooklyn Eagle 



4( 



Cagney in fine form. Enormously funny. One 
of the most amusing comedies of the season."/ 

Sun" 



HARD TO HANDLE 

Tagged as his greatest money show by more opening-day admissions than any previous Cagney hit at N. Y. S'rand: 

With Mary Brian, Ruth Donnelly. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



PICT 



E S 



VARIETY 



25 



Stock Market 



(Contlnaed from page 7) 
priced picture stocks on this basts, 
most of the active ones closing a 
traction up. 

Par-Publlx bonds extended their 
gains over the older Par-Famous 
issue until the premium spread to 
about 1 point, a reversal of the old 
relation and a situation that puzzles 
most traders. Loew's bonds lost 
another fraction to 66 even, while 
the Loew stock slipped a bit too 
close within an eighth of its recent 
low at 16%. 

Sterling Jumped 4 cents to 93.44 
the pound. 

Near Dec. Lows 

When a test of bullish sentiment 
came as it did last week, the result 
was prompt and definite. In six 
trading days the price average lost 
all it had gained in the cautious^ 
creeping advance of the whole 
month of January. What caused the 
list to fall off the shelf was the de- 
cision of the Steel directors to cut 
the preferred dividend from a quar- 
terly $1.76 to 60 cents, breaking a 
tradition that had lasted for 32 
years. 

Standard Oil of N. J. followed by 
passing its usual quarterly extra of 
25 cents and other dividend votes 
of like nature helped to spread the 
gloom. Congress continued its 
witch dancing and late in the week 
intimations were put out that the 
new administration will sponsor a 
big Muscle Shoals power generating 
plan, bringing up a new problem for 
the uUlities. 

Reflecting a mixed picture, the 
whole list retreated to within a 
point of the December bottom and 
it became apparent that that critical 
level was in for some sort of a test. 
Saturday's final prices were at the 
low of the week which also is a 
low for the new year. The Decem- 
ber bottom was between 66 and 67, 
and last week's finale stood at 67.66 
in the industrial Index. As the new 
week starts, it becomes a question 
of how much strength the bullish 
element can jnuster to defend the 
year «nd bottoip. 

It has been apparent ever since 
Klectlon that the market was bound 
to run into a test on the senior 
Steel, and the American T. & T. 
dividend. The Telephone board 
meets in about ten days and until 
that event is out of the way it is 
not likely there will be any bullish 
demonstration. Meanwhile, Street 
sentiment has veered from hopeful 
to (generally pessimistic. 

The amusement shares were prac- 
tically stationary as far as the lead- 
ing stocks were concerned, appar- 
ently being left to drift while the 
market digested the actuality of 
two receiverships for a pair of the 
leading- units. Paramount and RKO. 
There seemed to be a disposition to 
give new consideration to the active 
theatre t>onds, the erroup liere hav- 
ing a ragged appearance. Some of 
the movements were difficult to 
Interpret except on the theory that 
the rush to get rid of amusement 
Hens had been greatly overdone and 
at the new low levels there was a 
disposition to renew part of liqui- 
dated holdings, this time on a spec- 
ulative basis. 

Old Keith Bond's Recover 
The old Keith obligations enjoyed 
a ."spirited rebound, moving up near- 
ly 7 points from the bottom and 
holriing the ground gained to the 
last. Theory here probably Is that, 
since the bonds are nn underlying 
obligation, there would be a profit 
In them even If the company's situ- 
ation went to the extreme of actual 

Summary for week ending Saturday, Feb. 4: 

STOCK EXCHANGE 



Film History 



bankruptcy and liquidation, that 
angle taking into consideration the 
priority of this obligation on assets. 
The reverse was the case in the 
newer debentures, which hit a new 
low of 8% and stayed there. 

Behavior of the two Paramount 
bonds didn't explain itself so read- 
Uy. The more recent 6%'s turned 
over in heavy volume, moving up 3 
points net and crossing the older 
6's which, with only occasional ex- 
ceptions, have always commanded a 
premium. That the ev&'s should 
sink lower than their comi>anion 
issue under the recent pressure and 
then run ahead of it on the recov- 
ery doesn't look logical on the sur- 
face. The.explanatlon probably lies 
in the fact that panicky selling of 
the 6%'s had driven them to a level 
out of line with the other on the 
same prospects and the effort to 
correct the' discrepancy was as 
much overdone as the first Impulse 
to dump the one and hold the other 
had been. 

The Pathe bonds were up as much 
as 4 points at one time, the recov- 
ery being mai'ked by very minor 
transactions. Counting a fractional 
gain by Warner convertibles that 
made four liens which staged ad- 
vances. Just to make the picture 
good and confusing, the Loew bonds 
chose this period of strength else- 
where to reveal new weakness, sell- 
ing off to 66 V& for a net loss on the 
week of 2 points and touching a new 
low on the movement The Shubert 
bonds, which had shown a whimsical 
disposition to advance when all the 
others were dropping, this time did 
an about-face, slipping back near 
the old low on a few deals. 
Loew's Net Drops 
Only news Item of the week was 
the profit and loss statement of 
Loew's showing net of 36 cents a 
share of common for the 12 weeks 
to Nov. 24, 1932. This compares 
with $1.09 for the same period of 
1931. Figures for the two quarters 
were $734,946 and $1,814,263 respec- 
tively. 

Such a precipitous drop in rev- 
enues was rather more than the 
market had been prepared for, and 
there was evidence that the Loew 
sponsors had to bring in support to 
hold their stock steady around 16. 
Fact that the bulk of selling had 
already been accomplished helped 
the clique. Volume declined to 
around 30,000 shares for the week, 
compared to nearly twice that total 
several weeks ago when the shares 
slipped through the Important level 
of 17 for the first time this year. 

The bullish operation In Con 
solldated Film preferred, which was 
rudely interrupted by the two re- 
ceiverships, got under way again, 
but this time with less brass band- 
ing. The senior Consolidated shared 
with Loew's preferred the distinc- 
tion of being the only equity issue 
in the amusement group to end the 
week behind a plus sign. Com 
pany's annual statement Is due 
shortly and It Is expected to show 
better than $2 net earned on the 
preferred. Profit for the first nine 
months was $1.70 net on the pre 
ferred which is entitled to $2 before 
the common rates any payment. On 
this basis it is deemed likely that 
the directors will vote a dividend 
for the first half year of 1933, pay 
ments thereafter depending on the 
state of business, which in the pres- 
ent state of the industry Is highly 
problematical. 

Among the other stocks RKO and 
the old Orpheum preferred hit new 
all-tlme lows at 1% and 1%, re- 
spectively, while Par, Fox and War 
neers each lost an eighth to make 
new bottoms on the movement and 
In the case of Par a new all-tlme 
low. 



/ 1032-'33 V 




HiRh. 


Low. 


Sales. 




l'^ 


1,200 






800 






000 


11-fi 


2% 


8,000 


87% 


8514 


8,200 


BTk 


1 


4,400 


26% 


. 


68,000 


80 


7 


37\ 


1314 


10,806 


80 


8» 


200 










li'^ 


"366 


16 


114 


110 


11V4 


% 


82,000 


IV4 


14 


1.300 


OH 


114 


200 


IS'.b 


2H 


88.100 


7% 


114 


D,000 


60 


1094 


GO 


4"- 


14 


18,400 


20 


4 


100 


43W 




26.900 



Issue and rate. 

Amerlcati Seat 

Consol. Film 

Columbia P. vtc 

Consol. Film pfd 

Eastman Kodak (3) 

Fox, Class A 

Oen. Elec. (40c.) 

Keith pfd 

Loew (8) 

Do pref. (OK) 

Madison Sq. Garden 

Met-a-M pref. (1.80) 

Orpheum pfd 

Paramount , 

Patho Exchange 

Pathe, Class A 

Radio Corp , 

RKO 

tTnlversal pref 

Warner Bros 

Do pfd 

Westtnghouse < 



Net chg. 



High. 


I^w. 


Last for wk. 


1% 


114 


1% 


bid 


8V4 


3 


314 


+ H 


10 


. 0% 






ioy«' 




10% 


+ % 


60Vi 


'k 


67 


- % 


1% 




1% 


- H 


15'/« 


13% 


131i 


-1% 






8 bid 




1014 


1614 


16% 


- % 


62 


62 


62 


+1% 


is 


i7% 


is 


+ 14 


1% 


IH 


1% 


-1% 


1 


% 


% 


- H 


% 


% 


H 


- H 


114 


ly* 


114 




4% 


4 


4 


- % 


m 


114 


114 


- H 


1114 


10% 


10% 


-114 


IH 


IH 


IVt 


- 14 


6 


6 


6 


-114 


2014 


2«% 


28% 


-2V4 



CURB 



16 
1% 
2% 
4% 
81i 



4% 

% 



100 








M4 


+ 14 


14,(100 








14 


- % 


1.800 








% 


- H 


i.eoo 






2% 


2% 


- 14 


1,200 






1% 


1% 


- H 



7% 


1 


63 


24 


DO 


C4 


80'.'. 


40 


60% 


8>/4 


66 


014 


10 


8H 


0 


14 


40 


014 



$16,000 
44,000 
04,000 
11,000 
6(,000 
833,000 
1.000 
2,000 
103,000 



BONDS 



•40. 



Gen. Thea. Eq 

Keith O's, '40 

Loew 6's, '41 

Pathe 7'8, '37 

Par-Fam-Lashjr 6' a, 
Par-Pub 6H's, '60... 

RKO debn O's 

Shubert O's 

Warner Bros. O's, '30 



•47. 



IH 


1% 


1% 




3C 


2»<A 


30 


+6V4 


68 


00 


00<^ 


—2 


64 


50 


S2H 


+214 


10 


814 


0% 


+ % 


10% 


614 


0T4 


+8 


814 


8% 


8Vi 


-IH 


% 


% 


% 


- Vi 


13 


12 


13 


+ 14 



Over the Counter, N. Y. 



Asked. 
214 



Gen. 



.. Roxy, Class A (3. SO). 
Theatre cfs $32,000, all at IH- 



(Continued from page S) 
tlon in pictures from the time of 
Zoetrope, Egyptian ruler of 1600 
B. C, to the present day. 

Appeals to Audience 

As previewed in Hollywood, the 
picture, though letting down in 
places, held the audience which had 
already sat through two features. 

Blackton traces pictures from 
Egypt to Leonardo da Vinci and his 
discovery of the camera obscura, 
and the transference of images in 
1462. From there he goes to 
Kircher, who Invented the magic 
lantern In 1640. Next he tackles 
Roget and his vision persistence 
theory, Daguerre and the original 
photography, Colman Sellers and 
his synthetic motion, and Muy- 
brldge, who Invented instant photog- 
raphy to prove that at some time or 
other a running horse has all tour 
feet ofC the ground. This feet off 
the ground business still persists in 
Hollywood. 

This brings the feature up to 1886 
and Thomas Edison's invention of 
souiid pictures. Edison first pro- 
duced the KlnetOBCope in that year. 
It was a cylindrical affair with both 
sound and pictures on the same 
cylinder. Warner Brothers cashed 
in on it 42 years later. 

Blackton at the time was a car- 
toonist on the New York 'World.' 
His paper sent him to East Orange, 
N. J., to interview the electrical 
wizard. Edison made a short sub- 
ject of Blackton doing a chalk talk. 
Pictures stuck in the Blackton 
veins and two years later he be- 
came, with Albert J. Smith and W. 
T. Rock, a producer. Their first pro- 
duction was the 69th New York Na- 
tional Guard regiment leaving for 
the Spanish American War, pre- 
faced by a hand tearing down a 
Spanish flag and replacing it with 
an American colors. 

First Use of Miniatures 

Clips from the first Blackton - 
Smith production are in unusually 
good condition despite their age. 
Later the pair made a miniature of 
the Battle of Manila Bay. Total 
cost of the latter was $3 and the 
first known use of miniatures. 
Blackton with Smith are photo- 
graphed producing the battle. 
Smoke from the eruns was furnished 
by cigars. 

Following reel la cutouts from 
old Vitagraph pictures including 
such well known old timers in pic- 
tures as Florence Turner, Maurice 
Costello, John Bunny, Earle Will- 
lams, Anita Stewart, Viola Danna, 
Milton Sills, Van Dyke Brooks, 
Barbara La Man*. Clara Kimball 
Young doing pratt falls, Sidney 
Drew and the Talmadges. That the 
public remembers the old favs was 
evidenced by the applause. 

Through the entire feature Black- 
ton keeps up a dignified running 
Are of comment, which goes a long 
way In making the picture enter- 
taining. 

Following the old time clips are 
shots of Koster and Bite's music 
hall in New York when pictures 
were first exhibited. Hammerstein's 
Victoria, Olympia, now the New 
York, where the first Blographs 
were shown, also gets its facade In 
the Blackton opera. 

Picture from here on begins to 
show a development in technique, 
action and production that prac- 
tically everyone in the audience re- 
members. 'Hunchback of Notre 
Dame,' 'Mark of Zorro' and Mary 
Plckford in 'Tess of the Storm 
Country' are the next developments. 



lOO Lawyers Cause Turnaway 



Court Arguments on Par's Receivers Before 
Federal Justice — 30-Day Extension 



From those, Blackton Jumps to 
modern miniatures, trick photog- 
raphy and the use of massive sets, 
etc. 

For the finish, Mickey Mouse is 
fiaahed in pre7lous to the final 
fade-out on the Academy Prize 
Winning short, Walt Disney's Silly 
Symphony In Technicolor. 

Biggest Kick 

Perhaps the biggest kick In the 
picture is the experiment of Louis 
Tolhurst in removing the eye from 
a fiy and photographing a man 
sawing wood with the eye placed in 
front of the camera. As projected 
on the screen, the mirror like eye 
of the fiy had registered several 
thousand images of the man on the 
negative. Result brought sustained 
applause from the audience. 

For general entertainment, the 
picture may fall to please some of 
the audience. For those who take 
their pictures more or less serious- 
ly, Blackton's effort to record the 
advancement of . pictures will be 
highly entertaining and interesting. 
Biggest barrier to overcome will be 
the lack of selling angles. This 
might be eased a bit through the 
plugging of the old timers in the 
picture and the Tolhurst experi- 
ment. 

Recording on the first showing 
was in spots pretty bad. Blackton 
plans to re-record the entire pic- 
ture. 

As it stands, 'Parade of Motion 
Pictures,' temporary title, Is good 
intelligent entertainment, strong 
enough to hold its own on a single 
bill and Ideal for twin bills in nabe 
houses catering to family trade 
where paw and maw remember 
wh^n. Con, 



Incorporations 



California 

Sacramento, Feb. C. 

Certified copy chanfflng name of Btln- 
catlonal TtMtlng Pictares Company, Ltd., 
Wilmington. Del., to Western Service 
Stndloa, Inc. 

Certified copy of IPtochoa Boyer Pie- 
tares, Inc., City and State of New York. 

Certified copy of Faracal. Theatre I«as- 
Ing Corporation, WilminKton, Del. 

Certified copy of Sanpara Theatre 
Leaelns Corp., WllminKton, Del. 

Certified copy of Varatran Theatre 
Leaslns Corp., Wilmington, Del. 

Permit to sell stock Issued to: 

Paclflo Geographical Pictures. Geo- 
graphic picture. To issue all 4,000 Class 
A common and 8,000 Class B common 
shares, no par. 



Conaectlcnt 
Norwalk Theatres, Inc., Norwalk; 
capital. $100,000; par. $100; Dsld In 
9100.000; incorporators, Frederick Love- 
joy, Jr., l«uiBe B. Pawllkovlch and 
Rose Murphy. 



New York 

Albany, Feb. 6. 

The Aldrel Corporation, Manhattan; 
theatrical; 100 shares no par. 

Kranols Bacon & Christopher Marlowe, 
Inc., Manhattan; theatrical business; 100 
shares no par. 

Boy American FUm Corp., New Tork; 
picture business: t6,000. 

Bmnswlok Prodactlon Corporation, 
New Tork: theatrical production; $2,000. 

Badio City Properties, Inc., New Tork; 
theatrical and amusement business; 100 
shares no par. 

Chestnut laboratory Corporation, Man- 
hattan; pictures, photoplays; $2,000. 

Naborhood News PnbllBhIng, Inc„ New 
Tork; theatre programs, magazines; 
$1,000. 

Rex Ballroom, Ino., Manhattan; the- 
atrical; $20,000. 

Hercnry Film I^boratorleo, Inc., Man- 
hattan; picture business; 200 shares no 
par. 



Balto Exhibs Chop 



Accessories Budget Cut Down 25 but 
Business Gets Worse 



Baltimore, Feb. 6. 

That exchanges may drop their 
accessories departments looms as a 
possibility, especially in this vicinity, 
as exchange after exchange reports 
declines In the receipts from the 
sale of advertising accessories. Esti- 
mates from various exchanges as to 
the amount of the drop vary from 
46% to 65%. On that basis exhibs 
In this district alone are spending 
approximately $16,000 less weekly 
on accessories. 

Accessory departments that for- 
merly showed excellent profits now 
register discouraging losses as ox- 
i liibs continue to slice into their 



budgets. To the exchange men the 
entire movement apt>ears as a vici- 
ous circle which must be stemmed 
before the picture business can right 
itself. The exhlb, seeing business 
fall off. Immediately starts to chisel 
on the budget. The result usually Is 
that business gets worse and so fur- 
ther slashes are made in the public- 
ity outlay. The situation becomes 
chronic. 

Opinion has been expressed that 
the exchanges will eventually be 
forced to cut prices on accessories 
to once more build up the use of the 
advertising material, since without 
proper exploitation no picture can 
deliver its best. 



Lawyers stole the show at the 
Paramount receivership hearing 
held Thursday (2) before Federal 
Judge William Bondy. There were 
probably 100 lawyers in attendance. 
Not all could get Inside the court- 
room. Some banker and company 
execs present. 

Two attorneys even argued that 
a lawyer should be. named as an ad- 
ditional third receiver. This argu- 
ment brought squawks from attor- 
neys for the leading litigants in the 
action, who opposed such a proposi- 
tion on two counts: 

There were already enough law- 
yers mixed up in the case; 

Appointment of a third additional 
receiver would only cause an addi- 
tional fee to be expended out of the 
receivership estate. 

Upshot of the matter was that 
Judge Bondy consented to continue 
the present receivership under 
Adolph Zukor and Charles D. Hilles 
for 30 days, with a show cause or- 
der at the end of that period why 
these should not be named perma- 
nent receivers. It was Judge 
Bondy's opinion as expressed that 
If three receivers were okay, two 
were equally as good. 

Among the attorneys nominated 
for an additional receivership post 
was Arthur Friend. He was men- 
tioned by an attorney who is rep- 
resenting a client In a State court 
action against Par. Attorneys for 
three small bondholders, Geiford, 
Reuben and Yellow, who brought 
the pending bankruptcy petition 
against Par, nominated another. 

• Judge's Repartee 

Some merriment was caused when 
one of the attorneys for Adolph 
Zukor decried tlie court's al>pre- 
henslon over the bondholders' 
squawk against the equity receiver- 
ship, when Judge Bondy smilingly 
cracked: 

'Speak for yourself.' 

The argument against any and 
all changes In the present setup 
was led by Ellhu Root, Jr., among 
counsel for- the receivers, and 
Nathan Burkan, counsel for some 
contract creditors. 

'What do we want more lawyers 
in this case for,' argued Burkan to 
the court, 'Here's the best law firm 
in New Yorlc counsel for the re- 
ceivers,' and he pointed to Mr. 
Root. 

Judge Bondy was anxious to de- 
termine the whyfore of any oppo- 
sition to the Zukor-HIIIes receiver- 
ship, but apparently there was none. 
So the Justice let the matter stand, 
stating that Hilles was the personal 
representative of the court and that 
the court would be guided by him 
In such matters. The argument 
was unanimous that Zukor knew 
his stuff and that he was the proper 
man as a co-receiver. His capabili- 
ties were commended on all sides. 
Law Teachers 

From this the arguments switched 
to the question whether Judge 
Bondy had Jurisdiction In appolnt- 
tlng an equity receivershiy while 
a petition for bankruptcy was 
pending. 

The session started Mke a law 
school class when such prominent 
ex-pounders of the law, as Root and 
Burkan explained away why the 
mere filing of a petition In bank- 
ruptcy does not take precedence 
over an actual receivership. 

The lawyers contended that If 
such mere filing took precedence, 
such a petition must be considered 
an injunction against all others. 
Where a firm like Paramount is 
held to be solvent the holding that 
such mere filing were an Injunction 
would impose undue hazards on the 
company's affairs to the detriment 
of all. 

This argument was brought over 
the Gclford-Reuben-Yeliov/ peti- 
tion, where no action had been tak- 
en by the petitioners after the filing 
for the appointment of a receiver 
nor had such been requested In the 
petition. Many cases were cited 
on this point by various counsel. 
It was held that such mere filing 
can only be considered a warning. 

Judge Bondy apparently agreed, 
especially i:i view of the fact that 
the particular petition referred to 
carried no request for the appoint- 
ment of a receiver. Even If they 
had taken action for such appoint- 
ment, it was admitted by counsel 
for the three small bondholders, that 
the latter would be unable to post 
any kind of sub.stantial bond, pend- 
ing tlu-ir action. 



26 



VARIETY 





X AO ^^\^^^^^-^■M, 




Sinister shadows playing grue- 
some jesb .... ghastly figures 
emerging from mouldy cellars.... 
weird noises in dark houses .... 
murder in the night .... mysterious 
disappearances .... lost souls 
with warped minds .... 

frightening, chilling deeds 
that make the blood run cold 
and the hair stand on end — 

THAT'S MYSTERY! 

Nothing will sell it to your audiences like 

AaUAL SAMPLES ACTUAL 

SCENES .... ACTUAL DIALOGUE 
RIGHT FROM THE PiaURE ITSELF. 



1^ 





Tuesday, Febniary 7, 1933 



PICTURE S 



VARIETY 27 



W THE CANDY 
Aim BALTO 



Baltimore, Feb. 6. 
Mean zero weather and scurrying: 
gnow Blight detriment to business 
this week, but the outstanding: 
flickers of the session Indicate that 
weathier or no, there's gold la good 
fllm; 

No dispute anywhere that they've 
been waiting for Eddie Cantor In 
this town, and the Stanley Is pro- 
ceeding to do what looks like the 
biggest gross in two years with that 
'Kid From Spain.' Records started 
to pop on this one from the open- 
ing gong, and it'll take more than 
chilly weather to keep this flick 
from Knocking olf a tremendous 
$22,000, the largest bite of tickets 
this house has seen In' months. 

By comparison with the trade for 
this one the rest of the town's the- 
atres look a bit slcklsh, but such 'is 
really not the case. For Instance, 
the Stanley's sister house under the 
Loew banner locally, the Century, 
is doing excellently, but more so on 
account of Ted Lewis &nd vaf}b on 
the stage than because of the pic- 
ture, '20,000 Tears In Sing, Sing.' 
Looks like this prison stuff (s being 
overdone^ at least as far els Balti- 
more Is concerned. 

While Ted Lewis Is mobbing 'em 
In at the Century, and Cantor Is 
elaylng 'em at the Stanley, a 
brother Chase & Sanborner Is doing 
a little starving at the Hippodrome, 
the indie, vaudfllmcr. Harry Rich- 
man came in with trumpets and 
hurriEths, .but looks like he'll exit to 
a very slow march. Public Is spend- 
ing its amusement coin this week 
tor either Lewis or Cantor, with 
Riohman sadly out of It. Rlcbman 
is not repeating the sensational, biz 
he contributed to Philadelphia the- 
atre situation recently. A bad dis- 
appointment here, from all Indica- 
tions, one of the few bad weeks this 
theatre has had. 

Af^ound the rest of the arenas, 
things are Just going along. 'Na- 
gana' Is being plugged heavily for 
the kids at Keith's, this bouse re- 
cently having discovered that those 
nickels and dimes from the under- 
16 trade add up fast. 'Child of Man- 
hattan' looks like the right one for 
New, the only straight society 
drama in town for the shopping 
ladles. 

Estimates for This Week 
Auditorium (Penn Mutual) (1,600; 
10-20-30) — 'Trailing the Killer' 
(WW). House Is going along with 
Its ten-twent-thli-t' scale, and may 
yet clip off a good season on Its 
appeal to the peanut trade. Looks 
like everything okay at the pace aet, 
which is reaching for $4,000 cur- 
rently. Last week 'Hypnotized' 
(WW) on the opening week of the 
new policy instituted by Len Mc- 
Laughlin managed to touch $4,600, 
quite on the right side of the ledger. 
Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 26-3B- 

45- 66-65)— '20,000 Tears In Sing 
Sing' (WB) and vaude. Ted Lewis 
and company on the stage is the 
real accounter for the flne biz cur- 
rently. Reaction Is setting In against 
those prison epics, especially among 
the femmes. On the hat and clari- 
net, however, the house can depend 
on $18,000, excellent. Last week Belle 
Baker on the stage helped mlghtly 
to push 'Hard to Handle' (WB) 
across the line to $17,200. 

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,600; 
26-35-45-66-66)— 'Sailor Be Good' 
(RKO) and vaude. Harry Rlchman 
on the stage with his crowd, but not 
helping matters. Picture rated 
stronger than Rlchman on draw. AI 
together a disappointment , on the 
performer's side, because the house 
expected much more than" the indl- 
cated poor $14,000. Last week 'Past 
or Mary Holmes' (RKOT-was^ alsa 
off at $11,200. 

Keith's (Schanberger) (2,400; 30 
40-50)— 'Nagana* (U). Animal thrill 
er being plugged for the kid trade, 
especially In connection with the 
new Ivids clubs this house has start 
ed. On the general draw looks 
headed for $6,000. Last week 'Law- 
yer Man" (WB) ended rather weakly 
at $4,300. 

Maryland (Penn Mutual) (1,700; 
B5-83-$1.10-$1.66)— 'Rasputin' (MG). 
Town's single roadshow flick will 
stick it out a fortnight, and will 
Lake about $6,000 for this half after 
having gobbled an oke $10,8000 for 
the opener. Walts Its customary pe- 
riod before coming into the Loew's 
run Stanley at pop. 

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 30-40-60) 
—'Child of Manhattan' (Col). It's 
the one society flicker of the week 
for the shopping matrons, and even 
on tliut score alone will do trade 
that satiafles. At tliat pace it means 
at least $4,500, good. 'Dangerously 
Tours' (Fox) was off at $3,700 pre- 
viously. 

Stanley (Loew-UA) (3,400 ; 26-36- 

46- 55-65)— 'Kid From Spain' (UA). 
In the van by miles at $22,000, a 
mark that this house hasn't seen 
since Grant took Richmond. Could 
holdover easily. Previous session 
was good enough for 'No Man of 
Her Own' (Par) at $14,200. 



KANSAS aXY 

(Continued from page 10) 

lumbo and'Tband featured for next 
week with Buddy Rogers and or- 
chestra and the Four Mills Bros, to 
follow. 

Kate Smith's 'Hello Everybody,' 
the big noise at the Newman, had 
the management behind It in a big 
way but despite great expectations 
for an Increased gross. It doesn't 
look that. Heavy advance publicity 
for 'Sign of the Cross' to follow at 
regular house prices. 

Estimates for This Week 
Liberty (Dubinsky) (860; 10-16- 
20), 'Conquerors' (RKO), first half, 
and Obey the Law" (Col), second 
half. Reductloh of top price from 
26 to 20c not making any difference, 
except to reduce the gross a nickel 
a head. Likely to near $2,600, good. 
Last week 'Chain Gang' (WB) and 
'One Way Passage' (WB), $2,000, 
n.s.g. 

Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 26-36- 
50), 'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
vaude with Rae Samuels and Ray 
Bolger featured. Stage show given 
preference' in the publicity as Miss 
Samuels means lots here. Headed 
for fair $13,000. Last week 'The 
Mummy' (U) failed to develop any 
enthusiasm, $9,000, bad. 

Midland (Loew) (4,000; 26), 'Se- 
cret of Madame Blanche' (MG). 
Personal endorsement ads from the 
management and the lure of the 26c 
gate bringing results and looks like 
a big $14,000. Last week 'Whistling 
in the Dark' (MG) after opening 
strong slipped to $12,000, still good 
at the price. 

Newman (Publlx) (1,860; 26-36- 
60), 'Hello Everybody* (Par). Lota 
was expected from thlB Kate Smith 
picture but It did not click and only 
$9,000 In prospect,, fair. Last week 
'Tonight Is Ours' (Par), ditto. 



Boffaio Spotty 

Buffalo, Feb. 6. 

Business remains spotty. Cur- 
rently double features are taking it 
on the chin, along with the Buffalo, 
where 'Frisco Jenny* Is falling to 
attract. 

Estimates for This Week 

Buffalo (Shea) (3.600; 30-40-66)— 
•Frisco Jenny* (WB)— Not a draw 
here at $12,000. Last week 'Kid from 
Spain' (UA) best house has done in 

a long time, $21,700. 

Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 26- 
40) — 'Hot Pepper* (Fox). May sur- 
prise by getting $7,600, okay biz. 
Last week '20,000 Tears in Sing 
Sing' (WB) got $6,900. 

Century (Shea) (3,400; 26)— 'King 
Murder' (Chest) and 'Just Had to 
Get Married' (U). Double bill this 
week not so good, $6,000. Last week 
'Slightly Married* (Invin) and 'Rob 
bers* Roost' (Fox) $11,400, very good 

Hipp (Shea) (2,400 ; 26)— 'Mme. 
Butterfly' (Par) and 'Once in a Life- 
time' (U). Indications are for $7,- 
000 or better, okay. Last week 
'Maedchen in Uniform* (Kr) gath- 
ered a mild $6,100. 

Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 25)— 
"Trailing the Killer* (WW) and 
'Hypnotized' (WW). Strong double- 
feature opposlsh pulling this week's 
gross down to $6,000. La^t week 
'Uptown New Tork* (WW) and 'Isle 
of Paradise* (Prln) nice $7,300. 



Not Even a Burleycue, 
N. H. 100% Stageless 

New Haven, Feb. 6. 

Town Is now strictly pictures. 
Passing of burlesque at Shubert, 
after two weeks' stand, leaves N. H. 
without stage fare of any kind for 
the flrst time In history. 

Roger Sherman nicely paced with 



'20,000 Tears In Sing" Slttir-^tBr 
advance plugging campaign of three 

Not certain yet if the Shubert 
(dark legit) will put in a booth for 
fliips. 

Paramount Into new double fea- 
ture policy with very poor opening. 
Estimates for This Week 

Paramount (Publlx) (2,348; 35-50) 
—'Hello Everybody' (Par) and 
'Crusader.' Kate Smith's pull sur- 
prisingly weak. Only $4,000 In view. 
Last week 'Sign of Cross' (Par) at 
pop prices went for a nice $9,200. 

Palace (Arthur) (3,040; 85-60)— 
'Madame Blanche' (MG) and 'State 
Trooper.' A special advertising en- 
dorsement by management on 
'Blanche' should help raise this bill 
to a nice $7,800. Last week 'Mum- 
my' (U) and 'Hot Pepper' (Fox) 
okay at $7,100. 

Roger Sherman (WB) (2.200; 35- 
50)— -acOOO Years' (WB) and 
'Breach of Promi.''e.' Headed for a 
good $7,200 with 'Years' taking all 
the credit. Last week 'Emplo>ee8' 
Entrance' (WB) and 'Hard to Han- 
dle' (WB), satisfled at $6,500. 

College (Arthur) (1,666; 26-40)— 
'Goona-Goona* and 'Guilty or Not 
Guilty.' Will probably reach affair 
$2,000. Same figure la.st week for 
'Face in Sky' (Fox) and 'Obey the 
Law.' 



Ad Complex 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
. At a studio conference the 
director outlined to the pub- 
llclty-advertisiner chief what he 
thought was needed to proper- 
ly open his newest picture. List 
included 500 billboards, dozen 
40 -inch newspaper ads, neon 
signs attached to airplanes 
and letters to everyone listed 
in the telephone directory. 

Thealrie advertising man, 
who was In on the confab 
casually yawned: 

'Oh, you Just want a teaser 
campaign!' 



'DONE HIM WRONG' VERY 
RIGHT IN DET., $25,000 



Detroit, Feb. 6. 

Publlx stole the- show this week 
with a couple of outstanding at- 
tractions and a cut in prices to 66c 
top at both the Michigan and United 
Artists. The Fox had been leading 
the. town for the past several weeks. 
The Downtown also suffers as the 
Michigan, with 'She Done Him 
Wrong,' and the U.A;, with "Kid 
FrOm Spain,' are plajrlng to hold- 
out business. 

'She Doiie Him Wrong' opened 
Wednesday af tef -a terrific flop of 
'Hello Everybody' that had to be 
pulled over- a day ahead of time. 
Capacity : from ' the start and even 
at the lowered prices (66 Instead of 
76;). the" .gro^s 'wiU top anything this 
house has seeii in over a year. 

Flsljer.. 1b going along to a nice 
biislnei^ with 'Island of Lost Souls' 
and will n^ake a couple of bucks 
profit. 'Nagana' was too late in 
following too ihany South Sea plx 
to get any place and had to be 
pulled after three days with 'Lucky 
Devils' following. 

The Fox with Tace in the Sky* 
has little to seU.in weak picture and 
still weaker 'School Days* stage 
ghow. 

Last week 'Hello Everybody' at 
the Michigan played to the worst 
business house, has seen for a new 
low for almost six days. Total for 
this picture about $8,000. 

Estimates for This Week 

Michigan (4,046; 16-26-36-55), 
'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) and 
stage show. They*re strong for Mae 
West Biz bullish and will lead the 
town with $26,000. Last week 'Hello 
Everybody* (Par) and stage show a 
very weak. $8,800 on flve days and 
Jerked two days ahead of schedule. 

Fox (6,100; 16-26-86-40-66). 'Face 
In the Sky* (Fox) and stage show. 
No leader of the burg this week; 
very mild for $15,000. Last week 
•Uptown New Tork' (WW) and 
'Sally* on stage okay for nice $24,- 
000. 

Fisher (2,666; 16-26-36-40), Island 
of Lost Souls' (Par). Horror sex 
film getting attention and $9,000, 
oke. Last week 'Farewell to Arms' 
(Par), third week, okay at $7,800. 

Downtown ( 2,760 ; 16-25-40), 
'Lucky Devils' (U) and 'Nagana.' 
Will be brutal, 14,000. Last week 
'They Just Had to Get Married' (U) 
fair at $7,700. 

United Artists (2,018; 16-25-36- 
40-66), 'Kid From Spain' (UA). 
Looks to get very big $20,000. Last 
week 'Strange Interlude' merely 
stopped gap at $6,800. 

Lafayette (1,260; 26-60-$1.00), 
'Maedchen In Uniform.' Staying a 
second week and fair on the b.o., 
$4,000. Last week fair $3,000 didn't 
warrant the extended stay. 



HoblitzeDe and Pantages Houses 
TurnedBackbyRKO-Orpheum Status 



SPECIAL SHOW AT $1 

Cameo, N. Y., Tries Sat. Midnite 
with Mailing List Audience of 350 



RKO used its Cameo theatre on 
42d street. New Tork, to discover if 
tbere*9 a sufficient audience In New 
York for "high-brow' pictures. Ex- 
periment Saturday (4) midnight. It 
worked nicely with a turnout of 
about 350 at $1 per. 

'Ivan,' new Russian talker, was 
advertised as 'too high-brow' for 
regular showing at that theatre, de- 
spite the Cameo regularly shows 
Russian Alms. It was put on the 
screen at inldhlght and for the sin- 
gle screening. Mailing list was 
used, plus some advertising, but 
everything held down to a minimum. 

Distributor, Amkino, got a straight 
percentage. Theatre has 629 seats. . 

House may regularly show special 
films on Saturday midnights in the 
same way, if and when available, 
but not using pictures that It might 
or could .*egularly show. 

Irving Shapiro, special booker for 
the house. Is handling the new Idea. 



2 Indianapofis Honses^ 
Return to Their Owner 



Indianapolis, Feb. 6. 

Indiana ahd Circle theatres are 
back with their original owners, 
Circle Theatre Co. Receivership of 
the Paramount-Publlx organization 
caused the reversion to the original 
owners. Until last week the Circle 
company had had Joint control 
over the two houses with the P-P 
outfit, the latter group acting as 
lessees and part owner of the prop- 
erty. In the contract affecting this 
arrangement was the statement that 
should P-P 'default in its lease the 
theatres would immediately revert 
to the original owners. 

Jack Roth will remain temporarily 
as district manager, Holden Swlger 
as manager of the Indiana and Ar- 
thur Baker manager of the Circle. 

In 1927 the C.T.C. contracted with 
Famous Players Lasky and the Pub- 
llx Theatre Corp. for a part Interest 
In the Indiana. The C.T.C. con- 
tinued to operate the Circle. Later 
the Skouras - Publlx organization 
took over both houses along with 
the Ohio, now dark. When Warners 
acquired control of Skouras Inter- 
ests, the theaters became units in 
the Warner chain, but until last 
week remained in the P-P organiza- 
tion. 

Directors of . the new operating 
company are A. L. Block, Fred C. 
Gardner, Herman P. Lleber, Leo M. 
Rappaport, Edward Hunter, P. C. 
Rubush and Theodore Stempfel. 



Skonrases Hove 

Skouras ofllces move the cur- 
rent week from the Paramount 
Building, Broadway, Into the home 
office building of Fox Film, on 66th 
street, near 10th avenue. 



Si Fabian Seems in Lead as Head 
Of Poli Operation Under NewDeal 



It's a scramble among would-be 
operators for the Poli circuit, with 
Harry Arthur's contemplated de- 
parture from that chain. Leading 
among the contenders in the free- 
for-all with the bankers and Poll 
listening to almost everybody is SI 
Fabian. 

Latter is presently attached in a 
supervisory capacity on the Fox 
1 eatres receivership. He is the 
former operator of the Newark 
houses owned by Fabian's father 
until sold to Warners. Besides 
Fabian, A. C. Blumenthal has been 
on the dicker for the theatres. The 
money angle may be a bar that way 
also. 

Horschel Stuart's name has be^n 
mentioned in connection with the 
deal. This mostly has come by way 
of people diose to Poll and through 
recommendation of Arthur, who has 
told the Poll people and the bank- 
ers that If they could not come to 
terms with Arthur, himself, they 
could secure no better operator than 
Stuart for the circuit. 



Stuart has had no talk with the 
Poll people and the past week was 
out of town making a survey of 
RKO theatres, of which he is gen- 
eral manager under Harold Frank- 
lin. Stuart formerly operated the 
Poli chain for Fox, before and after 
Arthur became general manager of 
the Fox theatre groups around two 
years ago. 

On Fabian's end, it Is stated, a 
deal between him and the bankers 
was about set, but that further con- 
fabs were to be held In New Haven 
on the subject with the Poll people. 
Poll representatives and the bank- 
ers also have held confabs In New 
York the current week. 

Presently Arthur is operating the 
cirnult through Arthur Theatres 
Corporation, which he owns. He is 
doing HO voluntarily until the Poll 
people make up theirs minds to do 
one thing or another. In the mean- 
time, some $300,000 In bond Interest 
which Ii; due Feb. 1 is in default. 
There are $14,000,000 in bonds hold 
by Poli on the Poll houses, and an- 
other four millions by the bankers. 



It looks likely that in the read- 
justments which are being made at 
RKO, this company may hold on to 
around 10 of the Orpheum spots. It's 
up to the receivers and if terms can 
be agreed upon, RKO may continue 
to operate those Orph spots. 

Reorganization of the company 
theatre end Is under way all along 
the line. Herman Zohbel, treasurer 
of RKO, has been named receiver 
for the RKO Western and the RKO 
Southern corporations, meaning 
Pantages and Hoblitzelle, respec- 
tively. 

All spots affected by the receiver- 
ship or almost are paying their film 
rental fees dally. Altogether there 
are around 14 houses immediately set 
for a turnback. So far as RKO is 
concerned Pantages and Hoblitzelle 
began operating their respective 
f ormer houses a week ago. 

Houses which RKO may retain 
through the receiver Include the Or- 
pheum, New Qrleans; HUlstreet, Los 
Angeles; Golden Gate, Frisco; Or- 
pheuni, Minneapolis, Orpheum, St. 
Paul;': Orpheum, Omaha; President, 
St. Paul; Palace and the State ;Xake 
theatres^ Chicago and Orpheum, St. 
Loulis. . 

6 for Beck? . 

It li^ .likely that in the i^organlz- 
atlon offshoot, Martin Beck inay get 
the hpdses which foriherly compris- 
ed the Qrpheuia Realty group on the 
coast. Beck is stated to be the, big- 
gest etpc]kholder of that end. There 
are around ilve theatre so concerned. 

Presently also, RKO la trying to 
arrange to give up the Victory, 
Providence, and retain only the AI- 
bee, li} that city. Depends here much 
on the fllm booking arrangements. 
Albee Is one of those 'Impossible' 
situations. 

In Syracuse RKO is trying to ar- 
range tb give up the' Strand and 
move the shows pver to Keith. Here 
It depends on the Warners, whose 
films are booked for the Strand. 

Several houses are slated for a 
shutdown, with some already closed. 
Orphehm, Memphis, closed Feb. 3, 
as did also the Rivoll, Toledo, an- 
other shut down ifs' the Riverside, 
Mllw0.ukee. 



FoxV L A. on Dual 
At Two Kts Starts War 



IjOS Angeles, Feb, 9. 
With the Los Angeles (Wm. Fox) 
downtown's latest flrst run grind 
going into a dual feature policy 
currently, at 16c for mats and 26c 
at night; mlliiature price cutting 
war has broken out, with the Pal- 
ace (F-WC-PrincIpal) slashing its 
night take of two bits to a straight 
16c. 

Los Angeles and Palace are on 
opposite sides of Broadway, Just a 
stone's throw apart. Former op- 
erated for more than a year with 
last runs downtown, at ISc con- 
tinuously. Recently Joe Leo tied 
up Indle flrst runs, and boosted his 
tariff to the present scale, using 
one feature for a week's run. Dual 
policy of the Palace, and other 
nearby 'grinds prompted a trial of 
the double bills, and after last 
weekend decision was reached to 
ad opt the policy perma nently . 
FTiouse may cut to a nat isc aTter 
next week. 

Naborhood Indle exhibs are hol- 
lering their heads off because Fox 
West Coast has thrown its deluxe 
WUshire (Wllshlre blvd.) Into a 
double feature policy, and cut the 
b. o. scale to 40c for the lower floor, 
30c for balcony and loge seats at 
60c. 

Wllshlre,' for some months, was 
operated under the slogan 'Amer- 
ica's most distinctive theatre,' with 
newspaper advertl.sing consisting of 
the ultra modern type. 

Dual bill for opening week com- 
prised 'Animal Kingdom' and 'Sec- 
ond Hand Wife.' 



Galanty, Film Bd. Pres. 

Baltimore, Feb. 6. 

At the Film Board meeting last 
week, the exchange men of this dls 
trlct selected .Sam CJalanty, of Co 
lumbia, to prexy the organization 
for the year to come. Ed Helber, 
of Univers.Tl, v, p. 

Retiring head is Rudolph Berger, 
who held the presidency for two 
con.secutive years. 



i 



28 



VARIETY 



rOR ONCE "VARIETY ' IS LATE 



EVERY EXHIBITOR KNE 



IT! 






HORE THAN EVER THE GREATEST NAME IN PICTURES 



Toeedftf, Felinuury 7, 1933 



PICT 



ES 



VARIETY 



29 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



Studloti Path* StudlOT, Allied 
Culvar City, Cal. rMiicu 



Offices: 729 Seventh Ave.. 

New York, N. Y. 



Cowboy Couneellor, The. Hoot Oibson poses as a lawyer. Dir. Oeoree Mel- 
ford. 66 mins. Rel. Oct. 15. 

Iron Matter, The. Success and romance In a steel mill. Regrlnald Dennv, Ltla 
Ijee, J. Farrell MacDonald, Virginia Sale. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 66 
mln. Bel. Not. 16. 

Man's Land, A. Western, wltl) Itoot Oibson winning Marlon Schilling. Dir. 
PhU Rosen. 68 mins. Rel. June 11. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Officer 13« Motorcycle officer exposes racketeers. Monte Blue, Llla Lee, Beena 

Owen. Mickey McGuIre, Jackie Searle. Dir. George MeUord. 63 mins. 

Rel. Deo. 15. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Parisian Romance, A. Famous stage play. Lew Cody„ Marian Shilling, GIU 

bert Roland. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 76 mins. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. 

Oct 18. 

Plii»ftf<krA«kl«1 Offices: 1540 Broadway, 

^nesierneia Ne^, York. n. y. 

King Murder, The. From the novel. Conway Tearle, Natalie Moorehead, Robt. 
Frazer. Dorothy Revler. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time. 64 mins. ° Rel. Sept. 
25. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Slightly Married. Comedy drama. Evalyn Knapp, Walter Byron, Marie Pre- 
vost. Dir. Richard Thorpe. Time, 65 mins. Rel^^ Nov. 15. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Strange People. Mystery melodrama. John Darrow, Gloria Shea, Hale 
Hamilton. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mins. Rel. Jan. 15. 

Thrill of Youth, The. Modern society. June Clyde, Allan Vincent, Matty 
Kemp. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. .Time. 63 mins. Rel. Aug. 15. 

Women Won't Tell. Romantic dirania. Sarah Padden, Otia Harlan. Dir. 
Rich. Thorpe. Time. 67 mins. ReL Dec. 1. 



tf^^liiml«SB Offices: 729 Seventh Ave., 
VvIUmDlR New York, N. 



Studio: Qower at Sunset, 

Hollywood, Cal, 

Air Hostess. Thrilling story of th^ adventure and rontance of a 1933 girl who 
fearlessly flies across ttaejtontlnent In passenger ehlps. Evalyn Knapp, 
James Murray. Dir. Al ItogiitIL Rel. Jan.- 16. Rev. Jan. 24. 

American Madness. Melodrama cr a run on the bank and how It was checked. 
Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien. Kay Johnson, Constance Cummlngs. Frank 
Capra. dir. Time, 76 mlna Rel. Aug. 15. Rev. Aug. 9. 

Bitter Tea of General Yen. Romance and adventures of an American girl 
caught In the maelstrom of Shanghai. Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther, 
Walter Connolly. Dir. Frank Capra. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Deception. Story of the. wrestling game and Its frameups. Leo Carrlllo, 
Thelma Todd, Dickie Moore. Dir. Lew. Seller. 67 mlnsi Rel. Nov. 4. 
Rev. Jan. 17. ■ 

End of the Trail. The. A U. 8. cavalry officer, who Is court martlaled, and 

redeems himself. Tim McCoy. Luana Walters. Dir. D. Ross Lederman. 

68 mins. Rel. Dec. 9. 
Hello Trouble. Buck Jones Quits the rangers — but lie goes back. Buck Jones, 

Llna Basquette. Dir. I^rabert Hlllyer. Time, 61 mins. ReL July 16. 

Rev. Oct. 18. 

Last Man, The, Drama of outlawry on the high seas. Chas. Blckford, Con- 
stance Cummlngs. Dlr, Howard ' I^lggtns. Time. 66 mln& Rel. Aug. 31. 
Rev. Sept. 20. 

Man Against Woman. Man's strength against woman's wiles. Jack Holt. 
Lillian Miles. Dir. Irving Cummlngs. Time. 68 mins. ReL Nov. 16. 
Rev. Dec. 20, 

Man of Action. Original outdoor dranuu Tim McCoy. Dir. Oeo. Melford. 

57 mins. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Mark It Paid. Original story of motorboat racing. Wm. Collier. Jr., Joan 

March. Dir. D. Ross Lederman. 69 mins. Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Jan. 24. 
McKenna of the Mounted. Canadian policeman drops below the border. Buck 

Jones, Greta Gransted. Dir. Ross Lederman. Time, 67 mins. Bel. Aug. 

26. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Murder of the Night Club Lady. See 'Night Club Lady.' 

Night Club Lady. Unique murder mystery, done from a novel. Adolphe 

Menjon, Mayo Methot, Skeets Gallagher. Dir. Irving Cummlngs. Time, 

66 mins. Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Night Mayor. Political story based on Jas. J. Walker. Lee Tracy, Evalyn 

Knapp, Eugene Palette. Dir. Ben Stololt. Time, 66 mins. Rel. Aug. 19. 

Rev. Nov. 29. 

No More Orchids. A millionairess who Is regenerated by the new American 
spirit Carole Lombard, Lyie Talbot. Walter Connedy, Louise Closser 
Hale. Dir. Walter Lang. 70 mins. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev.' Jan. 8. 

Obey the Law. Original of an easy mark who turned firebrand. Leo Carlllo, 
Lois Wilson. Dir. BenJ. Stoloff. 69 oUns. Rel. Jan. 20. 

That's My Boy. FootbaU story oft the usual lines. Rich. Cromwell, Dorothy 
Jordan, Mae Marsh. Dlr, R. W. NIel. Time, 71 mins. ReL Oct 6. Rev. 
Not. 22. 

This SbortlnoAge. Revenge on the polo field, Jack Holt. Evalyn Knapp. 

Dir. A. W. Bennlson. Time, 71 mine. ReL Sept 15. Rev. Oct 4. 
Vanity Street. Girl breaks a window to get into JaiL but lands in the 'Fol- 
lies.' Helen Chandler, Chas. Blckford. Dir. Nick Grinde. Time, 67 

mins. ReL Oct 15. Rev. Oct IL 
Virtue. A street walker who goes straight Carole Lombard, Pat O'Brien. 

Dir. Edw, Buzzell. Time, 68 mins. ReL Oct 26. Rev. Not. L 
Washington Merry-Go- Round. Political satire. Lee Tracy, Constance Cum- 

mfngs. Dir. Jas. Cruze. Time, 76 mins. Rel. Oct 16. Rot. Oct 26. 
White Eagle. Buck Jones as an Indian pony express rider. Jones. Barbara 

Weeks. Dir. Lambert Hillycar. Time, 65 mins. ReL Oct 7. Rev. 

Sept 27. 



Studios: Burbank, 

Calif. 



First National "^^^ »f *n: y. 

Cabin In the Cotton. A social study of the poor, whites. Rich. Barthelmess. 

Dorothy Jordan, Bette Davis. Dir. Michael CurUz. Time, 76 mine. Rel. 

Oct 15. Rev. Oct 4. 
Central Park. Western cowboy hunts bandits In a New Tork park. Joan 

Blondell. Wallace Ford, Guy Kibbee. Dir. John Adolfl. Time, 66 mins. 

Rel. Dee. 10. 

Crash, The. How one couple reacted to the panlo. Ruth Chatterton, Geo. 

Brent Dir. Wm. Dleterle. Time, 69 mins. ReL Oct 8. Rev. Sept 13. 
Crooner, The. Comedy drama of a radio singer. David Manners, Ann Dvorak. 

Dir. Lloyd Bacon. Time. 68 mins. Rel. Aug. 20. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Doctor X. Mystery thriller In color. Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Lee Tracy. 

Dir. Michtiel Cjirtlz. Time. 77 mlas. Rel. Aug. 27. Rev, Aug. 9. 
Employee's Entrance. Original "Love In a Dept. Store.' Warren William, 

Loretta Young, Alice White. Dir. Roy Del Ruth. 74 mins. ReL Feb. 11. 

Rev. Jan. 24. 

Frisco Jenny. 'Madame X' In San Francisco locale. Ruth Chatterton, Donald 
Cook, Jas. Murray. Dir. Gerard Beaumont 70 mins. ReL Jan. 14. Rev. 
Jan. 10. 

Life Begins. Tactfully handled maternity story from a stage play. Loretta 

Young, Eric Linden. Dir. Jas. Flood and Elliott Nugent Time, 72 

mins. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Aug. 80. 
Match King. Fictitious romance of the Swedish financier. Warren Wllllan;, 

LIU Damlta. Dir. Howard Bretherton-Wm, Kelghley. 79 mlna Rel. 

Dec. 31, Rev. Dec. 13. 
Silver Dollar. Sliver boom days In Col. Edw. G. Robinson. Dir. Alfred E. 

Green. 84 mins. Rel. Dea 24. Rev. Deo. 27. 
They Call It Sin. Kansas girl breaks into N. T. show life. Loretta Toung, 

Geo. Brent, David Mannera Dir. Thornton Preeland. Time, 70 mins. 

Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Oct 26. 
Three on a Match. Three schoolgirls have adventures. Joan Blondell, War- 
ren William, Ann Dvorak, Bette Davis. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 63 

mins. Rel. Oct 29. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Tiger Shark. Life and tragedy with the tuna fishers. Edw. O. Robinson. 

Zlta Johan, Rich. Arlen. Dir. Howard Hawks. 79 mins. Rel. Sept 24. 

Rev. Sept 27. 

You Said a Mouthful. Joe Brown swims to Catallna. Joe E. Brown. Ginger 
Rogers. Dir. Lloyd Bacon. Time, 70 mins, Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Nov. 22. 



Studio: Fox Hills, 

Hollywood, CaL 



Fox 



Offices: 860 Tenth Ave., 
New York, N Y. 



Broadway Bad. Story by Wm. R. Llpman and W. W. Pczet. Modern drama. 

Joan Blondell, Glnper HoBera. Ilicardo Cortcz, Margaret Sedden. Dir. 

Sidney Lanfleld. Rel. Feb. 24. 
Call Her Savage. Tiffany Tha.vcr's story of a half breed glrL Clara Bow, 

Monroe Owsley, Gilbert Roland. Dir. John Francis Dillon. Time. 82 

mins. Rel. Nov. 27. Rev. Nov. 29. 
Cavalcade. Noel Coward's pageant of British society. Diana Wynyard, Cllvo 

Brook, Herjjert Mundln, Ursula Jeans. Dir. Frank Lloyd. Roadshow 

length 110 mins. No release date set. Rev. Jan. 10. 
Chandu the Magician. Dramatized radio broadcast Edmund Lowe, Bela 

Lugosl, Irene Ware. Dir. Marcel Varnel. Time, 72 mins, ReL Sept 18. 

Uev. Oct 4. 

Dangerously Yoiurs. Society thief and girl detective. Wampr Baxter, Miriam 
Jordan, Herbert Mundln. Dir. Frank Tuttle. Rel. Feb. 3. 



Thes* tabulations «r« compiled 
from information supplied by the 
various production comt^aniss and 
checked up as soon as possible after 
release. Lisling is given when re- 
lease dates are definitely set. Titles 
are retained foi six months. Man- 
agers who- receive service subse- 
quent to that period should pre- 
serve a copy of the calendar for 
reference. 

The running time -s given here 
is presumably that of the projection 
room showings and can only approx- 
imate the actual release length in 
those states or communities where 
local or state censorship may result 
in delet ions. Running time in the 
reviews as given in 'Variety' carry 
the actual time clockeJ in. the the- 
atre after passage oy the New York 
state censorship, since pictures are 
reviewed only on actual theatre 
showings. . 

While every effort is made to hold 
this list 'aecurat«r the information 
supplied may not always bo correct, 
even though offieiAl. To obtain the 
fullest degree of exactness 'Variety' 
will appreciate the do-operation of 
all managers who may note discrep- 
ancies. 



Hollywood 



(Continued from page 6) 

ducer 'charges him with carelessly 
allowing a two-tooth bridge to slip 
down his throat and Into the lung, 
causing a lung abscess, necessltat- 
ins two operations. 

Faulkner on 'Birds' 

William Faulkner has been en- 
gaged by Metro to write a treat- 
ment on "War Birds.' Picture is one 
of two air stories to be supervised 
by Howard Hawkes. 

The Mirror, JffoUywood, subse- 
quent run, has added two days a 
week of stage entertainment to its 
dual picture blJI. 

Wurtzers First Under Way 

Sol Wurtzel's first pic, 'Trick for 
Trick,' under his Individual pro- 
duction agreement with Fox, went 
into work last week. Hamilton Mc- 
Fadden megglng. 



Cliff Jones landed* In pictures 
shortly after his arrival here from 
New York in 'Trick for Trick.' 

Radio Stars in U Pic 

Boswell Sisters, Morton Downey 
and Lopez band have been con- 
tracted so far to appear In Unlver- 
sal'a ether picture, which goes Into 
production on reopening' of the stu- 
dio. Summerville-Pltta will star. 



John M. Stahl and TTniversal are 
in a tug-of-war over the director's 
picture, 'Only Yesterday.' Stahl 
wants to produce it Immediately, 
whereas the studio eays nay, nay, 
until after reopening. 



New Mascot Comptroller 

Albert B. Levoy goes In as comp- 
troller at Mascot, replacing Maurice 
Conn, now In the company's Seattle 
exchange. 

Fox has received 20,000 feet of 
negative on 'Man Eater,' now being 
made in the Malay peninsula. 

An original idea for a story for 
Wallace Beery has been sold Metro 
by Rowland Brown, on -and -offer at 
the studio. 



Charles Kenyon, on layoff at War- 
ners, is scripting 'Beauty' for Luclen 
Hubbard, new associate at Metro, 
and formerly with WB, 

Mack Sennett has spotted Edward 
Cllne to meg In the Bag,' the first 
of several shorts which the director 
will handle. - 



Hot Title 
Universal Is closing for the U. S. 
distribution of the Brltlsh-Gaumont 
musical, 'Tell Me Tonight,' which 
will be retltled •Be Mine Tonight' 



Casey Robinson gets a writing 
termer from Charles R. Rogers. 



J. L. Warner returns here from 
New York for three-week stay be- 
fore going east again to attend 
Roosevelt's inauguration. 



Blllie Seary replaces Freddie 
Fredericks In the retakes of Metro's 
'Today We Live.' Latter youngster 
hurt in auto accident. 



Charles R. Rogers buys 'Hock 
.Shop' by Charles Eolrlcn and Wil- 
liam Ullman, Jr. Production will 
follow 'Bedfellows' and 'Legal 
Crime.' 



Face In the Sky. Romantic adventures of a billboard sign painter. Spencer 
Tracy, Marian Nixon, Stuart Erwln. Dir. Harry Lachman. Rel. Jan. 15. 

First Year, The. Domestic drama from a stage play. Janet Gaynor, Chas. 
Farrell. Dir. William K. Howard. Time, .. mins. Rel. July 31. Rev. 
Aug. 23. 

Handle with Care. Comedy. Jas. Dunn, Boots Mallory, El BrendeL Dir. 

David Butler. Rel. Dec 26. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Hat Chetk Qlrl. Murder and mystery in a nite club. Sally Ellers, Ben Lyon. 

Ginger Rogers. Dir. Sidney Landfield. Time. 63 mins. Rel. Sept. 25. 

Rev. Oct 11. 

Hot Pepper, Flagg and Quirt— with Lupe. Edmund Lowe, Vic McLaglen, 

Lupe Velez. Dir. John BIystone. 74 mins. Rel. Jan. 22. Rev. Jan. 24. 
Infernal Machine. From the novel by Carl Slobdda. Drama. Genevieve To- 

bln, Chester Morris. Dir. Marcel VarneL Rel. Feb. 10. 
Me and My Gal. Comeay arama. Joan Bennett, Spencer Tracy. Dir. Raoul 

Walsh. Time. 78 mins. Rel. Dec. 4. 
Painted Woman. Drama of the East Indies, with Spencer Tracy and Peggy 

Shannon. Dir. John BIystone. Rel. Aug. 14. Etev. Sept 6. 
Passport to Hell, A. Drama of African Jungle. Ellssa Landl, Alex. KIrkland, 

Warner Oland. Dir. Frank Lloyd. Rel. Aug. 7. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Rackety Rax. Football satire. Victor McLaglen, Greta NIssen. Dir. Alfred 

Werker. Time. 65 mins. Rel. Oct. 23. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Robbers' Roost. Rustler discovers that love Interferes with cattle stealing. 

George O'Brien. Dir. Louis King. 63 mins. Rel. Jan. 8. 
Second Hand Wife. Banker's secretary steps from his office Into bis heart 

Sally Ellers, Ralph Bellamy. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 64 mins. Rel. 

Jan. ]. Rev. Jan. 17. - 

Sherlock Holmes. The Conan Doyle story with a new gangster twist Cllve 
Brook, Miriam Jordan, Ernest Torrence. Dir. W. K. Howard. Time, 
68 mlna- Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Nov. 15. 

Six Hours to Live. Murdered diplomat is revived to avenge his murder. 
Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan. Dir. Wm. Dleterle. Time. 78 nUns. 
Rel. Oct 16. Rev. Oct. 25. ^ .. 

Smoke tightnlng. From Zane Gray's 'Canyon Walls.' Geo. O'Brien, Nell 

O'Day. Dir. David Howard. ReL Feb. 17. 
State Fair. From the novel by Phil Strog. Love and triumph at tlio state 

fair. Janet Gaynor, Lew Ayres, Will Rogers, Louise Dresser, Dir. 

Henry King. 60 mins. Rel. Feb. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Tess of the Storm Country. Talk version of an old silent Janet Gaynor, 

Chas. Farrell. Dir. Al. Santell. Time, 75 mins. ReL Not. 20. Rev. 

Nov. 22. ^ 

Too Busy to Work. Talking version of 'Jubllo.' Will Rogers, MtIa p Nixon. 
Dir. Jas. BIystone. Time. 76 mins. Rel. Nov. 13. Rev. Deo. 8. . ' 

Freuler ; AMociates •Sf.Tyortt T^': 

Fighting Gentleman, The. A fighter. who goes to the . top and balob' again. 

wm. Collier, Jr., Josephine Dunn, Pat O'Malley. Dir. Burton King. 

Time. 69 mins. ReL Oct 7. Rev. Nov. 15. 
Forty- NIners. The overland trek in pioneer days. Tom Tyler. Dir. J. P. 

McCarthy. 49 mins. ReL Oct. 28. Rev. Dec 20. 
Gambling Sex, The. Racing story with a society slant RuUi Ball. Grant 

Withers. Dir. Fred Newmeyer. Time, 64 mins. ReL NoTi" 21. Rev. 

Dec. 27. ,■ " 

Penal Code. Story of a boy's regeneration surmounting complications. Regis 
Toomey, Helen Cohan, Robert Ellis. Dir. George Melford. 62 mins. 
Rel, Jan. 15. 

Savage Girl, The. Big game hunters find a white Jungle beauty. Rochelle 
Hudson, Walter Byron, Harry Myers. Adolph Mllar. Dir. Harry it. 
Eraser. Rel. Dec. 6. - ' 

When a Man Rides Alone. Robin Hood of the West and aiome daring stage 
coach holdups and fast riding. Tom Tyler, Adele Idicey,- Duke Lee. 
Dir. J. P. McGowan. ReL Jan. 29. 



Majestic 



Offices: teiQ Broadway, 
. New York City 

Crusader, The. Drama of a crusading district attorney. Crelyn Bren., H. H, 
Warner, Ned Sparks, Lew Cow, Walter Byron, Mar ce line Day. Dir. 
Frank Strayer. 72 nalns. ReL Oct. 1. -Rev. Oct lli . 

Gold. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Alice Day, Matthew Betx, Dynamite- 
horse. Dlr Otto Brower. "Time, 56 mine. Rel. Sept 16, ; Rev. Oct IL 

Hearts of Humanity. Drama of New York's East Side. - J^an ^ersholt, Jackie 
Searl, J. Farrell MacDonald, Claudia Dell, Charles Deianey. ; Dir. Christy 
Cabanne, Time, 70 mins. ReL Sept 1. Rev. Sept, -^S?. . 

Law and Lawless. Western drama. Jack Hoxle. Hilda Mofepo. Taklma Can- 
utt Wally Wales, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand ScbiMBer. Time, 61 
mins. ReL Nov. 30. . i r 

Outlaw Justice. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Dovothy GulllTer, Donald 
Keith, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Titne, 61 mlna BeL 
Oct 1. 

Phantom Express, The. Railroad melodramatic mystery. J. Farrell Hac« 
Donald, William Collier, Jr., Sally Blane, Hobart Bosworth, Eddie PblU 
llpa Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mins. Rel. Sept' 16. Rev. Sept 27. 

Sing. You Sinner. Dramatic life of a torch-singer. From the play by Wilson 
Collison. ReL Jan. 31. 

Unwritten Law. The. A drama of betrayal and vengeance. Greta Nlssen« 
Skeets Gallagher, Mary Brian, I«w Cody, Louise Fazenda, Hedda Hop- 
per. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mins. ReL Noy. 16. Rev. Dec 20. 

Vampire Bat, The. A thriller. Lionel AtwllI, Fay Wrajy,. Helvyn Douglas, 
George EL Stone, Maude Eburne. Dir. Frank Strayer. Rel. Jan. 21, 
Rev. Jan. 24. 

Via Pony Express. Jack Hoxle western. Rel. Jan. 3L 

Studios: 4376 Sunset Drive, Mnvfnii* Otneest 1600 Broadway, 

Hollywood. Cal. mayrair n^vw York, N. Y. 

Alias Mary Smith. Events follow a chance meeting. Semi-detective. John 

Darrow, Gwen Lee, Ray Hatton. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 61 mina 

Rel. July 15. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Heart Punch. Murder story with a prize ring angle. Lloyd Hughes, Marlon 

Shilling. Dir. Breezy Eason. Time, 64 mins. ReL Oct 16. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Her Mad Night. Mother assumes guUt for a daughter's crime. Irene Rich, 

Conway Tearic Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 67 mins. ReL Oct 1. 

Rev. Nov. 29. 

No Living Witness. Novelty crime story. Gilbert Roland, Noah Beery, Bar- 
bara Kent Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 72 mins. ReL Sept 16, Rev. 

Oct 11. 

Tangled Destinies. Mystery In a deserted desert home. Lloyd Whitlock, 
Doris Hill, Glen Tryon, Vera Reynolds. Dir. Frank Strayer. Time, 68 
mins. Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Oct. 25. 

Trapped in TIa Juana. Army life on the Mex. border. Edwlna Booth, Duncan 
Renaldo. Dir. Wallace W. Fox. Time, 66 mins. ReL Aug. 16. - 



Studios: Culver City, 
Calif. 



Betty BIythe, out of pictures for 
two years, returns for part In Fox's 
'Pilgrimage.' Charles Grapewln also 
In cast. 



IWIttftiiA Offices: 1640 Broadway* 

meiro n^w York, N. Y. 

Blondie of the Follies, Self explanatory title. Marlon Davles, Robt Mont- 
gomery, Billy Dove, Dir. E. Goulding. Time, 91 mins. ReL Aug. II. 

Rev. Sept 13. 

Clear All Wires. PIcturlzatlon of the recent Broadway hit about a fo'reiga 

correspondent Lee Tracy, Bonita Hume. Dir. George Hill, ReL Feb. 17. 
Divorce In the Family. Jackie Cooper saves the family happiness. Jackie 

Cooper, Conrad Nagel. Lewis Stone, Lois Wilson. Dir. Chas. F. Riesner. 

Time, 78 mins Rel. Aug. 27. Rev.' Nov. 1. 
Downstairs. Life below stairs In a titled family. John Gilbert Virginia 

Bruce, Paul Lukas. Dir. Monta Bell. Time, 77 mins. Rel. Aug. S. 

Rev. Oct 11. 

Fast Life. Typical Haines story with a thrilling speed boat race. William 

Haines, Cliff Edwards, Conrad NageL Madge Evans. Dir. Harry Pollard, 

82 mlna. Rel. Dec 16. Rev. Dec, 27. 
Flesh. Wallace Beery as a wrestler. Karen Morley, RIccardo Cortez, Jean 

Hersholt. Dir. John Ford. 95 mins. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Faithless. Rich girl learns the lesson of the depression. Tallulah Bankhead, 

Robt. MontKomery. Dir. Barry Beaumont Time, 76 mins. ReL Oct 16, 

Kev. Nov. 22. 

Hell Below. The submarine heroe.<) of the World War. Robert Montpromery, 
Jimmy Durante, Madge Evans, Walter Huston. Dir. Jack Conway. 
Rel. March 17. 

Kongo. Remake of the silent of the same title. Sorcery In central Africa. 

Walter Huston, Lupe Vclcz, Conrad NaBcl. Virginia Bruce. Dir. Wm. 

Cowen. Time. 86 mins, Rcl. Oct. 1. Uev. Nov. 22. 
Lady Deceived, The. Ba.sed on tlie Tiro.u1 a ay pt3ge hit by Martin Brown, 

Irene Dunne. Philips Ilolmcs. Uir. Cliarlfs Urablri, Rel. Jah. 13. 
Mask of Fu Manchu. Chinese plotter scr-k.s the sword of Ghengla Kahn. 

Borls Karloff. Lewis Stone, Karen Morley, Dir. Chas, Brabln. Time, 

68 mins. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Outsider, The. An unllceni^ed surfreon performs seeming miracles. Harold 

Hulh, Jovn Barry. Frank Luwton. "0 nlns. RoJ. Jan. 20. 
Pack Up Your Troubles. Lfiurol an l Hardy full lenpih military comedy. Dir. 

Goo. Ma shall and Raymond Carey. Time. 70 mins. Kel. Sept 17. ReT. 

Oc>.t 4. 

(Contltiiicd on page 31) 



so 



VAniETT 



Now he*ll thrill you with this— 



The Firwt PkUirt Evtr Done In 
'Rkythmic Dla/ogiic/' 



JOSEPH M. SCHENCK pm^nlt 

JOLSO 



m 



■ • 
• * • 



«rii«» '"fiioii ■«»*tr 



MS 



wifh 

MADGE EVANS 
HARRY LANGD( 
y FRANK MOI 
CHESTER 



^ ' via 



lONKLIN 



04^ 



IN RHYTHM with your HEART! 

Unlike anything youve overseen before 



UNITED ARTISTS PICTURE 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



P I C T U II E S 



VARIETY 31 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



(Continued from page 29) 

Payment Deftrred. Murder story from the play of that title with Chaa. 

Ijaughtoii '.n hla original role, Maureen O'SulUvan. Dorothy Peterson. 

Dlr: Lotl 9T Mendez. Time, 80 mlns. ReL Oct. 8. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Proaperlty. P utjdepresslon comedy with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. 

Dlr; Son Wood. Time, 87 mlna: Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 29. 
Raaputln And the Empresa.- The Russian overthrow and Its cause. John, 

Ethel an I Lionel Barrymore. Dir. Rich. Boleslavsky. Roadshow time, 

133 mlns No release set. Rev. Dec, 27. 

Red Diist. Jci n Harlow r.nd Clark Gable as a new team in a story of Indo- 
Chlna. ) >lr. Victor Flemine. Time, 83 mlns. Rel. Oct 22. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Rivets. John Gilbert as a skyscraper worker. Robert Armstrong, Mae Clarke, 
Muriel Kirkland. Dir. Tod Browning. Rel. March 24. 

Secret of Madame Blanche, The. Based on Martin Brown's play 'The l,ady.' 
Irene Dunne, Phillips Holmes. Dir. Chas. Brabln. 83 mlns. Rel. Feb. 3. 

Smilln' Throub'i. Remake of the Norma Talmadge silent and Jane Cowl play. 
Norma. s hearer, Leslie Howard, Frederic March, O. P. Heggle. Dir. Sid- 
ney Fr'fli kiln. Time, 96 mlns. Rel. Sept. 18'. Rev. Oct. 18. 

8on-DaughtfTf The. From the play by David Belasco. Helen Hayes, Ramon 
Novarp'd;- Lewis Stone, Warner Oland. Dir. Clarence Brown. 81 mlns. 
Rel. De9-^ .'23. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Strange Intefi.Utcfe. . The famous O'Neill play. Norma Shearer, Clark Gable. 

Dir. Rob>«;t .Z.. Leonard. Time, 110 mlns. Dec. 30,^ Rev. Sept. 6. • 
Today We Llv'i»,'. English girl ambulance-driver 'cfurlVflj the war; Joan 

Crawford, 'GjirJf^jCooper. Dir. Howard Hawks. Rel. March 3. 
Washington Masduerade. Political satire. Lionel Barrymore, Karen Morley, 

Nils Asthef^ ^J01r. Chas. Brabln. Time, 91 mlns. . Rel. July 8. Rev. 

July 26. . , 

WhatI No Beer7 'Buster ICeatipn rAnd Jljtntny Durante' In, the beer racket. 

Phyllis Barrj', ;R6scoe AteBr John- Mlljan. Blr. Edward* Sedgwick. Rel. 

Feb. 10. v.-... _ .;. . , . . • ' ■ 

What Women Give. ^'fCtiirlzatltjn^'Df t^ie 'Broadw;ay playj Jftlen Must Fight.' 
The war probli§wt in jl.940; - : Dlaha Wynyard, PlVllliiis. Holmes, TLewls 
Stone. Dir. Edg^a^ SSTWj-ft.-". B6I. Marbh 10. . . • : 

White Sister The. Based on-the- famous. F. Marlon Crawford novel. Helen 
Hayes, Clark Gable., .Dir. Victor Fleming.. . Rel. Feb.. 24.. 

Whistling In the Dark, s^d^pted froiti the Broadway stage success, in which 
a famous mystery -Ai^iter is kidnapped and forced to plan n murder 
himself. Ernest Triies, Una Merkel, Jean Hersliolt. Dir. Elliot Nugent. 
Rel. Jan. 27. Rev JAii 31. 

Studio: 6048 Sunset Blvd., ' .rlV/I OfHce: 723 Seventh Ave., . 

Hollywood, Cal, iVlOnOgram . . Mew York, N. Y. 

Diamond Trait. Western, Re^fr: Bell. ; Dir. . Harry Fras.er. Rel., Dec. 30. 

Fighting Champ, The. ' Western; Bob Steele, Arietta Duncan. Dir. J. P. 
McCarthy. Time, 64 mlns. ■ Rel. Dec. 15. 

From Broadway to Cheyenne -rf.- V- gav-gsfer meets-the shooting West'. Rex 
Bell. Marcellne Day. Dlr<..Uarty..|i:ra2er. Thne, 6E roih»> Rel. Aug. IB. 
. Rev Sept. 27. ":\:\ .- 

Girl from Calgary, The. Girl cibwboy comes east to -stage triumphs. Flfl 
D'Orsay, Paul Kelly. Dir. PJtll Whitman. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 24. 
Rev. Nov. 22 ■\ •. > . .. , ,- , ■ 

Guilty or Not Guilty? Betty Compson, Claudia Dell.^ Dir. Albert Ray. 67 mine. 
Rel. Nov. IB. - 

Klondike. Physician who falls In a major operation makes a comeback. Frank 
Hawks, Thelma Todd. H. B. Walthal. Dir. Lyie Talbot. Time, 65 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. 30. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Lucky Larrigan. Western. Rex Bell, Helen Foster. Dir. J. P. McCarthy. 
Rel. Dec. 10. ..r.^ 

Self- Defense. Story by Peter B. Kyq^.- Pauline Frederick, Theodore Von 
Eltz, Barbara Kent, Robert Elllola; Claire Windsor. Dir. Phil Rosen. 
Rel. Dec. 15.- .'V 

Sllghtly Married. Society boy marries a ^^eet girl and then falls In love with 
her. Evalyn Knapp, Walter Byron, Marie Prevost. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 
69 mlns Rel. Oct. IB. 

Strange Adventure. Regis Toomey, June--Clyde. Dir. Plill Whitman and 

Hampton Del Ruth. Rel. Dec. 1. ^ '•. ■■ 
Thirteenth Guest, The. Mystery play by! author lot : 'Scartfia*.''' Ginger Rogers, 
Lylo Talbot, J. Farrell McDonald. " Dlr-. Alfred Raj'. T'Ime, 6B mlns. 
Rel. Aug. 26. Rev. SepL 6. (ChadwlckV) ;.. 
Western Limited, The. Mystery aboard a transcontinental train, Estelle 
Taylor, Edmund Burns, Gertrude Astor, ° Craufoi'd 'Bjept. Dlr, Christy 
Cabanne. Time, mlns. Rel. Aug. 10. . Rev.. Oct. 19; ^' 
Voui^g Blood. Western. Bob Steele. Story by Wellyn Totman. Dir. Phil 
>.Rosen. Time, 02 mlns. Rel. Nov. 5. ReV. Jan. 24. 
'•-'^ . ■ - . • ;■ ■ . _ j 

Offices: 1601 Broadwayr 
New York, N. Y. 



70,000 Witnesses. Murder on the football Held. Phillips Holmes, Dorothy 
Jordan, Chas. Ruggles, Johnny Mack Brown, Lew Cody. Dir. Ralph 
Murphy. Time, 69 mine. Rel. Sept. 2. Rev. Sept. 6. 
She Done Him Wrono. Paraphrase of 'Diamond Lil.' Mae West, Cary Grant, 

Noah Beery, Owen Moore. Dir. Lowell Sherman. Rel. Jan. 27. 
Sign of the Cross. Spectacular production of the stage play. Frederic March, 
Claudette Colbert, Ellssa Landl, Chas. Laughton, Ian Keith. Dir. Cecil 
de Mllle. Time, 124 mlna. (roadshow). Not yet released. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Tonight Is Ours. Noel Coward's 'The Queen Was In the Parlor.' Claudette 
Colbert, Frederic March, Allison Sklpworth. Dir. Stuart Walker. Rel. 
Jan. 13. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Trouble In Paradise. Cheating cheaters in Paris and Venice. Miriam Hop- 
kins, Kay Francis, Herbert Marshall. Dir. Ernst Lubltsch. Time, 81 
mlns. Rel. Oct 21. Rev. Nov. IS. 

Undercover Man. Secret service bests the gangsters. Geo. Raft, Nancy Car- 
roll. Dir. Jas. Flood. Time. 74 mlns. Rel. Dec. 2. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Vanishing Frontier. Western dram.i. John Mack Brown, Evalyn Knapp, 
Zasu Pitts. Dir. Phil Rosen. Time, 6B mlns. Rel. July 29. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Wild Horse ' Mesa. Zane Gray's story. Rudolph Scott, Sally Blane, Fred 
Kohler. Dir. Henry Hathaw.iy. Time, 60 mlns. Rel. Nov. 25. Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

P_,„___ Offices: 723 Seventh Ave., 

rowers New York, N. V. 

Lucky Girl. Musical comedy farce. Gene Gerrard, Molly Lament Dir. Eu- 
gene O'Sullivan. Time, 69. mlns. Rel. Sept. 1. 

Man Who Won, The. Story of a wastrel who makes good. Henry Kendall, 
Heather Angel. Time, 70 mlns. Dir. Norman Walker. ReL. Sept. 16. 

Woman Decides, The. From a singe play of Labor vs. Capital; Adrlenne 
Allen, Owen Nare. Dir. Miles M.inder. Time, 6S mlns. Ret. Aug. 16. 



StudRli.tjSBSI Marathon St., 
'^t.^:^ Hollywood, Califs 

Big BA 

Bl 
Oc 



Faramount 



Billion Do 

stron 



St, The. Broadcasting story .with many, air stars. Stuart Erwln, 
"rosby, Leila Hyams. Dir. Frank Tuttle. Time. 80 mlns. Rel. 
lv. Oct. 18. 
andal 



Based on the, Teapot Dome InyestTgfatloh; Robt. Arm- 

.-.rw^.stance Cummlnga, - Olga. Baclanova. _Dlr;'. Ha«r^ Joe Brown. 

76 mlns.™?3$lel. Jan. 6. Rev. JTan. 10. ■ ■ 

Blonde Venus.'^Siory of a stage Woman's efforts to retain^ her «hlW» Marlene 
Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, Dickey Moore. Dir; . Jbs-'- Von Sternberg. 
Time, 85 miiis. Rel. Sept. IR Rev. Sept. ,27. . " iiS". . \ ' 
Dsvll and the Deep. Jealousy In a submerged submarine. TalluIaJi Bankhead, 
Gary Cooper, Chas. Laughton. Dir. Marlon Goring. TlnHe^^^d mlns. 
ReL Aug. 12. Roy. Aug. 23. 
Devil Is Driving, The.' Wynne Gibson, Edmund LowW Dick'fe' Mo6re. Dir. 

Stoloff. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 20. ' ' 

Evenings for Sale. Viennese nobleman becomes a gigolo^ jjerbert Marshall, 
San Marltza. Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stuart Walker. Time, 61 mlnSr. ReL 
Nov. 11. Rev. Nov. It;., 
Farewell tc Arms. Hemmlngw'ay's novel of war on the Italian front.. Helen 
Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou. Dir. Frank B.orzage. . 90 mlns. 
Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Dec. 13.\ 
Qullty as Hell. Murder mystery with Quirt atid Flagg comedy.angle. Edmund: 
Lowe, Victor McLaglen, Richard Arlen. Dlr, Erie Kieijton. Time, 82 
ntUns. Rel. Aug. 6. Itev. Aug. 9. " ^ ' 

He Leafhied About Women. Cornedy drama. Stuart ErwTiti'^Alltidp Sklp- 

woirth,". Dir. Lloyd Corrlgan, Tlmei, 67 mlns. ReK Nov.'.jli 
Hello, Everyl^dy. Radio story. Ks^t6 Smith, Randolt'^C^tt, Sally' JBlane. Dir. 

Selter.''v3lel. Feb. 17. Rev. Jan: 31. ^-.v-^i-r'S"" 
Horse Feathers^ Marx Brothers go collegiate. Dlr.r: Ntiirman McLeod. Time, 

70 mlns. R<|T, Aug. 19.', ReV.'-IAug. 16. '-V 
Hot Saturday. Gossip In a small town. Nancy Carroll. Dir. W. Selter. Time, 

72 mins. ReL Oct. 28. Rev. Nov. 8. 
If I Had a Million. How various persons would react to an inheritance. Gary 
Cooper, Geo. Raft, Wynne Gibson, Chas. Laughton, Ja<il(-Oakie and many 
others, each in a single sequence. Directional sequenced by various di- 
rectors. Time, 86 mlns. ReL Nov. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Island of Lost Souls. Novelty story. Chas. Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila 

Hyams. Dir. Chas. Kentpn. December special. Rev. Jan. 17. 
King of the Jungle. Novelty story.. Buster Crabbe^ Frances Dee. lUrs. Hum- 

berstone-MarcIn. Jan. special. release. 
Lily Christine. British made. Corlnne Griffith, Collii CU^ve. Tim«,. 69 mlns. 

Rel. July. Rev. Sept, 20. . 
Love Me Tonight. Chevalier as a tailor In masquerade. Jeanette MacDonald, 
Chas. Ruggles, Chas. Butterworth, Mema Loy. Dir. Rouben Mamoullan. 
Time. 90 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. Rev. AugT. 23. 
Madame Butterfly. From the opera. Sylvia Sidney, Cary Grant, Chas. Ruggles. 

Dir. Gearing. Rel. Dec. 30. Rev. Dec, 27. ; 
Madison Square. Sporting story. Jack Oakle^ Marian Nixon, Thos. Melghan. 

Dir. Harry J. Brown. Time. 70 mlns. Rfel. Oct 7. Rev. Oct. 18. 
Make Me a Star Dialog version of Merton of tiie Movies. Stuart Erwln, Joan 
Blonde'll, Zasu Pitts. Dir. W^m. BeaUdine. Time, 86 mlns. Rel. July 1. 
Rev. July 6. 

Merrily We Go to Hell. From a stfige comedy drama. Sylvia Sidney, Frederic 

March. Dir. DorOtfey- Aristifir. " Time, 82 mlns. Rel. July 10. Rev. 

June 14. '• . .- ■ . 

Movie Crazy. Harold Lloyi^' breaks Ifiito pictures. Constance C.ummlngs. Dir. 

Clarence Bruckman.:V-'I!l''ie. 96 mlns. Rel. Sept. 23. Rev. Sept. 20. 
Mysterious Rider. Westeirh. " Kent Taylor. Dir. Allen. Rel. Jan. 27. 
Night After Night. Humor In the nlglit clubs. Mae West, Geo. Raft. Con- 
stance Cuminlngs, Allison Siilpworth. Dir. Archie Mayo. Time, 70 mlns. 

Rel. Oct. 14. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Night of June 13, The. The neighbors react to a murder suspicion. Cllve 

Brook; Lila Lee, Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stephen Roberts. Time, 76 mlns. 

Rel. Sept. iZ. Rev. Sept. 20. 
No Man of Her Own. From the novel 'No Bed of Her Own.' Clark Gable, 

Carole Lombard, Dorothy Mackalll. Dlr, Wesley Ruggles. December 

special. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Phantom President. Politlcol story of a presidential double, George M. Cohan, 

Jimmy Durante, Claudette Colbert. Time, 77 mlns. Rel. Oct. 7. Rev. 

Oct. 4. 



Principal 



Offleesi. 11 West42d.^t., 
New Vork, N. V^ 

Blame the Woman. British made n itli Adolphe Menlou and Claude AiUs,tef 
as a pair. of crooks. Dir. Fred Niblo. Time, 74 mlns. ReU Oct., L. 

Devll*s - Playgroundv The. > George Vanderbllt'i expeditionary film. 64 'mlna. 

. Rel. Jan .1. . Rev. Jan. 3. ' , 

Virgins of Ball. Travelogue of the Jsland of .BalL Time, 43 mlns. Rel 
Septf 16 Rev. Dec. 13. 

With Williamson Beneath the Sea. I'ndcrwater exploration. 60 mlns. Rel 

r Jan. 1. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

:* .... .. ,.«-■ • 

Come On. Danger. Western. Tom iCc-one. J. Haydeh,'Roscoe' Ates. Dir. Robt 



RIC O PnU««> Office: 1560 Broadway, 
•IW.V/. rame j(g,,w York, N. Y. 



Hill. Time, 64 mins. Rel. Sept. 
What Price Hollywood. Hollywood lowdown. 
Sherman. Dir. Geo. CuUor. Rel. June 24. 



Constance,' Bennett, Lowell 
Rev. July 19. 



R.K.O. Radio °*""-:.^rw«.*i3rv. 



studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

Age of Consent, 'The. Love and trouble tor a .co-ed. Dorothy Wilson P • 
ard Cromwell. • Dlr, Gregory La Cava. Time, 63' mlns. ReL Aug. E 
Rev. Sept. 6. 

Animal -Kingdomi' The. The man who could not distinguish between his wife 
T and .mistress; tieslle' Howard. Ann Harding. Myrha Loy. Dir. Edw. H 
Griffith. 90 mlns.. Rel. Dee. 23. Rev. Jan. 3. ; _ 
Bill of Divorcement, A. Story of a shell -shocked war vet. By Clemence Daffe; 
John Barrymore, BiUle Burke. Katherlne Hepburn. Dlr, Geo. .'CUKor. 
Time,. 69 mins. Rel. ^ Sept. 30. Rev. Oct. 4. 
6ird of Paradise, A. .Famous stage piny of the South Seas. Dolores Del Rio. 
■ Joel McCrea. Dir. King Vldor. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. Atig. 12. Rev. 
. Sept. 18. . . . 

Bring 'Em Back Alive. Frank Buck's animal thriller. Time, 65 mins. Rel, 

Aug.- 19. Rev. Jiine 21. 
Cheyenne Kid, The. Tom ^eene Western. Dir. Robert Hill. 66 mins. Rel. 
Jan. 20. 

Conquerors, The. A story of American depressions' and their surihountfiiB. 

Rich. Dlx, Ann Harding, Edna May Oliver. Dir. Wnr. Wellman, Time, 

84 mlns. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev. Nov. 22. - - 

Goldie Gets Along. Movie-struck girl who works tKe beauty contest racket. 

Llli Damita, Chas. Morton, Sam Hardy. 88 mttns. Rel. Jan. 27; 
Half-Naked Truth, The. From Harry Relchenbach's -'me^n'oirs -of. ft press 

agent. Lee Tracy, Lupe Velez. Eugene Palette. Dir. Gregoi'y Le Cava. 
, 75 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. / . . , <;,!^ 

Hell's Highway. The horrors of a convict camp,/ Richard" t)l»,~ Ton(»; Brown. 

Dir. Rowland Brown. Time, 62 mlns. Rel/ Sept. 21<- ,flev. Sept; «7". I ;.!( 
Hold 'Em Jail. V\Tieele? and Woolsey play fdpicball on the colVvlc'^ "W^jven". 

Dir. Norman Taurog. Time, 66 mlns. R^,' Sept. 2. Rev. Aug. 23. ^ ' . 
Little Orphan Annie'. Based.' on the cartoon, . illtzl GreeA. '.'Sdw'- Keennedy. 

Dir. John Robertson. ^'Tltti'e, 61 -fnlns. Rel.^ Nov. 4. ReV. Dec,.^. ... 
Men Are Such Fools, Leo 'CacUlo. Dlr..?.Wm. NlglJ. Time, 66 ifiins. Rei?aiov. IS,. 
Men of America. Bill Boydr Dorothy. Wilson, Chic Sale. ' Dir. "Ttalph Incei!. 

Time 67 mlns. ReL Dee. 9. ' ' > '^f . - . 

Monkey's Paw, The. 'W, ,W, Jacobs fnystery story of a hdodooed^pharm. Ci 

Aubrey Smith, Ivan Simpson, Louise Carter. Dir. Wesley "Kuggleis. 66 

mlns. ReL Jan. 13. _ ; ' - / 

Most Dangerous Game, Tfie. Island necluse/' who hunts human belngat .for 

sport. Joel McCrea, Fay Wt*ay,'^ Leslie Banks. Dir. E. Schoedsack. 

Time, 63 mins. RdL.'Sept. 9. -Rev, HoK. 22. - . . . 

No Other Woman. Sted worker who rises ■td'&ftluenoa apd drags his- ^ife; into 

the mire. Irene Dunn, Chas, Blckfordi . .'Diri J- Waflter; Rt^en^ ^8 lAlns. 

Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. "ZV ] r^;-. . 

Past of Mary Holmes, The. Destitute op^a- singer unwittingly accuses her 

son of murder. Helen MacKcIlar Erjb?- Linden, Skeets Gailagh^t*. Dir. 

Harlan Thompson, S.Iavo Vorkapich. R^l. Jan. 20. 
Penguin Pool Murder; The. Stuart Palmi&r's novel: mtirder mystery. Mae 

Clark. Robt. Armstrong, Edna Mae Oliver, James Gleason. Dir. Geo. 

Arcbalnbaud. . 69 mlns. ReL Dec. 9.. Rev. .> Dec. 27. . ^ 

Phantom of Crestwood, The. Mystery at a week-end party. Rlcardo Cortaz, 

Katherlne Morley. Dir. J. W. Ruben. Time, 77 mlns. Rel. Oct. 14. 

Rev. Oct. 18, 

Rockabye. Sentimental motber-Iove story. Constance Bennett, Joel McCrea. 

Dir. Geo. Cukor. Tliqe, 70 mlns. ReL Nov. 26. . Rev. Dec. 6. 
Secrets of the French Police. Foreign mystery-.- Gwlll Andre, Frank Morgan, 

Gregory RatofC. Dir. Ed. Suthcfrlnnd. Time, 58 mips. Rel. Dec. 2. 

Rev. Dec. 13. 

Sport Parade. Novelty stpryi Joel McCrea, Marian Marsh, Wm. Gardan'. 
; Dfr. Dudley Murpljy. Time. 65 nplns. Rel. Nov. 11. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Strange Justice. OddUies .of 'tiie criminal code. Mae Marsh, JJorman Foster, 
Reginald Denny. DI^. V. C, Schertzlnger. Time, 04 mlns. ReL Oct. 7. 

Theft of the Mona Lisa/ TThe. Foreign made. Willy Forst, Trude von Molo 
Dir. G. Vori Bol^ary. Time, 83 .mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. SepL 16. 

Thirteen Womeii, From Tiffany Thayer's story of the power of suggestloit' 
Rlcnrdo Cortee. Irene Dunne. Dir. G." -Archalnbaud. Time, GO mins. 
Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Oct. IS. 



United Artists ^^Ne'rvtlc'^N!- v, 



Cynara. Philip Merlvale stage hit Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis 

Barry. Dir. King Vldor. Time, 79 mlns. Rel. Dec. 28. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Kid from Spain, The. Eddie Cantor masquerades as a bull fighter down In 
Mexico. Cantor, Lyda Robertl. Dir. Leo. McCarey. Time (roadshow), 
118 mln^. Rel. Jan. 21. Rev. Nov. 22. 
Magic Night.' Viennese operetta. Jack Buchanan. Dir. Herbert Wllcon 

Time, 79 mins, Rel. Nov. 2. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Mr. Robinson Cruso$. Adventures In the South Seas. Douglas Fairbanks, 
Maria Alba. Dir. Edw. Sutherland. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 21. Rev. 
Sept. 27. 

Rain. Jeanne Eagles' famous stage hit. Joan Crawford, Walter Huston. Dir. 

Wm. Gargan. Time, 93 mlns. Rel. Oct. 12. Rev. Oct. 18. ^ 
White Zombie, The. Haytlan sorcery. Bela Lugosl, Madge Bellamy. . Dir. 

Victor Halperln. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. July 28. Rev. Aug. 2. 



Studloi Universal City, 
Calif. 



I Iniv<kfen1 Offices: 730 Fifth Ave,, 

Ijniversai ^ew York, N. Y. 

Afraid to Talk. From the stage play 'Merry-Go-Round' about crooked politics. 
Eric Linden, Sidney Fox, Tully Marshall, Louis Calhern. Dir. Edw. L. 
Cahn. 74 mlns. Rel. Nov. 17. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Air Mail, The. Commercial flying thrill story. Pat O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, 
Gloria Stuart, Slim Summerville. Dir. John Ford. Time, 85 mins. Rel. 
Nov. 3. Rev. Nov, 8. 

All American, The. Football story. Rich. Arlen, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Russell 
Mack. Time, 73 mlns. Rel. Oct. 13. Rev. Oct. 14. 

Back Street. A one-man girl whose love defled convention. From a Fanny 

Hurst novel. Irene Dunn, John Roles. Dir. John Stahl. Time, 91 mlns. 

Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Destination Unknown. Adventure on a rum runner adrift In the Pacific. Pat 

O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, Betty Compson. Dir. ray Garnett. Rel. Jan. 26. 
Fourth Horseman, The. Original slor.v. 'Western with the ghost town ba.sls. 

Tom Mix, Margaret Lindsay. Ulr. Hamilton McFaddcn. 57 min.q. Itel. 

Sept. 29. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Igloo. Life struggle In the Arctic. EsUlmo players. Dir. Ewing Scott. TImp. 
60 mlna. Rel. July 14. Rev. July 2C. 

(Continued on page 33) 



SOUTH THEATRE 
DEAL IN SIGHT 



Karl Hoblitzelle has been confer- 
ring with Publlx executives on pos- 
sibility, from Inner accounts, of a 
pool In the south which would group 
his former Interstate circuit with 
the Publlx-O'Donnell operating unit 
In his territory. Belief is that even- 
tually the Hoblitzelle houses will be 
tied into the Publlx-O'Donnell part- 
nership over 23 Texas houses and 
under R. J. O'Donnell. Saenger cir- 
cuit, with E.: V. Richards, may also 
be Interested. 

This has l>een talked of tiefore, 
with Publix several months ago said 
to have been amenable to a pool 
wlt'li -HoJ>Htzelle providing his 
■'houses were turned back to him by 
RICO. 

• Several years" ago before he 
.fiwitched to Publjbc Ip the Southeast, 
O'DOnhoU- was associated -with In- 
terstate as its'"f~'entral ma,na€er. 
'^An RKO-Hoblltzelle de^-' was set 
at one. .time on the understi^tidin? 
that? tije $200,000 renta' .q4' t^^^^Ma- 
Je^tic, San Antonio, one. of 'tlje^^ob- 
Ittzelle "properties, be ifvid^; be- 
tween tlie pool (Hoblltz^fe^PuTjIix) 
.and RKO. RKO' was v^o^^sume 
$100,000 of the annual -4fept^»n the 
San. Antonio house and fjc^Ive a 
share of the profits of 'thjp''pSor>. 

. Though discussed at ^^lengtii be- 
tween the parties In^^^Iv^, no 
agreement, was .-tver rie^hiea; Re- 
ceivership oi HKO la 'niow pe'ndlng 
the Interstate chain |t>aq](~'.fo^- itob- 
Iltzelle without a dieal;- . ' ■ 



OUSTED 7 IN 



Monday Hearing In Chi^Malo'y Al- 
lows Rebates 



Chicago, Feb*-6. 
Hearing on the lirjunction; nation 
' fafgainst Tom Maloy intt-. his' r^^me 
,ln the Operator^; Unldn comes iji^to- 
'day (6) before Superior. Court ^dge 
Dennis Sullivan, Seven .malcontents 
^ho were suinmjEir|Iy expelledv^om 
.the u'h|bn are tryinjsf to^restraJnr'Ma- 
lojr iindC. a^BOj -^it an ^ccoi^l^ng. ot 
tlie local's fuhds..7 : " .'; 
"V..;iii^«((;pLwhlIo\-Mal9ir byLj cl^s^d^ipiew 
►agreements y^th!" the.' two d^Itiblltprs 
associations hkte.' A,- cdncessloriy af- 
fecting abqut/^38' thejitr'e^ of .;'G!';*ind 
iy classiflQBiitph was granted'w^te- 
by houses . t^iat have ibeen laying 
«ome 15%'=flrverscale ^ages; In, i^iirn 
■for other cpYicesslOns eij^dted tt?f«ar 
ago are a^^Qweda 10% feidCictl^q^ bc- 
fective at <|nce. , , . i '. % ' ■ 



Exhib^andy Maker : 
Bianki^f<!»r ;$10^471 

.;Ben Levensoh, ^rst'Ji'tiUe' operator 
of the ^lbert;p;aiul 'X^tieaiifd.^ the- 
atres, nabehpurfeii^. lia»*;j|J.ea|'flkx;vol- 
pntary pctltloifit' in fiiani^upttesr in 
United States , iai£i^rlc1^,|i0jii^ ' He 
lists Uabllitlea o'f-fl'O^J^tmitl atf$ets 
of $6,930 plastered wfth U^'s already 
sold to satisfy. ^ourt judis^ents, and 
asks that $4,501) Iti. r.e.4}[^. estate.. be 
exempt from ^u;igment-. together 
with personal' Effect ex'eiQption ' of 

MOO. .,>;«»:.Si ■." 

In filing the ':petltton,:wLevtoson 
gives as . hJs pccupatlp^ jri^^ of 
jcahdy ihaker .wiilii ' place's ;!.ftffl)Ui3l- 
QdsEl in I^iubuque aod.Dayeii^^'nti. la. 
'' Matter 'Jiaa b^fen referredijtp'jTohn 
6. Chalmers, ;^feTee. In bahk^t>tcy. 

Koeriri^^s Conferences 

Charles Koerher, d^Vlsionat- dl- 
rectb'r for RKO'a soutbern .-^hduses. 
Is" in New York . fpj; ; conferences 
with the . honae office, ezdca; Koer- 
ner has charge ot operation of the 
former . Hoblitzelle . theatres In 
.•Texas, which are currently siibject 
to a receivership action! and which 
linay be turned back at.any .tjme 
to Carl Hoblitzelle. They comprise 
the former Interstate group and 
known ae the RKO Sou thei*!! .Cor- 
poration. 

Herman Zohbel, RKO treasurer. 
Is receiver for the properties. 



National Screen Shifts 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Harold J. Murphy, studio contact 
rep, has be<?n made manager of Na- 
tional Scrcpii Servlf-e's West Coast 
studio. Arthur Zellnor and Mark 
Landow added to local staff. 

Jack Flannery appointed manager 
of the new Seattle branch. Ralph 
LeDux from the local ofTlcp. thei-e 
for six wco:;s potting the North- 
wp.st oiK^npd UP 

NS'S jn.-st rlospd with F-'WC for 
omplote lOo.", trailer s'Tvice. 



32 



VARIETY 



Tueedaj, Febmarj 7, 1935 



RINGS THE 




PHILADELPHIA, too 

goes "CA FALCADE" 

New York, Hollywood^ Boston • • . and now 
Philadelphia. The same stoty everywhere. 
S.R.O. advance-sale records ... awe- 
struck dudiences • • . spell^bound reviewers. 
Not only drawing capacity aowds* itself . • . 
but boosting attendance in whole theatre 
districts. No wonder the trade is saying, 
^Cavalcade' is leading the industry out of 
the wilderness?' And FOX has just started! 




Tuesday, Feb^ttry 7; 193S 



riCTHRES 



VARIETY 



33 



CALENDAR OF CURR 




Warner Brothers "'^'''-flAV;^,^^.-^ 



(Continued from page 31) 

Lauohter In Hell. Chain gang story. Pat O'Brien. Merna Kennedy. Dir. 
Bdw. Cahn. 72 mlns. . Bel. Jan. 12, Rev. Jan. 17. 

Mummy. The. Mystery thriller. Boris Karlott, Zlta Johann, David Manners. 
Dir. Kari Freund. Rel. Dec 22. Rev. Jan. 10. 

My Pal. the King. A. wild vest show In a Balkan kingdom. Tom Mix. Dir. 
Kurt Neumann. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Aug. 4. Rev. Oct. 11. 

Nagana. Tropical drama. Tala Blrell, Melvyn Douglas. Dir. B. L. Frank. 
Rel. Jan. 19. 

Okay America. Columnist story. Lew Ayrcs, Maureen O'SuUivan, Louis Cal- 

hem. Dir. Tay Gamett. Time, 80 mlns. Rel. Sept 8. Rev. Sept. 13. 
Old Dark House. A night of terror in an Bngllsh country home. Boris Kar. 

loft, Melvyn Douglas,. Chas. Laughton, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Jas. Whale. 

Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Oct. 20. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Once in a Lifetime. Hollywood satire from the stage play. Jack Oakle, 

Sidney Fox, Alice MacMahon. Dir. Russell Mack. Time, 90 mins. Rel. 

Sept. 22. Rev. Nov. 1. 
They Jiitt Had to Get Married. Matrimonial adventures of a ncwlyrlch 

couple. Slim SummervlUe, Zasu Pitts. Dir. Edw. Ludwlg. 71 mins. 

Rel. Jan. 5. 

6tudlos: Burbank, 

Calif. 

eig City Blues. Country boy comes to New York for tnrllling experiences 
Joan Blondell, Brio Linden. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 68 mins. Rel. 
Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 18. 

Blessed Event. Columnist story. Lee Tracy, Mary urlan. Allen Jenkins. Dir 
Roy Del Ruth. Time, 84 mins. Rel. Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 6. 

Hard to Handle. Cagney as a high powered promoter. Cagney, Mary Brian. 
Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. 81 mlns. Rel. Jan. 28. ' 

Haunted Gold. Search for gold In a haunted mine. John Wayne. Dir. Mack 
Wright 00 miris. Rel. Dec. 17. Rev. Jan. 17. 

I Am a Fugitive. From the story *I Am a Fugitive Irom a Chain Gang.' Paul 
Muni, Glenda Farrell. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 93 mlns. Rel. Nov. 
19. Kev. Nov. 15. 

Illegal. British made story of a night club. British cast and director. Time. 

61 mlns. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. Oct. 4. 
Jewel Robbery. Romantic comedy drama from an Hunitarlan source. Kay 

Francis, William Powell. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. 

Aug. 13. Rev. July 26. 
King's Vacation, The. From a story by Ernest Pascal. The king takes time 

out to visit his first wife. Geo. Arllss. Dir. John Adolfl. 62 mina. Rel. 

Feb. 28. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Lawyer Man. Inside story of the profession. William Powell, Joan Blondell. 
Dir. Wm. Dieterle. 68 mlns. Rel. Jan. 7. Rev. Jan. 3. 

One Way Passage. Love develops for a prisoner. Kay Francis, William Pow- 
ell. Dir. "ray Garnett. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Oct. 22. Rev. Oct 18. 

Parachute Jumper, The. Two ex-marines and a girl who go aloft. Doug. 
Fairbanks, Jr., Bette Davis. Dir. Alfred E. Green. 72 mins. Rel. 
Jan. 28. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Purchase Price, The. Night club singer with a past. Barbara Stanwyck. Dir. 

Wm. A. Wellman. Time, 68 mins. Rel. July 23. Rev. July 19. 
Ride Him. Cowboy. Western cowboy story. John Wayne. Dir. Fred Allen. 

Time, 66 mins. Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Scarlet Dawn. Russian refugees in Constantinople. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., 

Nancy Carroll, Lllyan "Tashman. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time. 68 mlns. 

Rel, Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 8.. 
Stranger In Town. Comedy drama of real people. Chlo Sale, Ann Dvorak. 

Dir. Earle C. Kenton. Time, 66 mins. Rel, Aug, 6, Rev. July 12. 
Successful Calamity, A. Merchant pretends poverty to check family's ex- 
travagance. George Arllss, Mary Astor, Evalyn Knapp. Dir. John G. 

Adolfl. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept 17, Rev, Sept 27. 
Twenty Thousand Years In Sing Sing. Visualization of Warden Lawes' book. 

Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis. Dir. Michael Curtlz. 78 mlns. Rel. Jan. 31. 

Rev. Jan. 17. 

Two Against the World. Constance Bennett in a murder Jam. Dir. Archie 

Mayo. Time, 71 mlns. Rel. Sept 8. Rev. Aug. 23, 
Winner Take All. Smashing fight comedy. James cagney. Dir. Roy Del 

Ruth. Time, 67 mlns. Rel. July 16. Rev. June 21. 

World Wide '''rl.^rX^u. y. 

Auction In Souls. From Eugene O'Neill's play 'Recklessness.' Conrad Nagel, 
Leila Hyams. Dir. Victor Schertzinger. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Between Fighting Men. Conflict between the sheep men and cattle raisers. 
Ken Maynard, Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time, 62 mlns. Rel. 
Oct 16. 

Breach of Promise. The ruin of a man's career. Chester Morris, May Clarke, 
Mary Doran. Dir. Paul Stein. Time, 67 mins. Rel. Oct 23. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

Come On, Tarzan. Ranch owner saves his horse from a gang. Ken Maynard, 
Myrna Kennedy. Dir. Alan James. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

Crooked Circle, The. Mystery story with ample comedy. Ben Lyon, ZaSu 
Pitts, James Gleason, Irene Purcell. Dr. H. Bruce Humberstone. Time, 
70 mlns. Rel. Sept. 26. Rev. Oct 4. 

Death Kiss, The. A murder mystery with a motion picture studio back- 
ground. David Manners, Adrlenne Ames, John Wray, Bela Lugosl. Dir. 
IDdwin L. Marin. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Drum Taps. A Boy Scout troup. to the rescue of Ken Maynard. Ken May- 
nard, Junior Coughlln, Scout Troop 107 of Hollywood. Dir. J. P. Mc- 
Gowan. 61 mins. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Dynamite Ranch. Ranch manager fails to vanquish the hero. Ken Maynard, 
Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time. 69 mlns. Rel. July 31. Rev. 
Dec. 27. 

False Faces. Doctor makes a racket of his profession. Lowell Sherman, Lila 
Lee, Peggy Shannon. Dir. Sherman. Time. 83 mins. Rel. Oct. 13. Rev. 
Xov. 29. 

Fargo Express. Straight-shooting sacrince in the career of a cow country 
hero. Ken Maynard, Helen Mack. Dir. Alan James. Time, 62 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Hypnotized. Jam following a big sweepstakes win. Moran and Mack. Dir. 

Mack Sennett. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Jan. 17. 
Last Mile, The. Drama In the death house, from the stage play. Howard 

Phillips, Preston Foster, Geo. Stone, Noel Madison. Dir. Sam. BIschofC. 

Time. 84 mlns. Rel. Aug. 21, Rev. Aug. 30. 
Sign of Four, The. Sherlock Holmes story. British cast. Arthur Wontner. 

Isia Bevan, Ian Munter. Dir. Graham Cutts. Time, 74 mlns. Rel. Aug. 

14. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Texas Buddies. Cowboy, veteran of the AEF. turns, aviator to balk the vil- 
lains. Bob Steele, Nancy Drexcl. Dir. R. N. Bradbury. Time, 67 mlns. 
Rcl. Aug. 28. Rev. Nov. 16, 

Those We Love. A woman's understanding averts domestic tragedy. Mary 
Astor, Lllyan Tashman, Kenneth McKenna. Dir. Robt. Florey. Time, 
77 mins. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Tombstone Canyon. Western, in which the hero tries to solve the mystery of 
his birth. Ken Maynard, Cecilia Parker. Dir. Alan James. Rel. Dec. 26. 

Trailing the Killer. Epic of the North Woods. Dir. Herman C. Raymaker. 
Time. 64 mlns. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Uptown New York. Married happiness and a past. Jack Oakle, Shirley Grey. 
Dir. Victor Schertzinger. Time. 71 mins. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 13. 

Miscellaneous Releases 

Big Payoff, The. (Capital.) From a Peter B. Kyne story. Barbara Kent, 
J. Farrell MacDonald. Glen Tryon. Matt Moore. 71 mlns. Rel. Jan. 16. 
Rev. Jan. 21. 

Big Town, The. (Invincible.) Vice crusade story. Lester Vail, Frances 
Dade. Dir. Arthur Hoerle. 57 mins. Rev. Dec. 27. 

Pace on the Bar Room Floor, The. (Invincible.) Temperance discussion. 
Dulcle Cooper, Bramwell Fletcher. Dir. Bert Bracken. TlKne. 65 mins. 
Rel. Oct. Rev. Oct. 18. 

Footsteps In the Night. (Auten.) Mystery drama. Benlta Hume. Dir. Mau- 
rice Elvery. Time. 59 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. 

Ooona Goona. (First Dlv.) Love charms on the Island of Bali. Dir. Andrce 
Roosevelt, Armand Denis. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Hotel Variety. (Capital.) Grand Hotel in an actors boarding liouse. Hal 
Skelly. Olive Borden. Dir. Raymond Cannon. 71 mlns. Hcv. Jan. 10. 

Jungle Killer. (Century.) Expose of wild game hunting In Africa. "With lec- 
ture. Rel. Nov. 25. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Manhattan Tower. (Remington.) Suggestive of Sltyscraper Souls.' Romance 
in an office building. Mary Brian. Irene Rich, Jas. Hall. Dir. Frank 
Strayer. 62 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Racing Strain, The. (Trvlng-Maxira.) Original of the auto races with air 
stuff. Wally Reld, Jr. Dir. Jerome Storm. 68 mlns. 

Red-Haired Alibi, The. (Tower.) Gangster story. Merna Kennedy. Theo. 
Von Eltz, Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. 
Oct. 26. 



Scarlet Week End. (Irving.) Murder at a bouse party. Dorotliy Revler, 
Theo. Von Eltz. Dir. WUIla Kent Time. 68 mins. Rel. Oct Rev. 
Nov. 1, 

Speed Madness. (C^apIUl.) Speedboat racing with acrobatio trimmings. 
Rich, Talmadge, Nancy Drexel, Dir. Geo. Crone. Time, 61 mins. Rel. 
Aug. 27. Rev. Oct 11. 
Tex Takes a Holiday. (Argosy). All multi-color western of a mysterious 
stranger, Wallace MacDontiid, Virginia Brown Faire, Dir. Alvin J. 
Nietz, 69 mlns. Bey, Dec. 13. 
Unholy Love. (First Dlv.) The classic. 'Mme. Bovary,' transplanted' to 
Ry«), N. T. H. B. Warner, Lfla Lee. Dir. Albert Ray. Time, 75 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Woman In Chains. (Auten.) Tragedy of a woman tied to an hypochondriac. 
Eng. cast Dir. Basil Dean. Time, 68 mins. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev, Nov. 22. 



Foreign Language Films 



(Note: Because of the slow movement of foreign flima, this list covers one 

year ef releases.) 

(Most of these available with English titles.) 



Comedy drama. Henri Marchand, 
93 mins. Rel, May, 



A Nous la LIberte. (Auten) (French), 
Raymond Cordy. Dir. Rene Clair. 

Barbertna, die Taenzerln von Sanseucl. (Capital) (German). Rococco musical 
comedy. Lil Dagover, Otto Gebuehr. Dir. Carl Froellch. 83 mlns. 
Rel, Nov. 20. 

Brand In der Oper. (Capital) (German). Musical drama. Gustav Froellch. 

Dir. Carl Froellch. Rel. July 19. 
Broken Vow, The. (Capital) (Polish). From a novel. Krystyna Ankwlcz, 

M. Cybulskl. 89 mins. Rel, Aug. 26. 

Cinq Gentleman Maudit (Protex) (French). Mystery dranta. Rene Lefevre, 

Hurry Baur. Dir. Julien Duvivler. 78 mins. Rel. Jan. Rev. Jan. 24. 
Coiffeur Pour Dames (Paramount) (French). Musical farce. Femand Gravey. 

80 mlns, Rel. July 1. Rev. Nov. 8 
Das Ekel (German) (Protex). Comedy. Max Adalbert. Dir. Franz Wenzter. 

76 mins. Rel, Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 16. 
Das Nachtlgall Madel (Capital) (Ger). Love In Hawaii. Dir. Leo Lasky. 

80 mins. Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 81. 
Dae Schoene Abenteuer (German) (Protex). Romantic comedy, Raethe 

von Nagy. Dir. Relnhold Schunzel. 83 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec, 13. 
David (Solder (French) (Protex). Drama. Harry Baur. Dir. Julien Duvivler, 

90 mins, Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Oct. 26. 
Der Ball (German) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dolly Haas. Dir. Wllhelm 

Thiele. 83 mlns. ReL Oct 9. 
Der Falsche Ehemann (German) (Protex). Farce. Dir. Johannes Guter. 

85 mine. Rel. Oct, 1. Rev. Oct. 23, 
Der Falsche Feldmarschal. (Capital) (German). Military musical. Vlasta 

Burian. Dir. Carl Lamac Time, 81 mins. Rel. July 12. 
Der Hauptmann von Kopentck (A-R) (Ger). Comedy, Max Adalbert. Dir. 

Richard Oswald. 96 mins. Rel., Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 24, 

Der Herr Burovorsteher. (Capital) (Ger). Felix Bressart, Herman Thimlg. 

Dir. Hans Behrendt. Time. 86 mins. Rel. June 10. 
Der Schwartzo Hussar (Protex) (Ger.). Costume romance. Conrad Veldt 

Dir. Gerhard Lamprecht. 90 mins. Rel. Dec. 1, Rev. Jan. 3. 
Die Blumenfrau von LIndenau (German) (Protex). Comedy. Renate Muel- 
ler, Hansi Niese. Dir. Georg Jacoby. 70 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. July 12, 
Die Celkos Baroness. (Capital) (Ger. Hung). Musical comedy. Gretl Thelmer, 

Paul Vincenti. Dir. Ernst Verebes. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. April 1. 
Die Grosse Attraktlon (A-R) (Ger). Musical romance, Richard Tauber. 80 

mlns. Rel. Feb. 16. 
Die Qrosse Llebe. (German) (FAF). Drama of mother love. Hansl Niese. 

80 mlns, Rel. March 1. Rev. Feb. 23 
Die Lustlgen Welber von WIen. tCapltal) (Ger). Willy Foret, Irene Elalnger, 

Dir. Geza von Bolvary. Time, 97 n:*ns. Rel. July 1. 
Dienst Is Dlenst. (New Era) (Ger). Musical. Ralph Roberts, Lucie Eng- 

llsche. Dir. Carl Bosse. Time. 84 mlns, Rel. June 8. 
Die vom Rummelplatz. (Capital) (Ger). Anny Ondra, Siegfried Arno. Dir. 

Karl Lamac. 9 reels. Ret. Feb. 10. 
Eine Nacht in Paradles (A-R) (Ger). Musical comedy. Anny Ondra. 90 

mlns. Rel. Feb. 16. 
EIn Prinz Verllebt SIch. (Capital) (Ger), Musical, Lien Deyers, Dir. 

Conrad Wlene, 76 mlns. Rel, May. 

El Hombre Que Asesino (Paramount) (Spanish). Rosita Moreno, Rlcardo 

Puga. 70 mins. Rel. April 16. 
EIn Walzer von Strauss, ((^pltal) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froellch. Dlr, 

Conrad Weins. 89 mlns. Rel. March 10. 

Friederike (A-R) (Ger). Dramatic operetta based on Goethe's life. Mady 

Christians. 90 mine, Rel, Feb, 16, 
GItta Entdeckt Ihr Herz. (Capital) (Ger), Musical comedy. Gitta Alpar, 

Gustav Froellch, Dir. Can Froelich. 90 mins. Rel, Oct. 4, 

Gloria, (German) (New Era), Transatlantic aviation drama. Gustav Froeh- 
llch, Brigitte Helm, 76 mins, Rel, Nov. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Holzapfel Welsa Alles (German) (Capital), Comedy. Felix Bressart, Dir, 
Viktor Janson. 86 mlns. Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Hurrah, EIn Junge. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Max Adalbert, Ida Wuest, Lucie 
English. Dir. Geo, Jacoby. 91 mlns, Rel. June 24, 

Hyppolit a LakaJ (International) (Hungarian). Fast farce. Dir. Szekely Ist- 
van. 77 mlns. Rel. Jan. Rev, Jan, 17, 

Kamaradschaft. (Asso. Cinema) (Ger). Sensational drama. Alex Qranach, 

Ernst Busch. Dir. Q. W. Pabst Time, 78 mlns. Rel. Nov. 8. 
Koenlgin von Preusson. Sea "Luise'. 

La Chance (Paramount) (French). Drama of a gambler's lif^ Marie Bell, 
Francolse Rosay. 78 mins. ReL Feb. 1, Rev, May 31. 

La Couturlere de Lunevllle (Par) (French), Musical of woman's love. 

Madeleine Renaud, Pierre Blanchar, 90 mlns. Rel, July 1. Rev. Oct. 22, 
Le Bal (French) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dir. Wllhelm Thiele. 88 mlns, 

Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Oct 4. 
Le Rol Des Resqullleurs (French) (Protex). Comedy with music. Milton. Dlr 

Georges Colombler. 90 mina. Rel. June 1. Rev. June 14. 

Llebe Ist Llebe (German) (Protex), Musical comedy. Kaethe von Nagy, Hans 
Albers, Dir. Paul Martin, 80 mins, Rel, June 1. Rev. June 7. 

LJubav I Strast (Yugoslav) (Croat), Drama of life among N. T, imigranta 
Rakel Davldovic, Dir. Frank Melford. 60 mlns. Rel. Dec, 15, 

Lulse, Koenlgin von Preussen. (Asso. Cinema) (Ger). Historical. Henry 
Porten. Dir. Carl Froellch. Time. 92 mins. Rel. Oct. 4. 

Maedchen In Uniform (Krimsky) (German). Poignant drama. Hertha Thielp, 
Dorothea Wlecke. Dir. Richard Froehllch. Rel. Jan. 10. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Man Brauch Kein Geld. (Capital) (Ger). Musical farce. Dir. Karl Boese. 
Rcl. Nov. 10. 

Melne Frau cUe Hochstaplerin (German) (Protex). Comedy. Kaethe von 
Nagy. Dir. Kurt Gerron. 90 mlns. Rcl. Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 9. 

Mein Leopold. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froellch, IVIax Adalbert. 
Dir. Hans Syeinoff. Time. 96 mlns. Rel. April 1. 

Men and Jobs (Russian) (Araklno). An American engineer looks at Russia 
Dir. A. Macberet 70 mins. Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Mensch Ohne Namen (German) (Protex). Poignant drama. Werner Krauss. 
Dir. Gustav Uclcky. 95 mlns. Rel. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov, 16. 

MIche (Paramount) (French), Musical comedy, Suzy Vernon, Robert Burnier, 
Dranem. 80 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Mistlgri (Paramount) (French). Musical. Madeleine Renaud, Noel-Noel. 

Dir. Harry Lachman. 80 mlns. Rel. Feb. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 
Mend Uber Morokko (Protex) {Ger). See Clng Gentlemen Maudit 
Morltz Macht Sein Glueck. (German) (Capital). Farce. Siegfried Arno. 86 

mlns, Rel, Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Namenshelrat (German) (FAF). Drama. Dir. Heinz Paul. 90 mine. Rel. 
Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

1914. (Capital) (Ger.) Prelude to the world war. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time, 
73 mins. Rel. Sept 1. 

Oberst Redl. (Capital) (Ger). Spy thriller. Lil Dagover, Theo. Loos. Dlr, 
Karl Anton. Time, 79 mins. Rel. Aug. 30. 

Paris- Beguin (Protex) (Fr). Musical. Jane Marnac. Dir. Augusta Genina. 
90 mins. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

PIrl M Indent Tud (Arkay) (Hung.). Farce. Dir. Stephen Szekely. 76 mlns. 
Ilel. Jan. 16. Kev. Jan. 31. 

Porpur und Waschblau. (Capital) (Ger). Dramatic coijiedy. Hansl Niese. 

Else Elster. Dir. Max Neufleld. Time, min.s. Rel. July 30. 
Cuando te Suicldas (Paramount) (Spanish). Mu.iical. Argentina. 90 mins. 
Hel. March 15. 

Quand te Tues Tu (Paramount) (French). . Farce comedy. Drean. Noel- 
Noel. Robert Brunier. 80 mlns. Kel. March 15. 

Reserve Hat Ruh. (New Era) (Ger). Military farce. Fritz Kampers. Luolc 
UngUsche. Time. 94 mlns. Rel. Aug, 11. 

Rhapsody of Love. (Capital) (Polish). Hanlshlps of an art career. Agnes 
I'etersen. .'VIosjukine. Time, 89 mlns. Rcl. Aug. 25. 

RIchthofen, Red Ace of Germany. (Gould) (Ger). (Synchronized.) Self ex- 
planatory. Dir. Robt. Slezich. Time. 80 min.i. Rol. Aug. 20. 

Ronny (Protex) (Ger). Operetta. Kaethe von Xasy, Willy FrU.ech, Dir. 
F-inerlch Kalman. 85 mlns. Rcl. April 1. Rev. April 19. 

Scampolo (A-R) (Ger). Cinderella romance. Dolly Haas. SO mine. Rel. 
Feb. 16. 

(Continued on page 34) 



JOKER ALLEGED 
IN ELEaRlCS 
CONTRACTS 



Lawyers who have perused the 
new RCA Photophone contract ot 
outright sale, which 8uh.«-,tltiics the 
former Hcenso, declare thai under 
Its terms an exhibitor virtually 
waives patent protection and as- 
sumes liability in the event a court 
decision flnds any of the patents 
involved Jn the equipment are in- 
fringed. Photophone execs, how- 
ever, axe presenting to exhibs upon 
request a separate guarantee of 
patent protection not exceeding the 
amount Invested by the theatre. 

Under what ia described as the 
guise of a deferred payment plan. 
Western Electric Is also charged 
with presenting a new form of li- 
cense. Viewpoints of certain of the 
theater owner spokesmen who claim 
to know the new formula are send- 
ing exhibs who accepted the new 
license scurrying to ERPI and de- 
manding that a full explanation <tf 
all clauses be made. 

May Charge Subterfuge 

One theatre owner, a former state 
leader, said that be signed the new 
license without reading it because 
it allowed him tc extend his equip- 
ment payments to BRPI over an- 
other three years. In the event that 
there Is any change In the two 
forranlas this theatre owner states 
he will charge the electric with 
subterfuge. 

In other circles the latest attacks 
on ;the electrics are seen as inspired 
by bootleg equipment companies 
who see the chance for a comeback 
if any number of indie exhibs weta 
suffldently frightened away from' 
the majors. 

But, It is claimed. If the electrics 
were to lose out on any of their 
main patents through adjudication, 
which may be years away betcro 
final settlement, it wotild be just as 
likely, if not more so, for bootleg- 
gers to be declared infringers on 
a more wholesale scale. 



TACOMA'S DELUXER AT 25o 



Fox'a B'way Hurta Hamrick's Hoim« 
—Other Local 26-Center 



Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 

Fox's big downtown deluzer, 
Broadway, forpner home of Fanchon 
& Marco shows, brought down the 
wrath of other house managers Sat- 
urday with its price cut, 26c. any 
time. Business Jumped immediately. 
Red ink in recent weeks. 

First runs and A product only In 
this house. 

Broadway's new price hit Ham- 
rick's Blue Mouse, other 25o. any 
time house, hard. Latter ti-ying ,to 
offset by two changes each week. 



2 Back to Landlords 



The Circle and Indiana theatres 
in Indianapolis, under a friendly 
deal with Publix, have been taken 
over by the; landlords. Roth & Rap- 
paport, who will operate both 
houses in future. 

Roth & Rappaport built the the- 
atres. They originally held the 
Paramount franchise in Indianap- 
olis, 



F-WC Operating Co. for 
Two Santa Paula Houses 

Los Angeles, Feb, 6. 
Operation of the Lyric, Santa 
Paula, indie owned house, has been 
taken over by Fox-Weet Coast In ft 
deal with Dick Wells, Lyric is now 
coupled with the Glen City there^ 
which F-WC has controlled for 
some time. Operating company 
formed to handle affairs of the two 
houses is the Santa Paula Ct/. . of 
Los Angeles county. Incorporators 
named are Charles P, Skouras and- 
Albert Leeds, attorney. 

Another F-WC subsid Just formed 
is Theatre Holding Co., which will 
handle the houses formerly op- 
orated by Fox Hollywood Theatres, 
Inc, 



Arthurs in Long Beach 

Long Beach, Cal.. Feb. 6. 
Arthur lirothers hav" taken over 
the State from the landlords and 
Intend to add it to their string of 
houses, 

Milton Arthur, 'brother of Harry, 
operator of the Poll string In the 
e.a.«it, hPnds the Long Beach outfit 

ytatc la slated to go first run. 



84 VARIETY 



PICTURES 



Tuesday, Febniarr 7, 1933 



Fublix May Split 50-50 with Prudence 



ind Co. Over 





at Bidyn Par 



■ -What Publlx Is attempting to do 
under a deal for the raratnount, 
Brooklyn, which would place tlie 

house's rent on a percentage of the 
gross over a certain flgure, may be 
followed up In other parts of the 
country and for other Publix the- 
atres. If successfully negotiated, 
the Prudence Bond Co., owner of 
the Brooklyn property, would gam- 
ble with Publix on the possibilities 
of the house continuing operation. 

Under deal, Prudence would split 
with Publix 50-50 on anything over 
$20,000, a flgiire to which the house 
hasTTiever fallen In- any single -week's 
intake. Meanwhile,-, theatre ^ . o was. 
r^pt for six we^ks to -Fr.udenpe. . , 

Brooklyn Par has been paying 
weekly reiit ' of " $B,o6o the last' six 
ihbntHs. Prior - to that' the flgWre' 
was $12,000; • overhead diiring the= 
past year has been brought down 
to around $37,0D0' as an aVeriige, liut 
varying accordlhg to cdst of fllm^r 
stage shows. ■ ■ ■ • •- = 

•Whether of not the houfle; one of 
thef largest of lh6 Publix de luxersi 



would be forced to close If unable 
to make a deal with Prudence, Is 
something that can't be predicted. 

From the viewpoint of the land- 
lord, with Publix. in arrears to Pru- 
dence on rent, it is believed a per- 
centage, as proposed, may be 
worked out. Under it, the Prudence 
people would collect something as 
rent on the 60-60 spilt unless un- 
foreseen developments w^hlch are 
held to' be unlikely, would"^orce the 
average gross below $20,000. 

The same situation a&i confront- 
ing Prudence might very logically 
'figure with other landlords where 
a theatre or a group of theatres 
was unable under the present con-, 
ditlpns to pay oft rent at current 
liease terms. 



Casey Robinson's Termer 

'•' Casey Robinson . gets a term con-; 
tract from Charles .B. Rogers. He 
i-ecently ' finished script • of "Bed- 
fellows,' starting 'this w^eek, for 
:RogierS. " 




• (Continued from page 33) 

Schubert's rrueh'lingstra'um. . (Capital) (Gef). Musical of Schubert's life. 

Carl Jt>ekeh,' Siegfrledf -Arno. Dir.- BIch. Oan-ald. Time, 71, mlns. , Rel. 

June. 28.-.. • ' : •' ■ -.• t - . . j 

6eln - Scheldung«0i<und (German) (PxotesO. Comedy: :drama. Lien 'Deyero. 

Dir. Alfred Zelsler. . .SO^mins. ..Rel. March 1. Rev: March 8^ 
Storm Over Zakopane. The. (Capital) , (Polish). (Synchronized.) Danger In 

the mountains. Time, 89 mlns. Rel. 'Aulr. 26.- 
Taen'zerfn yon Sanaoiici. See 'Barberina'. • : ^. 

Tempest (German) (Protex).' Dfiiiha.' Emlf Janhliigs, Anna Sten. Dir. Rob- 
ert Sledmak; 90 mlns. ReL Mari^h 1. Rev. March 22. 

Tingle Tangle. - (New- Erst) ((3er).: C«}medy. Ernest Verebes, Fritz Hampers, 
Elizabeth PlnaJefC Din . Japp-^peyer. Time;,- 93 mlns. . R6T; May, ^6. 

Txapeze (German) -^(Protex-), : Clrous diiama. I-Aiina Steb." iSliS 'A. E. liupont 
80 mlns. .. Rel,.. May. 1,., Rev,, ^(I?iy: 10. ' 

Trenck (A-R) (Ger). . Itomaijitlc, . drama. Dorothea Wiecke. 90 mlns. Rel. 
Feb. 16. 

Urica TCapltal) (P6llsh>. 'tlfe'of thie newsboys. Dir. Alexander Ford. Time, 

■ ra iTithsr- Ber. Aug'. 26." Re^.^'Jan. 31. 

Unknown Heroes. (Capital) (Polish).' ! Polish- police activity. . Mary Bogda, 

1... Adam Brpdzicz. .-/.Time.. 89' .'.mlns. 1 Rel. Aug. 26. 
Victoria und -lhr : Hussar- .(A-;R)...<Gerr)' Vleiin^se operetta: 90' mihs. -Rel' 

, . . Mfirch . „ ., , . 3 • .. 

Voice . of the". Peaert, the. (Capltal)_, (Polish). Algerian ston^ in authentic 
locales'. ' Aaam Brodaicz,'- Mary Bogda. Time, 89 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. 

V^e6iiiend in l^aradHe.' (Capital)- cSer); Farce. Otto Wallburg, Julius Falken- 
stelni Elsie- Elster. - Trude -Berliner. , Dir. Robt land. Time, 81 mlns. 
Rel. .Nov.-l.-,- • 

Vorck (German). (Protex), Historical drama. - Werner Krauss. Rudolf Forster. 
pir. Gustay 0[clcky. 90 mlns, Rel. JJpv, ,1. . Rev. Nov. .27. 

Ztrkus Leberii. (GermanV (Fa!^). Circus drama. Llane . Hald. Dir. Heinz 

■ Patn; 70 mihs. '! Relf Dec, 16. Rev. .Ja,n. 3, 

Zwel Herzen-:und EIn.Schlag. (German) (Protex). Operetta. Lilian Harvey. 
Dir. WJlhelm.Tblele. . 90. ipJujs, Rel. Sept. 1, Rev, Sept. 13. - 



Kpy to addresfT-Amkino, 723 Seyenth/Ave. ■ ^ ■„ „ ^ 

American -Rotilninlan Films, 1560 Broadway, 
' Asaoclated Oihema, 164 W. 55th St. 
Harold Auten, 1560/ Broadway. " 
Capital Film Exchange, 630^ Ninth Ave. 
Foreign' Aiherlcah >'Ilms, 111 W. 67th St. 
John Krlmsky, 33 West 42d St. 
International Cinema, 1499 First Ave: 
. Klnematr,ade, 723' Seventh Ave. 
NeW Era, 630 Ninth Ave. 
■ Protex Trading, -42. E. 58th St. 
- , Symon Gould, . 251 W.' 8Sth St. 

. To^is Forenfllms/ 729 Seventh Ave. 



— And Girl Ushers 



Chicago^ Feb. 9. 
. Florence Paley, woman ez> 
hlb, hits promoted the doughs 
nuts, and is after the coffee to 
go with them. If she- succeeds 
her Imperial theatre will give 
away doughnuts and coffee 
with each 10-cent admission. 
' Imperial is on West Madison, 
where a dime Is the unit of 
.ineasurenient in most .sales. 
With doughnuts and coffee, 
Imperial will have the best bar- 
gain around. ' Food, drink, 
shelter, entertainnaent and a 
place to nap for 10 cents. 



FOX WC MAY MAKE NEW 
DEAL ON PACIFIC N. W. 



Los Angeles, Feb. C. 
It looks possible for a nei^' oper- 
ating hookup to be made between 
Skoiiras Brothers and- the Pacific 
<rorthwest whereby Fox-West Coast, 
operated by the Skouras for Fox, 
win again operate Pacific North- 
west but! on a dlfiCeretit' basis. 1*he 
deal if mttde would haVfe' to be ne'- 
gotiated through the- receivers , for 
^aclflo .Northwest. . , ,> 

Some such plan may ise in the 
fllesi of (jharles Skouius'iand which 
tiie' latter may be taklhg ^^st with' 
him /for his ea.stern' coiiferehces yith 
his brothers. < • . 

Meeting of the three" theatre 
bi^otilers Will bei In the nature of 
the ' first get-t'o-gellier of the 
Skouras cii|,n thla way for maybe 
over six months or more, ciiarles 
is the opera.tor Ih . charge of Fox 
West, (joast for the brotiiers, while 
George Is ih charge of the brothers' 
eastern holdings. Spyros, eldest of 
the three, supervises over all. 



20 $1 Road Show Dates 



Several new dates for 'Cavalcade' 
roadshows at $1 top, to ppen quickly, 
have been scheduled by Fox. 

Tl^ey Include Frlanger, Chicago, 
Sundajr! <12) ; CapUoU Cincinnati 
Feb. 17; Aladdip, Denver, Feb. .17; 
Strand, Milwaukee, Feb. .18; ' and 
Karlton,. Providence/ Feb. .23. . 

This brings the total to over 20. 



Tear Gas Poss^on 

A Crime in Iowa Bill 

Des Moinesi lowst, F^h. 6. 
Persons- manufactiu-tng, -^sing or 
having In their possession tear gas 
or stench bombs wotild be liable to 
imprisonment' from thred months to 
on^ year under a bill- Introduced in 
the house of representatives here by 
E. O. Ellsworth (Rep.),' Hardin 
county. 

The blil provides for fines of from 
$500 to $2,^00 as alternative to Jail 
sentences. 




ers Announces: 



A, 



kFTER an association of two years as General 
Manager of WARNER BROS., ARTISTS BUREAU, 
he has reentered the Agency field and is agaiii 
prepared to represent and manage a limited 
number of artists and attractions for PICTURES, 
VAUDEVILLE, LEGITIMATE and RADIO. His 
brother Edwin will be associated with him under 
the firm name of 



Wa^lter & Edwin Meyers, Inc. 

Paramount Buiyin^, 1501 Broadway, New York City 
LAcltawanna 4^5836 * ♦ Cables WINMEYERS 



(liveaways Big Part of OM Roxy'j 
Big Biz at 




Excepting the Radio City theatres, 
the old Roxy on Seventh avenue, 
turned over the past week to lay 
Broadway flat as the old house fin- 
ished the week with the Main 
Stem's biggest gross, amounting to 
$28,800. It's no tax on Its 26-35 
scale. 

The $91,000 Intake at the Music 
Itair and the $36,000 at the RKO 
Roxy in Radio City stand only 
above the old Roxy as a profit 
maker right now. 

The RKO Roxy at $36,000 goes 
for a loss of around $9,000; while 
the Music Hall at $91,000 shows 
around a $2,000 profit on the week. 
The old Roxy with an overhead 
of $18,000 made around $11,000 
profit. It's the first weekly profit 
for the^ old Roxy in many monthsJ 
No rent flgured.ln the overhead. The 



Theatre Recieiyerships 
As of B^efit for 



Additional rkceivershlps over. Par- 
amount trieatre subsidiaries, hold-: 
ing conipahle$ or operating organi- 
zations, are held as likely to come 
as a protective measure to the 
parent concern. Paramount Publix^ 
in conserving its assets. 

Tills may occur in some case^ 
through theatjces or groups beiq^ 
forced to, Otttry themselves entirely; 
on their own. ' 

Whether or not companies appar- 
ently solvent may also blanket 
themselves under a friendly receiv- 
ership or not In the process of gen- 
eral reorganization to reach a new 
basis of ppegating costs,, is a mat- 
ter for speculation. It is said that 
may occur, with landlords particu- 
larly reported expressing the great- 
est fear. 

So far the units which are in re- 
ceivership include. . Publix . Enter.r 
prises, Saengftr Circuit, Publlx-Ne- 
braska division," "Piiblix-Fitzpatrftfe- 
McElroy, Flhkelstein & Ruben, 
Olympia Theatres and Plympla. 
Operating Co, latter two identified 
with each otKer! 

In the event of friiendly receiver- 
ships, which all so far are with ex.> 
ceptloa. of piublix Enterprises, ac-!- 
tion virtually protects, companies 
from petitions seeking to . lajr. ,ai 
bankruptcy, receivership over prop- 
erties. 



Xross' at Oriental, Chi 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 
'Sign of the Cross' wUl follow 
'20,000 Years In Sing Sing' at the 
Oriental about Feb. 22. It got a 
two-week glossing at $1.65 in the 
Erlanger last month. B&K expect 
to get at least three weeks at the 
Oriental. 

Decision followed discussion as 
to advisability of putting the pic- 
ture into Chicago in the thought 
that one big smash week would 
yield B&K more profit than three 
at the Oriental. Understood ex- 
change opposed coupling the pic- 
ture with a stage show. 



Trust' Suit Filed by the 
Friedman Bros, for Cake 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 

Samuel Friedman and his two 
brothers, former indie exhibitors in 
Mercer County, nled suit in the 
United States District Court iiere 
last week for $150,000 agalpst the 
RKO Distributing Corporation and 
12 other major film exchanges in 
Pittsburgh, charging violations of 
the Sherman anti-trust law. 

The Frledmans allege the dis- 
tributing agencies boycotted them 
and refused to supply feature pic- 
tures for their Capitol theatre, Far- 
rell, Pa., and Naluna Sharon, Pa. 
Both houses were operated bv the 
nluintlffs until 1928. 



rent proper Is probably around 
$13,000 weekly. 

.<3apltol, Broadway, with Mary 
darden on the stage, went under 
$25,000. Paramount, Broadway, 
didn't lift over $18,000 with a stage 
show headed by Eugene and Willi© 
Howard. The old Roxy was de- 
pendent on an Indie film, 'The 
Death Kiss,' while the rest of 
Broadway had Us accustomed help- 
ing, off major product ; Capitol had 
•Whistling In the Dark' (M-G), 
and the Paramount, 'Hello Every.! 
body' (Par), with Kate Smith. 

. Giveaway Hplds Over 
. The Plain Bill-Kolynos carton 
give-away thing Is holding over at 
the old Roxy. As an additional 
stage angle, Elnner Eps, one of 
Plain Bill's air characters, has been 
added to the stage show. The same 
ether tie-up Is .oh the swing, ex- 
cept that the cifstdiWiiers drawn 
the air exploitation must present 
full-sized kolynos packets rather 
tJKin the 10-cent kit^d. Full-size 
sells for 60 cents. ' 
^ Altogether there were 151,000 
{;ustomers swinging tiirough last 
week which makes 11, " about 19 
cents for the average old, Roxy ad- 
inission. This inclu^les 74,000 car- 
ton customers, At -the same time it 
Indicates that around 77,000 pa.- 
trons or a majority paid cash at 25- 
36 admission. The casli turnaway 
was. estimated at several thousands 
on the week. 

, This tremendous bis done .on .a 
K!' film- gave testimony that the 
old. Roxy stage show had plenty to 
do with the b.o. draw, besides the 
low scale, and that the stage end 
was strong of Itself. 

The big scare on the whole mat« 
ter lies with the indie distribs, 
who apparently have -been warned 
by Loew!s and RKO at least that 
they will lose the latter 's biz un- 
less pictures now booked with the 
old Roxy are cancelled and other 
bookings withheld, These Indies 
have thus made demands on the 
old Roxy to give .cfi: or else.v Among 
su,ch distribs . is Columbia.. Also 
■yVp^-^TWide,- Ti»e oldj #oxy.- so far 
has pot given, up- any hocking. 

Tom Mix film 'Tenor Trails' starts 
Friday (10), It's a , Universal pic- 
tures In the meantime,; the RKO 
Palace has stuck on an . additional 
feature for Its morning .siiows, this 
in^effect making that spot t-win plc- 
tues and vaude. . 

World-Wide made .the longest 
attempt to get the oW Roxy to 
shift. ■ Former sold .'The Death 
Kiss' on a flat rental for $1,500. 
World-Wide engaged attorneys who 
tried to seek an injunction against 
the old Roxy, but to no avail. This 
attempt cost World-Wide, accord- 
ing to. report, $760. Funny, angle 
on the thing is that the World- 
Wide lawyers are stated to have 
presented their petition for an in- 
junction before Federal Judge Caf- 
fey. Justice Caffey is the court au- 
thority on the Roxy receivership 
and technically is the protector 
of it. 

Harry Arthur is in charge of the 
old Roxy, acting for the receiver, 
Howard Cullman, with Fanchon and 
Marco in charge of the stage. 

Three Panthers in One 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Paramount Is utilizing all Its three 
Panther women In 'Pick Up,' now in 
production. 

Trio Included Kathleen Burke, 
Iliona Andre and Gall Patrick. 



Silenta as Assets 

Los Angeles. Feb. 6. 

Practically the only assets listed 
by Robert J. Horner, independent 
producer, who filed a bankruptcy 
petition here, were six silent western 
negatives. 

Horner's Ihibilltles amount to $29,- 
573 and include a large proportion 
of unpaid labor claims. Assets total 
$1,600. 



Fop Sale 

WORLD'S 
LARGEST 
BABY PARADE 
AND CARNIVAL! 

A niiiDlclpal nttmc'tlon,^ stn^ed In 
August, with D historjr of twenty- 
tliree flooceHRful yenrs and 300,000 
potential patrons. 

Ten thonfinnd portnltle spats, niso a 
Convention irall witli 4,000 seats and 
ample .ballroom siriice. 
Adpqunle police protrctlon and mu- 
nicipal Poi-operatlon- are ashurcd tlif 
sucoessfal bidder. 

IUd» will be received Tuesday, Feb- 
rnaiy 88. 1033. Tor farther Infomiii- 
ti6n trrlte 

; C. A. IIEir. .IR.. CITY CLKRK 
CITY OV U'lI.DIVOOD, N. .T. 



Tuesday, Febrnary 7, 1938 



RADIO 



VARIETY 



8S 





'Spot' End Does Its Best Jan 
As Chains Show Sales Decline; 





Spurt taken by the spot broad- 
casting: end of the business with the 
Btart o£ the new year has already 
inade Its deep impress on the books 
of the national chains. With the 
small money advertiser, represented 
by most of the daytime programs, 
continuing to abandon the networks 
for the recorded session and its spot 
placement, NBC and CBS wound up 
the month of January with substan- 
tial clips in the amount of time sold. 
Compared to December the NBC to- 
tal of net sales in January showed 
an 8.3% drop, while the Columbia 
slide came to 6.6%. 

.N'BC's net income from the sale 
of time In the first month of '33 
toUIIcd 11,839,346 us against $2,634,- 
447 In January of 1932. 

Last month was this network's 
worst January in four years with 
the level lower than that of 1930, 
which was $1,989,497. Comparing 
the two Januaries ('33-'32) marks a 
loss in NBC of 30.5%. The CBS 
clip for the same period comes 
to 29.6%. Columbia last month 
took in $960,067 from sales with 
the January, 1932, tally having 
amounted to $1,348,842. Loss here 
cannot be rated as anything as 
severe in consideration of the cir- 
cumstance that the latter figure rep- 
resented a. 95% increase over the 
network's income for January of 

1931. The NBC Jump for January, 

1932, over the same month in 1931 
was 30'^^.. 

Siiotting's Best January 

While network business was on 
the glide the past month the makers 
of recorded programs, and major 
station representatives who do the 
disk spotting, were enjoying the big- 
gest January in their history. Tight 
money situation had turned out an 
important factor in favor of the spot 
broadcast purveyor. With limited 
coin available the smaller national 
advertiser prefers to do his ether 
merehandlsing in spasmodic cam- 
paigns, buying his time in short lots 
and confining himself only to those 
spots he deems most worthwhile, a 
service not customarily open to him 
«n the chains. 

Drift of the previous chain day- 
time customer to the spot broad- 
casting field has also been helped 
along by the fact that stations have 
been, inclined to make concessions 
on their card rates. These slashes 
In the local card rate have frequent- 
ly been, and still are, lower than the 
price charged for the same outlets 
by the networks. What the local 
station charges for release of these 
spot programs It retains for itself, 
minus commissions paid to ad agen- 
cies and the" outlet's representative, 
while the same station's kickback 
from the network's sale of Its affili- 
ate's facilities is the flat $50 for an 
hour and $25 for a half hour or less. 

_One._apot t!me_ placing firm has 
worked out a combination rate for 
10 stations which is lower than the 
network with whom it is allied 
charges, making it cheaper for the 
advertiser to buy the 10 on a spot 
basis than as a chain hookup. 

Fact that business is holding up 
for the spot broadcasting field is 
further attested to by the royalty 
Income derived by the Music Pub- 
lishers Protective Association from 
the manufacturers of records for 
broadcasting purposes. For the fis- 
cal year ending last October the 
MPPA collected from this source 
•round $70,000, but Judging from the 
rate that the royalties have poured 
hi the past three months the pub- 
lishers' organization expects to take 
In between $126,000 and $160,000 
from this source, for the current 
year. 



Wynn Out $25»000 



Ed Wynn lost $26,000 recently 
when demanding more than 
that from a toy manufacturer 
for the use of his name. After 
the Wynn refusal, the manu- 
facturer turned around and got 
tvhat he wanted for nothing. 

Firm's idea was a new toy to 
be called the 'Fire Chief,' with 
Wynn's face to appear on the 
toy. Wynn advised the com- 
pany it would have to boost its 
$25,000 offer or he wouldn't do 
business. 

Manufacturer then went di- 
rect to the Texaco company 
and arranged for use of the bill- 
ing gratis on a publicity tie- 
up. 



RADIO NAMES 
GOOD ONLY 
1ST TIME 



Nine out of 10 radio attractions 
whose stage value is confined to 
what their ether reps can draw, are 
flopping at the box office on repeat 
stage engagements. Opinion of the- 
atre managers of experience with 
radio acts whose stage entertaining 
ability is but ordinary, is that they'll 

draw as a curiosity the first time 
but never again after they've once 
been seen. 

Same theory has applied In the 
past to picture names, but theatres 
playing radio lights are Just finding 
it out. 

For the past two years radio 
names as a group have topped the 
names from all other fields as out- 
side attractions for variety theatres. 
Those among them who were legiti- 
mate radio stars drew business for 
the theatres, but the majority, 
strictly radio people, were busts 
when it came to entertaining an au- 
dience In person. 

All but a few of the exceptions 
were out of the strictly radio class, 
having been experienced stage per- 
formers before going ether. They 
were both entertainers and draws 
and able to draw on the rebound. 

The rest tended to chase 'em 
away instead of drawing them back, 
once their ether following had seen 
them brodle in person, theatre men 
say. 



ETHEBING L. A. HISTOBY 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

History of Los Angeles will be 
dramatized in a series of weekly 
15 min. programs going out over 
KHJ. Paid for by a local depart- 
ment store. 

To be backgrounded by Raymond 
Paige's orchestra. 



XEFD Back on Air 

With Mystic in Charge 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
XEFD, at Tla Juana, Mexico, just 
over the border, has reopened after 
a long layoff. 'Daddy' Rango, mys- 
tic, is operating as program direc- 
tor. 

Rango was one of the seers on 
KELW, Burbank, which got into 
trouble with the Federal Commis- 
sion for having too many star- 
gazers on the air. 

XEFD recentdy went to 26,000 
watts, and Is set for 60,000. 



ITS TMIU END 



Networks, Like Agencies, 
Believe Talent Agents Ex- 
cess — Not So Proven in 
Past — 'Not Giving Away 
Ideas 



AND AGENTS 



Rockefellers May Sponsor Television 
Using Radio City as Base from 
Which to Project SeeHear Waves 



SHOW BIZ AND HOW! 



Radio, particularly the ad agen- 
cies, aver they don't need talent 
agents. Agents for acts are re- 
garded somewhat negatively all 
around — in advertising agencies, by 

the stations And by the networks' 
talent bureaux — and a common 
opinion is that the agent would do 
better if he attempted to sell them 
an idea and not an act. 

The agents (talent) have other 
ideas and their practical knowledge 
of show business is borne out by 
the experience of the Keith stage- 
show circuit and other chains 
which, when they thought they 
could dispense with the acts' agents, 
found themselves sorely tried for 
suitable talent. For obylously, the 
agent, to live, must constantly sell 
the talent he peddles and dig iip 
new people. 

Call him a flesh peddler or what 
one will, there's no getting around 
the value of a talent discoverer 
and talent groomer to the net- 
works. Agents are the fountain- 
head of this new talent. 

The idea of building programs Is 
not their racket — that's what the 
ad agency is in business for. An 
advertising agency collects 16 and 
2% on every dollar spent on behalf 
of the advertiser. For that they 
must needs render a service not 
(Continued on page 64) 



NURSING MAIL 
FORPERSONALS 



OSBURN IN CB:ABG£ 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

J. Howard Osburn has been 
placed in charge of the Columbia 
Artists Bureau's branch here, his 
principal concern being the book- 
ing of dance bands. Osburn was 
formerly connected with the local 
Spamer booking office. 

Assignment of a western manager 
obviates the return of Nell Conklln, 
transferred to the New York office 
In December for a temporary stay. 



With the volume of fan mail tar 
beneath the level of previous years, 
mike performers have taken to 
nursing what letters they do get for 
more purposes than one. Several 
top air names have set up card flle 
systems and answer this mail as 
diligently as their commercial pay- 
check correspondence. Their fu- 
ture personal appearance stage 
routes are the objective. 

Motive Is a mailing list for post- 
carding to announce that the per- 
former is booked to play the par- 
ticular town on a certain date, and 
hopes that the radio friend will be 
there to greet the hitherto unseen 
artist, etc. It's an angle of particu- 
lar appeal to circuit bookers. 

Performer who maintains the 
largest secretarial staff for this 
purpose is Kate Smith, songstress 
claiming the largest mailing list of 
any radio performer. Major item 
foi her secretarial staff for the next 
few weeks will be to put into effect 
the postcard angle while the singer 
is on her tour for Publlx. The mail- 
ing list has also been brought into 
play to help plug her picture, 'Hello, 
Everybody' (Par), In the smaller 
communities. 



New Coast Periods 

San Francisco, Feb. 6. 

NBC has several new programs 
and a couple of renewals here. 

Pennzoll Co. has bought Ray 
Fernstrom's Newsreel of the Air, re- 
cently dropped by General Petro- 
leum; Sperry Flour Co. is going for 
a twice-weekly cooking school ses- 
sion; Parafflne Co. haa renewed for 
13 weeks; Spratt dog food hired 
Scotty Mortland and Sid Goodwin 
fore once-weekly dog chats, and 
Standard Oil of California renewed 
Its. symphony and Standard School 
broadcasts. 



L. S. Direct Contacts 



Lucky Strike has set out to 
establish its own direct cohtact 
with radio editors and letter- 
writing listeners. Function of 
answering fan mail has been 
taken from the hands of its 
agency. Lord and Thomas, and 
turned over to its own promo- 
tion departments. 

Company has also relieved 
the agency of distributing the 
tickets for the Jack Pearl- 
broadcasts at the NBC Times 
Square studios. Reason Is that 
American Tobacco prefers to 
make sure for itself that first 
call on the ducats go to its dis- 
tributors and dealers and to 
any guests they may invite. 



GRAFT HINT IN 
RADIO MAHER 
OF BOOKINGS 



CBS network's artist bureau is 
slated for a shakeup over executives' 
dissatisfaction with the manner of 
grooming talent for the ether, but 
not collecting on It. Abundance of 
outside agents who have come Into 
this chain particularly is claimed by 
a top v.p. to be Ineffectual operation, 
when the CBS bureau should be the 
one to collect on its efforts. 

The instance of a network build- 
ing up a prospect and then to dis- 
cover that an outsider collected 
heavily, is not to the chain's liking. 
There are other instances. It is 
charged, where outside personal rep 
benefits 10 to ^0% or more from the 
artist's gross Income. 

This has created squawks and 
suspicions that some of the broad- 
casters' own staffs must be stand- 
ing in with the outside agents or 
such a condition couldn't exist. 

Although the booking offices of 
the chains may set the example 
when they outwardly charge a 
booking fee of 16% to actors. This 
is the same amount advertising 
agencies charge national advertisers 
for handling ad copy, placing It and 
giving general publicity service. 



One-Day Personals for 
A&A, Film Cartoon Too 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Amos 'n' Andy will depart from 
their traditional policy of sticking to 
radio only and will shortly start 
personal appearances in theatres. 
One-day engagements are being 
contemplated. Blackface duo was 
here last week for a few days, but 
returned to New York, where they 
will make a prolonged stay. 

In the east the team will do the 
dialog for a series of animated car- 
toon reels, to be made by Van 
Beuren for Radio Pictures. 



SWIFT VIGOSO BACK 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 
Swift's Vigoro, the pink pills for 
pale grass, will make its regular 
annual spring return to the ether 
Feb. 19. 

As heretofor, Vigoro will employ 
concert singers of high brow class- 
ification. They're deciding on .selec- 
tions. 



Moaners' NBC Buildup 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

NBC Artlst.s Bureau here has 
tal<en Mobile Moancr.s, m.alf quar- 
tet, under its wing. 

They are ticketed until Aug. 1. 



Practical television is at hand - 
and show biz may be surprised one 
day to find that the cradle of the 
advanced television Industry will bo 
located in Radio City, on the site 
of the Music Hall and the RKO 
Roxy. 

The stage Is set for the first long 
distance television station to be set 
up at Rockefeller Centre. Whether 
the Music Hall is changed into an 
opera house or whether Roxy re- 
mains at Radio City has no bear- 
ing on the new plan one way or an- 
other. Both may still happen be- 
sides. 

This plan is part of a tremendous 
drama which has been going on for 
months. The biggest forces in the 
realms of finance power and com- 
munication are involved. Through 
the Rockefieller Foundation, the 
Rockefellers have become «, constit- 
uent part of the thing, as well as 
the Radio Corporation of America 
besides others. 

On the whole It's a new combine 
effected to replace the presently 
crumbling communication and pat-, 
ent trust which has been forced to 
break up through Government In- 
terference. 

Bstablishment of the television 
center awaits only, the return to 
normalcy ' of general conditions, so 
that the public might be. fixed to 
accept the new communication sys- 
tem. 

That communication angle Is the 
principle purpose of the television 
thing, but it will also combine 
amusements to a certain extent. 
However, In the atnusiement realm 
of the television Industry, sponsored 
advertising or advertising of any 
nature is to be banned. 

That's because television when It 
is put out will be on a subscription 
basis, the same as customers now 
subsoribe to regular telephone ser- 
vice. Besides which putting on big 
enough shows to Interest subscrib- 
ers to pay for seeing the entertain- 
ment in their homes will run Into 
such huge figures that advertisers 
will not be able to underwrite the 
projects. Advertisers through the 
subscription telephone system would 
have no way of controlling or de- 
pending on customers' circulation to 
make the presentation attempt fi- 
nancially worthwhile. 

A simple dial system similar to 
that used on present telephones 
will apply to television reception. A 
subscriber will be enabled to dial In 
for any program or communicate 
with any part of the world Just as 
he does on the telephones presently 
used. 

The advanced television broad- 
casting is a combination of radio 
and wired communication. The rea- 
son that present television broad- 
casting Is limited In distance to 
around 50 miles Is owing to the 
the radio limitations. With a com- 
bination of land wires, however. It 
is stated, television can travel any 
distance, depending on the wired 
hookups. Initial transmission is 
over radio and then picked up by 
wires. 

When television finally is set for 
the public's use its broadcasting fa- 
cilities will be limited in scope with 
only a specific few stations licensed 
for the art. 

The present radio broadcasting 
systems look to be entirely sub- 
merged when television arrives. 



McJunkin's New Mgr. 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Lew Hagerman has succeeded O. 
H. Morris as head of McJunkin's 
radio department. Hagerman has 
been with the agency about two 
months, coming from St. Louis, 
where he was identified with KMOX 
and several advertising agencies. 

McJunl<ih's is contemplating an 
exteoHion of its radio activities and 
expects a number of its accounts 
not now on the air to make tbe 
pluntje. 



86 VARIETT 



RADIO 



Ta^dajt F<jl>ru«ry 7, 1933 



Ist Canadian PoD, by Toronto 'Star/ 
Shows Natives Want Variety Programs 



Toronto, Feb. 6. 
According to Canadian radio fans 
Kate Smith and Bins Crosby lead In 
popularity as singers of pop songs, 
Amos 'n' Andy are the foremost di- 
alog act, Lawrence Tibbett and Jes- 
sica Dragonette lead for classic or 
seml-classic numbers, Jack Pearl 
has the best-Uked comedy act, 
Kddie Cantor Is the leading enter- 
tainer, and Guy Lombardo's Royal 
Canadians Is the top dance or- 
chestra. 

These are the findings, not yet 
published, of an all-Canada poll 
conducted by Frank Chamberlain, 
radio editor of the Toronto 'Daily 
Star.' This is the first comprehen- 
sive poll carried out in the Do- 
minion, Chamberlain's paper having 
a circulation of 226,000 and being 
the biggest dally In Canada. 

According to Chamberlain's poll, 
Canucks are most Interested in va- 
riety programs. They tire of all- 
drama or all-music but musical 
programs are a close second in the 
stacks of questionnaires which It 
took five men a week to tabu- 
late. Comedy programs were third, 
drama fourth, and sports broadcasts 
came fifth. 

Canadians like their music, how- 
ever. Philadelphia Symphony re- 
cevied three times as many votes 
as the New York Philharmonic; 
Boston and Columbia symphonies 
trailed. Many people thought Paul 
Whiteman'9 band was a symphony 
because It occasionally does Car- 
negie Hall concerts. As mentioned, 
Lombardo leads In dance bands, 
possibly a. choice governed by a pa- 
triotic sympathy. Whlteman was 
far behind but in the running were 
^3eorge Olsen, Ben Bernie, Lulgl 
Romanelll, Abe Lyman and Rudy 
Vallee. 

Forgetting ' their own regimental 
bands, Canadians are strong for the 
U.S. Army band, the U.S. Marine 
band running a close second, and 
the U.S. Navy band third. Gold 
man's band came fourth with the 
48th Highlanders flfth. 

Crosby Triples 

As to male singers Bing drosby 
won three times as many votes as 
Mort Downey and Rudy Vallee. 
Trio, however, all showed numeri- 
cal strength. Little Jack Little 
trails closely. Choice of foremost 
femme singer of pops has Kate 
Smith 600 up on Ethel Shutta with 
Ruth Stting third. Mills Brothers 
a .walkaway In the male harmony 
teams and the Bt>swell Sisters ditto 
on the femme side. 

Amos 'n' Andy are far ahead of 
Burns and Allen. Trailing are Myrt 
and Marge, Easy Aces and Stoop- 
nagle and Budd. All these In the 
dialog class. 

One local boy makes good as a 
foremost sports announcer, Foster 
Hewitt topping the count, Ted 
Huslng and Graham McNamee 
trail, with Red Foster and Wes Mcj 
Knight, two Canadians, In the run- 
ning. As news commentators, Ed- 
win C. Hill and Lowell Thomas are 
very close but Thomas has an edge. 

Four programs fought stiffly for 
the lead in the foremost all-dra- 
matic program, Fu Manchu win- 
ning out, to be followed by Sherlock 
Holmes, the Radio Guild, the Crime 
Club, March of Time, and The 
Shadow. 



PROPOSED REGULATIONS 



Radio Commission's Member Sub- 
mits 2 New Propositions 



Washington, Feb. 6. 
First use of the Radio Commis- 
sion's power to regulate chain 
broadcasting has been proposed to 
cominlssion by Commissioner Har- 
old A. Lafount 

Proposal, aimed to prevent fur- 
ther duplication of programs would 
require consent of commission for 
any station not now affiliated with 
a network to rebroadcast chain fea- 
tures. Lafount . further proposed 
that an order be adopted prevent- 
ing broadcasting of same program 
simultaneously over two or more 
stations In same city. 

No action has l>een taken to date 
on plan. 



Long Tele Pickup 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Television fan in Houlton,. 
Me., reports picking up W6XS, 
the Don Lee television station 
here. THTs is believed the 
longest pick-up yet for sight 
and sound. 

Fan reports he could Just 
barely see the picture, but got 
the station's audible material 
clearly. 



Old Vande Gagsters 
With Monldy Wheezes 
Find Radio an Oasis 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Radio is proving a harbor for the 
old vaude gag and routine writers 
who flocked here for film dialog jobs 
and haven't been doing so well 
lately. 

Gagsters began to . get an air 
break when the stations started in 
heavy competition with each other 
on vaude revue programs. Every- 
thing seems to get over and the boys 
are reaching deep Into the trunk 
for stuff that was ante-dated on the 
stage when a four-reel silent film 
was considered an epic. 

It's tough on the dial tuners who 
often have to listen to the same 
material over and over again. Top 
was reached when two Hollywood 
stations were simultaneously using 
the same race track routine which 
did yeoman service in vaude years 
ago. 



N.W. Auto Shows 
Hop from Screen 
To Air for Draw 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Gllmore Air Circus, weekly pro- 
gram over KFI for the NBC coast 
chain, will play two successive 
weeks at the Portland and Seattle 
auto shows. Heretofore screen and 
some stage names were annually 
engaged. 

Air hour will put on its show 
each evening over dummy mikes 
with the exception of the Friday 
performances which will be sent 
out for the network. Circus plays 
Portland Feb. 21-26 and Seattle 
27-4. 

Gllmore Oil Co., which commer- 
cials the hour, will foot half the 
bills with the two auto shows tak- 
ing care of the other half. 



Prior Orchestra Out 

As KFAC Retrenches 

Los Angeles, Feb. 0. 
Will Prior's orchestra of 15 pieces 
Is off KFAC in a retrenchment pro- 
gram. June Parker, singer, also 
out. 

Station Is now recruiting Its own 
10-plece combo, mostly members of 
Georgle Stoll's band. Stoll will not 
figure In the new setup. 

KFAC has a tie-in with the 'Her- 
ald-Express,' but is shortly to lose 
this when that daiUy acquires KTM 
and KELW to combine the two as 
Hearst's first station in southern 
California. 



Inside Stuif-Radio 



Armour from N. Y.? 

Indications are that the Armour 
show's source of broadcast will be 
moved from NBC In Chicago to that 
network's New York studios. Rea- 
son is that the commercial and its 
agency rep, N. W. Ayer, figure It 
•will have a better source for talent 
in this city. Harry Rlchman has 
already auditioned as m.c. from the 
New York end. Auditions are re- 
corded here and senP=ton to the Ar- 
mour officials In Chicago. 
^ Rest of the combination given a 
disking is a 26-plece orchestra under 
Charles Previn, a choir of 16 voices, 
and Conrad Thebault, baritone. 
Program, since dropping Sisters of 
the Skillet (East and Dumke) has 
been using different m.c.'s each 
week. 



HAST & DUMEB— WJB 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

East and Dumke, who washed up 
two weeks ago with Armour, go to 
Dcftroit for Pontlac on a local sales 
test over WJB. 

Terms and length of deal indefi- 
nite. Results will determine the fu- 
ture course. 



NBC program department has let commercial firms and their agency 
reps know that this network Is determined to enforce, the rule about 
Including the names of the composer and publisher of each number sub- 
mitted on all musical programs, Several agencies have taken tlie view 
that checking up the names of the publlshei^ is the business of the 
program department. Chain retort has been that either the demanded 
details be included in the continuity or the number will be stricken ofC 
the list on the ground that its right to performance on the air is in doubt. 

One jam that arose over this rule occurred between John Royal and 
E. B. Ruffner, latter of the Benton & Bowles agency producing staff. 
Program involved was the Maxwell House Showboat. Ruffner held that 
the info wasn't required at CBS and that it was up to NBC to fill it in 
anyway. When RufCner persisted in his refusal to abide by the rule 
Royal took the matter to the network's chief v.p., R, C. Patterson, Jr. 
Latter confirmed the ultimatum that writer and publisher credits be 
appended to each composition or else. 

Network contends that it is necessary to depend on the commercial 
for the information so that it will be exact and also to avoid any pos- 
sibility of trouble over a tune being on the restricted list. Confusion 
here, NBC points out, could arise from the fact that of two songs pub- 
lished under the same title one may be of the restricted category, with 
the network open to infringement proceedings because of Its use. 



Publishers of the New York dailies at a meeting last week went Into 
a burnup over the "wording" of an advance announcement by Columbia 
but finally decided not to make a formal protest about the incident. 
What the publishers objected to was the implication that If the listeners 
followed CBS' coverage of the inaugural ceremonies at Washington It 
wouldn't be necessary to read the newspapers for details. 

Blurb concerning the scheduled newscastlng event was used last Sun- 
day (29) night. Columbia's explanation following the report of the 
publishers' peeve was that the network had had no Intention of Inti- 
mating anything. 

When word of the situation reached NBC instructions were passed 
along to be careful about the way advance announcements on the Capital 
ceremonies are framed, particularly avoiding any hint of competing with 
the newsprints. 



Dr. Hugo Rlesenfeld's NBC radio opportunity, dfter many years unable 
to get a break on the ether, is of striking significance because of a 
Hvalry said to have existed for many years between Roxy and Rlesen- 
feld. It dated back to their competitive days as managing directors of 
opposing Broadway picture houses. 

Before that, Doc Riesenfeld — Doc, Incidentally a title given him by 
Roxy — ^was under Rothafel, when the latter was in charge of the RIalto 
and Rlvoli theatres and Riesenfeld was on a bicycle between both houses 
as the chief batonlst. When Roxy left to go to the old Roxy, Riesenfeld 
succeeded him as managing as well as musical director of the two 
Publlx houses on Broadway. 

With Roxy and his nev. favorite maestro, Erno Rapee, Intrenched at 
NBC, this blocked Dr. Riesenfeld as a radio maestro, particularly with 
Rapee also the gvneral musical director of the network. 



AIR LINE NEWS 

By Nellie Revell 



Less Exaclting 

Col. Patterson, at NBC, believes that a shoemaker should stick to his 
last, that acting should be done by the staff actors, and that executives 
should save their time for duties of their department He has Issued 
an edict restraining all executives from appearing on sustaining 
programs. 

Another eflAclency note is that the continuity writers wll) not be paid 
extra for sustaining scripts written during office hours. 



'Seth' Steps Out 

Phil Lord, stepping out oC the 'Country Doctor* character the other 
night to make a sales talk, was most disillusioning. Mr. Lord has spent 
several years in building up 'Seth Parker' and 'Country Doctor' char- 
acters, and stepping out of them to make a sales talk was not good 
showmanship. 

The announcer could have said It all just as convincingly. 

The Warden's Public 

Sue and Renee, nlte telephone operators at NBC, have their own 
troubles every Sunday night with W'arden Lawes' public. Telephone 
messages, immediately after the Lawes broadcast, run like this: 

'Just tell Warden Lawes that Gyp the Duck says that was a grand 
broadcast,' or 'Tell the wcu-den this is Slim, he'll know.' 

Not So Worried 

Jimmy -Waters, former stage comedian of the 'Goldbergs' programs, 
isn't much worried about the depression. He's on the air five times a 
week, and his wife, formerly known as Clarice, the theatrical costumer, 
now operates a lunch room where fried chicken holds the next to clos- 
ing spot. 



Takina It Big 

One announcer, since he became stooge to a famous comedian, has 
about outgrown his hat. A couple of weeks ago two old college friends 
from Schenectady called on him. They received plenty of formality 
from their former fraternity brother. 

It's 'former* because he was thrown out from both the fraternity and 
the college. 

Agenoies Palpltats 

Leyer Brothers, soap manufacturers, have plenty of what it takes and 
are looking for a radio novelty for Lifebuoy and Lux. 
The agencies are in a lather trying to interest them. 



New Effects 

President Aylesworth was showing a party of friends through the 
studio one night last week. Arriving at the announcers' room he walked 
in, saying: 'This has showers, etc' and discovered several announcers 
and pages indulging in a good old fashioned game of craps. 

The prez endeavored to explain by saying that it was a rehearsal for 
sound effects. 



Going British 

Harvey Watkins, for over 30 years with the Keith interests, returned 
from England last week to close up his American business affairs. 
He will take up permanent residence in London. 



No Novice 

Walter Preston, the new superviser of the music department at NBC 
is by no means a novice on radio, having been for nine years an artist 
on the air and at one time owner of a radio magazine. 



Coast theatres and boolcers are none too keen on setting in radio enter- 
tainers as possible b.o. draws, unless the act happens to be a stand-out, 
with a heavy ether following. Reason given by managers is the exorb- 
(Contlnucd on page 64) 



Short Shots 

Robert Simmons will be on the Lucky Strike program Thursday night, 
and probably for a longer period. ..Bill Card left the Shapiro Music Co. 
last week... The Watson Sisters were auditioned at NBC... Will Rogers 
and Irvin Cobb will go on twice weekly for the G^ulf Refining Oil ac- 
count... June Pursell went on sustaining last week... Eddie Miller will 
be heard on WOR twice this week — Tuesday morning and Thursday 
evening. . .The Three Mutachlos are apt to go off the air any minute... 
Al Cameron, of Al and Pete, has written a book of humor, and has found 
a publisher for it. ..Donald Novls gave his secretary her notice. Too 
pretty. . .Helen Kane goes NBC sustaining in two weeks. . .Because of a 
severe cold, Kate Smith's stage tour has been delayed until she recovers 
...Zona Gale's 'Just Neighbors' has been dramatized for the air and 
begins on NBC Feb. 24 for once a week. . .Children's Repertory Theatre 
is featured every Thursday afternoon in a six-episode dramatization of 
'Uncle Tom's Cabin' over WBVD...Paul Whlteman is going to make 18 
shorts. . .That automobile up, down and over 69th street was Jack Lavin 
taking a driving test. ..Last Wednesday Frankie Plnero (NBC violinist) 
got a four weeks' notice (no explanation). On Friday it was rescinded 
(no explanation) .. .Ben Alley is already singing, 'Have you ever been 
lonely?'. . .Jim Blakely is a newcomer to the CBS press department... 
Irving Caesar Is burned because he didn't get that Al Jolson continuity 
assignment after sitting in on conferences for weeks. . .Andy Poole, night 
supervising engineer of WOR, Is father of an 8-pound boy... George 
Hicks Is no longer chief announcer at his house. A son arrived last 
week. . . J. R. Poppele, chief engineer of WOR, left for Florida on vacatioa. 



SO-Min. Commercial Disk 
Using: All Screen Names 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

An all-picture name cast has 
been assembled by Hollywood Radio 
Attractions to record a 30-mInute 
disk for commercial broadcasting. 

Players are William Farnum, 
Viola Dana, Jason Robards, John 
Ince, Rlc.hard Tucker and Wallace 
Reid, Jr. Disk Is a dramatized hor- 
ror story. 



Brazilian Govt. Endorses 
Program for Java Ass'n 



Brazilian government has ap- 
proved the bond guaranteeing 
broadcast of the Paul Whlteman 
Sunday night concert series for the 
Brazilian Coffee Growers' Associa- 
tion. Only thing now lioldlnp up 
the starting date via NUC is final 
word from the Java Kroup in South 
America to go ahead. 

After NBC had lined up tho sta- 
tion web for tho coffee coterie, at 
the instigation of the lattcr's U. S. 
reps, the question of credit arose. 
It was then suggested that tho Bra- 
zilian government place Its signa- 
ture of endorsement of the bill for 
time and talent. 



CLERK CAN'T DOUBLE; 
NBC DIRECTOR CAN 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Teastfoam is practically set al- 
though the starting date Is not, to 
bankroll a revival of the 'Keystone 
Chronicle', formerly an NBC Chicago 
commercial. Previously sponsored 
by Red Brand Fence program has 
been off the air a couple of years. ^ 
Hayes McFarland agency represents 
Yeastfoam. 

Some resentment developed last 
week among radio actors when it 
was learned that NBC had barred 
Billy Barth from the role he orig- 
inally created and played In the 
script Barth, employed in the NBC 
music library, was allowed to work 
in the auditions but was Informed 
he couldn't broadcast commercially 
because of NBC's rule against em- 
ployes doubling in programs. 

Several actors wondered why a 
music library clerk was barred from 
making a little extra money while 
Clarence L. Menser, high-salaried 
production director, was allowed to 
displace actors as 'The Voice of Ro- 
mance' In the Luxor face powtler 
program and as 'The Voice of 
Power" in the Seal Piston ring pro- 
gram. 



Tuesday, February 7, 193S 



HA D I O 



VARIETY 



97 



RADIO'S AD DOMINATION 



CRS' Tale of 10 Cities Gves It Dual 
Edge Over NBC in P-W Annual Survey 



latest station popularity survey 
■ done by Price, Waterhouse & Co., 
for and at Columbia's expense, gives 
CBS a distinct edge on the com- 
parisons with NBC. In the 10 lead- 
ing cities where Columbia and the 
NBC red (WEIAF) and blue (WJZ) 
Jinks all have outlets, the audit 
shows CBS favored by six cities 
against the red network's four. In 
the same spots CBS is four cities 
up on HBC's blue web with the 
score a tie In Cleveland and De- 
troit. 

Method used by Price, Water- 
house on the survey is postal card 
questionnaires. Of 207,426 cards 
presumed to have reached their 
destinations only 38,369 were i-e- 
turned. Cards tell what station the 
person quizzed listens to most and 
what other stations they listen to 
regularly. This checkup is an 
annual affair with Columbia. 
Cleveland- Detroit Tie 

Columbia's audit gives It prefer- 
ence in New York, Chicago, St. 
Louis, Baltimore, Boston and Cin- 
cinnati while a majority of returned 
cards for Detroit, Cleveland, Pitts- 
burgh and Kansas City reported 
preference for stations served by 
NPC's red network. In terms of 
population, as CBS then precedes to 
show, its six cities represent a 
total of 13,166,066 against the 3,- 
638,664 people in the four towns 
favoring the red link outlets. 

Regarding NBC's blue link pro- 
grams in these same towns, besides 
the Cleveland and Detroit ties, the 
only cities not in the CBS column 
are Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. 
Again chalking up populations, Co- 
lumbia' gives Itself a total of 13,- 
114,652 In the- six cities preferring 
CBS affiliates as against the Pitts- 
burgh and Cincy combined popu- 
lation of 1,120,077. 



RADIO'S CHAMP PESTS 
ARE FAN MAG BLUFFERS 



Champ pests the networks say 
they have to deal with are those 
suddenly getting the inspiration to 
start radio fan magazines. Without 
lining up a printer or backing, they 
come looking for any and all biog 
material available, load up with 
photos and leave word to be put on 
the mailing list. In 99 cases out of 
100 that's the last that the chain 
press departments hear of them. 

Without exception the one bid 
they all make a point of emphasiz- 
ing is that they be put on the in- 
vitation list for parties and first 
nite broadcasts. 

The network pi*ess sectors also 
receive an average of 30 letters a 
week from would-be fan mag pub- 
lishers advising of their intentions 
and a.sklng for exclusive articles, 
pictures, mats and listing on the 
daily mailouts. The chain p. a.'s 
have made it a practice to pass up 
these requests unless written on the 
letterhead of an established pub- 
lisher or printer. 

But because of one experience, 
network p. a.'s are still chary about 
giving the straight cold shoulder to 
the personal caller element. Case 
was that of a young fellow who 
kept coming around for months 
gathering publicity handouts, but 
at no time producing. Head of the 
press department finally blew up 
and told the caller either to put out 
a mag or quit taking up the net- 
work's time and material. A few 
days later, the lad connected as a 
radio columnist on one of the New 
York papers, and as long as he 
lasted never forgave the airing he 
got from the network. 



ANN BUTLEE— NBC 

Ann Butler, from vaudeville, Is 
under an NBC sustaining contract 
for a once weekly out of New York. 
She'll do comedy with a stialght 
man, Chick Harrison. 

Mi.ss Butler was of the act Tarkcr 
and Butler until the death of Hal 
I'arkpr, her husband. Lately .she 
h.ns horn workinp with otlirr ji^Tt- 



Vocal S. A. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

'Sex via radio' is the new 
motto of Clellan Card, director 
for WDGY here. Announcers 
and male artists have been in- 
structed to attempt to convey 
all possible 'sex appeal' during 
broadcasts. 

Masculinity of voice language 
employed is demanded by 
Card, who maintains that this 
will help to attain the desired 
ends and Impress feminine 
listeners-ln. Announcers and 
artists are warned regarding 
inflections of the voice and in- 
structed to confine themselves 
to 'he-man diction and de- 
livery.' 



TWO PUBS LINED 
UP BY SCHUEHE 



Regardless of ihe American So- 
ciety's offer to revise its contract 
with broadcasting stations, Oswald 
F. Schuette is continuing to try 
to gain for the National Associa- 
tions of Broadcasters those musics 
publishers not Included in the 
ASCAP membership. Of the many 
publishers solicited by the NAB 
propagandist two, Superior Music, 
Inc., of New York, and M. M. Cole, 
song book publisher of Chicago, 
have agreed to make their copy- 
rights available for free broadcast- 
ing use. 

In its letter sent to Schuette Su- 
perior Music modified its author- 
ization, by stating that the sta- 
tions may use the firm's publica- 
tions 'until such time as we see 
fit to restrict same.' Cole's trans- 
fer of performing rights contain no' 
.similar specification. Before branch- 
ing out into the popular field a few 
months ago Cole confined himself 
to publishing books of Instruction 
and hillbilly tunes. 

Cole's Letter 

Cole's missive to Schuette, which 
the latter has had photostated and 
distributed among stations, declares 
that his firm has 'two big hits in 
the popular field today — 'Silver- 
Haired Daddy of Mine' and 'Lone- 
some and Blue'. 'Waxing en- 
thusiastic over the Schuette offer 
to procure his numbers unlimited 
plugs over allied stations Cole, in 
his letter,' further says, 'the more 
co-operation we get from radio 
stations the quicker our songs tvlU 
become popular and naturally the 
more songs we will get out.' 

That part of the music Industry 
allied with ASCAP has expressed 
its surprise over the small number 
of on-the-fringe publishers who 
have so far responded to the 
Schuette appeal for free music. 
With the music business currently 
in the worst state, from the sheet 
sales angle, that it's experienced In 
25 years, the New York group had 
anticipated a concerted rush of 
small publishers to the NAB call. 



$22,500 for Kolb 



San Francisco, Feb, 6. 
Clarence Kolb (Kolb and Dili) has 
settled out of court his $32,000 dam- 
age suit against Gilmore Oil Co. 
growing out of Gilmore's cancella- 
tion last August of the Kolb and 
Dill .serial, 'The Dinglebcnders,' over 
NBC. Kolb got $22,500 in settle- 
ment. 

Kolb personally sold 'The Dingle- 
benders' to Earl Gilmore, head of 
the oil concern and his hunting 
companion. Latter cancelled the 
duo after 16 weeks and return<»<l j 
the 'Gilmore Circus' hour vai-ioty 
program to the air. Max Dill ! 
worked for Kolb at a weekly ,salary [ 




PRESS DROPS OFF 



Chain Buyers Boost Na- 
tional Ether Budgets $5,- 
000,000 While Making 
Clips for Newspapers, 
Magazines and Outdoor 
Space 



FEW RADIO CUTS 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Although national advertisers 
sliced on an. average of between 2S 
and 50% from their advertising ap- 
propriations for 1932 as below that 
for 1931, the cuts were not partic- 
ularly felt in radio. Increase in 
chain advertising last year totalled 
almost $5,000,000 despite what is 
considered the toughest year of the 
current depression. 

It's a picture of what radio is do- 
ing to other foi-ms of advertising, 
with newspapers and magazines 
taking it plenty on the chin. With 
advertising budgets of the com- 
panies way below normal, radio was 
not asked to take a full share of 
the curtailment. Reaction was felt 
mostly by newspapers, magazines, 
billboards, and street car cards. 

An example of how the advertisers 
look upon the air Is Bayer Aspirin, 
for instance, which didn't spend a 
cent In 1930, but appropriated $69,- 
165 in 1931 and jumped to $318,541 
last year. Best Foods leaped in one 
year from $95,882 to $1,052,948; Car- 
nation Milk from $34,247 to $222,677; 
Firestone Tires from $108,144 to 
$312,087; General Foods from $582,- 
600 to $2,090,070, and Reynolds To- 
bacco (Camels) from $1,245,336 to 
$2,341,200. 

Standard Brands was topper for 
the year, spending with the two 
aerial networks (NBC-CBS) $3,639,- 
782, compared with $2,549,512 the 
previous year, and only $783,540 In 
1930. 

It is figured that around 30% less 
was spent by the national adver- 
tisers during '32 than '31. Yet this 
does not tell the story of those years 
before the big-time spenders began 
to shift their blurbs to the air. Esti- 
mated di-op for the year in magazine 
advertising la 35%; billboard, 40%, 
and car cards around 45%. 

Figures for the past three years, 
shown in the accompanying box, do 
not Include talent charges, which 
have also Increased with the cur- 
rent competition for draw names on 
the ether. 

In few cases are decreases shown, 
the figures speaking for themselves 
and showing. In view of the short- 
ened appropriations. Just what the 
advertisers think of the air as 
against any other form of exploita- 
tion. 



Bob Wh'te Sbaw Extended 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 
'Milligan and Mulligan,' the com- 
edy detective team recently launch- 
ed over WGN six nights a week, 
will be extended to Columbia out- 
lets starting today (6) in St. Louis, 
Kan.sas City, Minneapolis, Okla- 
homa City, Wichita, and Waterloo, 
Ta. 

While continuing over WGN at 
10:45 p. ro. the programs will be 
sent to the sticks separately at 6 
p. m. 

I'liillips 66 gasoline spon.sors the 
dizzy dicks who are otherwise I5ob 
White and D'm Amecho, with AN'liite 
author of the scripts. 



Waxing 'Weird Tales' 

Hollywood, Feb. C. 

Hollywood Radio Attraciion.s, disc 
recording company, has tied up wiih 
Popular Fiction Publishing Co. U> 
dramatize on wax the yarn ? in 
U ' lrd Tales,' monthly mnix. 

Fifty-two 30-mlnute I't'oord'.i;;^ ; 
\vill be made, the fii-st bcin^; "Tlio 
Mving Dead.' Mag will run a full 
I'.'i'. ' ;id phiffKin;,'' tlif ii 'iv sr. ■;• .• .ri.i 



Principal Chain Advertisers 



(Does not Include talent salaries; for air time only) 

1930 1031 1932 

American Tobacco Co $84,200 $1,696,082 $1,851,930 

(Lucky Strike) 

Armour .... 268,669 283,388 

Associated Oil 42,861 74,787 96,821 

Barbasol .... 264,194 507,405 

Borden Milk 50,909 40,259 131.884 

Bayer 69,165 318,541 

Bourjois 142,191 185,761 188,794 

Best Foods 95,882 1,052,948 

Brazilian Coffee 18,070 33,785 33,605 

Buick Motors .... 46,891 242,294 

Carnation Milk .... 34,247 222,677 

Caswell Coffee 16,877 43,874 

Campana Corp 7,387 128,688 268,377 

Chappel Bros 45,378 93,198 76,864 

Chevrolet 240,899 

Cheseborough Mfr 110,202 169,675 239,000 « 

Clicquot Club 15t),344 180,495 « 

Congress Cigar 285,728 278,477 383,401 

City Service 337,779 405,226 407,863 

Davis 58,758 246,986 

D'Orsay Perfumes ' 41,338 81,743 

Enna Jettick Shoes 254,653 345,977 215,198 

Eno .... 163,734 293,672 

Firestone Tires 108.144 312,087 

General Cigar 160,726 219,433 224,268 

General Electric 415,351 465,247 611,760 

General Foods 255,226 682,600 2,090,070 

General Mills 296,282 621,234 733,166 

General Motors 281,042 266,746 

General Petroleum 19,260 45,500 45,813 

A & P 346,313 914,606 817,124 

Goodyear 124,850 427,482 

Edna Wallace Hopper 16,225 243,074 424,682. 

lodent 77,222 147.036 112,049 

Jurgens :.. 12,629 244,915 

Kelloggs 34,275 118,343 820,476 

Ponds 7,779 131,758 282,196 

Lambert 175,25€ 322,281 

McKesson ftobbins 56,178 228,429 123,735 

Metropolitan Life 344,378 355,497 394,144 

M. J. B. Coffee 6,189 '83,814 83,865 

National Sugar 93,373 104,468 87,108 

New York Life 32,419 69,860 

Oakland Motors 4,401 176,780 

O. Cedar . . 24,954 35,955 

Northwest Yeast 120,541 140,422 170,7^5 

Pacific Borax 26,799 148,074 149,151 

Pennzoil 67,692 264,150 

Pepsodent 1,219,462 1,438,327 1,736,300 

Pillsbury Flour 41,761 99,064 85,465 

Premier Malt 156,811 256,496 

Procter & Gamble 255,168 499,261 1.141,128 

Reynolds Tobacco 166,463 1,246,336 2,341,200 

(Camels) 

Shaffer Pen 15,979 178,058 

Standard Brands 783,540 2,548,512 3.639,782 

(Chase & Sanborn, Flolschmann, Royal Gelatine) 

Swift 473,562 1,735,344 

Waite & Bond 132,146 226,659 201.857 

Wander Co 31,999 104,156 367,368 

Geo. Wash: Coffee 26,242 220,810 307,8:6 

Wrigley Gum 23,774 121,334 755,868 

Wesson Oil .... 7,003 57,776 

Wheatena .... 141,600 249,568 



No Press Break, So 
Coast Stations Will 
Interview Own Names 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Claiming that newspapers will not 
accord radio names the same pub- 
licity breaks given picture celebs, 
the Don Lee system (CBS) will at- 
tempt to popularize its artists via 
weekly air interviews. At the same 
time the Lee stations are turning 
down any plugs for film people. 
They will utilize the time previous- 
ly accorded picture people to build- 
ing up their own personnel. 

rian Is for a weekly 15-minute 
intei-view of different ether artists. 
Broadcasts will be handled by Les- 
lie Mawhinney, p. a. for this Coast 
chain, with Gary Breckner on the 
questioning end of the Interviews. 

Announcements will go out a.sk- 
ing the fan.s to .send in their own 
fiuo.mions for thfir air favorite«>. 



Riehl Let Out 

Chicago, Fob. C. 

OUle ni(lil, one of the oldest em- 
ployes of the local NBC branch, 
was lot out .Sat.iid.'iy (4). Riehl 
had lalfly bcf^n acting In a musical 
sui)rrvl.slon capacity. Ho and Frank 
Mullen, now NIJC director of agi i- 
culturo, opened the flr.st Nf?C offlco 
liTo iibotit ."ovon years ago. 

Jtidil \va.s a pionrrr ov(r KrH\A. 



NBC Reiterates 
'No Opposition 
Exile Penalty 



Chicago, Feb^ 6. 

After keeping the matter under 
advisement for several weeks, NBC 
has Vetoed a plan whereby actors 
drawing less than $100 weekly 
would have been permitted to work 
for CBS without thereafter being 
ruled opposition and out by NRC. 
Decision to quash the hoped-for 
liberalization of the 'no opp i.sition* 
rule means that artists must render 
unto NBC complete and absolute 
service, shun the blandi.shmont.s of ^ 
the competitive network. 

NBC ofUclals are not dl.spf).«c(i to 
discu.ss the mutter further than to 
.say, 'It is not practlcvl at ihi.s 
timo.' 



No Richman Interest 



llai-iy UicliiDan. on the ladio often 
enoutj'li In the punt to have bci>n 
hoard by niost oVTyonc who would 
be intf rc-tod, gave five auditions 
for as ni.'iny .'wlvo rt l.srr.s in tli'' iiri<-t 
two "vvck.-". 

Vi, <,<T. > . ,1 t,\ .•|>-). || n 



VAMIETY 



RADIO hei^orts 



Tu^aj, Februarj 7, 1933 



M6C Tries 135-Minute Steady Variety 
Bill Over Air Sat Nite-Did Fairly 



To gather together and routine 
an hour's program bearing at least 
the essential requisites of snappy, 
balanced, blended entertaining 
vaudeville bill would In itself be a 
feat for either of the networks, 
Judging from past efforts in this 
direction. But that It hadn't as 
yet mastered the small beginning 
didn't prevent NBC from undertak- 
ing a variety extravaganza that 
bridged two hours an 16 minutes 
of last Saturday (4) night's blue 
link schedule. 

Before it arrived at the hour 
mark the thing was beginning to 
Bjiow signs of sagging badly and 
of boresome repetition. By the time 
it got to the 90-minute post, what 
NBC had set out to make an epic 
of the ether had simmered down to 
a parade of quartets, with little 
novelty, at that, to distinguish one's 
style from the other. Taken as a 
whole, or even the first hour, the 
conglomeration was neither good 
vaudeville nor good radio. 

A trouble seemed to be haste in 
gathering the show, as though the 
chain had to take what It could get 
In a hun-y. Nothing else could ex- 
plain the had and slow spots and 
arrangement, . 

Regardless of the likely reaction 
to Saturday night's exhibit, credit 
Is due the chain for at least trying 
to break away from ' th6 ' stodgy 
programing ^"grlnd .and attempting 
an eMierlmcint of the;vai'iety on a; 
sustained scale. More credit would 
have beeiidue NBC lf had gone out 
Into 4he precincts o|f vaudeville and 
brought In ;an° expert booker for 
counsel on hlow to put one of these 
shows together. Certainly this au- 
thority would have steered clear 
-<^rom running within an hour's time 
the following strihg of harmony 
quartets: Harriet and Her lieaderg, 
the Rhythnilers, Carson J. Roblson 
and His Buckeroos, the Rondellers 
and the Slzzlers. No expert vaude 
booker would have inserted into the 
middle of the stretch a slow recital 
of a dramatic sketch about Ten- 
nesee mountaineers and slowing the 
pace of the 'Carnival' down to a 
rocking-chair siiooze. The dramatic 
glmgack, good or bad, was totally 
out of tune with the proceedings. 
If they had to pad out the long time 
allotment, any other selection, even 
another quartet, would have been 
preferable. 

With the exception of the Rhyth- 
mlers, introduced here as 'the isist 
^ord in rhythm,' every act spotted 
has appeared on the network bie- 
fore, some of them well established 
names commercially. Most of the 
singing in the solo department was 
6t a pretty high level and the out 
standing feature of the bill, while 
most of the comedy must have 
made very painful listening, if not 
provocative of a quick switch to 
some other point on the dial. Cases 
in particular point were both the 
Jack McLallen menagerie, with 
Sarah and Sassafras, doing a near 
new routine, away from their vaude 
one, and the Ann-Butler-Cblck 



Harrison duo, whose script con- 
tained many more old boys than 
the late Bert Savoy used. 

Ray Perkins started off sprucely 
on the m.c. assignment, but it didn't 
take long for the gallop to wear him 
down, with the comedy content of 
his gags diminishing proportion- 
ately. Remainder of the comedy di- 
vision of the Saturday night mara- 
thon numbered Allen Prescott, doing 
a monolog on household hints quite 
reminiscent of the Sisters of tlie 
Skillet, . and Irving Kaufman In a 
brief Dutch dialect set-to with 
trained seals aha sardines the 
source of his verbal katzenjammers. 
Both the piscatory mimicry and the 
dialect must have given little cause 
for rocking-chair merriment. 

The one consistently diverting 
item on the bill was the orchestra, 
under the direction of Frank Black, 
the NBC studios' new musical head- 
man. Selections nicely diversified, 
the arrangements of the kind that 
pique and hold the attention and, 
despite the strain of sitting arcund 
a studio fot- 136 minutes, the band 
maintained a fine interpretive level 
throughout. 

Outside of the band the instru- 
mental listing had the Ohman and 
Ardeh piano duo on twice, and the 
Borah . Minevitch coterie fon Just 
long enough to mix a .nifty bit of 
harmonica harmony. "The !^Ilnevitch 
gang got Its spotting Immediately 
after the sketch, which helped much 
in bringing things back to the va- 
riety spirit and intent.- 

Standout names among the. solo 
warbling element were Confttd Thie- 
bault, James MeIton.and Frank Lu- 
ther, and their contributions, to- 
gether .with the fine coloratura 'bit 
by Aileen Clark provided one of the 
few redeeming graces of the show. 

Things, chiefly responsible for tlie 
network!? experiment W.lth the two- 
hour and a quarter varliety idea was 
the suggestion this might be the 
solution to one of th6 network's 
major headaches. And' that's the 
advertiser's sales resistance when It 
came to talking about a Saturday 
night spot or. any other night's. 
Commercial, attitude that there 
wa-sn't enough of a Saturday night 
listening habit to make it worth 
while has' made that week-end 
round of the clock a drug on the 
broadcasting market. Hence the 
problem- confronting the network of 
finding something that will build up 
a steady and substantial Saturday 
night audience to overcome the sc.les 
barrier, 

The variety idea might be one of 
the solutions, provided that its cut 
down to shorter running dimensions, 
that the best assortment of talept 
available is used ^ind, above all, that 
the layout of the show is placed in 
the hands of some one who knows 
what it's- all about. 

Probably useless to go . into >:he 
vaude subject at length, still that 
may be Imagined necessary where 
an advertiser has 30 or 60 mln'.ites 
on the air and might want to use a 
Variety 'program. It would have to 
be lightning fast and put together 
by a vaude booker. Odec. 



JEROME KERN-EOWIN C. HILL 

Interviewr Sonaa^ Mutio 

30 Mine. 

COWIMERQIAL 

WABC, New York 

Edwin C. Hill, veteran Now York 
•Sun' star reporter, who came to 
CBS attention aa topical commen- 
tator. Including some sporadic 
commercial work for 'Literary Di- 
gest' last fall, la now set on a real 
big league commercial for Vaccum 
OH (Socony in New York) on 
WABC 9:30-10 p. m. EST every Fri- 
day. 

It's the guest-star Idea In another 
form, with a famous subject also 
the subject of an autobiographical 
life story. It permits for a variety 
of skillful treatments and its effect 
will probably vary from week to 
week, depending on the. subject 
himself. 

Jerome Kern as the second book- 
ing (Babe Ruth was the starter- 
offer) was an inspiration, for here 
is a relatively unknown famous per- 
son; a beloved contemporaneous 
American composer whose airs have 
been lilted by- many Americans, but 
who has been impressively modest 
about It all. 

Hence, the sketchy recapitulation 
of Kern's wealth of works Is the 
more effective, as song hit after 
song hit Is reprised by Nat. Shll- 
kret's orchestral backup and the oc- 
casional vocal accompaniments. 
Nelson Eddy, barytone, is one of 
these. There are other vocalists and 
a femme aide who personates Edna 
Ferber, with a special announce- 
iment (presumably at the authoress' 
request) to eliminate any confusion 
of personality. 

- The crux of the Kern Interview 
is the. inside story on 'Show Boat' 
which Kern considers his master- 
piece and labeled the great Ameri- 
can operetta, citing Cohan's proph- 
ecy that when it was written Kern 
would do it. Alec'WoQllcott and Miss 
Ferber are brought it, in contempo- 
raneously historical fashion, in sub- 
stantiation of bow the Mississippi 
story of Miss Ferber's came tb be 
the inspiration of Kern and his fa-^ 
vorite librettist, Oscar Hammer- 
stelh II. 

There are snatches of everything 
Kern has done, with much of 'Cat 
and the Fiddle' and 'Music in the 
Air,' the current Kern -Hammer stein 
operetta, reprised. The latter in- 
cludes a takeoff on what might be 
transpiring on the Avon stage at 
that moment, as the music pub- 
li:>hers' office scene is re-en.ictcd. It 
might be deemed a good plug for 
the show as well. 

Hill has John McCormack, War- 
den Lewis B. Lawes, Gershwin and 
Culbertson lined up in that se- 
quence for their 'Inside stories' and 
the biographical sketch of their 
varied careers. It's a showmanly 
idea, rather deftly carried out, al- 
though the dial-In attention will de- 
pend strictly on the personality be- 
ing starred with the Interviewer, 
Hill. Abel. 



PAT BARNES' BAR Z RANCH 
With Bruce Bradway, Geraldine 

Weber, Bob Brown 
Episodic 
Sustaining 
W£NR, Chicago 

Pat Barnes, formerly . bankrolled 
by Swift, and a veteran radio per- 
former, is back on the NBC 60,000 
watter with a new sustaining pro- 
gram which suggests Itself as being 
commercially hot. It's a dandy 
T3ea executed by 3arireirv5rlth a con- 
summate knowledge of his media. 

Where most children's programs 
shout and rant and generate ten- 
sion by setting ofC firecrackers, 
Barnes has built a program that 
trots along at a more serene and 
placid pausing to taste of the pleas- 
ures of characterization. It shines 
by comparison. 

As with his former programs, 
•Bar Z Ranch' Is essentially a one 
man entertainment. Barnes' mul- 
tiple larnyx produces a Chinese 
cook, a grunting Indian, and a nasal 
cowboy, called Adenoids, in addition 
to other and sundry persons. All 
■-»of these he keeps smartly dlfCer- 
entiated. Voices are clearly recog- 
nized at all limes. No muffling, 
garbling, or mingling of dialects. 

For the two children, Billy Boy 
and Bess, there was an obvious 
need for assistance and Barnes has 
chosen two pleasing voices in Bruce 
Bradway and Geraldine Web6r, both 
reported around the 12-year-old 
mark- Bob Brown, staff NBC an- 
nouncer, handles this phase and 
well. 

Actl'^n occurs on a ranch where 
the ai.ival of a pretty little girl 
to live there has caused all the 
hands to become doting guardians 
of her welfare. Program has a 
sweetness and note of sentiment ab- 
sent from the nvernge child's pro- 
gram on' the air. Landi 



MAE WEST 

Song 

COMMERCIAL 
WEAF, New York 

'Diamond Lll,' or 'She Done Him 
Wrong' under the Paramount aegis, 
strutted her Trankle and Johnny' 
on the Fleischmann Yeast air waves 
Thursday night as one of the vari- 
ety program interludes, topping 
things off with Rudy Vallee's Conn. 
Yankees. 

For the air, there was less con- 
cern about the 'Diamond Lil' thing 
than In the Hays office seemingly. 
Miss West was by no means under 
wraps in this throwback to the 
mauve decade when St. Louis 
honkytonk doggerels of this calibre 
were the vogue. 

'Diamond Lil' had a male quartet 
backing her up as she vocalized the 
announced folksong of yesteryear, 
although it's not established what 
kinda folks the announcer meant. 
Anyway, it was a good timely spot- 
ting for both sides and a swell 
break, particularly now for Miss 
West's forthcoming Par flicker. 

Abel. 



HODGE PODGE LODGE 

With Jennison Parker, Walter 
Bunker, Bob Bence, Edna 6'Keefe, 
Arnold Maguire, Walter Kelsey's 
Orch. 

Sustaining 

KFRC, San Francisco 

This newly inaugurated 30-min- 
ute variety program on the Don 
Lee-Columbia chain deserves and 
Is headed for a build-up. It's one 
of the Cofist's best laugh programs, 
coming from the pen of Jennison 
Pai-ker. Parker writes NBC's 'Road 
Show' and for such characters as 
'Elmer Blurt,' 'Yah But' and others. 

Hodge Podge Lodge is an organ- 
ization in session with Parker act- 
ing as president in a raspy voice. 
Other members — Bunker, Maguire 
and Bence — are of the KFRC an- 
nouncing staff and handle gags in 
stellar fashion. Miss O'Keefe does 
a Zasu Pitts and occasionally sings 
and is plenty good. Kelsey batons 
a small combo. 

Hardest part of the program to 
sell Is smartness of Its humor. It's 
one of radio's few programs to 
really have intelligent, and gener- 
ally original humor. It's therefore 
apt to be over the mbb's head. It's 
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fri- 
days, 4:30 p.m., with maybe an 
evening spot soon. Bock 



•YOUNG FpRTYrNLNERS^' 
With Carlton Briokart, jHclith 
> Lowery, Arthur Jaeobsan, Jamas 
Gosa^ Billy Idleton and Harriat 
Can* 

COMMERCIAL 

WENR, Chicago' 

Here Is a program for children to 
which adults may give attention 
without acute ennui setting In. Not 
only is it stamped with superiority 
in writing and presentation, but by 
a rare and gratefully recognized 
self-discipline the sponsor has omit- 
ted all the usual advertising blah. 

In consequence, the narrative has 
the right-of-way and this commer- 
cial script program succeeds in bcr 
ing entertainment primarily instead 
of supplementary to a sales mes- 
sage. 

Two married women collaborated 
on the scripts, which bring a far 
higher tone and ring of reality than 
is typical of radloized Juvenilia. 
Mrs. Alexander Kirk and Mrs. 
Proehl Jaklon, the latter once the 
society editor of the Chicago 'Trlb,' 
get first honors because, more nota- 
bly than stage or screen, a radio 
dlvertissment is only as good as its 
material. Personality cannot hide 
stupidity in a radio script, whereas 
It Is occasionally possible to gloss 
over the script in other forms of 
amusement. 

A measure of credit is also due 
Dave Lindley, who staged the 
'Young '49ers' with a nice clarify- 
ing of character and a simplicity of 
action. The authors have charted 
the course of their wagon train and 
their story along the trail taken by 
the old prairie schooners and names 
of towns, rivers, states, Indian 
tribes and other details are vouched 
for on the score of authenticity. It 
is the purpose to provide a practical 
insight into historical realities as 
the fiction carries on. Thus, 'Young' 
'49ers' is equipped to call itself to 
the attention of parents for its edu- 
cational sideli(?hts and to obtain 
adult good will on the argument 
that the sole purpose Is not to whip 
youthful minds into a lather of ex- 
citement. 

As the wagon train progresses 
from Independence, Mo., to Kansas 
City for the hop off into the danger 
Infested wildernesses of 1849, the 
various characters are' delineated 
\^itii easy and quick identification of 
virtue and strength versus the con- 
trary, vices. There are three juvenile 
characters, a good boy, a good girl, 
and a lad with tendencies toward 
tattling, eavesdropping, etc. This 
set-up gives the authors scope for 
those small incidents within the 
larger vicissitudes of the wagon 
train. 

Wise in the things that stimulate 
boyish imagination was one touch 
from the lady authors. The good 
boy, aged 13, when bullied by this 
other lad, aged 17, grabs him by 
the wrist and by sheer strength 
makes the older one take back 
somAhlng he has said. This is 
precisely the sort of victory any 13- 
year-old dreams about. 

'Young '49ers' is reasonable in Its 
adventures, wholesome in its ex- 
citements, staged w'th an apprecia- 
tion of theatrical devices, including 
the jovial laugh of Captain Sam, 
which serves in a sense as the pro- 
gram's 'signature.' But on top of 
all these good points, the Colgate 
dentifrice honors Itself by daring 
to think that a good show is more 
important than a windy point-by- 
polnt sales harangue. 

Lord & Thomas agency handles 
the account. Land. 



FRANK BLACK 

interview 

Sustaining 

WGY, Schenectady 

Appearance of Black, new XBC 
musical director, as guest stiu- on 
Woman's Radio Review, standard 
afternoon feature over the red net- 
work, marked the first time in 10 
years of broadcasting that he had 
faced the mike In a talking role. 
Pianist-arranger made it interest- 
ing and might have talked a little 
longer on the inside stuff angle of 
music. 

Black also played two piano solos, 
and Christine McDonald was wise 
cnoufrh to let lilin do mo-st of the 
talking. Jaco. 



EDDIE MILLER 
Songs 
Sustaining 
WOR, Newark 

Vocal standby of many a vaude- 
ville act and with a pair of pipes 
which can still sell a ballad as it 
should be sold, Eddie Miller made 
his bow on the Bamberger-Macy 
transmitter last Thursday (2) night 
as guest of the Al and Lee Reiser 
pLano duo. Miller showed enough 
for the brief time he was on to 
make it worth while to carve out a 
weekly spot for him. His simplicity 
of style in lts£.lf will likely prove a 
thing of refreshing appeal to list- 
oners. 

With him the melody and the 
clarity of diction Is the main idea, 
and the emotional content of a 
number takes care of itself. Years 
of tossing them out over the foot- 
lights 1ms developed that latter 
quality into second nature. His 
roundness and vigor of tone lends 
itself neatly to the mechanisms of 
radio. Given a well-balanced strini; 
orchestra. Miller should be able to 
confcct an entertaining stanza. 

Odec. 



LULLABY LADY 
Songs, Talk 
Sustaining 
WINS, New York 

Of the slew of bedtime frames 
radiating from transmitters around 
New York; this one rates in a class 
by itself. It has a distinctive per- 
sonality about it and : surefire ap- 
peal embracing mothers and their 
youngsters at the 6 o'clock, or there- 
abouts, tuck-in age. Above all 
here's a soprano who packs a per- 
fect flair for this type of composi- 
tion. 

I Lullaby Lady's routining of the 
program Is a commendably smooth 
piece of work. Chatter is Inserted 
between the lullabylng with neat- 
ness and restraint. None of the 
over-effervescing about the kiddles 
being good and washing their ears 
and doing as they'rg told, etc., etc. 
This miss deals it out in small doses 
and with a voice unaddlcted to the 
customary uncle or auntie bedtime 
character, merely confining herself to 
remarking that the following num- 
ber is de< cated to all sick children 
who may be listening in or a re- 
quest that the youngsters write and 
tell her about their birthdays. 

Even it stands the session Is 
okay for netw ork time. It's worth 
more than the two t5-r,.lnute nlches- 
a week that ^V^KS is giving It. 
Properly spotted and let alone, from 
the routining viewpoint, the pro- 
gram should bring a roLjular audi- 
ence for a commercial that has 
something to sell to the mother- 
youngster element. On the other 
hand, the possibilities are that 
wrapping a commercial around it 
plus the usual agency manhandling 
might ruin it. Odec. 



'DICK .OAJIING'S ADVENTURES* 
Wtth'/Merfril Fbgit, Billy Yoo. Don, 
aid Brigga » 
COMMERCIAL 
WENR» Chloago^ 

Throwing juvenile heroes int* 
contact -With professional criminals, 
and involving them in a mesh of 
worldly and myrder-threatenine 
complications, has been used as the 
•motif of a good many kid shows on 
the air. There have been some 
strenuous objections and it Is not 
too much to surmise that eventu- 
ally the women's clubs may divert 
part of the spleen they now focus 
upon Hollywood to the radio pro- 
grams devoted to these penny 
thriller agitations. 

However, the case in point, one 
of the newest of the Juvenile heroics 
group, is probably in no danger of 
incurring speciflo parental wrath. 
To begin with it isn't half as blood- 
spattered as some of its contem- 
poraries. And, anyhow, what de- 
termines the success of any pro- 
gram on the air at 6:16 p.m. Is 
what the kids, not mamma and 
papa, think about it. 

Frank Dahme, author of 'Little 
Orphan Annie,' an acknowledged 
commercial success (Ovaltlne), is 
sire to this new dido for young 
America. It's on a 13-weeks' t?.qt 
over WENR with an extension to 
the network the natural aspiration 
of ^he auspices. Quaker Oats is 
the sponsor and Puffed Rice and 
Puffed Wheat the package goods 
they want to push. Lawrence 
Paquln stages the scripts. 

Dick Daring is a model youth who 
became the backbone of (3oach 
Greatguy's basketball team by eat- 
ing Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice 
smothered in cream (guess the 
source of the calories). Coach 
Grea'tguy allows himself to spec- 
julato, for one horrible moment on 
what would happen to his basket- 
{ball team if Dick Daring should for 
:any reason be unavailable. He is 
-the darling of the galleries, this 
Master Dick. 

To thicken the plot there are 
threatening phone: calls from 'the 
tough district of town' warning 
Mrs. Daring to keep her son away 
from a certain address which Dick 
and his pals are contemplating in- 
vestigating In connection with 
other knots in the narrative. At 
the moment the call Is received 
Coach Greatguy and some of the 
fellows on the team are in the kit- 
chen gorging themselves on Puffed 
Rice. 

Easily the most interesting aspect 
of the program is the unique an- 
nouncing style of Donald Brlggs, 
who also doubles in brass as Coach 
Greatguy. Brlggs is an actor of 
legit experience and he throws him- 
self Into the grammar school thing 
with a vengeance. His 'toughle' 
style of announcing Is startllngly 
effective. His words pop and ex- 
plode like Puffed Wheat itself. He 
stresses Coach Greatguy's 'train- 
ing rules,' which means eating those 
Quaker Oats products. Half-hiss- 
'ing through the corner of his mouth 
in a rugged manner that' probably 
will strike most boys as the apex 
of masculinity, Brlggs makes a 
convincing case that basketball vic- 
tories can invariably be traced to a 
Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice diet. 

Land. 



STUART SWART 
Piano 

Sustaining > 
WGY, Schenectady 

Accompanist for the Albany Men- 
delssohn club, and the name singers 
appearing with it, Swart broadcasts 
one afternoon a week. WGY makes 
more to-do about one or two other 
local Interpreters of the classics, 
but for sheer class this chap's re- 
citals rank high. 

When caught recently Swart de- 
voted 16 minutes to the composi- 
tions of Liszt. Few listeners, re- 
gardless of their feeling for, or un- 
derstanding of, classical music 
could remain entirely Indifferent to 
his interpretation of 'Hungarian 
Rhapsody.' Inclusion of shorter se- 
lections, perhaps some from light 
opera, would give the program 
wider appeal. 

Swart deserves better spotting 
than the mid-afternoon period on a 
local. Jaco. 



DON LANG 
Talk 

COMMERCIAL 
WABC, New York 

For his latest paychecli source, 
the distributors of Junket, a milk 
dessert, Don Lang is doing a circus 
story routine. Though Its neatly 
sustained, excitement will hold the 
youngster attentior, there Is not- 
ably lacking In this series the punch 
and human appeal that surrounded 
the batch of dog narratives he did 
on a Chicago outlet about a year 
ago. 

Cast with him on tho Junket affair 
are a couple of kids who fill In for 
the supplementary quizzing about 
the ways of animals and also as 
the voluble audience reaction to the 
tale of circus adventure thJ\,t fol- 
lows. For the latter function, the 
younpstcrs might be omitted en- 
tirely, for the benefit of the narra- 
tive's pace and su.ipense. Most of 
these interpolated inquiries are ex- 
cl.nmations are bndly cued and ^ 
source of Irritation to the excited 
younf,'sters listening In. 

Scripts used by I^ang are of au- 
thentic oi-l?rin. with the narrator in 

(Continued on page 41) 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



RADIO 



VARIETY 99 



^j^^l , ^ ■■■ ■ ■ ■■■p■■■■■l||'■■■■^lUB■■^■Ml>■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■«■ll■■tl■^^^■■y■■■^■,■■i^ 



East 



RADIO CHATTER 



Ti i n irt i.-ui-t-ia:t«L »'i-i,i i-i-^T-i i<i;biiri-m-i-t>i-i-i I I 1 [1 I I I I I I I I rix'M l 1 1 1 i i.i hi n rt jJT 



has no exclusive station representa- 
tive. 

The Funnyboners (CBS) are re- 
cordlner for Columbia phonograph. 

KellojerET has renewed the Singing 
Lady stanza for another 62 weeks. 

Donald S. Shaw, NBC eastern 
sales chief, talks next Tuesday (14) 
before the Springfield, Mass., Ad- 
vertising Club on the place of the 
small advertiser in radio. 

Irving Grayson now in charge of 
Artists' Bureau, WTIC, Hartford. 

Si Yaffe and orch playing twice 
N.eekly over WTIC, Hartford. 

Little Frankle's band gets 13- 
week contract, six days a week, 
playing for Prokalr, hair tonic, 
DWRC, Hartford. 

WDRC, Hartford, Jumps its rates 
on the special low-price hours. 

Collin Driggs, a theatre organist, 
now exclusive WTIC. 

Dr. F. S. Rogers now organ broad- 
casting over WGY. Announcing 
program, too. 



Arnold Rlttenborg, manager of 
Proctor's Troy theatre, doing a new 
series over WGY called 'The Golden 
Treasury.' Brings him before the 
mike as a poetry-recltatlonist. 

Supper dance at Essex House to- 
night (Tuesday) by Old Gold In 
honor of Fred Waring's band as a 
prelim to their O. G. debut Wednes- 
day night (8). 

Latest batch auditioning with 
Eddie Dowling for Beech-Nut Pack- 
ing included the Gibson Sisters, 
Vera Burke, Reva Reyes and a Len 
Joy combo. 

Carbona is playing around with 
an idea for a 16-minute daytime 
stanza on NBC's red link. 

Peter Van Steeden is showing the 
NBC program board something he 
calls a 'varsity show.' 

Southern Singers are being im- 
ported into New York by Gale, Inc. 
Act was on WLW, Cincy, for two 
years. 

L. G. Pacent has started a con- 
sulting engineering firm with broad- 
casting among his specialties. 

WBEN, Buffalo, reported that It 



Bill Farren Out 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 

After three years as KDKA's 
sports reporter, handling station's 
Teaberry gum commercial during 
that period, Bill Farren has been 
let out as a result of differences 
with the advertiser. Succeeded by 
C. A. Wakeman, until recently In 
charge of KDKA's kiddie programs. 

Sammy Fuller has been assigned 
to take over Wakeman's former 
duties. 



Coast Stations Airing ThriDers 
Are Spanked by Religious Element 



West 



FRED 
ALLEN 

Management 
WALTER BATCHELOR 

BATH CLUB REVUE 
— WABC — 

Sunday, 9 P. M., E. S. T. 

LOU 

KATZMAN 

And His LINIT ORCHESTRA 



THE SHORTEST DISTANCE 
Between two p4rfnt« Is a Btralgbt 
line. . 

THE SHORTEST DISTANCE 

Between the certainty and nncertaln- 
tj of yonr fotnre Is ANNCITT KN- 
SURANCK OH planned for yon by 

m M incohpoiiatid m 

N1W-VW»K-CTTV. 

Information Without Obligation 
to Radio Folk 



JACK DENNY 

AND ORCHESTRA 



WEAF 



WABC 



Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 
Victor Records 
Lucky Strike Dance Hour 
Whitman Chocolates 

WJZ 0 WOR 

Management M. C. A. 



Theme song for Eddie Peabody's 
Safeway hour, over the NBC orange 
network starting Feb. 8 for 13 
weeks, will be 'My Song of Happi- 
ness.' Tune was written by Archie 
Qoettler at the time Peabody opened 
In London some months ago. 

Bob Schaffer, an on-and-ofCer on 
KFWB's 'Hi-Jinks,' now on the 
regular staff. 

KMTR, Hollywood, building up on 
talent. Added are Jan Rublni, Adele 
Crane, Guldo Patpinarl, Frank Sei- 
gred, Kolla Levinne. 

Sunday night half-hour sustain- 
ers at KMTR are tab edition of for- 
mer successful musical comedies. 
Starting with 'Blossom Time,' sta- 
tion will follow successively with 
'Maytlme,' 'Irene' and 'Sally.' Chief 
singing parts are handled by James 
Barroyd and Eva Olivotte. 

After dramatizing Henry the 
Eighth and Queen Elizabeth for its 
English Coronet series, KFWB will 
slide a couple of sovereigns and pre- 
sent the life of Charles the Second 
in episode form. Coronets has been 
running a, year, authored and han- 
dled by Kay Van Riper. 

MJB coffee Is doing a lot of talent 
auditioning around NBC, Frisco, to 
brace its Demi-Tasse Revue. 

KFRC, Frisco, using occasional 
spot acts to Inject new blood into 
its local and chain programs. With- 
out adding to its regular staff sta- 
tion has been using Joaquin Garay, 
Betty Kelly, Tom and Dudd, and 
others. 



Mid-West 



After Feb. 8 Bulova will no longer 
tell WMAQ, Chicago, listeners what 
time it is. 

Harold Foreman, formerly with 
Blackett - Sample - Hummert, now 
with Chicago studio of World 
Broadcasting. 

Art Gillham, "whispering pianist,' 
not broadcasting at present. 

Harry Steele, WLS newscaster, 
names Hal Session as a future son- 
in-law. 

Old Pappy (Cliff Soubier) back 
on WMAQ, Chicago. 

Myrt and Marge partled the Chi- 
cago radio editors, and 65 others. 

Jean Paul King ringmastered the 
entertainment at the Apollo Lodge 
when Joseph Koestner, ,NBC, took 
his third degree. 

Par Spark Plug is radio-conscious 
for a Chicago airing under McJun- 
kin auspices. 

Jo Keith has a deal with WGES, 
Chicago, to give his pupils a weekly 
hearing Saturday at 11:30 p.m. 

Charles Freeman's Institute Play- 
ers, Little theatre champs of Chi- 
cago, was the first of 23 similar 
groups that will take the ozone on 
KYW. 

Harold Stokes, who talks a song, 
is also a composer on the side. 



Rice So Hot at 
Berle May Take 
A Legal Shower 



Incensed at Milton Berle's lifting 
of a gag he wrote for Weber and 
Fields, Aildy Rice, librettist and 
now chief comedy contributor for 
Jack Pearl's Lucky Strike pro- 
grams, has consulted Julius Kendr 
ler, the lawyer, with a view to pos- 
sible legal action. Rice contends 
that the etherization of any mate- 
rial to perhaps as many as 16,000,- 
000 people works limitless damage 
on such lifted material, and yet 
there is no form of measurement 

as to its value. 

In a letter which Rice wrote 
Berle, the former book author of 
several 'Scandals' and vaudeville 
acts, observes: 

'When the theatre was an Insti 
tution, actors were ethical and it 
was their pride to use only their 
own material, and the cheap 
choosers,' or to give that species 
the true title, 'Thieves,' were con- 
demned by both the honest actors 
and the booking managers. Today, 
the theatre in its hunger to survive 
is not concerned about the source 
of material as long as actors using 
this material secure laughs. This 
state of affairs is beyond my power 
to correct, but I will fight for what 
is my property regardless of cost.' 

Rice also advised Berle he sent 
copies of his letter to NBC, CBS 
and 'Variety.' 

The lines which Rice created and 
claims Weber and Fields paid him 
royalty for, and which Berle recited 
on the Fleischmann program of Jan. 
19 are: 'We will soon have ma- 
chines where you'll drop in a 
nickel and out will come a wife. 
But we want machines where you 
drop in a wife and out will come 
a nickel.' 




PAUL 
WHITEMAN'S 

VBO Network - Blltmore Hotei 

RADIO STARS 





I 



Hard on V-Fs 



M. H. Aylesworth's early to 
work habits, as president of 
NBC and RKO, has most of the 
radio network's v. p.'s scowling 
at the morning mall before 10 
a. m. It's also their only 
chance to see or be seen by the 
head man. 

Aylesworth's routine gets 
him behind his NBC desk 
around 8 o'clock going later to 
RKO. 

The network v. p.'s found it 
embarrassing meeting their prez 
on his way out, so one by one 
they're catching those earlier 
trains. 



EXTEND ON 'CHANDU' 



Add Another 13 Weeks as Beech- 
Nut Seeks New Program 



Beech-Nut Packing has decided 
to switch the station lineup on 
'Chandu' and continue airing the re- 
corded serial for another 13 wcek.s 
beyond March 3. Outlets scheduled 
to carry tho show after this date 
will only number 23. 

Weeded from the revised station 
group are spots where the program 
hasn't proved profitable. Other out- 
lets are being eliminated temporarily 
to allow the numbered installments 
on still other stations tu catch up 
with them. 

Firm, meantime, will continue 
scouting for a network show of 
musical comedy genre to supple- 
ment the spot broadcasting. On the 
basis of the latest batch of con- 
tracts let out to stations Beech- 
Nut, at the end of the added 13 
weeks, wiU have spent close to 
$1,000,000 on the 'Chandu' serial. It 
has already run almost a year. 



Court Helps Hedbary 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Modification of an injunction 
af,'ainst John P. Medbury, ordered 
by Superior Judge E. Wilson, permits 
the writer to continue his broad- 
casting and his work for King Fea- 
tures and newspapers. 

Under his CBS contract, Medbury 
will have the title of 'general ma.ster 
of ceremonies, and will be spotted 
on several sustainers as well as tho 
Old Gold hour. 

Injunction had been granted to 
Walter Futter, film man, who 
sought to have Medbury prohibited 
from working for anyone else while 
und^r contract to him. 



Australian Sees Taxes 
And Weak Programs 
Threat to AI Radio 



Sydney, Jan. 14. 

Although the basic wage has been 
reduced to three-pounds-ten-shill- 
ings, the cost of a radio license re- 
mains at 24 shillings per annum. 

Refusal of the government to re- 
duce this big charge is meeting with 
general disapproval. Radio dealers 
report that business has not 
slipped, but they put this down to 
the fact that the cricket tests be- 
tween England and Australia are 
being broadcast. When cricket sea- 
son finishes, then the slump Is ex- 
pected. Many folk have gotten a 
radio just to listen to the test 
matches, and will return their li- 
cense on expiration. 

Commission controlling the air 
programs in Australia going in for 
economy by relaying Sydney pro- 
grams to Melbourne and vice versa. 
This method saves the cost of two 
separate air bills, but is hard on the 
artists who depend on radio. 

For radio entertainment the B 
class stations offer the best, and yet 
they do not receive any cash from 
the government. 



Hearings for Networks 
Set Before Commission 

Washington, Feb. 6. 
Both networks are grooming for 
unexpected hearings before Radio 
Commission within two days. NBC's 
application for approval of the 
lease on WMAL as second Wash- 
ington outlet is set for trial Feb. 15. 
Columbia's battle with Navy over 
location of WJSV will be heard 
Feb. 16. 

Intended switch of WMAL to 
NBC operation was scheduled for 
Feb. 1, but unanticipated hearing 
before full commission has things 
up In air. Total of about four hours 
on NBC blue stuff is on WMAL al- 
ready under private arrangement 
pending outcome. So far only op- 
position developed to lease is 
squawk of National Education As- 
sociation's Committee on Education 
By Radio, popped in recent open 
letter to members of Congress that 
chains are getting strangle hold on 
ether. 

Navy-Columbia fracas hinges on 
claim that WJSV's location Inter- 
feres with tedt at Bellevue Laborar 
torles. Betting is about even that 
Columbia will have to move trans- 
mitter at cost of $50,000. 



SUTTON'S CHI FEBIOD 

Chicago, Feb. 

Hugh Sutton, baritone, will 
broadcast Tuesdays and Sundays 
over WMAQ on behalf of Dorlo, 
hairdressing. It's Sutton's debut to 
local radio although reported to 
have done air work on the Coast. 

He has been singing in night 
clubs here. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Coast radio stations, particularly 
hot at present for the crime thriller 
serial, are becoming the targets for 
the religious press and reform 
bodies and Individuals. They claim 
the serial cliff hangers are inciting 
crime among children. It's the 
same brand of brickbat that Is 
aimed at films every so often. 

Almost every station around here 
Is dishing out the dime novel type 
of fodder, with hundreds of letters 
pouring in daily telling how Johnnie 
might grow up to be a burglar un- 
less this crime stuff is eliminated. 

Along with the kicks are those for 
the stations having dally news 
broadcasts. The air is no place 
for crime news, so the letter and 
editorial protesters claim. 

While the thriller objections are 
causing some concern among the 
ether men, the protests against 
crime news are not. Ether operators 
sense the newspapers, which make 
capital of crime, as being behind the 
latter protests. 



Oil Renewal 



Sinclair Oil has renewed for Ita 
minstrel show for another 48 weeks 
over NBC. 



LEONf 



BELASCO 



N.B.C. 

Wed. 
9:30, E.S.T. 
Woodbury 
Hour 



Mon., Thurs. 
and 
Saturday 



NIOHTI.T 
AMBASSADOR HOTEL, N. Y. 
Sole Dlreetlon HBBBIAN BEBMli! 
1619 Broadwar> New York 



LEONARD 
HAYTON 

and Hia 

CHESTERFIELD 

ORCHESTRA 



SIX NIGHTS WEEKLY 
(Except Sunday) 
via 

Entire Colambla Network 
9 P. U. <E.8.T.) 




DUMB 
CRACKERS 

ROBERT 
BURNS 
PANETELA 

WABC 

Every 
Wednesday 

at 9:30 I'. H. 



BURHS»o ALLEN 

Dir.: WM. UORBI8 AGENCY 




ond o Uuitop 

COLUMBIA 

BROADCASTING 
^ SYSTEM 



Milli-Aockwftl.lnc. 

9:r6P.M Mon-Thun< 




RUTHETTING 



GLORIFYING POPULAR SONG 
HUMBIA-COAST-TD-CDAST NET^^DgK 

J(»»"r><v -"'T T??T U''T> • IV or" »^ ' 




40 



VARIETY 



Tuesdaj^ Febniarj 7, I933 



Oaf of the Red 



^OOO.OOONTHE WEEK AT 

THE /AETROPOLITAN, BOSTON 
^ awot orexiUttjOtA to 



AND HIS 
ORCHESTRA 



«3. 



'tt 



(0 



hou; 

/flop 



the, 
oiri 



It's the same story every- 
where—in theatres, in 
clubs and in ballrooms 
alike — out of the red 
with Redman ! 



JUHt. ®"***!* "tel. *' 



40 



to 



Of 



at 



Hour I 



k1? o 



30. 



BRUNSWICK RECORDS 

Booked Through 

COLUMBIA 
BROADCASTING 
SYSTEM 



■'SCO 



PersMal Maiageffleat 

THOMAS G. ROCKWELL 



of 



ocl 



INC 



AR.TISTS R.EPR.ES EN TAT IVES 

SEVENTH AVENUE • NEW^ORR Ciy 
ClfVCLE 7-2S94-S-6 



11 



IT; 



Toesdaj, Febniary 7, 193S 



■ AHI* 



VARIETY 



41 



Radio Directory 



(As a eonvsnlencs for readers unfamiliar with who's who In Rsdio, 
'Variety* prints below a directory for New York and Chicago.) 



N^w York City 

NBC 

(Stations WJZ-WEAF) 

711 FUth Ave. 
Flaw S-llOO 
M. H. ATl«0worUi, Prealdeat. 
Rlobard C. Patterson, Jr., Executive V.-P. 
O. C. McClelland, Ass't to the President. 
Jabn Elwood, V.-P. 
A. Aehby, V.-P. and Gen. Atty. 
Oeors« Bnslea. V.-P. on Artists' Service. 
John. F. Royal, V.-P. on Programs. 
Koy C. WItmer, V.-P. on Salea. 
Ffank Maabn, V.-P. on PabHe Relattons. 
Lewis HacConnaob, Secretaiy. 
Hart 3. Woods, Secretary. 
H. F. McKeon, Auditor. 
H. F. Kelly, Asst. Auditor. 

C. W, Horn, Gen. EoKlneer. 
Frank ■UuIIen, Agricultural Dir. 

J. deJaia Almonte. Bvenlng Operations. 

Bertha Bralnaid. Program Mgr. 

O. W. Pajrne, Operations. 

R. J. Telchem, Asst. to Treaa. 

D. 8. Tothlll, Sales Mgr., Artists' Service. 

Department Heads 

Donald G. Shaw, Eastern Sales Mgr. 

Tbos. H. Belvlso, Music Ubrary. 

W, D. Bloxham, Purchasing Agent. 

John R. Corey, Service Supervisor. 

O. B. Hanson, Mgr., Plant Operation and 
Engineering Dept. 

Ruth Keeler., Personnel Supervisor. 

Donald Wltbycomb, Mgr. Sta. Relations. 

Pml F. Peter. Mgr. Statistical Dept. 

a. W. Johnstone, Mgr. Press Relations 
Dept. 



mortCMi a. milman 



circle 7-2625 
-2580 




CHARLES 
ALTHOFF 

Variety, New Toik 



CARUSE'S CHORUS 



TEN CANARIES TRAINED 
BY GRACE GREENWOOD 
TO HARMONIZE WITH MUSIC 



Four Years on NBC Networks 



Quinton Adams, Mgr. Electrical Tran- 
scription Dspt 
B. P. H, James, Bales Promotions Mgr. 



CBS 

(Station WABC) 

486 Madison Ave, 
Wlckersfaam 2-2000 

'William S. Paley, President. 
Edward Klauber, Executive V.-P. 
Sam Flckard. V.-P. 
Hugh Kendall Bolce, V.-P. in CSiarg* of 
Sales. 

lAWrence W. Lowman, V.-P. on Opera' 
tloDs and Secretary. 
M. R. Ranyon, Treasurer. 
Karl Kntpe, Sales Mgr. 
William H. Rnglsn. Asst. Sales Mgr. 
Julius. S. See6aob, Program Operations. 
Paul W. White. Publicity. 
Edwin K. Cohan, Technical Dir. 
Paul W. Kesten, Sales Research. 
John J. Karol. Market Research. 
John S. Carlisle, Production Mgr. 
Frederic P. Willis, EducatlontU Dir. 
Julius Mattfeld, Musle Ubrary. 
Hugh Cowan, Commercial Engineer. 
Ferrin Fraser, Editor, Continuity. 
Marlon R. Parsonnett, Dramatic Dir. 
Herbert B. Glover, News Broadcasting. 
Ralph 3. Wonders, Mgr.. Artists' Bureau 

(Continued on page 62) 



SaLNitesOff 



Lucky Strike's cancellation of its 
Saturday stanza, efifective with 
next week (18), will leave NBC's 
red link, WEAF 'with but a single 
commercial for that weekend eve 
ning's round of the clock. Account 
remaining is the Oldsmobile half 
hour whirl with George Olsen, Gus 
Van and Kthel Shutta. 

Operetta revival affair, with John 
Halllday and Gladys Rice, which 
gets Its final broadcast this week- 
end was started last September. 



DOWUNG, BASES OS COOKt 

E<ddle Dowling has Phtl Baker and 
Joe Cook competing against him for 
the Beechnut Packing program 
slated for NBC. Network Is doltig 
the routining of the three shows for 
the account. 

On the Phil Baker sample NBC 
has brought together Leon Belasco, 
Andrea Marsh and the Three Graces 
harmony team Paired with Joe 
Cook are the Anson Weeks orches- 
tra, Irene Taylor and a femme har 
mony trio. 



GENE ARNOLD 

Writer and Interlocntor 
with 

GREATER SINCLAIR MINSTRELS 

Monday's 8 VM. 08T— N.B.O. Netwoilc 
THie MTBEB. (Feb. 4), RKO VXIACB. CHICAGO 



CHAUNCEY PARSONS 

PREUIBR TENOK 

SINCLAIR "wenr" MINSTRELS. 

ims WEEK <Feb. 4), BKO PAKACB, CHICAGO 
Esoh Hon., Blnclalr MI ngtrelfr— N.B.O. Escb Bat.. 12:30 P.M. CST— N.B.O. 
"Bonca tor Bale" — WTBO Address Plaza Hotel, Oblcseo 



CLIFF SOUBIER 

(oio PAPpy) 
SINCLAIR "wenr" MINSTRELS 

Monday's 8 P.M. CBT— irjt.0. Network 
THIS WEEK (Feb. 4), RIKO PAIiACB, CHICAOO 



JOE PARSONS 



R.UDIO'S IX)W VOICE 

MINSTRELS 

Monday's 8 P.M. CST— N.B.C. Network 
THIS WESK (Feb. 4), BKO PAIACB, CHICAOO 



SINCLAIR "wenr" 



''MAC Mc CLOUD 



"Mamma's Uttle Bed-Hot — ^Yas Sob. Das-AU" 

SINCLAIR "wenr" MINSTRELS 

Monday's 8 P.M. CBT— N.B.O. Networic 
THIS WEEK (Feb. 4), RKO PAIJICE, CHICAOO 



FRITZ CLARK 



That Sontbnental Son of the South — My Mammy Calls Me Tea-Bone 

SINCLAIR "wenr" MINSTRELS 

Monday's 8 P.M. CST— N.B.C. Network 
Tms WEEK (Feb. 4), BKO PALACE, CHICAGO 



HARRY K06EN 

tiUEST CONDUOTOB 

With GREATER SINCLAIR MINSTRELS 

nns WEEK (Feb. 4), BKO PAIACB, OHIOAOO 



Conne Heads Coimnbia • 
Phono's Tdeift Dept 

Bd Conne, former program build- 
er at Sound Studios, becomes head 
of Columbia Phonograph Co.'s ra- 
dio program, talent and transcrip- 
tion departments as a forerunner to 
Columbia tying In more directly 
with the Columbia Broadcasting 
System. This Col Phono and CBS 
hookup. If effected again as is ex- 
pected, will be a resumption of 
what was an original Idea similar 
to NBC's take-over of the Victor 
Talking Machine Co., which has 
since become RCA Victor. 

The need of both ttaa major net- 
works for recording fteUities, espe- 
cially for commercial broadcasting 
records (or electrical transcription, 
which Is the trade label), becomes 
necessary due to the prevailing split 
network conditions la the radio 
field. Time facilities from coast to 
coast arfi not often cleared to suit 
the advertiser, who mujit therefore 
contract for spot broadcasting fa- 
cilities In the cloaed territory 
through the medium of the electri- 
cal transcription. These are chiefly 
records of the programs as origi- 
nally broadcast and shipped out to 
the desired points of ethereal cover- 
age for subsequent day or night- 
time broadcasting at the hour when 
time facilities are open. 

Bert Squires remains In full 
charge of all radio station contacts, 
including the placing of time, and 
Ben Selvin, general musical direc- 
tor, is likewise at the musical helm 
of Columbia's commercial disk and 
radio record 'cannings.* 

With Conne, Al Boasberg is going 
to Columbia on an arrangement 
whereby all Columbia niono's radio 
will have their matezial authored 
by Boasberg for broadcasting pur- 
poses. 

The new talent boreau imder 
Conne will have first eall on Co- 
lumbia's recording artists — with 
exceptions such as Vallee, Cantor or 
others already signed— and all deals 
will Include a dual arrangement 
for disks and broadcasting pur' 
poses. 



Howard Lands Another 

Tom Howard has been picked by 
Best Foods as ths comedy headman 
for the 'musical grooerystore' affair 
its debuttlng on NBCs red network 
(WflAP) March 8. Balance of the 
cast has Jeanle ijutg and George 
Sheldon as Howard's straight man, 
Harry Baiter's orchestra and a 
quartet featuring Scrappy Lambert 
Contract la for a minfannm 13 
weeks. 

Howard imtil two weeks ago was 
on the Chesterfield payroll, with 
the clggle account cancelling at the 
end of his Initial roand of four 
weeks. 



Cutting on Auditions 

Brnest Cutting has been shifted 
ont of NBC Artists service to take 
charge of all auditions cleared 
through the network's program de- 
partment. Cutting's previous as- 
signment bad him sooutlng vaude 
material for the artists bureau and 
also booking the Indls houses. 

Ruby Cowan continues as the ar- 
tists service's eontaot on the Mon- 
day night audition finals held before 
execs from the various departments. 



WHIIAHS DEBUTB FEB. 224 
J. B. Williams' shaving cream 
debuts on NBC Feb. 24 with a week- 
ly half hour session framed around 
the Jack Denny orchestra and the 
Three Public Bnemlest comedy- 
harmony teaih. Station link takes 
in WEAP, WEEI, WTIC, WJAR, 
WTAG and WCSH. 



Radio Reports 

(Continued from page 38) 
each instance mentioning dates, 
places and the circus in which the 
incident occurred. On one program 
caught, Lang told of Mary, the ele- 
phant and the way she brought the 
rampaging elephant. Chief, under 
control after he had gone berserk, 
and cut a wide swath of destruc- 
tion while the Robinson circus was 
playing a Maryland town back in 
1880. 

Sound effects, prlncli>ally the 
trumpeting of the elephants, are 
used here with great ingenuity. 
Instance was story telling of a 
smart order, the highlights graph- 
ically limned and the swift pace 
building up to a smacking climax. 

For the promotion angle, the 
commercial has adopted its own 
variation of the Lone Wolf Tribe 
and Pirates Club Idea. Here the 
secret club la called the Jolly 
Junketeere, with the usual kid in- 
veiglement via secret passwords 
and multiple ranking of member- 
ship osed to spar than on to mall- 
tng In the prodoot wrapper. Odee. 



First AIM)anadian 
Broadcast Brings on 
Flock of Complaints 



Ottawa, Feb. 6. 

The first All-Canadian broadcast 
under the direct auspices of the 
Canadian Radio Commission wasn't 
so hot. Complications developed for 
the Commission on complaints of 
organized labor that non-union mu- 
sicians had been utilized and there 
was a further protest from the Pro- 
vince of Quebec because more of the 
French language was not used. 

This first program was a band 
concert from London, Ontario, by 
the Royal Canadian Regiment band 
which is a p.-irt of Canada's perm- 
anent army and, therefore, cannot 
be unionized. The concert was sent 
through 30 Canadian stations froi^ ' 
coast to coast. j 

The Musicians Union, aflfiliatod | 
with the American Federation of 
Labor, immediately protested that 
an army band should not compete 
with civilian musicians, many of 
whom were unemployed. Then came 
a complaint from the All -Canadian 
Congress of Labor and the National 
Musicians Union, Ottawa, that the 
Radio Commission was discrimin- 
ating in favor of foreign-controlled 
unions. The Canadian Congress 
called upon the Government to de- 
cide whether broadcast would be 
controlled by the Radio Commis- 
sion or the American Federation of 
Labor. This was followed by a pro- 
test from Quebec with regard to 
the use of French, this language 
being ofidcial along with English 
under Canadian statutes. 

Phillipe Casgrain, Federal mem- 
ber for a Quebec riding, raised a 
question In the House of Commons 
regarding the percentage of French 
speaking employes of the Radio 
Commission and the Intention of 
the Commission with respect to the 
use of the French language. 

On top of all this commotion, the 
Canadian Government brought in 
estimates for the current year in 
which 11,000,000 Is Included for the 
use of the new broadcasting tribunal. 
This appropriation was merely en- 
tered en bloc and now the news- 
papers are asking how this money 
la going to be spent because the 
press Is not particularly enthusias- 
tic about radio broadcasting any- 
way because of Its competitive na- 
ture. 

^t begins to look as if Chairman 
Hector Charlesworth of the radio 
tribunal will be earning his 10 
grand per annum. 



RELIEVED OF GUARD DUTY 



CBS Producers Turn Ringmaster 
Job Over to Announcers 



So that staff producers will have 
more time to conceive new Ideas 
and conception of programs as- 
signed them, Columbia has relieved 
these men from soldier duty at the 
studio. From now on It will be the 
announcers who do the back seat 
driving and see that the periods 
start and end according to the clock 
and that everybody is on their toes, 
etc 

. Rearrangement of routine, declare 
execs, will leave the producers 
without am alibi for their com- 
plaints that they have been loaded 
down with too much detail to do 
right by the programs a.ssigned 
them. 

At NBC the producers' duties 
stand as Is. That network holds 
that a producer is a producer and 
an announcer an announcer, and 
never the twain shall be able to 
blame each other. 



Applications Denied 



Washington, Feb. 6. 
Two applications seeking facilities 
of four stations in vicinity of New 
Fork City, WCDA, WM.SG. WBNX, 
New York City, and WAWZ. Zarc- 
path, N. J., were denied by Radio 
Commission Friday. Rrnewals of 
licenses of all four station.s wero 
granted by Commission. | 
Alfred Klclndlenst soui,'ht permis- I 
sion to operate WOIIC-U'ICPS, Wor- I 
cestor, Mass., with 250-\vatt.s on 1350 | 
kilocycles, same frefiuf'nf:y now used 
by four stations mentioned above, 
with lOO-watts each. Commission 
ruled that increa.'se of power for 
WORC-WEPS was not necessary to 
air service In Worcester and that 
WCDA, WMSG, WH.VX and WAWZ 
were offering sallsfa' tory .service. 

Other applicant, Loul.s Xcis, 
sought facilllies of WUNX and to 
set up a new station In N. Y. C. 



Smashed 
Jolson^s 
Record 



At tbe 



Chicago 




First Personal 
Appearance 



The Record 

With 



^'Avalon 

On One Side 

And 

owanee 

On the Other 



■1^ 



Direction - Sam Bramson 
Wm. Morris Office 



43 



VARIETY 



R A D 1 O 



Tueetlay, February 7, I933 



Charity Begins at Home, Says NBC in 
Protecting Rep of Performers on Air 



There's a llmtt to the degree 
radio performers may be Jtlgma- 
tlzed when they're characters in an 
air drama. The broadcasters are 
protecting them from being pic- 
tured as saps or yeggs In ether 
scripts. Distributor of Blue Coal 
found out about this when NBC got 
through tampering with Its 'The 
Shadow,' mystery program, last 
week. 

NBC wasn't crazy over the crime 
story anyway, and at first was for 
quashing it altogether. Commercial 
vigorously protested against having 
the sketch tossed entirely Into the 
discard and it was finally agreed 
that an ending to the yarn be de- 
vised to soften character of the 
crooner involved. 

Story was titled 'The Radio Tip- 
off,' telling of a series of home 
burglaries which occurred at ex- 
actly the same hour each night. 
Developed that this was the hour 
that a crooner, Oliver Wendell, was 
on the air and that the warbler was 
the tlpoff for the yeggs. Victim 



Trade Maker 



Tom Noonan, the Chinatown 
Mission evangelist, on WMCA 
and a small Phllly station have 
doubled the Adams hats' out- 
put, it is claimed, sending that 
pop priced men's chapeaux 
chain from 31 to 60 stores dur- 
ing Noonan's ether ballyhoo. 

Noonan is being handled for 
vaude by Cliff Clifton, with a 
presentation built around a 
colorful Chinatown underworld 
setting and Noonan's work in 
the dregs of a picturesque 
locale. 



TOM WALKER'S SALARY 
WENT TOO MANY WAYS 



ABE 

LYMAN 

ANb HIS 

CALIFORNIA ORCHESTRA 
Columbia Broadcastlnt Bjattm 
PHILLIP'S DENTAL MAGNESIA 
TBm., Wed., Thnts., 8:4lt to B P.M. E.S.T. 

COAST-TO-COAST 

ABC 



VmCJEHT SOKEY 

'Creator ot the 

Gauehotf Program 

I And Many Other Superior ProKrams 
|oBB Bnnday 11 P. M. WABC 



picked would be some woman who 
had written in asking him to sing 
her favorite number, with the as- 
sumption here that during his pro- 
gram she would be sitting glued in 
front of the loudspeaker. Second- 
story mob were tipped by the sing- 
er's song titles on his program car- 
ried in the local papers. Sample 
would be 'At the End of the Cobble 
Stone Road,' 'Ey the Sycamore 
Tree/ 'In Just a Little While.' 

Climax of the story had the cops 
cornering the burglars and tlelng 
the crooner to them. But to com- 
ply with the network objections the 
ending was twisted around so that 
the warbler turned out to be a dupe 
of the gang, his manager having 
arranged the titles and being the 
real tlpoff. 

In any case, NBC has established 
some sort of a limit as to how far 
a continuity writer can go on mark- 
ing down radio performers in lieu 
of what the influence may be on a 
gullible public. 



Armour Undecided 

XJhlcago, Feb. 6. 

Armour's Fridays night half hopr 
lately vacated by East and Dumke 
is stili unsettled. Auditions are in 
prospect. 

Georgie Price held the spot one 
Friday and Julius Tannen, twice. 



Cincinnati, Feb. 6. 
Tom 'Fats' Waller, Negro, and his 
hot piano are no longer heard over 
WLW, but he is filling a few the-, 
atre dates booked by that station's 
artists' bureau. Waller was on the 
Crosley 50,000 watter for three 
months. His ether exit occurred 
last week and concerned differences 
over a commlsh split with Phil 
Ponce, New York agent. With a 
small orchestra, billed as the 
Rhythm Club, Waller built up a 
large following in short time among 
listeners of the 'nation's station.' 
His broadcasts for WLW were on 
sustaining periods, the pay for 
which Is reported to have been less 
than he received for personal ap- 
pearances. 

Besides the diyy with his agent. 
Waller's theatre money was also cut 
up with the Crosley booking depart- 
ment. 



Tossing It Arotind 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Paul Whiteman's 46-minute 
Sunday concert over NBC got 
step-child treatment. First 15 
minutes was over WENR, sec-, 
ond 16 minutes was not broad- 
cast, and final 15 minutes came 
in over WMAQ. New Quaker 
Oats 'Dick Daring' commercial 
messed up the schedule. ^ 

This Is believed to be the 
worst lnsta:nce of Its kind on 
record. 



Local Air Reviews 



Cincinnati, Feb. 6. 
Reviews of first run pictures and 
plays current in legit houses here 
are being broadcast by WCKY, 
5,000-watt station In Covington, Ky., 
across the Ohio River from Cincy. 
Reviewing is by Elmer Dresihan, 
who recently joined WCKT to 
handle pifbliclty and continuity. 
The reviews are blasted during a 
dinner spot a day or so after the 
openings of the films and shows 
with ho favoritism for the box of- 
fice, Dresman putting it on the line 
for tickets to all amusements treated 
In his verbal shots. At one time the 
air crick was editor of theatricals 
and city editor of the 'Post.' 



Cosmetic Renewal 

Wlldroot cosmetics has renewed 
its Sunday matinee quarter-hours 
for another 62 weeks over NBC. Pe- 
riod continues with Vee Lawnhurst 
and John Seagle sharing the en- 
tertainment assignment. 

Release linlc stands as is, the basic 
red (WBAF) and orange networks 
plus KOA and KYDL. 



Newsreel Lad's Memoirs 
With Full Casts for CBS 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Norman Alley, for 26 years an 
International newsreel cameraman, 
and, presently back In Chicago as 
picture editor of the 'Herald-Ex^ 
aminer,' will go on the air over Co- 
lumbia.' Program will be in the 
form of Alley's memoirs of historic 
events and news highlights he cov- 
ered with his camera. Much the 
same as 'March of Time' but deal- 
ing with past, not present. 

Incidents will be dramatized with 
actors, music, sound effects, etc., 
with Alley acting aa commentator 
while supposedly taking his pic- 
tures. Program is now being re- 
hearsed at Columbia here and a 
sustaining outlet will be given with 
an oil company for a bankroll 
doesn't go through. 



WincheD Renewed 



Jergen's has optioned Walter 
Wlnchell as its radio chatterer for 
another 13 weeks to continue over 
WJZ Sunday nights. This winds 
Wlnchell up June 4, as Jergen's 
doesn't advertise during the summer. 

Mrs. Wlnchell and Gloria, their 
baby, are In Miami Beach. , Column- 
ist may leap south any moment 
which may mean he will have to 
be picked up by remote control 
while away. 

AI Jolson did the remote thing 
himself for two weeks In Miami, pay- 
ing the line charges himself. Jolson 
returned to New York Sunday (6). 



TEXACO SAYS NO STAGE 
BROADCAST FOR LOE?/ 

Texaco has turned thumbs down 
on any commercial broadca.st from 
the stage of the Capitol, New York, 
during Ed Wynn's engagement tlirre 
week of Feb. 10. Oil company de- 
Clares the expenses of a rerriDte 
control theatre broadcast would run 
too high, be.sides which some un- 
foreseen breaks might occur In the 
way of poor acoustics, echoes, etc., 
to mar the program. 

Wynn's theatre broadcasts on the 
road, in conjunction with his icpit 
'Laugh Parade' dates, were okayed 
because the proceeds went to char- 
ity, the advertiser states, and there 
was no regular performance of the 
show those nights. 

.The stage broadcast advertising 
was one of the reasons why Loew 
booked the Wynn show at the rec- 
ord flat stage salary of $20,000. Cir- 
cuit says it will be content with 
mention of Wynn's Loew, stage 
bookings in his broadcast from the 
NBC Times Square studio, which 
has been sanctioned by Texaco. 



"THE GREATEST TRIO 
ON THE AIR" 

"Two slrla nnd a bojr that slcile and 
sparkle with red hot mnHlo and none 
for the cnirlr rlHers." 

' (AIRCASTBR) 



DON-HALL TRIO 



COAST TO COAST 
WEAF SUNDAY 10 P.M. 
WJZ 7:30 A.M. Every 
Hon., TaM.. Wed., Thnrs., Frl„ Sat., 
Mtt. H. e«l«, ISI W. 46th 8t. N«w York 



"SWEETHEARTS OF THE AIB" 



E 



MAY 8INQHI 



PETER 



BREEN MODE ROSE 

IBNTEBINO lOTU YBAB, OF RADIO 
HRt. NBC ArtUts' BnrMB 



1 




O I* 



AND 
WHAT A SPOT ! 




ANOTHER STEP UPWARD FOR 



EDDIE 




Opening Feb. 8 (Every Wednesday Night 7:30 to 8, Pacific Time) 

The SAFEWAY PROGRAM over NBC 

THIRTY MINUTES OF PEABODY 



Orange 
Network 



AS USUAL 

MARCO 

WAS RIGHT 



STILL 



KING OF THE BANJO 



AND 

DON OILMAN 

AGREES 



Tuesday; February 7, 193S 



VAUDEVILLE 



VARIETY 



48 



THREE MONKEYS FOR 




Cantor-Jessel 
Vaudshow's45G 
I'Niters 1st Wk. 



Eddie Cantor-George Jessel's |2 
top variety road show, playing per- 
centage one-niters in large capacity 
picture and legit theatres and audi- 
toriums on the William Morris of- 
fice bookings grossed $45,324 on 14 
performances In seven towns last 
week, its flrpt week out. 

Show opened. Feb. 28 at Spring- 
Held, Mass., and followed with Buc- 
ceeslve one-nlters in Rochester, Al- 
bany, BuffaliO, , Pittsburgh, Reading 
and Richmond, Va. Highest one- 
day figure of the week, $8,770, was 
drawn in Richmond Friday (3) in 
a severe snowstorm. 

Top all over is $2 at night and 
$1.50 matinees, with reserved seats 
for two shows a day In each town.' 
Troupe comes In on a guarantee 
under' local sponsorship. In li:och> 
ester and Albany the th^tres 
played were - RKO's vaudflliaiers,] 
both dropping their regular policy, 
for the-Cantor-Jessel one day's en-' 
gagement. • 

Route takes the show through the 
south for two more weeks, winding 
up Feb* 20 at Palm Beach, Fla., 
where .Cantor will do a little wading 
while deciding whether to continue 
on the road or return to New York. 

Bill comprises, besides the head- 
liners, ■ Benny Meroff's band, Col- 
letta Ryan, Bobby Boxley, Jack. 
, Holland and June Knight, Four Ab- 
botteers and Gordon's Dogs. The 
acts are < on straight salasy except 
Cantor and Jesse! who share as. 
partners with the Morris 'office. 

Louis Epstein and Garrett Cupp 
are. working ahead of the show on 
money arrangements and exploita- 
tion. Robert Mllford Is back with 
It. 



MOW SANDY LANG MET 
JESSE JAMES THE 2D 



YATES FOUND OUT 



Vaude Producer Experiments and Is 
Back In Pix Again 



Irving Tates, former vaude pro 
ducer, who has been in the indie 
picture biz for the past year, got a 
yen for the old field laet week. Fig- 
uring he'd find out what's going on, 
he submitted the Lee Twins, dance 
flash, to RKO. 

Liast year the act was booked by 
Yates for $1,260. Last week's best 
offer was $20 from RKO for a Sun- 
day at Lynbrook. 

Yates lost his yen on the spot, 
and now he's back in the picture 
biz.' 



Minneapolis, Feb. 0. 

Sandy Lang, with hid company of 
three, found himself working for 
practically nothing at the Orpheum 
here last week as result of a 
Blight automobile mishap experi- 
enced en route to Minneapolis from 
Chicago. His tale of woe concerns 
a gyp at Baraboo, Wis., when one of 
the three girls tn the act, driving 
the Lang car, upon entering a filling 
station skidded and knocked down 
a light post. 

The' filling station proprietor said 
It would cost Lang $167.40. The 
performer asked for an opportunity 
to go out and buy a post hlmselC 
to replace the damaged .j)ne. Lang 
states he could buy the exact dupll« 
cate and have It Installed for $14. 

The filling station proprietor In- 
sisted upon the $167.40, and the 
Baraboo city attorney, said to be a 
one-time lieutenant-governor 6f 
Wisconsin, sided with his fellow 
townsman in the dispute which en- 
sued. Lang was told that If he 
didn't come across his new car 
would be attached and he would 
have to remain In Baraboo to fight 
the case. As he had to be in Minne- 
apolis the next day under a play or 
pay contract, this was out of the 
question, so he forked over the 
$167.40. 

This took almost all his money, 
BO he asked for the loan of $10. Be- 
fore making It, the filling station 
owner required Lang to leave his 
$100 watch in escrow for security. 
Then Lang found It would cost 
$12.75 to repair his automobile, so 
he had to telegraph Manager M. C. 
Park at the Orpheum here for $20 
to help him to reach the theatre. 



WATKINS' NEW P. 0. ADDRESS 

Harvey Watklns and the missus 
sail tomorrow (Wednesday) on the 
'Leviathan' to establish permanent 
residence In London. Mrs. Wat- 
kins was born there. 

Watkins was an old Keith booker 
and manager. He was last at RKO's 
Flushing as manager. 



RKO 'Obligation 
Acts' Taken Over 
By Loew Circuit 



-RKO and Loew booking offices 
hAve formed a friendly agreement 
whereby the former can dispose of 
^ome of Its numerous 'obligation 
acts'. These are acts to which RKO 
has issued contracts for time that 
It can't deliver In its own houses. 

Thus far, shifted from RKO to the 

Loew • vaude book, are Brltt Wood, 
Boib Rlpa, lieon Janney and Molly; 
Picon. The acts are obliged to Mv. 
cept the Ct}ew dates In lieu of can- 
celled. RKO bookings, since the RKO 
booking contract states an act must 
play where it is sent in the event of 
.a change in the original dates. 

Many acts have voiced their ob- 
jections to the RKO -Loew lateral 
pass in which RKO sets Itself up 
as their Loew agent, but nothing 
can be done about it. Another ob- 
jectionable angle involves salaries. 
Acts will often take a cut In return 
for a guarantee of 10 weeks or so 
from RKO. Under the switch they 
are compelled to accept the cut sal- 
ary for a couple of Loew weeks 
also, despite that they may have 
turned down . the same Loew dates 
when previously offered them di- 
rect by Loew at the cut figure. 

RKO is not only cutting their 
salaries for its own advantage in 
its own theatres, but all over, the 
acts contend. 

The RKO agents arfe also affected 
in a reverse manner, since they lose 
their commlsh on RKO's Loew 
bookings, unless the acts care to 
pay out the commlsh themselves. 



'DESPERATION STAGE' 
OF VAUDE EVIDENCE 



Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

The 'desperation stage' In the 
vaudeville booking situation Is In- 
dicated here this weel. by the 
lengths to which Orpheum perform- 
ers are going in an effort to obtain 
employment. 

Bill Telaak, formerly m. c. with 
FanchoUiMarco, jumped 3.000 miles 
from Los Angeles with his company 
of two for a single week at the local 
Orpheum and the 'hope' that this 
booking would open the way for 
more time. 

Estelle Taylor and her two people 
jumped here from New York, more 
than 1,000 miles, to play the one 
week. She, too, 'hopes' for further 
time. 

Neither act connected with fur- 
ther time excepting Pelaak's single 
week in Omaha. 



Rose Revue with Brice, 
Holtz for N. Y. Palace 

Martin Beck and Billy Rose are 
plotting a revue for the RKO Palace 
on Broadway, Rose to do the pro- 
ducing with special songs and au- 
thors, girls, etc., but more along 
variety lines. 

Rose's wife, Fannie Brice, and Lou 
Holtz are discussed for the comedy 
leads, with production to start as 
soon as possible, according to plans, 



[mm OF RKO 

E 





Mrs. M. J. Meehan Succeeds Mrs. KoU 
As Largest Orpheum Stockholder 



Company's Theatre Man Re- 
plies to Martin Beck's Re- 
quest — Beck Defending 
His Booking Head, God- 
frey, Told to Leave Book- 
ing Office 



BECR'S SHARE OF FLOP 



Worst part of the worst year in 
the, history of vaudeville is Hear- 
ing an end. George Godfrey goes 
out of the RKO offica-as itg vaude 
booking head next week at the in- 
silence of every important exec- 
utive in the RKO theatre prganiza' 
tion but. one, Martin Beck. The 
latter has been solely responsible 
for Godfrey remaining as long a^ 
he has,, with Beck now admitting 
that he can no longer 'swim against 
the tide.' 

Beck himself may make it 100% 
if making good on a threat to the 
circuit's theatre and departmental 
heads. If Godfrey goes he goes too, 
said Beck. They silently agreed. 

Beck picked Godfrey to head the 
booking offlice just a year ago and 
supported his booking head and his 
policies to the finish. While to the 
rest of RKO as well as to most of 
the vaude business, a conclusion to 
the Godfrey regime now amounts to 
a necessity. Beck .maintains God- 
frey's only weakness la a^ poor per- 
sonality. As for his performance in 
the booking offlce. In Beck's opin- 
ion, 'Godfrey is capable, conscienti- 
ous and a hard worker. 

There Is no evidence to support 
the charges of Incompetency made 
against the booking office. Beck 
contends. His defense of Godfrey 
has always included the statement 
that until evidence to the contrary 
(Continued on page 46) 



L&L JUDGMENT 

Coast's Mgr. for Agency; Couldn't 
Collect Balance of $650 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Charging that Lyons & Lyons de- 
faulted on the last $560 of payments 
in settlement of his contract. Rex 
Bailey, former Hollywood manager 
for the agency filed L. & L.'s con- 
fession of judgment In Municipal 
court here, as provided in his set- 
tlement. 

At the time Bailey left the agency 
he made an agreement whereby he 
was to get 91,76'0 in settlement of 
the remaining six months of his 
contract, and- the $900 in back sal- 
ary owed him. He was to be paid 
at the rate of $100 a week, but If 
any payments were delayed he had 
the right to flle the confession of 
Judgment against the agency. 

Zagon and Aaron represent 
Bailey. 



Joe Caites Lands 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Joe Caites, he of the Caites Broth- 
ers, who came out here to lay oft 
with Jack Curtis, the agent, has a 
job in the studios. He's going in 
the next £dward Robinson picture 
for Warners. He's to be seen cur- 
rently also in Fox's 'State Fair.' 

While Joe was loaflng. Jack was 
fixing. 



AUGE JOT'S JUMPS 

Alice Joy hops direct from New 
York to New Orleans to play a week 
there for RKO Feb. 17. 

Following the New Orleans date 
radio singer moves to Des Moines, 
opening at the auto show there Feb. 
26 for a week's stay. , 

ADD 2 FOB FEOST VODE 

Philadelphia, Feb. 6. 
Shamokln and Salisbury, Pa., are 
restoring vaude, both on a flve-act 
split week policy. 
Frank Wolf booking from here. 



2-For-l 



Upon hearing of the recent 
operation on Jack Osterman's 
feet (dogs to Dan Parker), Joe 
Laurie said: 'I guess they had 
to cut out the old gags.' 

The pint-sized one also com- 
mented that Jack should sue 
his arches for non-support. 



RKO BOOKERS 
NOW STOOGES 



RKO's yaude bookers are now In 
the office-boy class as far as their 
authority goes. Their powers no 
longer extend to a final say on acts 
or salaries, and that takes in all 
acta from the acrobats to the head- 
llne'rs. George Godfrey has shifted 
all authority from the boolcers to 
himself. 

In the past the RKO booking 
heads have permitted the bookers 
to buy and construct their own bills, 
on the theory that If the bookers 
weren't capable of booking they 
weren't worth hav^g around. With 
Godfrey It's a cai^ of trusting no- 
body. 

Arthur Willi and BUI Howard, 
RKO's principal bookers, now serve 
mainly as contact between Godfrey 
and the agents, .They weed o^t the 
acts submitted -and sift them down 
to a few-ellglbles. Then they run 
in to Godfrey with their conclu- 
sions, and the acts that Godfrey 
picks are the ones that go in the 
book. 

Same procedure applies In the 
setting of salaries, with the bookers 
restrained from setting any figures 
on their own initiative. While It 
happened but seldom in the past, 
it's now common to find the book- 
ers buying acts that they don't like, 
when, the order to book comes from 
Godfrey. It Is also quite embarass- 
Ing for the bookers to be forced 
to play acts which they put on the 
pan when the agents previously 
submitted them. 



BERLE GOES TO $2,000 
ON 20 WKS. WITH LOEW 



When Milton Berle starts his 10 
weeks of m. c.'lng at the Capitol, 
New York, March 3, opening with 
him may be two Broadway column- 
ists, Paul Tawitz of the 'Mirror* 
and Sid Skoisky of the 'News,' both 
tabs. ■j;<:» 

George Wood for the scribes and 
Marvin Schehck of Loew's are talk- 
ing it over.. 

Berle has an ojptlonal 20-week 
contract with Loew's, running up to 
$2,000 weekly. Charles Morrison 
agented. 



Cliff Edwards Settles 
On Account in Chicagfo 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

.Cliff Edwards' day In court last 
week cost him $500 and attorney 
fees before he could get the legal 
ban lifted that glued him to the soil 
and jurisdiction of Illinois. His wife 
wanted $6,500 for herself and their 
legless son but TSdwards' attorneys 
argued he couldn't earn money If 
not allowed to circulate freely over 
the land. 

Edwards paid $500 and promised 
to do better on alimony than he has 
recently. 



PALACE, YNGSTWN, SPLIT 

Youngstown, Feb. 6. 

Palace, which Jack Elliot is op- 
erating for the Qulmby Estate, goes 
from full to split week Feb. 10. 

House will continue to play five 
acts. 



Mrs. Caroline Kohl, whose for> 
tune, largely in theatre Inves;:ments, 
was estimated at $6,000,000 a few 
years ago, has lost most if not all 
of it. The 70-year-old widow, who 
became the largest individual hold- 
er of Orpheum bonds and preferred 
and common stock when Keith'a 
purchased the western circuit, re- 
cently sold her Chicago home In 
which she had. lived for 30 years. ' 

Mrs. Kohl's fortune was founded 
on the Orpheum circuit. A trusting 
Woman, she was betrayed by thoi9 
whom she trusted most, it is said.. 

The large . intereijts in the Or- 
pheum were jnheijlted by Mrs. KoU 
upon the death in 1912 of her show- 
man-husband, Charleff Kohl of Kobl 
& ~ Castle, one of the original Or- 
pheum- circuit heads, .with his firm 
of . the variety plol^eers. 'iShrew4 
h^hclUng h^ltt up KiSt tortupje to ttif 
reputed $6',000,000. It commence'd w 
vanish about two years ago. 

At- the time of I^etth's Orpheum 
buy, ;Mrs. Kohl retained three Chi- 
cago theatres amopg her own effecta 
They were the Academy, -Victoria 
and Majestic. First two were later 
sold and th^ Majestic was' lost when 
the 21<-year. lease expired. Thm% 
theatre, along with -what Mrs. Kohl 
had Invested In It, passed on to tbe 
Lehman Estate.' ' 

Mrs. Kohl led the' opposition t9 
the RKO' sfb'ckholders' plan' which 
went through c^t the meeting la- 
Baltimore two years agx>. Among; 
those.on her Biite^.were-^members oC- 
ah Orpheum committee that in- 
cluded Martin jSeck,' Asch'er Levy 
and George Schlne. These three 
men, wece given' Jobs by RKO an4^ 
the- opposition ' loist ' most of It* 
strength. Beck still has- his -RKO 
job at $1,000 a week but Levy and 
Schlne have been slnc^i^'f out. 

Another womtuA^ -lle^ '-s^cce^deA 
Mrs. Kohl as the -laj^^at' Jndlyl'dual 
holder of Orphe|JiiDt;'«dcUritie^ . It it 
said. She is IK J. V(Mik»X 

Aleehan. ' t.--' - ^ -. ' 



'AROUTE'THKjnnSTO 
HIM, SAYS MATADOR 



Sidney Franklin broke up his aei 
after a week of showing dates, a 
half In New Jersey and pmpttxw ^iaH 
at Prospectt Brodklj^, beca^iise'RKO 
wanted him to play Boston also at a 
showing salary. He demanded 
$1,600 net and $160 for the two men 
working In a bull skin, telling RKO 
he wasn't concerned In 'a route' but 
with the Boston date. If at all, bf 
itself. 

RKO offered the bullfighter $600^ 
and he turned it down regardless of 
whether it meant 'doing myself out 
of a route/ if any exlst'e. Brooklyn 
matador says he sees no .reason why 
RKO couldn't find out if his act wa0 
okay or not on the other showing 
dates, when he showed it to them 
plenty of times, it anyofie was there 
to look at it. • - 



CBS Revue 1st of Type 
For Stage by Air Chains 



Columbia Revue, which goes Into 
Loew's State, New York, Teh. M 
is the first act of its type put to- 
gether by either of the radio chains 
for stage showing. Program using 
that title has been on CBS twice 
weekly for the past two months, the. 
talent grouping differing each week. 

Included In the turn put together 
for the Loew date are the Round 
the Towners, quartet; Gertrude 
Niesen, Helen Nugent, Evan Evana 
Tito Guizar and a band under the 
direction of Freddie Rich. Act will 
run an hour. 



BacIanova*s Single 

Olga Baclanova, femmc film heai^ 
will try vaude, with 'a starter ai 
Warnors' Earle, Washington, week 
Feb. 24. Lyons & Lyons piloting. 

Russian actress will do a bob0 
single. 



,44 VARIf Tr ■ V A II D E V I l-.'l.- C .Tneaday, February 7, 193^ 



New Show Idea of All Radio Acts 
At Low Cost Buiket for Key Cities 



A small vaude-radio circuit of 13 
weeks (and It may go to 26 weeks) 
. is being worked upon by Ed. Conne, 
radio program builder, to embrace 
13 or more key cities. Idea Is to 
route a small variety radio show, 
headed by a minor radio name, (of 
the calibre of Plain Bill who is 
worth .?250 to t30: a week for a i>er- 
sonal) into thj various keys, and 
sell them simultaneously to a local 
advertiser for the air and a local 
theatre for personal apps. 

A $7oO-budseted show, it is fig- 
ured, could be made to appeal to a 
small local theatre in keys like St. 
Louis. Cleveland, Clncy, Toledo, 
Minneapolis, etc. at $500. The air 



r-An Ideal Home-| 

Adjacent the Theatrical District 

457 West 67th St., N. Y. C. 

One and three room apart- 
ments. Complete kitchenette. 
Gas refrigeration. Incinerators. 
24 hour switchboard uP 
service «P*rV 

A few furnished apartments 
available at slightly increased 
rates 

^OWNER MANACEMENT-J 



''KENDALL 
GAPPS 

almost a dne man show, playa sev- 
eral instruments, saga and dances. 
Hl3 renditions on the Clarinet, Saic 
and Banjo were enjoyable,' but it was 
his athletic dance, which came as u 
jurprlse, that stopped the show." 

Montreal Herald 

w"! < «h Providence, E. I. 

Direction, M. S. DENTHAM 



MAURICE SEYMOUR 

announces a hew department for 

FAN PICTURES 

Same high quality at lower 
prices. .SxlO'a Gloss or Portrait 
style as low as 5e 
Wrft« or Call' 

SEYMOUR STUDIOS 
St. Clair Hotel 
CHICAGO 



advertiser, for six nightly program 
that week, might be sold at >100 a 
day, making a gross of $1,100 for 
the two Jobs. Considering 4he $7B0 
budget, the $1,100 gross from the 
two engagements might make it 
worth while all around. 

Local Arrangement 

The vaude-radio idea is further 
deemed practical because of the 
acute variety talent situation today, 
and the idea of 13 weeks* work, on 
such a route, is well regarded. 

The 13-time idea is because of 
radio contracts being written in 
series of 13, 2C, 39 and 52 weeks. 

The local account in each stand 
could arrange Its own time with any 
of the local stations and then bring 
in the New York show. The travel- 
ing attraction, it is hoped, will also 
have the advantage over the local 
air talent through the Broadway 
stamp, if nothing else. 



Augmentiiig F&M's 



Publlx will augment th|B other 
Fanchon & Marco tabs when they 
come Into the N'^w York and Brook- 
lyn Paramounts, as currently with 
Vlvlenne Segal and Gus Shy added 
to 'Desert Song.' Leon Errol and 
Marllynn Miller are being negotiated 
to do their original 'Sally' 'assign- 
ments when that unit hits Broad- 
way. 

About five such F&M condensa- 
tions are headed for the Pars and 
the original name players will be 
added as often as possible. 

Howard Bros. Plan Vaude 
Roadshow Like Cantor's 

Willie and Eugene Howard are or- 
ganizing a variety roadshow for 
two-a-day dates in the sticks. Their 
brother Sam is picking the acts. 

Howards' idea is similar to the 
Cantor-Jessel show now out on 
one -niters. 



UIGKET HOUSE IN YAUDE 

Hollj-wood, Feb. 6. 
'.'Mickey Mouse Revue,' six Juves 
presented by Evelyn Torrey, breaks 
In this weekend in Ventura. One 
of the characters impersonates 
Mickey Mouse, with the billing 
stressing 'personal appearance' 
angle. 

Sidney Schallman booked the re- 
vue for F-WC and other dates. 



Saranac Addresses 



Saranac Lake, N. T.» Feb. 6. 

Addresses of Show Folks Patients 
at the N. V. A, Sanatorium and 
elsewhere. 

N. V. A. SANATORIUM 

Thomas Abbott, Dan Asteila, Fred 
Bachman, Stella Barrett, Fritz Ben- 
der, Happy Benway, Betty Blair, 
Marya Blake, Charles Bloomfleld, 
Fred Buck, William Canton, Fill 
Climas, Ethel Clouds, Leonard 
Cowley, Mae Delany, John Dempsey, 
Frisco DeVero, Xela Edwards, Jack 
Flaum, Natalie Feldman, Olga Galer, 
Frank Garfield, Chris Hagedorn, 
Dorothy Harrard, George Harmon, 
Ruth Hatch, Betty Huntington, 
Millie Jasper, Al Jockera, Elsie John- 
son, Johnny Laycock, Jeanene La- 
Faun, John Louden, George McCor- 
mick, Mike McNamee, Lawrence 
McCarthy, Phyllss Mllford. John 
Montalese, Aln)a Montague, Richard 
Moore, Danny Murphy, Harry Nam- 
ba, Loran Newell, Rita Nolan, 
Gladys Palmer, Angela Papulis, Jo- 
seph Parker, Louis Rhelngold, 
Annamae Powers, Nellie Quealy, 
Ford Raymond, Fred Rith, Ben 
Shaffer, Tonl Temple, Tommy VIcks, 
Catherine Vogelle, Eddie Vobs, Dor- 
othy Wilson, Lillian Zetgler. 

Harry Barrett, 302 Broadway; 
Charles Barrett, 302 Broadway; 
Charley Bordley, Berkeley Apart- 
ments; James Chambers, Raybrook, 
N. Y.; Margaret Groves, 9% Church 
street; Dave (DDH) Hall, 76% 
Bloomingdale avenue; Lee LaMar, 
10 Forrest Hill avenue; Fred 
Moore, 8% Forrest^HiH avenue; 
Mannle Lowy, 23 Franklin street; 
Marilyn Moran, Raybrook, N. Y.; 
Mrs. Sydney Piermont, 138 Park 
avenue; Joe Rellly, 64 Sheppard av- 
enue; Jack Nicoll, care of 901 Taxi 
Freddy Stockman, Sunmount, N. Y.: 
Teddy Lorraine, Sunmount, N. Y.: 
H. L. Pech, Sunmount, N. T.; Jac!: 
Altree, Sunmount, N. Y.; Jack 
Kroos, Sunmount, N. Y.; Francis 
Dugan, Sunmount, N. Y. 

Newcomers during Dec. and Jan.: 
Marya Blake, Eddie Vfiss, Rita 
Nolan, Johnny Laycock. 

Left during Dec. and Jan.: Jack 
LeRoy, James WllUams, Marion 
Greene, James Hicks, Jack Brock - 
smith, Betty Fay. 



RKO HAS 12 LEFT 



Boston, Full, and Troy, Split Weeky 
Go All Sound 



RKO's vaude book loses another 
week and a half when Boston, full, 
and Troy, split, go straight pictures-. 

Troy ducks out Feb. 11 and Bos- 
ton a week later. Latter is one of 
the few remaining RKO full weeks 
in the east. This leaves about 12 
weeks on RKO. 



Osterman's Revue Dates 



Jack Osterman and his Club Rich- 
man revue are being set for some 
Loew weeks around town, doubling 
from the nlte club. 

Marvin Schenck is coming In to 
look the show over and will prob- 
ably take the entire complement of 
20 girls, Jerry Friedman's band, 
Florence and Alvarez, Dupree and 
McKillop and Patsy Kelly, who joins 
the show next Friday. 



Ottawa's Stage Test 



Ottawa, Feb. 6. 

RKO Capitol, largest house in the 
Canadian capital. Is currently oflCer- 
ing its first stage show in months 
with the presentation of Fanchon & 
Marco units. 

"This Is largely a fill-in date and 
also a test for response to stage 
attractions, 



Singer's 5 Days' Grace 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 

Slated to report in New York to- 
day (6) for rehearsals of 'Strike 
Me Pink,' George Dewey Washing- 
ton has been granted five days' lee- 
way by Brown & Henderson to 
headline this week's bill here at the 
Variety theatre. 

Singer will double from Show 
Boat, local nite club, where he has 
.been featured for three weeks. Cafe 
contract held a day-to-day clause, 
due to the colored songsters previ- 
ous contract for the Broadway 
musical. 



Dancer Disabled 

Glen Falls, N. Y.. Feb. 6. 
Mrs. John DePrez (Dorothy Kee- 
lin), a dancer, in a dance revue at 
the Rialto here, was taken to the 
Glens Falls hospital Saturday night 
suffering from severed ligaments in 
her leg, cut when she broke through 
a glass topped box upon which she 
was standing during her act. She 
will be laid up for several months, 
according to Dr. John H. Sheldon, 
but her injuries will not be per- 
manent. 



INTEREST IN VAUDE 
MANIFESTED IN N.W. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Indicating a determination by a 
group of- houses in the northwest 
to adopt a vaudfllm policy, bookers 
here have been queried by a Seat- 
tle agency on the possibility of get- 
ting acts locally, where an abun- 
dance of talent has drifted in th^ 
hope of landing occasionally in 
pictures. 

Queries from the Northwest 
Booking Exchange to Bern Bernard 
of the local RKO booking oflloe, 
with local vaude near to nothing, 
has the local variety field hopeful. 

Outside of a few split weeks and 
one night stands, major vaude has 
but four weeks left on the coast-^ 
Warners Downtown and the Mil- 
lion Dollar, Los Angeles; Golden 
Gate, San Francisco, and the Or- 
pheum, Portland. 

The Orph, Portland, may be out 
after Feb. 9, Bern Berna-d having 
cancelled the Feb. 16 booking as an 
emergency n;easure. Decision on 
this house wHI be reached within a 
week or 10 days. 

With stage shows out at Loew's 
State (1) customers here have only 
the Downtown and the Million Dol- 
lar for full-week vaude. Hipp 
(downtown) is a split week. 



25 and 40c Denv. 
Houses Add Vaude 
And Stage Bands 

Denver, Feb. «. 

Two RKO-Huffman pool housea 
putting back orchestras, and one of 
them Including stage show, start- 
ing Friday (10) 

The Orpheum will feature 18> 
piece band, Fred Schmitt directing. 
Schmltt was at the Publlx, Denver, 
for three years, going to Shea's 
Buffalo for short time after stage 
shows and orchestras were booted 
out of Orpheum and Denver here. 
Prices 2B to 40, same as at present. 

Tabor will use a 10-plece band 
with -a 30 people stage show. Vaude 
changes weekly, with a -.lermanent 
chorus. Will be only second run 
house here holding films a week. 
Art Reynolds will direct Tabor or- 
chestra. Three a day, except four 
on Saturday and Sunday, at 20 and 
26. 



Marcus Loew 

BOOKINGAOENCY 

General SxectUive Offices 

LOEW BUIIDING 

AN N E X 

160 WESX 46^ ST* 

BRyant 9 7800 NEW YORK CITY 



J. H. LUBIN 

aSNBRAL MAMAOKB 

MARVIN a SCHENCK 

BOOKING ItANAQn 





CHORUS GIRLS WANTED 

Experienced and Unexperienced, also Specialty Dancers of all kinds 
Must be over 5 feet 4 inches 

FOR STOCK REVUES IN NEW YORK 

steady Employment — 52 Weeks a Year 
Salary $20.00 to $40.00 a Week 

Call at 113 West 57th Street, Room 621. New York 

At IS o'clock eltlier WeiliiPMlay, Tliurmlay or Friday, Fel>. H. 0. 10th 



UNA 

BASQUETTE 

Americans Personality Qirl 



HEADLINING 



LOEW'S STATE, NEW YORK 

THIS WEEK (FEB. 3) 



LOUIS CHICCO 

General Manager 



RICHARD C. HOFFMAN 

Booking Representative 



COHSOLIDATED 

THEATRICAL ENTERPRISES, INC. 

'WeB> in Name — Old in Experience" 

STATE-LAKE THEATRE BUILDING 

Phones— Randolph 5134-5135-5168 

CHICAGO 

BOOKING THEATRES, CAFES, ORCHESTRAS and RADIO 

FRANK W. CHESROW JOHN CHICCO 

Mgr. Promotional Dept. Mgr. Orchestra Dept. 

GEO. W. GAMBRILL M. EAGLE EMIL DE SALVI 

Publicity Associate Associate 
HARRY M. GILBERT 

THANKING THE NEW YORK and CHICAGO RKO 
AGENTS, MR. KENDALL of NBC and MR. H. 
OSBORNE of CBS FOR THEIR HEARTY 
CO-OPERATION 




Qm-nd CLAIRE 

Week Feb. 11th, RKO PALACE, CHICAGO 
RKO ORPHEUM, NEW ORLEANS, 

FOR MARDI GRAS WEEK 



DIRECTION 

N. B. C. ARTISTS SERVICE 
RKO, CURTIS A ALLEN 



Tueeday, Fcbniary 7, 1933 



VAUDE HOUSE REVIEWS 



VARIETY 45 



PALACE, N. Y. 

This week's sbow Is okay, but not 
tieavy-eauge and Ifa much too long 
for what It containB, running one 
hour and 34 minutes. The cutting 
■hould come principally In the Bob 
Murphy act, fifth, but with a tight- 
inlnB ot the show desired there 
could be a little In other spots. In- 
cluding the Benny Xeonard-Eddle 
Jloran turn, fourth. 

As show ran at the second per- 
formance Saturday afternoon It left 
a lot of room for yawns plus seats 
that finally got warmed up. 

Nothing on stagre designed as 
more than mild boxofflce. Leonard 
may drag a few of the non -regulars 
around. It remains chiefly for the 
picture, 'Bitter Tea of Gen. Ten' 
(Col) to supply the box-offlce draft. 
Over here on second-run from 
Badio City, chances are fair It will 
bold up house reasonably well. Sat- 
urday matinee, there were a lot of 
standees, snowstorm driving some 
people oft the streets. 

With Broadway battered roughly 
by Radio City and the thousands 
two houses over there are taking 
away from the big street. Palace 
must expect to suffer Its proportion - 

- ate share of decline In receipts, de- 
spite weather or other conditions 

. that might be considered fayorable 
to the b.o. 

Current six-act bill is opened by 
Felovls, Juggler, who didn't get hold 
of himself until near to finish of his 
routine. Plenty of misses, and they 
didn't look like stalls either. Stick 
and ball balancing routine on wind 
up, however, found Felovis better 
warmed lip to his Job. One of the 
mistakes this act makes is the siem 
announcement 'stick absolutely 
round.' To begin with, most people 
probably wouldn't ever figure stick 
might not be round. With the sign 
doubt might naturally enter. 

Arnaut Bros., varying their act a 
little, as they often do, spotted No. 2 
and as usual well liked. These bird- 
chirping lads have been around 
lot, and every vaudegoer must know 
their stulT almost by heart, yet they 

; don't seem to tire. More use of the 
violins, as In evidence on this en 
gagement, can't be a bad idea. 

These first two acts both played 
the Radio City Music Hall together, 
so it isn't unnatural that Maria 
Gambarelli, who was on opening 

- show of the.RKO Boxy, should also 
be booked for the Palace. Only 
probable drawback may be the fact 
that Palace might be getting some 
of the thousands who've been over 
In R.C. and won't want to see the 
same entertainment In this house. 
It might be considered bad booking 
Or lazy booking, with the field now 
adays not using up all the idle and 
worthwhile talent around. 

Miss Gambarelli (New Acts) heads 
. a classy little dance offering with 
routines that fit the mood of 
vaudeville theatre such as the Pal 
ace. With the aid of two others the 
vet ballerina scored strongly at the 
second Sat mat. 

Leonard (New Acts) might have 
been spotted one notch ahead, with 
Gamby In between Leonard and 
Murphy, since these two acts de 
pend mainly on comedy. As It Is, 
last three acts are In the comedy 
class, Walter Powell and orchestra 
with Its slapstick closing. 

Leonard carries^ a sister team, 
looking like twins, and a sparring 
partner. Up to this point on the 
woman's angle it's been one blonde 
after another. Bob Murphy's young 
Ish girl broke the monotony. She'; 
a brunette. The girl and the boy 
built up by Murphy as his kids, 
have provided the front-porched 
monologist with 60% added strength 
at least. Murphy also carries the 
plant working from the audience. 
The only drawback of the present 
act is its length, 26 minutes. That's 
almost enough for a picture house 
unit these days. 

:'oweIl and his band knuckles 
down to 18 minutes, about right lor 
this attraction. Powell came out 
of the Benny MerofC band and has 
Rudy Bundy, once with Meroff and 
an arranger for v arious bandsm en, 
as his leader. " Take all the slap- 
stick out of the band and It's still 
an okay outfit. Leave the slapstick 
In, including all the seltzer-squlrt- 
Ing and the laughs make It easy to 
forget about everything else. A nice 
little comedy band act. It would go 
okay In picture houses. Char. 



movements at the helm of the 10 
syncopators and, aside from her 
own stepping contributions (best 
appealing was the rumba) It was all 
rather hit-and-mlss. Finale weak 
and general tempo sluggish. Miss 
Basquette is most effective as an in- 
timate worker where her own terp 
accomplishments, plus the person- 
ality appeal, recommend her for 
closeup cafe work and the like. In 
large auditorium, the marquee 
billing, capitalizing on the printer's 
ink renown she has achieved 
through her marital career and her 
most recent off-agaln-on-again ro- 
mance, offers about the best equa- 
tion for the booking. 

Collins and Peterson clown a mild 
comedy interlude, ad libbing such 
topical bon mots as a theme song 
dedicated to Lina Basquette, en- 
titled 'Let's Put Out the Lights and 
Go to Bed' (the song title originally 
modifies the thought and calls it 
go to sleep'), and also ad liblsms 
in Yiddish, flnaleing with a crack 
at Hitler and an orchid for Wlnchell 
for his expose of Germany's chief 
NanzL 

Anatole Frledland's revue is a la 
his past efforts, coming back this 
time in person on the rostrum to 
pace the 16 girls, four boys and spe- 
cialty people from this personnel. 
There's an Introductory number to 
the effect that Friedland this time 
Isn't sending them from Coast to 
Coast (optimists!) and staying idly 
home, but is with them ia person, 
as m. c. The usual revue idea in" a 
nite club setting, plus an audi- 
ence stoogess as interrupter. She 
wants to know If Friedland discov- 
ered Barbara Stanwyck and Mae 
Clarke for pictures, and also If be 
discovered Mrs. Freddie Rich and 
Jack DeRuyter. To the last Fried- 
land retorts, 'No, a hotel detective 
discovered them.' 

A pseudo ex-waiter is a tenor 
soloist who registers more because 
of the reflex angle, as does the 
stooge-interrupteyess who, when 
finally doing her stint, gets 'em 
chiefly on the novice appeal and the 
sympathetic equation of a friendly 
audience that wouldn't let the 
make-believe down. Throughout, 
the general idea is Gusedwardsian 
as Friedland Introduces his cliarges. 
The act is not a condensation of 
'60 Million Frenchmen,' which tab 
he had out originally, later expand- 
ing It again as a $2 legit road show 
try. Upon folding, Friedland tocik 
some of his chorus into this vau4^ 
flash. He only uses one number oiit 
of the Cole Porter show score for a 
chorus dance routine, and it ends 
there. However, It's an acceptable 
intermediary flash for the grade. If 
not particularly novel. Abel, 



For radio all right, but not for the 

footlights. 

All In all It's a pretty fair sales 
angle for the cheap trade. And that 
they're going for the cheaper scale 
around here la Indicated by excel- 
lent matinee business, when top is 
25c, as against the nights, when 
price goes to 40. If they want to 
pick flaws with the set-up, there 
are plenty to find, but this doesn't 
pretend to bo anything more than 
small time and as such makes the 
grade with plenty to spare. 

Jaffe's now considering going into 
the market for 'names.' That may 
be a mistake. . ,^ 

Picture is 'Speed Demon' (Col), 
and U news and cartoon round out. 

Cohen. 



G. O. H., N. Y. 




VARIETY, PITTS'BG 



STATE, N. Y. 

Rainy, slushy Saturday afternoon 
chased 'em In off the sidewalks and 
the lower floor was black with cus- 
tomers at the State. From a rear 
perch, that five-act layout with 
'Strange Interlude' on the screen, 
was very Eugeneoneillish. Maybe 
the boys and girls on the rostrum 
said and did things but the reaction 
from the back pews was something 
else again. 

Three Cossacks, roller skaters on 
an elevated platform, opened and 
whirled themselves" dizzy but no- 
body got excited. Mebbe Frances 
Arms in the deuce with her her- 
alded 'song types' had some bright 
lines but In the main they too were 
somewhat of a secret. One gath- 
ered the opening number was wop- 
plsh, the second Yiddish and the 
finish weakish. Seemed all too long. 
In the trey Llna Basquette and her 
Hollywood Aristocrats — slang for 
Jazz band — went through hotcha 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 3. 
^mph,' said Ckorge Jaffe, no 
more, no less, when he read In last 
week's "Variety' that top price for 
a vaude bill, if the Indies ever re 
turn to stage shows, will be $800 iei 
week. That Timph' of Jaffe's was 
significant, because Jaffe could have 
told the muggs on 46tb street that 
four weeks ago when he converted 
the Academy, his burlesque house, 
into the Variety and put in a vaud- 
fllm policy at a 25-40c scale. 

For $800 Jaffe is getting an m.c, 
four and flve acts, and a pretty good 
chorus of 12 girls. A year ago the 
same layout would have run him 
pretty close to $2,000. The differ- 
ence represents the difference be- 
tween profit and loss, for with his 
new set-up Jaffe is managing to 
break even and occasionally show a 
profit. It's young yet, half of the 
Variety's prospective public doesn't 
yet know it's no longer a burlesque 
house and when they finally do 
awaken to this shoppers' entertain 
ment, the burg's other sites may sit 
up and take notice. Anything at 
all is good news to the management, 
for under a two-a-day burleycue 
policy, house had been dropping 
plenty for couple of years. 

Running between $6,000 and $6, 
000 average business weekly, there's 
no doubt that the Variety is cut- 
ting In somewhere along the line 
As yet, competition hasn't felt the 
inroads of Pittsburgh's only vaud 
film Bite too deeply. Already there 
has been talk of outside interests 
dickering for the Alvln, the Aldine 
and the Pitt as prospects for the 
same combination policy. 

Those $800-a-week bills don't, of 
course, represent A-1 vaude, but 
they seem to satisfy the two-bit 
customers and that's all that seems 
to matter anyway. 

Current bill is typical. In ad 
dltlon to Nat Nazarro, Jr., as m.c, 
and the permanent chorus, there are 
the Starr Brothers, two- man hoof 
Ing team; Raymond and Ann, man- 
and- woman ventriloquist act; Key 
stone Songsters, a group of flve 
local radio entertainers; and Sher- 
man and Wallace, mixed comedy 
team. Nazarro befoia the m.c. pash 
waned was on the Loew circuit, 
Starr boys in ordinary times could 
qualify easily for a spot in most 
any of the units. Ventrllonulst turn 
with a little dressing up could like 
wise qualify. 

Chorus la flrst-rate individually 
and collectively but mu.st overcome 
some cheap costuming made neces 
sary for rea.sons of economy. Sher 
man and Wallace are a fair enough 
team. Keystone Song.sters are the 
only really weak spot in the lay 
out, and that's bccau.sc they havpn't 
the stage polish nor personality. 



Of the latest Innovations at this 
old Chelsea show emporium the one 
least likely to escape the notice of 
the regular clientele Is the change 
m the flavor of the house deodorant. 
For a long while the management 
squirted them with a mixture ot 
vinilla and sassafras but now Its 
gone in for an undiluted whiff of 

While the official picker of the 
house flavors may APy™/"" 
touch of the old forest is the more 
hMlthv odor. It's stlU too pungent 
foT tSe sensitive olfactories of this 
naborhood mob. Consequently it 
wouldn't be amiss the blend be pine 
with something such^as the essence 
of wintergreen. or violet. Perhaps 
out of this twist the G O. H. may 
eventually up an exploitation angle 
along the line of "The House of a 
Thousand Smells.' ,„ to- 

other notable change -here Is the 
clipping of the bill down to three 
acts from a previous four. If the 
slicing of the vaude fare was moti- 
vated by the box office, the business 
It the Saturday matinee didn't show 
it. Both main arena and the first 
shelf were filled, with the kids and 
their dimes In substantial attend- 
ance. If the intent was to spread 
the cost of four acts over three for 
the purposes of quality Improve- 
ment? the show on view that after- 
noon save no evidence of it. If any- 
thing it looked more like a case of 
reverse EngUsh. Compared to the 
four-act bills of recent months, this 
threesome was away off standard. 
It ran less than 60 minutes and that 
made it so much quicker for the at- 
tendees to get down to the two fea- 
tures. 'Kongo' (Metro) and 'Magic 

^ Only act^f the three that showed 
any real quality and punch was the 
opener, Josef Blank with the missus 
and their boy. For other acts of Us 
type this one sets a high level. It s 
got the stunts that build suspense, 
a crack assortment of novelties and 
a keen sense of showmanship 
Act's finale with Blank headbalanc. 
ing his wife atop a perch while she 
goes through some flashy pot-and- 
pan spinning €iamed them a solid 
farethewell. , . 

Joe Weston was thero breaking in 
the Weston and Lyon routine with 
a new partner. First half was an 
almost 100% replica of the turn his 
ex is now doing with George Sny- 
der. For the latter part Weston and 
his new connection, Marie Gal- 
lagher, carve out a snappy piece of 
tomfoolery as a pair of gashouse 
district inebriates. Though the Miss 
Gallagher is no CoUette Lyons, the 
looks and the comic talents are 
there. She's a cute trick and can 
spin a nifty little pair of pins. With 
them it primarily is a matter of 
working out a script all their own 
for the first half of the act, instead 
of doing a poor Imitation of the 
original. 

Closing glmgack, billed as the 
Bernard! Revue, was one of those 
tossed-together affairs that manage 
to get a break-in date and there end 
their stage career. Only thing ap- 
proaching a claim to existence that 
this thing has Is a young fellow 
with a smart pair of hoofs for 
weaving a tap. But the one num- 
ber he does impressiv ely doesn't 
justify dragging tire resfof the 
crew around with him In what is 
trying to pass for a flash act. In- 
cluded in the retinue are six step- 
ping tyros making up a line where 
everybody strikes out for herself. 

Odec. 



WENR MINSTRELS 
20 Mins.; Full (Special) 
Palace. Chicaao 

After four years on the radio, the 
WENR Minstrels are playing their 
first stae.e engagement. For the 
past year Sinclair Oil has been pay- 
ing them. Act reported getting 
$2,500 for the Palace week. 

To say that minstrels have been 
scarce on the boards during recent 
years Is to emphasize the obvious. 
But on the radio this group, and 
possibly to a lesser degree one or 
two others, has found a wide and 
Indubitable popularity. Whether 
this public is the remnants of the 
old minstrel-loving generation or an 
entirely new crop of addicts edu- 
cated by broadcasting Is anybody's 
guess. Possibly a lltUe of the first 
and a lot of the second conjecture 
is the truth. 

At the Palace the comedy wasn't 
precisely explosive, but the act's re- 
ception indicated many warm hearts 
and faithful followers had paid to 
get in. Not without due signifi- 
cance is the fact that NBC has a 
waiting list of from 10,000 to 16,000 
names at all times for the ducats 
(400 per broadcast) with which the 
public may view the minstrels In 
the studio. 

All of the present minstrels are 
professionals and handle them- 
selves well. Their gags are supplied 
to them (at least for their air 
broadcasts) by fans, which perhaps 
accounts for a certain Chautauqua 
quality about much of the material. 
This has been no bar to their con- 
tinued favor with the public and 
need only be mentioned for the sake 
of the record. 

That gag about the fast- traveling 
bull unfortunately was told on the 
same platform the week before by 
Bob Murphy. Minstrels are strong- 
est theatrically on their vocalizing, 
and here they are oh firm ground 

From Chauncey Parsons' sweet 
tenor to Joe Parsons' (no relation) 
subterranean basso the singing, solo 
and In groups, is always pleasant, 
Two Parsons and Interlocutor Gene 
Arnold, the founder of the minstrels, 
work white face, with the others 
under cork. Fritz Clark and Mac 
McCloud on one end and Cliff Sou- 
bier and Bill Chllds on the other 
Soubier Is also well known on the 
radio under hfa other characteriza- 
tion of 'Old Pappy' (WMAQ), while 
Mac McCloud heads an orchestra 
around these parts between times. 
Fritz Clark (formerly Melsner) Is 
the newest member of the group. 
Imaginary clog dance performed by 
the drummer Is the classic gag of 
the attraction on the radio and re- 
peated at the Palace for a quick 
laugh from the audience that obvi- 
ously was familiar with it. 

Harry Kogen, NBC band leader, 
handled the Palace pit ensemble that 
came upon the stage and donned 
radio-like smocks to carry out the 
broadcasting studio aspect. Min- 
strels work similarly in front of an 
orchestra at NBC. Kogen turned In 
a smooth Job on musicianship. Land. 



BENNY LEONARD and EDDIE 

MORAN 
Comedy. Singing, Boxing 
15 Mins.; One, Full (Special) 
Palace 

He may have been Just a fighter 
and probably not a.k. Just yet in 
that field, but he's okay as a vaude 
act regardless. Leonard gags a lit- 
tle about not being an actor, prob- 
ably knowing he has a pretty good 
little turn. On this vaude engage- 
ment Benny has Eddie Moran with 
him. He owes much to Moran in 
the way of credits for laughs. 

.Leonard mostly gags up his talk 
when it figures around boxing, bis 
experiences, etc., but on the 16 min- 
utes some of that talk could be cut 
down, including the crossfire with 
Moran. Punch of turn Is the spar- 
ring exhibition with a profesh 
scrapper, then with Moran as sub- 
stitute for the other pug. Every- 
thing's well timed, making It look 
like maybe Moran can take It, too. 
Moran was formerly with Ted Healy 
and Grant Withers. 

The boxing sequence In fuU 
should be the proper closing point, 
with the two gags in one following 
around 'Benny's experiences' either 
dropped or moved ahead. 

A sister team, dead ringers foi 
each other, open act in an Intro, 
and later, with some boxing glove 
fisticuffs mixed in do a song-and- 
dance number. They're cute ar- 
ticles and serve to dress up what 
otherwise might be some d<-.nhnes3 
for the eye. Char, 



HIPPODROME, N. Y. 

Local No. 740 of the Theatre Re- 
ceivers' Union ought to call an ex- 
ecutive meeting in the orchestra of 
the Hipp Just to study how an 
hour's performance can be put on 
for small green apples and be made 
to look like a bargain for the cus- 
tomers for two bits on a snowy 
February Saturday afternoon. 

They make the foundation out of 
a lino of 12 girls and three dancing 
chorines who can make a stab at 
a tap specialty. To this is added 
a m.c, a Juvenile and two women 
singers and the thing Is complete. 
For good measure two or three spe- 
cialty aicts are booked, and the 
whole thing Is stirred up and served 
before Willie Creager's stage band, 
and the folks are happy enough to 
come again when they have another 
two bits. 

Business has been consistently 
good since the new operators took 
hold, fio there must be repeats. 
This matinee the orchestra was well 



JOHN and EDNA TORRENCE (4) 

Dancing 

17 Mins.; Full 

OrpHeum 

The Torrenccs, brother and sis 
ter, have lately been a one and 
two-number specialty team in the 
picture houses. Previously, in pres- 
entations and shows. Miss Torrence 
was an acrobatic dancing single. In 
their own turn they specialize In 
novelty ballroom and stage double 
dancing, acquitting themselves as 
befits a couple of kids who have 
grown up on the hoof. 

Unless there is a good reason that 
she shouldn't. Miss Torrence ought 
to return to her acrobatic specialty, 
if only for one brief number in this 
turn. 

Besides dancing with his sister, 
the Torrence boy plays a solo on 
the fiddle, after which the two pian- 
ists, both men, have their own spot. 
The musical interlude breaks up the 
dance mpnotony, which is a neces- 
sity since the Torrences' several 
dances are quite similar. But they're 



SUE HASTINGiS' MARIONETTES 
Novelty 

11 Mins.; Three (Special) 
Orpheum 

Nothing unusual ncir. exceptionally 
original^ about this puppet turn, but 
its chances are good at the moment 
because of a marionette craze that 
now prevails. As a vaude act It will 
entertain the kids chiefly, as many 
others have done before. 

Miss Hastings takeis a bow at the 
finish, holding one of the dolls as 
evidence. It may be a novelty to 
see a woman step out Instead of a 
man. But there's a man around 
somewhere, heard but not seen. A 
vocal duet by two of the dolls In the 
tip-off. 

Routines are of the customary 
marionette type, except one trick 
which Is out of thef (n^inary — one 
doll sitting on another's lap. Bige. 



MAI^IA GAMBARELLI <3> 
Danoing 

13 Mins.; Full (Speoial) 
Palacfl 

She's been around for some years 
now, but Maria Gambarelli In no 
way tips It off.. Either by announce- 
ment or In her work. The Important 
point Is that iso far as her dancing 
Is concerned. It seema to be Im- 
proving. 

In the picture houses. Miss Gam- 
barelli has leaned strongly to ballet 
work. She is essentially a ballerina, 
with her specialty being on the toes, 
but for vaudeville her i>outInea 
branch in other directions to fit the 
desired vaude requirements. 

Opener Is a combination of the 
classical, modernistic and syncopatic 
to music of 'Rhapsody in Blue.' Set 
is In blue and so Is the pajama-like 
costume of Gamby. It Is here that 
the finished technique shows Itself, 
but in the ballet following it is 
blended prettily with grace of exe- 
cution. In a more frolicsome mood 
are the pirouettes winding up the 
ballet routine. Afford an impressive 
climax. This number was worked 
out by the d.ancer for her engage- 
ment at the RKO Roxy on opening 
bill. 

An eccentric dancer who gets high 
off the ground is his work and can 
do bells that should make Pat 
Rooney sneer Incepts the closing 
number, Gambarelli Joining him. 
It's a hotcha dance to the melod^ of 
'Underneath Harlem Moon,' with 
Gamby becoming a hot mamma, . 

A male pianist is third member of 
the act. Gfiar. 

presented in showmanly fashion, 
which overcomes the sameness. 

Act probably needs some work, 
after which it .can hold its spot as a 
full stage dance act on mo.st any 
bill. Bige. 



filled from wall to wall with few 
scattered vacancies. Balcony at 
three Jits was better than three- 
quarters. That means a lot of peo- 
ple In the old hangar. 

The merrymaking starts with a 
.stage band overture, and then the 
juvenile is on working with three 
dancing girls. Girls can tap plenty, 
and so can the Juve, who also has 
a nice baritone voice and can whis- 
tle through his fingers, all making 
for a brisk start. It develops a 
long time afterward that the young 
man is Tommy Sternberg, or so it 
was made to appear by the m.c.'s 
introduction. Anyhow, he is the 
nearest thing to an entertainer In 
this group. 

His specialty was followed by the 
same two girls, who did another tap 



and legmania session. Next in the 
running was an idea of a boy boot- 
black and a girl in black satin pa- 
Jamas, both of whom did taps, while 
a woman singer warbled In the 
background. Apparently this tap 
stepping could go on forever. 

Pear that it might go on Indef 
created something of a crlsi.s, hut 
the m.c. cra.s)ied just in time to re- 
lieve the tension. He wa.s on for a 
brief bit of gab, lending to the in- 
troduction of the Juve all over again 
for still more taps. Apparently it 
could and would go on forever. 

But no. Came Lemar and Kane, 
man and woman with a remarkably 
varied specialty, in which globe 
walking, plate Juggling, ladder bal- 
ancing and the ni.Tn's specialty on 
(Continued on Page 61) 



46 



VARIETY 



. Tuesday, February 7, I933 



Variety Gills 

NEXT WEEK (February 11) 
THIS WEEK (February 4) 

Numerals In eennactlon with bills bslow inc. cats opening fta!> «f 
show, whether full or split week 




NEW YORK CITT 
. Mnsie Hall («) 

Patricia Bowman 
Jack Weeple 
Viola Phllo 
Hanslnla 

PaUce (11) 
S Swifts 
Nell Kelly 
Dave 'Harris 
Howard Marsch Co 
(Three to All) 
«) 

Feloyls 

Arnaut Bros 

M Qambarellt Co 

Benny Leonard Co 

Bob Murphy 

Walter Powell Orch 

Acadiemy 
1st half (11-14) 
Orvllle Stamm Co 
Pall Mall 
Joe Besser Co 



DETROIT 
Keith's (11) 

Wine Wah Tr 
F'raythe 8'am'n & F 
Bomby Co 
Bert Walton 
RImacB Orch 
GRAND RAPIDS 
Kelth'a 

let half (11-14) 
Klutings' Co 
Ada Brown 
Joe Morris Co 
A & P take 
Adler it Bradford 

1st half (4-T) ■ 
Larimer & Hudson 
P'raythe S'am'n & F 
Bomby Co 
Mel Klee ^ _ . 
Jack Randall Co 

HEMPSTEAD 
RIvoU . 
Ist half (11-14) 



LEDDY A SMITH 

PRESENT 

POWELL BUNbY BAND 

Fislaee Kow 
Dir.t MILES INOALLS 
CURTIS * AIXBN OFFICE 



Harry Burns Co 
Eddy-Buraton Orch 

2d half (16-17) 
Small's Rev 
(Four to flll) ' 

2d' half (8-10) 
Dance Olympics 
Bddle Conrad 
Carnival of Fun 
CoamopoUtan 

1st half (11-14) 
Faber & Ford 
(Three to flll) 

2d half (8>10) ^ 
Olenn Richards & M 
June Xiorralne 
Wemev H^nrl . Co 
t Nelsonv 
(One to flll) 

BROOKLYN s 
Albee (11) 
Arnaut Bros 
Sylvia Froos 
Walter ' Powell Or ■ 
(Two to flll) 
(4) 

Lester Cole Co 
V & J Hubert 
Nick Loner. Jr - 
Olenn & Jenkins 
Jack Denny Orch 

PROSPECT 
-1st half (ll-li) 
Louis Zlngone 
Tvonne 
Hicfcey Bros 
(Two to flll) 

2d half (lE-17) 
• Buccaneers 
Tabor & Frye 
Leon Janney 
(One to flll) 

2d half (8-10) 
Moran & Wiser 
Harold Boyd 
Joe Besser Co 
Brltt Wood 
Sheldon Jensen & 8 
ALBANY' 
Palace 

let half (11-14) 
Honey Boys 
Dance Aristocrats 
(Four to flll) 



Hazelle & Klatoft 
Doria James . 
Lewis Maok Co 
Jordan & Woods - 

4 Nelsons 

. let half (4-7) 
Colbert' Bros 
Bddle ' Cole 
Hollywood Revels 
Berntce & Walker 
deorgla Serenaders 
HOUSTON 
Keltl^'a (4) 
Olsen & Johnson . 
KANSAS CITY 
Mainstre«t (11) 
Campo Co . 
Bolce & Marsh 
Mel Klee 
JtuBS Columbo Or 
Hannah Williams 
(4) 

Olorta Lee Co 
Lee Port & Dotty 
Rae Sbmuela ' 
Ray Bolger 
Jack Owynne Co 
LYNBROOK 
Kelth'a (12 only) 

5 Whippets 
Louis Zinsone 
Pola Negri 

4 Frankenbcrgs 

(6 only) 
RIcardo 

KUeen & Hardeen 
Carson Robinson Co 
Fred Ardath Co 
R'm'nce In' Rhythm 
MINNEAPOriR 
Orpheam (11) 
3 Belllys 
B & J Browne 
Bernlce & Emily 
Leavitt & L'ckwood 
Flfl D'Orsay 
(4) 

Paul Ash Bd 
NEWARK 
Palace (11) 

Rio Rita 

(4) 

Whiteside. A & B 
Cookie Bowers 



(4) 

Miss Charline Rev 
MUlard & Marlln 
Muriel Window 
Win Mahoney 
James Bvana Co 
TORONTO 
Hippodrome (11) 

3 French Misses 
Nash & Fately 
LIta Gray Chaplin 
Chas Slim TImblln 
Swaii Lucille & C 

(4) 

Jean Carr Co 
Joe Marks Co 
L Miles & Slesal 
Art Frank Co 
Oracle Schenk Co 
TRENTON 
. Canltol 
Ist half (11-14) 
Arthur LaPleur 

4 Franken bergs . 
(Two to flll) 



2d halt (16-17) 
M'rcelle & Williams 
Bertolino 
(Two to flll> 

2d half (8-10) 
Tom Dick & H 
Caroline Pnlmer 
Joe May & D 
TROY ■ 
Kelth'a 

2d half (8-10) 
3 Victor Girls 
Raymond Baird 
6 Honey Boys 
Harmon & Claxton 
Stone & Gibbons R 

. WESTWOOD 
Keith's (II only) 
Sinclair Sis & O'Day 
Donovan & Shea 
5 Ames Sis 
Parker Cowen Co 
Charles Masters 




NEW YORK CITY 

Capitol (10) . 
Bd Wynn 
'Laugh Parade' 
Boulevard 
1st half (10-18) 
Toung, King Tr 
Beau Brumn>elB 
Harlry Savoy Co 
Karree, Nayes & L 
(One to flll) 

2d halt (14-16) 
'Gallagher & Shean ' 
Carr Bros & Betty 
Bddle Conrad 
Lillian Broderlck Co 
(One tp flll) 
Orpheam 
1st half (10-18) 
6 Arleys 
Jean Granese 
JAn'B & Whalen 
Seller & Wills 

2d half (14-16) 
3 Cossacks 
Grace - Johnston Co 
Herbert Fay Co 
Freda & Palace 
White Manning 

FaradlM (10) 
Gautier's Co 
Clifford & Marlon 
Grace Hayes 
Bill Robinson 
Lew Pollock Co 
State (10) 
DeHuth's 4 
Lynn Cantor 
Stoopnagel & Budd 
Kitchen Pirates 
Rex Weber 
Brltton Orch 
BROOKLYN 
Gates Ave. 
1st half (10-13) 
Frances St LaPall 
Gallagher & Shean 



OFFICIAL DENTIST TO THB N. "V^. A. 

DR. JULIAN SIEGEL 

1660 Broadway 
Tills 'Wk.: Wm. Demarest, Leo Beers 



2d half (15-17) 
Vaughn De Leath 
(Four to flll) 

2d hnlf (8-10) 
Hatt & Herman 
Ann Lester 
Abbott & BIsland (' 
Jay C Fllppen 
Bert Na^Io Co 
BOSTON 
Kelth'H (11) 
Welst & Stnnton 
(Others to nil) 
(4) 

Realtor 

Gould & Robey 
Sylvln Froos 
Harry Bunh Co 
12 Artlntnrrnta 
CHICAGO 
Palnre (11) 
Dawn SiH Co 
Ross fc Edwards 
Gray & Claire 
Walter O'Keefe 
Louis Armntrong Bd 
(4) 

Wing Wnh Tr 
Buck & Bubbles 
LIta Gray Chaplin 
Barto & Mnnn 
Sinclair Mlnntrels 
CINriNNATI 
Albee (11) 
June Purlans 
Herman Hyde Co 
Glory r^p Co 
Wills & Davis 
4 Mills Bros 
(4) 

Detnre);oes 
Al Verdi & Theimn 
Harry J. Conley Co 
Sis of Shillet 
Geo Carnontler Co 
CLEVELAND 
Hlppodronle (II) 
Detoreiroes 
AI Verdi & Thelma 
Blackatone 
(Two to flll) 
(4) 

4 Castlnrr Pearls 
Nnsh & Fntely 
Walter O'Keefe 
Roscoe Ates 
Glory l/po Co 
DAYTON 
Kelth'fi (4) 
Gsns & Olenn 



A & M Havel 
Johnny Marvin 
Wm & Joe Mandell 
NEW ORLEANS 
Stote (11) 
Olsen & Johnson 
(4) 

Howard Sndelle & B 
Walter Walters 
Aaronaon Fayre&. I 
Garner Wolf & H 
Rose's Co 

OMAHA 
Kclth'8 
let half (11-14) 
GInrIa T,ee Co 
Bill Telnnk Co 
M Schwarz 
Ray riolger 
Jack Owynne Co 
lat half (4-7) 

3 Relllys 

B & J Browne 
Bernloe & Emily 
T-eavItt & L'ckwood 
Flfl D'Orsnv 
PARK I,.\NE 

Keith's (6 only) 
ainclotr Sis & O 
Donovan & Shea 
6 Ames Sis 
Parker Cowen Co 
Charlps Ma«t<>ra 
PATERSON 
Keith's 

Ist half (11-14) 
Realtor 

Cook & Irving 
Carson Robinson C 
Rosooe Ales Co 
Le Gall Co 
2d half (16-17) 

4 Frankenbergs 
JMUia ZIngone 
Etons Bovs 
Devlto & Denny Co 
(One to flll) 

2d half (8-10) 
Stanley Bros & A 
4 Carlton Bros 
Lillian Shade 
Larry Rich Co 
Ertdv Burstnn Orch 
PROVIDENCE 
Kolth'8 (11) 
Alice & S Lament 
Wilton Sis 
Lewis A Moore 
BrIJt Wood 
(One to flll) 



Leon Janney 
Earl Faher Co 
Thomas 6 

2d half (14-16) 
Gilbert Bros 
LaMarr, Kramer, R 
Jean .Granese 
Harry Savoy Co 
Adler & Bradford 
Metropolitan (10) 
Gr/eat Gretanos 
Peter HIggina 
Lowe, Bernoflt & W 
Al. Trahan 
Frledleirid Rev 

Valencia (10) 
Cab' Calloway Rev 
BALTniORE 
Centnry (10) 
Honey Fam 
Armlda 
Sid Marlon Co 
Georgia Price 
Sammy Krevoff Co 
CLEVEI.AND 
State (10) 
'Show Boat' 
JERSEY CITY 
I.oew'8 (10) 
Ohezzis 
Smith & Hart 
Sid Gary 
Ken Murray 
Starnes & Kover Co. 
SIONTBEAL 
Loew's (10) 
Georgia Minstrels 
NEWARK 
State (10) 
Andressens 
Irene Beasley 
Edger Bergen Co 
Billy Hallen 
L Basciuette Orch 
WASHINOTON 
Fox (10) 
Ted Lewis Co 




ELIZABETH 
RIts 

2d half (14.-ie) 
Jordon & woods 
(Four to flll) 

1st half (3-6) 
Oraetanos 
Southernalres 
Giovanni 

Harmon & Claxton 
White & Manning 

2d half (7-9) 
Gene Sheldon Co 
Molly Picon 
Senator Murphy 
ELMIRA 
Keeney (10) 
3 Olympics 
Murray, Martini & C 
Seed & London 
(3) 

Al Johnson Co 
Honan & Arden 
Jack Usher Co 



Bert Walton 
Johnny Tyrell 
PHILADELPniA 
Earle (10) 

Harris 2 & L 
Honan & Arden 
May & Carroll 
Helen Kane 

3 Sailors 

(3) 

Rio Rita Show 

WASHINGTON 
Earle (10) 
Robblns Fam 

4 Golden Blondes 
Johnny Marvin Co 
Solly Ward Co 
Olga Baclanova Co 

(3) 

Schlctle's Co 
May & Carroll 
Irene Beasley 
Harriet Hoctor Co 



Fanchon & Marco 



NEW YORK CITY 
BROOKLYN 
Paramount (10) 

'Desert Song' 
Perry Askam 
Tanzl 

Barl Askam 
Nenette Vallon 
John Mei-kyl 
Charles Hoyle 
Sylvia Shore 
John Wagner 
BOSTON 
Metropolitan (10) 
■Joy Bella' 
King Bros & C 
Stetson 
Nadlne Gae 
Tommy Atkins Co 
Ann Roberts 
Sunklst Co 

BRIDGBPORT 
Poll (10) 

'Variety Show' 

Peglcg Bates 

Mullen Sis 

Ben Dova 

Bellet & Lamb 
BUFFATXJ 
BulTalo (10) 

'Sally- 
Mary Eaton 

Jack Waldron 

T Roy Barnes 

Hal Young 

Miss Harriett 

Goorge Guhl 

Horry Stafford 

Lela Bliss 

Jack Duffy 

Jack Egan 

DETROIT 
Michigan (10) 

'Whoopee' 

Buddy Doyle 
Bobbe Arnst 
.Tane Lee 
John Rutherford 
Pletro Gcntlll 
Carter De Haven 
William Dyer 
Bddle Abdo 
Howard Nugent 



Virginia L Bouldin 
Juan Vlllas->na 
HARTFORD 
Capltnl (10) 

'Shanghai' 
Long Tack Sam 
Ml-Na & Nee-Sa L 
Ram Lohk 
Pan & Cliang 
Manchu 3 

NEW ORLEANS 
State (10) 

'Sweet & Lovely' 
Blanche Sweet 
Stroud Twins 
Chnmberlln & H 
Loc Ijorralne 
Al RInkcr 
Catchelots 
Sunklst Co 

PHOENIX 
Fox (10) 
'Movie Circus' 
Monte Blue 
Monroe Bros 
Jeannle 

Kirk & Lawrence 
Sunklst Co 

SAN ANTONIO 
Empire (10) 

H'wood Comedians' 
Teddy Joyce 
Walter HIers 
'Snub' Pollard 
4 Normans 
BlosBo^ Sisters 
Mary Miles 
Cathleen Bessette 
SPRINGFIELD 
(Poll (10) 
'Spotlights' 
Charlie Melson 
Miss Irmanette 
3 Bredvvlns 
Chalmers Co 

ST. LOUIS 
(Fox (10) 
•Big Top' 
Jack .Sidney 
Adele Nelson Co 
Flo Mayo 
Harrison's Co 
Beehoe & Rubyatte 



Picture Theatres 



NEW YORK CITY 
Paramount (8) 

VIvlonne Segal 
GuB Shy 
Ferry Askam 
'Luxury Liner* 

BKO Roxy (3) 
Eleanor Powell ' 
Margaret Sando 
John Pearce 
'State Fair' 

Roxy (9) 
Dave Schooler 
Radio Rogues 
Paul Remos 
Plain Bill 
Elmer Bps 
Pablo 

Hite Kenny & O 
Martha Ray 
BROOKLYN 
Paramoont (S) 

W '& B Howard 



Donald Novia 
LoomlB 2 
fiei'ry Bros 
Melissa Mason 
6 Cuokoos 
'Island Lost Souls' 

BALTIMORE 
Hippodrome (S) 

Harry Rtchman 
'Sailor Be Good' 
BOSTON 
Metropolitan .(8) 
•Irene' 

Kathryn Crawford 
Bobby Watson 
Geo Dobbs 
'Done Him Wrong' 

PHILADELPHIA 
Keith's (3) 

Bddle White 
Mystery Baritone 
'Iron Master' 



Dolly Kramiar 
TORONTO 
Imperial (10) 

'School Days' 
Milton Douglas 
Mary Price 
Freddie Craig Jr 
Ollle Morosco 
Edna . Sedgwick 
Charley Myers 
Bobby Bernard 
Muriel' Moran 
Arlstte Young 
O'Connor Bros 
Buster Kelm 
Dorothy Kelm 
Sue St John 
Mary Dolan 
WASHINGTON 
(Fox (10) 
Ted Lewis' 
Dixie 4 



Snowball Whittler 
High Hat Co 
Bqthsr Pressman 
Doris Deane 
Mlhlred Gave 
High Hat Bd 
WORCESTER 
Poll (10) 
'Irene* 

Kathryn Crawford 
Bobby Watspn 
George Dobbs 
'Walter Regan 
George Ball 
Buddy Karsen 
George Fox 
Sydney Reynolds 
Anolyn Arden 
Ruth Fay ' 
'Setty Farrlngton 
Dorothy La Marr 
Wands Allen 
Karsen & Gretel 



LONDON 



Week February 6 



Canterbury, M. H. 

let half (6-8) 
Co as booked 

2d half (9-11) 
Crelghton Boys 
Beryl Bvette 
Co as booked 

Kit Kat Rest 
Sandler Bd 
Douglas Byng 

New Victoria 
Tounkman Bd 

BRIXTON 
Astoria 

Somers Bd . 

CLAPHABC 
Majestic 

Tounkman Bd 
EAST HAM 
Premier 
Eugene's Bd 
EDOBWARE ROAD 

Grand 
Parsons Bd 
FINSBURY PK. 
Astoria 
Ros'ld Wage & Q'\b 
Peter Bernard 
H & M RIstorl 
ILFORD 
Snper 
Bagene's Bd 



KILBURN 
Grange 

Parsons' Bd 
I^WISHAM 

Palace 
Tarano'ft Hard'wk 
' UBYTON 

Savoy 
Ralflnl Bd 
OLD KENT ROAD 

Astoria 
Daresco 3, 
Vadlm 3 ' 

PECKHAM 

Palace 
20 Babes 
Beams 

Tower 
Billy Shenton 
STRATFORD 
Broadway 
Ralflnl's Bd 
STREATHAM 
Astoria 
Somers* Bd 

Palace 
Rio Tango. Bd 
SUTTON 
Coonty Cinema 
Rio Tango Bd 
SYDENHAM 
Rink 
Billy Shenton 



Cabarets 



IIEW TOBK CITT 



Blltmore Hotel 
Paul Whiteman Or 
Jane Vance 
Red McKenzle 
Peggy Healy 
Irene Taylor 
.Tack Fulton Jr 
Ramona 

Central P*k Casino 

Morton Downey 
Eddy Duchln Orch 

Club Maybilr 

Millard & AnIU 
Oscar Davis - 
Margie Landy 
Madlyn Moore 
Beth Cannon 
Lee 

AI Crawford Orch 
i Mayfair Beauties 

Connie's Inn 

Cora Green 
Dobby Evans 
Jazzllps Richardson 
P & B Meeres 
Emma Smith 
Bessie Dudley 
I.llllan Cowan 
Red & Struggle 
Slmms & Bowie 
Louise Cook 
Willie Jackson 
Lucky Seven 3 

Cotton Club 

Alda Ward 
Henri Weasel 
Swan & Lee 
Anise Boyer 
Roy Atkins 
Peaches & Duke 
Brown & McOraw 
Nicholas Bros 
Leitha Hill 
Cab Calloway Orch 

Club Richman 

Jack Osterman 
Richman Rev 
Jerry Freeman Or 
Arthur Brown 
C & C Herbert 
Francis Faye 

El Chlco's 

Puran & Moreno 
I.oronzo Herrcra 

El Flomengp 

Al Valencia Orch 
El Flamenclto 
Nina & Moreno 
Marqulta Flores 
Ignoclo Ru.'flno 
Marta de la Torre 
Accordion Luis 

El Patio 

Beatrice LllUe 
Fontana & Coles 
Endor & Farrell 
Henry King Or 

Embassy Clab 
Ernie Hoist Orch 
Vllma & B Bbseu 
Sheila Barrett 

Gypsy Trail 
Baroness Brzsl 
Louis Hegedush 
Ethel Pastor 



H'lyw'd R'stanrant 

Fowler & Tamara 
CoUette Sis 
Frank Hazzard 
Blanche Bow 
4 Cllmas 

Marquerlte & Leroy 
Theo Phane 
Barbara Blane 
Jean Muna 
Ahl 

Vercell & SInnott 
Gladys Leslie 
Iris Adrian 
Marian Martin 
Isham Jones Orch 

Hotel Lexington 

Don Bestor Orch 
Mayfair Yacht Club 

Ross & Sargent 
Meyer Davis Orch 

Hotel Montclair 

Charley Eckels Or 

Not CInb 

Jack White 
Jerry Bergen 
Lulu. Bates 
Brooke Adams 
Bill Spencer 
Blanche Latelt 
Dorothy Maxme 
AI Parker 
Jimmy Murphy 

3 Blake Sis 
Lew Dolgoff 

Joe Haymos Orch 

Famdise 
N T O Rev 
Cantor's Beauts 
Abe Lyman Orch 
Paramount Grill 
Bddle Jacltson 
Harriett Hllliard 
Ozzle Nelson Orch 
Park Central Hotel 
Rubs Columbo Orch 
Hannah Williams 

Park Central 
Freddie Martin Or 
Frances Langford 
Rachel Carlez 

4 SIzzlers 
Charmel 
Solbys 

Place PIgalle 

Peggy de Albrew 
Veloz & Yolnhda 
B Madreguora Orch 
D Alberto Tangolats 
Hotel PennNylvanln 
Ted Weems Orch 
Roosevelt Hotel 

Guy Lombordo Or 

Russian Arts 

Joe Morantz Orch 
Renee & Laura 
Nlckolaa Iladarick 
Barra Blrs 
Misha Uaanoff 

St. Regis Hotel 

Anson Weeks Orch 

Small's Paradise 



Kokosch Gypsy Or 'Black Rhythm* R 



Nyra Johnson 
Meers & Norton 
3 Speed Demons 
Geo Walker. 
Wm Spellman 
3 Palmer Bros 
May Alex 
Mabel Scott 
Roy White 
Dorothy Turner 
Chas Johnson Orch 

Taft Orill 
Geo Hail .Orch 
The .Csarda 
karoly Benczs 
Zslga Bela 



Mme Ilona deThury 
Karoly Nyaray 

Village Bam 

Brook Adams 
Val Vestoff 
Plorla Vestoff 
Bddle Ray i 
Kris Gerald 
T &i V Hoag . 
Byrnes & Swanson 
Slave Dance' - 
Molly MacGovern 
Joe Furst's Orch 

Wnldorf-ARtorla 

Nina Laughlln 
Jack Denny Orch 



CHICAGO 



Blockbawk 

Rose & Ray Lyte 
Deane Janis 
Hal Kemp Orch 

Bine Grotto 

Tina Tweedle 
Marjorle Tate 
Marge & Marie 
Honey Sis 
Jean' Miles 
Jackie Daw Orch 

Ohes Farce 

Frances Williams 
Gomez & Winona 
CoUette Sis 
Ben Pollock Orch 
Collese Ina 

Fawn & Jordon 
Jackie. Heller 
Pat BarneS 
4 Abbotters 
Ben Bernle 

Consress Hotel 
Baron & Blair 
Katya, LIbby & C 
Robert Royce 
Lopez Orch 

Frolic's 

Tex Quinan Gang 
Florence- Barlow 
Ralph Cook 
Yvonne Douvler 
June Carroll 
Bernle Marshall 
Easter ft Haselton 
Dick Lane 
Dick Rock Orch 

Plaj'gronnd 
Eddie ClIlTord 
Vaughn Sis 
Julia' Lyons 
Robinson & Louise 
^ne Hurley 



Norma Ballard 
Carl Lorraine Orch 

Faramonnt 
Anita LaPIerre 
Mary Nolan 
Peggy Moore 
Genevieve Moore 
Billy Carr 
Mary Neville 
Syd Lang Orch 

Terrace GardsBa- 

Dot ' Myers 
Llscheron & Adanis 
Alice Blue - 
Olive O'Netl 
Don Pedro Orch 

Vaalty Fair ' 
aiff Wlnehlll 
Alexander & ■ 3 
Doris Lenlhan 
Bobble Cook 
Chas Straight Or 

Via tate 

Jackie Hamlin 
Todd Sis 
Paula Tymes 
Wlkl Bird 
Al Handler Bd 

Wlntersardea 
Buckley & Bennett - 
Miss Lydia 
Lovey Twins 
Joreska & LydIa 
Frankle Masters Or 

100 Club 

LaMlgnon 
Johanna Nagle 
Jimmy Noone Orch 

225 Club 
Harland Dixon 
Peggy Cornell 
Fred ZImballst 
Chlcco's High Hats 



Exploitation 



(Continued from page 19) 

Several times a day a girl ap- 
peared In the window and played 
selections from the opera. The 
sound was transmitted through the 
plate glass window by use of a, mike. 

There were the usual sale cards in 
the window. 



33 Golumbia Broadcasts 

Spot broadcasts In 33 cities, to 
coincide with the release of (3olum- 
bla*s 'So This Is Africa* have been 
contracted for by George Brown, 
the Col p. and ad manager. 

Twenty-four broadcasts In each 
town (six announcements a day for 
four consecutive days) are thus tied 
In with each of the 33 keys where 
the picture Is flrst-runned. 



Pake Front Pages 

Paris. 

Metro Is getting considerable ef- 
fect here through use of the age-old 
dummy newspaper things. Tried 
first on 'Arsene Lupin* through, a 
tleup with the 'Intranslgeant,' big- 
gest afternoon daily. Dummy front 
page was made up, using exactly 
the same type and stories as were 
used when the Mona Lisa was ac- 
tually stolen. Then 'Intran* boys 
were sent out by Metro to distribute 
the sheets. 

"Was so effective a number of peo- 
ple thought the picture had been 
restolen. In Brussels Metro did the 
same thing on 'Hell Divers,* using 
the local paper with the edition that 
had the Lindbergh arrival story. 
Burled in the story were several 
mentions of the picture. 



Beats Mats 

Small houses beats the linoleum 
mat for the sidewalk idea. Manager 
has a loose stone at the building 
line of the lobby on the exit side. 
This can be lifted out when desired 
and replaced with an advertising 
slab for a coming picture. 

Slab is made by casting up a ce- 
ment oblong of proper size with 
a chicken netting base to strength- 
en. Slab is cast from a 3-1 mixture 
of cement and fine sand. When 
nearly set ollied wooden letters, ob- 
tained from a toystore, and soaked 
in linseed oil are set Into the hard- 
ening mass to form the message. 
When set, the wooden letters are 
lifted out and white or tinted plas- 
ter of paris is run into these spaces. 
When this is set, the stone is per- 
mitted to harden in a tub of water 
for three or four days when it is 
ready to go into place. 

Takes a little advance prepara- 
tion but a novelty. 



Binged for Bides 

Brooklyn 'Times' is photograph- 
ing crowds which visit Floyd Ben- 
nett air field. Six faces are ringed 
for free rides. Idea Is to draw the 
crowd to the field and interest them 
In the short rldea idea, with the 
field supplying the comps. 

Ringing more faces and giving 
free tickets might help at small lo- 
cal airports, with the payoff the use 
of planes when desired and big dis- 
plays on the field. 

Has been done In several places 
In various ways, but the Brooklyn 
gag is without a theatre end. 



3 Monks— $900 

(Continued from page 43) 
is shown, he (Beck) will continue 
to believe In Godfrey. When again 
making this declaration at an Rfeo 
cabinet meeting lost week of a re- 
quest for evidieince of Incompetertcy 
one theatre man's reply was: 'All 
I know Is that you sent me a man 
and ■ three monkeys for |$00.* it 
was at this meeting Godfrey's walk 
was demanded. 

Beck'a Denial 

Beck made a complete denial of 
any indebtedness on RKO's part to 
any act, agent ot producer through 
a Godfrey booking. There have been 
estimates' that around $300,000' is 
owed by the . bookfog office for time 
contracted for but not delivered 

Under the Godfrey regime the 
RKO vaude playing time shrunk 
within a year from 70 to 10 weelcs 
It was Godfrey's second trip as 
RKO booking head, his preylpus 
term having expired three ye^rs 
ago. At that time RKO paid out 
$260,000 in cash for booking obllga- 
tlons compiled during that Godfrey 
regime. 

Arthur Willi ' and Bill Howard 
will continue as the RKO vaude 
bookers under Beck, with no in- 
termediary between them when 
Godfrey withdraws next week. With 
Godfrey out they will no longer 
have to t^ke orders from a few 
favored agents. 



Chicco's Agency 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Louis Chicco, former actor, heads 
a new booking office, Consolidated. 
Frances Williams and Winona and 
Gomez broke the ice for the new 
office and Henry Santrey's band is 
under Chlcco's management. 

Dick Hoffman of RKO, has an af- 
filiation with Consolidated, as is 
George Gamblll, formerly RKO man- 
ager in South Bend, John Chicco, a 
brother, who has the orchestra i^t 
225 Club; Harry Gilbert, Buzz Eagle, 
and Frank Chesrow. Lew Gold- 
berg was in the first lineup but is 
now out. 



Peabody's Coast Dates 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Eddie Peabody started playing 
Fox-West Coast dates In California 
Friday- Saturday last, prior to be- 
ginning his NBC Safeway hour 
program over the orange network 
from San Francisco (8). Opening 
stands were Redlands and Pomona. 

Banjolst plays the Fox, Bakers* 
field, 18-19, with other dates, booked 
by Sidney Schallman, to follow. 



Majestic, Qii., Vaudfilm 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Fred Crow of the Lehman estate 
confirms a deal for the Majestic 
theatre with an exhlb group headed 
by S. J. Gregory. 

Grind vaude is mentioned as the 
Gregory idea plus plx. 



MOBBISON'S HOTEL OFFICE 

Charlie Morrison adopted Leo 
Morrison's (no relation) idea of a 
booking agent's ofTlce on the second 
fioor of a hotel where there's day 
and night service, telegraph offlcea 
and all conveniences right in the 
building. Morrison -Danny Winkler, 
Inc., the new partnership, has lo- 
cated on the second floor of the 
Park Central hotel. New York. 

Leo Morrison, Hollywood agent, 
is similarly situated In Hollywood's 
Roosevelt hotel. 



WB SHOBT GOMMISH SHOBT 

Charlie Yates and Milton Berger 
have filed a New York suit against 
Abe Lyman for commish. 

Agents ask $350 for having 
booked Lyman's band for a Warner 
short. Joseph Allentuck is their at- 
torney. 



BESUMES FOB LOEW 

Arthur Tracy (Street Singer) re- 
sumes for Loew next month with 
two weeks already set. 

First date takes him into the 
Capitol. N. Y.. March 3. Following 
week he plays the Century, BuUi- 
more. 



Schallman Showing House 

Chlc.Tfro, Feb. 6. 

Schallman Brothers are booking 
five acts at Schoendstafs People's 
theatre for showing i)urpo.sos. AVcd- 
nesday night only. 

It's to show themselves to Sclmll- 
man's for possible dates with I-'an- 
chon & Marco. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



EBITORIAL 



VARIETY 47 




Trade Mark Registered 



•aMlaI>«d Werfdy by VAMKnr, toe. 

Bid Silverman, President 
114 West 4Cth "street New York City 



• fiCBSCRIPTION 

A^ual »« o Foreign .. ... . . . . »7 

gl^le Copies. ..»..; " <^eniB 



Vol. 109 



.130 



No. 9 



IS YEARS AGO 

(From 'VarUftvyanA 'Clipper') 

picture stars were worried about 
tlie new Income tajc rate. Figured' 
Mtfry Plckford would be high with' 
$300,000 or maybe. $225,000 earnings, 
oh" the year. W. ,S. Hart runner 

'■ - ' ''^ ■ ' 

'J, Xiubln, toew'e' booking man- 
ager, annoiiilced that acts late for 
]>ehearE(aI would lose the booking 
"and perhaps, the royt?. 



.. Tyosblngtpn ip.anaffer8 tried legit 
Sunday shows but they could not 
get away with It, 



'Lighting* clceed after the Wash- 
ington tryout ' t6 fix up the first 
and last acts,' which were weak. 
Tbat done. It ran ' for a couple of 
years on Broadway with* Frank 
Bacon. 



Zlegfeld stai'ted Sunday night 
showing of . 'Midnight Frolics' on 
the New Amsterdam roof. To even 
up on the closed Tuesdays. 



Dog trainer sued In .Chicago court 
for divorce. Wife told the judge 
he fed the pooches and let her go 
hungry. His comeback was that 
the pups were obedient. 



Sousa shaved his beard to the 
great grief of Impersonators. He 
was easy to Iriiltate with the muff. 



'Variety' reported 'the Dressier 
comedies heavily advertised by 
Goldwyn as being quietly dropped.' 
Managers didn't want the two 
reelers. 



Picture producers were playing 
with the Idea of a central casting 
bureau for players and directors. 
Directors busted up the scheme. 



Joe LeBlang bought Gray's drug- 
store, paying $96,000 In cash for the 
stock and first year's rent. Later 
he bought the building. Drug store 
had closed the stairway leading to 
the ticket cuttery. He bought the 
store out to reopen the stairway. 

Mind reading act predicted a lost 
girl would be found Sunday. All 
hot and bothered Sat., but when the 
kid did turn up the following day 
the act upped its salary $60. And 
got it. 



50 YEARS AGO 

(From 'Clinper') 



'Esmeralda,' Mad. Sq. success, was 
playing Frisco. 'Clipper' reported 
David Belasco's quick change of 
sets In the first act got more ap- 
plause than the players. He was 
stage manager at local Baldwin. 



David Bldwell set up a theatre 
monopoly in New Orleans. He held 
leases on all three theatres giving 
plays in English. 



S 



Bunnell, museum man, was sell- 
ing off old stuflC Including his 'color 
organ,' which beat recent patents 
by 40 years. Small organ with a 
ground glass panel in the front 
top. Changed colors as notes were 
played. 



New Metropolitan opera house, 
not yet completed, mortgaged to a 
bank for $600,000. 



For once 'Clipper' called the turn. 
It approved 'Silver King' just put 
on by Lester Wallack with Osmund 
Tearle as Denver. Later Wilson 
Barrett gave his version and It af- 
forded Carl Haswin a living for 
many years. 



Columbus, O., reported that not 
more than one co. in five was mak- 
ing expenses. City had less than 
60,000 people and two theatres. 



Advertiser offered a museum of 
two vans 'filled with enameled 
itatuary and panoramic scenes.' A 
Walk-through. 



Inside Stuff-Pictures 



Business men onlookers of the amusement business, now that It's all 
over, are voicing their wonderment how this saddling of burdensome lia- 
bilities on the profit-making adjuncts of the business could have been 
countenanced for so long. The downtowners confess that only a fear 
of evidencing ignorance of a peculiar business prevented them from often 
wondering why each branch of the picture business shouldn't have been 
kept self-sustaining. 

Idea of a losing theatre department draining, on the production and 
distribution ends was ofttimes shockingly poor business. How theatres 
could go on week after week and lose $200,000 weekly, and expect the 
other divisions of the same parent enterprise to carry them, stumped 
these business men. 

The decision now to make each adjunct self-dependent and sustaining 
Is regarded as the sanest step in the economic structui*e of the amuse- 
ment industry. 

Another puzzler is the necessity to Invest so much in order to make a 
relatively small profit. This form of theatre operation, for example, with 
staggering show costs. In order to turn a small, net,, permits f ot- too great 
a .risk on. heavy losses, downtowners contend. Negative conditions are 
also recognized, such as wieather breaks, epideinlc of flu or colds, which 
deter theatre attendance, nOt to mention the genieral mediocrity of the 
average shows which can't expect to pull as strongly' week, after week. 



Studio execs are finding it almost Impossible to preview pictures within 
the Los Angeles territory without a typical pj?eylew-followlng audience, 
because of the avarice of exhibitors, who hate to pass up a chance to 
grab a few extra dollars at the box office. h . .f ' 

There have been several attempts lately: to put over genuine sneak 
previews, but in each case the usual mob bf pV-release followers have 
been on hand, despite no announcement of the- preview being made, and 
phone calls to the theatre are answered in the negative. 

Investigation revealed that some o£ the . class . neighborhood houses 
which use the previews, have a special list to whom they telephone on 
the night of the showing and tip them off. 

Investigation followed a recent Radio preview which was supposed to 
be sneaked into a F-WC house. There was no advertising and callers 
on the 'phone were told there was no preview that night. Yet a bigger 
mob was there than on previous nights, at which there were marquee 
announcements. Even the autograph hounds were present. 



With the purse strings tightened on a recently completed feature star- 
ring one of the first ladies of the screen, production was rushed through 
with several days cut off the schedule and seven sets eliminated to save 
money. Star, who had previously financed her own pictures, was getting 
her b.r. partially from the studio and was instructed to see that her 
organization did not go overboard. 

Director of the picture Is not used to working under pressure and star 
felt that it was beneath her dignity to hustle him. To that end she kept 
her eyes glued on the production sheet and if the picture started to lag 
as little as an hour or so behind schedule she Immediately became de- 
pressed and would cry. Keeping on schedule or a little ahead of time 
then became a matter of chivalry with the director and his crew wlro 
work fast In order to keep the little lady In good spirits. 

Certain appi-ehcnsion held by dJtsldere that the present petition In 
receivership filed against BKO in Baltimore on the morning of the filing 
of the Alfred West suit for an equity receivership in New York, and 
prior to the West suit, would take precedence o^-er the latter, looks 
offside. That the filing of the petition In Baltimore can have no effect 
on the present equity receivership of RKO, seems to have been deter- 
mined Thursday (2) at the hearing before Judge William Bondy on the 
Paramount receivership, where a similar situation exists. 

There it was expounded that such mere filing of a petition In bank- 
ruptcy can be considered only a warning and that any other Interpreta- 
tion of that kind of a situation can't be had. Otherwise just the filing of 
a petition anywhere might be construed as an injunction against all 
others. 



Few Indie producers bother with theatre previews on their product 
before shipping it east, because of the necessity of realizing a quick cash 
return on their Investment, and because they would not make any ex- 
pensive retakes or changes, no matter what might be wrong with the 
films. 

Majors figure the previews as an opportunity to test theories of various 
execs, but with the Indies there's usually but one head. Also, the majors 
bring In trade paper arid fart mag reviewers to cover the films, but the 
indies are not concerned with the publicity angle — even If the fan mags 
would catch their pictures. Coast papers get their opportunity to review 
the indie product when the state right exchanges In Los Angeles rent 
the pix out as 'studio previews'. 



Howard Hughes contends that the members of the Hays organization 
clamped down on his attempt to produce a sequel to 'The Racket' on the 
grounds that If they refrained from making out-and-out gangster pic- 
tures, he should be forced to do the same. Reason for Hughes' assump- 
tion is that he thinks the excuses Paramount gave him for not releasing 
its rights to the silent version were too flimsy. 

'Racket' was released almost five years ago, with Paramount reserv- 
ing all rights for seven years. With two years to go, and virtually all 
available territory long since played out, Paramount is reputed to have 
said that Hughes' proposed production would Interfere with Its revenue 
on the original picture 



Maylje someone broke up a chain letter, killed a cat or fell into a 
mirror. Anyhow, they're calling it seven years of bad luck for Publlx. 
It's just that length of time that Publlx Theatres has been in existence. 
Company was formed about this time In 1926 on 5th avenue when Para- 
mount (then Famous Players-Lasky) was over there. 

It started out like a house afire and is burning down like a barn full 
of hay, with the seven years seeing plenty of originals with company 
fired right out of it. 

Remaining with Publlx through the seven-year period, among men 
with it when organized and still with Publlx in New York are only three 
persons. Sam Dembow, Jr., Jack Mclnerney and Ed Olmstead. 



More golf Instruction and less gagging and social stuff have been 
ordered by Warners to go in the second Bobby Jones series. Casting 
stars and prominent contract people in bit parts, as was the case In the 
initial series is also out. 

Studio Is eliminating the by-play to crowd In as much golf as possible, 
believing this is what the golf fans in the audience are after. Presence 
of the stars detracted the Interest from Jones, execs believe. 

Shorts will Include many new process and trick photography sequences 
worked out by Fred Jackman to get over the lessons. First short starts^ 
this week. 



Moran and Mack, especially the latter (George Searcy), were con- 
siderably perturbed by newspaper stories that the latter was to be mar- 
ried in San Antonio. William Hoam, former secretary for the blackface 
team, made the announcement. Mack, who had his name legally changed 
from Searcy, denied that he was the party concerned, since he Is married 
and has a grown daughter. 



Legal dept. of Fox films denies that the company Is subject to the 
reservation of English dialog rights to Parnell & Zeltlin. The error. If 
any. lies to the latter firm. 

Fox contract with C. B. Cochran beam the daAe ot Pe)>. 24 ot Ickst year. 



Inside Stuff-Vaude 



It's questionable how much of a revival Interest in magic exoopl prob- 
ably with amateurs will come from the Camel clgaret ailvcrii-ement 
exposing the manner In which many illusions may be performed. 

Magic has pretty well died out as a stage entertairment. In its place 
has come "magical specialists, as they might be called, palmists, etc., 
mostly doing single acts in vaudevlile when they could secure engage- 
ments. The other kind Is the showman Illusionist, such as Thurston 
and Blackstone, with one or two others. Both of these named illusion- 
ists have traveled on the legit road routes, playing to $1.50 or $2 top. 
Both of recent seasons have preferred to go into the picture houses with 
many more shows a week, but with a better guarantee of profit than the 
road tours promised. 

Years ago, when the magician was a particular part of the novelty end 
of vaudeville, to expose magic was treason among magicians of all softs, 
excepting those comedy magicians who were. doing, the expose. . With the 
magician passing away from the stage and the piofesaional end of it 
being reduced to the amateur who never tire of trying magic, the matter 
of expose failed to figure any. longer. One or more of the better kiiowh 
magicians have even expcsed some of their magic In their own way, on 
the stage or on the air. ' T ' 

Should the series of Camel expose advertisements, which immediately 
started to attract attention, bring back . a demand for stage magicians, 
there aren't enough stages left • to make it worth while for the former 
classy magician, be of high personality Ari4 glib tongue, to try the come- 
back. ' . ' 

'■ Chances are the best benefits of 1 tha advertising expose .will- be felt 
by the dealer in magical supplies.;. Of lat^ years, jnagiqal tricjcs 'veered 
more to the mechanical than to sl^^ght of /hand. These tricks could be 
purchased almost anywhere..8o . the itrlckery of theku was no dSadlj^ s©^ 
cret. Some of the better magicians went for the nleChanKfai end In 
part. It being . easier and Just as mystifying to mix up their 
routine that way. Mechanical end of dlsappearanbes could not be found 
so readily on' sale. These were usually built by .the showinen-lllusion- 
ists themselves, although viery seldom could be found among them an 
original trick. Nearly all were bas^d upon a revision of a current illu- 
sion or the rewrite of an old one that had been forgotten by present day 
theatregoers. 

However, magicians, like acrobats, were an Important part of the nov- 
elty side of vaudeville. It was when vaudeville thought It could live 
without novelty that it died. 



Figures on the gross business dope by NBC in 1932, as disclosed by 
M. H. Aylesworth in his report to the NBC Advisory .Council, Indicates 
that the booking turnover of the artists' service had dropped 30% under 
the previous, year. Aylesworth made mention of the decrease in his 
report, attributing it to 'general conditions In the concert field'. 

Network's gross given by the NBC prez was $29,000,000, of which sum 
$26,604,891 net, -hcul been derived from the sales of time facilities. Dif- 
ference between these two figures represents the network's other source 
of income, the artists' service. In 1931 NBC did an all-around gross of 
$29,500,000, of which amount $26,607,041 net had come from time sales* 



Benny Meroff, now on tour with the Cantor- Jessel vaude roadshow, 
and Walter Powell whose band is at the RKO Palace, New YOrk, cur- 
rently, are tiffing over latter's alleged adaptation of Meroff's former 
routines. 

Powell and Bundy were formerly with the Meroff comb, recently lea.v« 
Ing with two others to start their own' aggregation. 



Six-day week at the Paramount, New "S'ork, last week with Par's Kate 
Smith picture, 'Hello Everybody', had Itis effect on the stage show mem- 
bers' salaries. The acts did some squawking when asked to take six«^ 
sevenths pro rata, but finally all accepted. 



Parnell & Zeltlin signed for certain rights with Cochran in July, follow- 
ing. Not known in New York that the la.tter agreement concerns the 
picture rights, but agreement cannot traverse the prior Fox contract, 
which leaves the film producers In the clear. English concern must loOfc 
to Cochran since the Fox contract; has a priority of more than four 
months, it Is stated. 



Latest arguments being, used by fellers to retain their Jobs In show 
biz Is that they have an 'In' with the Rockefellers and that If the par- 
ticular company doesn't want them, the Rockefellers do. It's being -used 
mostly by RKO birds slated for the well touted resignation out of the 
company. The argument doesn't appear to work. 

Apparently if the birds have that 'In* with the Rockefellers, John D., 
Jr., is negligent in not tipping off RKO. As a matter of record, the only 
ones with an 'in' with the Rockefellers are members of the Rockefeller 
family. 



New angle being taken by major studio story writers toward gang- 
sters is to build them up throughout the picture and then give them the 
figurative kick In the pants at the finish. This treatment, as demon- 
strated by two films about to be released, brought applause and cheers 
from preview audiences. 

In 'Woman Accused' (Par) scene at the finish has the menacing gun- 
man whipped Into submission by the hero, while Metro's "What — No 
Beer?' concluded by showing the benefit of the suds through forcing the 
gangsters into the ranks of the unemployed. 



Writer in the doghouse at a major studio in Hollywood because he 
refuses to settle the remaining portion of his contract. Is looking at the 
situation as a challenge to his will power. He is determined to stick: 
out the nine weeks and four days which termer has to go. 

Company tried to settle with him when he had 15 weeks to go. He 
spent three weeks working on hopeless scripts assigned him. and two 
weeks without an assignment. To keep from biting his fingernails, 
writer spends his days working on jig saw puzzles. 



With, the various receiverships In Publlx theatres going on, quite a 
number of bookkeepers and accountants In the home office were let go, 
with those books to be handled sectlonally. All were told that If they 
wanted to move to the sections of the country their books represented, 
okay, but moving at their own expense. 

One group of four, not having the fare to Chicago, borrowed a Ford 
car and drove out there to hold their jobs, with similar arrangements In 
several Instances. 



Orders have been received by the May department store In Los Angeles 
from the Cleveland headquarters to lay off any future co-operation with 
picture companies, following the first reviews on 'Employees Entrance' 
(WB) which had scenes made In the store. Painting the g.m. of the 
scenario emporium as an unscrupulous character held responsible. 



Maybe the smallest picture house Is the Owl, Grand Rapids, of 60 seats 
only, though house Is fully equipped with modern machinery. Theatre 
is run by a couple youngsters on an arty basl.s, with occasional foreign 
pictures. 



Producers buying picture rights to stage pluyn are making It a point 
to Include the radio rights In the transaction. Purpose Is to cover them- 
selves in the event they want to as-slgn the hro.-idcast rights for ex- 
ploitation tlc-ups. 

Paramount decided to include this angle us .a condition of sale follow- 
(Contlnucd on page 61) 



48 



VARIETY 



LEGITIMATE 



Tuesday, Febrnarj 7. 1933 



Thief/ 'Crook' Charges Fly Fast as 
Ex-Parthers Deny 'Flanders' Debts 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

With former partners cryln 
*black- hearted thief and 'crook of 
the deepest dye' at each other, 
shaking: fists and hurling threats, 
one of the hottest hearings ever held 
In the local state labor commission's 
offices occurred when 36 chorus 
people from the lll-starred 'Rose of 
Flanders' appeared In an effort to 
collect $779 aasertedly due them 
from the producers, Joseph Finger 
and Samuel S. Gelberg. 

To add confusion to an already 
tangled mess. It was brought out 
that Finger had been thrown out of 
the show two weeks before it closed 
Its four weeks' run. Now Gelberg, 
the angel and local attorney special- 
izing in collections, is trying to hold 
Finger equally responsible for the 
bouncing paychecks, which both 
signed. 

The disgruntled choristers, who 
had rehearsed for over three months 
before a backer was eventually 
found, gave Gelbeirg the bird when 
he stated that he had formed a cor- 
poration. Finger, Gelberg & Royce, 
Inc., to produce the show and limit 
the liability of th^ parties In case 
the show pancaked, It did. 

Out o' Luck on Dues 

Equity, represented by Charles 
Miller and I. B. Eomblum, its local 
attorney,, was oh hand to take care 
of the members' side and also ex- 
plain that, although the producers 
took out id of the salary of each 
chorus member during, the second 
week as payment on Blquity dues, 
the money was not turned over. 
Which makes the chorus girls and 
boys still owe their organization 
that amount, and their only redress 
a .suit against the producers for 
conversion of funds held In -trust. 

Gelberg claimed that he was 
merely attorney for the corporation 
and that the Gelberg named In the 
firm title was someone else. He ad- 
mitted, when cross-examined by I<eo 
Schaumer, labor commission at- 
torney who conducted the hearing, 
that three of the four incorporatoi-s 
of the company worked for him In 
his law office. 

Finger, who kept Interrupting the 
hearing like a comic in a minstrel 
. . .show, alleged at the top of his voice 
that Gelberg was the sole angel in 
the enterprise. 

No action resulted from the hear- 
ing, but It is intimated the labor 
commission will cut the Gordian 
knot by turning the bouncing checks 
over to the district attorney's office, 
and let Justice take its course. 



MSwaokee All Ready, 
But Yanhies' Cancels 



Milwaukee, Feb. 6. 
After manager James Hlgler had 
gotten the town all steamed up over 
Carroll's 'Vanities' at a $2 top and 
theatregoers had shown by the ad- 
vance that they were pleased with 
the Idea, It became necessary to re- 
fund the preliminary sale because 
of Al Trahan's withdrawal from the 
show and the subsequent cancella- 
tion of the Davidson date by the 

Carroll management. « 

The sudden cancellation, coming 
in the middle of the week preceding 
the opening, left the house without 
a chance for another attraction. 

Judging from the response to the 
$2 top, Milwaukee will support at- 
tractions showing at a reasonable 
scale. There is a current scarcity 
ot stage! shows in othei" houses. The 
Wisconsin recently stopped its Fan- 
chon and Marco productions, the 
Majestic stock company has given 
up and the RKO Riverside closed 
Its doors Indefinitely Thursday (2). 

Those in search of live entertain- 
ment In the loop must now perforce 
patronize the Davidson, Pabst or 
Gayety. Several of the nabes are 
putting on vaudeyllle from time to 
time, but there Is none at present 
in the downtown district. 



Stock on Non-Reserved 
Seat Basis in Lincoln 

Lincoln, Feb. 6. 

News that the Liberty would sacl- 
flce legit for sound with the farewell 
of the Liberty stock company was 
spiked. F. D. Eager booked the Glen- 
ray Comedy company instead. 

Weaver Bros, operating the com- 
pany will have a troupe of 12. The 
reserve seat policy will be removed 
and night performances will sell for 
35c, mats for 26c. 

Art Babich, old time vaude con- 
ductor, brings his orchestra into the 
pit. Vaude bits will be sandwiched 
between acts. 



Shows in Reheiursal 



The Lady RafuMt' (Charles 
E. Blaney), Unity Hall. 

'Our Wife' (Abe Halle and 
Thomas Brotherton),> Times 
Square. 

'Alien Corn' (Katherlne Cor- 
nell), Belasco. 

'Our Nell' (Sheppard Traube), 
Cooth. 

'East River Romance' (tow- 
ard Inches), Mansfield. 

'Hangman's Whfp' (W. A. 
Brady, Jr.), St. James. 

'American Dream' (Theatre 
Guild), Guild. 

'Right Thing to Do' (162 W. 
42d Street), Mary Forrest. " 

'Conquest' (Arthur Hopkins), 
Plymouth. 

'Strike Me Pink' (Brown and 
Henderson), Bijou and Harris. 

'Lone Valley' (Sophie Tread- 
well), Morosco. 

'A Saturday Night' (W. A. 
Brady, Sr.), Playhouse. 



TootfitesV Stagehands, 
Mosicians Seek Wages 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Belated echo of another unfortunate 
coast legit venture is the suit filed In 
Superior court to collect wages 
totaling |4,670, which the State La- 
bor Commission asserts Is owed to 
41 persons who were employed dur- 
ing the run of 'Footlights' here. 
Action was taken by the commis- 
sion on behalf of musicians, stage 
craftsmen and a press agent. 

In addition to sum claimed for 
wages, suit also asks 7% interest on 
the amount and costs. 

Topping the individual claims 
filed with the commission against 
Footlltes, Ltd., W. B. Stowell and 
Gerhold O. Davis were those of 
Constantin Bakalelnikoff, musical 
director, $206; John Cameron, stage 
manager, $145, and Arthur Wenzel, 
press agent, |197. 

Chorus was paid after the closing 
ot the show at the Mayan in July, 
with the featured principals, Claudia 
Dell and Dorothy Lee, getting their 
money before each performance. 



Plays on Broadway 



EVENSONG 



Wilbur Stock Claims 

San Francisco, Feb. 6. 

Salary claims aggregating $1,000 
have been filed with State Labor 
Commissioner against Dick Wilbur. 

Players, stage hands, musicians 
and usherettes claim unpaid back 
salaries from Wilbur's recent stock 
company flop at the Tlvoll. 



Davis on Adaptations 

By Al Greason 



Collective Theatre 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Collective Theatre organization, 
producing at the Orange Grove 
(long dark), presents Its first ef- 
fort, 'Doomsday Circus,' Feb. 13. 
Author, Em jo Basshe, WlU Oeer and 
Milton Merlin are directing. 

Among principals are Virginia 
Howell, Myra Marsh, Beulah Baxter 
and Arthur Foster. 



Toronto's Only Yiddish 
Stand Wired for Pix 

Toronto, Feb. 6. 
Scene of successful runs by such 
stars as Jacob Ben Ami, Maurice 
Schwartz and Molly Picon, the 
Standard, town's only Jewish legit 
house, is. being wired for sound. 

House is going pictures, with legit 
attractions incidental. First picture 
Is 'Rasputin,' not the Barrymore 
t\a> opus, but a European silent set to 
sound. It's 'Rasputin's' first appear- 
ance in Canada. All plx will be 
played in English or have English 
sub-titles. 



SHOCKERS FOE GOLDTBEE 

San Francisco, Feb. 6. 
Series of horror plays begin Feb. 
18 at Sid Goldtree's Bohemian 
Green Street theatre. John Hill, 
Al Lever and Crelghton Hale the 
Impresarios. Hale will produce and 
act. 

Boys got the Idea from George K. 
Arthur, who made a success of 
shockers at Music Box, Hollywood, 
^ iaat month- 



Technique of adaptatlng novels 
Into plays or pictures, being a sub- 
ject of debate both In the studio 
and the theatre, the unusual scheme 
of translating Pearl Buck's book, 
'The Good Earth,' to the stage and 
the fate that has met the enter- 
prize seemed to invite examination. 
Accordingly 'Variety' approached 
Owen Davis who, in collaboration 
with his son, Donald, did the work, 
for his own views on the general 
subject, Davis being a seasonal 
craftsman In playwritlng, adaptat- 
lng and doctoring dramatic pieces, 
not to mention also as an author 
of considerable experience in ed- 
itorial work in the picture colony. 

The quality that distinguished the 
making of 'The Good Earth' into a 
play was conspicuously the aim of 
the author to make a play that as 
nearly as possible preserved the 
substance and the content of the 
book in its stage form. This method. 
It scarcely need be said, is the re- 
verse ot the usual procedure which 
usually calls for scant attention to 
anything but the central theme of 
the book as a vague motif for a play 
of very different form. Either that 
or, especially in the translation of 
novels to the screen, an utter dis- 
regard of everything that is in the 
book and the production of a screen 
story that is entirely something 
else, preserving only the title for its 
commercial value. 

The results of the technique of 
the Davises In the case of 'The Good 
Earth' up to date is inconclusive. 
As a popular, commercial produc- 
tion It was an in-betwoenor in New 
York, disappointing high hopes of 
the Davises and the Guild bnsed on 
its unqualified success on the road 
during the preliminary weeks of its 
shaping for tlie metropolitan plunge. 
Adnilrers i.f Mrs. Duck's book have 
been Iavi.<!li in tlioir prnlse of the 
play, but criliral opinion seemed 



almost unanimous, that It was a 
slow and remote performance. 

Mr. Davis has the same feeling 
of his own work despite his pains- 
taking effort to correct such faults 
as he found In It during Its tryout 
period. Originally, for Instance, the 
play was In 16 scenes and these 
were reduced to 10 during the weeks 
of revision, the purpose being to 
speed the action up by close editing. 
The device, he found, was not suc- 
cessful, principally because the 
adapter remained fixed In his de- 
termination not to go outside the 
book for situation or device, led to 
this attitude by his great admira- 
tion for Mrs. Buck's novel, which 
he felt it would be an artistic crime 
to tamper with. 

Pleasing Book Readers 

Admitting that too reticent a 
treatment of a novel for stage pur- 
poses hasn't worked out altogether 
satisfactorily in this case, Davis 
still maintains that if he had the 
Job to do over again he would fol- 
low the same method on the ground, 
for one thing, that violent changes 
in a book of so widespread popu- 
larity would alienate more admirers 
of the novel, than a brisk dramatic 
performance departing greatly from 
the book would attract the general 
theatregoers. 

In other words he makes the point 
that in this special case the vast 
circulation of the novel creates In 
itself a large potential audience 
from the readers who admired the 
book and probably would resent rad- 
ical alterations In its form and 
pattern and such a reaction would 
set up adverse comment more than 
sufilclent in word of mouth to be- 
come a handicap to the play's box 
office. 

The same book is to be made into 
a picture, Metro having bought the 
rights for a considerable sum. 
Davis looks forward to the outcome 

(Continued on page «0> 



Comedy drama prM«nted by' Arch Selwyn 
and Sir. Barry Jackson Jan. 81 at the Sel- 
wyn; adapted frcm novel by Beverly Nichols 
by latter and Edward Knoblock; Btaged by 
Paul Smythe: Bdlth Kvans featured. 

Scott Claude Disney TRoesbuck 

Tremlowe Beatrix Flelden-Kaye 

Arthur Kober Jacob Ben- Ami 

Pauline Lacey Jane Wyatt 

Irela Bdlth Evans 

Donald Gose Owen Davis-. Jr. 

John J Holland Bennett 

JuniiH Rosenbers Walter Armln 

Dr. Campbell Hugh F. 8. Casson 

Duchess of Kockatone.,..-. .Marjorle Chard 

Gen. Hlnchclltfe Reginald CarrlhRton 

lAiy Hope Christine Undeoy 

Capt, Bragge Brian Buchel- 

Rose Belcher Freda Gaye 

Mr. Freddie Parka. . .Fotherlngharo Lysons 

Tom Wlllard DoableU 

First BHderly LAdy Jane Evans 

Second Elderly Lady Nellie Malcolm 

Mr. Stamper Walter Flt2gerttld 

Attendant IS'rederlck Jordan 

Daba Letolle Leyla Georgte 

Pablo Sovino Dennis Val-Norton 

Princess Stephanie Gladys Hanson 

Daphne Carruthers Florence Selwyn 

Sir Geoffrey Fllmer William J. Tannen 

Laura Payne Valerie Zlegler 

Major Dennis Foss John Dunn 

Senora De Carranza Zolya Talma 

Senor De Carranca Leopoldo Gutierrez 

Senor Luis Moreno Luis Bruno 

Archduke Theodore Frederick Leister 

Nurse Phillips Hilda Spong 

Quests— Doris Crandall. Natalie Davis, 
Alice Grlswold, Joan Hamilton, Florence 
Heller, Natalie Hess, Jean Howard, Helen 
Judge, Virginia Ann Kaye, Mary Mel- 
hado. Mary Morrison, Margot Stevenson, 
Ripples Swann, Harry Warwick. 



'Evensong' was a London success, 
but it has oft been proven the Brit- 
ish stamp of approval Is not a sure 
token of similar register here. 
Broadway rather awaited the new 
piece, and it opened at a promising 
time. That it will draw the errosses 
necessary for more than a limited 
engagement is rather In doubt. 

A number of American managers 
sought the rights, but Sir Barry 
Jackson aimed to present 'Evensong' 
here himself. He is associated, how- 
ever, with Arch Selwyn, who skill- 
fully drew special attention to the 
show by luring a bunch of debs for 
atmosphere in the 'artistes room' 
backstage at the opera. The alleged 
social reglstrites are merely walk- 
ons. 

•Evensong* tells the story of a 
great operatic warbler who, like a 
lot of current managers, is on her 
way out. They say that the night- 
ingales of song must be seared with 
sorrow before reaching real vocal 
heights. What happened earlier in 
Irela's life to cause her pain is not 
clearly Indicated, save that she did 
not marry her titled lover a score 
of years prior to the curtain. 

Irela Is mature, but her tempera- 
ment is abounding. She is tyran- 
nical, generous and yet selfish — 
possessive is the term applied to 
that type of femininity by the au- 
thor. Irela has reached her high 
notes with ease, but now she must 
breathe twice. Kober, a Rtisslan, 
her manager, who has grown old 
with her, realizes that Irela has 
passed the peak. She knows it, too, 
but violently rejects the thought 

The songbird's niece, Pauline, has 
Just arrived from Canada to become 
her secretary. That Irela demands 
all of the young girl's time Is typi- 
cal of her, and she frowns on Paul- 
ine's budding love affair with a 
press photographer whom she met 
on the boat. Comes a night when, 
after a triumphant first perform- 
ance in a new opera. Princess Ste- 
phanie arrives from Vienna. She 
tells Irela that the Archduke Theo- 
dore, her lover of 20 years back, 
still adores her and is now free to 
wed her, the duchess having died. 

Irela agrees to the marriage, but 
there is a setback when she suffers 
a slight stroke after going Into a 
tantrum over the success of a 
Spanish prima donna, Baba Letoile. 
Upon learning of the wedding plans, 
Pauline scoots with her young man 
to the marriage registry a^d thence 
to the South Seas. Theodore comes 
to claim Irela, but she sends him 
away. The urge to sing, though she 
is limited to simpler vocalizing than 
opera, is too great, and she decides 
on a concert tour. The kick of the 
performance comes at the finish 
when Irela listens to a disc record 
of herself singing something from 
'Manon Lescault' and weeps over 
the passing of her great voice. 

Edith Evans heads the cast, be- 
ing among the players brought over 
from London. Miss Evans made an 
appearance here last season in 'Lady 
of the Lamp,' which failed. In 
'Evensong' she is at her best and 
she looks the part of Irela, which 
explains her selection bore rather 
than an American actress. 

Jane Wyatt, who plays Pauline, 
made quite an impression and will 
doubtless be in demand for ingenue 



Iowa Landmark Burns 

Council Bluffs, la., Feb. 6. 

Landmark of the theatrical pro- 
fession and recreation center for 
this section of the country when 
the west was young, the Old Dohany 
opera house, is no more. 

Flames destroyed the structure, 
wiping out many a stage memory 
of the old and not so old days. 



parts. Jacob Ben-Ami was very 
good as the songbird's brutally 
frank manager. Leyla Georgie, who 
came Into prominence In the stage 
version of 'What Price Glory,' im- 
personates the Spanish artist. She 
is now ample In size, quite on the 
scale of a supposed opera singer. 

Gladys Hanson has a small but disJ 

Evanu^ tiligu lshed part as the princess. 
Hilda Spong also In a minor part, as 
a testy nurse. Owen Davis, Jr., 
okay as Pauline's fiance. 

'Evensong' drew mixed reviews, 
most of them favorable, but it Is 
problematical box ofilce. Withal it 
is a fine play and deserves to click. 

Ibee. 

Depression Gaieties 

The 'Depression Gaieties' at $10 
a crack admlsh Sunday night (6) at 
the Imperial, New York, presented 
by and for the benefit of the Au- 
thors' League and the Stage Relief 
Fund should rerve as something of 
a model in the line of benefit enter- 
tainments. It was decidedly an ex- 
ample of how benefit shows should 
be run, and makes all the other 
haphazard, hit 'n* miss array of 
stellar entertainment look silly. 

Considering the auspices, it's to 
be expected that some really seri- 
ous thoughts be given to the prep- 
aration of special material and the 
sequence of events. It reminded of 
how aimless even the Lambs' and 
the Friars' gambols and frolics have 
become through the careless, catch- 
as-catch-can unfolding of the tal- 
ent. 

Result has been that those who 
patronize Sunday pight or any other 
night's benefits rarely miss ii thing 
if they Just pay for the ducats as a 
material contribution to the cause 
and stay at home. It's become 
easier to twirl a bothersome air 
wave off than contend with well- 
meaning charitable performers who, 
when not overdoing their generosity, 
appear disadvantageously through 
the tiresome procession of the same 
style of specialty after specialty. 

The 'Depression Gaieties' was 
showmanly heralded from the start. 
The 'for one night only' and the 
special title lent It an aura of spe- 
cialization which accounted for the 
$10,000 gross, at $10 a crack, Sun- 
day night, with standees at $3 per 
violating all sorts of regulations by 
their number. 

Marc Connolly, Hugh O'Connell, 
Charles Butterworth, Charlie Wln- 
nlnger and Bob Benchley, who ap- 
peared oft and on, probably were 
impdrtantly responsible for the 
smooth pacing, with Connolly seem- 
ingly very much the ringmaster. 
The array of distinguished legits 
and literati gave evidence in plenty 
to the creative talents which made 
possible the smooth progression of 
what was voted a good $10's worth 
and audible commentary that 'it 
was the best benefit show ever seen.' 
Which gives an idea with what 
mental stance the ducat buyers ap- 
proach these things. However, It 
was more than that: It was a durn 
good revue, easily the best of this 
season. 

The scale and the auspices, sans 
any paper, brought out a very top- 
hat attendance. They went in a big 
way for all of the reverse-English 
clowning. 

In sequence, a comely chorus 
comprising the following vocalized, 
'How About a E^nefit for the Bene- 
fit of People Who Have to Go to 
Benefits': Carol Renwlck, Teddy 
West, Dorothy Dodd, Phylls Cam- 
eron, Virginia Whitmore, Enis 
Early, Katherlne Laughlin, Flor- 
ence Chumbecos, Irene McBrlde, 
Katherlne Mullowny, Evelyn Monte, 
Rosalie Trego, Ruth Gormley, Alda 
Conkey, Frances Nevinks and 
Wilma Kaye. 

Next Marc Connolly's introduc- 
tions of Jolson and Cantor, with 
Winnlnger, O'Connoll and Butter- 
worth appearing as substitutes, as 
Connolly apologized for the delay of 
the scheduled luminaries. In be- 
tween, from this point on, Beatrice 
Lillie and Fannie Brice (the latter 
looking very svelte 'n' everything) 
contributed the clown Interludes In 
outlandish page-glrl getups. 

'Under Difficulties' was the next 
sequence with the worried Connolly 
calling upon Clifton Webb for his 
man-about-town number out of 
'Flying Colors.' Webb in turn call- 
ing upon Judith Anderson, Madge 
Kennedy, Hope Williams (and also 
Ethel Barrymore, but not appear- 
ing) for their help in a benefit All 
expressed themselves feeling very 
fit and with lots of time on their 
hands up until the point Webb 
made known his request, and they 
all refuse. This forced Webb Into 
the specialty, with a clown topper- 
offer showing the wrong reels pro- 
jected instead of the slides from the 
revue. 

Franklin P. Adams (FPA of the 
'Trib') next introduced the veteran 
songwriters Theodore A. Mctz (77- 
year-old composer of 'Hot Time in 
the Old Town Tonight' with a hoke 
fiddle specialty); Harry Armstrong 
(composer of that barroom anthem, 
(Continued on page 62) 



"Tuesdaj, Febrnary 7, 1933 



LECITIMATE 



VARIETY 49 



^Vanities Principals Contradict 
Trahan s Version of Co-op Actors 



Liouiaville, Feb. 6. 

iJ Editor Variety: 

We, the underslpned, are princi- 
pals of the Earl Carroll 'Vanities' 
en tour, and we attach two exhibits, 
one an article which appeared in 
•Variety' about the Trahan episode 
and the other a copy of a wire from 
Trahan to Charles Morrison, his 
agent. 

Ke the statement In the first par- 
agra^ih Ir. 'Variety' that Trahan was 
forced out of the show. That Is not 
^true, as he deliberately walked out, 
insisting that the show was closing 
on account of hid departure. Re- 
ferring to the next sentence, he did 
not report for worli in "^ichlta 
Falls, but came there with a local 
lawyer to harass a i d annoy us on 
account of ^Is chagrin that the 
show could carry on without 
Trahan. 

Referring again to your article, 
we have yet to meet the town sher- 
iff, but Walter Nelpon, Jr., mayor of 
. Wichita Falls, did s-tate that if Tra- 
han continued to disturb the per- 
former.*' he would be marched off. 
to the calaboose. The curtain was 
not rung down on Trahan, but he 
violated all the traditions of the 
stage by disobeying the stage man- 
ager's Instructions and deliberately 
planted his body in a scene where 
he did not belong, and the drapes 
were closed In front of him, leav- 
ing him In solitary grandeur, .and 
Mitchell and Durant did their act In 
one. 

Relative to the fourth paragraph, 
the cut in salary was less than 25%, 
and Trahan never loaned the man- 
agement at any time his salary. 
The rest of us had some salary due 
us and he and he alone was paid 
fully before the opening night In 
Chicago the entire amount due him, 
otherwise he refu.sed to go on. Th? 
rest of us had confldence In the 
management and were content tc 
wait, and two weoks later we were 
all paid up in full.. (Statement 
signed by Frank .Mitchell, Jack Du- 
rant (Mitchell and Durant), Betty 
Veronica and Harry Stockwell, as a 
committee). 



NO IMPORTED HIGH CS 
FOR HOIIYWOOD OPERA 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Civic Grand Opera Association of 
Bollywood, making its third try, 
will open a Pacific Coast tour in 
Santa Parbara, Feb. IB, with a com- 
pany consisting of resident people. 
Announcement has been made that 
no imported singers will be used. 

Same group, headed by Allan Ca- 
hlll and Umberto Giusti, put on one 
performance of 'Rigo'.etto' at the 
Wllshire Ebell and a summer season 
at the Greek theatre in Griffith Park 
In the last two yearsi £milia da 
Prato, local soprano, will sing leads 
In the new venture. 



Fixing 'Land of Smiles/ 
Hackett Stays as Lead 

Leonard Liebling, mu.sic editor of 
the Xew York 'American' will revise 
the book of 'Land of Smiles,' Ger- 
man operetta. Piece will go right 
back into rehearsal toward the end 
of the month with Charles Hackett. 
of the Metropolitan Opera Co. aa 
lead. 

Show tried out for .several weeks 
on the road, but was called In for 
fixing. About all departments will 
now be revamped, with Hackett, 
however, remaining as is. 



Friars Cut Dues 25 Pc 

The Friars Club recently reorgan- 
ized has reduced the annual dues 
25%. Semi-annual payments of $33 
supplant the $41.25 required to 
maintain good standing. 

Reduction of the club's operating 
expenses, which accompanies the 
plan to permit tlie clubhou.sc to pass 
to the first mortgage holder (Bank 
for -Savings) explain.^ the lowering 
of the dui^s. Aftfr foreclosure the 
Friars will loa.se the propbrty frcun 
the bank. 

The Friars arc .still In rccclvPi-- 
shlp with littlo or no money being 
collected by the receiver, Hyniiin 
Bushel. Lowering of the dnes Is 
expected to draw former members 
back to the Monastery and Indefinite 
suspension of the initiation fees is 
expected to attract new members. 



Stage Clothes Free 

S. Klein, the Union Sq. cut?rate 
women's out.ltter In New Tork, has 
offered to outfit any stage aspirants 
with needed clothes, on an arrange- 
ment with Rachel Crothers' Stage 
Relief Fund. 

Everything must clear through 
the Stage Relief. 



STAGE RELIEF, AUTHORS 
spur BENEFIT $12,000 



The fund for the Stage Relief 
which Is aiding idle players received 
another healthy boost by partici- 
pating In the special benefit at the 
Imperial Sunday night. It was a 
show along revue lines called 'De- 
pression Gaieties'. 

A number of prominent authors 
and playwrights appeared along 
with stage stars. Various writing 
groups appeared in especially writ- 
ten skits and sketches anc*. for some 
it was their stage dobut. At $10 
top the house not only sold out. but 
as many admissions for standing 
room were sold as the firemen on 
duty permitted. 

More than $9,000 was taken In at 
the Imperial and about $4,000 worth 
of tickets were sold on the outside, 
through the Relief or the Authors 
League. The two organizations split 
60-50, the share to each being fn 
excess of $6,000. Author's share will 
be devoted to its indigent fund. 

Another $1,000 went to the Fund 
from the dinner event held Sunday 
night by the Drama League, with 
Rachel Crothers the honored guest. 
This money will go to the Actors 
Dinner Club in jre-payment of 
meals to be served professionals 
sent by the Fund, The Dinner Club' 
moves this .week from 4?nd street 
to the Great Northern Hotel on 
57th street. 

Other contributions up to Feb. 3: 

Previous contributions $15,871 

Gilbert H. Miller 500 

Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fon- 

tanne 100 

Algonquin Supper dance . . . 153 

Ottllle Amend 50 

Anonymous 50 

Chas. Gordon Leavitt 50 

Kathleen and Chas. G. 

Norris 60 

Mrs. C. K. Lipman 25 

C. LaWton Campbell 25 

Mrs. Joseph Parsons 25 

Mrs. Felix Morris 15 

Nedda Harrigan 10 

Mrs. Saml. Wygant 10 

Ruth M. Woodward 10 

Mrs. G. C. Cobiens 10 

Ellz. A. Alexander 10 

Mrs. Jas. W. Howie ..... 10 

Mary Servoss 10 

Other contributions 400 

Total $17,344 



Mystery and Morrissey 
Puzzle Philly Papers 

Philadelphia, Feb. 6. 

Mystery surrounds the project, 
outlined in a letter sent to the 
drama editors, for re-opening the 
Adelphia theatre on North Broad 
street, a former Shubcrt house dark 
for two years. 

Will ^lorrlssey Is the man who 
declares his intention of relighting 
the house and claims he will present 
there a new revue of his own called 
'Vagabond Revue.' Show is sup- 
posed to open here next Monday. 

Ted Healy, Joe Frisco, appearing 
this week at Fay's, popular priced 
vaude house in West Philly, George 
Price, Charley Kerr and his orches- 
tra, Vaughn Comfort, Kathleen 
Richie, Marjorie Coates and the 
Stanley Brothers are mentioned for 
the cast. 

A month or so ago, Morrissey was 
reported planning to open the W al- 
nut. 



DINNER CLUB CHARTER 

Albany, Feb. 0. 

Ai'tors and acti-esses withoni 
funds will be furnished with free 
mc.'ils and Bcnoral aid by tlio Ai'- 
tor.-j' Dinner club chartered undor 
the membership corporation law. 

Among the Incorporators arf 
M.ihel Tnliaferro, Marie Xordstron. 
Maida Reade, A. H. Van Burcn. 
Hotel Drydcn, Selena Royle of Now 
York Pity and Dorothy Stone oi' 
Forest Hills. 



Shuberto in Lead 



Ma Simmons was telling 
Lee Shubert about the im- 
pending Paramount and RKO 
receiverships, and later veri- 
fied these reports as offlcial. 
To which Lee replied: 
'You see, the Shuberts are 
always ahead.' 



PAR ABRIDGING 
LEGIT INTEREST 



The Paramount -Publlx recelver- 
.ship will probably considerably cur- 
tall its activities In the legitimate. 
It has been operating Charles Froh- 
man. Inc., since the death of that 
showman. Last summer Par an- 
nounced it was through with- legit 
producing and Gilbert Miller who 
directed the Frohman ofUce for Par 
went on his own and switched his 
quarters to the Miller theatre, from 
the Empire. 

WTiile Frohraan, Inc., Is profitable 
and may be continued, tmderstood 
the Empire will be turned back to 
the estate of Al Hayman. The 
house, regarded as commanding 
class patronage to the a&me degree 
as the Belasco, was not profitable 
after the run of 'Barretts of Wlm- 
pole Street.' Par has a lease which 
stipulates a rental of $85,000 annu- 
ally plus the taxes. Under receiver- 
ship practice the lease is expected 
to be disaffirmed. 

Although the Frohman lease on 
the Empire has until 1940 to run, 
tlie estate proposed to sell the 
p:-operty last season. The sale was 
deferred from time to time and 
finally withdrawn because bidding 
was far under the - knock-down 
price. There are 40 Hayman heirs, 
who thereupon incorporated the 
property and stock was distributed 
among them. 

Par's Frohman office made a 
profit of $100,000 in 1932. The earn- 
ings ^ame from rights to old plays 
(stock and otherwise), picture 
rights and the operation t>f 'The 
Animal Kingdom,' the stage version 
of which made a run of it on 
Broadway. Some time ago the 
Frohman office let go Its part in- 
terest in the Illinois theatre, Chi- 
cago and a Seattle theatre. Its 
only property Interest is one- third 
of the Lyceum, New York, the 
others concerned being Daniel 
Frohman and the estate of William 
Harris, Sr. 

It was first supposed that the 
Frohman enterprise would produce 
plays later designed for filming by 
Par, but Miller never appeared to 
have the picture end prominently 
In mind. Many shows under hie 
direction never reached the screen. 
Other picture companies have 
bought Frohman shows rights as 
much as Par. 

Only last week Jesse Lasky 
bought 'Berkeley Square' from the 
I'rohman office and It will be filmed 
for Fox. Estimated that, of $250,- 
000 in picture rights, just one-half 
was paid to the Frohman office by 
rar, the balance coming from other 
Hollywood film firms. 



'Dubarry' to Tour 

'The Dubarry,' which closed an 
11 -weeks' engagement at the Cohan 
.Saturday (4), is due to open on the 
road Feb. 27. Philadelphia is the 
first stand, other bookings being de- 
pendent on business there. 

In the meantime Grace Moore, the 
operetta's star, is resting in Palm 
Ucach. Some talk of the show re- 
suming here before going out of 
town. 



'COUNSELLOR' TO COAST 

Frank McGrann, for seven years 
Shuberts' advance man, will pilot 
Elmer Rice's 'Counsellor at Law,' 
with Paul Muni and the New York 
ca.st on the road. 

Show opened in Philadelphia this 
week and will play Baltimore, 
Washington and then west via 
I'ittsburgh, winding up in Holly- 
wood in June. Muni then resume^ 
III." picture contract with Warner 
Hrfis. 



RECASTING FOR TOTIR 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Jiinies Hanley and Ben Jackson 
.'lie r' casting 'A Plain Man and His 
Wife' for a tour of Arizona, New 
."Me.vlfo and Texa.-j. 

riay closed Saturday (28) at the 
Curran, San Francisco. 



Shulieft Sale Ordered for Feli. 24. 
Court Sets $400,600 Minimmn Bid 



Legit Actors Gmmble 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Legit actors plunging from the 
placid pace of nine performances a 
week to five a day were grumbling 
Friday and Saturday at the Chicago 
theatre, where 'Show Boat' opened 
as a picture house tabloid. 

Some of the boys and girls, how- 
ever, were glad to have Jobs! 



TOO MANY CMINO SEATS 
500 OF 'EM CUT DOWN 



Large capacity theatres for musi- 
cals at pop prices may have been 
good in thooryi but appear to be im- 
practical In practice, at least on 
Broadway. Two seasons have proved 
it to those Interested in the Casino 
(built as the Earl Carroll), and 
radical changes reducing the num- 
ber of seats are being effected for 
the showing there of 'Melody' next 
Monday. About 500 seats have been 
removed from the rear of the or- 
chestra floor. Instead of 30 rows 
there will be 18. 

Carroll's 2,550-seater was regarded 
as experimental In show circles and 
immediately upon its opening there 
was little doubt that the idea was 
wet. Carroll, however, thought a 
theatre of such proportions, per- 
mitting lavish productions at $3 
top, would revolutionize show busi- 
ness. 

The Casino will present an un- 
usual sight at the 'Melody' premiere. 
All double letter rows are. removed. 
Bordering the new last row will be 
a ring of boxes, something like the 
Hippodrome layout. Heavy curtains 
backing up the boxes will prevent 
possible echoing of sounds in the 
disused portion of the theatre. 



Let Out, Grona Sues 
Burr on Lobby Photos 

Unusual damage claim, for $26,- 
000, in a suit by Bugene Von 
Grona, dancer, is against Courtney 
Burr, Inc., producer of 'Walk A 
Little Faster,' at the St. James the- 
atre. New York, claiming damages 
through Von Grona and Bouvier's 
pictures having been used without 
permission. 

The dancers were let out of the 
musical, but Von Grona contends 
that the continued use by Burr of 
his photo in connection with the 
lobby displays on the production 
have been damaging. He alleges 
these pictures were used despite bis 
protests to Burr personally and to 
Leon Spachner, the g.m. of the 
show. 

Julius Kendler, for the show in- 
terests, will interpose the defense 
that Von Grona's fame wasn't such 
that It made much difference either 
way about the use of his pictures 
in the lobby frames. 



Advance Agents, Two N.Y. 
Legits, Hit L. A. at Once 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

For the first time in several years, 
advance agents of two New York 
legit attraction are here simultan- 
eously, arranging for Immediate 
bookings. Bill Gordon and Howard 
Gale are here to arrange the pre- 
liminaries for 'Of Thee I Sing,' 
opening at the Biltmore Feb. 26, and 
John Peltret and .\llan Atwater are 
in ahead of 'Another Language,' 
coming Into the Belasco (13). 

Atwater will devote most of his 
time to special contacts and thea- 
tre parties for 'Language' engage- 
ment. 



Baker's Successor 

New Haven, Feb. 6. 

Prof. Allardyce NicoU, Univ. of 
London, will succeed Prof. George 
Pierce Baker as chairman of Vale's 
Dept. of Drama when Prof. Baker 
retires at end of current collc;;c 
year. Pro/ Nicoll is author of a 
number of books on the thea'ro. 

Prof. Baker, who came to Yale 
after a number of years In Har- 
vard's '47 Workshop,' has devehiped 
a number of outstanding figures in 
show bu.siness, in every branch from 
playwrights to producers. He re- 
tires after six years of service here, 
with futiiie plans indefinite. 



Assets of the Sluibert Theatre 
Corporation, in receivership since 
Oct., 1931, or what is left of them, 
will be sold at public auction start- 
ing at 11 a. m., Feb. 24. 

The sale will be conducted by 
Elarl B. Barnes, special master in 
the case, to 'the highest bidder or 
bidders on the front steps leading 
to the main doorway of the new 
County Courthouse of New York 
County.' 

In the decree of sale issued by 
.ludge Francis C. Calfey it is stipu- 
lated that all sales must be con- 
firmed by the court and such con- 
firmations shall not be made unless 
any and all persons entitled to par- 
ticipate In the proposed reorganiza- 
tion of the Shubert corporation, be 
tally aware of the plan. When ap- 
plication was made by the receiv- 
ers for the decree of sale the Shu- 
bert la^vyer advised the court that 
a reorganization would be at- 
tempted. 

It is assumed that the Shuberts 
will bid in the theatres owned by 
the defunct corporation, which ex- 
l>iains the orders concerning the 
sale and reorganization. The decree 
directs the 8i>ecial master not to 
accept any bid for the properties 
in bulk unless the bid be not less 
than $400,000. That protects tho 
outstanding receivers certificates 
amounting to $300,000 which are a 
prior lien and which are held by 
the Shuberts and their associates. 
The minimum bid also Includes the 
tees due the receivers and their at- 
torneys, such claims amounting to 
nearly $100 000. 

Properties Involved 

The theatres to be sold are; 
Harris, Central (theatre and office 
building). Imperial, 46th Street. 
Longaci-e and the warehouse at 637 
Greenwich street, all in New York, 
also a parcel in Philadelphia known 
as 101 Watts street and 138 North 
Juniper street. The leases on tlie 
following New York theatres are In 
rhe sale: Bai-ryrpore, Winter Gar- 
den, Plymouth, Bijou, Broadhur^ 
and Morosco. Alsb the lease on the 
Shubert, Kansas City, one-half In- 
terest In the ground lease of the 
Belasco, Washington, To be sold 
also are the stocks ot all subsidiary 
companies of the Shubert Theatre 
Corporation, all scenic elTects, stage 
properties, costumes and electrical 
equipment. 

The order of sale in specifying 
the minimum $400,000 . bid for the 
whole . properties mentions that the 
bid may be less any amount paid 
or payable to the receivers by rea- 
son of the 'sale of certain assets.' 
That indicates that the receivers 
certificates will be acceptable as 
cash. The subsidiary corporations 
are: 

Noclin Corporation, Shubert The- 
atrical company, 249 West 45th 
Street, Inc., 226-236 West 46th 
Street, Inc., Acre Realty Company, 
Jason Building Company, 635 Green- 
wich Street company, Sam S. and 
Lee Shubert. Inc., and the S. S. 
Shubert Amusement Company. The 
National theatre, New York, is not 
mentioned. It was reported fore- 
closed by Prudence Bonds. 



Shuberts' Revue Plans 
For Garden Deferred 

Warners are continuing at the 
Winter Garden, on Broadway, from 
week to week, while the Shuberts 
are planning a revue into the old 
musical comedy stand. 

This is causing postponement of 
the Sunday night concert Idea until 
the end of this month Instead of 
commencing Feb. 5 as planned. 

Shuberts' other legit plans are an 
original musical which Gladys lin- 
ger and Harry Tierney are writing, 
and 'Amber Lantern,' modernized 
from the old "Blue Paradl.se' op- 
eretta. 



Brown's *OIiver Twist' 

Fails to Open Ritz 

'Oliver Twist' which fliamberloin 
rirowii announced for the Ritz last 
week, failed to open. I.'nderstood 
lij'own fjiili il to gunrantf'C the house 
expenses required by Die .Shubert 
o/Hf-e. 

'Twist' was supposed to have re- 
l)].'iced 'Tlie Hope of a Tree' orlg- 
in.'illy scheduled. Latter piece may 
go into rehcar.sal this week. 



50 



'VABXVrrV I.ONDON OFFICE 
8 St. Martin's Place, Trafalsor Square 



FOREIGN SHOW NEWS 



C«Me AddMM: TABmrT. lOMDON 
TelephMiet Xtmple Bar 6MlrS048 



None of Three London Premieres 
Important Farce at Aldwych Best 



London, Feb. 6, 
'A Bit or a Test' at the Aldwych 
Is another <arce, like Its 12 pred- 
ecessors at this theatre. No rea- 
son to believe that it will be any 
less successful than Us predecea- 
6ors, all of which have done well. 

'Doctor's Orders' at the Globe Is 
a lightweight French farce. Strong 
cast Is headed by Raymond Massey 
and Yvonne Arnaud, but it's not a 
likely candidate for any depart- 
ment. 

'Head on Crash,' at the Queenjs, 
is an interesting first play from a 
young newcomer lacking crafts- 
manship. It has a stellar cast, but 
.is unlikely to get anywhere despite ^ 
.that. Qnly . irhpqrtance. lying in.thii 
fact that the writer shows promise 
of future development. 



AUSTRIA'S RADIO HUSf 
SUPPORT STATE STAGE 



.. Vienna, Jt^ii,:'23.' 
: Pa vag, . Austrla^s one - broadcasting 
concern, will- be compelled by a new 
law, to come, before the parliament 
within a -few days, to give up '10;% 
of its annutil ibcbme t'owjurds aup- 
portlng Viehna's two; stiate-s.iibsi- 
dized theatres. Opera' and Burgth,e^' 
a'tre, now in great finaiiicial straits; !. 
.. Ravag has now 6.00,000 subscribers; 
who pay. . two soi^illings 'monthly. 
Teh percent .ot thia income woiild 
take the two state theatres, the up- 
keep of which is essential to AuS'T. 
trian theatrical and opera culture, 
out of the red. 

The management of RP;Vag argues 
that 45% of its income. erpes into the 
treasury apyfiray , in the form of 
taxes, Wiiat Is .left 5udt s,uffl[Ges for 
the 'technipal peeds! o£ . seven- ■broaii'-' 
; casting .statiojisrsalairies. of .120 em- 
ployees and the cost of the program. 

This sounds convincing, but 'tiie 
fact - is that'' Ravag ezedutrves !draw 
prodlgioUd' salin-lei and that no ptib- 
ifc iaccount 'has-'iver ;beeni giVen 'of 
its. huge Incoipae. . . 

Two Ameiican Singers ' ; 
det steamy in 

,' , Milan, jan, 26.. '■ 

Called, upon: at a ^moment's notice, 
and jvlthout. a previous .rehearsiai 
wlth' ttie "brbhe^lrk..' Wlillam ..Clark 
■ (stage name" GugUelmo Clarb) frcim 
York, jYiad'e a £rreat hit at.the 
Mllano Pucclhl theatre in the diffi- 
cult opera 'A.ndrea Chenler.', So neV. 
was he to the corripany that he met 
the prima donna for the first tline 
on the stage. 

Mrs. Alma Grlfflths-Grey (Alma 
Griffiths) also from New York sang 
from the Milan broadcasting station 
a selection of three American and 
En.-rlish songs with considerable 
success. 



Adaptations 



(Continued from page 48) 
in the studio with a great deal of 
arti.stlc misgiving -tempered with 
considerable commercial hope. 
Ignoring Original 
Davis thinks for Instance that 
perhaps a better play might' have 
eventuated iiad he merely taken the 
central dramatic idea of 'Good 
Eartli' and woven It into a dra- 
matic fabric, the substance being 
the familiar situation of a husband 
of many years putting aside his 
faithrul wife in favor of a younger, 
prettier woman. That simple form- 
ula was the thread of 'Earth,' but, 
according to his notion, that was 
not what made the book a best 
seller. 

Instead of the novel depending 
upon its situation, its force came 
from the sweep and breadth of tlie 
canvas upon which It was painted, 
the slow passage of the bleak years 
with these people on a Chinese 
farm, the utter human-ness of these 
typical commonplace people. And 
he could see no other valid han- 
dling of the subject except to trans- 
fer the canvas to the stage as nearly 
Identical as possible except for the 
foreshortening made necessary by 
the new medium, the limitations of 
the stage. 

' Davis makes the point that the 
chances are' all against the com- 
mercial prospects of any novel 
Adapted 'to the staere, pointing out 
-that- there has never "been ft- really 
standout bos'.ofltce'play oD a i>rln£ed 



Webb, Marilyn Miller 
Hassard Short's Leads 

Clifton 'Webb and Marilyn Miller 
sail shortly for London to star in 
Hassard Short's composite revue 
combining the best features from 
'Three's a Crowd,' 'Bandwagofi' and 
'Face the Music' All were Short- 
staged although the first two were 
Max Gordon productions and the 
last a Sam Harris show. 

Short is still in London awltlng 
Webb and Miss Miller. 



Rehearisals AljRiost R^adv 
On New Romberg Operetta 



. : , - r^aris, Feb. 6. 

The new Slgmund Romberg oper- 
etta, :'RoseB of France,' .which will 
have: its., world , pr^mler^ ■ here at 
Lehn^ann's: Chatelet, : under-: Leh- 
mann entrepreneurship, 1? slated for 
rehearsals next month, or by April, 
at tb& latest; 

Success 6t "Nina R<>sa,' which has 
run ;a to .dat^ at ^e. Chatelet, 
has bfeeh setting back the lie^ 6om- ; 
b^rg musical ..^hlch the' -ShubertS: 
hayq. for. America,. A,cc6rdlugly; the 
Shifbeiits' -.iocal rep, Irylng Marks, is 
sitting in on >^ ihe <>new show's pro- 
duction preliminaries. ' 



German Vaude Holds . 
Due to Price Changes 

Berlin, Jan. 26. 
The. International Variety, Circus 
and TheatrQ. managers' convention 
topijc place her.6 liast vreek. The as- 
sociation .had been, established 25 
sye^^rs ago. 

: It was stated that variety- thea- 
tres had ovecome the crisis much 
better than theatres and opera 
houses. Due mainly to open- 
minded price politics. Profits ;have 
decreased consld6r|tbly, . in. sphlia' 
cases even as irvuch ' as 40-50%.' 
Performances had been held on tlie 
same high level as before. 

Taxation questions were dlSr 
cugsecl. At present, up to 40% of 
the 'profits ate taxed away. En- 
deavors ' ^re 'continued to coine to. 
an .agreement ■with .tW authorities 
to reduce amusemerit tax. 



book, at least in modem times, 
There have been .moderate successes 
,b.ut they haye been, the exception 
rather than tiie rule, one being his 
own stage version of FltzGerald's 
book, 'The Great Gadsby,'. some 
years ago. . 

Snap Judgment Changes 
-: The Davis idea is that no intra- 
theatre critic should suggest definite 
changes of script. :It is well enough 
for him to say that here or there 
the treatment is weak, or wrong or 
inept, leaving the solution of the 
difficulty to the writer himself, who, 
by the very nature of the case is 
probably Immersed in the Job and 
due to Instinct, Judgment or in- 
genuity more. likely to hit upon the 
proper answer than a person who 
has seen the script for the first 
time. Suclv a reader's reaction is 
quite likely to be right, Davis 
thinks, in so far as 4t Indicates 
something wrong with the treat- 
mentL but his superficial Judgment 
as to how the trouble should be 
cured Is more likely to be wrong 
tlian would be the Judgment of the 
writer who by reason of his pre- 
vious work on it is probably in har- 
mony with the whole bu.siness of 
making an effective narrative. 

Discusaloh of this angle brought 
to the playwright's mind what he 
considers the vital defect In the 
Hollywood system, the absence of 
single authority and single respon- 
sibility in the studio story depart- 
ment. He feels that a newspaper 
lias to have an editor and a maga- 
zine has to have an editor whose 
sense oC values governs everything 
that goes into the publication. He 
Is the individual whose per.^ionallty 
molds the character of the final 
product that reaches the public. 

Hollywood has assembled prob- 
ably the best editorial brains In the 
country, Davis believes. It h&B It 
on the ground, available at Instant 
call, but because of the picture 
making^ technique that has grown 
up, most of this literary talent, that 
ought to be capitalized in fine ar- 
tistic output, lis hog-tled and made 
Ineffective, he asserts. 



A Better iGamble 



London, Jan. 28. 
Tonl O'Brien, wealthy man 
about town, who has backed 
several "West End shows and 
has lost $200,000 . in these ven- 
tures, is through wltii backing: 
shows. 

Has now taken to backing 
horses, and says he gets a bet- 
ter run for his money in his 
latest racket. 






London Show World 



London, Jan. 28. ' 
It looks as it a deal wlll'^be inade 
between the owners of the i>roperty, 
the Leicester Square Estates, Ltd., 
and United Artists for the latter 
to show, their pictures at that house. 
During the week, the lawyers were 
looking for . Jack Buchanan, the 
original lessee, to obtain his signa- 
ture. 

United Artists were willing to 
tak« over the house last year, rent 
on a percentage basis.. 




' y. . Ik>h.don^ Jan. 28.- 
GaumoQti-Brltish. is still- bent on 
acquisition of the StoU circuit, de- 
splt6 'previous denials both ways.: 
Difficulty is the purchilsef^ of the 
lOO.ObO founder's shatcis' Iteld by Sir 
bsivafd ' Stoll and ' 9,. few ' of his 
frieiids, ' . ' '■' '_ 

Tliede arei one pound sharesi! biit' 
worth a lot more in actual cash be- 
cause a necessary first step in the 
ohdin pilrchase,', no. controlling in- 
terest -'being: possibly -without them. 
- It^s b<^bmirig obVlous - ^ere- that 
G-B is getting ready a stock issue 
of some- sort, with' the public let in. 
Claimed the amount %6 be asked 
ifor will' be abbut $3f,000,6o0. 



BEER, MARTIN GIVE UP 
iminEAMHELM 



^rlln, .Jan.. 26!. 
The management of the Deutsches 
theatre, Berlin (Dr. Beer and Karl- 
helnz Martin),' have' resigned.' Beer 
came from 'Vienna. Karlhelnz Mar- 
tin. Is one of tbe we]Ul->chown Ber- 
Jin . stage directors. .Tjiey could not 
make the . theatre a iinancial success.: 
The total loss ot their- regime as 
manners amounts to $80,000. Tl^ey 
started to run the theatre In Sep- 
tember. The loss is borne by the 
Austrian ctfffee merchant, Julius 
Jtfeiifj^'. who. financed the Deutsche 
theatre under tiie Beer- Martin 
bannet'. 

Negotiations between Dr. Karl 
Ludwi^ Achaz-Dulsberg and Heln- 
rlch Nett on one side, and Max 
Relnhardt on' the oth^r have re- 
^ultcl.ln a new agreement. Gehelm- 
ra^ ' Dulsberg; Acbaz - Dulsberg's 
fctther ' and former president' of the 
I. Q. "Farben boncerri, ib to finance 
the present management^- 

"The position of the Ihtendant, or 
general manager of the Prussian 
State theatres in Berlin, is still va- 
cant.' Juergen Fehllng, stage director 
of the Berlin State' theatre, is ex- 
pected to be nominated. 



Australia 

By Eric Gorrick 



Sydney, Jan. 14. 

Brilliant weather over Yuletlde 
kept matinees away down, but illght 
trade was good. 

Legit is very strong just now with 
'Gondoliers,' 'Blue Roses,' 'Autumn 
Crocus,' and two pantomimes. 

In the picture field M^ve Me To- 
night' may be classed as a smash 
hit. 'Looking On the Bright Side' is 
building strongly an^ good tor sev- 
eral weeks. 'Smllin' "Thru* has 
proved a winner, and still good for 
weeks. 



Tighten Alien Pro Tax 
On Income in Germany 

Berlin, Jan. 26. 

New regulations have been Issued 
with regard to taxation of foreign 
writers, actors, painters, etc. In 
future all income in Germany de- 
rived from activities as artists is 
being taxed. 

All those who pay salaries to ar- 
tists have to deduct 10% of these 
salaries as tax. The only exception 
is where sums due are not paid di- 
rectly to the artists, but to associa- 
tions, such as association for mu- 
sical rights, etc. In such cases the 
organizations have to deduct the 
taxes. 



Mauled By Big Cat 

Mexico City, Feb. 3. 

Manuel Garcia, Mexican animal 
trainer, suffered a broken collar 
bone and a ripped left arm when 
he was attacked by a lioness during 
a show ot the Fernandl Circus here. 

Garcia Is In a local hospltaL 



Gibbons' Rainy Day Fund 

Sir "Walter Gibbons, although go- 
ing through the bankruptcy courts, 
is not entirely broke:' He has in- 
vestments . to the tune ot around' 
£^0Q,000, which yield him around 
£75 per w^ek. • . .' 

Thes(9 ' ' 'Investmcints ' :cahnot '' be 
touched liy ahyone, not even. Sir 
"Walter hlmtfelt • • ■ • 



VauddviHe Noh-Stop Ends : \ 

The Vaudeville theatre, in tlie 
Strand, is .the l&tesjt to told its .con- 
tinuous 'yariety policy; Thl^. has 
'proved a, surprise to many. 

Qeoltrey. Hope and 'Vivian 'Palmer, . 
who stilt haV-^ a lease oti Lthe thi^a-' 
tre for another eight' months, iatfe, 
jointly wiih' Martin " Sabln^e, prd-' 
ducirtg a farce thers titled 'Hialf a 
iSllllion;' wiiich has beep tourltiig ^tte 
p'roythcep, yrtth "leads , played tiy. 
M6rcia - iS'winburne, Marlei 'Xult .and 
W. H.' Berry. Show is schbduldd 
for Feb. 7. ' ' ^ ' 



CqiiAeum' Features' - 

Among the .i'dfsaa to be iiitro'duceidi 
by ^ir. OSyifald; StoU. wheii the Lon-- 
don 'Coliseum Veverfs. to yaud^'vijlb, 
Feb. 4> la a. male singing: 'choir of 
24, In' tWo boxes' dn each .sld0''bf We 
stagei. This Is a revival 6t what 
wai doii^ at the Coliseum iti '190^, 
'when the 'house was operating fouI^- 
'a-'day''- ..' ■ ' '" j- 

Ahother idea Is the engagement of. 
Jack Haskell to produce : dance 
presentations. ' Altogether, It is 
Stoll's idea to rely as much oh 
dance spectacles as on 'vaudeville). 

Exit Glave's Store 

Henry Gl&ve's store, established 
for many years, which jqst 'folded, 
used to run . dance tea cabar^ets to 
attrjict buBl.riess. The last a?t, 
thiere before folding was Smeddles 
brothers, a Fr.ank Condos'^ preaenta- 
lloh act, "who were told the firm is 
broke and they cannot flnisK the 
week, bufthfey werie given two days' 
pay.. ;■ ■ ' _ ';_ .' ' : ' 

Josie ColllnB CalUd . ^ 

Invariably, whenever there - Is, 
trouble between a management and 
an artist it is. always given, out is 
'the artist Is not appearing due to 
indisposition.' But Phil Hyams, who 
owns the Trocadero, London's blf-! 
gest picture house, pulled a nifty. 
Josie Gblllns refused to api>ear there, 
due to her billing being second toi- 
Hutch (Leslie Hutchinson), the. 
popular Colored entertainer. 

Hyams, told ,Josie he has been run- 
ning theatres long enough to know 
what Is what, and if she does not 
like her billing she knows what to 
do, but he Intends to tell the audi- 
ence why she walked. Josle dared 
him to do It^ and he did. . 

Hyamsi popular with his cus- 
tomers, was given a reception on his 
announcement, and left Josie Col- 
lins making explanations to the 
press as to why and where. 



5-Year Contracts 

Jeffrey Bernard and William Gell 
have been given further five-year 
contracts with Gaumont-Brltish at 
a salary of $25,000 per annum. 

Bornerd Is one of the directors 
of General Theatres. Gell is man- 
aging director of Gaumont P^ilms, 
renting concernj also a G.B. subsidi- 
ary. 



Sun Ray for Cast 

The Drury Lane show 'Wild 
Violets' has suffered less from the 
flu epidemic prevailing here at the 
moment than any other production 
through the inauguration of sun- 
ray treatments for the entire cast. 
A rather elaborate equipment has 
been Installed in the theatre. 



Pallister Leaves Empires 

Nicholson Pallister, business man- 
ager for Moss Empires for the last 
23 years, Is the latest to resign. 
Pallister asserts :>e was promised a 
year's salary upon resignation which 
dwindled down to a month's pay. 



Promising Comic 

Jumping in at a moment's notice, 
Tony Simpson, a youth of 20, took 
Luplno Lane's place in J. L. Sachs' 
musical, 'The One Girl.' at Golder's 
Green, and proved full of promise. 

At present his salary is not more 
than about £10 per week. 



Ex-Actor Fights Mogul 

The mysrery man behind the 
promotion of the big Olympla Cir- 
cus fight for Britain's heavyweight 
championship between Jack Peter- 
son and Jack Pettifer Is Jefforsbn 
Arthur. 

This Jefferson Arthur (his name 
is Charles Jefferson Peek) was a 
performer 20 years ago, .touring 



with a .muslc«il trio under the nama 
ot Jeftetrson Arthur Trio, and was 
sponsored by the late Queen Alex- 
andra. He is reputed to have mado 
some money in show business, but 
most of his fortune came from ju- 
dicious investments. Now he looks 
like becoming a real opposition to 
Jeft Dickson 'as a' boxing promoter. 

Norvs 9,t Pavilion 

London -Pavilion- bill, week Jan. 
23, mostly returns and holdovers. 
Only newcomers were Mary Hay 
and Charles Sabln, and Fannie Cot- 
ton. 

• The Sabln of the Hay-Sabln 
team played here some four years 
ago as Charles. Sabln and Edwina 
St. Clair, ballroom • dancers, who 
made quite - a ^hiti in- a number of 
London cabarets.'! St'.. lClalr retired 
on her marriage- to Leo d'Langer, 
wealthy -Knglishmani; Hay-Sabin's 
entire act has tiOthlhg worth, while 
and barely made the grade. Frances 
<Maddux,i American • entertainer, well 
known here, filled -in at the piano, 
out of friendship to; Miss Hay. 

Fannie Cotton Is described as 
New York's latest discovery.' She 
comes from some Montemarte 'Joint. 
Girl has practically no ability -at 
all, and what she does could be e\. 
■ecuted by any of 'Blackbirds' chorus. 
-However, she has plenty of nerve. 
■ Mrs'. Hy.ltbri's!.Band 



. .. Newcomers, a-t the London Palja- 
dluni. week .of Jan, 23^ were Mrs. Jack 
Hylton ..with Ber JSoys- The Mrs. 
.■Hyltbn Band, sponsof.ed by her hus- 
band, is a" wortcinah-llke ag^ega- 
.tion. It played Blrjtningham last 
week to good returns,, and. was due 
for, Leeds this week, but brouglit 
here.duei to shortage of novelties. 
''•■Mrs. Hyltop, fornqieriy prof-ession- 
AUy -Snnis Parhies. before ,marrylng 
.English maes.tro,. . has previously 
pwn.ed a stage band under the name 
,bf .the Metrognpmes. This is her 
second venture.^ 

The Hylton name should pull 
them in anywhere, and when they 
come in they will get fair entertain- 
ment, value. 



, . Duprez Buying Plays 

Fred Duprez. sailed 'for New York 
-on the 'American ^Banker,' :golng to 
negotiate for: a farce titled 'The Best 
of Families,' which he intends tour- 
ing In England. His last two Ameri- 
can farces, 'My Wife's Family' and 
'Xend Me Your .^yife>^ have yielded 
him a small forti^ne^ : 

MacDona|d-Marshait Film 

-At a film luncheon given fOr the 
purpose of releasing- the news that 
Erltlsh - & - Dominions had slg'ned 
Jeanni^tte MacDohald and Herbert 
Marshall for a' picture to be made 
here and released through United 
Artists, Miss MacDonald called up- 
on for a speech, declined to hand 
out- the usual bunk, saying she was 
not making any bid .for- patriotism, 
but the reason she accepted the con- 
tract was because she liked the 
Btoi-y. 

Marshall will make one picture 
for British & Dominions, then return 
to Hollywood next summer for fur- 
ther pictures, and on his return to 
England will Immediately commence 
another picture for B. & D. 



Recalling David Burns 

' Despite the genersll praise for the 
performance of David Burns as the 
ten percenter in 'Diniier at Eight,' 
no one remembers he played hero 
before some years ago, when Wal- 
ter Wanger produced 'Polly Pre- 
ferred' with Justine Johnstone at 
the Royalty. 



Julian Rose, Films 
Negotiations are on for Julian 
Rose to be starred In a filmization 
of 'Levinsky's Wedding' and also 
'The Little Brother.' The pictures 
would be made by British Interna- 
tional at Elstree next month. 



Moffats Revive 'Bunty' 

. Mr. and Mrs. Graham Moffat re- 
vived 'Bunty' at the Saville Jan. 19. 
The premiere was attended by a 
very smart audience, who seemed 
to enjoy It as much as the previous 
generation. 

The piece Is old-fashioned only 
in the retaining of soliloquies, wliich 
really aren't necessary. The Moffats 
with their daughter Winifred, seem- 
ed to have kept pace with the mod- 
ern school of acting. 

'Bunty' was produced for a trial 
matinee at the Playhous 22 years 
ago. In order to get an audience, 
they had to give the tickets away. 
Nothing happened, so they gave 
another performance for charity, 
under royal patronage. "This resulted 
in the Haymarket booking, wliich 
was a long and profitable one. 



AIPAR FOR PARIS 

Berlin, Jan. 27. 

Gilta Alpar, operetta star and op- 
era singer, has been .signed for the 
Paris Grand Opera. She will sine 
'Travlata' and 'Rigoletto in June. 

Later she is to star in 'Jladama 
Dubarry' in Parl.s. This was her 
•great success- in Berlin, of . last year. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



LEGITIMATE 



VARIETY 51 



B'way Grosses Dip After Jan. Climb, 
But Design/ Leaden Tops 




February did not start so well for 
Broadway legits. January was a 
ijullder-upper, but last week there 
was an easing off for no known rea- 
Bon, Some shows are getting by at 
Incredible grosses, proving how op- 
erating expenses has been pared. 

There Is a great gulf between 
^uch attractions and the leaders, 
while the newest smash, 'Design 
for lilvlng* is drawing fabulous 
money. First full week topped $29,- 
000 and that Is quite above anything 
in town, Including all music-Is. 
•Dinner at Eight,' the former dra- 
matic leader, holds to virtual ca- 
pacity at $22,000. Nearest to those 
shows in the non -musical group are 
•Twentieth Century,' $14,600, and 
•Biography,' $14,000. Among others 
which are profitable 'Late Christo- 
pher Bean' improved to $11,000 and 
•Goodbye Again' climbed to $9,000. 

The new shows failed to un^ovr" 
.success possibilities. 'Evensong* at 
the Selwyn drew about $S;000 in 
seven performances, much under ex- 
pectations; 'Bad Manners' was 
taken off at the Playhouse aftei one 
week; first week of 'Alice in Won- 
derland' uptown (New Amsterdam) 
was claimed satisfactory at $11,400; 
■Face the Music,' brought Into the 
44th Street for a repeat, got around 
$11,000, mild for a major revue. 

Two musicals are slated to come 
In at $8.30 top, 'Melody,' due at the 
Casino next week, and 'Strike Me 
Pink.' now in rehearsal. L^st week 
Take a Chance' retained musical 
leadership, but was slightly off at 
$26,000; 'Music In the Air' and 'Par- 
don My English' rated around $20,- 
000; 'Gay Divorce' at $14,000 okay, 
but 'Walk a Little Faster' Is due 
out soon. Additional withdrawals 
last week were 'The Dubarry' at the 
Cohan, which now has the Italian 
Marionettes and 'Marathon,' which 
stopped suddenly at the Mansfield 
' Also due next week: 'Conquest' 
at the Plymouth and 'The Sophisti- 
cates,' BlJou. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Alice in Wonderland,' New Am- 
sterdam (2d week) (C-l,702-$2.20) 
Had rather good first week on 
Broadway; quoted at $11,400; plenty 
for show and probably house end 
cQso. 

' 'Autumn Crocus,' Morosco (13th 
week) (CD-893-$3.30). Slid off last 
week; deal with eut rates guaran- 
tees a profit; bit over $6,000. 

'Another Language,' Booth (42d 
week) (C-708-$1.6e). Longest run 
show on list; date announced as in- 
definite; was slated to close; esti- 
mated well over $6,000 and enough, 

'Bad 'M'annera/ Playhouse. With- 
drawn Saturday after playing one 
week. 

'Before Morning,' Ritz (1st week) 
(D-946-$3.30). Presented Indepen- 
dently (Albert Bannister and J. 
Francis Norman); written by Edna 
and William O. Relly; opens Thurs- 
day (9). 

'Biography,' Guild (9th week) (C 
914-$3.30). Announced to move to 
Avon; among best money getters 
with the gross last week around 
$14,000. 

'Criminal at Large,' 48th St. (18th 
week) (D-893-$3.30). Leaving after 
another two weeks; has been aver- 
aging around $6,000 and making 
some money. 

'Dangerous Corner,' Fulton (16th 
week) (D-913-$3.30). Under $4,000, 
but hooked up to make money; in 
other seasons house required a stop 
limit double that gross. 

'Design for Living,' Barrymore 
(3d week) (CD-l,090-$4.40). Big 
gest gross on Broadway to name 
comedy; first full week estimated 
well over $29,000 mark. 

'Dinner at Eight,' Music Box (16th 
week) (C-l,000-$3.85). Little dif- 
ference in takings of smash drama 
last week at $22,000 Indicates great 
draw. 

'Evensong,' Selwyn (2d week) 
(D-l,067-$3.30). Notices fairly fav 
orable in most cases, but generally 
mixed; first week could have been 
much better; $8,000. 

'Flying Colors,' Imperial (21st 
week) (R-l,44C-$2.20). One of group 
now operating under cut rate guar- 
antee; with operating nut down 
$13,000 gross okay. 

'Four O'clock,' Elliott (1st week) 
(D-924-$3.30), Presented indepen- 
dently; written by Nan O'Reilly and 
Rupert Darrell; opens tonight. 

'Gay Divorce,' Shubert (11th 
week) (M-l,395-$3.30). Held up 
better than some other musicals 
last week and around $14,000 In 
dlcates profit both ways. 

'Goodbye Again,' Masque (7th 
week) (C-700-$3.30). Good pub 
llclty break credited for business 
betterment last week to about $9, 
000; best mark to date. 

'Honeymoon,' Vanderbllt (8th 
week) (C-771-$2.20). Some show 
operating at smallest money In 
generation; this one approaches 
$3,000 and gets by. 

'Late Christopher Bean,' Miller 
(15th week) (C-9-lG-$3.30). After 
noon strength features business 
with three matinee grosses last 
week approaching $11,000. 

'Marathon/ Mansfield. Withdrawn 



Tuesday (31) last week; played 
four days. 

'Music in the Air,' Alvln (14th 
week) (C.l,397-$3.30). Revised 
ticket prices made for increased at- 
tendance if not higher gross; 
pointed to $20,000 last week. 

'One Sunday Afternoon,' Little 
(1st week) (D-530-$3.30). Presented 
independently (Peters & Spiller); 
written by James Hagan; opening 
date to be announced. 

'Pardon My English,' Majestic 
(4th week) (M-l,700-$3.30). New 
musical eased off slightly, but got 
around $20,000 last week; about 
i>2,000 better previous week. 

'Pigeons and People,' Lyceum (4th 
week) (C-957-$2.20). Doing fair at 
modest money estimated around 
se.OOO; seventh performance; no 
mid-week matinee. 

Take a Chance,' Apollo (11th 
week) (M.l,270-$4.40). Best money 
for musicals; somewhat off early 
last week, but closed well and got 
about $26,000. 

'The Dubarry,' Cohan. Withdrawn 
last Saturday; played 11 weeks to 
moderate money; closed in the red. 

'Twentieth Century,' Proadhurst 
(7th week) (C-l,118-$3.30). Plenty 
of word of mouth plugging keeps 
laugh show up in the money; about 
$14,600. 

'Walk a Little Faster,' St. James 
(10th week) (R-l,e20-$2.76). Some 
what down from much improved 
pace, but at $14,000 last week there 
was indicated profit 

'We, the People,' Empire (3rd 
week) (CD-l,099-$3.30). Author- 
manager Intent on carrying propa 
ganda piece along; plenty of pub 
llcity from drama commentators, 
but business around $6,000, not 
enough. 

'When Ladies Meet,' Royale (19th 
week) (C-l,118-$2.20). Still making 
good profit; last week estimated at 
$11,600; lower scale helped show as 
it did others. 

Other Attractions 
'Face the Music,' 44th Street; re- 
peat got about $11,000 last week. 

'One Wife Or Another,' Province- 
town; opened Monday; listed for 
one week. 

'The Monster,' Waldorf; revival 
opens Thursday (9). 

Italian Marionettes (Piccoll) 
moved from Lyric to Cohan. 

Shakespeare Theatre (Jolson's) ; 
Shakespearean revivals. 

'As Husband's Go,' Forrest; re- 
vival. 

'The Show- Off,' Hudson; revival. 
'Oliver Twist' j due at Ritz; never 
opened. 



$4.40 LIMITS mODY' 
TO PnTSBURGH $20,000 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 6. 
Disappointing business of George 
White's new 'Melody' at Nixon last 
week attributed chiefly to stiff top, 
$4.40. Operetta managed to pick up 
around $20,000, not any too good and 
'way below expectations. 

It's said White insisted upon a 
$4.40 tariff, despite the fact that 
show is to play at $3.30 in New 
York, and when he decided to back 
down, It was too late. Management 
for a time figured lowering the 
tariff to $3.30 after sale had opened! 
but it was felt that might react 
against both the house and the at- 
traction. 

Nixon back to ^oad-show films 
this week, with 'Cavalcade' in for a 
minimum of twa weeks and pros- 
pects of a third. Picture is playing 
to $1 top and 76 cents in the after- 
noons, decision to lower tariff result 
of poor showing recently of 'Sign of 
the cross' at $1.66. 

Only legit attractions definitely 
announced are 'Of Thee I Sing,' 
'Counsellor-at-Law' and 'Another 
Language.' American Theatre So- 
ciety Qtill has three more plays to 
give its subscribers, but nothing in 
view yet. 



L A. SOLO GETS 
AN EASY $6,000 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
'Bridal Wise,' lone legit attrac 
tion in town, got a neat $6,000 at 
the El Capitan last week. Lack of 
opposition, plus the name draw of 
Tom and Matt Moore and Lois Wil 
son, attracted the locals. 

House has also been going after 
theatre party trade, averaging three 
weekly. 

'Another Language,' road com- 
pany. Is due here Feb. 13. for two 
weeks at the Belajsco. Piece has 
been having a tough time in the 
coa49t territory^ 



Current Road Shows 



For Week of Feb. 6. 
'Abbey Irish Players,' Royal Alex- 
andra, Toronto. 

'Blouom Time,' Grand Opera 
House, Chicago. 

'Broadway Rhapsody,' Feb. 6-7, 
Lynchburg, Va.; 8, Charlottsville; 
9, Danville; 10-11, Martlnvllle. 

'Counsellor at Law,' Chestnut St., 
Philadelphia. 

Cantor and Jessel, Feb. 6, Roa- 
noke, Va.; 7, Raleigh, N. Car.; 8, 
Atlanta; 9, Macon; 10, Jacksonville. 

'Caponsacchi' and 'Hamlet' (Wal- 
ter Hampden), Shubert, Newark. 
'Cavalcade,' Majestic, Boston. 
'Cavalcade,' Erlanger, Buffalo. 
'Cavalcade,' Nixon, Pittsburgh. 
'Dixie en Parade,' Garrlck, Chi- 
cago. 

'Forsaking All Others,' National, 
Washington. 

'Melody,' Majestic, Brooklyn. 

'Of Thee I Sing,' Feb. 6, Ryman 
Auditorium, Nashville; 7-8, Audi- 
torium, Memphis; 9, High School 
Auditorium, Little Rock; 10, Con- 
vention Hall, Tulsa; 11-12, Shrine 
Auditorium, Oklahoma City. 

'Of Thee I Sing,' Forrest, Phila- 
delphia. 

'Rhapsody in Black,' Feb. 6-7-8, 
Court Square, Springfield, Mass.; 
9-10-11, Capitol, Albany, N. T. 

'Rasputin' (film), Grand Opera 
House. Cincinnati. 

'Springtime for Henry,' Boulevard, 
Jackson Heights. 

'The Cat and the Fiddle,' Apollo, 
Chicago. 

'The Green Pastures,' Ford, Balti 
more. 

'The Queen's Husband,' Feb. 6-7, 
Empire, Edmonton, Alta.; 8-9. Hub, 
Saskatoon, Sask.; 10-11 Dark, Re 
gina, Sask. 

'Vanities,' Feb. 6-7-8, English, 
Indianapolis; 9, Hippodrome, Terre 
Haute; 10, Mizpah Temple, Fort 
Wayne. 

'Whistlirtg in the Dark,' Wilbur, 
Boston. 

Coast Routes 

'Grounds for Divorce,' Alcazar, 
San Francisco. 

'Another Language,' Geary, San 
Francisco. 

'Tattle Tales,' Curran, San Fran- 
clsco> 

'Louder Please' (Road Co.), Com 
miinlty Pl.iyhouse, Pa.sadena. 

'Bridal Wise,' El Capitan, Holly 
wood. 




'Counsellor' Tops My, $13,1 
Wee-Leventhal Revival to Try $2 



Tanuly Upstairs' Nice 
Profit-Maker at Cort 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 
Irish Abbey Players stai't Feb. 26 
at the Harris and that seems to be 
the sum total of future bookings. 
Nothing reported on that possibility 
of the Frank Fay revue, 'Tittle 
Tattle* coming in from San Fran- 
cisco. It's not considered likely 
hereabouts. 

As things are working out 'Cat 
and the Fiddle' is getting the 
breaks.' With practically no opposi- 
tion and shrewdly pared down to 
$2.20, the show is almost the only 
answer tc 'where'll we go?' when 
asked by legit-hungry fans. Mean- 
while. 'Family Upstairs' has the cut 
rate thing working nicely and is 
taking handsome profits consider- 
ing the nature of the piece. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Blossom Time' Grand (0-1,207; 
$2.20) (2nd week). Fortnight en- 
gagement. Around $8,600 last week. 

'Cat and Fiddle' Apollo (M-1,600; 
$2.20^ (7th week). Had S.R.O. out 
over weekend. Doing excellent 
trade since cheap scale established. 
Around $17,600 means profit and 
longevity. 

'Dixie on Parade' Garrlck (R-1,- 
276; $2.20) (2nd week). Around $'7,- 
000 figured. Profitable to both ends 
on cheaply operated negro revue 
put together to pick up loose change 
around during present show scar- 
city. Got fair notices on its pep 
and speed. 

'Family Upstairs' Cort (C-1,100; 
$2.20) (7th week). Expects to stay 
through Lent and still climbing. Re 
ported bettering $4,000. Not over 
$2,000 to operate. 

'Song of the Flame* Civic (0-3,- 
800; $1.66) (2nd week). Still not 
clear of threatening clouds. Maybe 
$6,600 last week. Third production 
'Desert Song* opens Monday. (6) 
with Sunday performances here- 
after eliminated. 



Inside Stnff— Legit 



With the news breaking about the $360,000-$400,000 which the Metro- 
politan Opera has incurred this season, a sudden drop in benefactors' 
interest in fostering America's ace opera organization was evidenced by 
a remark ascribed to Charles E. Mitchell, president of the National City 
Bank. It was at a dinner at Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt's when Charles 
Hayden of the Hayden- Stone bankers, told the assemblage, whose names 
principally decorate the famous golden horseshoe of the Met's partierre 
boxes that such-and-such was the case. When Mrs. Vanderbllt ex- 
claimed that did Financier Hayden mean to say the Met, which her 
grandfather was so prominent in sponsoring, would be no more, she 
turned to Banker Mitchell and is reported to have asked, "What would 
you give to see the Metropolitan?', Mitchell is said to have replied, 'I'd 
give exactly $4'. 

A movement is now on to make the Met a popular proposition with 
less expensive Investiture. A $300,000 fund, necessary to underwrite it, is 
being worked upon by the Ziegler-Lewls faction of the Met. Louis Eck- 
stein, the Chicago patron of the arts, whose generosity makes possible 
Ravlna Park, 111., Is among those being interested. 

Gullio Gatti-Casazza, chief factotum of the Met for the past 26 years, 
discouraged Mme. Lucrezia Borl from essaying a testimonial program. 
It's reported Gatti is through as the Met's director general. 

Claimed the Met will not move Into Rockefeller Center with reasons 
therefor vague but positive on the John D. family's objection to an 
operatic venture. 



Philadelphia, Feb. 6. 
Legit business last week was fea- 
tured by 'Counsellor at Law,' which 
opened a three -week engagement at 
the Chestnut Street Opera House. 

Thi^ Paul Muni show clicked from 
the start and with a $2 top grossed 
close to $13,000 on the week. The 
show ought to do three corking 
weeks. 

Shan-Kar, the Hindu dancer, 
booked by Hurok, got plenty of edi- 
torial mention but was pretty much 
swamped by the assignment of 
playing five days (five evenings and 
two matinees). Hard to see how 
the engagement climbed out of the 
red, but management claimed to do 
so. 

'The Green Pastures,' after spurt 
that accompanied announcement of 
final two weeks, slumped a,gain but 
upstairs trade and attendance a,t 
matinees continue'd very strong at 
Forrest 

'Springtime for Henry,' moved 
over to the Broad after two good 
weeks at the Garrlck, got a fair 
$4,000, which probably let the show 
out and Justified the switch. 

Wee & Leventhal have rented the 
Broad for a period of weeks, under- 
stood to bo four with an option on 
two more. First show is 'Whistling 
in the Dark,' with Bernard Gran- 
ville, and 'The Good Fairy* or 
'That's Gratitude' are mentioned 
next. A $2 top will prevail with 
plenty of $1 seats. Fact that many 
big shows with original casts have 
been using a $2 top here lately may 
huit chances of this popular-price 
scheme. 

Week's other opening Is 'Of Thee 
I Sing,' which has an impressive ad- 
vance and should get at least three 
big weeks at the Forrest. A fourth 
is possibtc, the management having 
refrained from setting a limit. Big 
musical is in a soft spot inasmuch 
as town has been without that kind 
of entertainment for weeks. 

Next week finds 'Shuffle Along* at 
the Giarrick at a $2 top, with 'An- 
othier Language' reported for the 
27th, house unmentloned. Although 
originally booked at Chestnut, many 
figure it will come now to the For- 
rest Instead. 

American Theatre Society finally 
has a booking; it is 'A Trip to 
Preesburg,' scheduled March 6 at 
the Chestnut. Inasmuch as show 
Isn't even cast yet, there are scep- 
tics. 'Autumn' Crocus' is also again 
reported, though with no date set. 
Period of two weeks starting Feb. 
20 has no Chestnut bookings. 

Estimates for Last Week 
'Counsello.---at-Law' (Chestnut, 1st 
week). Paul Muni did swell busi- 
ness. $13,000 at a $2 top. Three 
weeks for it in all. 

'Green Paatures' (Forrest, 6th and 
last week). Off to $8,600, but en- 
gagement on the whole was fine. 
'Of Thee I Sing* this week. 

'Springtime for Henry' (Broad, 
last week). Moved here after two 
good weeks at the Garrlck. Off to 
$4,000. but claimed margin of profit. 

Shan-Kar (Garrlck, one week 
only). Hindu dancer opened Tues- 
day, playing seven performances in 
all. Highly praised but hard to see 
how any profit was made. 



A disc record played at the finale of 'Evensong' at the Selwyn, New 
York, is a highlight of the performance. It is supposed to be the record- 
ing of Irela, the play's heroine, great operatic singer, at her best. The 
record is amplified back stage. Because of the equipment an additional 
electrician was ordered by the stage hands union. A road man was put 
on at $40 weekly. In England there was no such requirement. Cost 
of the amplifying apparatus is also $40 weekly. 

The thrilling voice on the record is-that at Hlna Sponl, tinknown over 
here. The number is from 'Manon Lescault' and is 'In Qlello Trine 
Morblde' ('Behind Soft Silken Curtains'). 

'Evensong* opened cold In New York but had two dress rehearsals. 
One was a smart benefit for the Maternity Center and the tickets were 
$25 top. 



There is no mid-week matinee of 'Pigeons and People', the George M. 
Cohan show current at the Lyceum, New York. That is because of the 
arduous task Cohan has set himself, that of being on the stage for the 
entire performance, save for less than five minutes. He exits but once, 
until near the finale. 

The actor-author-manager pulled a tendon during one performance 
recently and rested over the week-end, there being no shows that Satur 
day. The injury causes him to limp somewhat and some of his caper' 
Ings are out. Cohen tells the audience how he is supposed to frisk about 
during those points of the performance. 



John Golden and his general manager, Dixie French, motored to Florida 
last week. They asked Pat McNutt, press agent for Golden's 'When 
Ladles Meet' (at the Royale, New York) to wire the gross, message to 
reach them in Jacksonville. 

Pat's telegram merely read: "We have no time for Idlers*. 



A Chinese communist was detected distributing Red propaganda In 
the balcony during a performance of the radically minded 'We, The 
People', at the Empire, New York, last week. 

He was ejected, then tried to bribe the gallery doorman to permit him 
upstairs. He offered the ticket-taker 25c. 



Noel Coward didn't write 'Evergreen.* Piece was a Rodgers and Hart 
musical with book by Benn Levy. 



Fay-Stanwyck Frisco 
$17,000 Recoups Loss 



San Francisco, Feb. 6. 

Frisco legit patrons have taken 
to the gallery. Rather than part 
with $2.50 for downstairs, they're 
climbing steps for those shows they 
really want to see. 

Forcible attention Is drawn to 
this condition by 'Tattle Tales' at 
the Curran. Downstairs limit has 
been to 14th row with balcony 
getting heavy play. Looks like 
Frank Fay and Barbara Stanwyck 
will get back some of the dough 
they dropped In Los Angeles with 
$17,000 on first week of the Curran 
date. 

Lilyan Tashman completing her 
second week for Duffy at the Alca- 
zar gave four matinees last week 
and brought gross up to $6,000, same 
as first week. House temporarily 
dark. 

'Another Language' held for third 
week at Geary, second stanza 
getting $7,000. 'When Ladles Meet' 
opens Feb. 13. 

Columbia dark. 



Coast Gets 'Ladies' 

-San Francisco, Feb. 6. 

BelaBco & Curran have set 'When 
Ladie.s Meet' for next Monday night 
(13) at the Geary. 

Cast includes Kay Johnson. Tom 
Douglas, Catharine Doucet, with Ed: 
MacUregor directing. 



S2 



VARIETY 



LEGITIMATE 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



Plays Out of Town 



CANTOR-JESSEL 

Plttabureh, Feb. 4. 
The William Morris offlce prcsenta ISddle 
Cantor and Qeorge JesBel In a vaudeville 
te\-ue with Benny Meroff's band. Holland 
and Knight, Collette Ryan, Bobby Blxley, 
Gordon's Doge, and the Four Abbottlers. 
At the Syria Mosque here for one day, with 
$1.60 top at matinee and >2.IS0 at night. 

Eddie Cantor today Is a blgeer 
figure In the entertainment business 
than he has ever been. He can 
thank the air for that, and he knows 
It. 

It's not that Cantor's a better 
comedian now than he was in 1929. 
He Isn't. He was at the top then. 
He still l8. Yet back In the summer 
of 1930 he came to the Stanley at 
$9,000 a week and was no bargain. 
Today, with George Jessel in a 
glorified vaudeville revue, he played 
not to 60 cents but to $2.76 and 
«lrew around $7,000 into the Syria 
Mosque for two performances. The 
difference represents what radio hsis 
done for Eddie Cantor. 

This vaudeville revue of Cantor's 
•nd Jessel's is a great stunt, and 
It's cleaning up. They're on a three- 
week barnstorming tour, with Flor- 
ida their last stopping place, and 
first week out looses like a gross of 
between $45,000 and $60,000. That's 
business In 1933, or In any year foi" 
that matter. 

Cantor kids the audience about 
the lack of production, costumes, 
etc., saving he figured they'd prefer 
talent instead, and they ate it up^ 
It's a lark for both Eddie and 
Oeorgle, and they're on the stage all 
or most of the time In that strictly 
Informal manner that the customers 
go for. 

Their material Is pretty familiar, 
but that doesn't mattet. Perhaps 
they're the only two comedians go- 
ing today with whom material 
doesn't matter. They have the reps, 
they're Showmen and they're sales- 
aaen. That's more Important. In 
the big 3,800-seat Syria Mosque 
they were as Intimate as If they 
were on a cafe floor, and the audi- 
ence went for everything. 

Though it's all Jessel and Cantor, 
the boys have surrounded them- 
selves with some acts that stand up 
even against the stifiC competition. 
Benny Meroff's crackerjack stage 
band sold itself nicely In a next-to- 
closlng spot; HoUand and knight 
won ovations with a couple of skill- 
ful and gracefully executed ball- 
room routines; the Four Abbottlers, 
a quartet of stately girls, go through 
Intricate >Albertlna Basch gyrations 
nicely: Gordon's trick dogs permit 
Jessel to gather a few extra laughs; 
Bobby Blxley Is one of . those looser 
limbed legamanlacs. and CoUetta 
Ryan proves an expert foil for the 
chief comics. 

Most of the kidding between the 
two boys Is the sajne as they have 
been doing In the presentation 
houses around New York and it gets 
over. It's a two-and-a-half-hour 
duet, and it's good entertainment. 

This vaudeville revue Idea for 
Cantor and Jessel in the big audi- 
torium at legit prices sounded like 
a gamble at the outset, but so far It 
has surpassed the expectations of 
everybody concerned. A gross of 
$60,000 looks like a handsome profit 
at all ends. Cohen. 



DIXIE ON PARADE 

(COLORED) 

Chicago, Jan. 31. 
t,i>p Dixon presents revue staged by 
Percy Ven.iblp. Bud Harris starred. No 
credits on malerlal. At Oarrlck. Chicago, 
opening Jan. 29 at $2.20 top (with cut 
rates). 

Cast Includes Cook and Brown, Bert 
Howell, Florence Edmondson. VJvlan 
Brown, Jennie Dancer, Paul Harris. Harold 
Reed, Maud Russell Three Rhythm Boys, 
Harlem Harmony Hounds. 



Ray West-Ralph Kettering aus- 
pices probably rushed this Negro 
revue in with the thought and hope 
of getting a chunk of the coin 
around during automobile show 
week. And figuring at cut rates 
maybe it could stick around for a 
few weeks and a little profit. Other- 
wise the booking isn't compre- 
hensible for it does not measure up 
to loop standards. It's a tabloid in 
classification. 

Still another profit possibility is 
that after a short engagement at 



the Garrlck B&K might take it for 
a week. Show has plenty of speed 
.and when cut down to 60 minutes 
or so would be okay for picture 
houses, although needing one or 
two colored acts of dependable 
strength to buttress It At present 
the revue stars Bud Harris who 
presents the deplorable situation of 
a star who is weaker than his ob- 
scure assistants. That part of the 
program which reads: 'Bud Harris 
takes charge' might well be 
changed to: 'Bud Harris slows 
things down,' for that is exactly 
what he accomplished following a 
whirlwind get-away that worked up 
to a smash specialty by Cook and 
Brown. 

Ed Carry's orchestra works on 
the stage and the entertainment 
runs like a picture house presenta- 
tion. Percy Venable and many of 
the entertainers are from the Regal 
on the southside and were also 
identified with an experimental 
stage policy at the Imperial on 
West Madison street some months 
ago. Orchestra Is poor. Saxo- 
phones in particular don't seem to 
have rudimentary musicianship and 
whole orchestra goes to sleep In the 
middle of numbers. Specialties get 
across In spite of the orchestra, not 
from any aid they provide. 

Cook and Brown, who topped the 
proceedings, are a pair of yoiiitg 
colored lads with a unique torso- 
vibrating style of dancing that elec- 
trified that first-night audience. At 
that point the show, then being 15 
minutes old, had set a constantly 
mounting pace that thereafter tap- 
ered off. 

Material mostly ' published songs 
and standards with much 'Hold 
That Tiger,' etcetera. Vocally, and 
with a scene or two excepted on the 
comedy end, It's a poor show, but 
the terrific dancing (partly faked) 
t<empo gives It a vitality and anima- 
tion that squares a lot. Land. 

THE SECOND MAN 

Beverly Hills, Calif., Jan. 30. 
Omedy In thre« acts b7 S. N. Behrman, 
presented at the Hawthorne theatre by the 
tattle Theatre of Beverly Hllla- for Pro- 
fesslonalfl. Staged by Oliver HInadell. For 
tbree days only at $1.10 top. 

Clark Storey Edwin Styles 

Kendall Frayne Hedda Hopper 

Austin Lowe James Ellison 

Monica Grey Mary Carlisle 

A Walter Walter Gilbert 

This little theatre grroup did 
pretty well by the S. N. Behrman 
play, whlch,-however, failed to over- 
excite an audience composed of pa- 
trons and patronesses, and those 
who planked down their one -ten for 
the opening. 

Without an actor of the capabil- 
ities of Edwin Styles, In a part call- 
ing for smartness and wit, play it- 
self would have fallen flat In view 
of the fact that It Is built primarily 
on dialog, with the situations of 
minor Importance. 

The dialog runs a marathon with 
both Styles and Mary Carlisle, the 
latter, however, finding the part of 
a fickle, rattle -brained flapper ap- 
parently difficult When she Is not 
foiling for Styles, her work is un- 
convincing. 

Hedda Hopper has little more 
than a bit, but is excellent, her 
scenes with Styles being highlights 
of the play. As the love-sick scien- 
tist James Ellison misses fire. 

Play was well staged, but an un- 
fortunate selection. Behrman has 
taken a cai-efree author, who ad- 
mittedly would marry wealth In or- 
der to live the life of a dilettante, 
and a flapper, who believes that she 
would rather live in a one-room flat 
with Iwm than wed a rich young 
scientist, as his theme. 

It is apparent that Behrman de- 
voted most of his attention to the 
dialog of the author, and therein is 
the play's weakness. Presented in 
one set, a living room. 



HEW. 



NON-SMARTING 
TEARPROOF 

SMayhellim 

Here's what you've been 
wanting — for off stage' 
«nd on. A real eyelash 
darkener; one that goes 
on right the first time and 
that won't run, smear or 
smart with tears or per- 
spiration. Positively non-smartTngl The most 
popular mascara with the profession. Perfectly 
barmless. Tiy the NEW Maybelline. Black or 
Brown, 75c at any toilet goods counter. 

.EYELASH BEAUTIFIER 




TATTLE TALES 

San Francisco, Feb. 2. 

Barbara Stanwyck Jumped in the 
cast to save some of the dough she 
.sank In 'Tattle Tales' during its Los 
Angelps run. She and hubby, Frank 
Fay, as names generally do in this 
town, pulling good biz to the Cur- 
ran, with all indications pointing to 
Miss Stanwyck's regaining some of 
the Li. A. deficit. Demand is large- 
ly balcony, and there it's good, with 
plenty of downstairs seats avail- 
able. 

Miss Stanwyck, Alex Callum and 
Nitz Vernellle are new additions. 
Screen plavcr os two scenes, both 
from former Columbia films In 
which she starred. First 'Ladles of 
Leisure' isn't timed so well and 
went accordingly, but the pulpit 
scene from 'iMIracle Woman' landed 
with a bang. 

Fay works throughout the show, 
garnering laughs. Callum has a 
chain gang tune th.at Just misses 
being a knockout. Miss Verneille's 
contribution Is an exotic waltz with 
the Rocky twins. Janet Reade 
comes closest to being real sock of 
the show, with Don Cummings and 
Botty Grable grabbing laurels. 
Charles Kaley and 3 Blue Blazes 
okay, too. Eddie Ward batons pit 
ork. Bock 



Depression Gaieties 

(Continued from page 48) 
'Sweet Adeline,' who led the audi- 
ence in a gang song reprise of the 
number); Harry Von Tllzer (ditto 
with 'Walt Till the Sun Shines 
Nellie,' with Harry forced to read 
the lyrics,' not remembering 'em): 
and W. C. Handy with his national 
anthem, 'St. Liouls Blues.' 

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.'s contribu- 
tion was a clever panto Impresslbn 
of his father, Chevalier and Barry- 
more. He in turn Introduced 
Vicente Escudero, the current male 
Spanish dancing sensation from the 
concert field. ..... 

John Ersklne, with his 'Prof.' tlUe 
also aired, accompanied Grace 
Moore in two numbers. 

Phil Baker had Butterworth as 
his box plant, latter climbing Into 
the mezzanine stage box via a step- 
ladder from the stage. Baker wished 
he had Sid Slivers In the box with 
him and Butterwarth retorted he 
wished he had Al Jolson on the 
stage with him. Baker observed 
that Abe Lyman was to have ac- 
companied him, but since It's the 
new rule on the radio that the radio 
talent use the product they're spon- 
soring (the Boswell Sisters must 
smoke Chesterfields, Anios 'n* Andy 
use Pepsodent, etc.), Lyman has 
been using Phillips Milk of Mag- 
nesia thrice weekly, for as many 
broadcasts, and that's why the 
bandman couldn't be with us to- 
night! 

This led Into a hbke 'Bachelor's 
Reverie.' Hugh O'Cdnnell .as the 
dreaming bachelor recalled Mclntyre 
and Heath, whereupon Jack Haley 
and Ethel Merman hopped out; Da- 
vid Warfldld (BlU Robinson with his 
specialty that whammed 'em)., etc., 
and Beatrice LllUe-Bobby Clark, 
with one of their numbers out of 
'Walk a Little Faster,' personating 
some other venerable a. k.'s. Haley- 
Merman's 'You're an Old Smoothie' 
from Take a Chance' Was an In- 
dividual show-stopper. 

•The Little Tots' Hour' held Fred 
Astaire, Barbara Newberry and Carl 
Randalt and Vilma and Buddy Eb- 
sen, each doing their hotcha leg- 
mania when the hokum Teacher 
(Miss Llllle) leaves the room. But 
when Teacher reappeared all the 
tots slowed down to their waltzes 
again. This was another sample 
how a little thought to the manner 
of presentation— "^nd It was trivial 
enough — dressed up what might or- 
dinarily have been a succession of 
three topnotch sets of musical com- 
edy hoofers contributing conven- 
tional .specialties. 

Fannie Brlc© whammed 'em with 
her plea for the 'Popular Song' and 
what radio has done to It. It sounds 
like a BlUyrose semi-propaganda 
plea for tin pan alley, but Its enter- 
tainment value was never lacking. 
Under Brlclan treatment It was one 
of the socko highlights of the eve- 
ning. The comedienne, incidentally, 
with a few extra pounds and the 
new bobbed schnoz looks very In- 
genue, but none of the basic comedy 
appeal has been handicapped. 

•Design for Rehearsal,' with Lunt, 
Fontanne and Coward, might well 
have been a page out of their cur- 
rent dramatic smash's rehearsal 
travail. The backstage stuff — all 
done on a bare stage — with the con- 
stant Interruptions to cue, acclaim 
or self-deprecation of one another's 
llghts-and -shadings of interpreta- 
tions made for a novelty excuse to 
ring In the three name legits. 

Wlnnlnger, Haley, Philip Loeb 
and O'ConnoU's 'Annual Meeting' of 
the U. S. Steel board brought In the 
Pickens Sisters (who did two songs, 
one too many), Paul Whiteman's 
orchestra and Jack Pearl, with his 
unannounced straight Cllflf Hall, 
for pseudo-auditions of the com- 
pany's forthcoming radio program. 
Haley observed that If you think 
Charlie Schwab is funny 'you should 
see his partner, Frank Mandel.' 

Benchley's 'How I Create,' with 
Loeb foiling, preceded the finale 
wherein Dr. Walter Damrosch in- 
troduced the-^Who^ Who GrchestTk. 
This brought on the rostrum a gal- 
axy of literati and others some of 
whose names as novelists, critics, 
essayists, editors, librettist^, actors, 
composers, directors, et al. are 
household bywords. The laugh 
climax was that none gave out any 
music as was expected, the pit 
band, instead, finalcing. BlowofC was 
at midnight, show starting after 9 
p. m. and no intermish. Ahel. 



BAD MANNERS 

Comedy In three acts presented by Wil- 
liam A. nrady, Ltd., by arrangement with 
Dwisbt Deere Wlman at the Playhouse, 
Jan. SO: written by Dana Burnet and Wil- 
liam B. Jutte; stoscd by William A. 
Hrady, Jr. 

Tnml H. L.. Donsu 

Cralfir Baldwin Bert Lytell 

Marian Lane Jxiona Marlcle 

Don Baldwin William David 

Lois Alkcn Margaret Sullavan 

Jerry DUworth Harold Vermilyea 

Torlcr Franklin West 



There are moments, or rather 
lines, In 'Bad Manners' that sparkle 
to adult ears, but not enough to put 
a weakling play Into the foreground. 
Seemed to fall down especially in 
the thli'd act Click chances doubt- 
ful. . 

Plenty of sex. but the leads were 
not believable in their chatter and 
reactions to alleged If uncertain in- 
timacies. Several good actors gave 



Plays Abroad 



tOUISE VON KOBURG 

Vienna, Jan. 22. 

A play In three acts, nine scenes, by 
Felix Sallen. At the Deutsches Volks- 
theatre, Vienna, witb Kaethe Dorsch and 
Retamann In the lendlns parts. Directed 
by Helnrlch Bchnltzler. 

A fine piece of stagecraft by a 
man who knows the recent history 
that he Is writing about Older 
people will remember the world 
sensation when Princess Louise, 
daughter of King Leopold n of Bel- 
glum, deserted her husband, Duke 
Philip of Coburg, and eloped with 
her lover, Lieutenant Geza Mat- 
tachlch. Probably no similar scan- 
dal had ever occurred In a royal 
family of Europe, 

The play goes on to tell how the 
Duke of Coburg hired detectives 
and doctors, who got hold of 
Princess Louise, declared her In- 
sane, and Interned her In one luna- 
tic asylum after another. Mat- 
tachich was charged with having 
forged the signature of the Princess 
upon the cheques that she had In 
reality given him, found guilty and 
sentenced to years of confinement 
In the fortress of .Voellersdorf. He 
was pardoned after four years, and 
then began a press campaign which 
resulted In turning public opinion 
entirely against the Duke of Coburg 
and the system which permitted 
him to deal thus with the wife who 
sought release from ah unhappy 
marriage and an outlet for her un- 
fettered temperament In this love 
affair. . 

After seven years of torture In 
asylums, Mattacblcb, with the help 
of a Viennese journalist and the 
Innkeeper of a country town, con- 
trived to abduct the Princess and 
elope with her to Paris. The last 
scene of the play shows her, the 
faded one-time beauty, still affect- 
ing regal attitudes, in a dingy Paris 
hotel bedroom, with her lover, act- 
ing as a sort of Lord Chamberlain 
to the ageing Princess. This, the 
transition of the tragedy heroine 
to a tragl-comlc old woman. Is the 
best scene of the play. 

The paper-back romance of this 
'.ttnie story Is saved from becoming 
backstairs trash by the stage art 
of skilled craftsman and by bril- 
liant portrayal of men. and events 
In the background. . The corrupt 
system which permitted manipula- 
tions with the lives of men and 
women, such as happened In the 
famous Coburg case, finds no sav- 
ing grace at the author's hands. 
Schnltzler gives a glimpse behind 
the scenes of the Hapsburg mon- 
archy at the century's turn that is 



the Impression that they were 
struggling to be what the play- 
wrights wanted them to be. 

The story Is set within the liv- 
ing room in the studio apartment 
of a playboy architect, Craig Bald- 
win. On a morning after, he is 
telling his current 'affair,' Marian 
Lane, to scram to her apartment in 
the same building and take her 
kimona with her. Such little sepa- 
rations have occurred before and 
the girl is not particularly upset. 

Marian wants to know the why 
of Craig's sudden fit of remorse and 
blames the frequent visits of Lois 
Aiken from Virginia. Lois is en- 
gaged to wed JeiTy Dillworth his 
best friend. Craig is dressing to 
act as best man at the wedding 
when Lois dashes in ar d declares 
she can't go through with it. 

Lois agrees to remain in Craig's 
apartment as his secretary while he 
works on drawings for Manhattan 
Center, his sketches having won a 
competition. A month elapses and 
Lois thinks she will move back to 
one room and take a Job. Instead 
the pair discover they want each 
other. Another month elapses and 
Lois then decides the will end the 
affair and refuses to marry Craig. 

And so it goes on until the girl, 
after making another pretense at 
walking out, agrees to wedlock. 
Meantime, Marian tries to make a 
come-back, but, while some of her 
theories work out she doesn't get 
her man. She thinks she'll accom- 
pany Jerry on a fishing trip and he 
thinks he will probably be hooked. 

Sex discussions are not infre- 
quent When Craig and Lois agree 
to live together but not actually so, 
this comes: 'Sex may be a blloglcal 
pleasure but as a career, it keeps 
one indoors too much.' Yet the In- 
evitable happens in this Instance 
and both embrace the ceremonial 
tics. 

Bert Lytell tried to make Cr.ilp 
something less caddish th.an the 
authors wrote him, but the idea 
appeared to seem farcical to Lytell 
and he .«iliowed it. Margarot Sulla- 
van was not at her best oltlier as 
Lois. Leona Marlcle plays the other 
Rirl Marian, slim but sensuous. 
Harold Vermllyea does the soppy 
.Terry. 

'Bad Manners' is a short cast, one 
set show and m>ay operate at modest 
grosses. That's about all it will get. 

Ihee, 

(Wlthdt'aion Saturday; one week; 
printed for Vie record). 



more significant than the love story 
and scandal of the Belgian Princess 
which forms the plot. 

The fashion set by Emll Ludwlg, 
Lytton Strachey, Maurols and 
Others In books, the craze for mem- 
olrS( has now spread to the stage; 
personal history oi the great ones 
of the earth is going to be the 
vogue on stage and screen as It is 
on the printed page. Salten's Louise 
of Coburg win probably appeal to 
audiences everywhere. 

The production was excellent In 
Its historical exactitude. Kaethe 
Dorsch as Princess Louise gave one 
of the finest performances of her 
career. 



The Halfbloed 

Brussels, Jan. 23. 

■De Halfbloed' ('The Half-Caste'), 
a ^I'^^'na In six tableaux by the 
Flemish author, Frans Demers, was 
given its premiere at the Royal 
Flemish Theatre, Antwerp. As in 
'Eva,' a drama presented by the 
Bkme author last season, the pur- 
pose of 'De Halfbloed' Is to empha- 
size the eternal conflict between 
white and black races. 

In this instance the chief figure, 
Jean Joubart, the half-caste. Is too 
white to be black and too black to 
be white. Born of a negress, Jean 
Is taken to Europe by his father, a 
rich colonial, where he receives a 
white education. He marries a white 
girl, Anna, and with her goes to the 
Congo, as director of a tourist and 
transport agency. 

Business prospers, but social life 
Is hard for the young couple. Silent 
contempt with which they are at 
flrst treated by the whlte~'popula- 
tlon Is gradually transformed Into 
open hostility until Jean, with tor- 
tured soul, decides on violent reac- 
tion. 

With Anna he enters a fashionable 
restaurant frequented mainly by 
goveriunent officials. They are 
hardly seated before the mal'tre 
d'hotel Informs them that their 
presence Is underslrable. Jean 
thrashes the restaui-ateur and is 
sentenced to a year's Imprisonment 
also losing his situation. 

Despite her supplications he sends 
Anna back to her people In Europe 
and becomes the head of a militant 
negro revolutionary movement, 
swearing he will henceforth devote 
his life to waging relentless war 
against the white race. 

'De Halfbloed' Is Intense drama 
with powerful dialog and plenty of 
emotion. Frans Demers, himself a 
colonial who still Inhabits the Bel- 
gian Congo, knows his subject but 
one feels he has been so eager to 
expound his sentiments that he has 
not given his characters quite 
enough time to get them across to 
the audience as clearly as might 
have been achieved with a little 
more care. 

First night house gave the play 
an enthusiastic reception. Scenio 
effects were admirable. Principals 
were Jean Joubart, M. Angenot; 
Anna. Mme. Jenny Van Santvoort; 
Mandefa, half-civilized negro, M. 
Van Thlllo; Vergoot cynical gov- 
ernment official, M. Jos. Gevers; and 
Suzanne, Nora Gevers. 

Underwood. 



SCHOTTENRING 

('Schotten Boulevard') 

Vienna, Jan. 20. 
Three acta by Armin Friedmann and 
lAulwlg Nerz at the Theatre In der Roth- 
enturmslrasae, Vienna, with Olsela Wer- 
bezlrk In lead. 



Glsela Werbezirk, who specializes 
In the fat, comfortable, wise old 
Jewess type with plenty of common 
sense and a kind heart, has found 
here a vehicle which will carry her 
safely over the current season. 
'Schottenring' (meaning a street in 
Vienna typical of well-to-do com- 
mercial bourgeoisie) is largely local, 
but might flnd parallels everywhere. 
Play has elements of a second 'Irish 
Rose. The convenient dose of hu- 
mor and sentiment Is there, every- 
thing else depends upon the actress. 

Story is about the widowed Mrs. 
Prossnltzer, who has conducted her 
textile business with as much en- 
ergy and insight as any man, but is 
displeased with her son Maurice's 
business methods, so she retires and 
leaves It to him. Her grandson, 
Otto, quarrels with his father be- 
cause he does not want to marry 
the American girl whom the old 
man has chosen for him. 

Otto quits his father's business 
and establishes himself Independ- 
ently with grannie's capital, at the 
same time convieniently falling in 
love with the old lady's adopted 
dauprhtnr. Business fight between 
father and son results in daddy's 
getting into the red, whereupon 
grannie comes forward with the 
money, saves the situation, unites 
the two shops, once more taklnpf 
command of the whole concern, and 
beams on the happily united young 
couple. 

A very good cast helped Frau 
Werbezirk In an excellent produc- 
tion whoih is one of the biggest 
hits In her career of successes. 



Taesday* February 7, 1933 



LITERATI 



VARIETY 



53 



^Front P«0«' For Charity 

* Toledo, one of the three worst 
Aoyr towns In the United States— 
tfoieio, the town that cannot sup- 
■jMft 'In the flesh* shows — ^Toledo, 
^ horror of all professional per 
lormerai 

-Tet Toledo turned out $4,100 
(trong for a three-night perform 
' i^nqe of 'Front Page' which was 
given last week by Toledo news- 
paper workers, every penny going 
to charity to be dispersed by the 
newBP<Btpern>en to the cold and 
. Ijgpgry kids In the Toledo schools. 

The Idea was conceived by Dick 
Boberts. who acted as general man- 
ager of the show. The publicity 
given the event was tremendous 
wwlth radio stations WJR and "WWJ 
of Detroit; WTAM.Clcveland, and 
WSPD, Toledo, kicking In with free 
air time. The newspapers gave 
columns of space day after day 
for a month. 

Theatres gave trailer space and 
Herschel Stuart of RKO offered the 
use of the Palace theatre. Jack 
.©'Connell, veteran Toledo showman, 
was director of the show. 

Dick Overmeyer, of the 'Blade,' 
who played the sheriff, grabbed 
honors for all performances. Ben 
Mendoza, as Krueger, was praised. 

John McGowan and Earl Grebe 
played the Hlldy Johnson-Walter 
Burns combo and their work was 
well done. Ray Williams as the 
hardbolled Murphy gathered him- 
self some press bouquets, while 
Betty Birch In the tough role of 
MolIIe was outstanding. Others 
were Helen Murphy, Louise Carr, 
Ethel Kuhlman Collier and Marie 
Hartough, Dick Roberts, Don Pond, 
Balph Brady, Charles Carson, Mitch 
Woodbury, Stewart Schackne, Earl 
Aiken, Urban Murphy, Ken Hamel 
and Dick Mc George. 

Stagehands and musicians do 
nated their services. A special ar 
rangement of the musical 'Chicago' 
was made by Harle Bracht and 
O'Connell. 

A special broadcast was made by 
WSPD. The house was a sellout 
for three nights. More than 1,000 
requests have been made to give 
a repeater performance. It Is pos- 
sible that members of the cast will 
tour the surrounding country for 
Saturday night showings. If ar- 
rangements can be made the play 
will be produced in Fostorian, 
Findlay, Lima, Sandusky and sev- 
eral other towns. 



Bonfils Dies 

Frederick G. Bonflls, publisher of 
the Denver 'Post' for more than 40 
years, died in his Denver home 
Feb. 2, of pneumonia. He was 72. 
With the Infe H. H. Tammen he 
was a power in midwestern jour- 
nalism at its most sensational. As 
an example of the paper's methods 
the late James R. Noland, twice 
Secretary of State in Colorado, but 
tlien a reporter on the 'Post' was 
told to go to Trinidad, where there 
was a miner's strike on. Incite them 
to fresh riotingr and then quell them 
by waving an American flag from 
tlie city hall steps. Noland sensed 
the temper of the crowd and came 
back to Denver without the story. 
That was Just a sample of the way 
the 'Post' made Its own news, 
though the method failed in this 
instance. 

In Harry T. Tammen he found 
a kindred picturesque spirit and for 
years they dominated the state and 
city govei-nnicnt and the paper was 
widely read r.nd feared. They were 
publishers-showmen of another 
school and they were showmen in 
fact — as circus operators. Bonflls' 
most recent Jam was his refusal to 
testify in a suit for alleged libel, for 
which he was flned for contempt of 
court. 



Nick Carter Back 

Most Important pulp mag action 
of the past few months is that of 
Street & Smith in reviving the Nick 
Carter name. This, the best known 
cognomen in all pulp history, goes 
atop a new mag called 'Nick Carter 
M.ngazine,' in an attempt to restore 
the pulps to something of their 
old-time favor. 

However, Street & Sniiih is not 
using any of the old-tlmo Nick Car- 
ters, although many million words 
h.-xve been written with Nick Carter 
as the hero. The Nick Carters In 
the 'Nick Carter Magazine* will be 
all new, S. & S. having contracted 
for a new Nick Carter scribbler. 
Identity of the new Nick Carter be- 
ing jealously giinrded, for various 
reasons. 

Of the many scribblers who have 
carried on as Nick Carter, the out- 
standing ones wci-e Frr-d crick Van 
Rensselaer Dey and Fred Davis. 
Originator of Nick Carter was John 
Russell Coryell, but he did little 
■hiDre tlinn got NIok Carter started. 
;Dr>y did the majority of t)ie Nick 



Best Sellers 



Best Sellers for the week ending Feb. 4, as reported by the 
American News Co., Inc. 
Fiction 

'Ann Vickers' ($2.60) By Sinclair Lewis 

'The Last Adam' ($2.00) By James Gould Cozzens 

'Bulplngton of Blup' ($2.50) By H. G. Wells 

'Imitation of Life' ($2.60) ,...By Fannie Hurst 

•Never Ask the End' ($2.50) ^ By Isabel Paterson 

•Kennel Murder Case" ($2.00) By S. S. Van Dine 

Non- Fiction 

•Contract Bridge Blue Book of 1933' ($2.00) By Ely Culbertson 

•100,000,000 Guinea Pigs' ($2.00) By Arthur Kallet and F. J. Schlink 

•Flying Carpet' ($3.75) By Richard Halliburton 

'Life Begins at Forty' ($1.60) By Walter B. Pitkin 

•March of Democracy' ($3.60) By James Truslow Adams 

•Van Loon's Geography' ($3.75) By Hendrik Wlllon Van Loon 



Carter stories and brought the flc- 
tional character to his greatest 
fame. After him came Fred Davis. 
Davis died only a few months ago, 
while Coryell and Dey have been 
dead for some years. 

New 'Nick Carter Magazine' will 
carry a novel- length Nick Carter 
adventure each month, as well as a 
couple of short tales with other by- 
lines. John Nanovic is editing the 
mag. 



John Galsworthy Dead 

John Galsworthy, 66, one of the 
notable flgures in British letters 
and winner of the Nobel prize for 
literature for 1932, died In London 
Jan. 31 of anemia. 

Regarded as one of the 'Big Four' 
of British authors, he was the 
writer of life In the British upper 
classes and in England more re- 
garded for his Action than for his 
dramas, of which latter he had 
written 27. Of these 20 were full 
length plays. He wrote some 35 
novels, but did not write under his 
own name until he was past 30. 
His last book came from the press 
last November. 



Hops Here 

'Story,' the mag which has been 
published in Vienna and In Majorca, 
has Anally gotten a berth over here. 
The new publishing locale was pro- 
moted by Donald Klopfer, who in- 
terested Bennett A. Cerf, the Mod- 
ern Library head, in the idea. Cerf 
has quartered 'Story' with his book 
publishing force. 

First issue of 'Story' from the new 
publishing point will be out April 1. 
The mag has a brace of editors, 
Whit Burnett and Martha Foley. 
Short stories only in 'Story,' the 
editors eschewing the novelette or 
serials. 



Syndicate Hopes 

Tight market for short shorts Is 
throwing many good pieces to Mc- 
Clure .Syndicate, which pays $5 each 
for the approximately 1,000-word 
tales. 

King Features, also, is getting 
nice 3,000-length wordage for its 
standard price of $26. King will 
consider 6,000 -word, stories for that 
purpose, cutting them down to 3,000 
words if found acceptable for its 
needs. 

Means that the syndicates are 
sending out better fiction than be- 
fore. 



First on Walker 

Two funny things about 'Jimmy 
Walker, the Story of a Personality,' 
by Louis J. Oubetz and Joseph 
Kay, which Lincoln MacVeagh 
has published under the Dial Im- 
print. They spell It 'Jimmie' and 
say he was born May 1, 1881. 

He himself always spells it 
'Jimmy' and was born June 19, 1881. 

Except for these almost unforgiv- 
able boners In a biog of this sort, 
the vol Is a nice job and contains 
a lot of Inside stuff which either 
came from Walker or close to him 
and afterward got his papal bless- 
ing. 

Authors go from the Greenwich 
Village days of Jimmy's father to 
the legislative, inquiry, with stop- 
overs at Albany, City Hall and his 
ex-parte service. Chapters were 
also devoted to his skill as a law- 
yer and as city host. 

Several photographs — one a laugh 
producer of him as a high-collared 
honeymooner with Janet Allen, cur- 
rent Mrs. Walker, at Atlantic City. 
He is wearing a cap and an over- 
coat, neither of which would get 
Jean Friedman's okay today. Or 
Jimmy's either. 

Song-writing days with. Ernest 
Ball and his less successful teaming 
with Max Witt In some 'Duke of 
Duluth' numbers for the George 
Broadhurst piece are adequately 
covered. 

As a source-book, the Kay-Gu- 
betz opera will have great value and 
nothing coming later can take away 
from it the fact that It was the first 
in the field. 

Authors muffed out on an index, 
meaning a sure rap from Menck in 
his 'Mercury.' 



Two on L. A. 

Los Angeles is the subject of two 
books to appear this spring. One, 
'Los Angeles,' is a straight guide- 
book by Morrow Mayo, while Basil 
Woon has written 'Incredible Land,' 
after the fashion of his 'The Frantic 
Atlantic" and other light travel 
books. 



3d Cut on L. A. 'Examiner' 

Third salary cut in a little over 
a year has just gone into effect 
on the Los Angeles 'Examiner' 
(Hearst). Slices range from 10 to 
20%. 

Two previous cuts came Just 
ahead of announcement of stock 
dividends of the Hearst chain of 
papers. Another dividend is ex- 
pected for March. 



'Bugs' IVIeets Boston 

Boston Advertising club had a 
hilarious weekly luncheon last week 
when its speakers were Bugs Baer, 
Gluyas AVilllams, George Mc.Manus 
and Joe Connelly. 

It was Baer's bow in this section 
as an in-personapc, and he poked 
fun at business, stage and screen. 



On Rodgers and Hart 

A mag article on Richard Rodg- 
ers and Lorenzo Hart, w. k. music 
writers, has been accepted by Col- 
lier's and will be published in the 
issue of Feb. 18. 

It's under title of "Words and 
Music' and carries Henry F. Prin- 
gle as author. 

Cuts from pictures for which 
Rodgers and Hart have written mu- 
sic, goes along with it. 



Two Docs 

William Faro and Macaulay are 
in a jam over a title. Faro recently 
published 'Woman's Doctor,' a hot 
book about an amorous abortion- 
ist, with Macaulay trailing with 
'The Woman's Doctor' which is a 
sadly misguided effort to sugarcoat 
the old fashioned 'Doctor Book' that 
every well regulated family pos- 
sessed with a minimum of fiction. 
It's a weird combination of poor 
story telling and meticulous ac- 
counts of operations, uterine ex- 
aminations and child births. They're 
antithetical in spite of the similar- 
ity of name. 



Of Course a Mag 

League of the Forgotten Man 
bringing its members to attention 
with a mag, 'The Forgotten Man,' 
which gets under way with a March 
number. Editor is Julius Abrams. 

Feature of the mag is a door cut- 
out on the cover. Opening of the 
door will reveal the picture of a 
different group of 'forgotten men' 
in each issue. Mag is propaganda 
on behalf of such specimens of the 
'forgotten man' as the alimony club 
member and Senator Borah. Will 
pay some attention, also, to the 
'forgotten woman.' 



Brentano's Quits 

Brentano's has disposed of its 
publishing business to Coward-Mc- 
Cann, Inc., and will retire from that 
end of the book business, confining 
its efforts to retail sales. 

Brentana!s entered the publishing 
field half a century ago, starting 
with limited and deluxe editions 
and gradually broadening the field, 
representing many of the leading 
authors. 

Transfer was made last week. In- 
cluding those books already pub- 
lished and not disposed of. 



Losing Weight 

That Paul Whiteman didn't drop 
all that iioundage for nothing Is In 
dicated by a book relating the great 
feat to appear soon. Called 'White 
man's Burden,' and written by Isa 
bel Lelghton, from facts supplied by 
Margaret Livingston, who Is Mrs. 
Whiteman. Miss Livingston's name 
goes down as co-author. 



Sashes Popular 

The extra wrapper around pe- 
riodicals Is being adapted more and 
more. Latest to Join is the Llt- 
digest. •American Mercury' started 
It, or at least popularized the extra 
band. 'American Spectator' and 
'Manhattan' were among those 
emulating it, the latter weekly 
heralding the coming week's change 
of color as an Identifying denota- 
tion to attract to the new Issues 
on the stands. 



Priest- Journalist 

Rev. Francis E. Benz, editor of 
'The Catholic Boy,' new nationally - 
circulated monthly, was once a mem- 
ber of the staff of the New York 
World' and later was a reporter in 
■St. Paul (where the magazine is 
published). He studied journalism 
at Columbia University and was the 
first student to receive the degree 
of Master of Arts in the new De- 
partment of Journalism at Minne- 
sota University. 

'Catholic Boy,' said to be the first 
publication of its kind in this coun- 
try, is sponsored by the Archdiocese 
of St. Paul. 



Soap and Books 

Billy B. Van, former minstrel and 
now soap magnate, has added au- 
thorship to his list of accomplish- 
ments. Van, who is short on size 
but long on ojitimism, has writto'n 
a batch of humorous pliilcsophic 
Iiieces on the depression wljicli 
Stratford, the Boston piilillsher, will 
Issue in book ffirm under the tilif 
(if 'Snni) Out of It.' 



For the Smallies 

First real literature on the 16mni 
films has been produced by Arthur 
L. Oale, editor, and Russell C. Hols- 
lag, technician, of "Movie Makers' 
organ of the Amateur Cinema 
League. 

'M.aking Better Movies' was 
wi-ltten chiefly for the membership, 
Init .should have a wider circula- 
tion for it is an authentic hand- 
book for the amateur, told in un- 
lU rstandablc English and devoid of 
the u.sual highly intricate and toch- 
ni'-al advice. It does not reqnire a 
liliotograpber to understand it. It 
ii-i-'ikes them. 



S. & S. Throw Party 

Simon & Schuster gave one of 
their usual cock-eyed parties Friday 
night (3) inaugurate them as 
publishers of the puzzle gimlck. Lit- 
erati and Broadwayites were Invited 
to the Algonquin to 'go to pieces,' 
with several extra big puzzles 
spread spread about and prizes for 
the flrst to finish. Harry Hershfleld, 
invited to be Judge, decided to be a 
master - of ceremonies and general 
kibitzer instead, but the gag worked 
out anyway. 



'Week,' Not 'Weekly* 

Otis Chatfield-Taylor is the drama 
editor of the 'News Week,' which In- 
cidentally, he says, is the official 
title and not 'News-Weekly.' He's 
a Poo-Bah of an editor, covering 
drama, pictures and occasionally 
musical, operatic, radio and ai't on 
topics considered of national inter- 
est. 

He was drama ed. of the 'Outlook' 
until Al Smith took that over, and 
was dramatist of 'The Laui^hing 
Boy,' which Belasco had planned to 
produce. 



That's Different 

Cheyney-Trent, who teach poetry 
by mail, deny a recent statement 
that they are offering cut rates. 
They accept 'small installments' 
from promising poets, but do not 
cut prices, they say. They do 
offer half-scholarships, however. 

Also peeved at the suggestion 
they favor their pupils in 'Poetry 
Work' or anthologies published by 
Harrison. 



Daily's Bible Giveaways 

Los Angeles 'Record,' which runs 
a daily column on its front page 
edited by the Rev. Robert P. (Bob) 
Shuler, is carrying coupons, three 
of which entitle any reader to pur- 
chase one of two grades of the 
bible at bargain prices. Shuler last 
week switched his allegiance to the 
Los Angeles Church Federation, 
which has been more or less of a 
thorn in the side of L. A. amuse- 
ments. 



Kelly Goes Studio 

Mark Kelly, one of the leadintr 
sports authorities on the west ooust, 
lias resigned as sp<^rting editor of 
the Los ,\ngoles 'Kx;iminf'r,' to Join 
the .scenario staff at Warnor-First 
National on a two-year termer. 
Hearst man tJik^s up bis new duties 
?i round M.'ireh LS. 

His column, Whai Nots.' has won 
Kf^Ily' a reputation on tlie '-oast, and 
was instrurneniiil in aur.'o.tinn the I 
attf-ntion of the .studios. I 



tloosevelt's Sees 

The three men, Louis McHenry 
Howe, Marvin H. Mclntyre, and 
Stephen T. Early, who will comprise 
the White House secretariat after 
March 4, .worked under, or came in 
contact with, President-Elect Roose- 
velt during his service as Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy in the Wilson 
administration. Howe, then, as now, 
was his personal secretary. Mc- 
lntyre, who had been on the staff 
of the Washington 'Times,' handled 
the Navy's press relations during 
the World War. 

Early, who probably will be the 
White House front office secretary, 
covered the Navy beat for the AP 
while Mr. Roosevelt was on duty In 
that department. He also was AP 
man on the Roosevelt campaign in 
1920. 

A coincidence is that the three 
members of the new secretariat 
have had contact with show busi- 
ness. Howe, while on the staff of 
the old New York 'Herald,' worked 
in the dramatic department for a 
time. Mclntyre left Pathe Newsreel 
to join the Roosevelt pre-convention 
forces, and Early has served as 
Washington contact man for Para- 
mount-Publix. 



Smith With Fawcett 

Fawcctt Publications announces 
that Frederick James Smith has 
been appointed eastern editor with 
a desk in the New Tork office. He 
went on the job Feb. 1. 

Recent connection has been with 
the Tower group, publishing four 
mags. Did the picture reviews for 
'Liberty' for about five years. 



Ruth Dimick Dead 

Ruth Crosby Dimick, who as a 
member of the 'Morning Telegraph' 
staff for 16 years' picked up close 
contacts with the stage and concei't 
platform, died in New York Feb. 
4 of pleurisy and complicatlonst 

She was the author of numerous 
books, including 'Our Theatres of 
Today.' 



Pulps Keep Him Busy 

H. Bedford -Jones has returned to 
the coast after a two weeks' Jaunt- 
around the New York publishing 
offices. He carried back with him 
orders for 47 stories for Munsey 
and for Tower. Bedford- Jones sm- 
thors his pulp magazine material 
at Altedena, Just outside Los An- 
geles. 



A Lady on Lamas 

•Magis and Mystery in Tibet' by 
Alexandra Davld-Neel is written by 
the only white woman to have pene- 
trated the inner holies of Tibet. 
She spent fourteen years disguised 
as a native in order to collect her 
material. 



Suing on 'Savage' 

Fox Films and Tiffany Thayer, 
the author, are being sued for libel 
by a well-known Chicagoan on the 
grounds that 'Call Her Savage* is 
a portrayal of her life. The story 
was given to Thayer by his own 
wife, who is an Osage Indian. 



Strange Sameness 

Much comment, some of it rather 
nasty, has been caused because the 
plots of Ann Vickers by Sinclair 
Lewis and Ann Veronica by H. G. 
Wells are identical. 



Sob Writers 

Los Angeles 'Herald Express,' in 
covering the Captain Wanderwell 
murder case, is trying to get studio 
name writers for daily by-line stories. 
Jury selection started last week. 
Henry Wales and Dudley Nichols of 
Fox are lined up for two yarns, with 
the 'Herex' trying to get Frances 
Marion and Bess Meredyth to cover 
the trial from the woman's angle. 
Adela Rogers St. John, who usually 
covers all big murder cases here, is 
conspicuous by her absence. 



Chatter 

Charles A. Mor ' n, 80, died Jan. 
28 at Portland, Ore. Deceased was 
formerly manager of the 'Oregonian.' 

Charles King, Pasadena '.Star- 
News' reporter, has had a play, 
'Hit and Run,' accepted for produc- 
tion by the Pasadena Community 
Players. It's about a speed cop. 

Eugene Jay .Sheffer, author of the 
crossword puzzles appearing in many 
of the country's newspapers, is con- 
nected with Columbia University. 
His secretary, Arthur Gutmann, Is 
also a c.w.d expert. 

Anna Jean Jjrury, Journalist. 121 
East 49, New York, volunt.'iry 
bankrupt; debt.<?, $.').8SG. no assets. 

Verncr Alenrii^o Whltm-y has sold 
his interest in 'D.'ince Culture' and 
is washed up there. 

.Simon & Schuster coming aero.-is 
with anotlK'r cross word puzzle 
book, the 27th' in the series. 

TDf J'ii)l;ulflpliia Chamber of 
<'omm(rop ,Tnd thi Retail Dook- 
frontlnneO nn page 54) 



54 VARIETY 



MUSIC-NITE CLUBS 



Tuedda^i February 7^ . 1933 



NIGHT CLUB REVIEWS 



CLUB RICHMAN 

(JACK OStERMAN) 

New York, Feb. 4. 

Jack Osterman's putting the Club 
Richman over again Is the talk of 
Main street, but a particular tribute 
to Lou Schwartz for his courageous 
perspicacity in spotting Osterman 
In after the m.c. had been Idling for 
weeks, handicapped by a more or 
less erroneous misconception that 
he would go berserk working in a 
nite spot. Not only has it estab- 
lished Osterman as one of the 
town's most facile conferenclers, but 
it's more to his credit that, amidst 
all the hectic revelry attendant to 
any nite spot, he is laying ofE all 
friendly stuff and, what's more, 
commanding a $1.60 and $2 couvert 
(latter of week-ends) for a barrage 
of Ostprmania wisecracks which 
has made the Richman club the fa- 
vorite wind-up spot, east or west of 
6th avenue. 

The inroads of t)ie class speaks 
which has made Peronna's El Mo- 
rocco and the Merry-Go-Round the 
best money-getters, and both in the 
Park avenue sector, have been se- 
vere competlsh for the Broadway 
nlteries, even affecting the EI Patio 
and the Place Plgalle, both of the 
snooty type. The Richman has been 
a sufferer with a vacillating policy; 
including a closed-door Club Rlche- 
low set-up until Osterman went in. 
The m.c. — to give an Idea — figured 
he'd rather celebrate his second 
week, rather than his first. Just for 
a novelty, and has been there for 
four weeks now and building con- 
stantly. 

Osterman's pacing Is the prime 
appeal, along with his mixing and 
hoetliig, although with it there's a 
nice little show backing him up 
which Al Siegal (not the pianist- 
composer) put. on. Itliolds 20 girls, 
12 -ponies and eight show girls, in- 
cluding the average undraped stuff, 
Florence and Alvarez, and Bobble 
Dupree-Mlckey McKlUop are the 
dance teams, and Frances -Faye, 
socko. pianlst-son^rstress, who - used 
to wham 'em at Gallant's, Is the 
next best bet at th& Richman to 
Osterman. Jerry Friedman, vet cafe 
dance purveyor, dishes up the tunes 
as effectively .as ever. 

Patsy Kelly may come Into the 
show next week and Osterman Is 
thinking of going stooge-master 
with Sammy Cantor, ex-Jack Pep- 
per aide. 

Getting a consistent nite play, and 
bullish as It grows later, the Rich- 
man reminds of ye good old '29 cafe 
nites. That it's knocking 'em over 
for $1.60 and $2 converts Is in itself 
a real distinction in these no-cou- 
vert days. Abel. 



Lucky Ruby 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

Bert Kalmer received $300 
as a dividend of his deposit in 
a defunct bank. Kalmer told 
his wife the good news, add- 
ing that Harry Ruby had re- 
ceived $800. 

'That guy always had more 
luck than you,' observed aJrs. 
Kalmer. 



these days because he figures they 
don't mean a thing unless contain- 
ing personalities who draw. 

Suburban is d n.. but fairly in 
its casino. But little fresh money 
around now for the 'gambollers.' 
Ten cent chips on the roulette tables 
tell the story. 

Somebody should start a Bank- 
rupt Club with a receiver as m. c. 

Samuel. 



Literati 



SUBURBAN GARDENS 

(NEW ORLEANS) 

New Orleans, Feb. 8. 
Suburban Gardens is now under 
the sole administration of Al Sim- 
ons. Al is lessee, manager, booker, 
and really an Impresario of parts. 
His new show is the best he has had 
in moons. It is headed by Joe 
Lewis, with his own troupe, and q, poem, 
they received vociferous acclaim nutrli 



. (Continued from page 53) 

sellers Association are sponsoring 
'Book Talk' by Joan Greeves over 
the air. 

On February 6th, Claude Kendall 
is publishing 'Mother Sea' by Felix 
Riesenberg. .RKO considering this 
one for early production. Riesen- 
berg is at present In Hollywood, 
scooping in the shekels. 

Dbubleday-Doran is bringing out 
a fat tome of all the O'Henry prize 
winners from 1919 to 1932. 

The litigation over the naughty- 
naughty book, 'Ulysses,' by James 
Joyce seems likely to be settled by 
the courts. What's the use? With 
the public grown as sex- saturated 
as it has, 'Ulysses' will be just a 
primer on the subject. 

The Book-of-the-Month Club has 
selected 'British Agent' by Lockhart 
as its non-fiction choice for Febru- 
ary. 

Martha McKenna, who was an 
army spy during the war, has writ- 
ten it in 'I Was a Spy.' With illus- 
trations. 

The Noel Coward stage success, 
'Design for Living,' making its 
bow between covers. A Doubleday- 
Doran book. 

Donald Henderson Clarke has a 
new one. He calls her 'Female' 
and she will make her book appear- 
ance at the tall end of February. 

Tiffany Thayer back to Claude 
Kendall. 

Lionel Houser, the San Francisco 
'News' literary editor, has another 
novel coming out soon. 
Lyle^ Saxon doing his first novel. 
Harold Lamb back from Persia. 
Edna Ferber's new one will be 
'They Brought Their Women.' 

Anne Higglnson Splcer got the 
'Bo9kfellows" $100 George Sterltn 
Memorial Award. Lot of money for 



opening night. 

Suave, sly stuff of Lewis' is great- 
ly relished. His Yid classic, 'Sam, 
You Made the Pants Too Long,' 
brought gales. He also has a cork- 
ing stooge, Paul Small, who aids 
Immeasurably in planting and build- 
ing situations. Babe Belmore, here 
about a year ago, is in the entour- 
age scoring with dance divertisse- 
ments. Form followers along the 
ringside rated her high in their flg- 
urlstlc way. 

Bud and Betty, with fast stepping 
and acrobatics, did well. Neat lit- 
tle brother and elster act with 
mommer along to watch over them. 
Rita White was the only entertainer 
to miss. Greatly resembling Ustelle 
Taylor In appearance. Miss White is 
stomping and singing songs as she 
has watched and heard others stomp 
and sing them, entirely obliterating 
any spontaneous appeal or display 
of individuality 

Charlie Fisher (nee Fishbein) and 
his Aristocrats play the show and 
dispense dance mu Ic in splendid 
fashion. Simons is keeping away 
from heavy-salaried name bands 



00 

to "^"^^^ HOOH" 
""J* A« EC«0. «N THE 



Hugh Brooke will make a trip up 
the Amazon, currently a favorite 
sport with scribblers. 

Alfred Krey-.nborg, the poet, has 
turned novelist. 

Vina Delmar doing a new novel 
and has a title for it already — 'The 
Marriage Racket.' 

Jack Price, who headed the 
'World's' photo department has a 
book out on 'News Photography.' 

A cinch that Max Miller, the 'I 
Cover the Waterfront' author, would 
do another. Dutton will get it. 

Branch Cabell back to his place in 
Richmond. 

New book-publishing organization, 
the Bee-Hue Publishing Company, 
which comes into being with its 
first book, 'The Great Hurricane in 
Florida,' Is really the enterprise of 
the book's author, Rebecca Bean, to 
get her script In print. 



'Sunshine' Gets Delnr«ar 

Vina Delmar hereafter Intends to 
make her permanent home on the 
coast. Now in Hollywood on pic 
tures, authoress will come to New 
York in about three weeks to dls 
pose of her home here and then 
will return west to do her scribbling 
In the California sunshine. 



Dropping Screen Roto 
Beginning Feb. 12, Los Angeles 
'Times' will drop its four-page ro 
togravure preview sectlqn, which for 
years has been devoted entirely to 
films and screen celebs. This will 
lave the rotogravure part of the 
paper running only four, instead of 
eight pages. 

Preview section has been super 
vised by Edwin Schallert, drama 
editor, with Whitney Williams, who 
recently went off the staff, handling 
the copy and pictures. 



Agencies and Agents 



(Continued from page 36) 

merely that of making a routine 
contract for the use of certain 
broadcasting and time, facilitlee. 
They must Judiciously sell the.prod^ 
uct via radio program that Is like- 
ly to strike the public's fancy. 

The Other Side 

The talent agents realize that 
such ideas are scarce. If they had a 
fraction as many such. ideas as they 
have acts to sell, they'd be on the 
other side of the fence, plotting the 
programs and buying — not selling— 
the acts. 

Broadway agents are not beyond 
their depth when they state that 
something as ephemeral as a radio 
program idea is too dangerous to 
voice around any ad agency. They 
can be stolen too easily. If that's 
a not nige term, they can be 'adapt- 
ed' as readily. It's safer to sell the 
physical, i. e., the performer. 

The ad agency has all sorts of 
arguments. They admit that a pop- 
ular type star brings a ready-made 
audience to the air, when It's an- 
nounced that these stars of the 
stage an'd screen will broadcast. 
But it requires a Big Idea of some 
sort, with not so distinguished and 
certainly far less costly entertain- 
ers, to make 'em do ditto, week after 
week. Hence the quest eternal for 
that Big Idea. 

From whence evolves the prem- 
ise that talent agents don't belong 
In radio. Or such Is the contention 
in certain quarters. 

Unequipped Ad Ageneiea. 

It's admitted at the same time 
that less than 60% of the ad agen- 
cies are equipped to build pro- 
grams; that they must recourse to 
outsiders for advice and expert 
guidance on the style of show that's 
to go on the air. Even as large an 
agency as Blackett, Sample, Hum- 
mert & Gardner, Chicago and New 
York, with perhaps the greatest 
number of radio programs on the 
air, has had to recourse to outside 
studios and the like for for the phy- 
sical building of their programs. 
Other of its shows arc in the hands 
of Bob Goldstein, Abe Lyman's 
ma,nager, with Lyman-booked bands 
as the musical backerrounds. 

When the Big Idea comes, aver 
the agencies, the task of fitting the 
puppets Into the cast Is the least 
of it. It's cited as a notable exam- 
ple that any other tenor could have 
clicked as the Street Singer, but it 
happened to be Arthur Tracy's 
voice, so he's capitalizing on it. But 
the agencies persist the idea wsis the 
big thing that made him. 

Bungling 

The case of Woodbury soap being 
maneuvered Into two tenors on the 
same program, Novis and Downey, 
and both killing off each other. Is 
laid at the door of bungling talent 
a«:ents In the network proper and 
on the outside. 

Behind It all Is a smouldering 
peeve by all agencies against all tal- 
ent sellers, on past experience of 
grafting, kickbacks and cutting up, 
with the ad agency ever suspicious 
that they or their advertising 
clients are being gypped through 
overpaying. 

Ad agencies have had their ex- 
periences from too enterprising 
10%ers who have propositioned 
them on kickbacks, etc., thus put- 
ting the gag right back In their 
own camps in the. event of any com- 
plications. Some underlings have 
been caught at It, In the chains and 
in the agencies. It's up to the net- 
works themselves to ease out the 
grafters within their own organiza- 
tions if the talent development end 
is accorded the respect it merits. 

^or the ad agency, and the radio 
chain better get this clear, that the 
ad agency Is in the show business. 
They may preen themselves all they 
want about their 6th, Park and 
Madison avenue addresses, manners 
and ethics, but Radio has brought 
them onto Broadway, regardless of 
geographical location. Show biz is 
Broadway and radio and ad agen- 
cies are in the show business. 
Showmanship Anyway 
And the more they're fretting to- 
day — as all are — about putting on 
a good show, a show that has nov- 
elty and punch, the more they're 
confessing their predilections to 
showmanship, whether they call it 
that or not. 

Radio must have a constant 
source of new talent and the agents 
are that source. 

The ad agencies may sit back on 
their graphs and merchandising 
charts and think they're aloof as 
very ethical, substantial business 
men, but as soon as they're dealing 
with actors, as a means to sell soap, 
autos or clgarets or any other com- 
modity, they're In the show biz. And 
howl 



2-Driiik Limit 



Among those affected by the 
financial retrenchment applied 
to the American Society of 
Composers, Authors and Pub- 
lishers are the crew whose 
business It has been to make 
the rounds of the speakeasies 
to check up on the spots using 
or.chestras and not paying a 
music tax. The sparse few of 
the speak investigators re- 
tained have been Instructed to 
go easy with their expense ac- 
counts. 

New order of things bars 
these sleuths from bringing a 
party along with them and Jot- 
ting down the aggregate dam- 
age on their swindle sheets. If 
the society has to pay any liq- 
uor bills from ■now on It will 
only be for the stuff consumed 
by the Investigator. And he 
now understands that a couple 
of drinks to the ball will be 
about all that the society will 
stand for. 



Biltmore Trio Attached 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Salary of the Biltmore trio at 
the Biltmore hotel was attached by 
an assignee of Roger Marchettl, at- 
torney, who acted as a personal 
manager for the combination. Law- 
yer closed in oh a $320 demand note 
signed by "Eddie Bush, Paul Gib- 
bon and E. W. Seckler. 
'■ Trio claims that note was signed 
in lieu of paying the 20% commis- 
sion Marchettl was to collect. They 
say that he told them he would not 
want any commission until they hit 
the big time. 



Harold Lee has moved from Mil- 
ler Music to the Witmark profes- 
sional staff. 



WSS SOLOMON RUBBED 
OUT IN CHEAP SnCKDP 



Boston, Feb. 6. 

What purports to be the confes- 
sion of one of the youths sought 
in the slaying of Charles 'King* 
Solomon, theatre and night club 
owner, throws a grim, ironic light 
on the 'King's' passing, Solomon 
was supposed to be one of five 'un- 
touchables' In the nation, a quintet 
that was safe from harm from the 
underworld everywhere. So the 
'King,' fearing no gangster, moved 
about alone and unarmed. 

Youth, surrendering to police 
here after flight to New York and 
return, explains he and four bud- 
dies were seated in Cotton Club 
here early in the morning when 
the 'King* entered with two' girls 
of the Cocoanut Grove Night club 
show. Knowing Charlie usually 
carried a roll, the six planned a 
washroom stlckup. When the 
'King' later walked to the lavatory, 
all rose and followed. Four went 
Inside; two made ready a waiting 
auto. 

Surprised that he should be at- 
tacked, the "King' argued, then 
struggled. Though gunless, he put 
up a stiff battle, being a giant him- 
self; one of the four drew his re- 
volver and fired three times. As 
the 'King* fell, they took his roll, 
which they say was 'only $400,' and 
fled. 

And thus the 'King,' underworld 
mogul and above fear, fell in the 
ignoblest sort of cheap stlckup. 



BOLFE BASS FOB LOEW 

B. A. Rolfe and his orchestra open 
Maroh 10 In Newark for Loew, 
booked by Walter and Edwin 
Meyers. 

Rolfe, since going off the air 
(Lucky Strike), has been inactive. 



Inside Stuff-Radio 



(Continued from page 36) 

itant flgure demanded by the radio artists bureaus as a means of cover- 
ing up on the 20% nick which they take from the performer's salary, 
which Is in additiop to the 10% going to the regular booker, leaving the 
act 70%. 

In endeavoring to book their sustaining performers in theatres, man- 
agers and bookers point out, the ether artists bureaus seek to salvage 
their weekly hand-out to the singers, comics, etc. In one Instance, a Los 
Angeles station sought to sell one of Its acts to a local house playing 
vaude at a figure which equals the total weekly stage show cost. 

Local managers and bookers in L, A. smile at such dream salaiies* 
which haven't been paid even standard vaude artistn in many a moon. 



California station recently Introduced a system of five minute pro> 
grams whereby an advertiser was allowed one commercial announce" 
ment and one record per program. This' was to catch small advertisers 
who wouldn't go for longer time. 

One shrewd time buyer contracted for six of tl'ese five minute pro- 
grama to run consecutively, and then station woke up to the fact that 
the advertiser had put over an exceptionally good deal for himself, in- 
asmuch as he was paying considerably less for the half hour than sta- 
tion charges for a straight 30 mins. Also, he is getting twice as many 
plugs, as station only allows three blurbs on each half hour commerclaL 



Unlike the arrangement prevailing at the network's Chicago branch, 
the NBC New York press department is not among the invitees to 
Monday night auditions. It's the only department concerned in some way 
with talent that's not represented when candidate* are up for final con- 
sideration, in the Chicago branch the attendance of a rep from the 
publicity crew is as mandatory as the presence of delegates from the 
sales and artists service staffs. 

Objection to the inclusion of the press department at the hearings 
comes from the program department. Reason given is that listening to 
the reaction of a p.a. would slow up the pace of the auditions. 



KSO, Des Moines, operating on a mere 100 watts, is the originating 
source of a program picked up and rebroadcast Dy four other Iowa sta- 
tions, two of them of the 5,000-watt category. It's a weekly session fea- 
turing a talk on state government by Gov. Clyde Herring, with the thing 
originally arranged through KSO's ownership connection with the Des 
Moines 'Register and Tribune'. 

Stations on KSO's special wire hookup are WIAS, Ottumwa; WMT, 
Waterloo; WOI, Ames, and WHO-WOC, Des Molnes-Davenport. Latter 
two transmitters are licensed to shoot 6,000 watts. 



Special assessment figured from $2,000 down per station has been 
levied upon the members of the National Association of Broadcasters 
to pay Newton D. Baker's salary as chief of the broadcasting industry. 
Amount of the tax is being scaled according to the individual station's 
power, with those operating on clear channels or anywhere from 6,000 
to 60,000 watts down to contribute the maximum sum of $2,000. 



New York 'Times' front-paged Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt's going off 
the commercial radio (for Pond's) prior to the Inauguration. It wasn't 
expected that the president-elect's wife would carry her air work past 
the official inception of F. D.'s office, as her 13 wePks' contract on NBC 
expires Feb. 24. 

Leo Reisman, Lee Wiley and William Scholtz will otherwise continue 
for the cold cream preparation. 



M. H. Aylesworth's report on the NBC gross Income of $29,000,000 for 
1932, a drop of $600,000 below '31, does not indicate the variance in per- 
centages of collections. These have been slower than in '31. 

The 1932 gross was also saved, not a little, by the political election 
broadcasts. 



The air sponsor advertises Billy Reid, 'the only son of the beloved 
Wally Reld', in connection with the youngster's WLTH (Brooklyn, N. Y.) 
commercial broadcasts. The same youth made one indie flicker under 
the name of Wallace Reld, Jr. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



MUSIC 



VARIETY 



55 



PHIL KORNHEISER IS 
BROKE-OWES $12,569 

Having given up Phil Kornhelser, 
Inc., his India music publishing ven- 
ture, prior to Joining DeSylva, 
Brown and Henderson, as general 
manager, Kornhelser, Individually, 
has flied a voluntary petition In 
bankruptcy listing no assets, and 
debts aggregatin'g $12,669.14. Liabili- 
ties are actually only $8,322, of 
which notes for $4,046 were Issued. 
The obligations aire thus repeated 
and tacked to the $8,322, totaling 
$12,569. 

Appending an affidavit he Is un- 
able to pay the costs of iillng the 
bankruptcy petition, Kornhelser 
gives his address as 320 Central 
Park West, New York, and Identi- 
fies himself as 'unemployed,' but 
that prior tnoreto he was the man- 
ager of a''muslc publishing business 
(Kornhelstr, Inc.). 

The paper, debtors are $900 to 
♦Variety,' Inc., and $2,246 to the 
Bryant Park Bank, for which notes 
were Issued. Saco Realty Corp., of- 
fice building, is down for $612; 
Agyer, Yellen & Bornstein, music 
publisher, $785; Lillian Blaufox, 
$210; Ira Schuster and Abel Baer. 
songwriters, $600 each; Ardsley 
Realty Corp., Kornheiscr's landlords 
at 320 Central Park West. $400; Mt. 
Vernon Country Club, $420; Mer- 
cantile Bank & Trust Co., $285; 
Garden Garage, $206. 

l^enjamin I. Shi verts is the bank- 
rupt's attorney. 



L.A. Musicians Censored 
For Underbidding on Jobs 

Long Beach, Cal., Feb. 6. 

Local 353, musicians' union, con- 
templates action against members of 
Los Angeles Local 47 who have 
been coming into this territory and 
offering to furnish dance halls with 
more men at less money than paid 
to L. B. members. 

Frank E. Judy, business agent 
here, has Issued a warning to L. A. 
members. 



3 Name Bands for 60c 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Trianon ballroom now engaged In 
a big exploitation push will mass 
three name bands on the evening 
of Feb. 13. 

At that time Wayne King, Ber- 
nie Cummins and Jan Garber will 
have a musical battle in honor of 
Lincoln. 

All for 60 cents top. 



Ish as Publisher 

Isham Jones has gone into the 
publishing business on his own after 
about 15 years of letting others turn 
out the sheets on his compositions. 
With Keit-Engel Interested, band 
leader's firm will be known as Isliam 
Jones, Inc. 

Office space has been taken in 
New York, and Joe Santly is slatcJ 
for the Ronoral-managershlp. 



Dubin's Wrinkle 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

First Invasion of serious mu- 
sic by Harry Warren is a 
symphony work titled 'Octo- 
roon/ It will be scored by Ray 
Helndorf. 

Al Dubln, Warren's partner. 
Insists he will write the lyrics. 



MILLS' TRIP PUTS OFF 
ASCAP-RADIO MAnERS 



With permission of the ASCAP 
board of directors E. C. Mills left 
Saturday (4), for a two weeks' va- 
cation in Bermuda. Meantime, ne- 
gotiations with the broadcasters 
for a revison of their music con- 
tract will remain in abeyance. Same 
goes for the scheduled discussions 
with hotel and restaurant men over 
the ASCAP tax on radio use. 

In its acknowledgement of the 
Society's letter offering to rewrite 
the station licenses, the National 
Association of Broadcasters advised 
the ASCAP that comment on the 
proposition would be deferred until 
after the NAB executive board held 
Its next meeting Feb. 20. 



NBC Says Jolson Tune 
Too Warm, but CBS Ok's 



•You Are Too Beautiful,' song 
from Ai Jolson's new picture, 'Hal- 
lelujah, I'm A Bum,' has been put 
on the verboten list by the NBC 
program department. Objection is 
that the ditty's lyrics are too warm 
for home loudspeaker consumption. 
Ban applies all over the network. 

Jolson did this number on his 
Chevrolet stanza (NBC) several 
weeks ago, but the bluepencil order 
wasn't put into effect until the 
number got a selected release and 
other warblers placed it on their 
programs. 

The song stands as okay with 
CBS authorities. 



Name Band Weekly 



New Empire ballroom, Broadway 
and 51st, opening Feb. 9, will change 
name bands weekly. Paul White- 
man's inaugural sendoff, at $2,600 
for his end, may be followed by 
Jack Denny. 

One band will be permanent, the 
name orchestras coming in from 
the various hotels around town. 



Azpiazu Stalled 

Paris, Jan. 30. 

Don Azpiazu and his Cuban 
rhumba orchestra, just can't get 
started in France. 

Still no labor permits. 



SWANK BEVERLY HILLS 
HOTEU PlIT IN BANDS 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
Beverly Hills hotel, staid hostelry 
where royalty ha^ been entertained 
in the past, and the newer Beverly 
Wilshlre are now staging a battle 
for night club business. Both hotels, 
which previously regarded the dance 
business as a nuisance, are going 
the limit. The Efeverly Hills has 
engaged the Ted Dahl combo with 
a dance team added, while the Bev- 
Wilshlre has Gus Arnhelm's band, 
and last week added Harry Barris 
and Loyce Whlteman. Both spots 
have radio outlets. 

Located in a fashionable sector 
both cater to class resident trade. 
Recently they have also gone after 
transient biz, but wintering guests 
who sit out the snow. In California's 
sunshine are few this year. Result 
is that the hotels had to go for en- 
tertainment. Air outlets are also 
figured to attract attention to the 
hotels. 

Biggest sufferer from this has 
been the Cocoanut Grove in the 
Ambassador which draws most of 
its patronage from Hollywood and 
Beverly. Bev-Wilshire has been 
getting the best play, credit going 
to the Arnheim combo, which has 
been a Coast fav for years. Beverly 
Hills hotel caters more -to family 
trade, the Beverly Hillers patron- 
izing the institution which for the 
past 10 years has been considered 
among the ace hotels in southern 
California. 



Must SeD 5,000 Copies DaOy for 
Top Publishers to Now Break Even 



Society Cuts 



E. C. Mills, general manager 
of the American Society of 
Composers, Authors and Pub- 
lishers, was voted a $10,000 cut 
last week on his annual salary 
of $60,000. 

Personnel and salary slashes 
were decided upon in percent- 
age ratios depending on In- 
come. 

Gene Buck, who draws $26,- 
000 a year as president of the 
society, also was voted a simi- 
lar $10,000 cut. In addition, 
Buck, as a top grade song- 
writer, receives some $8,000 In 
annual dividends which aren't 
affected. 



ASCAP TAX ON HOTEL, 
EATERY SETS HALTED 



Heidt Band Split, Some 
Remaining in Frisco 

San Francisco, Feb. 6. 
Horace Heidt bows out of RKO's 
Golden Gate Thursday (10) heading 
for Palace, Cleveland. 

Part of his band remains at the 
Gate with Zlzz Black coming in for 
one week as m. c. with baton then 
going to Heidt's drummer, Lee Flem- 
ing, who won band popularity con- 
test. 



The H'wood Manner 

Hollywood, Feb. 6. 

With space available In the music 
building at Paramount, another de- 
partment has moved in. 

Sign above the door reads: 'Music 
Dept.,' and underneath swings an- 
other reading 'School and Nursery.' 



AUGMENTINa INCOME 

With curtailed radio and cafe 
activity, some of the topnotch for- 
mer maestros of the air are round- 
ing out their Incomes through re- 
cordings for the pop-priced discs 
that retail at 26c or thereabout. 

Whatever name value they have 
sells to one label for the top price, 
and they employ pseudonyms for 
other recording work. 



Inside Stuff— Music 



Restaurant chains which pulled 
out their radio sets when the Amer- 
ican Society placed a minimum $60 
tax on each receiver In such public 
use, effective Jan. 1, are reinstalling 
their loudspeakers. Concerted ac- 
tion Is due to the ASCAP, at the 
request of the national hotel men's 
and restauranteurs' associations, 
deferring collection of the tax until 
March 1, pending negotiations on 
the tax between these organizations 
and the society. 

Similar postponement of effec- 
tiveness of the rate also applies to 
loudspeakers used In hotel rooms 
operated from a master receiver. 
Tax asked originally by the society 
for these installations was $1 per 
room per year. Eliminated from the 
purview of the fee were the Indi- 
vidual sets maintained -in hotel 
rooms as these, ASCAP realized, 
would be regarded by the law as 
tantamount to a man maintaining 
a set in his home. 

In working out the fee for the 
individual restaurants the society Is 
operating on the principle that each 
eaterie should pay the rate that 
would apply were a human orches- 
tra used in the place. In the spots 
where an orchestra has not been re- 
placed with a radio set ASCAP fig- 
ures on collecting the $60 minimum. 



Selling 6,000 copies of music a 
day, at 16c, which means a $900 
dally turnover, a publisher, if dolngr 
$6,000 a week's business (or $20,000 
on the month) stands a very good 
chance of making a consistent profit 
these days. But 6,000 copies Is a 
high average and muLt mean beau- 
coup hits. 

Overheads too often exceed that 
20G's monthly. If the ratio were 
kept okay, then everything else, 
such as what little mechanical 
money there Is, plus the American 
Society's $30,000 to $3Fi.000 a year to 
top publishers, would shape It up 
as a very nice proposition all 
around. 

The Harms firm's idea of opera- 
tion seems to pace the way for what 
must be the Inevitable trends of 
the music publishing industry. 

Harms continues to keep on the 
right side of the ledger with a 
modest overhead, relying on the 
radio as an ally to put over their 
songs, although It becomes just as 
often a hindrance in quickly kill- 
ing off the hits. With a minimized 
professional staff and the radio 
plugs fairly consistent, the new 
tunes can get into the air pronto. 

Harms also has the added advan- 
tage of getting 18 to 26c wholesale 
for their music which is principally 
musical comedy or better class pop 
songs. Instead of the 16c which is 
the MDS average. The operetta 
phase of the Harms catalog In it- 
self ensures a more lasting and 
staple quality which stands the 
songs in good stead through better 
chances for commercial longevity. 



Dreyfus-Feldman Over 

To Bid on Catalogs 

Louis Dreyfus, head of Chappell- 
Harms,' English publishing house, is 
due here around Feb. 20 to talk 
things over with the firm's Ameri- 
can afllliate. Harms, Inc. He^wlll 
also bid for a couple of catalogs, the 
European rights of which have be- 
come available. Latter are Remlck's 
and Famous Music Corp. 

Also due over about the same time 
is Bert Feldman, of the British 
music house of that name, to put in 
his own bid for these catalogs. 



Miriam Kenner Dies 

Lop Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Miriam Konner, song writer, died 
Jan. 29 in the Central Emergency 
Hospital, Frisco, after swallowing 
poison. She is survived by her fa- 
ther, John IT. Kenner ■ Los An- 
geles. 



HOUSE'S MUSICIAN TROUBLE 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Becau.se during recent concerts at 
the Wil.sliire Ebcll theatre non-union 
stagehands were used, or none at 
all hired, musicians' Local 47, 
through Frank D. Pendleton, its 
president, has issued an order pro- 
hibiting members from playing any 
type of engagement at the house 
unless members of stagehands' Lo- 
cal 37 are also employed. 

House, an adjunct of the Ebell 
club, Is being operated for the club- 
women by R. W. Wyatt, trustee. 



M-R PROMOTIONS 

MiU.s-Ilockwell, Inc., reorganiza- 
tion flcvatod F. C. (Cork) O'Keefe, 
v.p., to tlie general managership 
anil l{. K- Hansen in charge of pub- 
licity. 

Xed Williams, former press in- 
cumbent, goes on tour with the 
various M-R band attractions. 



In the currently new international treaties, the sundry nationalistic 
authors and composers societies seem fully cognizant of the worries 
assailing the American SCAP. Foreign songwriters' associatlonr have 
the same pleas from hotels, restaurants, cafes, theatres and broadcasters 
crying poverty and offering to turn over their business rather than pay 
the music license fees, <»tc., although it is admittedly more acute in the 
U. S. 

Since this country inovitatcs the world's popular music, the foreign 
societies do not want to engender the American Society's problems or 
hinder their completion, with the result that there is an extraordinary 
amity and accord in existence. 

The foreign societies, w'ith more years of experience in the perform- 
ing rights' collection business than the ASCAP, have all been through 
the various problems besetting the A. S. currently. 

With the broadcasters the most powerful counter-irritant yet encoun- 
tered in any music tax squabbles, the American Society is further com- 
plicated by Associated Composers, Inc., and other indie performing 
rights sub-organizations springing up, and proffering to make indepen- 
dent deals with the radio and other interests. 



Blind Ad for Columbo 

Detroit, Feb. 6. 
Russ Columbo appearing at one of 
the local closed door spots. Plug- 
ging his arrival, a large ad In the 
papers, consisted of Columbo's pic- 
ture and the caption 'appearing at 
one of Detroit's most popular night 
clubs.' Spot not named nor any ad- 
dress given. 



There's a young fellow in New York new to the band business and 
somewhat bewildered by the publishers. Only a week ago they were 
Insisting that he pay for all his orchestrations. Now they're around 
pleading that he play their numbers, plus inducements. 

The only difference that the neophyte can see In his status Is that 
he's now being picked up twice nightly by a major station, for which 
service the small restaurant at which he works is paying. 



Owners of sound ballyhoo trucks in the Los Argeles territory have 
been approaching the small music publishers there in the hope of get- 
ting all music from such sources, and ducking the $250 a year AKCAI' 
tax Imposed on mohilo loiid-spraUr-r units. With recording studios avail- 
able, the minor pubs have boon making up test records and transcriptions 
of their numbor.s, and are able t<> furnish the trucx owners with plattors 
for advertising purposes. There are about 100 trucks in the L. A. aroa. 



Henry Spltzcr, the Harms general mgr.. claims 'My Darling' tops 'NIgbt 
and Day' in sales, both being Harms publications. Latter was conceded 
best selling in last week's 'Six Best' ratings. 



HERE AND THERE 



Paul Tremaine is sharing the 
bandstand with the California Col- 
legiates at the refurbished Brjad- 
way dine and dance spo*. the Bo- 
hemia. It was formerly Janssen's 
Haufbrau. 



Sidney Kornheiser has joined 
Keit-Engel as radio contacteer. 



Sam Wigler, formerly with Do- 
Sylva, Brown & Hondorson, has 
Kone Into the pul>lishing business 
on his own again. Makes his tnird 
try, two pr(.'vif)us partners I'Oinx 
(ieorge Mario and Arthur Holiim. 



Everett McCracken, Baylor l.'nl- 
verslty l;and master, re-eU-ctJ'd 
president of Texas Bandmaster's 
Association. 



CANTON LOCAL TAXING 
VISITING BANDS 4^ 



Canton, Feb. 8. 

Canton musicians' union Is de- 
manding 4% from traveling bands 
playing local ballrooms. Bands de- 
clare this to be the highest ex- 
tracted in any city In the United 
States. There has been riiuch dis- 
satisfaction over the issue. 

Duke Ellington and 'Red' Nichols 
have been among the complainants 
but, so far, nothing has happened. 
Maestros say the percentage In 
other cities is seldom more than 
1%, though some locals demand 
2%. 

Visiting bands have said they will 
take up the matter with New York 
headquarters. 



Freed, Brown, Kahn 

Tuning for Metro 

Arthur Freed left for Hollywood 
last week to Join Nacio Herb Brown, 
his former song writing partner, for 
some Metro screen musicals. As a 
team, both came Into prominence 
with Metro's 'Hollywood Revue,' 
'Broadway Melody' and 'Pagan Love 
Song,' among others. 

Another songwriter whom M-G 
has signed is Gus ICahn. All writers' 
songs will be published by Bobbins 
Music Corp., a Metro subsid. 



Leaders Win Over Local 



Jam Anson Weeks and Ted 
Weems got into with the New York 
musicians' local No. 802 over play- 
ing dates on the Lucky Strike ses- 
sion without first obtaining permis- 
sion has been straightened out. 
Executive board of the international 
union reversed the local's verdict 
against the leaders and al.so turned 
down No. 802's request for permis- 
sion to revoke the pair's traveling 
cards. 

Means that Weeks may now re- 
tain his stand at the St. Regis hotel 
and Weems his at the Ponn.sylvania 
Grill. Immediately after the federa- 
tion's reversal came through Weeks 
was spotted on a series of broad- 
casts for the tobacco account. 



Film Tunes 

i lolly wood, Tcb. 6. 

Thtnic tuiu- for .Metro's '.Man of 
tlic .\'il<.-' hii.s been writt';n hy Dick 
Whiting and Horb N.'iclo Hrjwn, 
tilled '.Moon Is On the Nile.' 

J-'or Joan Crawford's next produc- 
tion, iJave Siiell and Harry Tobias 
havi! written 'U's Too Good to Be 
True.' ^ 



56 



VARIETY 



TIMES sail A RE 



Taesday, February 7, 1933 



East 



Supreme court denies Sam Kap- 
lan's plea for reinstatement as 
head of Local 306. Holds with In- 
ternational's decree barrlner him 
from holdiniT ofllce for five years. 
Rules, however, that some 30 other 
oincor.s removed at the same time 
may run ap:aln after the next elec- 
tion. lATSE had slsncd a stipula- 
tion that an election will be held 
within 46 days. 



Nunally .Tonnson gets the Job of 
writing Eddie Cantor's next screen 
comedy. 



Francis X. Bushman in London, 
Ont., tells court that as the re- 
sult of an auto accident his income 
fell from 140.000 a year to $7,900. 
He asks an avard of $10,000 against 
Albert E. Hamilton, whose car 
caused his injury. Jury allowed 
$3,000. 



Polly de Loos has left 'Autumn 
Crocus' to understody Eugenie 
Leontovich in '20ih Century.' 



Bondholder's suit puts 23 Para- 
mount features into receivership. 
Pledged to the Film Production Co., 
which had financed their malting, 
but held to traverse bondholders' 
rights. 



■W H W lM l B lHP WWr i lillM W UJmmWL H ..»H ; jB ! iai 1hl.t...lWtilllllBllllBMlliailBI |«n»" 1 i f"| |f! |^^ 



News From the Dailies 

■ This department contains rewritttn theatrical neips items as published during the week in the 
daily papers of Neiv 'Yorlf, Chicago, San Francisco. Hollya>ood and London. Vanet)) lafies no | 
credit for these news items; each has been rewritten from a daily paper. 



facades. Opens Feb. 18 at the Fine 
Arts Bldg. 



Chas. Schomberg was found dead 
on the roof of the old Roxy theatre 
Thursday morning (2). He tool: a 
room on the 14th floor of the hotel 
in which the theatre is partly lo- 
cated, tied a pillowcase over his 
head and jUmped, landing on the 
roof, eight stories below. Despon- 
dent. 



Emily Morrison, reputed former 
chorus girl, committed suicide by 
gas last Thursday (2). Believed to 
have been moved to the act by 
asthma, 



Llagre, Jr., will produce 'Butter No I 
Parsnips,' by Gertrude Tonkonogy, 
Ruth Gordon may head the cast. 

National Board of Review will 
open a three-day session at the 
Pejinsylvanla hotel Thursday (9). 

Harold Johnsrud has done a ver- 
sion of 'Trip to Pressburg,' which 
the Shuberts like. It has been off 
and on for a couple of seasons. 

Carol Sax has an option on Mau- 
rice Stoller's 'Dance, Damn You, 
Dance.' Story of a marathon dance. 



Judge Bondy, who Issued Par, re- 
ceivership orders, said he nsked 
Will Hays about Adolph Zukor as 
receiver, and was told Zukor was 
the man for the job. 



Jury awarded Zach Miller, of 101 
Ranch, $66,000 in his suit In Erie. 
Pa., against Tom Mix for breach of 
contract to appear with the 101 
Ranch show. Two years ago Miller 
obtained a verdict of $90,000, but the 
case was appealed and verdict set 
aside. 



Dallies Intimate that Maureen 
Driscoll, of Anatole Frledland's 
vaude revue, is getting Mrs. Fried- 
land's goat. She's the former RolUe 
Roxle. Story runs that she wanted 
the dancer flred and was told no, 
hence the flames. One of those bad 
Judgment publicity things. 

Heleti Kane married Max Hoff- 
man in Washington between shows 
Wed. (1). Hoffman, who is the son 
of Gertrude Hoffman, made the 
Jump from Hollywood to jump off. 



A. C. Blumenthal to submit to 
examination before trial in the suit 
of Walter Relchenbach for $300 still 
unpaid for press work. . Blumenthal 
resents Relchenbach's statement 
that he was chiefly hired to pub- 
licize Blumenthal as a friend of 
former Mayor Walker. 

Alyce Oakley, actres.^. suing Plaza 
hotel, Tamaqua, Pa., for $15,000 for 
imprisonment. Alleged the hotel 
locked her up two days in connec- 
tion with an unpaid bill. 

Met opera more or less doubtful 
about next year, but the board Is 
always pessimistic about this time. 
Scares out the subscriptions. Defi- 
cit of $350,000 this season. 



'Champagne Supper' Is the new 
title for 'Love Story.' 



Mrs. John Rlngllng, wife of the 
circus mogul, was served Wed. (1) 
with papers in the suit in which her 
brother-in-law charges her with 
alienating the affection of his wife. 
Francis X. Kelly, auto salesman, 
alleges she dazzled her sister with 
her wealth and made her discon- 
tented. 



Latest effort to ousi Adelaide Hall. 
Negro comedienne, from her Larch- 
mont home a dud. Mortgage com- 
pany sought to foreclose but had 
to admit It had no legal basis for 
claim. 



Virginia Franck Rosseau sheds 
her husband, Theodore, Jr., in 
Scranton, Pa. Kept secret until the 
final decree was entered last week. 
Married in Media, Pa., last summer 
while he was still in college. She's 
with 'Of Thee I Sing.' 



Police finally getting after push- 
cart men who've been openly sell- 
ing alcoholic center candles. 



Sue Carol dragged into a kidnap 
case in N. Y. Some time < ago her 
advertisement for a baby for adop- 
tion was given publicity. Last week 
a woman took a child for adoption, 
explaining she was acting for the 
picture star. Later the father 
checked up. Miss Carol denied the 
woman's authority and police called 
In. 



Norman Brokenshire and his 
landlord drop the assault charges 
each preferred against the other 
over a rent question. In Yorkvllle 
court. 



filed suit for dlvdfce against Eddie 
HiUman. Actress charges cruelty. 



Duke Hall, radio announcer, di- 
vorced from Clara Hall. 



Michael Curtlz, director, sued In 
L. A. Municipal court by Thlldo 
Foerster, writer, who charged that 
director is the father of her son and 
asks $800 a month for child's sup- 
port. 

Thieves entered beach home of 
Aileen Pringle, actress, and robbed 
her guest, Howard Dletz of New 
York, of $1,000 In cash. Nothing 
was taken from the actress. 



Eddie Cronjagcr, cameraman, di- 
vorced from Murrel Finley Cron- 
Jager. 



Burr Mcintosh, actor, filed suit for 
tZ^OO in L. A. Municipal court 
against Gore Bros., agents, and 
Johnson and Aldous, contractors. 
Actor alleges he was struck by a 
beam falling in front of a building, 
recently completed, with protective 
fences removed. 



.Hugh B. Boswell, art director, di- 
vorced from Cora Boswell. 



taking lessons from dancing schools 
In Chlcagro. After ^la agent gets 
his evidence a ptnch follows, city 
la agin taxi dance halls. 

Four Deuces Cafe where AI Ca> 
pone got his 'start' In Chicago is 
falling to ruin In Chicago. It was 
recalled when a flve-foot section 
of the cornice fell to the groimd. 
Place has been full of cobwebs for 
years. 



Phillip Stamm, 40, who started 
life as a barber, returned to Mil. 
waukee after 11 years and was 
nabbed for wife and child aban- 
donment. In the Interlum he has 
been a clown and whatnot with car- 
nivals and circuses, he stated. He 
gets a one to two-year rap. 

Voters In Evanston, ultra north- 
side Chicago suburb, who have 
three times voted on Sunday pic- 
tures, win finally get them. Lib- 
eral trend in the City Council gave 
9 to 7 okay. Some restrictions as 
to time theatres may be open will 
be applied, however. 

Further troubles of Dr. Henry J, 
Schlreson came out. Since de- 
prived of his license to practice he 
has been doing so, the law alleges. 
He's now a fugitive ducking a war- 
rant. 



Edgar Reeves, actor, arrested by 
Hollywood police on suspicion of 
drunken driving following an auto 
collision. 



Glen Edmunds, orchestra leader, 
divorced from Dolly Edmunds. 



Helen Keller visited RKO Music 
Hall Wed. (1) and 'saw' the im- 
mense structure through the eyes of 
her companion. 



Some of the players in the original 
'June Moon* cast plan a revival of 
Kaufman play. Harry Rosenthal, 
Lee Patrick, Frank Otto and Frank 
Conlan are the originals. Kathryn 
Givney, Thos. Gillen, Elaine Temple, 
Frederick Riving Lewis, Myra 
Hampton, Milton Steifel, Harold 
Grau, Milano Tilden and Barbara 
Smith will complete roster. 

Green Roomers push back their 
revel to next Monday (13) and there 
may be another Jest of Honor in 
place of Conway Tearle. 

Phil Baker is negotiating for 
•Goodbye Again' for a road tour. 



Walter C. "Virginia Judge' Kelly, 
signed by Theatre Guild for 'Both 
Your Houses.' 



Francis Bacon and Christopher 
Marlowe will start rehearsals on 
Martin Mooney's 'The Ghost Writer." 



Seven boats of the Iron Steam- 
boat Co., which has been running 
to Coney Island for over 50 years, 
auctioned last week, the septet 
bringing only $15,050. Best price 
was $6,500 for the 'Slrlus,' with the 
'Cetus,' oldest of the fieet, bringing 
$550. Subways to the Island and 
the growing number of autos put 
the line into bankruptcy last fall. 



Helen Meaney, Olympics diving 
star, does a swan hop from Harry 
Balfe In Bridgeport. She told the 
Judge that when he got tanked he 
thought he was a pugilist and she 
was always the patsy. 



That Gattl-Casazza testimonial 
concert off. He says no like cele- 
brating his growing old. Sixty-four. 



'Biography' shunted from Guild 
theatre to Avon next Monday (20) 
to let in the O'Neill trilogy. 



Mrs. Lillian A. Macloon, legit pro- 
ducer, filed an amended complaint 
in L. A. court to her divorce action 
against Louis O. Macloon, brought 
several months ago. Mrs. Macloon 
charges her husband kept company 
with a Mrs. Peggy Wildey. 



Lola (Lane) Ayres, actress, di- 
vorced from Lew Ayres In L. A. 



Mrs.'Segunda Yrlondo Lederer di- 
vorced from Otto Lederer, actor. 



Ned Zlegler, asst. gen. mgr. of the 
Met, tells Westchester that despite 
stories of folding they will get the 
usual performances next season. 



Peggy Wood will be in W. A. 
Brady's production of 'Saturday 
Night.' It's her first B'way show- 
ing since 1928. 



Mrs. Boske Antheil, wife of the 
composer,* admitted to American 
citizenship. 

Tests at Harvard University show 
that classroom pictures Improve 
scholarship 20% to 38%. 

Slolly Picon tO do a special mid- 
night show at the 2d Ave. Saturday 
(12) for the benefit of unemployed 
Yiddish players. 

Francis Lederer is considering a 
proposition to select, direct and act 
in a Czechoslovakian play at Chi- 
cago during the fair. 



Theatre owners petition the city 
to abolish theatre zone traffic rules. 
Argue that there are fewer theatres 
and less traffic, and rules no longer 
are needed. 



Elizabeth Miele to Bermuda to 
adapt Pirandello's 'Trovarsl' for the 
Shuberts. 



Burglar alarm at the N. Y. Par- 
amount went off accidentally about 
7 p. m. Sunday (5). Four police 
cars responded. 



Sophia TrcadwoU to eiitor the 
autlior-producer class. She'll back 
her own 'Lost Valley.' 



Eupenc O'Neill's triloRy of onc- 
acter.s to open Feb. 20 at the Guild 
theatre. Tagged 'American Dream.' 

Louis Feldman, who drives a boer 
triu'k, delivered a load to the May- 
flower club Wednesday. He knows 
now th.1t the Fed. af;cnts are in 
charjje. They pinched him. They 
paid their call Tue.sday (31). Got 
15 helpers, but Just chased the orch. 



Roger Wolf Kahn pays the dress 
bill of his former wife Just before 
suit comes to trial. Bill was $625. 



Jos. Smith was arrested Sunday 
(5), accused o£ sending death 
threats to Harold Stern, bandmas- 
ter at the St. Moritz. 



Three men were captured In the 
Rugby theatre, Brooklyn, Sunday 
night as they were breaking open 
the safe. The entrance was no- 
ticed by a pedestrian, who gave an 
alarm, which brought the radio pa- 
lice. 



Coast 



Doris (Games) Mai Logan, ac- 
tress, divorced from Walter Logan, 
Jr., in L. A. Superior court. 



Thief entered the home, Los An- 
geles, of Samuel J. Brlskln, Colum- 
bia studio exec, and walked out with 
gems valued at $24,000. 



Hayden Talbot, screen writer, re- 
leased on $1,000 bail on charges 
growing out of an asserted $7,600 
alimony debt In L. A. Talbot denies 
his marriage to Esther Talbot, who 
several years ago obtained tempor- 
ary alimony of $250 a month pend- 
ing her trial for separate mainte- 
nance. 



Western Electric arrested two 
former employes for allegedly steal- 
ing 150,000 worth of sound equip- 
ment. They are Fred Hornberg and 
Max Keller, both of Chicago. Third 
ex-employe, William Heldeman, is 
being sought as the purchaser of 
the stolen goods which he allegedly 
used In a road house near Akron, 
Ohio. 



Evelyn Gushing Schultz 'Miss 
Illinois' x>t 1932 got married but 
didn't know how or where. It was 
all hearsay she told Judge James 
Kelly. People said she married 
Hallett Schultz but she didn't know 
for a fact. She asked for an an- 
nulment and didn't want alimony. 

Francis X. Bushman suing In a 
London, Can., court for $10,000 
damages from an automobile ac- 
cident In 1931 said he heard 'ter- 
rifying voices' because a vertebra 
in his neck was out of place. He 
said his offer of a couple of years 
ago to be a gigolo for any wealthy 
woman was Just a publicity stunt. 
Jury awarded him $3,000. 



Margaret McConnell, that Chi- 
cago artists model, has progressed 
as far as the Santa Fe and a date 
for a look-over at M-Q-M.ln Culver 
City. 



id-West 



Lester Renauldin. ' 21, despondent 
m.c, killed himself and his wife, 
Mary Lee Robert. 19, nite club en- 
tertainer, in a double tragedy, In 
New Orleans. 



A 'dancing policeman' with a 
number seven shoe so that nobody 
suspects him. Is going the rounds 



COIN MACHINES TAXED 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

City of CThicago has Imposed an 
annual tax of $2 on every coin- 
operated machine. Thus, for the 
first time, this flourishing business 
comes under the regulatory powers 
of the municipality. 

It means presumably that licenses 
can be with held from those not In 
good graces with the political 
powers. 



CUT-RATE CAGERS 

Lee, Mass., Feb. 6. 

Times ain't tough enough, s more 
competition bobs up. 

A basketball league Is staging 
games at what It announces as pre- 
war prices — 10c for adults and 5o 
for kids. 



Marriage of Marion Talley, singer, 
to Michael Raucheisen. her vocal 
Instructor, annuled at Long Beach. 
Cal. 



Helen Flint will be the only wom- 
an player in 'Hangman's Whip.' 

Chas. Lawrence, who plays a cop 
in 'i''ace the Music.' sought to evade 
a ticket by flashing his badge. Sus- 
pended sentence of $500 for imper- 
sonating an oincer. 



Mary E. Kelly, dancer, asking 
$.'>0.000 of the Arnlnk Express Co.. of 
Yonkcrs. Truck crashed her auto 
and scarred her face so badly she 
has to wear a mask when she 
dances. Her mother is suing for 
$10,000 loss of services. White 
Plains court. 



Lll Damlta In a row, in the Havana 
casino, according to, a paper story, 
and the chucker-outer eased her for 
tossing champagne bottles. 



Brooks Costume Co. has purchased 
the nearly 10,000 Items of wardrobe 
frofn the Belasco estate. 



Architectural league of N. T. will 
Include a gallery on the arts of the 
theatre, broadening the scope of 
previous exhibits, which have been 
confined chiefly to scene models and 



Frank L. Dyer, of Ventnor. N. j., 
files in Wilmington against Sound 
Studios of N. Y.. charging infringe- 
ment of patents on long playing 
phonograph records. 



AI H. Woods is considering a 
spring farce, 'Here Comes the 
Groom. 



Mother of Rosamond Pinchot, 
actress, critically ill in her N. Y. 
home. 



Complement to the suit of Francis 
Kelly against Mrs. John Rlngling 
for the alienation of his wife's af- 
fections Is the bill of divorce filed 
by Mrs. Kelly at Interlaken, N. J., 
charging desertion. She is Mrs. 
RIngllng's sister. 



Suit charging plagiarism, and 
asking for $101,000 in damages, filed 
in Federal court, L. A., against 
Warner Brothers by M. P. Echevar- 
rla, who alleges that the company's 
picture, 'Across the Pacific.' was 
based on a scenario he submitted 
four years ago. 



NEW YORK THEATRES 



Jesse Lasky, Jr., writer and son 
of the producer, denies that he is 
engaged to Patricia Harper. 



On Screen 
Irena DUNNE In "The SECRET 
OF MADAME BLANCHE" 
IR'WAY On StOEO 

' 55 V Qoorole PRICE. AL TRAHAN 
IriD m FONTANA & COLES 

151 SIIh 1^^ Extra Added AHraetlon 
CAB CALLO. 
WAY 4 Oreh. 



PRICES SLASHED! 



Complaint alleging Gllmore Mil- 
len. screen writer, drove an auto 
while intoxicated, has been Issued. 



I. A. Iverson, theatre owner, has 
been sued for $50,000 In L.A. by 
Kathryn Townsend, ' for asserted 
breach of promise. 



Roscoe Ates, actor, and his wife 
have separated for good, according 
to announcements made by friends. 
Property settlement was made be- 
fore the comedian left for the east 
on a personal appearance tour. 



Otis Skinner has left for Africa on 
a vacation. 



Richard Aldrich and Alfred de 



Leon Gordon, writer, sued In L.A. 
Municipal court for $64,600 by Mrs. 
Eileen Hallenberg, who alleges that 
a twisted neck, received when 
writer's car collided with one In 
which she was a passenger, has 
caused the wearing of a neck brace. 



Marian (Nixon) Hillmap, actress. 




On Screen 
Norma SHEARER 
& Clark GABLE 

'STRANGE INTE"RLUDE' 

On Stage 

LIna BASQUETTE. Frances ARMS 
Added Attrao. Anatole FRIEDLANO 



ALWAYS A 
BETTER SHDW^ RKO ! 



I- 



~m a=i Premier 
^ll S Vaudeville 

"t Marie Gambarelll 
"OAMBY" 
WALTER 
POWELL 
and Ortheitra 
[and Other RKO 
Aeti 

Continuous Irom 10 A. M. 
Ually Midnight Show Feature Picture 
Complota MIdnlOht Show Every Sat. 



On the Screen 

BARBARA 
STANWYCK 
In 

THE BITTER 
TEA OF 
GENERAL YEN' 
with Nils Asther 



m086thSl 



ROXY 



7th Ave. at 50th St. 

25C 35C 



to 
6 P.M. 



to 
Closing 



DAVE SCHOOLER'S MUSIC 
'Iron Master" & 8 Acts 



Don H. Mullally Jr., and his 
father, writer, have been ordered to 
pay $6,896 to the widow of Edward 
Switzer, killed In an auto collision 
with Mullally, Jr. 



AT 
t£X. Ave 

U'eil. to »!., F«>l>. H to 10 

'SECOND-HAND WIFE' 

with 

Sally Eilers, Ralph Bellamy 
and 

THE SAVAGE GIRL' 

Wltll 

n'ulirr n>-ron. Koch clle Iluilwon 

moaistST. iROADWAY 

Weil, to Frl., Feb. 8 to 10 

SALLY EILERS 
'SECOND-HAND WIFE 

with Ralph Bellamy 

and 

LOUISE FAZENDA 
in "Hunting Trouble" 




Tneedajt February 7, 1933 



TINES SQUARE -SPORTS 



VARIETY 



57 



Tm Telling You 

By Jack Osterman 

— -f 



ISHAM JONES DEa)ICATB&HIS 
JATEST SONG TO WALIj ST., 
•yOU'VB GOT MB CRYING 
' AGAIN.' 

Tha New Show Business 

Tears ago when we were Invited 
to a theatrical party, people would 
point with pride to the different 
producers present. Woods, Harris, 
X<arl Carroll, et al. That is a thine: 
pit the past.. The other week Burns 
and Allen and Jack Benny invited 
' 116 to a biff party they gave at the 
Warwick. The room was packed. 
As we entered Jack grabbed our 
arm and whispered: 'See that fel- 
low over there, head man with Gen- 
eral Foods. The short fellow next 
to talm is chief of Standard Brands 
and the woman talking to them con • 
trols American Tobacco/ 
Foresight 

Charlie Morrison and Danny 
Winkler have merged. On the day 
they became partners Danny and 
Sid Silvers lunched together at 
Moore's. Charlie came in the res- 
taurant and passed by their table 
without giving Winkler a tumble. 
Sid, observing this, said: 'You guys 
will be bigger than the Shuberte, 
you're not talking to each other 
already.' 

Up the River 

We took our Club RIchman revue 
up to Sing Sing Sunday to enter- 
tain the guests of the State. Re- 
minded us of the last time we were 
there. Cab Calloway's orchestra 
opened the show. There were about 
eight men in the death cells await- 
ing execution who were allowed to 
listeh to th.e show via radio ear- 
phones, and the first number Cab 
sang was I'll Be Glad When You're 
Dead, You Rascal You.' 

Long Enough 

Patsy ('Flying Colors') Kelly was 
complaining the other night about 
following an actor at a benefit. She 
remarked about the length of time 
he was on, stating he did his old 
act, his new act and an act he was 
learning. 

Progress 

Irving Caesar has a relative who 
moved from Essex street to Essex 
House. 

Congratulations 

Lew Pollack is going up and down 
Broadway luvlng about the route he 
got for his act. He has a half con 
eecutlve. week. 

Oscaroo 

Oscar Iievant, the swell pianist, 
was asked if he intended playing the 
Stadium concert this year and 
answered he would if he could dig 
up the cab fare. 

Bright Chatter 

We could murder the guy that 
comes up to us at four a. m. and 
asks, 'You don't remember me, do 
you?' We answer, 'No', and run 
away. Other bright conversation 
Includes, 'Swell weather for Feb 
ruary,' 'It's blowing up a little,' and 
'Business is bad all over.' 

Reputation 

And speaking of conversation, this 
reputation of being a wit, wise- 
cracker, or what have you, has its 
disadvantages. They expect a 
smart answer for everything. We 
walked into a cafe the other night. 
Someone asked us how we were and 
we told them we felt fine. The pai*y 
said, 'That's not a funny answer, 
you're slipping'. 

Follow Up 

After Mary Garden and the Mills 
Brothers week at the Capitol, we 
expected them to follow It up with 
Tetrazzlnl and The Three Keys. 
Suggestion 

Louis Shurr will either have to 
get higher heels or a etepladder if 
he continues going with that gor- 
geous tall blonde. 

A Good Day 

Billy (Loew exec) Downs told us 
he had a good day last week. He 
opened the mall and no <t>ankrupt- 
cles fell out. 

Ostermania 

Thank goodness the film '42nd St.' 
looks better than the street itself 
...Lou Holtz raised 'cane' for only 
one week in that Florida spot... 
Congrats to the press of our home 
town, Toledo, for getting over 4 G's 
for the poor with their 'Front Page' 
performance. . .We found out why 
we were billed as cub reporter No. 
2 In 'Variety' last week,.. Tom Mix 
is No. l.;.Ted Healy Is doing swell 
in the :^aramount Grill... And so is 
Eddie Miller over WOR... Trend of 
times, when Buddy Rogers played 
the Pajamount last year the auto- 
graph hounds held up the trafUc... 
Lost week we passed Loew's State 
stage door and only saw the door- 
man... Well we got the kid's first 
picture in ih« dailies and inclden- 



Working Title 



Proprietor of candy store ad- 
joining a Loew picture house in 
the Bronx wanted a fancy 
name for his daughter, so he 
picked Ming Toy. 

Her name reads Ming Tqy 
Epstein. 



LOW COST NITE LIFE 
BIG HOTELS' OBJECTIVE 



NIte life around the Square con- 
tinues taking a cut. The manage- 
ments realize the limited purses and 
are doing everything possible to en- 
courage stay-out-latelng. 

The Statler hotels, including the 
Pennsylvania, for example, have 
abolished the coatroom tipping, tak- 
ing the cue from Longchamps res- 
taurants, which for long have been 
on a fixed 10% addenda to the check, 
and no cloakroom chargT to ball out 
one's chapeau. 

The Hotel New Yorker now offers 
an Inclusive $1 couvert for dancing 
and supper. A more elaborate club 
dinner at $2 Is also sans couvert. 
The bargain one buck for supper 
and dancing Is revolutionary In hotel 
nite life, as the value of a band's 
draw in any of tho hostelries was 
predicated strictly on the supper 
converts. There's no credit for the 
dinner trade as It's figured the 
dinerj from the hotel guests and 
average commercial patronage takes 
care of that, regardless of who Is the 
band. The draw comes from the 
after-theatre patronage. 

Alice Foote MacDougall eateries 
now offer $1 dinners with a CBS 
dance band^and even the minor eat 
eries have some sort of music. One 
of those trick tearooms advertises a 
different solo entertainer, gratis, 
with the cheap chow. 

Even the side street red-Inkerles 
encourage strolling troubadours to 
contribute soft serenading for the 
throw money. Muslc-with-food-and- 
drink is a heritage from the class 
speaks which whetted the taste for 
hotcha and Hawaiian accomps. 

St. Moritz (New York) hotel's 
swanky Continental room has 
knocked off the couvert to depend 
on the kitchen alone for income. 

Room's tap has been $2 for just 
sittln' down. 



GRANDPARENTS' NEW LOVE 

'Just Grand,' Said Grandma — Com- 
poser Carpenter the Groom 



Boston, Feb. 6. 

John Alden Carpenter, Chicago, 
noted composer, applied for a wed- 
ding license at Cambridge city hall, 
then forgot to get it. So just be- 
fore the bells were to ring, he made 
a taxi rush, got the paper and was 
soon united to Ellen Waller Bor- 
den, wealthy and divorced wife of 
John Borden, Chicago manufac- 
turer. Ceremony performed in the 
James Russell Lowell house, 'Elm- 
wood,' In Cambridge. 

To reporters, couple smiled as 
they admitted each was a grand- 
parent. 

Said she: 

"When a woman has had three 
grandchildren and then falls In love, 
It's — it's just perfectly grand, and 
I am so happy!' 

Among Carpenter's works are the 
Skyscraper symphony, which at- 
tracted attention in the key musi- 
cal centers, and his Krazy Kat 
ballet, featured at the old Roxy, in 
New York, several years ago. 



Taxi Joint Chiseling 

Some of those taxi dance joints 
are due for some unwelcome pub- 
licity over th^ manner in which the 
bohunks get' taken when they sit 
down for a drink with the hostesses. 
They may sit a couple of hours and 
receive a bill for $12, at $6 an hour 
for the hostess' time. 

The line of femmes who rush the 
stag visitor at the taxi joints and 
some of the complications are like- 
wise headed for some newspaper 
breaks If the managements don't 
control It. 



MARRIAGES 

Viola Roehl, film editor, to James 
G. Jefferys at Los Angeles Jan. 28. 
Groom is head of Jefferys film lab- 
oratory at Burbank, Cal. 

Mrs. Walter Borden to John Al- 
den Carpenter, Cambridge, Mass., 
Jan. 20. Both from Chicago. Groom 
a composer. 

Sara Jane Heliker, showgirl, to 
Gilbert W. Kahn, New York, Feb. 1. 
Groom Is son of Otto Kahn. 

Helen 'Boop-a-doop' Kane to Max 
Hoffman, picture actor, Washington, 
Feb. 1. 

Lillian Arch to Bela LugosI, Las 
Vccras. Nov., Jan. 31. 

Mario E. Gardenshire to Alfred I. 
Harrl.s, New York, Feb. 1. As Marie 
Reynolds, the bride played In many 
dramatic stock companies. 

Hawlcy Ados, song writer and as- 
sociated with Irving Berlin in musi- 
cal arrangements, will marry Miss 
OlKa Beauman, a dancer with the 
Beauman dancing school, in Albany 
Feb. 11. 

Betty Balfour to Jimmy Camp- 
boll. Both picture players. Date not 
given, but union admitted by tho 
bride last week. 

Edna Callahan, actress, to Gregfr 
Toland, cameraman. In Hollywood, 
Feb. 2. 

.lulia .M. Biner, non pro, to Paul 
Jones, Paramount studio assistant 
director, Los Angeles, Feb. 3. 



Campus Caper Racket 
Goes Wrong When Girls 
Balk at Tipsy Studes 

Minneapolis, Feb. 6. 

Some ingenious University ^of 
Minnesota students in need of dough 
hit upon a neat way of making it 
and almost got away with a novel 
racket. Through Manager C. W, 
Bacheller of the unit, "Whoopee, 
playing the Orpheum, they extended 
an invitation and obtained accept 
ances'from the 40 line girls and 
minor feminine principals to attend 
a 'university dance' as student 
'guests.' The students making the 
arrangements appeared to be o.k 
and no investigation was made by 
Mr. Bacheller or the girls. 

After landing the girls, the stu- 
dents rented a large dance hall and 
then, unknown to Bacheller or the 
show people, advertised throughout 
the university district and other 
college circles a dance at one buck 
per ticket, with 'beautiful chorus 
girls' supplied gratis as 'dancing 
partners.' They drew a packed hall 

The hitch came when the student 
promoters arrived at the theatre 
somewhat lit up to call for the girls. 
Manager Bacheller bawled the stu- 
dents out and gave orders that no 
member of the company should at 
tend the dance. 

At the dance hall the paying 
guests waited In vain for the 'beau 
tlful chorus girl' partners. A near 
riot broke out when, more than an 
hour after the dance had scheduled 
to start, no girls had put in an ap 
pearance. The police were called, 
but no arrests were made when the 
promoters agreed to refund admls 
slons. 



Male Art Replaces Shapely Gams 
FoOowing Femme Reader Poll 



Sing Sing Courtesy 



Presence of Owney Madden 
and Russell Ryder at Sing 
Sing, as guests of the State of 
New York, accounts for. the 
good shows that the prisoners 
have been enjoying lately. 

The nite club bunch particu- 
larly, because of Madden's In- 
carceration, send up floor 
shows that constitute the pick 
of the Broadway nocturnal en- 
tertainment. 

Another one was given Sun- 
day (6). 



CANZONERI DROPS 
TOWHEAD TOWNSEND 



BUDAPEST'S REAL PIPS 
SNUB BEAUTY CONTESTS 



Budapest, Jan. 22. 
Miss Hungary for 1933 has just 
been elected In the person of Julia 
Gaal, 17-year-old brunet. 

National contest, with 140 candi- 
dates, proved to be a display of ap- 
pallingly homely girls, with a mini- 
mum percentage of average good 
lookers. In the Jury among the 

audience sat dozens of lovely girls, 
but they refused to walk up on the 
platform. 

Standard has been sinking little 
by little since 1929, when Miss Hun- 
gary got the title of the prettiost 
girl In Europe as well, and these 
beauty contests seem to have lo.st 
their attraction. 



tally, two more payments and the 
baby's ours... ARE YOU READ- 
ING? 



BIRTHS 

Mr. and Mrs. .T. J. Murdock, Jr., 
Fob. 2, daus{htpr. Tiioir first child. 
Both parents are nnn-prof'^ssirinals-. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Wesley RuKglcs, 
son. Feb. 4, at Cedars of Lebanon 
Ho-wpital, Los Anpeles. Father is a 
director at Paramount. Mother i."; 
A: line Judge, sereen actress. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Allen, at 
the Women's ho.«!pital, ■ New York, 
Feb. 4, daughter, their second child. 
Mother is Valerie Ramler, former 
'Follies' show glrL 



By JACK PULASKI 

A crowd of 10,000 boxing fans, a 
surprisingly good house for the card 
as announced, saw Billy Townsend 
drop to the Garden canvas last Fri- 
day (3) In the first minute of round 
one. Tony Canzonerl, the light- 
weight champ, thereby Is credited 
with a knockout almost as fast as 
that he administered to Al Singer 
a year or so ago. 

There was a roar from the fans. 
They couldn't believe their own 
eyes — that Townsend weighing 141 
pounds (welterweight) should be so 
quickly disposed of by the 132- 
pound Brooklynlte just didn't seem 
possible. But there he lay rolling 
over and apparently unable to get to 
his pins. The betting was as high 
as 10 to 1 that Tony would win — 
and a pug said 'even a dead boxer 
Is worth a bet at that price.' Odds 
were backed down to 8 to 6 on a 
knockout. 

According to Canzonerl himself he 
landed just three blows — one to the 
heart, one to the mouth and one on 
the temple. At the time he fell 
Billy was shielding his chin with the 
right glove and Tony had stepped 
away. When the towheaded Town 
send left the ring he was loudly 
booed by the upstairs contingent 
and there was a difference of opln 
Ion among the sports writers at 
ringside. 

Some argued that there was no 
reason for Billy to lay down whllo 
others thought they smelled a rat 
and frankly said so In their respec 
tive papers. However, it is possible 
to be kayoed by a temple sock. 
Benny Leonard won the lightweight 
title from Freddie Welch by just 
such blows, but there was more 
than one of them. 

The matter of Canzonerl's rating 
was considered by cooler heads 
among the experts. He is a clean 
fighter and a corking boxer. Only 
criticism may be the inclination 
Tony has of pulling his punches — 
or so It looked /leveral times, pre- 
viously. Yet In the past year he 
won by knock-outs more than once 
— ever since the left hook which 
looked like a tap, but which knocked 
Singer cold. 

If Tony's punches were as effec- 
tive as supposed against Townsend 
there Is little doubt but that he 
could invade the welter division and 
cop that title too. He disposed of 
Billy Petrolic on points not long ago, 
but the Fargo Express had to make 
the lightweight limit (135 pounds) 
and was apparently weakened. Pe- 
trolle softened up Townsend last 
season when he knocked him out, 
and the westerner has taken plenty 
shellacking since then. That Is an- 
other reason to suppose that the 
bout with Canzonerl was on the up 
and up. 

Tho main bout disappointment 
had its lighter side. Willie Moore, 
who runs Dinty Moore's chop house 
with the old man, arrived with a 
large party ju.st as the headliners 
went into action. He gave the tf>.ket 
.stubs to an usher and when he 
turned around Town.scnd was kl.ss- 
Ing the roHin. The Moore group did 
not 1, jther to ta\-c their seats, .lust 
a.s well, for the seml-flnal which 
went on l.Tst '.v;is not so good either. 
A pi y n.imfd Tony Melore stopped 
so ni.'iny of rnnkie Kllck's punrhos 
with his face that Referee Ha ey 
.sloppod it. 

This week brinfrs on the heavies. 
I'llmo C'anf-ra will park his enor- 
mous dogs In the Garden ring, and 
Ernie Schaaf will trv to do some- 
thing about It. The winner is carded 
to meet Jack .Sharkey next sum- 
mer for the title, so they say. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 

Dallies have awakened to the fact 
that they have been all wrong go- 
ing heavy for femme pictures on 
their news pages, and playing down 
the male portraiture. Its sad news 
for the m.e.'s and c.e.'s, who have 
been raving for gam art and telling 
their reporters to bring In the lady 
pictures and forget the males. 

After this has been going on for 
years, the Scrlpps-Canfleld group of 
dailies, operating mostly In the 
west, recently made a survey of 
women readers on the question: 
'What would you rather see in the 
paper, pictures of men or pictures 
of women?' Answers were almost 
100% for the 'former. 

This group of sheets Is now go- 
ing after male muggs instead of 
femme's. Publishers admit that 
they have been overlooking the s.a. 
angle. In the old days the stronger 
sex (so-called) were the heaviest 
newspaper readers, so the gams 
were great. In the past few years 
the situation has been reversed. 
Now femmes are the big readers. 

News editors have appealed In 
their news and features to the 
women In every department but 
one, the art. But now that all this 
has been straightened out It's go- 
ing to be the man In those divorce 
cases who will get the big play. 



NEW YORK Bni WOULD 
OUTLAW DANCE DERBIES 



Albany, Feb. 9. 

Marathon dancing would bd 
banned if a bill introduced by As- 
semblyman Charles J. Olmbrone, 
Buffalo Republican, is passed by the 
legislature. 

The bill would amend the penal 
law so as to make it a misdemeanor 
to conduct or participate in a dance 
contest for more than eight con- 
secutive hours. 

Cleveland, Feb. 7. 

Attempts of local American Le- 
gion post to start a walkathon In 
East Cleveland, sponsored by same 
promoters who are running a walk- 
ing endurance match in East De» 
troit, drew a storm of opposition. 

Promoters of East Detroit con« 
test offered the legion post 25% of 
the net gate if it succeeded in get- 
ting permission. Stunt would be 
staged in a huge empty garage. 

First marathon dance here In 
years was finally pushed through 
in a suburb, chiefly on a secret 
agreement that the marathon back* 
era would spend a juicy percentage 
of profits on food for poor. 



Hair Dressers Threaten 
Rainbow Effects for '33 

Boston, Feb. 6. 
Depression has boosted the beauty 
biz, say the ex^^erts assembled here 
for Ladles Halrdressing association 
convention at Copley Plaza hotel. 

Mary Kehoe, speaker, said busi- 
ness competition la 'so keen a girl 
must keep up her appearance to 
have a chance.' 

Experts in adddresses say coif- 
fures for this year will be simple for 
daytime, elaborate or startling for 
evening. Models were used to illus- 
trate this. 

Short bobs, curled closely to brlpg 
out lines of the head, will be the 
vogue. Wavers are to be modeled 
along looser lines. 

Hair can be treated with metallic 
powder. In waves anoJJier bright 
powder Is put, red, or b'lue, or green. 
Models were used to show this to 
ladies a.ssembled. One wore white 
with red flowers In dres.s and they 
did her hair silver, with red hero 
and there to match the floweis. 

Hair dyes and artlflclal colorings 
generally are in greater demand 
than ever, speakers said. Sales in- 
creased in these dyes 25% last year, 
it was asserted. 



PADLOCK CANDIDATES 

Among the padlock defendants in 
the latest crop of suits by tlic Gov- 
ernment arc: 

Alleged speaks at 67 West 65th 
street, Dave Harris and Benjamin 
Stern; 117 West 47, Edward Block; 
no West 45, Sammy Butts and E. 
Harrison Griffin; 230 W. 43, An- 
thony Bennlcl and William J. Dem^ 
arest. 



58 



VARIETY 



TIMES SQaARE 



Tnefday, February 7, 1933 



Broadway 



Sam Kahl In town. 

Whit Burnett In town. 

Doris Jay back In town. 

Rogeanne Reynolds Is married. 

Charley Gartner back on the job. 

RKO Mayfalr treasurers' name Is 
O'Day. 

Two for a Jit e^ardenla salesmen In 
the Sq. 

Harold Winston married to Gloria 
Holden. 

Mrs. Harry Relchenbach off to the 
Riviera. 

La'-ge sign on Hotel Clarldge dls 
mantled. 

Sid Silvers* wife to coast for 
health reasons. 

IsUn Auster doesn't believe in 
writing letters. 

George Gerhardt ailing for half a 
week, but okay now. 

Reports Tessie Michaels still has 
hopes of cooking for two. 

The beautiful Helen Lefcourt 
works on Governors Island. 

All the Dunnlngs, Phil, Frances 
and Virginia, off to Florida. 

Arthur Loew laid up at the Astor 
with a bad case of tonsilitis. 

"The Jack Bennys and Bernlce 
Petkcre to Florida for vacash. 

Florence 'Desert Song' Ellman 
sees Harlem for the flrst time. 

Same boys who used to pay oft 
to avoid jury duty now asking for It. 

Jenny Mandel, of the F. & M. of- 
fice, formerly was with Fally Mar- 
cus. 

Rita Wclman taking things easy 
at Atlantic City and recuperating 
nicely. 

Bill Saal setting dappier every 
day and always looking in the big 
money. 

Don Skene knows an eatery wherja 
the house buys the third round of 
fried eggs. 

Jim O'Connor squawked when he 
discovered hard rubber heels on his 
new shoes. 

Flea circus reported to be itching 
for a receiver, but none has come 
to scratch. 

'Hoover Beer* or 'Roosevelt beer' 
Is the tip-off whether It's near or 
alcoholic brew. 

Pat Rooney, 3d, hung up a hole- 
In-one at Bayside last week. Herble 
Tlmbcrg'3 his witness. 

Despite that even most of the gals 
dislike Lynn Farnol's odd haircut he 
persists In keeping It. 

Arkle Schwartz of i'le Schwartz 
freres In Burope looking for some 
new nite-club novelties. 

Monte Carlo nlte at the Motion 
Picture club Saturd^;^ (4) raised 
over $2,000 for the club. 

Marvin Schenck not going to 
Florida until after Louis K. Sidney 
gets back in two weeks. 

Mrs. Mike Marco Is In New York, 
having Joined her husband for a 
protracted stay In the east. 

Jack Pegler getting used to the 
long walk from Park avenue over to 
Broadway theatre contacts. 

Broadwayites wondering at the 
reverse English In 'New Yorker's 
'profile' on A. C. BlumenthaL 

Russ Moon shot up to New Haven 
last week on advance for 'Cavalcade' 
In that and other N.. E. towns. 

Beth Brown has to change the last 
chapter of her 'Man and Wife.' Pub- 
lisher afraid of Inferential libel. 

Albertlna Rasch out of Mt. Sinai 
hosp over the weekend and slated 
for Bermudlan recuperative trip. 

Sam Roseman, props at the Music 
Box, fell while walking the dog 
around and broke shoulder blade. 

Adele Leblang, the late ticket 
magnate's youngest daughter, re- 
covering from appendix operation. 

Bob Gillham, himself recovering 
from scarlet fever, rushed out to 
Kansas City to visit his mother, 
also ill. 

Among the able secretaries with- 
out a job is Anne Ruben. Change of 
administration at thQ old Roxy is 
the cause. 

Teddy Hayes, husband of Lina 
Basquette and former trainer for 
Jack Dempsey, may do a short for 
Columbia. 

Robert Chlsholm, the Australian 
baritone, who recently arrived from 
London, 111 abed. Three doctors but 
no nurses. 

Jack Osterman had his mug in the 
tabloid last week with the Mrs. and 
the baby. They had to use soft 
focus on him. 

John D. Hymes, formerly with the 
CBS Artists' Bureau, now treas. 
of the Iloyale and selling ducats for 
"When Ladies Meet.' 

Loew's State stagedoor, next door 
to 'Variety's office, did bullish biz 
with the flaps after Buddy Rogers' 
signature last week. 

With the Hitler news the N. T 
'Times' was bombarded with queries 
on Germany's Jewish population, 
disclosing 646,000 out of more than 
60,000,000 pop 

Jake Wllk, the Warner exec, went 
on the air suddenly and talked 
about 'cleaner motion pictures.' 
Later he found out it was the Lysol 
hour. He's oft to Florida, now, for 
a short stay. 

Max Fuchs, of the Lobster, and 
Ranney Wilson, of the 'Times,' rep- 
resent Times Square on the Mecca 
temple divan this year. Max is 
next to closing. 

Peitnsy's Floridlan week-end train 
south : has a swimming pool on 



€ H ATTE 




board, electric bridge tables and 
Paul Whiteman's Florldlans orches- 
tra among the deluxe travel com- 
forts. 

Renee Carroll's (Sardl coatroom 
checker) book, "In Your Hat,' off the 
presses in three weeks; Macauley's, 
with Alex Gard illustrations. She'll 
sell 'em across the eatery's counter 
— or else. 

The Skourases took a financial 
shellacking with the closing of 
those banks in St. Louis recently. 
It's the ninth time the brothers 
have been thus caught but they're 
not squawking. 

Eddie Cantor had a birthday last 
week, but when his pal-vaude part- 
ner, George Jessel, was asked by a 
radio Interviewer about the num- 
ber of candles, George replied that 
he didn't 'dare tell for fear of being 
fired." 

Don Dickerman now in charge of 
Tony Sarg's Bohemia opening to- 
night (Tuesday) with Dicker man's 
staff from the former Heigh-Ho. 
DaffydlU and County Fair in charge. 
Paul Tremaine and California Col- 
legians orchestras, with Sarg's pup- 
pet show at pop price scale, is the 
entertainment scheme. No convert. 

Mrs. Anatole (Rollle) Friedland is 
not overjoyed at the kind of marital 
separation publicity her husband 
went after and got. That sort of 
stuff may be okay with the Holly- 
wood bunch, who seemingly don't 
care what kind of publicity it is as 
long as it is, but In the east they 
don't think home life should be pa- 
raded so lightly. 



The Hs^e 

By M. W. Etty-Leal 



Scala theatre, the Hague, engaged 
as guest for new operetta Germalne 
Light, formerly with Alhambra, 
Brussels. 

Latest swindle here Is with ciga- 
rette coupons, forged coupons of 
British American Tobacco Co., 
printed on the sly in Belgium. 

In addition to damage of props In 
big Arena theatre fire at Rotterdaih 
the huildlngs are a total loss 
amounting to 1200,000. Covered by 
Insurance. 

This week Holland premiere of 
'Grand Hotel' ('Menschen im Hotel'), 
based on novel by Vickl Baum, Ger- 
man version with M-G all-star cast, 
in City theatre, the Hague. 

Dutch Operetta Company reviv- 
ing X3erman musical comedy, 'Das 
Veilchen von Montmartre,' by Em- 
erlch Kalman In Dutch version un- 
der title, 'Violetta,' premiere In 
Scala- this week. 

Memorial performances given In 
Holland for 60th anniversary of 
Wagner's death; Ufa theatres stag- 
ing Nibelung film, and Wagner so- 
ciety in Amsterdam preparing con- 
cert and performance of 'Parsifal.' 

Tilla Durleux with her German 
company next week In Princess the- 
atre, two plays on repertoire, 'Der 
Schatten,' by Nicodeml and German 
version of a play by Somerset 
Maughan, German title, 'Die Stand- 
hafte Frau.' 

Foreign talent here Includes for 
this week: French pianist, Leila 
Gousseau; Russian dancers, Clo- 
thllde and Alexander Sakharoff; 
Italian pianist, Giovanni dell'Agno- 
la; Fehse string quartet from Ber- 
lin, and Spanish troupe of dancers 
headed by Florie Rodrigo. 



Montreal 



Capitol cuts prices dime to 60c. 

Constantlnovltch S. Zolo byllned 
on Veregln. 

Elmer Ferguson highlighting on 
Gandhi Saturday (4). 

'Black Sheep,' local university rag, 
banned after first issue. 

Place Vlger hotel, scheduled to 
close Tuesday (7), will operate un- 
til October. 

Tom Cleary almost talking with 
English accent on account so many 
British pix. 

Jim Oastler p.a'ing His Majesty's. 
Harold Inns, manager Mount 
Royal, retires. 

Laureat Tanguay, Chateau Fron- 
tenac orchestra, dies after attack by 
dancer last week. 

New autos fewer by 27,514 In 1932 
than in 1931, government statistics 
show for Canada. 

Quebec Liquor Commission gross 
down $4,731,867 from 1931, most of 
it in hard liquor and wines. 

First air program new Radio 
Commission complete fiop Wednes- 
day (1), Stopped after 10 minutes 
without explanation. 

Fifty actions against 16 nlte 
clubs, cafes and cabarets taken by 
police dismissed in Recorder's Court 
Wednesday (1) on ground of being 
drawn up erratically. Police trying 
to close all dancing after midnite. 
Number of other cases to come up 
now held over by police pending re- 
vision, and whole affair may be 
stopped, is general opinion. 



London 



Glenn Ellyn oft to Paris. 
Harry Burns in Brompton hos 
pital. 

Gina Malo getting the English so 
clety bug. 

Harry Roy and band making de 
but on air. 

Tex McLeod now an English 
householder. 

Tom Tltt advertising his draw 
ings for sale. 

Ramsay Macdonald at Bertram 
Mills' Circus. 

Claude Allister latest flu victim In 
the film world. 

London's nighterles latest victims 
of 'flu epidemic. 

Cicely and Jack Hulbert planning 
a Swiss holiday. 

'Sapper' writing a sequel to 'Bull- 
dog Drummond.' 

'While Parents Sleep' just passed 
first anniversary. 

Earl St. John's enforced week's 
layoff due to Illness. 

'Words and Music' closed Adelphl 
Feb. 4 after 20 weeks. 

Cass, Owen and Mack oft to Scala, 
Berlin, month of Feb. 

Hannen Swaffer stih In Egypt on 
long-delayed vacation. 

Al and Ray Samuels at last fixed 
with General Theatres. 

Comedy theatre supplying own 
stools for their queues. 

Jimmy James looks like develop- 
ing into good compere. 

Roy Fox pulled capacity on his 
opening at the Kit Cat. 

Owen Nares writing his memoirs 
in the 'Sunday Dispatch.' 

Lady Diana Manners starting a 
new tour In 'The Miracle.' 

Ambrose switching his recording 
from H. M. V. to Brunswick. 

Jimmy Wilde reminiscing in Lei- 
cester Square about America. 

Pierre Cohen elevated to theatre 
supervisor for Moss Empires. 

Nlklta Balleft humming new Ideas 
to himself In Leicester Square. 

Margaret Bannerman returning to 
vaudeville, this time as ainger. 

Jack King, formerly Elsie Janls's 
accompanist, here song writing. 

A new entertainment weekly, 
'London Outlook,' due March 3. 

Violet Vanbrugh sailing to Aus- 
tralia to visit married daughter. 

Bobby May collecting rare prints 
and books on Jugglers and Juggling. 

Leslie Sterling flying to Paris, to 
croon at Giro's club, at 1,200 francs 
per. 

Condos Brothers off to Holland on 
the TuchlnskI Plctiire theatre cir- 
cuit. 

'Potash and Perlmutter* now in 
the sticks as twice nightly attrac- 
tion. 

They are reviving 'Juno and the 
Paycock' at the Grand theatre, Ful- 
ham. 

Iris Hoey awarded |1,000 against 
Barry O'Brien for breach of con- 
tract. 

George Black at the Palladium 
minus his cigar and contented 
smile. 

Alfred Rode and his band return 
to the Palladium Feb. 13 for two 
weeks. 

Leslie Francis, stage manager 
London Pavilion, out after week's 
notice. 

Lawrence Wright, of music fame, 
marrying Betty Warren, actress, 
Feb. 1. 

Gwen Farrar seriously consider- 
ing touring 'Wonderbar' in South 
Africa. 

Vera Lennox granted divorce de- 
cree Jan. 23 against Arthur Mar- 
gctson. 

Evelyn Laye off to the Riviera for 
a holiday after strenuous picture 
making. 

Big boom in cocktail drinking 
clubs, with 6.30 to 6.30 hour always 
jammed. 

Harry Foster has sliced Leicester 
Square theatre overhead by £600 
per week. 

Mansfield Markham writted by A. 
B. Investments, Limited, for money 
advanced. 

Mrs. Tudor- Owen plugging Yar- 
ner's coffee, taking all the Ameri- 
ca is there. 

Queen Mary sends for Olive 
Blakeney after seeing her In 'Orders 
Are Orders.' 

Adrienne Falre, wife of Edward 
Laurlllard, back from lengthy stay 
in New York. 

Frances Maddux and Caryll Gib- 
bons to Jointly record for Columbia 
ttecordlng Co. 

Walter Crisholm, American star 
of 'Ballyhoo,' framing cabaret act 
with two girls. 

Billy Cotton, one of England's 
foremost band leaders, used to be a 
'bus conductor. 

Rivalry at the London Hippo- 
drome between Frank Boor and W. 
McQueen Pope. 

Carlyle Robinson writing Charlie 



Chaplin's memoirs for the London 
'Sunday People.' 

Murray, the Australian escapolo- 
gist, doing his act In a lion's cage at 
Olympia Circus. 

'If I Had a Million' retained sec- 
ond week at Plaza — visited twice by 
Prince of Wales. 

Yvonne Arnaud's new play chang- 
ing title of 'Money or Your Wife' to 
'Doctor's Orders.' 

Charles Gulliver's influence be- 
hind Alfred Wingrove's London 
Pavilion booking Job. 

Charlotte Greenwood threw a 
party to celebrate 100th perform- 
ance of 'Wild Violets.' 

Birmingham Repertory Co. stag- 
ing 'When the Crash Comes,' a new 
play by Beverly Nichols. 

Someone Is kidding the Wind- 
mill management their girls rival 
Ziegfeld Follies beauties. 

Phil Hyams says the Cole Broth- 
er's were tho greatest sensation he 
ever had at his theatres. 

Bob Ripa besides four-a-daylng 
uses London Pavilion stage two 
hours every day for practice. 

Lady Conan Doyle refuses to per- 
mit another author to re-create 
character of Sherlock Holmes. 

Ann Suter playing principal t}oy 
in Edinburgh pantomime, the first 
time an American given that role. 

Giro's night club, one of London's 
most exclusive clubs, reduced its 
annual subscription by over 50%. 

London County Council stopped 
Sunday shows at the Leicester 
Square theatre after two Sundays. 

Paramount now broadcasting De- 
broy Somers Band regularly from 
the roof of the Plaza every Friday. 

Reilly and Comfort due for hold- 
over at Palladium obliging man- 
agement by going to Leeds to head- 
line. 

Eddie Pola boasts has written 11 
songs in three months, which Is 
more than any songwriter here has 
done. 

Every Fleet Street theatrical 
scribe applying for Alan Parson's 
dramatic critic's Job on the 'Daily 
Mail.' 

Sir Henry Lytton made final Lon- 
don bow in Gilbert and Sullivan 
operas at the Savoy Jan. 21 after 60 
years. 

Sir Oswald Stoll wants Jeanette 
Macdonald for the Coliseum at 
£1,200 per, but Bob Ritchie wants 
percentage. 

A. Moss, formerly with Moss Em- 
pires, under William Evans regime, 
now at Associated British Cinemas 
head office. 

Jose Collins declined appear Tro- 
cadero Cinema following matinee 
when she discovered her name did 
not top bill. 

Mrs. Jack Hylton reading her hus- 
band's telegram to Palladium audi- 
ence, in which he tells her not to 
let him down. 

Billie Houston following sister 
Renee in divorce court. Her mar- 
riage with Robb Wilton, Jr., being 
dissolved Jan. 23. 

Flu epidemic so strong In the 
provinces that some newspapers ad- 
vising people to stay away from en- 
tertainment places. 

Johnne Clair, acting under name 
of Phyllis Clair, no longer engaged 
to Caryll Gibbons, after engagement 
lasting several years. 

British Broadcasting Corporation 
deny Henry Hall and his band are 
leaving the BBC and are being re- 
placed by Jack Payne. 

Lion M. Lion looking for pub- 
licity hound who will accept pay- 
ment by results, with no one want- 
ing to work that cheap. 

Americans here no longer dis- 
cussing the coldness of London's 
hotels, but claim the Home Office is 
the coldest spot in the world. 

Mrs. Bert Aza left with 12 Cos- 
sacks on her hands, as result of 
cancellation at the Leicester Square 
theatre under the new regime. 

Influenza robbed London of Mrs. 
Meyrick, its nightclub queen. She 
held record of imprisonment for in- 
fringement of Uquor selling laws. 

Vaudeville theatre discontinuing 
non-stop variety, reverting to 
straight comedy Feb. 7 with 'Half a 
Million,' a new play by Kenneth 
Horn. 

Plaza picture house flrst theatre 
in West End to have two organs 
playing, with Mr. and Mrs. C. Drew- 
ett Smart doing a sort of Mr. and 
Mrs. Crawford. 

Prince of Wales, Duchess of 
Sutherland, Lady Betty Butler, Sir 
John and Lady Mllbanke among the 
English nobility at the Plaza to see 
'If I Had a Million.' 

English ballet to form major part 
of opening program at Coliseum, 
which reverts to vaudeville Feb. 2. 
Adeline Genee, now retired, will 
dance at first performance. 

Dorothy Dickson taking night off 
from 'Casanova' to see her daugh- 
ter's—Dorothy Hyson's — debut in 
Ivor No Velio's new play, 'Flies In 
the Sun,' at the Playhouse. 

Cecil Landeau picture, 'Send 
Them Back Half Dead,' presumed to 
have been Inspired by Cedric Bel- 
frage, considered one of the slowest 
quickees for years. Has been In 
the maklner for moatha. 



Riviera 

By Frank Scully 



Mrs. Klaw at Sporting club, but 
not Marc. 

Edith Warton from sleepy Hyeres 
to sleepier Menton. 

Annual hoofing championship of 
the woj-Id has started. 

6tto Kahn to Grasse, near H. O 
Wells and P. G. Wodehouse. 

Splnelll at Nouveau Casino and 
doubling at Perroquet nitery. 

George Antheil has written a 
rhumba ballet which he's nuts 
about. 

BlUy le May, once prince of Wood- 
stock, now runnln<T a two-bit eaterv 
in Nice. 

Frank Lawton back from Holly- 
wood and 'Cavalcade' for a look-see 
at Monte Carlo. 

John Hanscom, I. N. S., oldest 
scribe on Coast, elected prez of new 
Anglo-American Press club. 

Sing-Song, giving what' passes for 
chop suey on the Riviera, and 
charging chumps 80 cents for it. 

Hobart Henley scrammed from 
Nice on the Conte Grande for eight 
weeks' tour of the Mediterranean. 

George O'Brien, Hollywood's po- 
litest cowboy, here with Dan 
O'Brien, Frisco's wisecracking cop, 
and George's father. 

'Vlolettes Imperiales,' starring 
Raquel Meller, into the Casino de 
Paris at last. Jean Perez signed 
for it eight years ago. 

Forum, new deluxer and Casino 
de Paris opposition, got a holdover 
out of 'Maurln des Maures,' its 
opener, though the attraction car- 
ried no names. 

Though native population chiefly 
Italian, flrst talker In that tongue 
has got in. At Politeama, and titled 
'Gll Uomlnl Che Mascalzoni,' mean- 
ing 'These Men, What Chumps.' 

Peggy Wood and Gertrude Law- 
rence, both after a French piece, 
though the male lead can't help 
stealing the show. Gertie got it, so 
Peggy has returned to Broadway. 

Edna Ferber came from London 
to convalesce from grip, had a re- 
lapse, and instead of going on to 
Egypt with her mother, decided it 
was Just as easy to be sick in New 
York and returned there. 

Constance Carpenter opened a 
nev act at the Sporting club in 
Monte Carlo, with Fred Carpenter, 
no relation, assisting, and Betty 
Compton, who roomed with Connie 
when both were new to New York, 
applauding the Improvement In the 
Carpenter voice since those day. 

Earl Williams, who once secre- 
taried the floppo Writers' League 
International, now doubling for the 
'Dally Mall' and the 'Eclaireur de 
Nice,' burned Jimmy Walker by act- 
ing as shillaber for 'Hollywood,* 
nlte club, and then sitting in on a 
flashlight photograph in which the 
ex-mayor was spotted at a table 
with a fugitive from Justice. Pic- 
ture .subsequently peddled to the 
dailies for a further Walkerlan 
burn-up. 



Hollywood 



Sir Guy Standing going strong for 
golf. 

Frank Tuttle shaved the beard for 
good. 

Bert Kalmer on a strict diet duo 
to a sore tummy. 

Ralph Bushman back after six 
months of vaude. 

Will King, In town for a visit, 
will stick to his 'Frisco cafe. 

Frank Butler bought Bill Mc- 
Nutt's dictaphone outfit for $10. 

Ben Hecht writing his Hollywood 
pals letters about his fiu attack. 

Lester Cole's house burned down 
day after he took out insurance. 

Chico Marx has a story idea and 
Is looking for someone to write It. 

Ernst Lubitsch telling everyone 
who'll listen that Germany is okay. 

New cafes opening all over town 
featuring $1.50 with wine dinners. 

Fox publicity department flooded 
with novels by Bob Eden. Who's 
the guy? 

Joe Mankiewlcz using his lay-off 
time to good advantage breaking in 
new nipes. 

Wolfe Gilbert can't memorize his 
own lyrics. Has to carry them 
around in a note book. 

Clara Bow and Rex Bell writing 
friends they will leave Paris for 
home next Friday (10). 

Mike Rosenberg accompanied 
Charlie Skouras and Jack Sullivan 
east, as the third hand. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Norworth ar- 
rived Sunday (6) from New York by 
motor for a fiing at pictures. 

George Somnes spending his time 
in receiving hospitals getting at- 
mosphere for 'Police Surgeon.' 

Al Lever hopped to 'Frisco to try 
a whirl at producing a Grand Gulg- 
nol series at the Green Street. 

Grover Jones has a new charity. 
He's collecting money to buy a new 
cork leg for his colored janitor. 

Perey Hopkins Joyce, Burns and 
Allen and Phil Harris will be guest- 
ed by the Wampas Tuesday (7). 

Marlene Dietrich slips the info 
that Josef von Sternberg will soon 
leave Germany for a trip to Japan. 

Radio studio bridge hounds figur- 
ing they'll get a lot of good info 
gratis from Culbertson when he 
starts his shorts this week. Wrong 
flSUrlnff. 



ifnesday, Fctniary 7, 



TIMES SQUARE 



VARIETY 



59 



AnstraiKi 

By Erio Qorm 



Cftlrftol, Sydney, atUl eloMd. 
•Ok^T America' renamed Tenalty 
M Faroe' 

•First Tear* In Its fifth week In 
jlelbourne. 
Brltlsb pictures still continue to 

•Bird of Paradise' will be lonff-run 
In the principal «ltles. 

'Bisn of the Cross' hooked by the 
earrolls for Prince Bdwarjd. 

Xbeo Shall will produce The 
Command to Love' for W-T. 

Universal la sponsoring all the 
l^vertlsements for 'Back Street.' 

They renamed 'All -American' 'The 
Sport of a Nation' for local con- 
Samptlon. Football pictures not so 
ftot. 

Because of the film shortaee. 
State« Sydney will go In for long- 
l>iuu. Was formerly weekly change 
ace' house. 

George Parker, American, la pro- 
ducing dramas for the radio. Par 
kef was brought here some years 
•go to stage shows for W-T. 

•Waltzes From Vienna' set W-T 
tMwik 40,000 dollars before show 
opened. Biggest amount spent on 
production here for some years, 

'Back Street,' although only 
booked In for one week, will play 
two weeks more at State, Sydney, 
Fem trade Is building remarkably. 

'Autumn Crocus' reaches 60th per 
formance in Sydney. Show well 
set for a long run. 'Treasure Isl- 
and' Is another winner in Mel 
bourne. 

'2^ald of the Mountains' will be 
the ne^t extended English picture 
for the Plaza. ' jack Musgrove, for- 
merly vaude booker. Is. in charge of 
this house. 

For 'Iiove Me Tonight' girl ushera 
at Prince Edward, Sydney, are 
wearing st^aw .hats. Idea put over 
by Mel Lawton.and gives the girlies 
quite a- natty appearance. 

First time, in a year or so that 
every legitimate theatre in both 
Sydney and Melbourne has been 
operating, . Looks aa though the 
lef^it's lean times are over. 

W-T seriously considering book 
log for Australia !Whlle Parents 
Sleep' and 'Reunion in Vienna.' 
Plays will moijt likely be seen here 
about the middle of this year. 

Said that Fred Miblo may be 4n 
duced to visit Australia as producer 
for a local outfit. Niblo appeared 
here years aso on the stage in 'Get 
Rich Quick Wallingford' and other 
comedies. 

British pictures set very solidly 
In thia country and playing In two 
or more theatres In each city. Tear 
or so ago • British productions 
flopped quickly. Today it is a dif- 
ferent Btory. 

Primage duty and sales tax re- 
moved from overseas magazinesc 
This will give the picture fan mags 
better sales In Australia. Taxes 
crippling trade and removal forced 
upon government. 

No doubt about Chevalier's appeal 
to the women of Australia. Mati- 
nees of 'Love Me Tonight' playing 
to the strongest feminine trade wit- 
nessed here in months. Picture 
should stay around six weeks. 

Ted Henkel will return to America 
this week after about five years 
spent In this country. Henkel first 
came here as condiictor for Capitol, 
Sydney, and was a big hit. Longest 
stay for a musician chalked up by 
Henlcel. 

Captain Frank Hurley will co- 
direct 'The Squatter's Daughter,' 
With Ken Hall for Clnesound. Pic- 
ture will be filmed on one of the 
biggest sheep ranches in Australia. 
Picture being made for world-wide 
distribution. 

Connors and Paul are operating 
revues successfully in both Sydney 
and Melbourne. Recently did cork- 
ing business with the American 
comedian, Jack Russel. Only or- 
ganization here to continue playing 
revue twice dally at 26 cents. 

70.000 people wltnessed-the-«ng-^4S^VSi^TOnTOte^ 
llsh-Australla Test in Melbourne in "'^'"^ promote 
one day. Naturally the theatres 
absolutely starved. In the three 
days' play over 14,000 pounds taken 
at the gates. What a gross for but 
three days! Theatre managers Just 
sat back and cried. 

Expected 1933 will see renewed 
activity by Australian movie pro- 
ducers. Both Clnesound and Efftee 
will have new productions ready for 
showing In a few months. Pro- 
ducers are concentrating on turning 
out pictures for the world's market 
morcso than for local consumption 
only. 

Combine now denies that two lo- 
cal tlieatres will shut next week and 
say they will keep open so long as 
film can be had. Fullers regret not 
to be able to get more city theatres. 
Denials and super-denials are flow- 
ing freely In the film situation, and 
nobody really seems to know in 
whose backyard they are playing. 

With legit coming again strongly, 
W-T are figuring on buying up cur- 
rent New York hits for over here. 
Organization has battled on against 
terrific odds, and now are Just com- 
mencing to make the up-grade 
again. Charles Westmacott, g.m., 
believes that the public is turning 
away from the talkers to the le?lt 
the.itre in strong numbers. W-T 
set for many new shows during 1933. 



C H ATTE 




During the run of 'Panto Frolics' 
business was not too good, and this 
fact moved E. J. Talt, of W-T, to 
issue a statement in the dallies that 
if patrons did not like the show, 
their money would be refunded. 
Matinee trade began to build, as did 
night business; Up to the time of 
show's closing nobody asked for 
their dough back. This was con- 
sidered remarkable owing to the 
large Scotch population of Sydney. 
But even the Scotch can see a Joke 
sometimes. 

Charles Munro, co-director of 
General Theatres, told a 'Variety' 
man that he could overcome the pic- 
ture shortage facing G. T., were 
there only big time vaude acts 
available In this country. Munro 
said he would play vaude with a 
feature picture in the big theatres 
on the chain Instead of dual pro- 
grams. Unfortunately, 'name' acts 
are as scarce as gold coins in this 
country. Munro has always been 
a strong believer in stage attrac- 
tions in the big talker theatres. 



Loop 



Lou Smith ahead of 'Cavalcade.' 
Freeman Talbot of Station KOA, 
Denver, in town. 

Roulette wheels all quiet but hope 

to whirl again soon. 

Six Lucky Boys sail Feb. 17 for 
Europe and 10 weeks' work. 

Harry Nepo sub-leased Mrs. 
Kohl's Academy from Natlian Bar- 
ger. 

Sidney Stroth and Fred Hummel 
named receivers for Chicago Stad- 
ium. 

Congress hotel boasts of having 
almost cleared itself of all its mort- 
gages. 

Gilbert Morgan Is Leonard Doyle's 
partner in the o\vnershlp of 'Family 
Upstairs.' 

Al Boasberg and Benny Fields 
arrived In town Saturday for the 
week-end. 

Mary King precipitately departed, 
for Portland, Ore., where her dad &f 
seriously ill. 

Strolling Players' club is the ten- 
derly watched sprout in Harry 
Puck's garden. 

/Clinton Cook here to push 'Maed- 
chen in Uniform,' which now goes 
into general release. 

B&K expects to operate Sheridan 
when reopening despite persistent 
reports Essaness would take it. 

Chicago theatre printed programs 
for 'Show Boat.' First time the 
public has been thus treated in 
years. 

Charlotte Lansing leaves and 
Electra Leonard replaces her as 
leading lady with the operetta 
repertory. 

Cameo Salon at Hotel. Belmont 
had NBC's Fanny May Baldrldge 
among others at their artistic eve- 
ning Saturday. 

Billy Diamond placed the WLS 
Barn Dance with U's Alhambra, 
Milwaukee, after Midwesco hemmed 
and hawed overtime. 

Mayor Cermak will be the sub- 
ject of an inside stuff article in a 
brand new magazine, 'Real Amer- 
ica,' soon to hit the stands. 

Harry Beekner, well known to 
Chicago vaudevilllans, left the 
Princess, Nashville, as manager and 
is sunning himself in Florida. 

Mo4,el doughtnut factory opened 
across' from United Artists theatre 
making Randolph street look a little 
(not much) like Times Square. 

George Belzober and the Bismarck 
hotel are plotting a loop special 
over the Pennsylvania RR. for the 
Roosevelt-Garner coming-out party. 

Otto Griebling, the clown, says he 
wasn't paid oft by the 'Old Time 
Dixie Circus' at the Auditorium, 
Memphis, and he Isrlooklng for the 



Miami 

By Ben Prout 



Isaac Van Grove replaced Ben 
Jerome as musical director of the 
Russell operetta company at the 
Civic Opera. Sunday performances 
will hereafter be dropped. 

Stanley Logan from Hollywood 
visiting his wife, Odette Myrtil, and 
Robert Webb-Peplo of Cleveland 
visiting his wife, Bettina Hall. Both 
ladles with 'Cat and the Fiddle.' 

Sam Bramson, Charley Hogan, 
and Will Harris tried to get into 
B&K's Southtown where nobody 
knew them. Manager sent out word 
they didn't need any more actors. 

Babe Didrikson dislikes show biz 
intensely, expressed gi-eat relief 
when her week at the Palace was 
up. Being on public exhibition made 
her feel unnatural, she told friends. 

Mrs. Mary Dewey, ex-wife of 
Edgcwater Beach Hotel owner's 
son, married Lawrence Mllllgan, 
p. • in Blackett-Semple-Hummert 
agency. She has been an NBC 
hostess recently. 

'Deadeye Dick' KInsella, for many 
years a scout for the New York 
Giants, has been appointed by Gov- 
ernor Henry Horner of Illinois to 
the post of state superintendent of 
oil inspection. KInsella, a personal 
friend of Governor Horner, long has 
conducted a paint business at 
Springfield, 111., in addition to his 
baseball activities. 



Embassy turns 'em away at dress 
suit opening. 

Nick Economou, tenor, gave a 
concert at Pancoast hotel. 

Ross Allen and orchestra at the 
Everglades In Palm Beach. 

Artie Hand opened the Colony in 
Palm Beach Saturday night. 

Cora Walsh and Mae Mack 
opened at the Club Ambassador. 

Signa Serene, stage psychic, goes 
in for sex lectures for women only. 

Veloz and Yolanda, Gloria Graf- 
ton opened at Embassy club Wed- 
nesday. 

Irene Bordonl slips into town and 
opens at the ultra-ultra Beach and 
Tennis club. 

Nina Carlton of the Carltons 
wrenches a knee and Frank can't 
dance alone. Layoff. > 

'Rasputin and the Empress' gets 
first popular price showing at Com- 
munity Tuesday (7). 

Wally Vernon, Hazel Ellsworth 
and Lorraine Hayes are doing well 
with Christo at the Ambassador. 

Lillian Roth, her Judge husband 
looking' on, consents to be guest 
artist at the Floridlan Supper club. 

Coral Gables Country club offers 
complete floor show and dinner for 
60 cents up to 9:30 p.m., 60 cents 
convert thereafter. 

At last somebody's had the bright 
idea of opening a skating rink. And 
the Walkathohers (Miami for 
Marathoners) keep on walking. 

Bouche's Villa Venice putting on 
elaborate floor show three times 
nightly. No convert and no. biz. 
Todd Knox and band for tunes. 

Marian Eddy out of hospital from 
airplane crash injuries; claims a 
nerve was affected which may in- 
jure her voice. But she sings 
right on. 

Sparks' Paramount couldn't stand 
the gaff. . Ray Teal's show pulled; 
house goes back to old policy of 
Just pictures first half of week, tabs 
last four days. 

Gene Fosdick and band replaces 
Henry Santrey at the Floridlan, 
Bee' Jackson, Don Lee and Tru- 
dina, and Corless and Robbins 
round out the bill. 

Rudy Vallee brings big turn-out 
to Olympia and Roney; gets him- 
self an added contract at hotel. 
They have to Increase the darce 
floor to accommodate him. 

West Flagler greyhound track 
drew 10,000 paid admissions Wed- 
nesday night, when the manage- 
ment had monkeys as Jockeys on 
all the whippets for the events that 
night. 

Among the well known stars of 
stage and screen seen on the beach 
during the week were Warner Bax- 
ter, Al Jolson, Rudy Vallee, John 
Steel, Janette Hackett, Louise 
Groody and Lou Holtz. 



Detroit 

By Lea Elman 

Al Munro of the Times' broke his 
leg. 

Nate Piatt carrying his hand In a 
bandage. 

Jimmie KeQ.ugh new manager of 
the Adams. 

Scarab club ball this week. Titled 
Bal Scheherazade. 

One house in town running three 
features for 16o. 

Frank Smith doubling In brass on 
the new 'Mirror.' 

Sally Field handling publicity of 
Lafayette theatre. 

Dave Idzal and wife to New York 
for the week-end. 

Epidemic of cabaret entertainers 
getting robbed locally. 

Dave Davidson is in the oil busi- 
ness on his wife's side. 

Wm. H. Green, theatrical jtA., 
running for county auditor. 

Frudenfeld, dist. mgr. RKO, went 
home to Milwaukee to see his sick 
mother. 

Sam Rubin of Publlx has a 
brother that is thinking seriously of 
the stage. Just played the leading 
role in 'Anna Christie' at Ann Ar- 
bor. 



Portland, Ore. 

By Hal Cram 



Charlie Couche, former Fox man- 
ager, now promotion chief for radio 
KOIN. 

Tenino, Wash., nearby dorp, put 
out another issue of its famous 
wooden money. 

Dick Haller, once the Northwest's 
best radio name, now discovered at 
Honolulu with- KGMB. 

Walter Hampden and road show 
booked into the auditorium for one 
day stand next month. 

Ted Gamble tied . up with an auto 
firm to give five cars for door prizes. 
Factory short subject on the screen 
and no objection from patrons. 

Bill McCurdy will manage Billy 
Burke's new road show, 'The Mar- 
quise,' to start from the coast about 



March 1. This burg probably the 
first stand. 

Portland, Civic Theatre pulling a 
show school racket. Celebs in radio, 
legit or what have you made to 
order for the price of a membership 
ticket. And they still go for it. 

Bill McCurdy back in town and 
handled the Colbourne-Jones road 
show successfully for two days. 
Worked up a bigger advance than 
the total gross of this troupe three 
years ago. 

Local rialto gossip in a big way 
concerns the fate of the dark 3,000- 
seat Paramount, which Fox-Parker 
had on lease from Publlx. Likeli- 
hood of Publlx untangling its busi- 
ness contracts might revert the 
house back to C. S. Jensen, who 
owns the site. This may put Jen- 
sen back into Portland show biz. 
He was formerly the leading North- 
west exhibitor. 



SLPaul 

By Walt Raschiek 

Sixteen below zero weather stops 
theatre turnstiles. 

'Future Farmer of America' 
makes bow as nonthly mag at Uni- 
versity farm. 

Kent Shaw, manager of the old 
Venus many years back. In town for 
a visit from Wichita, Kans. 

Manager Abe Sunberg, Uptown: 
back on the job after hanging on 
the ropes for three weeks with flu. 

Eddie Kueppers, former advertis- 
ing manager ajb State, Minneapolis, 
back on his feet after six months of 
arthritis. 

George H. Bradley, for five years 
'Variety' correspondent, now going 
great guns as Tourist Director for 
Minnesota. 

The Twin Cities Apparel Indus- 
tries all set to present Its 12th semi- 
annual style revue full week of Feb 
13, In Hotel Lowry. 

'Pioneer Press' publishes front- 
page yarn on Lola Lane-Lew Ayres 
divorce, iising old picture of Mary. 
Brian- < as Illustration, with Lola 
Lane caption. 

William Hamm, Jr., named re 
ceiver for Minnesota Amusement 
Co., operators of 70 movie houses 
in state and northwest. Claims 
Paramount in St. Paul Is $80,000 In 
arrears In rents, unable to pay $250,- 
000 owed for equipment and sup- 
plies, and fiunked |16,000 on interest 
payment on mortgage, due Jan. 25. 

Jack Dempsey visits : burg with 
Joe Jacobs long enough to pos^ fo>r 
news pictures and attract iimall 
crowd to see Dick Daniels kayo 
Mickey Patrick in four heats. Twin 
Cities rags try to smoke up tieup 
with Estelle Taylor, in Minneapolis 
vaude, but Estelle has 'no disturb' 
sign on her hotel room door-^nd 
Jack's busy across the river. 

Parade, led by St. Thomas college 
band, helps natives forget sub-zero 
weather and think of gas buggies 
instead. Col. Frank W. Matson, 
chairman of state railroad and 
warehouse commission, is parade 
marshal. Gov. Olson cuts ribbon 
across Auditorium doors and auto 
show opens Saturday (4) noon. 
Forty cents admission, including 
dancing to Paul Specht's band, 
knocks show biz for a loop. 'News,' 
opposleh rag to 'Pioneer Press-Dls- 
natch,' which underwrote show for 
10 grand, has spelled it 'Sprecht' in 
three consecutive ads. 



Saranac Lake 

By Happy Benway 



Toledo 

By Dick McGeorge 

Two theatre stench bombers 
given workhouse term; 

Rlvoll theatre advertising for 
couple to be married from the stage. 

Vladimir Horwitz, concert pianist, 
booked next week in Town Hall 
series. 

Council bans all marathons and 
sets fine and sentence for breaking 
the law. 

Tom Kenny back on the day police 
beat, with 'Variety's' mugg doing 
the nightly chores. 

Family theatre, Monroe, Mich., 
accorded protection after tipoff to 
robbery which never came. 

Dick Roberts sighs contentedly 
coming out of his general manager 
duties of the 'Front Page' In one 
piece — almost. 

Roy Myers Melody Kids, Toledo 
group, opened on Butterfield circuit 
last week, playing the Croswell the- 
atre, Adrian, Mich. 

Toledo Paramount assured of 
early showing of, 'Sign of Cross.' 
To be first theatre to have picture 
at popular prices and for continuous 
runs. 

Manager Charles Kurtzman of the 
Paramount has arranged for a 60- 
plcce orchestra to give a perform- 
ance every Monday night In con- 
Junction with tho regular show. 

Toledo Civic Players organizing 
for amateur productions. First 
meotlng open to all interested In 
dramatics. Merritt Green In charge. 
Chance that theatre may be a Junior 
Civic Players group for kids 8 to 18. 



Burns and Allen spent several 
days at the Lake Placld-Marcy 
hotel. It's reported here that Grace 
was there looking for her brother. 
Accompanied by Eugene Conrad 
and Miss Gloria Archer in the Ski- 
city. 

John McDermott, old-time fiddler; 
Patrick Galvin, comedian; Edith 
McRae, soprano, and Marie Switzer, 
pianist, were san oglers. They are 
in this part of the woods entertain- 
ing the Moose lodges. 

Mrs. Sydney Piermont, wife of 
the Loew booker, showing up to a 
100% comeback, took pneumo- 
thorax to a wonderful collapse. Will 
New York it soon. Husband, Sydney, 
week-ends it here with her, another 
Dr. Mayer sure-fire cure. 

J. W. 'Johnny* Laycock, formerly 
of the Warner Bros, pictures, is a 
new arrival at the lodge. .Johnny 
leaped in from the Big Town, an in- 
cipient case that is now under ob- 
servation. 

Ravenwood is giving the road- 
house attendance a treat with their 
new Jazz band, Larry Kelly piano. 
Jack Porcello violin, guitar and 
banjo. Bill Grasser drums and 
vocalist. John Raub trumpet and 
Tony Orlando singing troubadour. 
The boys did their stuff for the gang 
at the lodge and will repeat every 
so often. 

Saranac on parade: Jeri-y Vogel, 
the Plaza Music Co., good cheer boy 
tooth-pasted all the ladies and 
shaving creamed all the men pa- 
tients here, swell guy that Vogel 
fellow. . .Fred Biick shot baok to 
bed nursing a setbacJt, o.«..> thing 
under control. . .Bobby Graham Is 
on the mend at 191 University ave- 
nue, Toronto, Canada. . .Fred Moore^ 
formerly connected with Herbert 
Brenon, picture director, doing well 
at 8>i Forrest Hill Ave . . . 'I'ommy 
Vicks back to the lodge after three 
weeks of Boston and mother's bed- 
side, who is doing well...Loran 
Newell put on eight pounds in two 
weeks, bed and pneumo-thorax did 
the trick, he left the infirmary de- 
partment and is an all-up guy now 
. . . Charles Dolan putting on a ml&> 
strel show for the Elks here. ..Dan- 
ny Murphy back ozonlng at the 
lodge after a siege of Broadway air 
and wife vacash. . .George McCor- 
mlck staged that big comieback, now 
exercising and left the Inflmuui' 
department. . .The father of Nurse 
Evelyn Kelly pd^aed away In PlattB- 
burg, N. Y. . .George Harmon getA 
inside info from his sister, Adeline^ 
who Is a T.B. secretary, she telllnff 
George that 'Phrcnectomy and 
thoracoplasty' might help, George 
now looking up medico's okay for 
dope on same... Miss Oail Glenn; 
from the Roxy ballet, is Adiron- 
dacklng at the Glenwood hotel, 
Lake Placid... Lotsa doctors and 
specialists will hold a T think this 
Is the best cure talk' at the san. 1^. 
Edgar Mayer will be the com- 
niander- in -chief. . .Louis Rhelngold 
is staging that comeback to a fare- 
thee- well... Lee LaMar and boy* 
does the orchestra thing at the 
Pontiac oh special nights. . . Jeanene 
LaFaun out for first time in oh, so 
long, getting along nicely. . .Leon-< 
ard Cowley left the infirmary de- 
partment, an all up' fellow showing 
up 100% on the oke side... Pub- 
licity stunt started by local cottage 
owners, telling folks who are sick 
that this is the one town that one 
can cure in while being entertained 
. . . Ben Shaffer operated on via our 
Dr. George Wilson, not serious, but 
painful. . .Fritz Bender left for New 
York City to be by the bedside of 
his wife, who Is much ailing. . .Vio- 
llnl and his better half 8aranac-ed 
it for a day while en route to 
Rochester. . .A. P. Benway, Sr- 
father of the Saranac 'Variety' 
mugg celebrated his 71st birthday 
by doing that dance of his that he 
made famous 60 years ago with the 
Stlner All Star Attractions. . .Paul 
Donley, the singing fireman (Mins- 
trel) of Sharon, Pa., is ailing. Thia 
is his second trip to the San...Al 
Jocker and Louis Rheingold are go- 
ing to try song writing. ..Eddie 
Voss is out of bed and downtown- 
ing at times... Guy Johnson south- 
em tabster will produce a minstrel 
show for the Vets in Tupper Lake, 
N. Y. Guy's wife is here ozonlng 
to good results. . .Charles Bloomfleld 
is exercising to good results, a 
great comebacker. . .Chris Hagedorn 
is back at the lodge after many op- 
erations, he is starting a filibuster 
against cuts . . . Cecilia Haffcrmann, 
who has been in the rut at the Rut- 
land State San., Rutland, Mass;, 
now out of it and up at times, nice 
medico report lately. . .Jimmy Carr, 
orchestra leader of note, formerly 
of the Rivera and Silver Slipper 
cafe, started a routine of ozonlng 
here at 24 Helen St. . .Harry Martin 
of Kirk, Millls and Martin enter- 
tained the Saranac gang while Lake 
Placldlng. . . Jean Commerford, for- 
merly a We.stslde first-nighter, has 
been doing his airing to groat re- 
sults. lOxpects a New York trip 
soon... Eddie Casey, actor and pro- 
ducer of note, will ozone it at his 
I^ake St. home, he may venture 
another stock company here... 
Butch Kanabe went to SjTacuse to 
resume entertaining In a cafe, Butch 
did wonders here. . .Are you writing 
to those that you know In Saranao 
and elsewhere that are sick — try It. 



60 



VARIETY 



TIMES SQUARE 



Tuesday, Febniarj 7, 1935 



Town's swankiest speak and gam- 
bliner spot, Monaca Club, raided by 
state troopers. 

It's a boy at the Dr. Edward Zur 
Horsts. Mother is a sister of 
Johnny Harris. 

Jerry Blanchard, recently at the 
Show Boat, now at ViUaere Grove 
Nut Club in N. T. 

'Billion Dollar Scandal' yanked at 
Warner day ahead of schedule after 
five days of poor trade. 

Bebc Falvo, local nite club blues 
singer, heading east to join Harry 
Delniar's vaudeville act. 

It's a boy, their second, at the 
Ford Millers. He's the senior an- 
nouncer at station WCAE. 

W. U. Christman, m.e. of 'Post- 
Gazette,' on the job again after a 
six -week battle with pneumonia. 

Karl Krug, ex -dramatic critic of 
•Press,' now doing a weekly theatre 
column for a shopping throwaway. 

One local reviewer after getting a 
load of the George White Show, 
'Melody,' cracked that 'It won't 
linger on.' 

Since the arrival of an heiress to 
the family fortune, Kaspar Monahan 
Is breathing easily for the first time 
in a month. 

Sigmund Romberg directed the 
orchestra for most of 'Melody's' 
Pittsburgh engagement when Al 
Goodman fell ill. 

Larry French, Jim Crandall and 
Bill Brubaker, Pittsburgh Pirate 
stars, acting with Joe E. Brown In 
'Elmer the Great.' 



€H ATTE 




west circuit, are all set to take back 
many of houses. 

Two holdup men robbed J. H. 
Brown, manager of the Lyndale 
theatre, indie neighborhood house, 
of $109, the day's receipts, while he 
was en route home. 

L, R. Miller, vice-president and 
general manager of radio station 
WRHM, a mayoralty candidate 
along with 'Buzz' Bainbrldge, Shu- 
bert theatre impresario. 

Lou Breese, long a Publix featured 
orchestra conductor and m. c, Join- 
ing permanent staff of local NBC 
radio station, KSTP, and already 
hooked up to two programs. 



QcYeland 

By Glenn C. Pu!len 



'Cavalcade' penciled for Ohio Feb. 
16 at $1 top. 

Suburban dance hall with free 
taxi-dancers to be tried Out in Eu- 
clid Village. 

Postponement of Shubert opera 
company darkens Hanna for two 
more weeks. 

J. P. Buckey, radio crick, knocked 
out song Ted Cook may try out if 
he can get a better title. 

Carter hotel's new nitery so moral 
that a near-nude adagio dancer was 
ordered to put on a shirt. 

Rumors of a 26% salary slash due 
for a local circuit got all boys hys- 
terical until it was denied. 



Pittsburgh 

By Hal Cohen 



Freddy Goldberg, Avenue Cinema 
manager, back on the Job after a 
siege of flu. 



Spokane 

By Ray Budwin 

David T. Ham, U. S. marshal, has 
filed for city commissioner. 

Prices at Dreamland have been 
reduced to two bits a couple. Ladies 
; a 'dime. Checking free. 

Plans being made for the annual 
.Sportsmens' and Tourists' fair to be 
held latter part of May. 

Sammy Mossuto, vocalist and for- 
mer radio entertainer from the 
coa^t. has. been engaged by Frank 
Luedke for the Davenport Hotel 
orch. 

Burglar got away with more than 
400 ticket^, to the Dr. Will Durant 
lecture on 'Russia,' to be staged at 
the Avalon theatre. Police unable 
to aid. 

E. W. Scott, Seattle attorney, has 
qualified as trustee in bankruptcy 
for the Pacific Northwest Theatres, 
.embracing the Fox, Orpheum and 
State theatres here. No change in 
policy or personnel has been an- 
nounced. . 

Fox will inaugurate a Sun. a.m. 
syni. brch. concert Feb. 5. Ralph 
Bovee will direct the 26-plece or- 
ganization. Twenty-five-cent top. 
Patrons may remain for the regular 
pict. showing. 'Strange Interlude' 
■for the opening. 

Fox theatre has installed tables 
on the mezzanine for picture puz- 
zles. Innovation designed for the 
entertainment of patrons awaiting 
members of their parties. Plan 
meeting with much success and fa- 
vorable comment, especially from 
the femmes. 



Minneapolis 

By Les Rees 



Publix taking World-Wide prod- 
uct for entire ch'cuit. 

lone, 400-seat neighborhood 
house, reopening as a straight 10- 
center. 

Carl Lesserman from the Warner 
Brothers' New York home office here 
on business. 

'Billion Dollar Scandal' pulled 
from Grand and 'Rain' from Uptown 
after second day. 

Harold Finkelstein, operator of 
chain of Iowa houses, back from a 
New York business trip. 

World theatre now opens in morn- 
ing and advertises bargain 25c ad- 
mission up to 12:30 p. m. 

Le Roy Whitlock, trumpet player 
in Orpheum theatre orchestra, 
wedded to non-professional. 

Fifteen-round boxing measure, 
permitting bouts in all towns 
throughout state, now a law. 

Twenty-five cents top now instead 
of 30 and 35c at all Publix neigh- 
borhood houses, except the 40c Up- 
town. 

Ultraphone, local manufacturers 
of sound equipment, and ERPI set- 
tled their legal squabbles out of 
court. 

'Strange Interlude' and 'Sign of 
Cross' booked for successive Febru- 
ary weeks at State theatre at no 
advance In 65c prices. 

Robin Lee, 13-year-old local lad, 
to compete with nation's best adult 
figure skaters at Madison Square 
Garden Feb. 10 and 11. 

Reports rife that Harold Finkel- 
stein and Eddie Ruben, sons of two 
of former owners of Publix North - 



Dick Fldler kept out of Lotus Gar- 
den by musicians' local, with Jack 
Miles getting Into ditto trouble. 

Charlie W. Mears, dean of Cleve- 
land Advertising school, now with 
'News' advertising department. 

Harriet Eels, local society bud, 
gets first dramatic role in New 
Broadway play, 'Champagne Sup- 
per.' 

Nitery barter mart being tried out 
by Oliver Haserodt, while Martha 
Bradlee trying same at her dance 
spot. 

Senator Ackerman and De'Arve 
Barton trying to organize a Variety 
club for local show and newspaper 
boys. 

Marc Bernard's folded Club bur- 
ley house temporarily for redecora- 
tions. Reopening it as musical 
revue spot around Feb. 16. 

Sid Silvers joining up with Walter 
O'Keefe In new radio act. > O'Keefe 
also slated ^or role in 'Strike Me 
Pink' after RKO tour here. 

Sidney Franklin's planned stunt 
to wrestle a bull here did a floppo 
when tired bull refused to step out 
of a moving van to accommodate 
him. 



Lincoln, Neb. 

By Barney Oldfield 



Strand goes 10-15. 

G. L. Hooper holding coafab with 
the Monroes. 

Gladys Griswold and Don Darcy 
to New York. 

Lawrence Tibbett will concert In 
the Coliseum. 

Nick Paper says he isn't figuring 
as an exhlb any more. 

Art Babich goes into Liberty the- 
atre pit with his orch. 

John Graham Is figuring on the 
possibility of connecting with 'Good 
Earth.' 

Clyde Armstrong and Juliette 
Goodwin are being taken into the 
new Glenray players at the Lib- 
erty. 

Another stock company goes into 
the Liberty, sidetracking chances of 
that house going for sound — for a 
while. 



Cincinnati 

By Joe Kolling 



Jules Slen in charge of Wurllt- 
zer's new hoofing studio. 

School kids contesting to sell most 
books of admish tickets for zoo. 

Rotary street markets, old stuff 
locally, get a rise from strangers. 

Seymour Simons and Justin Hu- 
ber bands current at Netherlands- 
Plaza and Gibson hotels, respec- 
tively. 

The Joe Marks' spent a few days 
at their home in Covington, Ky., 
while leaping from Louisville to To- 
ronto for RKO. 

'Cavalcade' in RKO Capitol week 
of Feb. 18 with 55c-ri.l0 scale for 
twice-daily screenings, stay to be 
extended if biz warrant** 

Michael Press on for world pre- 
miere of 'Java' orchestral suite,, 
composed by him and Leopold Go- 
dowsky, played by CIncy Symphony 
Orchestra. 

Grand cue parlor substituted elec- 
tric bridge tables for billiards; tar- 
iff 60 cents per hour for foursome, 
tiie house furnishing cards and pro- 
te(*ting players from kibitzers, with 
separate rooms* for ladies and gents. 



Denver 



Sam Dunevltz father of a husky 
son. 

Walter labold now running the 
Comet theatre. 

Max Gilbert, Orpheum doorman, 
made Bluebird theatre manager. 

Sid WIsebaum has sold his Mines 
theatre at Idaho Springs to CllfVord 
Bennett. 

Clayton G. Wright, Orph doorman, 
moves over to the Denham an 
treas. and asst mgr. 

W. J. Heineman, western dlv. 
mgr., and Wayne Bliinkenshlp, dis- 
trict booker Unl, here from L. A. 
few days. 

Senator Chas. F. Rumbaugh Is on 
guard for the theatres In the state 
legislature. He owns the Liberty 
at Pagosa Springs. 

Film Board headquarters now at 
812 Security Bldg. Old officers 
holding over with R. J. Morrlsorn, 
pres., and Duke Dunbar, sec. 

A. P. Archer, manager, Gfeo. Taw- 
son, booker and Jane Stucchay, 
cashier Educational- WW, still have 
job3 after consolidation. Moved to 
Fox exchange. 

Henry Soneshlne has opened a 
branch of his Capitol Film Ex- 
changes here and will handle Prin- 
cipal Pictures and shorts and other 
product. Located at 828 21st street. 
Has exchanges In Salt Lake City, 
Portland and Seattle. 

E. M. Saunders, N. T.. general 
sales manager, H. P. Wolfberg, 
Mississippi Valley division manager, 
and Morrey Saffle, Salt Lake ex- 
change manager, spent a few days 
In Denver conferencing with J. S. 
Hommel, Metro exchange manager. 



San Francisco 

By Harold Bock 



Lynn Ruggles now buying film for 
Grace and Matson lines. 

An abcessed tooth didn't stop 
Hulda McGinn's radio ta)k. , 

Fox win roadshow 'Cavalcade' at 
St. Francis late this month. 

Chorus out of Bal Tabarln, Gerun- 
Martlnelli using acts instead. 

Tom Van Osten back in his of- 
fice after session with state legisla- 
ture. 

Glen Rice has his Beverly Hill 
Billies doubling between Mission 
and f^iUmore. 

Many of U's props for 'Mummy' 
up here as part of Benny Westland- 
Emil Umann's press campaign on 
that pic. 

Local roadshow date on 'Sign of 
Cross'- definitely off and Fox Para- 
mount plays It soon at regular 
55-cent top. 

Will of late Emelle Melville pro- 
bated last week; $3,000 estate going 
to her daughter, Mrs. Mina Miner 
of Massachusetts. 

Since death of his son Charles K. 
McClatchy bowing out of active 
management his valley papers, turn- 
ing details over to J. Earl Langford. 



Birmingham 

By Bob Brown 



Rialto has gone single feature. 
Frank Willis Barnett is out at the 
'News.' 

'Sign of Cross' booked Alabama, 
Feb. 11. 

They say Fritz May is staging 
vaudeville at the Temple. 

Lasses White up at Nashville was 
dubbed 'Lee Roy' when a baby. 

Business at Strand has almost 
doubled since Wilby took It over. 

A picture has to be good to get 
a good review In the 'Post* lately. 

George Steele didn't pass out 
cigars because the kid wasn't a boy. 

More taxes certain to t>e levied 
by legislature, and sales tax will be 
the method. 

Carnivals In southern quarters 
beginning thinking about the new 
season — if any. 

Bill Pape Is trying his best to get 
full time and an increase in power 
to 50.000 watts. 



Long Island 

By Joe Wagner 



Frank A. Bausch of the 'Press' is 
a father. 

Soothsayers I>eing nabbed in all 
parts of Queens. 

Bernle Cowham, organist of 
Flushing, now on the air. 

Queens is flooded with Indecent 
pics. Cops are picking ur plenty. 

H. Ellsworth Gelwlcks la the new 
chief of the Queens Newspapermen's 
club. 

The Alden in Jamaica Is again 
trying vaude. This time It Is just 
week-ends. 

Lionel Green, camera man on the 
North Shore 'Journal/ going In for 
serial pics. 

Mary Plckford is now a taxpayer 
in the Boro of Queens for her land 
In Beechhurst. 

Alfredo Verrlco, ItaliaRi>lc direc- 



tor, Is east here and has made his 
home In Sunnyside. 

Manhattan brewers looking over 
the vast Island spaces for new sites 
when that big day arrives. 

Dance marathon at the Ridge- 
wood Grove Is Just happening. Last 
year It was a sensation and coined 
the money. 



Boston 

By Len Libbey 



Old Howard reopens Feb. 23— 
with expurgated burlesque! 

Long dark Copley reopening with 
revival of 'Prince of Pllsen.' 

Billy House is having a summer 
home built for him at Mattapol- 
sett. 

Despite bum biz generally, poultry 
show has 200 more entries than last 
year. 

Stan Willis Girl Boxers, barred 
from Massachusetts, are expecting 
to tour Maine. 

Mrs. John Davis Lodge (Fran- 
cesca Braggiotti) in town from Hol- 
lywood visiting her folks. 

Warren Hull and Harry Michaels 
putting on 'Anniversary Antics' to 
mark their first birthday with WBZ. 

Local newspaper reveals that line 
girls in a burleycue show get $2 a 
day. ChQrlnes In three suey night 
clubs get $13.60 each per week. 

Frank Caverly, of old vaude team 
of Raymond and Caverly, cops 
whole column locally in a memory 
lane feature, telling of old-time 
variety folk. 

Hobart Bos worth catches cold 
while Inspecting the old whaler, 
Charles Morgan, now turned Into a 
museum on the Col. Edw. H. R. 
Green estate. 

Bozo Snyder at Waldron's Ca- 
sino, with Gertrude Hayes, Jr., say- 
ing conditions so bad In New York 
the midgets keep In hiding so the 
big actors won't eat them. 



Easton 

By A. M. Powell . 



'Bringing Up Father' at Orpheum 
on Saturday (4). 

Casa Loma orchestra at Mealey's 
dance hall on Thursday (2). 

State, after having Jack Demp- 
sey's act for a week, returned to 
straight movies. 

Some Philadelphia shows adver- 
tising in local papers and getting 
some trade from this city. 

Fourth Street theatre here closed 
for repairs at present. Taken rfver 
by Transit recently and will be re- 
opened soon. 

New flght club opened at Orphe- 
um on Friday (3), with A. E. Berg- 
stein as promoter. To run shows 
every two weeks. Pete Nebo and 
Wild Cat O'Connor were the wind- 
up fighters. 

Seville has adopted new policy, 
presenting a matinee at 2 o'clock 
weekdays and two night perform- 
ances. During Saturdays and holi- 
days continuous from 1 p. m. First 
three days straight pictures and last 
three days a feature picture and five 
vaudeville acts. 



Lexmgton, Ky. 

By Charles G. Dickerson 



Handbookers specializing in 50- 
cent bets. 

Reno, magi?ian, playing school 
dates hereabouts. 

Negro churches taking up 'Green 
Pastures' Idea for church muslcales 
and entertainment and are packing 
them In. 

Sunday stage shows, which a year 
ago ran into a lot of legal opposlsh, 
are apparently going to be allowed 
a free hand. 

Kentucky Publix playing RKO 
vaude on week-ends; Ben AH 
launches unit show idea, and Ada 
Meade has seven -day musical tab 
policy. 

Kentucky Publix turned its audi- 
torium over to a neighboring 
church, damaged by a fire, for Sun- 
day morning services. Gesture seen 
as goodwill move. 



Bermuda 



Hamilton hotel will remain closed 
for the winter season, other hotels 
chipping in to stave oft competition 
in a terrible season. 

John Gould's preparing to put on 
the 'Pageant of the Sleeping 
Beauty,' with a cast of 300. 

Local clergyman pulls a John S. 
Sumner, Indignantly pans 'A Fare- 
well to Arms' as a liroduct of Holly- 
wood filth giving a black eye to 
America. 



Canton 

By Rex McConnell 



Don Redman apd his band due at 
New Land O'Dance Feb. 16.. 

Eddie Cantor's "JCId From SpaW 
packs Loew's for first time in mor» 
than two years. 

Carl Sinclair, manager Meyers 
Lake Park, here, reports picnic In- 
qulrles earlier than usual this year. 

Elolse Jordan Players take over 
Grand Opera house offering dra« 
matlc stock at 10, 20, 30, but busN 
ness still spotty. 

Fred Bradna's indoor circus unit 
premieres at RKO Palace, Youngs- 
town, preparatory to doing eight 
weeks' auspices In four midwest 
cities. 

Kay Ky'ser and his band stop 
oft here for one night, enroute from 
Kansas City to Cleveland, where he 
remains Indlfinltely - at Golden 
Pheasant restaurant. 

C. A. Sarchet, through as man- 
ager of Summit Beach Park, Akron, 
takes over management of East 
Market Gardens, ace downtown 
danpe spot, for bank. 

•Red' Nichols and His World Fa- 
mous. Pennies orchestra, breaks 
mid'- week dance attendance record 
when he played New Land O'Dance 
recently, for one night. 

Franko Goldman, noted band 
leader, directs band concert here 
in honor of Emil Rlnkendorf, con- 
ductor American Legion band, for 
60 years identified band work. 



Hartford 

By M. H. Hammer 



Si Yaffe now a regular feature 
over WTIC. 

Yehudl Menuhln draws the great- 
est concert audience here this year. 

Bill Stang and orchestra to return 
to Promenade after playing bur- 
lesque for six weeks. 

George Capwell takes the local 
prize for miniature art figures in 
Capitol lobby display. 

Eight-bit seats sold out quickly 
but what happened to the others 
whep John McCormack .sang here? 

New sign racket in town nicks 
theatre manager for two passes, a 
half sheet display and $1 from each 
merchant in almost 300 stores in 
town. 

.'Buddy' Kurland makes good 
spokesman. . .Victor Pajonas is the 
theatrical fashion plate.'. .Lynx 
pinch-hits for Jim Landers. . .Capi- 
tol hits prosperity column. . .Unique 
lobby display graces Strand front 
...Dan Finn drops into town... 
Everybody asks for Walter Lloyd 
. . . Nat Greenwood misses- the daily 
letter from Boston. . .What ' hap- 
pened to the new screen invention 
that Capey had In the works?... 
Blanche Sweet left behind a bunch 
of broken hearted fans. . .Harlem 
Roisterers play three days at Cameo 
with admission prices at 10 and 15 
cents. . .'Cavalcade' headed for the 
Palace theatre . . . Saunders is a 
pappy. . .Fairly good rye $1.50 a 
pint. . .Seven-course lunches in higli 
class restaurant, 46 cents... The 
dollar sure can get a lot these days. 



. Rochester 

By Don Record 



Sax Smith band goes into Mari- 
gold. 

Definite pickup apparent in enter- 
tainment biz. 

Cantor-Jessel show played to 5,.')00 
In two performances. 

Safecrackers smashed Little the- 
atre strongbox for $300. 

Walter Hampden coming back 
with 'Capon'-acchi' and 'Hamlet' 
(17). 

Dana Blackman comes from 
West Coast to write continuity for 
WHEC. 

Laryngitis forced Schumann- 
Heink to cancel Regent engagement 
in midweek. ' 

Manager Jay Golden of the Palace 
still running house from Genesee 
hospital, where previews reported 
popular with nurses. 

Broadcasting studios of Station 
WHEC, recently taken over by Pub- 
lisher Frank E. Gannett, will be 
moved to the 'Democratic ami 
Chronicle' building. 



Milwaukee 

Cy Frank J. Miller 



Burton Holmes coming to \.h<i 
Pabst for another series. 

Milwaukee has Just celebrated lis 
87th birthday anniversary. 

Phyllis Nowak back from pinch- 
hitting for three week.«i with Bud*/ 
Rogers act. 

Paul Ash had a busy week visit- 
ing all his hometowners during week 
at the Riverside. 

'Sign of the Cross' playing the Fox 
Wisconsin. Strand continues dark, 
as does the Majestic. 
• Stanley Morner to become a 
benedict early in August. Same 
goes for Bob De Haven May 1. 

Hal Welch, 64, owner of Irl.s the- 
atre and former mayor of Ocono- 
mowoc, died of skull fracture sus- 
tained when he fell in lobby of his 
picture house. 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



L E S Q U E 



VARIETY 



61 



Vaudeville House Reviews 



HIPPODROME 

. (Continued from page 46) 
fWnch horn and clarinet were 
Stretched out for upward of IB mln- 
ntes, the woman breaking In once 
a number and several times for 
^what d'ye thinli? Tap dancing. 
Apparently pair are not unknown to 
burlesque. ^. . , . 

Atmosphere was thickening up 
again with the foreboding that there 
was going to be more tap dancing, 
Diit Instead Jean Ingles came for- 
ffaxd and sang a ballad in a nice 
light soprano with a good top note. 

The 12-llne girls had not yet been 
on all together, that being an ace 
In the hole to support the middle 
of the show. So here they come all 
dressed up In elaborate crinolines, 
maybe from some bygone 'Follies.' 
At least they looked that gorgeous, 
even though dimmed by age. With 
so much for a breathing spell the 
audience was deemed eager for some 
more tap dancing, so the spectacle 
Is topped off with the pajamaed girl 
on for an additional session of strut 
and buck-and-wlnging mingled. 

Bunty Bowman contributes a con- 
tortion dance here, mostly contor- 
tion, such as twisting back-bends 
and other corkscrew feats, while the 
girl warbler, who seems to be Miss 
Rich, sings 'Play, Fiddle, Play,' 
which had no visible bearing on 
the bends whatever. 

Proceedings may now be consid- 
ered to have reached the two-from- 
closlng Juncture which makes a spot 
for the m.c, probably Hank Odell, 
If thp reporter got the p.a. system 
announcement correctly. He went 
Into an old-time monolog routine, 
ending up In the familiar parodied 
medley, recounting In comic lyrics 
his adventure with his sweetheart 
to a mixture of rather passe pops. 
Sentimental ballad for the finish 
completed the last century pattern 
of the turn. 

Two-man team of straight and 
Dutch comic on here to complete 
the old home week atmosphere with 
cross talk and a sonjr «.r two. Style 
and material dated before the war. 

And so into another line number, 
with the girls strlppecl to very lit 
tie and doing their first really ani- 
mated dance, and everybody but the 
specialty acts on for the finale. 

It only remains to report that the 
crowd liked it, which proves nothing 
except that the old American roof 
clientele Is etlU around and only 
was waiting for somebody to come 
and cater to them. Feature is 'Red 
Haired Alibi' (Tower) and a flock of 
shorts spread the show out to 
nearly three hours. Rush. 



ler and Reilly are in the deuce spot 
with comedy and vocalizing. Both 
have pleasing voices and put over a 
couple of good numbers. RelUy re- 
sorts to a few blue gags which 
could easily be eliminated to hielp 
the offering materially. Otherwise 
it's oke. 

Proceedings were considerably 
slowed up by the Royal Hawalians, 
who have a badly routined and quite 
draggy act.. Speeded in tempo, this 
turn should have no trouble. As it 
is, dancing, vocalizing and instru- 
mentallsm are all without fl-'w, ex- 
cepting in the choice of popular 
song numbers. Finale has the seven 
people In the act In a fadeout, with 
lighted boat depicted on back drop 
leaving the island to the tunes of 
Aloha.' The opening day custom 
ers ate it up. 

Eddie Stanley, who had a long 
run recently at the Paramount as 
m.c, has an attractive red-haired 
girl for a foil and provides a lot of 
snappy stuff, as well as his usual 
quota of ofl-color gags. Girl is of 
the Betty Boop type, but lacks the 
necessary experience to click by 
herself. 

Closing spot allotted to Joe the 
boxing kangaroo for a comedy rou- 
tine in the squared ring. It's a lot 
of laffs and the animal's antics were 
enjoyed. 

'Employees' Entrance* (WB), 
news, cartoon and sport reel on 
screen. Opening mat had c holdout. 



PALACE, CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 4. 
Actors who ought to know better 
because they constantly travel still 
Insist on asking the hinterland to 
accept material that Is written for 
and by New Yorkers. Iiatest sample 
is that number about the subway 
which Llta Orey Chaplin Is using 
as her concluding number. By what 
stretch of the imagination does Mrs, 
Chaplin believe that Chicago that 
has only an 'L' and Milwaukee, 
Minneapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
etc., that have only trolleys are go 
ing to find any Interest in such i 
theme? 

If this seems captious the lethar 
gic response as measured in ap 
plause more than proves otherwise, 
Uta Grey Chaplin has rtever done 
so indifferently at the bends in Chi- 
cago as she did Friday and that 111- 
advlsed selection was the reason. 

'Face the Music,' whlcli dealt with 
Tammany and was full of 'locals' 
recently died here and it may be 
safely ennunciated as a principle 
that anything depending on 
knowledge of New York's geog- 
raphy, politics, or peculiarities will 
find that the only thing equal to 
Manhattan 'smartness' is Chicago 
Indifference. 

Current bill leaves something to 
be desired as entertainment. It ran 
Wing Wah Troupe, Buck and 
Bubbles, Llta Grey Chaplin, Barto 
and Mann, WENR Minstrels (New 
Acts). Sum total was fair to mid 
dllng diversion. Barto and Mann 
copped the big laughs. Minstrels 
a local radio fav, copped the big 
dough, Buck and Bubbles were the 
noisiest and Wing Wah Troupe in 
some respects was the best. 

'Past of Mary Holmes' (Radio) on 
the screen. Biz fair. Land, 



DOWNTOWN. L. A. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 2. 

Four of the five acts this week 
click solidly. When the fifth is 
properly routined and speeded up 
which undoubtedly will be attended 
to, it should round out one of the 
best-balanced bills house has had in 
some time. There i..o no outstand 
ing names — all standard acts, with 
the openinp and shut spots probably 
tlie strongest. 

Curley's Rhythm Rascals, man 
find two pulchrltudinous femmes, 
start the show oft with class and a 
bans. Offer various types of taps, 
and a goof dance by Curloy, plus a 
toe tap on stairs by the two girls, 
which provide enough entertain- 
ment for any vaude audlepce. Hel- 



deslre. Showhouse Indicates no dis- 
position to lay down. 

Dawn Sisters and Cadieux offer a 
song and dance revue that's entirely 
acceptable for an opener, Act em- 
ploys a number of drops to provide 
atmosphere for some of the dance 
numbers. Cadieux sings effectively, 
and the sisters are moderately 
amusing in their burlesques of clas- 
sical dances and also contribute 
some skillful toe work. An attrac- 
tive young couple does some ball- 
room dancing. Wlndup is a bull- 
fight travesty with acrobatics by 
the Dawns. 

Bill Telaak okay No. 2. An au- 
burn-haired cutie, with a nifty face 
and figure, and an effeminate stooge 
assist. There's plenty of knock- 
about comedy. Including a headlong 
plunge into the pit. 

Estelle Taylor has two corking 
pianists, the Beale Brothers, for her 
accompanists. Audience liked her 
singing and even unto a dramatic 
recitation. As usual, Ross and Ed- 
wards wowed next-to-shut. Some 
of the patter Is pretty broad and 
they have taken a leaf from the 
Stantons' book with their mangling 
of pronunciations, but they keep 'em 
laughing. 

Sandy Lang's different kind of 
roller skating offering closed strong- 
ly. Between the skating exhibitions, 
two girls dance and take on a flash 
effect by virtue of the various back- 
drops used for atmosphere. On the 
screen, 'The Mummy' (U), Pathe 
News and an Edgar Kennedy com- 
edy for B5c. Biz very light at this 
mid-evening performance, /fees. 



BALCONY SHUT 



Columbus Stock Doing Biz With 
700 Seats On One Floor 



Columbus, Feb. 8. 

Co-op stock burlesque at the Ly- 
ceum is proving one of the biggest 
things in local show biz. 

Hinda Wassau is here for the 
second time this week and Ann 
Corio is set for another week here 
after a two-week stay a short time 
back. 

House seats only 700 on its new 
one-floor plan, l>ut gets near ca- 
pacity almost every night. 



2 WKS. ENOUGH 
FOR NEW HAVEN 



ORPHEUM, N. Y. 

First two acts on the first half 
flve-acter okay for the kids and the 
others will satisfy their parents and 
elders, which Is a fair enough aver- 
age for a family vaude show. Leon 
Janney Is the nearest approach to 
a name on the stage, although not 
so near, which leaves it up to the 
WB feature, 'Silver Dollar,' to take 
care of the financial end. 

And while the financial end was 
not being cared for sufTIciently to 
send a theatre manager out to start 
a circuit, it wasn't bad business for 
a Saturday afternoon In Yorkville. 

Sue Hastings' Marionettes (New 
Acts) and Leon Janney from the. 
flickers delighted the Juves and gave' 
the bill a one-two flying start as far 
as they were concerned. Janney, the 
beadliner, is spotted No. 2, which is 
his natural position, despite the 
next-to-closing billing. 

Lubin, Larry and Andre, third, 
and Walter 'Dare' Wahl gave 'em 
two comedy entries In a row, which 
accounted for the most of the show's 
merit. The blackface and principal 
member of the trio is still not get- 
ting the number of laughs he should 
with that comic double talk deliv- 
ery. Its poslsbllities for further de- 
velopment are not being used to full 
advantage And why the third 
member, a girl. Is on for a meaning- 
less quickie on her toes, never to be 
seen again until taking a bow at the 
finish, is not clear. The big fellow 
In the Wahl act remains a satisfac- 
tory straight for the little fellow 
who does the work. 

John and Edna Torrence, brother 
and sister, who have beeen In the 
picture houses, now have their own 
dance turn (New Acts) with two 
pianists. They closed the bill here, 
and okay. Bige. 



ORPHEUM, MPLS. 

Minneapolis, Feb. 1. 
Current bill rates high in enter- 
tainment. Two good comedy acts 
and some first rate dancing and 
singing provide the diversity this 
theatre's patrons apparently most 



No WB Rcvshp 



(Continued from page 6) 

interest and sinking fund adjust 
ment plan is being worked out. This 
will be considered by the Warner 
directorate probably at Its next ses 
sion on Feb. 20. Its purpose Is re 
vealed essentially to . cut down the 
amount of Interest. 

Same policy Is likely to be fol 
lowed by the brothers In other de 
pressed sections. At present Pitts- 
burgh is the only one. 

Brotherites are frank in their ap- 
preciation of their bankerless status. 
They point out that now they 
can use their own Judgment as busl 
ness men as well as showmen. There 
is little doubt expressed that were 
the bankers In their own company, 
as they are In other organizations, 
Warner theatres today would be re 
ceivered. 

On Receiverahip 

There are too many points yet to 
be decided to be propelled Into re 
celvership, the brothers hold. They 
say nobody knows whether the re 
celver in a state may not also have 
the right to lay Us bands on the 
company's distribution channels. 
Specifically, Warners wants to be 
certain an entire organization can 
not eventually be sucked Into out- 
side administration U It undertakes 
at the start a piecemeal proposition. 

Besides observing, the Brothers, 
and others 'or that matter In the In 
dependent field, expect to benefit by 
the country's realtor and bondhold- 
er reaction to the two current big 
circuit receivershlp& It will be 
easier, they are confident, to ap 
proach a landlord or a bondholder 
and point out that the fruits of sol 
vency are better than gambling with 
what a court thinks Is a fair ad- 
justment. 

Virtually, it's rapidly becoming 
slogan at the Warner emporium — 
this 'Beter Less Now Than Still 
Less Later.' 



Inside Stuff-Pictures 



(Continued from page 47) 
ing a snag it struck after it had agreed to let the Flelschmann-Vallee 
stanza to do an excerpt from 'Farewell to Arms.* Broadcast was day 
and dated with the opening of the picture on Broadway. But Par found 
out at the last minute that its contract did not cover the ether rights 
and that time didn't permit an okay from Ernest Hemingway, the author 



Extent of the Inroads foreign films have made on American pictures 
abroad Is Illustrated by the case of Douglas Fairbanka Fairbanks, on 
the UA foreign books, was down as a certain minimum $1,000,000 from 
the foreign field. Now all that's expected of his picture*— and that's 
more a hope than a realization— from the entire foreign field Is |200,000 



Wind up of the year's production on Roach's 'Our Gang* series (30) 
marked completion of the 13th year for the kid two-reelers, believed to 
be an Industry record. First 'Gang' comedy was made In 1920. 

Robert McGowan has been the regular 'Gang' director throughout this 
period. 



A film critic catching the Paramount, New York, show Is admitted at 
the side door, sans the tax nuisance, if unaccompanied. If said critic 
although traveling on the working press courtesies, has somebody with 
him, he must chase around from the 43d street side entrance to the front 
boxofflce for a tax stub for the excess. 



With four theatres in Times Square, RKO has none of Its pictures in 
any of the quartet this week. Par's 'Sign of the Cross' Is at Radio City 
Music Hall; Fox's 'State Fair' at the RKO Roxy; Fox's "Hot Pepper* at 
the Mayfalr. and 'Bitter Tea' fCol) at the Palace. 

RKO's new fllm product starts coming through the'Mid-of this month 



New Haven, Feb. 6. 
Burlesque Is through with New 
Haven — and vice versa. Folded 
after two weeks of a scheduled six 
weeks* stand. 

Attempt was made to bring a 
high class product Into Shubert 
(legit) but deal got off on wrong 
foot when first-nighters, among 
them Yale studes, almost rioted in 
roughhousing the show. Censors 
put clamps on everything which 
crimped things. Despite class of 
second week's show, entertainment 
failed to draw and operators 
wrapped it up. 

Deal did not Involve Shubert en- 
terprises except as lessors of house. 
Operation handled by N. Y. inde- 
pendents who booked same shows 
into other Conn, houses. Working 
on a nut approximating $3,600, man- 
agement stood to lose two gi*and On 
second week. Opening week helped 
by $1,200 first night but b.o, faded 
after opening. Setup might have 
stood a chance in a cheaper house 
at lower top, as $1.10 at Shubert 
was too stiff for hurley clientele. 

Venture was a false move all 
around, meaning a financial loss to 
promoters and a backward step for 
Shubert prestige. 



Actors Working 
For Union Boys 
In Co-op Stock 



Springfield, Mass., Feb. 6. 

Musicians and stagehands are op- 
erating stock burlesque at the State 
on a co-operative basis. They as- 
sumed the task after Irving Becker, 
who operated stock hurley at the 
house for several weeks, stepped 
out Jan. 28. 

Robert J. McDonald, one of th« 
stagehands and manager of the old 
Gilmore years ago when It had bur- 
lesque, is business manager. The 
first thing the co-ops did was to cut 
prices to 2Bc for all seats at mati- 
nees and 50c and 40c at night. They 
pay the tax. 

Ray Stendal succeeded Sam 
Mlchals as director of the conrpany. 
Comics are Ben Lerner and Lew 
Powers. A fe-vi local girls and men 
also are in the cast. Evelyn Cush- 
man remained for one week only. 
Vaude acts may be added. 

Musicians and stagehands will 
pay all bills and salaries of the bur- 
lesquers and share equally in what- 
ever remains. 



Strips Out, E. C. Gayety 
After "Family Trade' 

Kansas City, Feb. <S, 
Another change In policy at the 
Qayety. James Nixon and Park 
Sherlock, treasurer and assistant 
manager, have taken over the man- 
agement from Arthur Moehler, and 
win try cleaned up musical comedy. 
Instead of the stock burlesque. 

Stripping Is out and an attempt 
will be made to make the nlace a 
family theatre. 

Frank Gerard Is producing the 
new shows, with principals includ- 
ing Jack Arnott, Lester Ayers, Joey 
Fields, Beth Basara, Marjie Russell, 
Ruth Lee, Lillian Perkoff, Jack 
Chapman, George Grafe, Harry Bel- 
mont, Courtney Kelso and Buddy 
Barton. 



Goldie's Sapolio Barky 
A Flop in L A., but 
Dakons'll Take Fling 

Los Angeles, Feb. 6. 
Two weeks of cleaned-up burlesque 
was much too long for Sam Gold- 
burg (Goldle the Butcher) at the 
Majestic here, and outfit closed (29), 
with bouse passing to the Daltons, 
who will reopen Feb. 11 with « 
policy of burlesque. Daltons were 
long Identified with burley on Mala 
street. 

Goldburg opened negotiations with 
the Erlanger people for the Mason* 
but wanted to come In on a per- 
centage, with no cash on the line. 
His offer was rejected. Goldburg'a 
plan. It Is understood, was to open 
three or four -<ree lunch booths la 
the Inner foyer, put on strip burley, 
and for two bits. 

Ned Alvord is also reported ne- 
gotiating for the Mason, on behalf 
of Abe Marcus, who wants to bring 
a girl show to the coast. 



MEYERS aOSES MODERN 
AFTER DIZZY SEASON 



Stevens Wants Divorce 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 
Leo Stevens, veteran Chicago bur- 
lesque producer, filed divorce action 

in Superior Courriast week against 
his wife, professionally Ruth Rich- 
ards. Attorney Irving Eisenman 
represents Stevens. 

Desertion on May 6, 1931, Is al- 
leged and custody of their seven- 
year-old child Is asked. Couple 
were married In 1922. Stevens Is 
currently staging the shows for the 
Star and Garter and Rialto here. 



BURLESQUE PLACEMENTS 

Milt Schuster, Chicago, made the 
following burlesque placements last 
week: Helen Dudds, Ardelle Rapp, 
Betty Miller, Billle Beryl, Bowers 
Sisters, Deveaux and Darling, Star 
and Garter, Chicago; Eleanor De- 
leon. Grand, Peoria; Vince Markec, 
National, Detroit; Tommy Mullaly, 
Garrlck, St. Louis; Russell Lavalee, 
Gayety, Milwaukee; Babette Bycrs, 
Gayety, Baltimore. 



Providence, Feb. 6. 

Modem, Sol Meyers' operating 
on combination grind burlesque, 
vaudeville and picture policy at 40o 
top, went dark Saturday (4) after 
a hectic season. Meyers took It 
over a year ago for burlesque. 

Meyers made a go of It until he 
took on Empire wheel shows last 
October. Couple of months ago po- 
lice censor cut out stripping, and 
as a result biz dropped off. "Three 
weeks ago Meyers went Into the 
grind policy, but was unable to build 
Tipr~grosses as the rabble wanted 
stripping. 

A week ago Meyefs dropped the 
whole business and went to New 
York. Meanwhile It had been ar- 
ranged to have the llound the 
Town,' Empire company, stay on 
and make a try at stock with 
Meyers' son, Jesse, handling the 
house. "Hap* Freyer, comic, boiled 
when Empire failed to give him his 
salary, and plastered the scenery. 
When It became evident that there 
was a blow-up musicians and stage- 
hands got together and agreed to 
work gratis for three days to get 
enough money to get stranded 
troupe out of town. 



Empire Wheel 

Week February 6 

Ha-Cha— Trocadero, Philadelphia. 
Scrambled I^bb — Empire, Newark. 
Teinptore — Star, Brooklyo. 



Ike Libson's Objections 

Kill Cincy Project 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Warren Irons, Chicago burlesque 
fiperator, did not open at the Star, 
(,*lnclnnatl, last week as he ex- 
jjccted. Ike Llbson objected to bur- 
lesque policy in neighborhood and 
tlireatcn»'d injunction action. 

Meanwhile actors and scenery 
had arrived in CIncy by truck. 



62 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



OBITUARY 



CAPT. JAMES WOODWARD 

Captain James Woodward, 82, fa- 
mous sealion trainer, died In Kams- 
gate, Eng:., Jan. 21. He was the 
first man to exploit the sea Hon, 
and became famous the world over 
with his troupe. 

During the war the captain con- 
ceived the idea of training them to 
detect the approach of submarines. 
Tests were carried out by the ad- 
miralty and were, In a measure, 
successful. 

He had been in retirement for 
some years. 



ROLAND G. PRAY 

Roland G. Pray, 72, for 40 years 
theatrical road manager, died Jan. 
80 In New Bedford, Mass., of pneu- 
monia. At the age of 20 Mr. Pray 



theatre and fllm circles In the state 
and was one of the originators of 
the Independent Theatre Owners* 
association later consolidated Into 
the Motion Picture Theatre Owners 
of Iowa. 

During the past few years he had 
been in the drug business. Sur- 
vived by his wife and a daughter. 



THOMAS POWELL 

Thomas Powell, 67, violinist, died 
Jan. 10 at Reno, N«v., following an 
operation. He had been a member 
of Musicians' Local 47, Los Angeles, 
since 1908. 



GEORGE 8CHR0DE 

George Schrode, of the Four 



m\\\m morris 



became road manager for an 'Uncle 
Tom' company,- and subsequently 
was manager for . Andrew Mack 
here, Henry Miller, Minnie Ashley 
and Marie Dressier, as well as for 
numerous companies, including the 
Aborn English Gran-i Opera Com- 
pany. While touring Texas with a 
'Princess Pat' company, the world 
war broke out, and Mr. Pray re- 
tired. 



SOPHIA ESPINOSA 

Mme. Leon Espinosa, 84, who be- 
gan her ballet career at the age of 



IN LOVIIvti MKMOICY OF 

FRANK IL TANNEHILL 

■Who Passed Away' February 6, 1932 
Sadly Missed by 

Anne and Frances TanneluU 



12 at Drurj' Lane, London, died at 
hfer home Iti Ashford, England, Feb 

She attained prominence as Mile. 
Sophia before she married Leon Es- 
pinosa, a French ballet dancer, with 
whom she danced In all of the cap- 
itals of Europe. On her retirement 
she founded the ballet school which 
bears her name. 



E. P. SMITH 

E. P. Smith, 57, former owner of 
a string of picture houses In Iowa, 
died Jan. 29 in Des Moines. 

Smith was active in Independent 



Schrodes, once ace acrobatic act, 
died in Philadelphia Feb. 6. 



MARY I. BELL 

Mary I. Bell, 65, who under the 
name of Isabel Annesley played with 
Rhea, Janauscheck, Mary' Anderson 
and Joseph Jefferson, died at her 
home. Sylvan Beach, N. T., Feb. 1. 

She had made that place her home 
since her retlre;ment 17 years ago. 



WINFRED COX 

Wlnfred 'Winnie* Cox, 48, film 
buyer for the Dollar Steamship Line, 
with offlces on San Francisco's film 
row, died last week from tubercu- 
losis of the bone. 

Before joining Dollar, Cox was 
assistant office manager of M-G-M. 
No successor has been appointed. 

EDWIN L. TAYLOR 

. Edwin Lyles Taylor, 45, pianist 
and member of Local No. 47, Los 
Angeles, died Dec. 29 In Birming- 
ham, Ala. 



STEWART McKENNA 

Stewart McKenna, well-known 
musician and former drummer at 
Grand Opera House and Loew's 
•Theatre, London, Can., died at his 
home. 



Mrs. L. T. Houghton, 38, wife of 
the manager of the Orpheuin thea- 
tre. Franklin, Pa., died of a brain 
tumor following an operation. Her 
husband and two children survive. 



Local Sample 



(Continued from page 7) 

the Northwest circuit is $85,000 a 
month. 

These facts were brought out In 
the application for a receivership 
filed by William Hamm, Jr., son of 
one of the circuit's former owners 
before its sale to Publlx. On his 
allegation that the $13,000 rental due 
on the St. Paul Paramount Jan. 1 
was unpaid, the Federal court ap- 
pointed Hamm as receiver for the 
.No.itliwest Publlx corporation- Mr. 
Hamm also alleged that $80,000 of 
the remaining $85,000 rental due 
Jan. 1 was unpaid and that the 
company was unable to pay $250,000 
owed for equipment and supplies, 
and $15,000 Interest due Feb. 1 on a 
mortBage in excess of $500,000 pay- 
able to the ilamm Browing Co. 

The chain, exclusive of the Min- 
nesota theatre here and some other 
houses in separate corporations, 
comprises 51 theatres in Minnesota, 
five in North Dakota, nine in South 
Dakota and five In Wisconsin. 
Hamm and the Ruben and Flnkel- 
steln estates are the owners of the 
Hamm office building, St. Paul, in 
which the Paramount theatre, 
le.-.sed I'l I'ublix. Is located. 

Trade Slips 

With trade slipping again in re- 
cent weeks, the Minnesota theatre's 
$5,300 dead loss weekly here had be- 
come a staggering burden for Pub- 
llx. Nevertheless, local owners of 
the bulldIn<T reifiised relief. 

Up to Dec. 31, Publlx North\ye3t 
was caught up on all theatre rentals. 
Afttr the closing of the, Minnesota, 
progress actually was made In put- 
ting the circuit firmly on Its feet. 
The. cream of the picture pi'oiluct 
was spotted' fh to the 2,200-seat 
Sta,i6 theaMi,. ' A' straierht picture 



policy In that house kept the weekly 
operating cost around $6,000. With 
the Minnesota dark, business jumped 
substantially at the State and other 
Publlx loop houses. Profits for a 
time were sufficient to carry the en- 
tire Minnesota theatre rental load 
and leave some velvet. This was In 
contrast to all theatres losing money. 
Including the Minnesota when the 
latter house was In operation. Sev- 
eral months ago, Publlx even re- 
opened Its other leading loop de- 
luxer, the 1,600-seat Century, dark 
the better part of two years. At 40c 
top and with a low overhead and 
fair pictures, this house also has 
been getting by nicely. 

The principal local problem lately 
has been the neighborhood theatres 
and the lesser loop houses with 25c 
to 35c adniLsslons. Loop theatres 
have been badly hurt by the strong 
opposition of Independent 15c and 
20c houses. Lesser theatres have 
the advantage of low operating 
costs. Admission at all Publlx 
neighborhood theatres recently was 
reduced from 35c to 25c with one 
exception, the 40c Uptown. 



LETTERS 

., .^y."" '^•""•'Ing for Mail to 
V,IKIETV Address Mall Clerk. 
I'OSTCARDS, ADV^RTISIVO or 
CIRCULAK I.ETTKKS «1LL NOT 
tIE ADVERTISED 
LETTERS AOVFRTI«!ED IN 

o>rE issrE ONI y 



Artnerod Edward A 

nallantino I^ucllle 
Druder Frank 

Clarlt Mystry 
Cunnlnghom & 
' Bennett 

Denn Donna 
DeCardos 6 
Pelimer Joseph A 
Donnely 3is & B 
Driver J Eugene 



Farland Helen 
Flanders Lea 

Goldberg Mr 
Gramllch Charles 

Jackson Helen I 

La Monte Hlgrho 

Mathls Louis Mrs 
Murray Joseph 



Radio Directory 

(Continued from pa^e 41) 

WOR 

1440 Broadway. 
Pennsylvania e-ai83 
Alfred J. McCosker, Station Mgr. 
A. A. Cormier. Sales Mgr. 
Walter J. Keff, Asst. Sales Mgr. 
I^iewls Reld, Progrnm Dir. 
George Sheokley, Musical Dir. 
ftobert I. Wilder. Press. 
J. Ri. Poppele, Chief Engineer. 

WINS 

114 E. 68th at. 

Eldorado 0-6100 
Bradley Kelly. Station Mgr. 
John S. Martin, Sales Mgr. 
John MoCormIck, Program Dir. 
Harold Shubert, Production Mgr. 
Bernard Levltow. Musical Dir. 
George WIeda, Press. 

WMCA-WPCH 

1007 Broadway 
Columbus 0-SOOO 

Donald Flanini, Pres. 

William Wetsman. V.-P. 

Fred W. Dyson, Bus. Mgr. 

Sidney Flamm, Sales Mgr. 

Harry Carlson, WMCA Program Mgr. 

Bill Wllimms, WPCH Program Mgr. 

Jack RIcker, Studio Director. 

Harry Pascpe, Continuity. 

Capt. Robert Wood. Publicity. 
< Irving Seizor and Sol Shapiro, Musical 
Directors. 

Frank Marx, chief engineer. 



Chicago 

NBC 

Merchandise Mart 
Superior 8300 

(Stations WENR— WMAQ) 

NUes Trammel, V.-P. In charge. 
P. G. Parker. Asst. Gen. Mgr. 
Fred Weber, Station Relations Mgr. 
John W^halley. Office Mgr. 
Roy Shield, Chief Musical Dir. 
C. L. Monser, Production Dir. 

A. W. Kaney, Prouram Mgr. 
Alex Robb, Asst. Program Mgr. 
L. J. Fitzgerald, Artists Mgr. 
John Gulon. Continuity Editor. 
Frank Mulfen, Dir. o( Agriculture. 
Judith Waller, Ekiucattonal Dir. 
Kenneth Carpenter, Sales Mgr. 
William Hedges, Local Sales Mgr. 

I. E. Showerman. Sales Service Mgr. 
E. C. CarlJion, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Howard Luugcns, Chief Engineer. 
M. ■W. Rite. Chief Field Engineer. 

B. R. Donges, Maintenance Mgr. 
Ben Pratt. Public Relations Counsel. 
Al Williamson, Publicity Mgr. 

CBS 

Wrlgley Bldg. 
Whitehall 0000 

(Station WBBM) 

Leslie Atlass, 'V.-P. In charge. 
I^eonard Erlckson, Western Sales Mgr. 
Walter Preston, Program Dir. 
Bobby Brown, Gen. Production Mgr. 
Jerr King, Traflflc and Office Mgr. 
Harold Fair. Asst. Program Dir. 
Howard NeumlUer. Musical Dir. 
William Cooper, Continuity Editor. 
Larry Flak, Chief Engineer. 
Kelly Smith, WBBM Solos Mr-. 
Steve Trumbull, CBS Publicity Mgr. 
Ruth Betz, 'WBSM Publicity Mgr. 
Harlow Wilcox, Chief Announcer. 
Richard Elpers, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Arthur Wesner, Community Concert Mgr. 
McCIUre Bellows, CBS Concert Mgr. 

KYW 

Strauss Bldg. 

Wabash 4040 
Homer Hogan, Gen. Mgr. 
Parker 'Wheatley, Production Mgr. 
Harold E. Bean, Asst. Production Mgr. 
Rex Maupin, Musical Director. 
H. E, Randall, Chief Engineer. 
Ulmer Turner, Publicity Dir. 

WCFL 

Furniture Mart 
Delaware 0600 
. John Pitzpatrlek. President. 
Edwnrd N. Nockles, Gen. Mgr. 
Franklin Lundqulst, Bus. Mgr. 
Mnurlce Lynch. Treasurer. 
Phillip Frledlander, Production Dir. 
Eddie Hanson, Musical Dir. 
Howard Keegan, Chief Announcer. 
Maynard Marquardt. Chief Englnei'r. 
Pat Murphy, Publicity Dir. 

WJJD 

Palmer House 
State 6406 

C. A. Howell. Mgr. 

R. R. Kaufman, Commercial Mgr. 
David Capp, Program Dir. 
Dnvld Bennett, Musical Dir. 
Joe Allobough, Chief Announcer. 

WL8 

1230 W. Woshlngton 
Haymarket 7600 
nurrldgc Butler, President. 
Olonn S^nyder, Gen. Mgr. 
Oeorse HiKTar, Progrom Mgr. 
n. R, McDonald. Adv. Mgr. 
Tom Rowe, Chief Engineer. 
Clementine I.egg, Artists Mgr. 
Hal O'Hallnran, Chief Announcer. 
Harry Steele. Publicity Dir. 

WGN 

Drake Hotel 

Superior 0100 
W. E. McFarland, Gen, Mgr. 
Quin Ryan, Station Mgr. 
George Isaac, Commercial Mgr. 
Edward Barry, Production Mgr. 
Delos Owen, Musical Dir. 
Carl Myers, Chief Engineer. 
Frank Schrelber, Publicity Dir. 

WIBO 

Mlchlgan-Wacker Bldg. 
Andover 6600 
Albert E. Nelson, General Mgr. 
Lloyd G. Harris, Production Mgr. 
John Cprny, Musical Dir. 
James MacPherson, Sales Mgr. 

H. V. FltzCharles. Chief Engineer. 
Alice TIplndy, Publicity Dir. 

WGES 

128 N. Crawford 

■Van Buren 8000 ' 
Gene Dyer, Station Mgr. 
Charles Lanphear, Production Mgr. 
Joseph Brubaker, Chief Engineer. 
.Tohn Van, Musical Dir. 
Don Crosnor, Chief Announcer. 

Advertising Agencies 

I. iord & Thomas— Henry *Sclllngcr. 

J. Walter Thompson— Tom LuckcnMII. 
Erwln-Wasey— William Weddcll. 
McCann-Erlckeon— Fred' Ibbett. 
N. W. Ayer— W. G. McGulre. 
Crltchfleld— Frank Steel. 
McJunkln— O. H. Morris. 
BBD&O— George May. 
Blackett-Sample— Edwin Ayleshlre. 
Henri Hurst I^cDonald— Art Decker. 



CAPITOL, N. Y. 

(Continued from page 14) 

Calloway act walks off with highest 
honors. This Is Arlene and Norman 
Shelby, whose hot routine on heel 
and toe, plus a little slippery muscle 
biz, send them over the top hand- 
somely. 

Another team of dancers, George 
Fontana and Joyce Coles, who con- 
fine themselves to two numbers, 
also strike home. They lend the 
class touch to the show and Cal- 
loway the heat. 

That Harlem boy with his 12 
bandsmen and a single blues singer, 
Luplta Hill, delivers what the folks 
want. Himself leading in the vocal 
work, with the musicians' fitting 
support, he offers much more than 
Just an orchestra attraction. 

Everything seems to be well sold 
by Calloway and his associates. 
Miss Hill registers solidly on 'When 
It's Darkness on the Delta,' a num- 
ber that builds to a fine climax for 
a singer of Miss Hill's type, and as 
a chorus the band boys stand out 
on 'Song of the Bayou.' 

Trahan picks up laughs from the 
start in his act, ^hile Price works 
for followers through, depending on 
his air work and mentioning it 
plenty, each act coming out about 
even on applause. On laffs, Trahan 
has a wide edge. The Klkutas as 
an opener one of the finest acts of 
its kind. 

There are around a dozen men In 
the pit this week and, who would 
have thought It, a nrolog to trailer 
on coming week's show. It's In 
shape of a police car setpiece with 
two cops aboard, with talk fading 
Into trailer on Ed Wynn and his 
'Laugh Parade' show, coming in 
Friday (10). 

House could nearly have made 
room for a two-reeler hadn't the 
trailer been so long. And most of 
It's on the screen with plenty of 
repetition. Usual H-M News. 

Business Friday night at first de- 
luxe show only fair, with upstairs 
less than half filled despite permis- 
sion of smoking. Char. 



PARAMOUNT, N. Y. 

Seventy-nine minutes of 'Luxury 
Liner' ^Par) Is on the screen, and 
77 minutes ot 'Desert Song,' ope- 
retta tap, plus only a curtailed 
newsreel, constitutes the Par show 
this week. At 85c nights it's not 
de.<!tlned to cause a run on the ticket 
rolls. 

Apart from the • feature's box- 
office shortcomings, the tabloldlzed 
Sigmund Romberg operetta, embel- 
lished under Publlx auspices for the 
current and next week's engage- 
ments at the Manhattan and Brook- 
lyn Paramounts, offers somewhat of 
a biological study for theatre bookers 
with other musical tabs slated for 
Broadway and Into key deluxers. 
That 'Desert Song,' as originally 
F&M routed, has been doing big biz 
all along the line until reaching 
Broadway, reduces the problem 
strictly to the big town. SI" :e this 
stand has other F&M tabs coming 
In, and Its Broadway competitor, the 
Capitol (Loew's) is gblng to $12,500 
for 'Show Boat,' $20,000 for Ed 
Wynn's 'Laugh Parade,' etc., the 
appeal of 'Song' currently takes on 
an Important economi'^ significance. 

It's apparent from the first day's 
business that 'Desert Song.' even 
not-so-curtailed, and at 55c and 
85c Isn't exciting the picture-house 
patrons. Peculiarly, a film fan 
wants his picture first, and only a 
startling j)er.sonallty can offset the 
celluloid shortcomings to any great 
degree. And then it's anybody's 
guess, considering that the average 
name today can also be consumed 
in the comfort of the home by the 
twirl of a dial, right off the ether. 

Schwab & Mandel's billing re- 
places F&M at the Par, and Vivl- 
enne Segal and Gus Shy top Porry 
Askam In Uie talent billing, the lat- 
ter having enjoyed the displays up 
until now. Sigmund Romberg (no 
libretto credited) and Cecil Stewart, 
the special musical dii-ector, are the 
only other credits with the 'cast of 
75." 

No disputing the lavishness and 
general pretentiousness of the en- 
tire presentation structure, with its 
four elaborate changes of scene, 
several costume changes, imposing- 
choral background for the stirring 
'Riff Song,' and the individual ac- 
complishments of MI.SS Segal, Shy 
and Askam in the top roles; but ap- 
parently, somehow, the entertain- 
ment doesn't click in a 3,700 ca- 
pacity house. 

Having capacity, should a pres- 
entation such as this register, there 
could be no production limits to the 
investiture in connection with the 
revival of the tabloldlzed operettas, 
but the very spaciousness of an au- 
ditorium such as the Par's miti- 
gates against the proposition of per- 



mitting the romantic elements to 
dominate. 

It's one thing for Miss Segal and 
Askam to duet 'One Alone' in a 1,200 
or 1,300-seat legit theatre, and an- 
other to try to grip the emotions in 
a theatre thrice the size, with a 
constantly shifting attendance. The 
very nature of capacities like th© 
Par's 3,700 or the Cap's more-than- 
B,t)00 nullifies any libretto appeal. 
The senses are sufficiently strained 
as It Is, because of the exigencies 
of the large capacity. Abel. 



MICHIGAN, DETROIT 

Detroit, Feb. 4. 
Stage show titled 'Personalities* 
coupled with 'She Done Him 
Wrong' (Por) on the screen com- 
prise good all around bill and with 
plenty of people to play to, partly 
induced by the inauguration of a 
new low scale. 

Looking on paper like a mediocre 
show with conflicting bookings, as 
played the reverse is true with the 
show making the grade all the way. 
Opens with newsreel shot of various 
celebrity welcomes, showing the 
police escorts, etc. Then drop up 
with the. line of girls dressed as 
cops and with set in front of a drop 
painted to represent the Michigan 
motorbikes with headlights on. Out 
of a cardboard auto Cliff Edwards 
and Leo Carlllo step on the stage 
and go into a few minutes of talk 
to start the show oft. Girls Into a 
line number and finish of opening 
number. 

On next are Georglne Gordon and 
Carl Rupp, local radio favorites, 
girl singing and RUpp at the piano. 
Girl does a couple of songs and th© 
man a nice piano solo. Miss Gordon 
Is a trouper from way back In 
vaude. For the past eight months 
she has been a regular over local 
CBS outlet, CKOK. Girl has on© 
darb piece of business in her audi- 
tion' number In which she portrays 
her various attempts to get on th© 
ether. Opening with this number 
got her over sufficiently to mak© 
those forget she was a radio act 
only. Act as played here will get 
over with or without a local radio 
rep. 

On next a European novelty act. 
In Mady and Partner. Diminutive 
woman and large man do tumbling 
of a very high order and with a nice 
sense of comedy to round it out and 
cover over the acrobatic classifica- 
tion. Act had no trouble stopping 
proceedings. 

Cliff Edwards showed plenty of 
improvement since last seen here at 
the Fisher about a year ago. When 
at the Fisher he wore a beret and 
was just too precious. But here Ed- 
wards has gone back to his old typ© 
of pre-plcture selling. Working 
smoothly and singing In good voice, 
he paced his songs with gags that 
were well chosen and fitted in well 
with an audience that had come to 
see Ma© West. His songs were also 
on the border but for this house and 
audience the.v were sock. 

Next a production number called 
'Perfume Fantasy.' Set with girls 
in separate perfume bottles and sep- 
arately lighted. A modernistic rou- 
tine and out In front of thp drop 
in black and white costumes. Num- 
ber especially well done of the mod- 
ernistic type and helped plenty by 
the music arranged by Gene Lucas. 
Number brings out Sarlne of Myro 
and Sarlne fpr a beautiful toe num- 
ber alone. Helped by her costume. 

Leo Carillo with a nice manner 
that hasn't too much of the Holly- 
wood flavor, told a few stories that 
were okay. On late but had no 
trouble. For the finale a trio of 
pianos playing for Myro and Sarlne. 

Overture by Sam Benavie okay. 
Merle Clark at the organ. Biz very 
big. Lee. 



DOROTHEA ANTEL 

220 W. 72d St.. New York City 
My New ANHurtnient of tiREKTINfl 
rAKDS In Now Heady. 21 Ileaotlful 
CARD.S iind FOI.Dl!:K.S, Itoxed, Poitt- 
imld, for 

One Dollar 




BOOKLET ON now 
• TO MAKE UP • 

C TEIN C 



i UMAKEUPI 



RKO STATE-LAKE 

CIIICAUO 

"NAGANA" 

"More Dreaded Thnn 
the tlungle Ilenst" 

A UNIVERSAL FEATURE 



INSTITUTION 



INTERNATIONALS 



Shoes for the S^^g^ ^nd St^^et 

SHOWFOLK'S SHOESSOPr-1552 BROAOVA-Y 



Tuesday, February 7, 1933 



OUTDOORS 



VARIETY 63 



Chicago Worlds Fair Concessionaires 



N«tUN» 

store 



Telescopes 



— : Chicago, Feb. <• 

FolJpwing are the companies and pfomoters already set with the Cen 
tury of Proflress Exposition which opens June 1: 

American Badge Co. 
141 W. Austin 

iomb Optical Co. 
636 St. Paur St. 
Kochester, N. x. 
Black Patrldge Pageants, Inc, 
30 jj. Dearborn 

Silked* Checking Stands, Inc. Checking 
36 EJ.. Wackep 
Chlcdffo^ . >, 
•BrfloKs Contracting Co. 
469 53. Ohio ■ 
Chicago 

Blclfard E; Byrd ■ 
9 Brimmer ^t. 
BoBton,' Mass. • . . : ' 
Century -Psistlnies, inc. . 
825 " S. Wab;a8H ' 
CMlcaso / ■ _ 

Cefltuty Produotlonsi Inc. 
33 S. Clark 

Chris^raf t Water Transit, Inc Speed |>oats 



Ft. Dearborn Mas- 
sacre (spectacle) 



Plumbing 

(Pay Rest Rooms) 



Location 

23d St. 



Various 



Midway 



Various 



Various 



Exploration Ship South Lagoon 



3hufflette'^&me 



Rodeo 



Midway 



Soldiers Field 



Drinks: 



Bottled drinks 



Navy PIdr 
Chicaso ■ ■ ' ' • 
Citrus Fruit jMlce; InC. 
2132 Wi Division 
Chicago 

Chicago Concessions, Inc. 
462 E. 31st St. 
Chicago ■■ ^ .'^ 
H. Vomoy & Co., utd. 
Chrysler Bldg. . .. 
New York , _ 

Congress Construction Co 
606 S. Wabash . 
Chicago 

Crown Food .C,o. 
p. O. Box No. 60 
Chicago 

Daggett Roller Chairs Co 
32 W. Randolph 
Chicago 

Delsenhofer & Gruber 
1100 W. Grand Ave. 
Chicago 

Reuben H. Dortnelly Co. 
360 E. 22d St. 
Chicago 

Doughnut Machine Corp. 
1170 Bway, 
New York City 
E. W. Edwards 
208 S. Jefferson 
Chicago 
Eltel, Inc. 
520 W. Madison 
Chicago 
R. B. Fageol 
Los Angeles 

Florida &. Canada Amusements Seminole Indian 



Store 



Bathing Beach, also 
Lincoln Exhibit 

Red hot stands 
8 lunch trooms 
1 restaurant 
Roller chairs 



Restaurant 



Postcards, Views, 
stc. 

Do Nut stands 



Restaurant 



2 Restaurants 
(Beer gardens) 

Miniature railway 



Miami Beach, Fla. 

Flying Turns Operating Co. 

860 Fletcher 

Chicago 

Frozen Custard 
1120 S. Michigan 
Chicago 
George D. Gaw 
600 N. Sacramento 
Chicago 

Goodyear Tire & Rubber 
Akron, Ohio. 
Greyhound Corp. 
Board of Trade Bldg. 
Chicago 

Horticultural Exhibitions Co. 

120 S. LaSalle 

Chicago 

Kaufman & Fabry 
425 S. Wabash 
Chicago 

Llbby, McNeil & Libby 
Union Stock Yards 
Chicago 

Master Marble Co. 

Clarksburg, W. Va. 

Maynes-IlHons 

North Towanda, .1. Y. 

Miller & Gaus 

5621 Virginia Ave. 

Chicago 

Charles J. Muller 

Brevoort Hotel 

Chicago 

Gilbert Noon 

6831 East End Ave. 

Chicago 

Pal-Waukee Airport, Inc. 

140 S. Dearborn 

Chicago 

H. F. Paschal 

3232 Bryn Mawr Ave. 

Chicago 

Pop Corn Concessions, Inc. 
120 S. LaSalle St. 
Chicago 

Progress Amusement Corp. 

26 N. Dearborn 

Chicago 

Radio Steel & Mfg. Co. 
6041 W. Grand Ave. 
Chicago 

Henry Justin Smith 

Chicago Dally News 

R. J. Sicgel 

8278 S. Chicago Ave. 

Chicago 

Standard Mfg. Co. 
666 Lake Shore Dr. 
Chicago 

Swedi.sn Produce Co. 
657 W. Lake 
Chicago 
Walgreen Co. 
Chicago 



Alligator show 
Ride 



Frozen custard 

Penny weight 
scales 

Dirigible 

Exclusive busses 

Flower show 



Official 
photograph 

Tomato juice 



.Marble House 
Rides 

.\frican Dips 
Itestaurants 
Shooting gallery 



Various 
Various 
Various 

Hall of Science 
Northerly Island 
Various 
Various 
27th St. 
None 
Various 
Midway 

12th and 25th Sts. 

Enchanted Island 
Midway 
Midway 

Various 

Various 

36th St. 
Everywhere 

Northerly Island 

Hall of Science 

Various 



Enchanted 

Midway 

Midway 

19th St. 

Midway 



Island 



Amphibian planes 3l6t St. 



Toy store 



Pop corn 



Boats 



Store 



Book 

Pony ring, zoo, 
monkey farm 



23d St. Bridge 



Various 



Lagoons 



Enchanted Island 



None 

Enchanted Island 



Chairs and benches Everywhere 



Exploitation Holes 



Lunch room 



Drug stores 



Agricultural Bldg. 



23rd St. and Hall of 
Science 



Cantor-Jessel Booked 

For Miami Feb. 15-16 

Miami, Feb. 6. 
An engagement of the Eddie Can- 
tor-George Jessel revue, now tour- 
ing the Atlantic coast, has been 
booked for the Olympla, Feb. 15 and 
16. 

Hou.'se will drop picture program, 
hike prices to $2.50 top for two mat- 
inees, two evening performances. 



BAN ON PEMME BOXEBS 

Albany, N. Y., Feb. 6. 

Women boxers are taboo in Al- 
bany. A local matchmaker adver- 
tised that two girls would appear 
in a match as an added feature to 
an amateur boxing card. 

Chief of Police David Sraurl or- 
dered It stopped, declaring he would 
have a police squad at the ringside. 
The two girl-contestants were to 
be Rose Cohen of Utlca and Elaine 
Moore of Irlshtown, N. Y. 



(Continued from page 13) 
the managers in many spots And 
themselves in a curious position. 
The stores are stealing their stuff. 
They are not waiting for the theatre 

to come around with suggestions. 
They roll their own and let the 
theatre In Just as the theatre used 
to give them a ride. And some- 
<^ — flimes the theatre has to pay for 
the ride. 

Early in the year a new gag ap- 
peared on the familiar keno of the 
western honkey tonks. In the fam- 
ily circle it's IjOtto' and at the 
county fairs and amusement parks 
It's the com game, but in the the- 
atre It Is 'Screeno' with a lantern 
slide determining the numbens se- 
lected; a miniature wheel actuated 
by a rubber bulb- and tube. It is 
J>ist hitting the east, but la the inid- 
dle west it's a disease. An old-time 
manager gave up a snug theatre 
job to Invest his savings in the idea, 
acting as promoter. He'll get it 
back. 

Ideas in Snnall Towns 

Most Of the real hustling has been 
done by the men In the small towns. 
They could not command the huge 
accumulation of prizes. Perhaps 
they had the good sense not to try. 
Mostly they went in for a develop- 
ment of' the local talent idea. Edgar 
Hart had a well trained troupe of 
dancers when' he was at the Liberty, 
Astoria, Oregon. It was not a new 
idea with him. He bad a similar 
troupe in Portsmouth, N. H., when 
there some four years ago. Not 
necessary to pay Uie talent. They 
enjoyed the fun and worked like 
chorus giria rehearsing for a new 
show. 

Ben M. Cohen bad a nice little 
dramatic stock company which pre 
sented one-act plays at the Capitol 
theatre, Haaleton, Pa. In other sec 
tions more or less use of the same 
Idea. It Is not new. Six or eight 
years ago a Mississippi Saenger 
manager broke a record with 'Abra 
ham Lincoln' — of all plays for the 
south — and a better than usual 
house show. 

There Is more and more of a turn 
to the local acts with the growing 
demand for vaudeville in the larger 
house. It's the one thing which 
does not seem to stale. Even 
where bathing contests are out- 
moded the amateur production can 
still get the turn, and the idea is 
coming Into the cities now, where 
the old amateur nights are cleaned 
up for the more polite opportunity 
nl:;hts and radio contests 
The Live Act in '33 

Unless all signs fall the live act 
Is going to be the big exploitation 
gag of 1933, either through booked 
vaudeville or the neighborhood 
boys and girls. This particularly 
applied to the radio angle with Its 
distant but alluring possibility that 
some act may catch on. In the 
small towns these contests are ac- 
tually broadcast. There Is a house 
in New Bedford, Mass., for example, 
one of the Fay string, where the 
manager supplies the local station 
with a sustaining program In the 
early evening and gives all passable 
applicants an opportunity. 

The trend apparently will be 
away from the gift enterprise and 
the automobile tossout, chiefly be- 
cause the thing has been overdone. 
It is impossible to raise the prizes 
In value, and yet there must be a 
small increase if interest is to be 
held. Limping Lenas and the Crip- 
pled Chevs will no longer exert the 
same magnetic force, while few 
theatres can afford Rolls Royces. 

There seems to be no real nov- 
elty In the offlng, but with the de- 
theatreizatlon of the chains there is 
less urge to operate along lottery 
lines and less opportunity to make 
a far-flung hook-up with an auto 
or radio concern. Managers will 
have to find some other means of 
selling their roll tickets, and they'll 
be Infinitely obliged to anyone who 
will tell them what that new appeal 
will be. 

Through it all the kid clubs, gen- 
erally meeting o:i Saturday morn- 
ings, are holding up remarkably 
well, but even here the stores are 
coming In to claim their share. 
They have been promoted for small 
prizes, bulk candy and the like un- 
til their Interest Is aroused and at 
least one nouse, in Richmond, Va., 
a dry goods concern. Is sponsoring 
two Mickey Mouse clubs as its own 
to promote Its juvenile sales. The 
idea is almost certain to spread. 
Exaggerated Advertising 
One other phase of the 1932 ex- 
ploitation Irenzy which la happily 



Barnes Adopts Stage Show Idea as 
Hesh BuOd-up (or Theatre Fans 



Mix Appeals $66,000 [ 
Zack Miller Award' 

Erie, Pa.. Feb. 6. 

Zack Miller, of '101-Ranch,' was 
awarded a $66,000 verdict against 
Tom Mix, here, Tuesday (31). The 
jury deliberated 19 hours. 

Miller sued Mix for $345,000 al- 
leging breach of contract — a verbal 
one, made in Philadelphia, and 
which was supported by telegi'ams 
offered In evidence. Two years a!go 
Miller was awarded $90,000 dam- 
ages in the same action, but the 
Supreme Court returned it for a 
new trial. Jury thi^ time de- 
termined damages on the losses 
sustained by Miller and his '101- 
Ranch' during the season of 1929 
when Mix failed to join his show. 

Mix was to get $10,000 a week, 
but joined the SellS'-Floto show ini 
stead. Mix Is appealing the case.' 



EXPOMIDWAY 
MONEY TARDY 



Chicago, Feb. 6. 

Scrutiny of the concessions al- 
ready signed and sealed for the 
Century of Progress Exposition in- 
dicates clearly that money to cater 
to the physical wants of the public 
has been plentiful. However, up to 
the present entertainment, capital 
has remained hard to And. 

Who will feed — and possibly beer 
— the visitors to the exposition is 
pretty well set. There are also quite 
a few conveyances assured, speed 
boats, gondolas, busses, roller chairs, 
etc. A few rides are set and a mis- 
cellaneous assortment of foodstuffs, 
souvenir, drug, and catering ser- 
vices. 

However, there are many possi- 
bilities in the entertainment line 
pending. Some of these are likely 
to go through, although with $50,000 
to $75,000 frequently needed in a 
lump sum, showmen are both hesi- 
tant and frankly embarrassed. 
What Leads, What Trails? 

Exposition appears not to regard 
the entertainment angles in the 
same light as do showmen. Latter 
think of the midway as selling the 
exposition, whereas, the exposition 
seemingly believes that the indus- 
trial and big business exhibits will 
sell the midway. That's anybody's 
guess, of course, since any hypo- 
thetical comment In February on an 
exposition due to open June 1 Is 
guesswprk. 

However, the majority of the at- 
tractions for the midway seem a 
matter for future negotiation rather 
than accomplished facts. Last min- 
ute rush is Inevitable. 



disappearing is the exaggerated 
newspaper advertising. Time was 
when even the mildest of stories 
was sexed jp like a 'Diamond Lll' 
but It got so bad that the inevitable 
public reaction set In and accom- 
plished what i.ic newspapers them- 
selves and the Hays organization 
were unable to do. It no longer 
sells tickets to advertise Nancy 
Carroll as a vamp. The public 
knows better. 'A surging, seething 
.sea of illicit passion' would not sell 
a ticket to a moron. He's afraid It 
will turn out to be 'Uncle Tom' or 
'East Lynne' behind the whiskers. 
By the end of the season it Is prob- 
able that this type of advertising 
will have died out. It Is dying hard, 
becau.se It Is pretty tough to find 
legitimate sales copy about a lot of 
the current product, but managers 
are learning that promiscuous mis- 
representation about sex appeal has 
become actually detrimental In 
many spots. Some new advertising 
approach must be found. Probably 
it will be. 

But the outstanding development 
of 1932 is the fact that so many 
houses are being returned to Inde- 
pendent ownership, while the re- 
maining chain houses are converted 
into what eventually will be small 
circuits in which each hou.so will be 
run to suit that particular town, 
often the particular section of the 
town, and in some instances even 
the particular side of the street on 
which the theatre h.ippons to be lo- 
cated. 



Hollywood, Feb. 6. 
With stage shows out oi' most of 
the western theatres, the Barnes 
Circus will go strong for a flesh 
build-up this season and use a 
chorus of 40 girls In regular routines 
and numbers on specially built 
stages over the three center rings. 
Buster Cronln, manager of the trick, 
figures that the girls will be a draw 
and perhaps take some of the saw- 
dust atmosphere off the. circus. 

Stager Employed 
I A regular stage director will 
{tandle the line. Previously the 
equestrian director staged the man- 
age, which usually had the I'emmcs 
from the various acts doubling In 
the opening. New Idea is to get 
away from, the usual opening spec 
and (have the chorus line give the 
fails an eyeful. Girls will also be 
used to dress up the animal acts, 
working with the elephants and 
horse turns. 

Wltli the Sells-Floto outfit staying 
In the barns this year, Barnes f!iow 
will get six of the S-F bulls, li^e- 
phant act will have a total of 22 
animals and be featured. Barnes 
also gets considerable of the S-P 
baggage stock. Royal Remeskle 
Troupe, German riding act with 
Rlngllng last season, will be with 
the western trick for the coming 
year. 

Barnes outfit, which had a record 
season last year while on the coast, 
but did a nose dive In the Middle 
West, will stay on the coast. Salt 
Lake City and Denver will be the 
farthest east It goes. 



HOT FIRE. ZERO TEMP 
COSTS CONEY $250,000 

Fanned by a strong northwest 
gale, a block of concessions at 
Coney Island was destroyed by lire 
early Monday morning (6) In spite 
of 45 pieces of Are fighting appa- 
ratus. Damage Is set at around 
$260,000. 

Apparently the flames started in 
a boat ride known as a Night in 
Venice at the corner of the Bowery 
and W. 12th street. It spread to 
dhe adjacent Virginia Reel ride and 
eventually to the Motor Parkway, 
Wonder Park and caterpillar ride, 
all In the block to the west of Felt- 
man's and south of the Bowery. 
Feltman's was saved by Its brick 
fire wall. The flimsy structures 
q.cross the Bowery and on 12th 
street were wet down, the water 
freezing In the 13 degree above zero 
temperature and forming an ice 
blanket. It was so cold the flremen 
had to be chopped out of the ice 
which formed about their feet. 

There were no casualties as the 
concessions did not contain living 
apartments. 

This Is the second large fire on 
the Island within the year, a large 
area having been swept by flames 
July 12 of last year with a loss of 
$2,000,000. 



RINGUN&B-B CIRCUS 
OPENS GARDEN APRIL 8 



South Bend, Feb. 6. 
Rlngllng- Barnum circus opens 
Its 1933 'Golden Jubilee' season at 
Madison Square Garden April 8. 
First trains leave Sarasota March 
30. 

Boston dates follow New York. 
Tent and equipment Joins show 
there. Route takes show to IJara- 
boo, Wis., former home of the 
Ringlings for thrce-d.iy 50th an- 
niversary celebration show, playing 
one day. 



Tire Walkers' Not Coming 

Chicago, Feb. 6. 

William Jacobs, IIKO agent, has 
abandoned any effort to present the 
'Fire Walkers' from the South Sea 
Islands at the 1933 World's Fair. 
Jacobs had this promotion in mind 
for a couple of ye.'jra and made two 
voyages to the South Seas to make 
arrangcmcnt.H. 

However, with from $75,000-$100,- 
000 Jieoded to float the attraction, the 
risk wa.q deemed too hazardous. 
Jacobs Is now in California. 



64 



VAMISTT tWdi^jr, fcbnM^ 7. 19SS 




ILLUSION: 

Right before your very eyes the man of 
magic draws rabbits, vegetables, flowers, 
fruits — even babies — all from an empty 
tub! What an astonishing fellow he ist 

EXPLANATION: 

The assorted rabbits, babies, carrots, 
cabbages, ribbons and other magical 
"props" are not created by magic. The 
tub has a false bottom that is conveni- 
ently displaced; and numberless wonder- 
ful things spring to life in the magician's 
nimble fingers. They do literally "spring" 
because they are made to compress into 
very little space at the bottom of the tub, 
taking their natural shape as the magi- 
cian lifts them out. 

SoOKCi: "Tricks and Illusions" by Wilt GoldsUm. 
B. P. Button 6r Co. 



Tt*S FCnV^ TO ££ j^OO££I) 

. . .zri' MORE Fcnsrro ^^kow 



Tricks are legitimate on the stage but 
not in business. Here's one that has 
been used in cigarette advertising . . . 
the illusion that blending is every- 
thing in a cigarette. 

EXPLANATION t Blending is impor- 
tant... but it makes a lot of difiEerence 
what is blended. 

Inferior, raw tobaccos can be 
blended to cover up their humble 
origin. But your taste soon detects the 
trick. 

The proper use of blending is to 
bring out the full "round'* 
flavor of mild, high-grade to- 




baccos. It's the costliness of the to* 
baccos, as well as the blending, that 
counts. 

It Is a fact, wall known by 
lecrf tobacco exportf, tfacrt 
Camelf aro made from finor, 
MORE EXPENSIVE tobaccos than 
any other popular brand. 

Hundreds of thousands of dollars 
have been spent by others in the at- 
tempt to discover just how Camels 
are blended. The blend is important. 

But all the while Camel spends miU 
lions more for choice tobaccos ... to 
insure your enjoyment. 

Light up a Camel. Relax, while the 
delicate blue smoke floats about you. 
Enjoy to the full the pleasure that 
comes from costlier tobaccos. 

Keep Camels always handy... in 
the famous air-tight, welded Humi- 
dor Pack that assures you cigarettes 
that are fresh, cool, prime. 



NO TRICKS 



..JUST COSTLIER 
TOBACCOS 

IN A MATCHLISS BLEND 



RADIO 



SCREEN 



STAGE 



Published Weekly at 164 West 4etb St.. New Tork, N. T., by Variety, Inc. Annual subscription, $S. Single copies, IC cnts. 
Bntered as second-claaa matter I>eceml»er 22. 1906. at 'the Post Office at New Tork, N. T., under the act of March 3, 1879. 

COPT'RIOHT. 1033, BT VABISTT. INC. AIX BIGHTS BE8ERVBD 



PRICE 



iybl. 109. No. 10 



NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY, 14, 1933 



56 PAGES 







FATAL 



Piat Farmers Sellmg Stuff for 
And Experts' Idea on Admissions 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 
. Drop oC show business in the ter- 
tltory to a new ddpresaion bottom 
is not onljr cotncldent with 26 below 
zero weather and theatre recelver- 
flhlps, but also with another collapse 
In farm prices. With the farmers 
4>nlir getting: two cents a quart for 
mlllc, eiffht cents a dozen for eges, 
iSOc a bushiel for wheat and 14o a 
pound for butter, it has been flgured 

iby the experts at U. of Minn, that 
a proper and corresponding price 
for theatre admissions, it the level 
ot these prices fell in proportion to 
and bore a proper relation to that 
of aerrlcultural products, would be a 
iBlngle penny or less. 

Under present conditions, a 
farmer has to sell more than four 
jdozen eggs or a bushel of wheat to 
eet the wherewithal for a single 
itheatre admission in most spots, 
[With this territory almost entirely 
dependent upon agriculture's well 
ibelng for any prosperity which It 
may enjoy, little wonder theatre 
1>uslness is shot, show people say. 



Suspicious 



An operating exec, on the 
phone, having trouble, trying 
to reach the missus. 

'Don't tell me she's in the 
hands of the receivers.' too. he 
yelled. 



HEARST PLAYS 
ENGUSHMEN 



WEROR JONES' FILM 
WITH PAUL ROBESON? 



John Krlmsky and GlfCord Coch- 
ran have completed details on their 
proposed film production company. 
They will shortly start a fllmlzation 
*t "Emperor Jones.' 

'Jones' will be made from the 
Cugene O'Neill play and not the 
Xiouis Gruenberg opera recently 
(produced. Dudley Murphy will di- 
rect, with Eugene O'Neill possibly 
sitting in on the manuscript re- 
vision. 

Negroes w>ll be used for the col- 
ored characters in the film, with the 
possible exception of the lead, 
though an attempt is being made to 
secure Paul Robeson for that role. 

Cochran is a son of one of the 
founders of Bethlehem Steel and got 
Into the show business through dis- 
tribution of 'Maedchen in Uniform.' 



Ukekle, Harmonica 

Dack Union Rules 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 

Under the musicians union's 
snobbish, but convenient, ruling 
that ukelele players and harmonica 
Virtuosi are not musicians, recent 
radio programs desiring to avoid 
that (18 per broadcast tap have 
been giving these 'non-musical' in- 
struments quite a vogue. 

Within the past month three new 
programs have gone to one or the 
other, or both, of these unrecog- 
nized instruments for inexpensive 
accompaniment. They are: Lister- 
Ino's Uncle Quin and Wishbone, 
Colgate's 'Young 40ers', and Pat 
Barnes' Bar Z Ranch. 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

When unemployed film actors and 
writers who had lost their jobs to 
foreigners appealed to William 
Randolph Hearst, the publisher re- 
plied with a telegram which held 
promise of' help. When the protes- 
tantd asked for more specific ad- 
vice on how to handle the situation, 
Hearst did a reverse English and 
replied that he did not think it de- 
sirable or possible for his papers to 
go into details on the various 'Buy 
American' programs. 'We urge vig- 
orously the general policy and leave 
to the various elements the decision 
of how that policy can best be pro- 
moted,' he told them. 

In Marlon Davies' next Cosmo- 
politan picture, 'Peg o' My Heart,' 
the three piinclpal male leads are 
taken by Onslow Stevens, Robert 
Greig and Alan Mowbray, all Eng- 
11 jhmcn. 



STRANDED ANDHAL ACT 
FINED $15 FOR CRUETY 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 

Stranded here with his animal act, 
George Harrison had to leave the 
educated dogs, ponies and goats In 
the open in a truck with the tem- 
perature 20 below zero. As a result, 
he was arrested for cruelty to ani- 
mals and fined |15. 

Pedestrian who heard the animals 
moaning called the police, and the 
truck and Its contents were taken 
to a barn and housed there during 
the balance of the night. 



Hitler and Marriage 

Berlin, Feb. 13. 
Reports link Adolf Hitler to Frau 
Winlfried Wagner, widow of Sieg- 
fried Wagner, the son of Richard 
Wagner, the eminent German com- 
poser. The widow has a couple of 
children. 

She is reported having told Hitler 
to return with his marriage pro- 
posal when he became Chancellor 
and she'd take the situation under 
more serious advisement. 



m m 

Vll SM 



y||[y[|100 Actors and Wives Living in 

L A. Old Mill-Denied Charity Aid 




Radio Performers Invoking 
By-Froduct Money 
straint for Prolonlged Air 
Life— Radio Chief Goal, 
but Realize Only as Good 
as Last Script 



AT AUTHORS' MERCY 



Realizing that almost the same 
applies in radio as in Hollywood — 
you're as good as your last script, 
or your last picture — the smart tal 
ent on the ether is giving this 
plenty of attention. They're strictly 
at the mercy of their authors^ and 
this is more true of the air than 
screen, because the performer can't 
be seen. The last radio script is the 
norm by which millions of people 
seem to measure talent and enter- 
taining abilities. 

Under these material limitations, 
radio entertainers are beginning to 
measure themselves along the same 
lines as seasons on vaudeville cir- 
cuits in the past. A vaude performer 
In the old days, after a route, stayed 
away for a season and worked for 
some other circuit before chancing 
to reappear before the first chain's 
clientele again. And then, when that 
happened, it generally was with a 
new act or a changed routine. Sim- 
ilarly, the present day radio funster 
realizes that 26 or 39 good comedy 
scripts (or any other radio act) in 
as many consecutive weeks is sen- 
sational. If the average is 66% or 
70% that's plenty good. 

Result is that the smart talent is 
thinking of keeping off the air for 
months at a time in between radio 
reappearances. They figure this is 
the only way they preserve their 
ether value. Simultaneous radio, 
screen, phonograpn and stage work, 
or overdoing the cash-and-carry 
idea, may be ai: right for quick coin 
but it exhausts value so fast. 

On the other hand there are or- 
chestra leaders who. amidst all the 
rush to see themselves in sound 
Alms, can't be had for talking shorts 
(Continued on page 46) 



BRIDGE SHARPS GO 
LIKE REST ON LOT 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

With Ely Culbertson getting fln- 
nicky and temperamental, Murray 
Roth walked off the set two o'clock 
Sunday morning after Culbertson 
raised a howl. 

Ely claimed the cards were dealt 
wrong on a scene with Roth, ex- 
claiming: 1 have got enough of this. 
I am quitting.' 

Sam White, head cutter on shorts 
at Radio, was promoted to director- 
ship and took over meggrlng the 
bridge picture. 



Trick of the Trade 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Owner of a gambling spot 
near here was afraid the large 
number of cars parked outside 
his place would tip. 

So he Is parking his custom- 
ers' autos on a nearby lot, with 
a sign in front reading 'Used 
Cars'. 



NBC APPOINTS 
SONG CENSOR 



NBC has appointed Its first offi- 
cial censor of songs broadcast over 
the network. To Joe Hlggins goes 
the assignment of perusing the 
lyrics of all new tunes as to their 
suitability for loudspeaker consump- 
tion. If Higgins considers the lyrics 
out of line, the vocal rendition of 
the composition stands barred from 
any source on the chain. 

Higgins, formerly a booker In the 
RCA Victor Artists and Repertoire 
department, when the latter was a 
part of the NBC Artists Service, 
was rehired by NBC last week. He 
Is under the Jurisdiction of Walter 
Preston, new musical supervisor In 
the program department. Besides 
functioning as censor, Higgins has 
charge of enforcement of the NBC 
rule against duplication of the same 
number on the blue or red network 
between the evening hours of 6 and 
11. 



UPTON SINCLAIR'S NEW 
BOOK ON WnUAM FOX 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Upton Sinclair has written a book 
which he claims is the most sensa- 
tional that ever carried his name. 

It is entitled 'Upton Sinclair Pre- 
sents William Fox.' 

It reveals the Inside story of the 
Wall street battle for picture busi- 
ness control. Sinclair got the story 
from Fox, who came to his home 
every day for more than five weeks 
and told it to him, alaO the story of 
his life. 



Play on Depresh Idea 
Of Par in *DaUy Bread' 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Paramount will be the first studio 
to take advantage of the depression 
as picture story material. Studio Is 
now figuring on producing a back- 
to-the-soll feature titled 'Our Dally 
Bread.* King Vldor may direct It. 

Yarn Is still in the embryonic 
stage, with several writers ask^d to 
submit ideas. As a story thomo. 
depression has so far bc^n taboo 
by the majors. 



Los Angeles,^ Feb. 13. 
Supported by several song and 
scenario writers, Allied Theatrical 
Unemployment Group, quartered 
in an old planing mill, Is caring for 
100 actors and their families who 
have been unable to obtain relief 
from civic and picture colony chari- 
ties. 

Chris Traynor, song writer, and 
his wife head the community shel- 
ter, in the building donated by Her- 
bert Schofield, the owner. Money 
for provisions Is being given weekly 
by Bert Kalmer, Harry Ruby, Wil- 
liam Slavens McNutt, Grover Jones, 
Harry Warren. Dick Talmadge, 
James Hanley and Louis Lighten. 

Other money comes from various 
types of Jobs by the out-of- 
work actors. Some have even done 
farm work in return for provisions. 

Large number of women, particu- 
larly chorus girls, who have applied 
for shelter recently, has caused the 
group to look for another building 
suitable for a women's dormitory. 
Around 20 men sleep in the mill 
each night, frequently giving up 
their cots to the girls. 

Lack of money to rent a theatre 
has prevented the group several 
times from staging benefit shows. 



ANYONE WITH $1.59 
WECOME ANYWHERE 



Comparable to the leveling of the 
classes with the overthrow of some 
royal dynasty is the sadness in the 
eyes of the maitres, managers and 
garcons of the formerly exclusive 
cafes and clubs as they are com- 
pelled to throw open their doors 
almost Indiscriminately in order to 
realize enough turnover to pay ex- 
penses. Smart east side cafes which 
went through, a .ritual of electing 
members . ar« now issuing liberal 
'guest card' . privileges, up to 60 
days — and. that, . imofllcially, means 
indcf — to , recommended non-mem- 
bers. .... 

These paying guests principally 
are keeping .things going. They're 
tapped ?2. a head for a couvert and 
$1 a drink,- plus a fancy menu scale, 
and seemingly not unwilling to pay 
In view of the reputed 'exclusive- 
ness' of tliesc clubs. 

Similarly, in the general cafe and 
restaurant field, many a noted 
restaurateur and caterer with 
a recognition only of the swank 
patronage that move.s with the sea- 
sona to the sundry resorts must 
now glve-lt-that to anybody with a 
oouple of bucks. 

Everything Js so scaled, say they, 
that 'anybody making $100 a week 
nowarlay.s r.an afford to go almost 
anywheres. We have a $1.50 dinner 
and glad to serve it to anybody 
whore formerly they couldn't look 
Inside our place for twice as much. 
If tlu-y. liuy a bottle of ginger ale 
wilh llio ?1.."jO dinner, okay, we 
in.'ikf; .1 few ix-iinios, and if they 
d(.iirt, wu don't lose either.' 



VARtfrr 



P I CT 



ES 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



Katz, Without Known Backing, 
But Reported Feeling Out Hearst 
Raiding Coast Studios for Talent 



Hollywood. Feb. 13. 

Sam Katz Is making an ambitious 
endeavor here- to procure studio and 
releasing connections for a produc- 
tion organization, altliough reports 
emanating from New York's finan- 
cial circles is that he has no appar- 
ent backing. Most of his efforts 
seem to lie in the direction of 
United Artists. 

While Katz is steaming up the 
production end of his idea, Kenneth 
Fitzpatrlck, Paramouht's coast 
realty : head formerly . in chai-ge. 
of the Fitzpatrlck-McEltoy Circuit 
out of Chicago, is reported alive on 
the theatre ejid, trying, to. line-up, a 
group. Qf coast operat^Q^s to. torrn a 
new circuit. Lattei- tryi 's is, u^jier- 
stopd,..i3 In conjunction .with .the 
Feld-Chatkln endeavprs.in the e^st. 

Katz has Informed picture pepple 
here that he ' has associated with 
him besides Max Gordon, Sam H. 
Harris, Noel Coward and deorge.S, 
Kaufman.. He-alsoihas. stated that- 
his first picture productloji; unit, will 
be the Marx Brothers.. • . 

Katz has been negotiating with 
WiUiam Powell, who is completing 
his .Warner contract> to tak^. ovw a 
unit as producer,.- director and pos-, 
Bible star. Reported also Kat^ 
has approached. William , Bandplph 
Hearst with a hope hp can interest 
the publisher In the fln^noial end 
of his scheme and include Marlon 
Davies In the star set-'ub. ' MenJ 
tloned further Is in effort to iret 
Maurice Chevalier and Greta Garbo, 
who is currently stalling on a de- 
cision to return to Metro. 

Talks Schenck Deal 

Katz Is known to have talked 
over a tentative deal with Joseph 
M. Schenck whereby his product 
would be released tbroughi United 
Artists. Deal also would provide 
the four or five katz units to make 
their product on ;th6 U/. lot. 

Efforts , were wad i by. the former 
Paramount exec to. Interest Irving 
Thalberg In his project" as produc- 
tion head but latter was . cold, re-, 
minding Katz that he. was under 
contract to .Metroj, . 

Jqhn Zanft, who came west with 
Katz, has been sounding: out various 
studio , heads and executives with a 
view to linking forces with the Katz 
outfit. Zanft returned' Wednesday 
(8) to New Tork with the Nicholas 
M. .Schenck party. 

As part of his hunt . for talent, 
Katz has approached Bouben Mam- 
oullan. Par director; Bdwln Burke, 
Fox writer, and Ernst Lubltsch, 
directing at Par. Alexander WooU- 
cott has already been lined up to 
represent the Katz-Zanft-Gordon 
combination In Europe as a story 
and writer scout, It Is claimed. 

According to Katz, financing of 
his plan w^ill not come from bank- 
ing interests, but from Individuals 
in New York and Chicago now lined 
up with him. 

Katz and Gordon will remain 
here another two weeks before re- 
turning east. Present plans are for 
their first feature to get under way 
on or about Aug. 1, It's said. 



Change of Heart 



Hollywood, Fem. 13. 
Indie studio sought to bor- 
row a star from a major lot. 
with the latter asking that the 
script be submitted before it 
gave an answer. 

Answer was that the star 
;was ■ not ■ avaitable, but how 
much did the indie want for 
■ -the script. - 




LOVE SCENES DRAW 
BBinSH CENSOR BAN 




INDEX 



B & O's , 48 

Burler^quc 54 

Burlesque 61 

Chatter 52-53 

Editort-il 42 

Exploitatlor 15 

Film House Bevlows 13 

Film Revicwa 12 

Foreign Film News 11 

Foreign Show News 44 

Inside Legit 45 

Inside Music , 47 

Inside Pictures 42 

Inside rt^idio 32 

Inside Vnude 39 

Legitimate 43-45 

Letter List 54 

Literati 46 

Music 47-49 

New Acts 38 

News from the Dallies. .. . 50 

Nlte Clubs 49 

Obituary 55 

Outdoors 65 

Pictures 2-31 

Radio 32-3C 

Radio Reports 3C 

Talking Shorts 12 

Times Square — Sports.... 51 

Vaudeville 37-40 

Vaude House Reviews. ... 38 



Culver City, Feb. 13. 
■ Warm l9ve -scenes -between Clark 
Gable and Joan ij.Crawford, without 
benefit of 'iclergy in 'Possiessed,' has. 
brought a British censor ban. Metro 
will partially re^nake the plctur^ ^or 
the; English, market,' . eliminating 
c,ertaln flequinces, and wlt\i, the 
leads gbliig through a secret miar- 
riage to satisfy the censors. 
. Edgar Selwyn will handle the re- 
taking, which is .expected to require 
a week. Production starts as soon 
as both players are free. 

Biflerence ih censorship rulings 
between England and the- United 
States caused the. ban, . Britain's 
censors, . demanding a marriage 
license for players in stories having 
too intimate love scenes. 



SOME DOUBT THAT PAR 
WANTS 2D KATE SMITH 



Doubt Is expressed In New, Tork 
Paramount quarters that company 
will make another picture with Katei 
Smith. Air girl was given a con- 
tract for two following her ajipedr- 
ance with other radio talent In 'Big 
Broadcast.' . 

First under this two- picture con- 
tract, 'Hello, Everybody' sent Para- 
mount, New York, to a new low 
weekly gross of $16,000. In many 
other spots picture doing only half 
the normal business. 

If not shelving plans for another 
with Miss Smith, she may be used 
with others In a picture rather than 
as star alone. 



WILL MAHONEY 

Mr. Gordon Hillman In the Cos- 
toa "Dally, Record" said: "After 
seelng^WUI Mahoney, the headllher 
at Kelth'Si there is a suspicion in 
my mind that Mr. Mahoney is one 
of the best one-man entertainments 
on the stage." 

Direction 

RALPH G. FARNUM 

1660 Broadway . 



Thorpe, Stiidio Casting 
Cimbct, Aids Ga^ 
In Probing Wans' 



; Hollywood, Feb. 13; • 

I Murray W. Garsson, special as- 
sistant to the Secretary of liabor, 
h^as started an investigation of 
Hollywood 'Indians' to determine if 
they are in' the country illegally.. 
; To avoid Immigration difficulties, 
many Italians, > Mexicans, Armen- 
ians and 'Other swarthy-skinned 
foreigners have been passing them- 
selves oft as Indians, figuring no 
one could then question their entry 
into the U. S. 

Garsson is checking over a list of 
rear Indians compiled by Jim 
"Thorpe' some time ago to keep the 
outsiders from getting extra work 
when the studios sent out calls for 
red Bkins. Thorpe Is studio cast- 
ing icontact when Indians are 
nieeded for mobs. He Is assisting 
darsson In picking out the real 
^ijmericans from aliens. Ann Ross, 
Thorpe's Indian secretary, is as- 
sisting. 



MILLER'S 'GIRLHOOD' 



Maybe Done Before Col. Film — 
With Helen Hayes? 



Jeane Cohen, story editor for Co- 
lumbia, has completed an adapta- 
tion of 'Girlhood of a Queen,* by 
gil-Var for Gilbert Miller. 

Miller, now on the coast for Co- 
lumbia, has intimated he'll do the 
piece pronto, with Helen Hayes In 
the lead. He's talking to Miss Hayes 
about the role, at the same time he's 
looking over the Columbia picture 
proposition. 



Leads Switch Back 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Colin Clive, engageO for the male 
lead in 'Peg O' My Heart,' the Ma- 
rion Davies picture at Metro, and 
later switched to 'Service' with 
Onslow Stevens replacing him in 
'Peg,' is back in the Irish story 
again, with Stevens taking Clive's 
place in 'Service.' 

Interchange of leads occurred 
when studio decided they were both 
better suited for the other's part. 



Sam Jaffee, Producer 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Sam Jaffce, production manager 
for Radio, becomes a producer. 

C. D. White, his former assistant, 
has taken over production job. 



Mae Clarke's Break 

Hollywo< d, Feb. 13. 

Mae Clarke, after ber perform- 
ance in 'Rivets,' was given long con- 
tract by Metro. 

Deal through Leo Morrison. 



SOME HONEST aUBS, 
BUT mo OTHERS 



Another view of the recent flurry 
caused by "Variety's' recent com- 
nient on film fan clubs, comes from 
a correspondent who had the scar 
of a bite and offers the suggestion 
that clubs on the level should wel- 
come a crusade against the other 
type. 

Marion, Ind., Feb. 9. 
Editor 'Variety': 

I have been reading about the 
dishonest fan clubs, and the upris- 
ing of the ones who resented your 
article. 

About six years ago, I received a 
letter from a chap in Pennsylvania, 
asking me to join a fan club. Al- 
though I do not remember to whom 
it was dedicated, I do remember 
that I remitted the required dues 
and that's the last I ever heard of 
him or the dues. 

Of course there are honest fan 
clubs, and perhaps they have a 
right to rise up in defense. But 
how can they feel that they are in 
a position to know whether you 
were right or not in your article? 
I would give "Variety' the beneUt 
of the doubt, and sum it up this 
way: Some clubs are honest and 
some are not honest. So long as the 
honest clubs have a clear con 
science, they shouldn't upbraid you 
for exposing the dishonest ones. 

Ralph Cokain. 



SAILINGS 

Feb. 18 (New Tork to Berlin) 
Patsy Ruth Millor (Europa). 

Feb. 12 (Los Angeles to New 
Tork), Mrs. James Kevin McGuin- 
ness (California). 

Feb. 11 (Mediterranean cruise), 
Mr. and Mrs. Joe Goldberg (Au 
gustus). 

Feb. 10 (Los Angeles to Sydney), 
John Nolan (Mariposa). 

Feb. 10 (New Tork to Paris), 
Helena Rubinstein, Alexander Leg- 
gctt, Al Lewin, Jacques Feyder, 
Nine Jackson Girls, Mrs. George 
Anthell (Paris). 

Feb. 10 (London to New Tork) 
Louis Dreyfus, Herbert Marshall 
(Europa). 



Lupe Velez Hit System with Men 
Is Not to Talk About Herself 



Familiar Spots 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Margaret Mann, character 
actress, has been engaged for 
a bit In 'Pilgrimage' at Fox. 

Picture is being photo- 
graphed on the same stage 
where, four years ago, 'Four 
Sons,' In which Miss Man 
starred, was made. 



WRITER'S CONTRACT 
LETS IN OUTSffiE WORK 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Probably the most unique writer's 
contract given by a studio is that 
handed Rian James by Warners. 

It becomes effective in June, but 
does not require the writer to re- 
port to the studio before Aug. 1. 
Meanwhile he has permission to do 
one story for Paramount, one for 
Metro and one for Fox during that 
interval, with the extra reimburse- 
ment retained by him. James Is 
also negotiating to do one for RKO. 

Warners aiao handed Mrs. 
James an acting contract for 62 
weeks. * She Is the former Diane 
Cordey, once with the 'Follies.' 



ETHER PULLING CURTAIN 
FROM ACtORS' CHARirr 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Those quiet acts of charity of 
picture celebs will be brought into 
the open as a program for 'Holly- 
wood On the Air,' Feb. 17. 

Program will be billed 'Bouquet 
Night,' with short dramatic sketches 
narrating charitable and other 
commendable activities of the film 
stars. One of the playlets will be 
centred on Marion Davies' clinic for 
indigent children here. 



Marlene's Pants Give 
L A. Stores a Break 



Los Angel6s, Feb. 13. 

Department stores here are vlelng 
with one another In pushing sale of 
male attire for women or mannish 
femme outfits, and are tying up pic- 
ture star names as an added lure. 

Marlene Dietrich gets the biggest 
plug in the drive, with 'Marlene* 
trouser suits; 'Marlene' hats and 
mannish suits, and 'Marlene' severely 
tailored coat suits. Other femme 
outfits of the mannish type are 
labelled 'Kay,' 'Marian,' 'Norma,' 
'Joan' and 'Helen.' 



GEO. RAFT IN WRONG 



Demands $2,500 Weekly Salary — 
May Get Suspension Instead 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Paramount la ready to put Georgle 
Raft under suspension upon his re- 
fusal to play part in 'Case of 
Temple Drake.' Jack Larue starts 
instead today. 

Raft is Insisting the company give 
him $2,500 a week or he will go to 
Europe. Now drawing $760 weekly. 

It's understood a producer asso- 
ciated with Paramount told Raft to 
stand pat on the demand and that 
the company would come through. 

Par offlclals here are burned over 

it. 



Robt Sparks Out at Par 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Robert Sparks, formerly assistant 
to E. Lloyd Sheldon who recently 
resigned at Paramount as associate 
producer, goes off the lot, too. 

Sparks, formerly legit producer in 
New Tork, has an Independent pro- 
duction deal on the fire. 



Colman Ignores Radio 
Hookup for 'Masquerader' 

Sustaining program on NBC for 
an indefinite period, as a means of 
advertising 'Masquerador,' Ronald 
Colman picture soon for release by 
United Artists, is being arranged for 
through Lynn Farnol. 

Ronald Colman has refused to 
personally have anything to do with 
the broadcasts. 



When Lupe Velez was still a lit- 
tle girl, she figured out that a 
spanking only hurts for two min- 
utes, but what's two minutes' pain 
compared to the three hours of 
pleasure that preceded it. So Lupe's 
mother spanked her often, but Lupe 
was always ahead. 

Now, says Miss Velez, soon she'll 
be 23 and she's a child no longer- 
she's a woman. Life has taught 
her something else and that is 'Lupe 
— always be Lupe, Just Lupe!' 

For Instance, about the songs' 
she's going to sing in 'Strike Me 
Pink': 'Some actresses, because' 
they become a star, they think they" 
can do anything, and they're lousy. 
Not me. Helien Morgan can do a 
torch song, Jeannette MacDonald 
can sing sweet and pretty — but 
Lupe means love and rhythm. I 
want songs that suit me, like 'Oh, 
Mr. Carpenter,' That gave me a 
chance to be lliupe.' 

As a matter of fact, says Lupe,, 
whatever success she's achieved' 
comes from her firm determination, 
always to be herself. Before she 
came to this country she just waa° 
herself without thinking about It. 
But soon as she! got around here 
people begain to say, 'Look, isn't she 
natural!' 

Lupe Loves It 

T was only doing things that 
were normal to. me,' she explained, 
'but they'd say 'Well— what is that?' 
I'm not a little sweet ga-ga, and 
I'm not bad — I'm Just human. 
Whatever I do is okay because 
never am I affected. Maybe you 
think they'd not like to do the same 
as me, but they're hypocrites, cow- 
ards, a lot of Strange Interludes ln> 
side. So they watch me and talk 
iabout me — and do I love It!'. Lupe. 
laughed. 

Lupe believes that you live Just 
so long, so enjoy yourself. Her 
work alone can halt her pursuit of - 
the immediate happiness. 

'I try only about my work,' she 
confessed. 'Not my looks, not love. 
My work pays me, not my looks, 
not love. Love doesn't come for 
trying anyway. If it Is not meant 
for you, nothing you do matters. 
If I land men, it's because I don't 
try to. They happen to enjoy my 
company. I'm good company. I 
don't talk about myself to them. 
Why should I? I don't think I'm 
so hot. And I never make a fuss 
over a man. There are plenty of 
fish in the ocean. Women are so 
much nicer than men anyway, why 
should a woman make a fuss over 
a man?' Lupe likes men, but she 
wouldn't lift her little finger to get 
one, says she. 

Miss Velez has a philosophical 
theory about her detractors. Let 
people gossip about her all they 
like, Lupe keeps still. Tou can win 
more with molasses than with hit- 
ting,' she thinks. 'If you're insulted 
and smile — they feel ashamed of 
themselves. They try that much 
harder to make it up to you the 
next time.' 

Lupe's early tendency to figure 
things out for herself is still work- 
ing. 



SULLIVAN OF 'NEWS' IN 
FOR 13 SHORT FILMS 



Warners' Flatbush (Brooklyn) 
studio, closed for the past two 
months, re-opens April 1 for 33-34 
shorts. Names are being signed 
now, mostly on a series basis. 

Set so far, for 13 shorts each, are 
the Paul Whiteman band and Ed 
Sullivan, New Tork 'News' Broad- 
way columnist. Maxwell House 
'Show Boat,' radio program, is down 
for a two-reeler. 

The WB shorts layout will follow 
the current season product's trend 
toward more music, only to a great- 
er extent. 



Selznick Only Looking, 
But Jack Gilbert Walks 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Following a visit of David O. 
Selznick to the Metro lot to inspect 
John Gilbert's bungalow, whioli he 
will occupy after the actor leaves 
the lot, the actor refused to appear 
Thursday (9) for work on 'Rivets,' 
his final Metro picture. 

Studio execs got to GilI)ort, 
smoothed down his hair and had 
him back on the Job Friday. 



Tuesifay, February 14, 1933 



PICT H R E S 



VARIETY 



JAP FOOTAGE LEADS WORLD 



Jolson Wants to Make One Picture 
h His Own Way-Just to See! 



aypsy Al Jolson came back from 
Miami for jthe premiere of 'Hal- 
lelujah I'm a Bum' on Broadway 
and found a . great big chocolate 
4»ke In his hotel suite, a present 
ifrom United Artists congratulating 
him on his il.ve years in the picture 
busihesa^ Mr. Jolson didn't cut It 
He thought it better to wait until' 
after the' picture opened Wednes- 
ilay to find out if' that chocolate 
Icing's really sugar. 
. Mr.. Jolson left Miami because It 
Interferred with his worrying.- He 
read in the. papers it was going to 
be cold in New York, but sit noon 
iasc. Wednesday the sun was shin- 
ing in his . window and he never 
frots on sunny days. 'Hallelujah' 
is an intelligenzia kind of a thing; 
it's sophisticated whimsy — no sex, 
no love interest, and maybe folks 
won't want that intelligenzia stuff 
from him, maybe they don't want it 
at all. He isn't an intelligenzia sort 
of a guy anyway, he's a big Cros- 
ley boy now. Well, the picture will 
either smajsh across or it will turn 
out a sweet floperoo. Mr. Jolson 
said as he decided on a ride in the 
park. 

The picture biz is a 26c business 
that went nuts! Mr. Jolson re- 
marked. 'Did they have to build 
those chandeliers? Did they have 
to hire those ushers to tell you 'sit 
here' when you want to sit there — 
so you walk out, go home and sit 
where you feel like. They took 
th6ir money out of the 10c houses 
and buried it in gold bricks to build 
palace with. Shakespeare, though 
mind you I'm not an intelligenzia 
guy, said the play's the thing and 
he did all right. The picture used 
to be the thing when business Was 
good. Now It's the stage show. 
They bill the picture in type bo 
small you can't find it. Tou go to 
a picture house and Imagine your 
surprise to find a picture playing 
there, too. 

'Paying me all that money for 
picture house appearances is plain 
daffy. They shouldn't have done it 
in the first place and they wouldn't 
have to do it now. They got them- 
selves into something and now they 
can't find their way out. Why don't 
they close .those theatres in the 
summer, and let the people get 
hungry again? 

No More Mystery 

'What's show business today any- 
way? No more mystery.. The 
glamour's goiie. They're giving 
away the inside on behind the 
scenes. They show you picture 
stars in person, they let you in on 
backstage tricks. Tou watch radio 
broadcasts, you know how they 
trick picture photography, you've 
got all the dope on the stars' pri- 
vate lives. There's nothing left for 
y V to wonder about. The romance 
has disa.pptared.' 

Nevertheless Mr. Jolson is still 
going tc make a picture, make it 
himself. Just once he'd like to run 
loose on the screen, really let him- 
self go, really be himself. 'It's not 
me, standing in one spot and acting, 
standing on another chalk mark 
and singing. I've got to be free, I've 
got to leap about and I Just know 
that camera can follow me. I'm go- 
ing to try It. What's the worst 
that can happen? Suppose I make 
a flop. They made a couple of flops 
for me themselves. But I think I 
can make a good picture, and I 
know I can make it for a $100,000. 
How? You remember that general 
that said, 'Don't fire 'till you see 
the whites of their eyes? Well, 
don't turn that crank till the script 
is finished.' ^ 

And then Mr. Jolson opened a 
telegram from Georgle Price. 'Con- 
gratulations.' ho read, 'Hope 'Hal- 
lelujah' Is the same success your 
other pictures have been.' 'Oh, 
Lawdl' yelled the Mammy Boy. 'My 
la.st two pictures were flops!' 



Lowe East on Personals 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Edmund I owe left hero (9) for 
Now York, where he starts several 
woek.s of peisonal appearances. 

Lyons & Lyons arranged dates. 



Ma Lost Her Pants 



Danny Winkler's mother la 
around 60 and lives with her 
so^ at the .Park Central Hotel. 
Mrs. Winkler is considered an' 
oracle on racing matters with 
almost any dispute over the 
ponies around the hotel left to 
Dan's Ma for decision. 

One of 'the fellows gave the 
matter some thought. and said: 

'How is it, Mrs. Winkler, you 
know so much about horses 7*. 

'Listen boy,' Ma replied, Tve 
known so much about the track 
for 16 years now that I haven't 
any pants left.' 



Fan Mag^ Using Star 
Photos to Sefl Ads, 
Burn Studio P A's 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Publicity directors are rebelling 
against the drive of fan magazines 
to obtain advertising tleups of stars. 
Matter will come up at a Hays office 
publicity directors' meeting shortly. 

Fan magazines have been getting 
contracts from national advertisers 
providing the mags can get the nec- 
essary stills of players to go with 
them. With contracts waiting, the 
mags have used plenty of pressure 
to obtain the pictures they need. 

Group pictures, containing stars 
from sevefal Etudios, are the par- 
ticular burn of the press agents. 
They found it too dimcult to get all 
the players in one spot at the same 
time. An, oil company, ready for a 
big ad splurge, is the latest head- 
ache, demanding specially posed 
set stills. Press agents are com- 
plaining also because the new type 
of ad plugs the player instead of 
their pictures. 



GARBO'S JUST ANOTHER 
SWEDE IN STOCKHOLM 



Stockholm, Jan. 30. 
Greta Garbo has lately crept out 
of her splendid isolation. She Is 
seen everywhere in Stockholm now, 
in the shops, at restaurants and in 
the theatres. People leave her 
alone. 

Her tennis partner, a real estate 
man, Max Gumpel, an old acquaint- 
ance of Greta, is often seen in he: 
company, and it is said that Greta, 
through his firm, Gumpel & Bengt 
son, has placed the bulk of her 
American dollars In real estate In 
Stockholm. She has recently bought 
a twin-six Packard and has leased 
a small one-family house at 7 Dan- 
deryds Gatan In Stockholm. The 
address Is supposed to be a secret. 

On account of difficulties in ob- 
taining an immigration permit, 
Metro may have her do her next 
picture, 'Drottning Krlstina' ('Queen 
Christine'), In Sweden. 

Victor Seastrom, at present play- 
ing on the stage in Copenhagen, 
Denmark, has been approached by 
Metro to direct. 



Fihn on Cartoonists 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Barry Trivers Is on a story for 
Paramount which will be given to 
Jack Oakle. William Le Baron will 
produce. 

Title is 'Funny Page' and It's 
about cartoonists. 



Terms for School Girls 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Lllll.in Mi.-ore local high school 
girl, has hecn given a termer as the 
first of the Hal Roach stock com- 
pany of young actresses. 

Two other gals are being lined up 
for signing thin week. 




!i70 IN YEIIII 



U. S. Product Holds First 
Place in imports. Screen- 
ing 206 Last Year-^Nip- 
pon Has 1,350 Film 
Houses — Par^ fries New 
Hook Up with Domestic 
Concern 



OLD LECTURES OUT 



By Burton Crane 

Tokyo, Jan. 26. 

Expressed in yen, business for 
foreign film exchanges In Japan has 
been holding up pretty welL Ex- 
pressed in dollars it has not been 
so good, for, since December 13, 
1931, the currency has dropped 
from 49.375 to 20.6 cents. Rentals 
have risen slightly but the gains 
cover only a trifling fraction of the 
exchange loss, for the theatres can't 
afford the boost. 

Last year 236 foreign Alms were 
released In Japan, with not a 
single silent among them. Of 
these, 16 were German, 8 French, 
4 Soviet and 2 British. The other 
206 were American, divided as fol- 
lows: Paramount 60, Fox 46, 
Metro 36, Warners-FN 31, Univer- 
sal 20, United Artists 13, Columbia 
10 and RKO 2. 

But the market remains pre- 
dominantly Japanese. It always 
has been. This country produces 
almost as many- feature-length mo- 
tion pictures (negatives) as all the 
rest of the i>roducing countries In 
the world combined. In 1932 It 
turned out 540 silent feature-length 
Alms and 30 talkers, for a grand 
total of 670. The Shochlku organ- 
ization did 96 silents and 14 talk- 
ers, Nlkkatsu 85 silents and six 
talkers, Shinko (a Shochlku sub- 
sidiary) 60 silents' and a flock of 
smaller companies 300 silents and'lO 
talkers. Costs are low, shooting 
schedules unbelievably rapid but 
the pu1>llc seems to like the pic- 
tures. 

1,350 Film Houses 

There are 1,360 picture theatres 
in Japan and Its territories. The 
Shochlku chain has 400, Shinko 220, 
Nikkatsu 400, others -in Japan 
proper 230. Dairen, Korea, For- 
mosa and Saghallen add 100 more. 
Of these, 60 play foreign film ex- 
clusively and 260 more play for- 
eign pictures occasionally. Since no 
silents from abroad are being 
shown here, this appears to indicate 
that there are 310 wired houses in 
the Empire, but this is not strictly 
true. Actual figures are not avail- 
able. There is a great deal of boot- 
leg equipment in use and several 
portable sets, used to some extent 
by the provincial houses. 

The most important chain for 
foreign pictures is Shochiku-Para- 
moun^, which is simply a pooling of 
housed. This uses 104 feature- 
length releases a year, for all Japa- 
nese programs are twin-feature af- 
fairs. Paramount, which also dis- 
tributes for Columbia, has only 60 
features available, so the chain goes 
Into the open market for the other 
44 needed, buying from all save 
Metro, which has its own chain 
arrangement. 

Metro Is hooked up with the Nik- 
katsu interests, which started to 
wire houses when they began talkie 
production and needed foreign 
product to carry them along while 
changing over their studios. 

Fox has booking control over a 
chain of four Tokyo theatres, 
through which it flrst-runs prac- 
tically all Its own product. The 
only exception last year among Its 
best pictures was 'Bad Girl,' which 
went Shochlku-Paramount for its 
bow to the Japanese public and got 
a great publicity break through a 
phonograph record tie-up. In addi- 
tion to its own product, Fox Is 
using MGM and Warners In that 
order. Since Metro got Itself tied 
up tight in Its Nikkatsu deal. Fox Is 
obliged to buy Metro pictures from 
Nikkatsu. 

Paramount's b.o. records show 
that the following were the best 
(Continued on page 11.) 



liddng Cangsters All Way, New 
Style if Cycle Back as Si^gested 



Machine Age 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Writer turned in his treat- 
ment of 'Black Beauty' to I. E. 
Chadwick. 

Script was jake with the ex- 
ception it didn't have a horse 
in it. 

Adaptation Jbb now goes to 
another writer, who has had 
a little stable experience. 



SUPERVISOR 
HAS CONSCIENCE 



Hollywood, Feb. • 13. 
Lou Edelman, formerly in the 
story dept., and Frank Davis, Harry 
Rapfs assistant for many years. 

Jointly comprise an apprentice su- 
pervisorship on the Metro lot, 
which has Just been created for 
them. They're thus being groomed 
as associate producers to take over 
a unit on their own, or individually 
later on. 

Maurice Revnes, ex -agent. Is the 
only actually ousted Metro super. 
Ralph Grraves, actor-writer-pro- 
ducer, actually resigned, with an 
apology to L. B. Mayer that he felt 
he was wrongly taking money, as 
supervisor, and would prefer to con- 
tinue writing and acting until be 
could qualify as a super. 



DERBY WAU CARTOONS 
GET SQUAWKS ON SPOTS 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Squawks from actors over billing, 
which has long been a natural in 
show business, now is causing a 
headache to the Brown Derby, with 
the players disturbed over the posi- 
tion their caricatures get in the eat- 
ing house. It's oke when the car- 
toons are given a preferred position 
near the door, or over the first two 
booths, but when the framed gags 
are relegated to the rear wall the 
yells come in. 

Thinking that the cartoon Idea 
would be a cosmopolitan touch and 
figuring that the yokels would go 
for.lt, the Derby has had a sketch 
artist doing the celebs for the past 
three months, and eatery now has 
some 300 caricatures on the walls. 

Management Is hearing remarks 
from stars who resent the appear- 
ance of producers, supervisors and 
other execs in the exhibit hanging 
In the entrance. Players feel that the 
public has no interest in these studio 
nonentities and that the mugs of 
stars are being handicapped by be- 
ing hung on the side walls or the 
rear. 

Peeve of the stars Is apparent, 
with the names glowering at the 
cartoons of their rivals every time 
they enter the place. 



JACK PEARL'S FILM PRICES 



Metro's Options Run Up to Total 
$500,000—175,000 for First Film 



Jack Pearl must make two pic- 
tures In 1933 for Metro, if and 
when he signs, which hasn't been 
done as yet, but It's all set other- 
wise, says the comedian. He's to 
receive $75,000 for the fist picture 
and $100,000 for the second. Both 
must be made this year and, if 
Pearl formally closes the deal, as 
is expected, he will make his final 
four broadcasts for Lucky Strike 
from Hollywood as he must be out 
there June 1. 

Options which will total $500,000 
in money call for $110,000, $115,000 
and $125,000 for third, fourth and 
fifth pictures, when and if. 



In Juxtaposition to the stand taken 
by the Hays organization, largely 
responsible from the standpoint of 
credit in keeping the screen de- 
void of underworld subjects dur- 
ing the past season, clamor for the 
return of the gun toter, as voiced 
at the sessions of the National 
Board of Review last week^ already 
has some of the major producers 
mulling over old gangster mss. 

The NBR opinion came as a com- 
plete surprise in view not only of 
newspaper tirades against gangster 
features, but what amounted to 
more or less of an understanding 
between the major Industry and the 
censor groups that there would be 
no more sawed-ofC shot^n stuff. 

Hays members adhered to tbese 
understandings. Hays himself Issu- 
ing long statements last summer 
against the gangster's domain on 
the screen. Thereafter, many an 
otherwise excellent story was re- 
Jected'by companies because It had 
a gangster touch. 

Pleasing the Publie 

Return of gangsterdom to. Holly- 
wood, It happening, yrOl be by an 
entirely dlffreht course. The gang- 
sters won't wait for a licking and. 
annihilation in the last 50 feet 
They'll start taking It on ttie dose 
from the time the t>icture starta, 
according to several Haysites. 

Certain of the older Hayti mem- 
bers now woiild have It understood 
that the major industry qitit- gang- 
ster themes because the public Just 
tired of theni; that thfere was ti©V(6r 
any real dictum ag^ilnidt utide'rworld 
material properly handled. C|ommer- 
clal more than the moral angle was 
responsible for the suddeii gangster 
surcease, they maintain. In the 
same respect they state that if the 
rest of the public feels ih^ same 
as that contained In expressions eLt 
the Review Board conferences^ then 
most certainly, almost immediately^ 
the public stiall be served. 



CDMMINGS BEATS COU IS 
SAILING FOR ENGLISH HC 



Lios Angeles, Feb. 13. 
Constance Cummlngs won her 
suit against Columbia Pictures In 
"which she sought declaratory relief 
and a decision as to whether or not 
she was still under contra<^t to the 
studio. The girl mantalned that 
Col. failed to take up her lajt option 
In writing, as required in the con- 
tract. 

Miss Cummlngs was to leave to- 
day (13) for New "fork to catch the 
first available boat for London, 
where she will do a picture for 
British International. Trial of her 
suit delayed departure a week. 



Comedians Question 
Par's Contract Rights 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Pour Marx Brothers have ques- 
tioned validity of transfer of their 
contract from Paramount-Publlx to 
Paramount Productions. They claim . 
contract they made had no assign- 
ment clause and therefore feel they 
should not make picture for Para- 
mount Productions. 

This was reason for trip taken by 
Henry Herzbrun to New York to 
secure receivers' attitude and legal 
Interpretation In matter as several 
other Paramovnt contract people 
are questioning company's right to 
assign their contract from one cor- 
poration to another. 



Another Oargfan 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Edward Gargan, brother of Wil- 
liam, arrived last week, and was 
spotted immediately In Warners' 
'Little Giant.' 

Actor was last In 'Face the 
Music' 



VAxmrr 



P 1 C T n II E s 



Protection Notices Given at 
Pars in N. Y. and Bldyn-Hoping to 
Keep Stage Shows in Both Houses 



stage hands and musicians at the 
New York and Brooklyn Para- 
mounts, as well as the Publlz pro- 
duction BtalZ; goes on a week-to- 
week basis Saturday <18), as a 
measure of protection. Should It 
suddenly appear that stage shows 
must be tossed at either or both 
houses, it then can be done on short 
notice. 

This basis of operation can con- 
tinue indefinitely and does not In- 
dicate that Fubllx had decided on 
a change In policy. Decision so far 
Is against it; with hope expressed 
that gross results and readjust- 
ments under way will make it pos- 
sible to go along as now. 

While the two Par deluxers In 
met New York are on a week-to- 
week basis, negotiations are going 
forward for rent adjustments. Be- 
gun at first in Brooklyn, where Pub- 
lix has ottered the Prudence Bond 
people a percentage of gross above 
a set figure as rent, efforts are now 
being made to arrange a slmllaT 
deal for the New York house with 
the Paramount Broadway Corp., 
landlord. 

In New York, Publlx wants to 
split 60-60 with the landlord on re- 
ceipts In excess of overhead, which 
would take in film rental, actual 
operating costs and depreciation 
charges. 

Expectations are that deals call- 
ing for rent as a percentage of gross 
overage will be eventually worked 
out In New York and Brooklyn. 
Losses 

Difficulties began to appear for 
New York principally when Kate 
Smith made a personal, flopping, 
with hv picture, 'HeUo,. Everybody,' 
next In, going to a low of UMOO. 
When 'Iiuznry Ldner* (Par) and 
'Desert Song* unit last week opened 
only slightly better than the Kate 
Smith picture. Publix became fur- 
ther alarmed. 

'Liner' and 'Desert Song* finished 
the week at |24,800, red of around 
$30,000. The Par, Brooklyn, with 
'laiahd of liost Soulsl* and Willie 
and Eugene Howard on stage, 
brought only 122,400. That was a 
loss over there of around $15,000, 
including rent which hasn't been 
paid in several weeks. 

Because of the nature of down- 
town Brooklyn oppositiont It is de- 
clared a stronff possibility Par there 
would continue with stage shows 
even If the New York house went 
straight film^ Under a satisfactory 
deal with landlord over New York, 
the Broadway deluxer Is believed 
virtually certain to remain on its 
present basis. 

Mae "West in person with her 
picture, 'She Done Him Wrong' 
opened strong Thursday (9) for an 
eight days' stay. Brooklyn this 
week has 'Sign of the Cross' and the 
'Desert Song' unit. 

On i'riday (17), New York gets 
'Woman Accused' (Par) and the 
'Sally* unit, produced by F. & M 
Publix has booked Leon Errol and 
Gloria Glad to augment unit 

Present bookings for following 
week, Feb. 24, are 'Crime of the 
Century' and Al Jolson on stage, 
A- it her stage booking is George 
GersJiwln, for March 3. There has 
been no disposition on the part of 
Publix to set aside any of its future 
bookings. 

Following New York, Mae West 
on a personal goes to the Par, 
Brooklyn. 



New Door Sign 



St Paul, Jan. 13. 

Another sign of the times is 
cardboard placard reading. 

'Dr. Liberko, Chiropractor.' 

It's on the front door of 
what were once the sumptuous 
elllces of Paramount-Publix 
Corporation in St Paul. 

Publix still doing business In 
the spot despite the doc's 
plaster. 



Cot Rates for 2Sc 



Studios Plan to 
Put Ban Under 
Outside Actors 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 
A movement for the purpose of 
giving actors now In Hollywood the 
break and to put a stopper on the 
flocking here of leglt and foreign 
players has been launched by the 
Academy and its producer members. 

Primary feature of the protective 
undertaking la a laboratory theatre, 
to be -conducted under the auspices 
of the Academy and not open to the 
public, where actors and writers 
may demonstrate their ability In 
the presence of producers. 

Idea will be developed by the 
Academy research council headed 
by Darryl SSanuck, with producers, 
such as Metro, which had figured on 
local legit projects, foregoing these 
plans if the undertaUng mate- 
rializes. 

Studios have felt that much tal- 
ent Is going to waste because 
players have been catalogued In cer- 
tain parts. Show window theatre 
it Is thought, wlU eUmlnate this. 

Theatre likewise will be devoted 
to training young players, which, It 
is hoped, will end the periodic tal- 
ent hunts by the studios. 

Several stars have promised to 
api>ear In some of the plays. 



Now the cut-rate pass thing has 
reached the grind quarter picture 
houses in Times Square. 

Charles Hopkins' 49th 8t. the- 
atre, off Broadway, went grind fUms 
Tiouple weeks back, using all "re- 
vival' pictures. Tap only a quar- 
ter, but tickets around all over the 
square supposedly are free passes, 
but call for 1o cents service 
charge.' 



Hurley, Under Knife, 
Then a Par Producer; 
Botsford, Coben Aid 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 
Harold Hurley, who resigned two 
wedcs ago as executive assistant to 
Emanuel Cohen at Paramount will 
remain at the studio on a term con- 
tract as a producer of a series of 
features. New deal will be elTec- 
tive March 20, foOowing Hurley's 
visit to a hospital for a sinus op- 
eration. 

In addition to his production 
duties. Hurley will continue as an 
executive aid to Cohen in the con- 
tacting of "writers and the purchase 
of story material.. 

A. M. Botsford, ^ead of the studio 
story department, wlD take over 
Hurler's former duties, with Mer- 
rltt Hulburd, head of the writing 
stair, taking over the Botsford post. 
In addition to his current duties. 



Pofi Move for Chains Foreclosnre 
Backfire of Fox-N. L Receiver 



Monicking Fink 



U NEGOTIATING WITH 
4 AS UNTF PRODUCERS 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Universal hopes^o boost its next 
season's output by the addition of 
unit producers. 

Negotiations are now underway 
between the studio execs and J. G. 
Bachman and J. L Schnitzer to 
make pictures on the U lot for that 
company's release. Negotiations 
also have, been underway with Sam 
Bischoft and Bert Kelly of EB9. 

Present season's output la 26, but 
with the addition of unit produc- 
tion this number would be Increased 
to 80. 



Bell'g "Wont Woman' 

Hollywood, Feb. It. 

Monta Bell wUI direct 'Worst 
Woman in Paris' for Jesse Lasky, 
starting March 20. 

It's an original story by Bdl 
which he is now adapting with 
Marion Dlz. 



1st Fox Royalty Deal With Author 



Preeton Stursres Agrees to Percentage Scale 
for Story — Other Authors Hopeful 



Cokor and Selznick 

On Dinner' at Metro 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 

George Cukor has been given a 
release from his Radio directing 
contract to go to Metro. He will 
probably direct 'Dinner at Eight* 
as his first at the latter studio. Ex- 
pected that this film will be the first 
for David Selznick production in 
that studio. 

Probability also Is that second for 
Cukor will be 'Fire Chief,' with Ed 
Wynn. 

With the release is an agreement 
that Cukor will return to Radio to 
direct one picture after megging his 
initlaler at Metro, with a further 
understanding between that studio 
«nd Radio that the latter will get 
Lionel Barrymore on loan again for 
another picture. 



Hollsrwood, Feb. 18. 

First deal on the new proposition 
to substitute royalty for a flat pay- 
ment on scripts was made at Fox 
last week, with Preston Sturges for 
'The Power and the Glory.' Story 
is for production by Jesse D. Lasky 
on his Fox contract 

Sturges will receive a share which 
runs up to 15%, but based on a 
sliding scale. It is understood that 
he received an advance of |5,000 
against these royalties, with any 
additional income dependent upon 
the financial success of the picture. 
Deal is similar to that usually made 
between author and producer for 
stage rights. 

Producer and author agree to ar- 
bitrate any differences which may 
arise in the course of adaptation 
and production, with both sides 
bound to abide by the decision of 
the arbiters. Sturges will sit in on 
the production of the picture, to be 
directed by William K. Howard. 

Name writers are watching the 
development with intense interest, 
hoping that it will clear the situa- 
tion which followed the adoption of 
policies of retrenchment Under 
the new dispensation they are of- 
fered considerably less than the pre- 
viously generous scales, no producer 
being willing to risk large payments 
against a story which might or 
might not click. On a royalty basis 
authors would share in the profits, 
if any, without obligating the studios 
to pay for name values which did 
not cash In at the box ofllce. 



PATHETIC SUICIDE 



J, Benejam, American, Found 
Dead in Vault in Porto Rico 



A tragic and pathetic story Is 
behind the fire that destroyed the 
Warner Brothers Exchange in Porto 
Rico a week ago. F. J. Benejam, 
cashier there, and an American lad, 
was found in the vault after the 
ruins were cleared away, a gun 
beside him and a bullet in his brain. 

No logical reaon for either the 
suicide or the incendiary fire. An 
examination of the books showed 
that all was okay in that way. In- 
side story is said to be that the boy 
had simply missed too many beats 
back home. Annoyed at himself he 
planned suicide but wanted to 
clothe the whole thing in a cloak 
of mystery. Therefore, the fire, 
which the boy evidently thought 
would burn everything to an extent 
where no trace of the books or his 
body would be found. 

It happened during lunch hour, 
but Frank O. Planas, manager of 
the exchange^ happened to get back 
a bit early and in time so the fire 
didn't completely ruin everything. 



Clayton Bond's Op 

Clayton Bond, general manager of 
film buying for Warners, is recuper 
ating In an unnamed New York 
hospital for an ap op. 

Attack came suddenly last week. 
Reporting rallying okay. 



Maga^nes to which Hyman 
Fink contributes his photo- 
graphic random pot shots of 
HoUywood celebrities at prom- 
inent placeo and parties does 
not fle;>ire that the camera 
man's monicker Is sufficiently 
classy enough to Intrigue the 
readers of the publication to 
glance at bis art. So without 
consulting the young 'flash- 
light snooker they have 
changed bis handle to Roger 
Kent 

— From Tortetj/V Hottyteooi 
Bvnettn. 



U Theatres h on 
Stocb Only lor 
U. T. s Receivers 



What is regarded as the oddest 
receivership In the film Industry so 
far Is that of Universal Theatres 
Corp. Four years ago ft controlled 
and operated about 300 houses. Now 
the corporation's sqle Interest In 70 
theatres, left of the former group, 
is In stock. 

The larger properties, Griffith 
Amusements, represents 60 theatres 
In Oklahoma and Texas. Under the 
UTC receivership, L. C. QrUflth re- 
tains complete managerial control 
of that chain. About the same 
status Is reported true of the Mult- 
nomah circuit, with the remainder 
of the houses In Oregon and Wash- 
ington. " 

Universal Pictures Is not affected 
by the Baltimore surrender, where 
Robert Randolph has been appoint- 
ed the receiver. It Is declared. 



ROXY RETURNING TO 
R. C Di HAROI-APRIL 



Indications now are that S. L. 
Rothafel (Roxy) will not return to 
Radio City before late March or 
earty April. The rapidity of re- 
covery from his recent operation 
win also determine whether he goes 
south prior to again becoming ac- 
tive. 

Regardless of the date of Rotha- 
fel's return, his resumption will be 
preceded by radio broadcasts start- 
ing about twii^ weeks In advance of 
the date when final decision Is made. 

It is regarded as highly probable 
that before or upon Rothafel again 
assuming charge of. the R. C. the- 
atres, that pictures will be out of 
the smaller of the two houses, the 
Roxy, and that the Music Hall In- 
tent of not holding over film fea- 
tures will be rescinded. This will 
be to give the stage production staff 
breathing space. Under a 'no hold- 
over' edict it would mean 62 stage 
shows a year for the big auditorium. 
The old Roxy used to produce an 
average - of- 38 -presentations an- 
nually. 

Determining a future policy for 
the RKO Roxy is one of the cur- 
rant major r roblems of Radio City. 



Foreclosure on the Foz-PoU clrw 
cuit by S. Z, Poll, himself, Is ImmU 
nMit, according to downtowni 
sources, followlhg the recent action 
of Fpx New England going Into re- 
ceivership before the Federal Court 
In New Haven. Poll owns around 
110,000,000 of the outstanding bond 
Issue against the circuit. He Is the 
largest creditor and possessor of the 
first lien rights on the theatres. 
Fox New England Is the lessee of 
the properties under the original 
purchase agreements with Poll. 

The P-New England company Is a 
subsidiary of the Fox Theatres out- 
fit already In receivership, and of 
which Bill Atkinson and John Sher- 
man are co-receivers. 

The Poll thing has become a sadly 
muddled affair as numerous would- 
be theatre operators and others are 
on edge to take the thing over, but 
apparently want it for nothing. Sam 
Spring, a New Yorker, was nom- 
inated by a Connecticut court as a 
co-receiver for the properties. Lat- 
terly Spring has been concerned 
with certain business of Sam Katz. 

What gives the matter a stranger 
touch Is that neither Atkinson nor 
Sherman was named as a receiver 
for Fox New England, which they 
might have been since they are also 
receivers for Fox Theatres. With 
Sam Spring is a New Haven polit- 
ical factor, named SplIIacy, as co- 
receiver. 

4 Receivers 

Technically and from a fee point 
the Fo)l chain now has four re- 
ceivers to contend with where 
hitherto only having two. In the 
meantime, there's a query as to 
where Arthur Theatres Corp., Harry 
Arthur's operating company, comes 
off. The Arthur company Is a sub- 
lessee under Fox New Ehigland and 
from all accounts Fox New England 
Is a partner with Arthur Theatres 
In the operation of the Poll cirouit 
Harry Arthur continues to oper- 
ate thie circuit under a voluntary 
acquiescence for the benefit of PoIL 
The Interest on the bonds, amount- 
ing to around 1360,000, went In de- 
fault for non-payment, Feb. 1. Be- 
sides this the Poll circuit Is due for 
another 1300,000 or so In back taxes. 

The receivership action for Fox 
New England apparently had no 
connection with Halsey-Stuart's 
bond Interest In the chain which 
amounts roughly to aroimd $2,000.- 
000. The whole affair to now being 
looked Into by special counsel stated 
to be acting for Poll personally. 



Laenunle East 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Carl Laemmle, Sr., leaves for New 
York Feb. 16 on important business 
mission relative to distribution. It 
will keep him there four weeks. 

Laemmle will be accompanied by 
Sigmund Moos, leasing manager for 
company, and several others of 
his personal staff. 



Mrs. Kohl Better 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Mrs. Caroline Kohl, who has been 
In poor health all winter, is reported 
much Improved and able to be up 
and about to some extent. She still 
is under the care of a nurse at her 
residence on South Michigan ave 
nue. 

She has been unable to take much 
active interest in the Orpheum sit 
' uatlon. 



Hartford, Feb. 13. 

Judge Edwin S. Thomas in the 
U. S. DisU'ict Court here Friday 
(10) appointed receivers for two 
theatre chains In this district ef- 
fective Immediately, . for Fox New 
England Theatres, and the Olympia 
Theatres Corp., latter in control of 
Paramount houses In this state and 
Massachusetts. 

Attorneys Thomas J. Spellecy of 
Hartford and Samuel Spring 61 
New Rochelle, N. Y., were named 
receivers for the Fox-New England 
Theatres. Attorney Ralph Wells of 
Hartford was appointed receiver to 
serve with Andrew J. Collins of 
Norwalk for the Olympia Thea- 
tres. 

Law firm of Shipman & Goodwin 
of Hartford representing the Fox 
interests, filed the application for 
receivership. A hearing will be held 
In the New Haven district court 
April 3 at 10:30 a. m. to show cause 
why the appointment of receivers 
should not be made permanent. 

Failure on the part of the Arthur 

(Continued on page 27) 



STOCK 10-15 GRIND 
RUN BY STAGEHANDS 



Canton, C, Feb. 13. 

Old Grand opera house, dramatlo 
stock, has gone grind at 10- 15c and 
is doing much better business. 

Eloise Jordan Players doing 
abbreviated bills, with vaude be- 
tween acts and a six-piece local 
band In the pit. Sound feature 
films and shorts are Included under 
the new setup, the house liaving 
been wired recently. 

Union stagehands are sponsoring 
the new shows and may get back 
some of the several hundred dollars 
lost in straight stock venture, in- 
augurated last fall. 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



P I C T 



ES 



VARIETY 



FALL FOR ANNUAL PASSES 



Talk of Par and Capitol on Kmy 
Pooling for One Stage-Show House 



Loew and the Publlx receivers 
have had several meetings the past 
few days for the purpose of pos- 
sibly poollner the Capitol and Par- 
amount theatres on -Broadway. 
Roughly, the proposal Is to confine 
the stafe'e shows to one of the two 
big deluxers and switch the other 
to straight pictures. If this doesn't 
occur, Publlx may eventually be 
forced to take stage shows out of 
the Par. 

The Brooklyn Paramount will un- 
dergo a change in any event, prob- 
ably in two weeks, it is said, with 
the stage shows continuing, but 
under a budget reduced to (1,600 a 
week. These will be locally booked 
It the Loew-Publlx deal for Broad- 
way develops, since under the lat- 
ter arrangement there will no longer 
any necessity for Publlx to main- 
tain a home office booking and pro- 
duction office. 

According to preliminary plans 
Loew would become the stage 
booker for one or the other Broad- 
way stage house, most likely the 
Paramount. Capitol in straight pic- 
tures would get first pick of the two 
theatres' combined product. 

In Union, Etc. 

The Loew-Publlx feeling is that 
the way things are going, the Par 
and Capitol are killing each other 
' off instead of aligning in their flght 
against the Broadway theatres' 
common enemy. Radio City. Latter 
draw of $160,000 weekly in picture 
house attendance away from Broad- 
way every week haa forced the Par- 
amount and Capitol Into extreme 
measures in a desperate eftort to 
overcome the new 6th avenue mag- 
net. 

Belief is that with the ,two de- 
luxers no longer bidding against 
each other for stage attractions, the 
few available drawing names could 
be concentrated on one stage and 
for less money. 

Before the start of the Loew ne- 
gotiations, Publlx decided to defer 
a straight film move at the Par un- 
til completion of the current stage 
show which has Mae West In per- 
son, along with her Par picture, 
'She Done Him Wrong' or later. 
House with a |26,000 gross fared 
little better last wek than in the 
previous six-day week when a new 
low of $16,000 was reached with 
Kate Smith's 'Hello, Everybody.' 
Last week's bill comprised 'Lux- 
.ury Liner' and F. & M.'s 'Desert 
Song' tab, to which the house added 
Vivienne Segal and Gus Shy for the 
Broadway engagement. Capitol, 
with 'Secret of Mme. Blanche' 
(Metro) and Cab Calloway's band 
on the stage took it on the chin 
again with a gross of $25,000 last 
week. 



GENE ZUKOR GOES TO 
PAR'S FOREIGN CO. 



Gene Zukor, head of maintenance 
for Paramount-Publlx, a position 
no longer deemed necessary under 
the new lineup. Is understood 
scheduled for a switch to the Para- 
mount International Company. 
Move probably will occur some time 
this week, having been delayed 
pending the return to the U. S. of 
J. H. Seidelman. 

Not decided yet what Zukor will 
do in the foreign company, but un- 
derstood he will be named assistant 
,to Emll Shauer, co-vice president 
of the International with Seidel- 
man. 

With the new lineup, the foreign 
company is pretty completely cut 
oft from Paramount and on its own, 
with Zukor In there forming a 
closer alliance to the rest of the 
works. Shauer, for many years 
head of Par's foreign department, 
has been quite ill for a long while, 
with the time now deemed when 
he must havj more immediate as- 
slsianoo in his duties. 



FILM CONTRACTS, INDEF 

Distribs Informed by Par and RKO 
— Up to Courts 



Distributors dealing with Publlx 
and RKO were informed this week 
that picture contracts will continue 
indefinitely along the same lines as 
before those circuits went into re- 
ceivership. 

It is up to the courts, the dis- 
tributors state, to specify the time 
when the receivers shall take a 
permanent attitude toward existing 
contracts and that until then there 
can be no change. 



RGA PAYS MORE 
MILLIONS 
TO RKO 



It has been made apparent dur- 
ing the past week, that RCA has 
paid oK on its underwriting obliga- 
tion to RKO on the $11,600,000 of 
debentures which RKO issued 
around November, 1931, in the then 
reorganization of the company. Re- 
cently another bunch of money was 
had by RKO from RCA, but whether 
in final payment of this obligation 
cannot be stated. 

Published announcements by RCA 
show that RCA owns 84% of the 
total $11,600,000 Issue. This would 
mean that RCA has paid over 
something like $9,786,666, officially, 
to RKO, on that debenture obliga- 
tion. This would leave only $1,- 
813,345 outstanding in other hands, 
but whether the general public has 
consumed this amount isn't given. 

At the same time, it's said RCA 
owns 64% of the outstanding stock 
of RKO. 

Most of this stock control was 
achieved through the debenture 
subscription made by RCA, as cer- 
tain stock interests went along with 
each $6 debenture. 



Cooper, with Berman 
His Chief Aide, Named 
To Succeed Selznick 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Merlan C. Cooper, who stepped 
into the berth of production head 
at Radio to succeed David O. Selz- 
nick, has been made a vice-president 
of Radio Pictures. He will carry 
the title, 'executive vice-president 
in charge of all Radio production.' 

Pandro Berman, an associate pro- 
ducer, gets a new contract at a ma- 
terial boost in salary and a per- 
centage of profits on pictures he 
supervises, and the title 'executive 
assistant to Mr. Cooper.' Berman 
will be also chief associate executive 
and will have the pick of the stories 
for his production. 



YOUNG ROCKEFELLER ON 
RKO INSPECTION TOUR 



John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, supposed 
to have been chosen by his family 
to oversee its show Interests, last 
week looked over RKO. He was pi- 
loted through the organization by 
Herman Zohbel, treasurer. 

Young Rockefeller just looked 
around without asking many ques- 
tions on his first Inspection tour. 



BALTO DtllY IS 
BICCESTCHI 

Neighborhood Houses Go for 
Paper's Circulation Ex- 
ploitation — 364 Double 
Annual Passes Given 
Away 



MAKING DEADHEADS 



Baltimore, Feb. 13. 
Promoted by the local Scripps- 
Howard daily, the 'Post', some 70 
neighborhood theatres in town will 
shortly issue 364 annual passes, 
making 728 people in this city who 
will lose all interest in the box- 
office and will likely never pay their 
way into a theatre again. Stunt is 
only now being driven home to the 
theatre owners in all its damaging 
implications. It's admitted by the- 
atre owners as being one of the 
worst things to happen to show 
business in this town in years. In- 
stead of showing the theatres how 
they can get more admissions at a 
time when they're needed so much, 
the 'Post' is now taking away 728 
weekly admissions from these the- 
atres. 

' Entire scheme is hooked up to a 
circulation campaign by the 'Post'. 
Stunt is in the nature of a 'name 
the movie star' contest. Besides the 
annual passes, the 'Post' also pro- 
moted various merchandise prizes 
from the various merchants. 

That's the thing that's burning up 
the theatre owners who went for 
the scheme. Some of these theatres, 
such as the little Roxy, the Metro- 
politan which is the only Warner 
house in town, and the Embassy, 
contributed as many as 26 annual 
passes, while I<ou Rome has 6 an- 
nuals for each of his five theatres. 
The monetary value of these passes 
run into the hundreds of dollars 
when figured on the annual basis. 
Yet the only thing that these houses 
got was brief one column one line 
mention of credit. While the mer- 
chant who contributed a $10 chair 
or a $15 bird cage drew heavy type 
plugging besides cuts of the mer- 
chandise. Another bum-up is the 
fact that the theatre which contrib- 
uted only one annual pass drew as 
much space as the house which gave 
26. 

Downtowners Laid Off 

Of most importance Is the fact 
that the circulation scheme (since 
In order to enter the contest, there 
must be 'Post' subscription with 
each entrance) is deliberately hurt- 
ing the theatres rather than helping 
them. It is, therefore, a strange 
sidelight to discover that not one of 
the major downtown houses fell for 
this open-and-shut promotion 
scheme. Not the Loew houses, not 
the Hippodrome, nor Keiths, nor the 
New theatre went for the idea. 

It is the first outstanding instance 
in this town of the theatres being 



No 10c in Any Part of Warners 
Theatre Business, Says Operator; 
Wifl Gose Houses First, Resolve 



CHOKED OFF STATEMENTS 



Attys for Par Receivers Don't Seem 
to Believe in Press Announcements 



Receivers are net issuing state- 
ments relative to plans unless ap- 
proved by lawyers. Lawyers, so far, 
are opposed to expressions of 
opinion from company administra- 
tors at this time. 

First case of this kind occurred 
at Paramount. Adolph Zukor and 
Charles HiUes, immediately follow- 
ing their permanent appointment as 
receivers, decided to issue two 
statements. One was for the pub- 
lic and the other was for the com- 
pany's personnel. 

Statements were carefully drafted 
and finally submitted to the receiv- 
ers' law firm. From there they ap- 
parently stopped traveling. 



EXPLOITATION 
DISCOVERED 
AT LAST! 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 
As an experiment, J. J. Friedl, 
Publlx division manager here, 
turned over one of the chain's 
houses, Riviera, St. Paul, to its 
manager, Everett Siebel, to operate 
it independently, as though he 
owned it himself, for a four-week 
period. 

Given free rein, Selbel proceeded 
to disregard some it the chain op- 
eration rules hitherto binding him. 
Handling advertising and exploita- 
tion, particularly, in an unconven- 
tional manner, Siel-el, former Pub- 
llx press agent, jumped business 
and profits substantially. 

As a result, Friedl now is work- 
ing on a plan to give all house 
managers more leeway and oppor- 
tunity for initiative as a perman- 
ent proposition. 



taken for a promotional ride in or- 
der to boost the sales of an outside 
medium. Estimated that the the- 
atres are giving about $8,500 worth 
of the $10,000 worth of prizes, and 
yet are getting only a minute share 
of the publicity, besides the direct 
assault on the box oflRce. 

That the downtown houses didn't 
fall for the scheme is admittedly 
due to their experience in dealing 
with all sorts of come-on artists 
who try to promote the theatres, 
while the nelghb spots are less so- 
phisticated in these matters. 



5 Production Heads at Metro With 
Thalberg Taking Foreign Vacation 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Irving Thalberg leaves here the 
latter part of this month for a three- 
month vacation in Bad Nauheim, 

Germany. During bis absence, five 
production heads under Louis B. 
Mayer will function on the Metro 
lot. They will comprise David O. 
Selznick, newly appointed executive 
producer and vice-president, who 
comes on the lot Feb. 16; Harry 
Rapf, Walter Wanger, Hunt Strom- 
berg and Bernle Hyman. Al Lewin 
will resume as an a. p. He is on 
a European vacation also. Selznick 
win have six pictures to make on 
this year's program, with the other 
producers having a like quantity. 

Eddie Mannix, functioning as a 
producer, will become production 



assistant to Mayer, contacting the 
associate producers in speeding up 
physical production. 

Hyman, In addition to his own 
work. Is taking over three produc- 
tions that Bernle Fineman, who 
leaves the studio this week, handled. 
He will put them through produc- 
tion in addition to his own work. 
Although no schedule has been made 
for next season, it is expected that 
about 50 pictures will be made on 
the lot. 

Rapf has been given a new con- 
tract for one year by Metro. It 
becomes effective April 1, 

Rapf Joined the organization as a 
producer when Louis B. M.iyer took 
over the reins of tlie pl.ant. In liio 
absence of Thalberg, linpf liris tjfcn 
ranking producer. 



Warners is taking the initiative 
among the major circuits in ending 
the admission war. The brothers, 
following the advice of their theatre 
head, Joe Bernhard, are now closing 
houses rather than let them descend 
to the level already reached by some 
of their bigger competitors. 

The policy advocated and t>eing 
executed by Bernhard is that there 
are enough people in the U. S. who 
will pay fair prices to see srood pic- 
tures. By the same token Warners 
believes if the entire industry allows 
its boxoffice to be swept to museum 
scales it will take more than pros- 
perity to reinstate the business to 
its former plane. 

Warners has ruled out every part 
of the dime at the boxofflces. They 
tried it for awhile, along with some 
•of the other circuits, at morning 
shows. But the 10c flavor, they 
found, permeated the bouse for the 
remainder of the day and night 
Bernhard is certain that a theatre, 
the same as a human being, can't 
be ludicrous one moment and dig- 
nified the next, and expect to re- 
tain public respect. 

Cutting is all right In its place, the 
Warners agree, like 75c In all spots. 
Put they feel there should be a 
marked differentiation in the scales 
of runs so that a top house should 
not, at any time of the day, be on a 
scale with the iQwest order of b.o. 
in the field. 

'And mark this,' added Joe Ber- 
hard, 'Warners is not going out of 
the theatre business. ,We are even 
willing to acquire more theatres in 
the eastern division if they are well 
located. Yes, we have 90 bouses 
closed. What of it? We have 360 
open and we're in the business to 
stay.' 



DAYANDNITFS 
DISTINCT FILM 



New Orleans, Feb. 13. 

St. Charles, with l^c. matinees 
and 25c. at night, is trying the ex- 
periment of two different types of 
film for those times. 

Comedy full length picture during 
the day in an attempt to corral the 
family trade, but at night 'Virtue* 
(Col) for adults only. 



F-WC WeU Stocked 
With Vice Prexies; 
Eleven Functiomng 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Executive set-up of Fox West 
Coast Theatres now has seven vice- 
presidents for the parent company. 
Four, besides, to handle the desti- 
nies of Fox West Coast Service Cor- 
poration, the theatre operating ad- 
junct. Spyros Skouras is pre.sldent. 

Charles Skouras, active operating 
head on the Coast, is executive \ l -c- 
presldent of F-WC Theatres, Inc. 
Six other v.p.'s are C. E. Richard- 
son (Chase bank rep.), P. R. Kent, 
W. C. Michel, C. A. Buckley, J. J. 
Sullivan and L. A. Woolams (also 
a Chase man whose resignation, re- 
cently tendered, not accepted to 
date). 

Board of directors comprises 
Charles Skouras, Buckley, Kent, 
Fred L. Metzler, A. W. Leeds, Syd- 
ney Towell and Alfred Wright, coast 
nttorney for the circuit, who re- 
."ierned two weeks ago as v.p. 

F-WC .'ifrvice Corp v.p.'s include 
I'li.'is. .<^l(oiir(is. Buckley, Metzler 
•iiui Kicli.-M'ils'iti. 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E S 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



Goldwyn Reducing His Films' Cost 
But Increasing Number to 12 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 

With the exception of an Eddie 
Cantor picture each year for four 
years, Sam Goldwyn Is planning to 
reduce his negative cost 60% or 
more and increase his annual out- 
put. For the comine season 
(1933-'34), the UA producer-owner 
is figuring on a total of 12. All will 
be released through United Artists, 
as usual. 

Qoldwyn's Cantor pictures, which 
under a five-year agreement, 
signed prior to making of 'Kid 
From Spain,' calls for one a year, 
will be Goldwyn's big production 
on the coming year's schedule but 
unllliely to cost as. much as 'Kid,' 
which reached $1,200,000. 

All others in neg cost will be 
brought away down from the Gold- 
wyn average which has been $500,- 
000 or more. In addition to 'Kid,' 
Goldwyn has delivered two Ronald 
Colman starrers. Baeh stands him 
around $600,000 in cost. 

One additional picture, with Anna 
Sten, foreigner, or a total of four 
this year, remains to be made by 
Goldwyn. 

Taking Care of More 

In view of the times, Goldwyn is 
said to feel that he might as well 
incretise on number of pictures, at 
the same time cutting down neg- 
ative liability. A portion of the re- 
duction will come throiigh appor- 
tionment of cost of maintaining a 
high-salaried organization over 12 
i-ather than for only four or five 
pictures. Goldwyn's staft has never 
been large, but it is expensive when 
figured on a 62-week basis. Col- 
man's contract has two more years > 
to go, while Miss Sten is engaged 
until September, 1934. 



Ohio Co/s Receiyer 



Toungstown, O., Feb. 13. 
Publlx Ohio Corporation, operat- 
ing the Paramount State and 
Cameo theatres here, is in receiver- 
ship with the appointment of Al. 
E. Reuben as receiver In Federal 
coiurt, Toledo. 

, Receivership does not affect the 
operation of the Paramount f---- 
atre here; State and Cameo thea- 
tres are dark. Company operates 
theatres In 13 other Ohio cities, 
including Toledo, Fremont, Hamil- 
ton, Steubenville and Mlddletown. 

A bill of complaint was filed by 
the Publiz Theatres Corp. of New 
York, against the Toledo Para- 
mount Corp., holding company for 
real estate in Toledo. The bin says 
$16,173 owned by the Toledo com- 
pany defaulted on payment of 
$35,000 interest on bonds maturing 
Feb. 1. 



KEOVGH, PAR'S ATTY., 
KEPT ON THE JOMP 



Can't Can Cantway 



Warners can't get away from 
Maxine Cantway. 

Four years ago the studio 
removed her from the chorus 
ranks and gave her a contract, 
later dropping her. 

This week contracts were 
banded out to 12 of the 20 
chorines in '42d St' and among 
the names was Miss Cant- 
way's. 

— From 'Varietv'a' Honywood 
BiaieUn. 



AGAIN BECK IS 
TOYING WITH 
POOR PALACE 



2 Road Sliow Rbns 
in Chicago Which 
Never Favored 'Em 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 

'Rasputin' (M-Q-M) will open 
Feb. 19 at the Apollo for a road 
show glossing. It will be opposed 
by 'Cavalcade* (Fox) at the Er- 
langer, opening last nlghtl 

Two competing road shows in a 
town notoriously cold on top scaled 
films are amazing. 

Another booking change sends 
'Sign of the Cross* (Par) into 
United Artists Instead of the Ori- 
ental as originally Intended. 'Cross' 
will follow 'I'm a Bum' (UA), which 
opens Wed. (16). 



Austin Keough seems about the 
busiest executive in the United 
States. In addition to daily confer- 
ence with Paramount receivers, he 
is personally representing Par in- 
terests in receiver actions. After 
nckinc^ an application In Newark, 
N. J., last week, brought by a bond- 
holder, he boarded a. train for Co- 
lumbus. O., Friday (10) to attend a 
hearing there on appointment of a 
permanent receiver to succeed W. B. 
Bartels. 

About a week ago Bartels was 
made ancillary receiver in Colum- 
bus for Publiz Enterprises. 

Since receivership was declared 
over P-P Jan. 27, Keough has been 
working until midnight and after 
daily, plus all Sunday. 

One night last week Keough in- 
vited a few Par execs to his bouse 
for dinner. He finally had to tell 
em to go out alone. Joining them 
later. 

Keough got back into his office 
after an Illness with flu and a short 
vacation in Atlantic City just ahead 
of the receiverships. The Atlantic 
City rest was his first in five years. 



Fox WC Affairs 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

A. J. Michel, Chase Bank rep, left 
here Feb. 12 for New York with a 
full financial report on Fox West 
Coast affairs. 

Charles Skouras and party due to 
leave for New York Wednesday 
(16). 

Understood here something im 
portant happens in New York to 
day. 



Goetz' 3 at Radio 



Hollywood, Feb. 13, 
William Qoetz has a three picture 
contract with options, at Radio Pic- 
tures. 

Goetz recently obtained his re 
lease from Fox. 



Steiner Seeking Coast 
Angel for Six Melos 

Hollywood, Feb. 13, 
William Steiner of New York, is 
here to line up financing for pro- 
ducing a series of 12 three-reel 
westerns and six melodramas. 
Charles Hutchinson, Indle producer 
Is with him in the deal. 

Steiner is seeking backing on the 
strength of several distribution con 
tracts he is understood to have. He 
was last the New York dlstrib con 
tact for Ken Goldsmith's produc 
tlons, but resigned two months ago, 



UABIE'S aUICEIE VAGASH 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Marie Dressier Is scheduled to 
reach New York Monday (20). 

She Is going east for a short visit 
between pictures. 



Bachman Off Pathe Lot 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Though J. Q. Bachman had one 
more picture to mako on his four 
picture release contract for Radio, 
he moved off the Pathe lot Satur 
day. 



Operation of the Palace, Broad- 
way, continues In its uncertain way, 
as the RKO people, following the 
suggestion of Martin Beck, have 
switched the place to an all- film 
policy, with mostly subsequent runs. 
This puts the Palace on a par rat- 
ing with the Globe, across the street. 
Palace scale is motley and has vari- 
ous denominations for various hours 
and days. It runs from 26 to 76c, 
according to the hour and the day. 

This switch marks Beck's fourth 
or fifth attempt to pick a policy for 
the Palace. It was upon Beck's 
suggestion the house changed from 
big time two-a-day vaude to combo 
vaude. So far in the eight months 
or so during which Beck has bad 
the say-so on the house, the Palace 
has continued to slide through dif- 
ferent operating policies and a 
dozen or more adniisslon prices. 

When Beck first forced himself 
into the RKO job through David 
Sarnoff, Beck was qulok to Impress 
upon the RKO execs that the Pal-' 
ace was his. Beck's, own toy. RKO 
execs apparently took Beck literally, 
for Beck has had 49% Interest in the 
Palace and continued to have his 
sway , of the house and RKO book- 
ing office. 

Palace, for years the leading 
vaude bouse of the world,, had main- 
tained its blg-tlme standing until 
Beck pushed in. Until then Charlie 
Freeman had booked the two-a-day 
bills into it. The year before the 
Beck blunders, the Palace, under 
Freeman, had netted $176,000; its 
biggest annual profit in some time. 

Now Beck seemingly feels content 
to kick away any profit, knowing if 
the other Palace stockholders are 
disgusted at going into the red, he's 
still 49% with them, although Beck 
appears to reserve the exclusive 
RKO Palace privilege to himself of 
bringing law suits, with or without 
a job. 



Various reports are current in the 
east and on the Coast concerning 
change in setup of the United Ar- 
tists' distributing organization, with 
possibility of new owner-member 
structure through sellout of present 
holder's Interest. No one speclfl'- 
cally is named among the eight 
owner-members who might want to 
sell. 

One story around is that Joseph 
M. Schenck, president of the com- 
pany, may withdraw from it is far 
from positive. 

Meanwhile, from the Coast re- 
ports are that if Sam Katz, who has 
been mentioned Irregularly as a pos- 
sible owner-member if he can find 
anyone willing to sell, may distrib- 
ute pictures through UA. If be has 
anything likely in the way of a pro- 
gram, it Is said Schenck would be 
willing to negotiate a releasing deal. 



Hollywood 



Briefly rewritten extracts from 'Variety's' Hollywood Bulletin, printed 
each Friday in Hollywood^ and added to the regular weekly 'Variety.' 

The Bulletin does not circulate other than on the Pacific Slope. 

News from the Dailies in Los Angeles will be found in that customary 
department. 



Louis Gasnler Is back on the 
Paramount lot after directing two 
Spanish and two French films at 
Joinville. 



Richy Craig Dropped 

Rlchy Craig, Jr., former actor 
working as a writer on the Marx 
Brothers' picture at Paramount, is 
ott the lot. 



'Dead on Ai'rival' is new title for 
Paramount's 'Police Surgeon,' and 
'Grasshoppers' replaces 'Cracked 
Ice,' the Marx Brothers' film. 



Script of 'Marie Gallant' at Fox 
is in for a rewrite by Dudley 
Nichols. Clara Bow and Anna Sten 
both mentioned for the lead in this 
picture. 



Henry Duffy will star Pauline 
Frederick in 'Criminal at Large,' 
opening at the Alcazar, San Fran- 
cisco, Feb. 27. Duffy is negotiating 
for Alia Nazlmova to play the lead 
in 'Love Child.' 



B-l After Two From Par 

British International wants to 
borrow Carole Lombard and Jack 
Oakie from Paramount. English 
company also reported seeking the 
services of James Gleason. 



One-act plays at the Writers' 
club Feb. 16 and 16 will be T Am 
Over Forty,' by Madeline Black- 
more; 'What — No Delecto/. by Har- 



old Deardon; "Verka* by Howard 
Miller and 'Ladles in His Past' by 
Victor Potel. 



Too Much Cable, Sherriff Coming 

Figuring cable costs for story 
'conferences' too high, Universal 
will bring R, C. Sherriff here from 
London to adapt 'Invincible Man.' 
Earlier intention was to have him 
do the work in England. 



Twelve of the 20 girls given short 
term contracts by Warners when 
they were working in •42d Street," 
have been handed new termers by 
the studio. 



Onslow Stevens and Andy Devlne 
get options taken up at Universal. 



Otto Dyar leaves Paramount, as 
head of the still department to en 
ter the photographic business; on his 
own. Harry Cottrell succeeds. 



Foz is negotiating with Para- 
mount to borrow Nancy CaiToll for 
•I Loved You Wednesday,' with Par 
probably getting Philip Merival in 
the deal. 



'Eagle and the Hawk' will be 
Mitchel Lelsen's first picture at 
Paramount under a new contract, 
He will co-direct with Stuart 
Walker. 



Paramount's next horror picture 
(Continued on page 28) 



RKO Overhead Cuts Dont Always 
Seem to Stand-Fired and Hired Gag 



UA REPORTS 



Nothing Positive in Rumors Men- 
tioning Set-up Changes 



ATTY. IS RECEIVER OF 7 
RHODE ISLAND HOUSES 



Providence, Feb. 13. 
Kirk Smith, Providence attorney, 
has been appointed temporary re- 
ceiver of the Rhode Island Theatres, 
Maine corporation, which operates a 
chain of Publiz theatres in this 
state. 

Petition filed by Olympla The- 
atres, of New Bedford, which claims 
the corporation is Indebted to the 
Olmpla Theatre for (660,416. 

Seven theatres in Rhode Island 
are covered by the receivership, two 
in Pawtucket, one in Newport, three 
in Woonsocket and Paramount, 
Providence. All assets of the Rhode 
Island Theatres are In this State, 
the report stated. 

Smith was given authority by the 
court to operate the theatres, and 
ordered to file a $10,000 bond. 



Baby Stars on Road 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
First trip of the Wampas baby 
stars to help build up boz office fig- 
ures in theatres opens Feb. 21 at 
Fox Oakland; Feb. 22 at Golden 
Gate, San Francisco, and Feb. 23 at 
Paramount, San Francisco. 



Percy Heath's Death 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 
Everything at Paramount studio 
was hushed for five minutes at noon 
Saturday (11) as a tribute to Percy 
Heath, associate producer. 

Heath died Thursday with' the 
services Saturday. 



Stuart's Father Dies 

George Stuart, 70, father of Her- 
schel Stuart, died Sunday (12) in 
Arlington, Tex. Death believed to 
have been due to heart disease. 

Herschel Stuart was in New Ha- 
ven when news reached him. He 
left by plane for his father's home- 
stead and was expected to arrive 
in Arlington yesterday (18) after- 
noon. 

Funeral was held today (Tuesday) 
from the Ed. C. Smith funeral par- 
lors, Dallas. 



Although the RKO heads claim to 
have cut something like |220,00O 
additional off the theatre overhead, 
most of this amount looks to have 
been made mostly on paper. Only 
one voluntary slice recorded, and 
that's Roxy's personal salary cut. 
Roxy ranks this way with M. H. 
Aylesworth, RKO president, who 
hasn't accepted any salary since he 
entered the company. The (220,000 
slice probably counts in Roxy's vol> 
untary cut. 

Harold R Franklin, president oC 
the RKO theatre end, has not an- 
nounced any cut for himself, and 
Martin Beck still retains his $1,000 
weekly salary as booking head, 
from accounts. Franklin is in 
charge of the economy campaign. 

All of which has more or less 
curved the attitude of the company 
employes, generally, and especially 
the minor help. The only cuts, after 
analysis, look to have come by way 
of elimination of clerks and stenogs, 
and the elimination of one or two 
field Jobs. The help mostly effected 
have been the |10-$20-$30 kind. 

Nobody knows when to take a 
notice seriously at RKO, under the 
new cutting system. This comes 
from the fact that at least three 
employes whose Jobs were pro- 
scribed were recently found* to be 
still on the payroll, but guised un- 
der new capacities. Some are 
known to have been given notice 
two and three times, with appar- 
ently nobody knowing Just who haa 
the authority to eliminate or cut 
and sometimes even fire or hire. 



Mike llaroo Setnrns West 

Marco, acompanied by his wife, 
left for the coast Saturday (11). 

He will probably remain there for 
several weeks before returning east. 

L. A. to N. Y. 

Sam Goldwyn. 
Edmund Lowe. 
Savlngton Crampton. 
Ed Cook. 

Patsy Ruth Miller. 
Marie Dressier. 



N. Y. to L. A. 

W. R. Sheehan. 
Henry Qarat. 
Ed Olmstead. 
Marco. 

Mrs. M. Marco. 



PAR EXPECTS JOLSON 
AT BROADWAY HOUSE 

Al Jolson cancelled his Para- 
mount, Broadway, week startiner 
Feb. 17 because he did not wish to 
play against his own picture, Tm 
a Bum,' at the Rlvoll. It's under- 
stood the theatre has Induced Jol- 
son to go In there the following 
week, Feb. 24, although nothing 
more is reported from the Jolson 
side. 

It is said the singing comedian 
Is under negotiation to make his 
next picture for Columbia. Jolson 
wants more freedom in the making, 
he says, than received by him in 
previous screen undertaking. The 
'Bum' picture was made by United 
Artists. 



Lehman Bros. Reps on 
RKO Stockholders' Group 

Herbert Bayard Swope is chalr^ 
man of the RKO stockholders com- 
mittee, while George N. Armsby, ot 
Bancamerica-BIair is named chair- 
man of an RKO bondholders' pro- 
tective committee, both of which 
groups have the announced co- 
operation of RCA. 

Others on the stockholders' com- 
mittee Include Robert C. Adams, 
Ferdinand Eberstadt, Maurice Good- 
man, Paul Mazur, and Grayson M-P 
Murphy. Counsel is Sullivan and 
Cromwell. Secretary is W. F. Col- 
clough, of the Sullivan and Crom- 
well office. Commercial National 
Bank and Trust company. New York 
is named depositary. 

Sitting with Armsby on the bond- 
holders' committee are Edward Del- 
afield and Arthur Lehman. Counsel 
is Chadbourne, Hunt, Jaeckel and 
Brown. E. Carley is secretary. 

Mazur and Lehman are of the 
Lehman Brothers, downtown. 

The bondholders' committee Is 
centering its attention for holders of 
10-year 6% gold debentures of RKO 
due Dec. 1, 1941; holders of cer- 
tificates (either fully paid or 66% 
part-paid) for the 10-year 6% gold 
debentures due Dec. 1, 1941, and 
holders of the extended 6% gold 
notes of RKO due Jan. 1, and July 1, 
1933. 

The depository named Is the City 
Bank Farmers Trust Company, New 
York. 

Indications are that the protective 
committee for RKO wll meet for the 
first time since organization on 
Wednesday (IB). Hearing on the 
RKO receivership before Federal 
Judge William Bondy is scheduled 
for Friday (17). 



Tuesdajt Febnmiy 14, 1933 



VARBBTr 



T 







WB Sets High F^e for '42iid St' 
If RKO Wants S|iecial Train Ai^e 



Warners. Is stated to have aslted 
' $100,000 from RKO for the musical 
film, MZd Street.* Not known 
whetlier thia Rgure Is for a blanket 
of the RKO circuit or Just Radio 
City. Presently the situation looks 
deadlocked. ^ 

After a week's negotiations the 
Warners finally said something like 
$30,000 and a spilt for Radio City 
alone. So far as known, the RKO 
people have said, 'Nix' to both 
figures. At the present writing It 
looks like the picture will play the 
Warner's Strand, Broadway. Film 
originally was Intended to reopen 
the Hollywood, Broadway. 

There's a slim possibility that 
RKO may get the picture accord- 
ing to when and how General Elec- 
tric will come to Its assistance. That 
a peaceful finale is brewing on the 
matter may be seen from the latest 
indications that Warners Is look- 
ing for an NBC air hookup on ex- 
ploitation for the picture. 

This hookup is additional to the 
special train which . Wamera baa 
tied in with. General Electric equip- 
ment and which will roll over the 
. country beginning Feb. . 21, through 
several key cities with Warner stars 
and featured players to the' Presi- 
dential Inauguration in Washington 
March 4. This train comprises six 
specially equipped cars that will 
have all .kinds of O.E2. stuff in it 
from sun ray lamps to an electrical 
kitchen besides radio equipment for 
short wave broadcasting. G.l<.*s 
parent status with NBC and RKO 
is what stimulated the RKO inter- 
es in the Warner picture and which 
brought on the Warner offers to 
RKO. 

Passenoera 

For Warners there, lurked the 
bustup of one of the Juiciest ex- 
ploitation tie-ups known besides 
the prestige to the company which 
would come by way of a special 
^auguratlon' party to Washington. 
That's something which Is known 
to be quits dear to the heart of 
Jack Warner, because of bis close 
connection to President-elect Roose- 
velt. All tie-ups are being handled 
directly by Charles EInfeld, War- 
ner advertising chief. 

Fart of the special train will be 
converted Into a miniature Mallbu 
Beach for the benefit of the Holly- 
wood stars who will make the 
trip and which will Include players 
like Bebe Daniels, Claire Bodd, 
Glenda Farrell, James Cagney, 
Sheila Terry, Helen Vincent and 
Joe E. Brown besides others. 

The outside of the train will be 
leafed In gold and silver with a con- 
stant electric sign burning the 
legend 'Better Times' and announc- 
ing the Warner picture and the OJB. 
equipment contained therein. 

The broadcasting facilities are In- 
tended for hookups with stations all 
along the line through a collapsible 
antenna attached to the train 
through G.B. A group of Holly- 
Wood chorines are also making the 
trip. 

For the benefit of the players who 
will make the trip and to keep them 
happy, Warners have copped a 
Hollywood cook to prepare meals 
for them along the line. He's Henri 
Bassetti, chef of the Ambassador, 
L.03 Angeles. 

Bin Sully is in charge of the 
bufllncss end of the train with Ed- 
die Selzer handling the publicity. 
Other reps on the train include 
Walter Daly, of G.E.; Jim Wright, 
of Barton, Batten, Durstine & Os- 
borne, advertising agency for G.E.; 
' Ben Sllvy and Bill Ray of the War- 
• ner company. 

The train will arrive in New 
York March 9 where the party will 
be dispersed. 



Ralph Kohn Recovered 

After a siege of Illness lasting 
several weeks, Ralph A. Kohn, as- 
sistant to Adolph Zuko-- and treas- 
urer of P-P, got back Friday (10). 

His attack of flu arrived a few 
days ahead of the P-P receivership 
Jan. 26. 



S&J's London Rep 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Jack Votion. outside man for 
Selznlck and Joyce, will probably 
go to London to represent the 
agency. 

Votlon'a duties will mainly be to 
negotiate deals for the exchange of 
American and English picture 
names between British and Amer- 
ican producers. Myron Selznlck 
spent several weeks looking over 
the British picture production field 
on his recent European trip. 



COAST INDIES 
USE 10c SCALE 



IjOs Angeles, Feb. 18. 

To combat the 40c price charged 
f<H> first runs at the Paramount and 
lioew's State downtown, independ 
ent theatres without previous an 
nouncement Saturday (11) Inaugu 
rated a 10c policy for double fea 
tures, second and third run houses 
In this group Including Rlalto, 
Roxy, Oljrmplc, Broadway, Palace, 
Arcade and Tower. 

Exitected other downtown houses 
will follow in price cutting war. 

niRUX-MICH. STARTS 
ON REORGANIZATION 

Detroit, Feb. II. 

Plans for the expected reorgani- 
zation of the Publlx Michigan the- 
atres were finally settled by bar- 
ney and John Balaban in confer- 
ence here. A new corporation Is 
to be set up, it is said. All' pres- 
ent leases are to be negotiated for 
on a lower basts and If satisfactory 
will be made between the property 
owners and the new corporation. 
Any lease that cannot be substitut- 
ed on an equitable basis will be left 
In the Publlx Michigan Corp. 

All crafts are being negotiated 
with In an effort to bring theatre 
operation costs down to a point 
where it will be profitable to op- 
erate under present conditions. 

The present move is to put every 
theatre or group of theatres on a 
basis where they can operate out of 
gross receipts. Without more money 
available from Publlx Theatres 
Corp. or from the Balabans the only 
recourse being to bring operating 
costs down to where the theatres 
collectively and individually can 
operate themselves from a financial 
standpoint. 

Publlx Michigan Theatres went 
into receivership Friday (10). 

The local Fox theatre has 
changed from a trusteeship to a 
receivership. Change is voluntary 
and understood to have been done 
for protection. The Union Guardian 
Bank, the trustee, is also receiver, 
with no changes contemplated. 



U's Closing Drops 400, 
With 200 Still on Pay 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Universal closed Saturday (11), 
dropping 400 workers. Around 200 
people left on the payroll to con- 
tinue for at least part of the shut- 
down period. 

Scenario and reading depart- 
ments still functioning with 15 
writers working on 12 stories. Half 
crew remains In the stenographic 
department and only John lie Roy 
Johnston, head. In the publicity of- 
fice. Seventy people out of employ- 
ment due to the closing of the 
Royal lab, with 10 staying on be- 
cause they are hold contracts. 



1-34 [STIITE 




Of Total Cost, One-Third 
for Studio Overhead — 11c 
Each from B.O. Dollar 
for Holljrwood and Dis- 
tribution 

NO PICTURE FAMINE 



Cautious Advance Raises Market 
Hopes for Spring M Cam^ 
Fin Sliaies Drageiig M BMMi 



Major film companies wiil turn 
out approximately 250 upper class 
features at an aggregate cost of 
$75,000,000 during 33-34. Biggest 
production heads and home office 
representatives are in accord with 
the estimates, officially in line with 
announcements scheduled to develop 
tMith spring sales conventions. 

With other classes included, the 
output of the majors seems certain 
to reach the normal or around 400 
features. Both east and west in- 
sist that from the standpoint of ma- 
terial, not as to Its avallabtllty, how- 
ever, since tliat is up to aalej con- 
ditions and policies, there wlU be na 
picture famine. 

This year, probably more than any 
other, there ia a conflict raging be- 
tween the two coasts, with Holly- 
wood, for the flmt tima, ba,rlng the 
edge and with the caat rejoining 
that now la no timo to pass the 
buck. 

- As the head of one of the largest 
studios puts it, Hollywood has al- 
ways taken it on the chin. It was 
easy for companies to point 5,000 
miles away and plaoia the ex- 
travagance thera. It was Just as 
easy for the ezliibitor In the sticks 
to point westward eyarytlme he ran 
Into the red. But noir all that has 
changed, he claims. 

It needed receivers and investiga- 
tion, along with bard times, to swing 
the whip the other way, to prove 
that for every dollar taken in at the 
box oflice Hollywood Is allowed Just 
lie for production while the sales 
department is handed another 11c. 
for distribution. 

Studio Overhead 
The East is taking this calcula- 
tion and admitting that it has to 
like it. But, it maintains, there is 
no reason why the first $100,000 
should be written off to studio over- 
head before a feature is even 
started. Actually. It Is held in Kew 
York, the material amount to be in- 
vested in the industry's better prod- 
uct will be |2o0,000 per picture. How 
the one-third of the cost, invisible 
on the screen, can be written down 
Is the east's concern. 



Art Dept. Still Going 

Reports that Lord & Thomas' art 
department on theatres in Jack 
Pegler's department had or was to 
be abandoned, are incorrect, he 
says. 

Department was reduced in over- 
head by around 10% instead. 



Sheldon on Fox Lot? 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

E. Lloyd Sheldon, who resigned as 
associate producer at Paramount 
after 12 years on the lot, is negotiat- 
ing with Fox to take over an inde- 
pendent production unit, similar to 
that of Jesse Lasky'a. 

Sheldon resigned from Par so that 
he could negotiate with other 
studios. 



OPEN SEASON 
FORUWYERS 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 

Signs here point to the develop- 
ment of a large ntuiber of law- 
suits from the Publlx Northwest 
receivership, creating plenty of fees 
for local lawyers. 

A group of theatre owners who 
have leased their houses to the 
Northwest Publlx corporatlou have 
employed Amos Delnard, prominent 
attorney here^ to represent them. 

It is Indicated that the policy of 
the corporation in receivership will 
be to eliminate unprofitable houses 
and retain those believed to hold 
profit possibilities under anything 
remotely resembling normal condi- 
tions. In many instances, rental 
readjustments will be sought. 

Many Independent operators are 
already In the field for some of the 
best of the circuit's houses, en- 
deavoring to wrest them away from 
Publlx which is delinquent in Jan. 
rent. Owners of the less favored 
spots are prepared to fight any 
move by Pi^liz to cut their the- 
atres loose. 

The present receivership Is a 
friendly one, with William Hamm, 
Jr., who, as the largest creditor, has 
the most at stake, appointed re- 
ceiver. Fubllx's own men, J. J. 
Frledl and L. J. Ludwig, continue In 
actual operation of the circuit under 
Hamm. 



RICHAKDS TURNS BACK 
3 aOSED HOUSES 



New Orleans, Feb. 13. 

E. V. Richards, receiver for 
Saenger, has handed back the 
Strand, Crescent and Liberty, all 
closed houses to the landlords. 

It's a saving of over $1,000 weekly. 



RKO's Palace s 5th Policy Change^ 
In Year-Now Playing Straight Pix 



When the Palace, New York, went 
straight pictures again Saturday 
(11) it was the fifth change of policy 
there In less than a year. Since 
dropping two-a-day big time vaude 
the Palace has tried everything. 

Straight film policy is his own 
Idea, says Martin Beck, RKO's vaude 
booking head, who owns a near-half 
interest In the Palace. House had 
a tough enough time competing 
with the State, Paramount and Cap- 
itol on Broadway, but Radio City 
put the final crimp in the old vaude 
stand. 

First Palace straight film, current. 
Is Fox's 'State Fair.' In the last 
three weeks It has played the Music 
Hall, RKO Roxy, and now the Pal- 



ace In one-two-three fashion. Next 
week with Radio's 'Sailor, Be Good,' 
the Palace goes first run, getting 
RKO's slough pictures downtown. 
Music Hall remains the preferred 
film spot, with the RKO Roxy tak- 
ing the Hall's product for second 
run. Mayfalr, which may be turned 
back to Walter Reade. becomes the 
screen stepchild with third rune 
after Radio City. 

There's a matter of advance vaude 
bookings for the Palace which will 
have to be taken care of. Some 10 
or 15 acts will be paid or played off 
in other RKO bouses, due to can- 
cellation on short notice. Two 
weeks' notice is necessary to cancel 
under the RKO vaude contract's 
change of policy clause. 



By AL GREASON 

Reversal of, the late January 
down trend last week brought an 
advance in tlie general market 
amounting to about two points In 
the industrial index, reviving hope 
for some sort of a spring price 
movement upward. 

Tomorrow (Wed) marks a mile 
stone in the new year In the divi- 
dend meeting of American Tel. & 
Tel. The Street seems to have no 
view on the prospects one way or 
the other, but whatever the big 
company does, having it over will 
be a relief to the speculative com- 
munity which has been in a near 
stalemate since the turn of the year.' 
Dividend action by Telephone and 
Steel preferred have hung over the 
market since election. One is In 
the past and the other soon will be. 

After that it is regarded as prob- 
able that the deadlock will be 
broken. Principal hope lies in the 
fact that the inauguration of the 
new national administration will be 
then less than three weeks distant, 
bringing with It the prospect of a 
Congress and a President allied on 
party lines and, anyway, it Is to be 
heiteA, unified in p'hrpose. 

At any rate March 4 will mark 
the passing of the present Congress 
and a new deal and the Street looks 
to see something like a celebration 
of the event In a pre-lnauguratlon 
celebration, perhaps paraJlelin^ the 
demonstration just before the re- 
cent election. 

The time is ripe .for a seasonal 
spring price movement anyhow and 
(Continued on page 21) 



No Capftol Cliange 
Because irf Loew's 
TaldngSegfeli N.Y. 

Loew'^ will operate the Zlegfeld 
on 6th avenue. New Tork, tinder a 
'Lexington policy,' catering to the 
semi-swank neighborhood of the 
fifties same as liOew's I^exington 
draws from the east side hotels, etc., 
around the O's. WlU open In two or 
three weeks. Called the Warwick 
and pay rent by a percentage of 
the gross. 

Deal to operate the Zlegfeld, ar- 
ranged with the Hearst realty 
agents, Huberth de Huberth, does 
not dictate a change in policy at 
Loew^s Capitol, as reported, with 
the Cap possibly going to straight 
sound according to outcome of Its 
negotiations with the Broadway 
Paramount on policy. 

Until current week when gross is 
up to where it belongs, around $65,- 
000, the Cap like other Broadway 
houses has been taking It on the 
chin due largely to the extensive 
•curiosity" draft of Radio City. This 
is not expected to undermine Broad- 
way grosses as much in future as It 
has to date. Along with the Cap, 
the Paramount this week is getting 
out of the doldrums. 

Friday (17) Capitol brings In Mfl- 
ton Berle and others on Its stage 
unless Ed Wynn and current stage 
show hold over. Another booking 
is 'Ladles They Talk About' with 
Barbara Stanwyck, bought from 
Warners, along with 'Show Boat' 
revue. If not coming In Feb. 24, 
its date will be March 3. 



PA. MGRS. 'SUNDAY' AIM 
IF BASEBALL OKAYED 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 13. 

With bill for modification of blue 
laws to permit Sunday sports in 
this state passed by House and al- 
most certain to get through Senate, 
local showmen see the first real ob- 
stacle overcome In their fight for 
Sunday pictures. 

Theatres already organizing for 
their Sunday fight, expected to 
reach its head at next session of 
lcgl^^•latu^e in 19S5. 



VARIETr 



PICTaSE CROSSES 



Tn^ay, Febraary 14, 1933 



museum' Average, Pre^Lent Influence 



Los Angeles, Feb. 18. 

That pre-Lent spirit Is already 
beginniner to prevail, wlt)i trade con- 
islderably slacked down below that 
of. the previous stanza. 

State, with 'State Fair* In second 
week, continues as the leader. 
Paramount, with 'Crime of the Cen- 
tury.' hail IttUe outstanding menu 
to offer, an4 the box office showed 
the effect Trade at the Chinese, 
with ~ 'Cavalcade' now set to close 
next Sunday (18), Is already feeling 
the downward trend of trade. 

Holding up best of all the first 
runs is the Lkjs - Angeles, playing 
double features, with indications it 
will hit aroiund ?7,000, Ort' the week. 
'Mystery of. the .Wax Museum' no 
startling thriller tit .the Warnet 
Downto^vn and- Hollywood. 'Child 
of Manhattan' off to fair start at 
the RKO. 

- Estimates for This -W^ek 

Chinese (Fox) (2,02:- 66-11.66), 
•Cavalcade' (Fox) and btage show 
(6th week). Final > 10 days anr 
nounced trade sprucing up to hit 
around $13,000. Stays another half 
week before it clamps the house lid 
Sunday until another attraction is 
chosen. 

Oowntoyrn (WB) (1,800: 26-70), 
•Mystery of the Wax Museum' CWB) 
and vaudeville. May hit bUay flO,- 
600. LMt "week 'Employees' En- 
trance! (WB) okay as' figured at 
|11;000. 

; Ho!lyvM>od (WB) (2.766; 26-66).. 
^ygtei^ of the Wax Museum' 
<WB). - liooks as though Hollywood 
lis sh^i'tng from the niystery. tltl^.;-as 
thi0 one:iuay hit &'llttle better tha^ 
$7,000. ' '-ast week 'Employees' Bn- 
tra'nce' (WB) slid home with just 
over $8,000. 

' Lob ' Angeles (Wm, Fox) (2.800; 
1G-2S), 'Obey the Law' (Col) and 
Wangled Destinies' (Maijffair). Sales 
pressure used lier quite productive 
and' will bring In around $7,000. 
Last week double bllj of 'Daxing 
DelUghfers' (Allied) and 'Phantom 
Ihcpresf' (Maj) surprisingly good 
$6,900, 

Pantag^B (Fox) (^,700; 25-40), 
Vampire Bat' (MaJ) and 'Devil's 
Playjetound^ (Prin)-. First-run 'pick 
of double 'slough here 'Is' dud, ias 
house will show about $3,000. Last 
■week 'Devil Commands' (Col) only 
fair at $3,200. 

. Paramount (Publlx) (3,696; 26- 
66), 'Crime of the Century*' (Par). 
Not a ripT-roarIng fo. o; magnet by 
any means, , but might hit around 
$8,000. Last week ^Ith 'Luxury 
Llner^ (Par) house's hull was not 
overburned by human tonnage, as 
$7,800 showed. 

RKO. (2,960; 26-66), 'Child of 
Manhattan' (Col): Not so hot with 
$6,000 in view.- Last week The* 
Just Had to Get Married' (U) oke 
at $6,100. 

,Sti^te (Loew-Fox) (;,02.4; 26-40), 
•state Fair: (Fox) (2d-flntiH week). 
Holdo-irer, thoygh better tliari aver- 
age' wegkly business' house did with 
its stae^e shows, Is not What was 
expected. Wljll hit aroiind' $14,000. 
Last week the picture held capacity 
until - final few days, but had banner 
take of $21,000. 



VAUDFUHERS ALONE 
OFFSET WASH'S SNOW 



ALL'S FAIR IN ST. L, 
THO WEATHER ISN'T 



St. Louis, Feb. 18. 

The cold wave' that klfipt a lot of 
fblks away latter part of Idst week 
hung around long enough to ham- 
per things at the beginning of this 
week. When it gets below zero, as 
It did on two days, the old fireside 
seems to feel good to many who 
might otherwise take lii a show. 

So there's nothing sensational to 
report on grosses unless it may be 
on the roadshow, engagement of 
'Cavalcade,' which got under way at 
the Grand Central Friday night, and 
Is playing to audiences that indicate 
a bl? $16,000 for the first week. 
House is 2,000 seater and film is 
scaled at $1.10 top. Pic got rave 
reviews. Engagement is Indef. 

Regular runs are going along at 
about average liace, with no rec- 
ords, either way, due to be broken. 
Estimates for This Week 

Ambassador (WB) (3.000: 25-36- 
65) — 'Frisco Jenny' (FN) and stage 
show. Chatterton name means less 
here than it once did. but $13,000 is 
good. Last week 'Hello Everybody" 
(Par) same. 

Fox (Fox) (6.000; 26-36-50)— 
•Mummy' (U) and F&M unit. Not a 
big draw, likely no more than $9,000, 
fair. Last week 'Dangerously Yours' 
(Fox) $10,000. 

Loew's State (Loew's) (3.000; 25- 
86-55)— 'Big Drive' (FD). Looks 
fair, but nothlns: over, around $10,- 
000. Last week 'Hallelujah, I'm a 
Bum*. (UA) big $16,000. 

Missouri (RKO) (3,600; 26-35-60) 
—'Child of M.anhattan' (Col) and 
'Penguin Pool Murder' (RKO). Two 
of them will get more thaA aver- 
age, around flO.OOO. Last week 'No 
More Orchids' (Col) and 'Lucky 
Devils' <RKO) ^,800. 



Washington, Feb. 13. 

Third weekend of snow and rain. 
'Vaude houses are only ones coming 
through this week, with no sure-fire 
pictures in town. 

Hlalto and Met each playing re- 
peats, with doubtful results. Rlalto 
running 'Back Street' return en- 
gagement ballyhooed as result of 
popular demand. Pic ran two weeks 
at house last year and has 'worked 
WB neighborhoods In meantime. 
Week may get light $3,600, which Is 
all they expected. 

Met Is stuck with 'Hello Every- 
body' for second week. Last' was 
weak with only .$6,600. Loew option 
on 'Sign, of Cross" takes one film 
out of Met advance schedule and 
forced repeat. Lucky to see $3,0OO, 
despite being Kate Smith's home 
town. 

Columbia winds up two weeks of 
'Rasputin' o. ' k. Run extended 
through Sunday on account of new 
policy of Monday ' openings. Last 
10 days at two-a-day got nice $8,600. 
EatimateB for This Week 
_E^r(e (WB) (2.424; 26-50-40-60- 
60-70)^'Wax Museum'. (WB) - and 
vaude. Baclanova and Johnny. Mar- 
vin rounding out show, which will 
get' average .♦17.600. Last week 'La- 
dies They Talk About* (WB) 
dropped to light $16,800. 

Fok (Lo6w) (3,434; l6-'26^36-60)— 
^Dangerously ' Tours* .(Fpx)' and 
vaudie. Ted Lewis- helping to o. k. 
$26,000. Last, week 'Face In Sky" 
(JB'bx) and Buddy Rogers not so 
good. -.$2.0,000.- 

Keith's (RkO) (1,830; .16-26^36- 
60)— 'Child of Manhattan' (Col). 
Ought to seje. iisutal' $7,600. Last week 
'No More Orchids' (Col) would have 
done better If weather had given it 
break. House off. beaten path, and 
week slipjped under $6.600.... 

Palapfr (L(iew) (2.363; 16-26-36-60) 
. — 'Secret of Mme. Blanche' (MG)i 
Trend Dunne getting ustjal, fair $13,- 
600. Last week, second of 'Kid 
froni Spain' (UA) turned In nice 
$12,000. 

Rialto (U) (1,863; 26-36-60-60)— 
'Back Street' ,.(U). Irene Dunne's 
popularity . has risen since house 
played iyro weeks of pib last year, 
and return engagement is gettliijg 
weak $3,600, but surprising at' that. 
Last week, second of Nagana' <U), 
fair $3,000. 

Met-(WB) (1,683; 26-36-60-60)— 
'Hello Everybody' (Par). Dying In 
Kate's own hometown. Maybe $3,- 
000. last week fair . $6,800. but- 
Should ;have been Iietter. 

Columbia (LoeW) (1,282; 16-26^36- 
40)— 'Trailing the Killer" (WW). 
Getting, more - ballyhoo than ihost 
Pictures ^t house,', and Inaugurating 
Monday opening* polloy.. Hoping for 
0, k. $3,300. . Last 10 days of 'Ras- 
putin' (UA) at $1.60 top two-a-day 
got satisfactory $8,500, 

Lincoln's Free of B. O. 
Blues with Good Fare 

Lincoln, . Neb.. Feb. 13. 
Picture men have some shows 
along the street that should rate 
patronage. Exhibs are hoping for 
a better break in the weather than 
they got during the previous week 
when a cold snap of three days' 
duration sent the mercury as much 
as 23 below zero. Present forecast 
seems much in favor of better b.o. 
representation. 

The Stuart comes to the front 
with the first ace picture in weeks 
with 'Sign of the Cross.' Town be- 
ing ultra-churchy, title should go a 
long way to its selling. The Lin- 
coln's 'Animal Kingdom' Is Oke too 

Estimates for This Week 
Colonial (LTC) (650; 10-16-20)— 
'You Said A Mouthful' (WB). A 
big Show for this bouse and first 
run should do $1,050. Last week 
'He Learned About Women' (Par) 
and 'Cheyenne Kid' (RKO), split ran 
sUmly to $660. 

Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-26-40)— 
'Animal Kingdom' (RKO). Good for 
the collitch girls, will do fair $2,300. 
Last week 'Lawyer Man' (WB) 
slouhed with the cold weather to 
low $1,300. 

Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) 
— 'Parachute Jumper' (WB). Dubi- 
ous outlook to possible $800. Last 
week 'Handle with Care' (Fox) and 
'Goldle Gets Along' (RKO), split, 
mediocre $750. 

State (Monroe) (600; 10-25-35)— 
'Nagana* (U). If handled right may 
get to a nice $1,500. Last week 
'Death Kiss' (WW) did in six days 
the average of three to a miserable 
$800. 

Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-25-35- 
50-60)— 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). 
Looks mighty good for $3,100. Last 
week 'Hello Everybody' (Par) 
touched the house's low of $1,360. 
Cold weather smacked this hous^ 
bard. 



Bldyn In Fair Shape but 
For Bad Weather Breaks 

Brooklyn, Feb. 18. 

If not for the snow storm things 
might be better here, as all houses 
have especially good soreen fare all 
round. ' 

Eetimatee for This Week 

Paramount (4.200; 26-86-66-76-86) 
—'Sign of the Cross' (Far) and 
'Desert Bong,' tab, on stage. Oft 
at start, bat may finish at $86,000. 
Last week only $22,400 with island 
of {^st SalQls* (Par) and Willie and 
Eugene Howa'd on stage. 

Fox (4,000; 26-36-66-66-76)^ 
'Death BJsS* (Col) and stage unit. 
A little better than usual and may 
hit $9,000 on fine days, house clos- 
ing Wednesday night (16). Last 
week "Hot Pepper* (Fox) very good 
at $20,000. 

Albee (8,000 ; 26-86-66-66-76-86)— 
'State Fair* (Fox) and vaude. Looks 
like a good $22,000. Last week 'No 
Other Woman' (RKO) and vaude 
ofC badly, $18,800. 

MetropoliUn (2.800; 26-36-6&Te6- 
76)— 'Cynara* (UA) and vaude. 
Should gamer a good $20,000. Last 
week 'Madame Blanche' weak at 
$16,000. 

Strand (2.000; 26-36-66-66)— 
'King's Vacation* (WB). Bringing 
a nice Arliss carriage trade, but 
only $11,000, mild. Last week 
'Parachute Jumper* (WB) jerked 
after five days, leaving a bad aroma 
of $4,000, probably a new record low. 

Jolsmi Pk Kg $9,000^ 



Record Feb. Frigidity in Mpk 
Keeping 'Em Home by the Fireside 



Combo, llG's L'Tille 



Louisville, Feb. IS. 
Just to help things along, cracks- 
men forced -six. doors at the Gayety 
last. Monday morplng to get to the 
safe In the office, from which they 
took approximately $8CiO in cash, 
Fred Hurley had just paid his bur- 
lesque company salaries oh Sunday 
night. . ' 

Pola Negri proved rather dlsap- 
polntlnsr at the Rlalto last week so 
Manager J. Johnson Musselman 
booked Gene and Glenn for this 
week's offering. 

Strand Theatre tied up heavy with 
'WHAS on exploiting Its all-radio 
bill, topped by. Kate Smith's 'Hello 
Everybody,* and looks good for big 
draw. Col. Flyn Stubblefleld pushing 
exploitation. 

U. -of L. Players gave Louisville 
its first peep at a stage production 
of 'June Moon' at the Playhouse 
Friday , and Saturday fmd repeated 
with- charity .performance under 
Lion's' Club', auspices Mbnday night; 

'Road to Life/ Russian talker at 
Towers for flv4 perfo'rihances, drew 
lightly. 

EstlmateB for This week 
Loew's (8,400; 26-86-60)— 'Halle- 
lujah, l^m a Bum' (UA). Going 
strong for $9,000. Last week 'Big 
Drive' (FD). only $6,000. 

Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,700; 26- 
30-6&)— 'Just Had to Get Married' 
(U) -with Gene and Glenn. Radio 
stars helplnl; to good $11,000. Last 
week 'Dangerously Tours' (Fox) 
with Pola Negri In periaon, mild at 
$7,600. 

Strand (Fonrth Ave.) (1,706; 25- 
36-60) — "Hellb Everybody* (Par). 
Good trade.' $6,000. Last week 
'Frisco Jenny* (WB), so-so, $3,800. 

Brown (2,000; 26-36-40)— 'Child of 
Manhattan* (Col). Doing nicely 
with $2,600 in prospect. Last week 
'Penguin Pool Murder' (RKO), 
passive at $1,600. 

Alamo (Fourth Avenue) (900; 15- 
26-40) — "Luxury Liner' (Par). Weak 
$1,800. Las t week 'Parachute 
Jumper* (WB), $2,200. 

N. H. OK 



HARRIED,' PLUS MILLS 
BROS, GOOD 18CCINCY 



Cincinnati, Feb. 18. 

Weather 'warmM up over week- 
end, and with it rose the take of 
chief celluloid chambers. Bub-zero 
temperature for several days last 
week helped only fuel venders. 

Best current screen draw is 'Sign 
of Cross.' Zasu Pitts picture and 
Mills Brothers personallng are a 
trade tinkle at the Albee. 

Estimates for This Week 

Albee (RKO) (3,300; 86-66)— 'Just 
Had to Get Married' (U) and vaude 
topped by the Mills Bros. Pitts' fol- 
lowing going for her first starring 
flicker, and many of 'em expecting 
more laughs than are offered. The 
Mills foursome also have b. o. appeal. 
On their first personal here last Au- 
gust they drew mightily. On way 
for $18,000, good. Last week 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par) and East and 
Dumke, headlining stage, got a weak 
$10,600. 

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 30-66)— 
'Sign of the Cross' (Pac). Just four 
weeks ago this film roadsbowed at 
the Shubert; a local ' quick -time 
record switch to pop prices. Flop- 
ping at $8,000. - Ltwt week 'Island of 
Lost Souls' (Par) $11,300, good. 

Lyric (RKO) (1,286; 30-66)— 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col). Boles- 
Carroll type blurbed and assisting 
In pull of $11,600. hotcha. Last 
week 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par), $8,800; 
mild. 

Keith's (Llbson) (1,600; 26-40)— 
•Employees' Entrance* (FN). Heavy 
billing on Eddie Cantor and Bums 
and Allen In repeat short subject$ 
to lure radio fans. Combining for 
a sweet $6,600. Last week -'Hard to 
Handle' (WB), $4,700, fair. 

Shubert (2490; 66-$1.66)— (Ras- 
putin' (MG). In last week for 13 
screenings, with Sunday night open- 
ing, $9,200, fair considering bad 
weather, conditions and new speed 
with which film runs are changed. 

Grand (RKO) (1,026; 16-30)— 
'Big Drive* (Ist DIv.) and 'Kid from 
Spain' (UA), latter second run. 
Spilt week oke for $2,800. Last week 
•Trailing the Killer' (WW) and 
'Laughter In Hell' (U), $1,800, poor. 

Family (RKO) (1,000; 16-26)-f 
*Fargo'Exi^ss' ("WW), and 'As the 
Devil Commands' (Col). Split week, 
under $2,200, ofF. Last week 'Mys- 
terious Rider* (Par), and 'Tangled 
Destinies' (Fischer), $1,800, mild. 

Strand (1,160; 16-26)— 'Jungle 
Bride' (Mono), and 'Once in a Life- 
time' (U). Split week. This house 
has cut but newspaper . advertising 
and is depending on transient trade. 
Grinding at $1,000 clip, poor. Last 
week 'Death Kiss' (WW) $800. 

Ufa (400; 30-40)— 'City of Songs' 
(German). Limited to foreign- 
eared folks, $800, n. s. h. Last week 
'Scarlet Dawn' (WB), and "Virgins 
of Bali' (Prin), $900, fair. 



Tonight Is Ours' Nice $7,000— 
'State Fair,' ^,500 



New Haven, Feb. 13. 

Everybody opening up on news- 
paper space these days as only form 
of intensive plugging. 

Flock of ace films currently, with 
business about evenly distributed. 
Paramount getting settled In new 
straight sound policy, with third 
week a big Improvement over second. 

After advance plugging on 'Wax 
Museum,* Roger Sherman shifted to 
stressing 'Lawyer Man' as being a 
better draw. 

Estimates for This Week 

Paramount (Publlx) (2,348; 35-50) 
— 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) and 'Her- 
itage of Desert' (Par). May get 
$7,000, okay. Last week 'Hello, 
Everybody' (Par) and 'Crusader' 
under $6,000. 

Palace (Arthur) (3,040; 35-50)— 
'State Fair' (Fox). Indications for 
okay $6,600. Last week 'Madame 
Blanche' (MG) and 'State Trooper' 
(Col) fair at $6,200. 

Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 35- 
50)— 'Wax Museum' (WB) and 
'Lawyer Man' (WB). Headed for a 
satisfactory $6,400. Last week *20,- 
000 Years' (WB) and 'Breach of 
Promise' got $6,900, nice money. 

College (Arthur) (1,565; 25-40)— 
'Maedchen in Uniform.' First single 
bill for this double feature house. 
Newspaper endorsement by Wm. 
Lyon Phelps will help bring this one 
to at least $2,700. Last week 'Goona 
Ck>Ona* and 'Guilty or Not Guilty,' 
^fali* fit $2,100. 



Cantor's 3d Seattle Week 
Something of a Record 

Seattle, Feb. 18. 

Fifth Ave. relapses again to double 
bill this week, with change in book- 
ings for next week moving 'Sigh of 
the Cross* (Par) from Paramount 
to Fifth. 'State Fair' getting heavy 
exploiting with Rogers-Gaynor com- 
bine the goods for this type story. 

Blue Mouse using 'Kid' for third 
week, this setting record for the 
town In blue moon. It clicked last 
week for grand $6,000 after $7,100 
opening week. 

Liberty has wallop in 'Trailing 
the Killer* and 'Strange Adventure' 
for the excitement hunters, getting 
nice dough again. 

Cold weather dented this week a 
trifle, but on whole town getting on 
oke at the shows, all things con- 
sidered. 

FWC Is taking over the Para- 
mount, surrendered by PNW re- 
ceivership on court orders. 

Estimates for This Week 

Paramount (PWN) (3,106; 25-40) 
—'State Fair' (Fox). Big campaign 
In name draws helping to a big $8,- 
500. Last week 'Strange Interlude' 
(MG) not bad at $7,200. 

Fifth Ave. (PNW) (2,300;- 25-40) 
-'Son-Daughter' (WG) and 'Devil 
Is Driving' (Par). Double bill on 
way to $5,000. fair. Last week, 
'Employees' Entrance' (FN) and 'Is- 
land of Lost Souls' (Par), latter 
considered too much horror by most 
patrons, ditto. 

Liberty (Jensen-von Herberg) 
(2,000; 10-15-25) — 'Trailing the 
Killer' (WW) and 'Strange Adven- 
ture' (Shef). Well publicized and 
expects a big $5,000. Last week 
'Secrets of French Police* (RKO) 
and 'Hell Fire Austin' (WW) oke, 
too, with $4,600. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (1,000; 25- 
35)— 'Kid from Spain' (UA). Held 
for third week, after great two 
weeks, with lines practically every 
night, also good mat biz; around 
tJ.ono is c-Tiroii. T n<!t wof»k nnme film 



Minneapolis, FeJ>. 18. 

With the severest and most pro» 
tracted cold wave In nearly 10 years 
helping the- mediocre producjt to put 
the finishing touches on it;' grosses 
collapsed almost completely. For 
nearly two veeks the temperature 
did not riret higher than 10 below 
zero. For days at a stretch It has 
stayed around 20 below, dropping as 
low as 28 and breaking February 
frigid records. Potential theatre 
customers have hugged their fire- 
sides and spent all available dough 
for fuel. Blizzards hove accom- 
panied the icy blasts. 

Last week, with the Kate Smith 
picture, 'Hello Everybody,' doing a 
flop at the State, aggregate takings 
for the six major loop houses and 
the Publlx Uptown sagged to 'a 
tragic $18,800. or a little more than 
$8,000 per theatre. It Is estimated 
that the tota) takings tor . the more 
than 60 houses now operating here, 
including the loop theatres, did not 
exceed $26,000, averaging a little 
more .than $400 per showhouse for 
the seven-day period. 

Comparatively, the 260rseat World, 
foreign talker house, has been doiiig 
the best biz In the town with a 
Swedish fllm, 'Varmlahnlngarna,-* 
now In Its third week. It grossed 
more than $3,000 Its first week and. 
despite the sub-zero weather la^t 
week, copped more than $1,600, 
which probably meant a profit of 
around $600 for the house, on top 
of the first week's $1,000 .velvet. 

I»ne outstander this week Is 
'Strange Interlude,* at the State. 
With any kind of a weather break ft 
will get some real dough, bringing 
the ace Publlx house back to life 
again after its 'Hello Everybody* 
funeral. In spite of the unfriendly 
elements, there was a goodly out- 
pouring of customers here over the 
weekiend. Shearer and Gable are 
potent b. o. tonic. 

Otherwise there Isn't much in the 
way of attractions to thaw out the 
frozen population. It takes more 
than 'No Other Woman,' 'M^k of 
Fu Manchu* and 'Luxury Liner,* 
the other loop screen ofCerlngs, to 
buck the sub-zero temperatures. 
Manager M. C. Park^ landed heaps 
of newspaper publicity for his stage 
star, Flfl D'Orsay. . but . she is of 
doubtful box office value here. 

EstimatoB for This Week 

State . (Publlx) (2,200; 66)— 
'Strange Interlude' (MG). Shearer 
and Gable powerful magnets here. 
Will run eight days, having opened 
one day ahead of schedule, due to 
pulling of 'Hello Everybody.' Con- 
sidering terrible weather, with more 
moderate temperatures, gross may 
climb to first-rate $12,000. Last 
week 'Hello Ev(?rybody' (Par) ter- 
rible $3,800 for six days. > 

Orpheum (Publlx) (2,890; 66)— 
'No Other Woman* (RKO) and 
vaudeville, including Flfl D'Orsay. 
Irene Diunne no great draw here, but 
show as a whole sizes up as pleas- 
ing entertainment and a good value 
for the price, plenty of publicity 
for Miss D'Orsay. Looks like fair 
$8,000. Last week 'Child of Man- 
hattan' (Col) and Paul ASh on stage, 
with latter entirely responsible for 
$6,000, eood' considering weather. 

Century (Publlx) (1,600; 40)— 
'Mask of Fu Manchu' (MG). Lots 
of , Sax Rohmer fans and they're 
turning out pretty well, but no cast 
names and no strpng feminine ap- 
peal; may hit a fair $3,600. Last 
week 'Hot Pepper' (Fox), $3,600, 
pretty good in face of frigidity. 

Uptown (Publlx) (1,400; 40)— 'No 
Man of Her Own' (Par) and 'Son- 
Daughter' (MG), split. About $2,- 
500 Indicated, fair. Last week 'Fare- 
well to Arms' (Par) $2,000, with 
weather responsible for low gross. 

Lyric (Publlx) (1,300; 35)— 'Lux- 
ury Liner' (Par). No cast names of 
consequence, and is being pulled 
after five days' biz of $2,000. Last 
week 'Three on a Match' (FN), $2,- 
600, light. 

Grand (Publlx) (1,100; 35)— 'Fare- 
well to Arms' (Par). Second loop 
run and full week. Helped by Man- 
ager Kelly's flashy front, and should 
do good $2,500. List week 'Animal 
Kingdom' (RKO), second loop run, 
remained full week, $900, with cold 
to blame for bad trade. 

Aster (Publlx) (900; 25)— Trying 
a revival week, with change of fllm 
dally. With weather break, maybe 
$1,000, good. Last week 'Too Busy 
to Work*' (Fox), second loop run 
and full week, $600, bad. 



clicked for $4,900. 

Music Box (Hamrlck) (950; 25- 
35)— 'Ladles They Talk About' 
(WB). Indicates a nice $4,000 on 
Stanwyck pull. Last week 'Pen- 
guin Pool Murder' (RKO) so-s > at 
$3,300. 

Coliseum (PNW) (1,800; 15-25)— 
'Call Her Savage* (Fox) and 'Sher- 
lock Holmes' (Fox). Big with $4,- 
000, pace. Last week 'Prosperity' 
(MG) filumppd some. $3,100. 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 PICTURE CROSSES VARIETY 9 



1st Wk. mOOO Years Worth $1 a Year; 
'Child of Manhattan' Promises $19,000 



B way Comeslnto Its Own Again 

Hus Wk; Cap and Par Both Over 
60G. bnt Radio City s 137G's Oke 



Chicago, Feb. 18. 

By Saturday the town had barely 
'Cue Itself out of the blizzard and 
14-Inch snowfall of last week. New 
York pulse-readers should never 
t>elittl& the crlppUn? powers of a 
irood prairie blizzard accompanied 
by snowdrifts and a shrinking' mer- 
cury. Especially Is the slowini?- 
down ' effect Tiiarked In- Chicago 
where- th» municipal government 
does practically nothing to clear the 
streets and the loop loolts ° like a 
suburb three dbys after the storm. 

•Cavalcade* (Pox) gallops Into 
town, one week ahead of 'Rasputin' 
(Metro) to p|-ovide the town with 
the ghastly promise of two reserved 
BCatCrs struggling to survive In a 
burg that ordinarily cannot give 
nourlshme'nt to one. 'Rasputin* was 
a last minute booking for the Apollo 
when Metro decided It couldn't stall 
aUy longer but must give the pic- 
ture a quick glossing and then get 
It released with some celerity. Three 
weeks maximum, two weeks prob- 
able, Is 'Rasputin' anticipations 
with 'Cavalcade* meanwhile hoping 
that it will be the exception to Chl- 
itogb's rule. 

Estimates for This Week 

Chicago (B&K) (3.940; 36-56-76) 
^'Secret of Mme. Blanche' (M-G) 
and stage show. 'Madame X' all 
over again attracting fair trade and 
house anticipates moderate |32,000> 
liast week bi£r expectations and a 
spanking getaway were crashed for 
'Show Boat' tab and 'Second Han4' 
Wife* (Fox) by the - blizzard and 
frightfully cold weather which 
ruined from Monday night to Thurs- 
day. Knded with $34,000, above av- 
erage. 

Erlangep (UBO) (1,318; B6.$1.66) 
*— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Opened Sun- 
day with Mike Cavanaugh-Lou 
Smith piloting. Will. go after the 
north shore carriage trade In par- 
ticular. Scaled for a stiff $1.66 and 
lidpk^s to defy Chicago's well known 
r^Uctance to fork up for reserved 
seat plx. 

McVicker's (B&K) (2,284; 36-66) 
»— 'Hard to Handle' (WB). Cagney 
entry came In Saturday. Looks 
nice $9,000. Last week Kate Smith's 
fHello Everybody' (Par) spelled 
anguish at under $G,000. 

Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 36-56-75) 
»-^'20,000 Years in Sing Sing' (WB). 
Started off encouragingly, being 
considered the type of attraction 
Oriental is ideally situated for. 
Maybe $20,000. Last week of 
strange Interlude' (MG) got $9,600, 
mild. 

Palace (RKO) (2,633; 40-66-83)— 
%hild of Manhattain' (Col) and 
vaude. Hope to get $19,000-$20,000 
this week. Last week the subzero 
conditions and 'Past of Mary 
Holmes' (RKO) accounted for a de- 
plorable $14,000. 

State Lake (RKO) (2,766; 36-66) 
^— 'Lucky Devils' (RKO). Average 
here between $6,000-$6,000 with 
losses cut but house In red pretty 
consistently. Last week 'Nagana' 
.(U) limped In with $4,600. 

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 66- 
75)— 'Hallelujah. I'm a Bum' (UA). 
Opened Saturday (11) with esti- 
mates for first week around $20,000, 
not bad here. Last and first week 
of 'King's Vacation' (WB) was in- 
glorious at slightly over $10,000. 

Tacoma's Tempo Torrid 
With New Policy Shifts 

Tacoma, Feb. 13. 

Changeis have been happening. 
Broadway was taken over this week 
by. John Hamrlck, and renamed 
Imisic Box, to harmonize with his 
dual houses In Seattle and Portland. 
Ned Edrls, city mgr. for Hamrlck 
er.oup. Including also Temple, sec- 
ond run house. Is personally In 
charge at Music Box. This was 
oricrinally the Tacoma theatre, legit, 
a^d was revamped a few years ago 
by Fox West Coast, at cost of $100,- 
OOt). It's a dandy theatre, seating 
1,400, with ace location. 

Rlalto, the other house Just re- 
leased by PNW, Is still dark. Ru- 
mors connect Hamrlck with this 
operation, too, but as yet not official. 
Estimates for This Week 

Music Box (Hamrlck) (1,400; 25) 
—'Kid from Spain' (UA). Big bally 
for new Indie ownership, catching 
on for expectation of $4,600, okay. 
Last week 'Son-Daughter' (MG), 
and 'Animal Kingdom' (Rad), nice 
at $3,600. 

Roxy (Jensen-von Herberg) (1,- 
800; 15-20)— 'False Faces' (WW), 
and 'So This Is Harris* (RKO). 
short, first half, then 'Bitter Tea' 
(Col) last half. Looks $4,700, big. 
Last week. 'Phantom Express' 
(Maj), a.nd 'Omocr 13' (Mas), first 
half; 'Last Mile' (WW), and 'No 
Living Witness' (Prln), last half, 
double bills, plenty of adv. and low 
prices made it n big $4,100. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (650; 15- 
25)— 'Ladies They Talk About' 
(WB). Stanwyck getitni? big bill- 
ing, and looks oke 'at $2,000. Last 
week 'L.Twyer Man' (WB) slow at 
$1,600. New price policy at Blue 



Columbus Sloughed By 
Storins Biit 'Cross* 15G 

Columbus,; Feb. 13. 
: Coldest weather of year plus 
plenty Ice and snow hitting all the- 
atres hard this week with closing 
daya sole hope for even fair biz. 
Same "thing hit last weeks grosses 
hard. 

Change In policy at Hartman fea- 
tured this week's news with house 
now playing spilt week vaude with- 
out feature' films. Vaude bills are 
to be ■ practicaliv continuous from 
now on, few shorts being cast on 
the screen now and then to give 
the acts a chance to breathe. M.m- 
ngement claims its customers 
weren't Interested In • features. 
Estimates for This. Week . 

Palace (RKO) (3,074; 25-40)— 
'Sign of Cross' (Par). Off heartily 
despite weather and should get 
big $16,000. Last week 'Hello, Every- 
body' (Par) hard hit by storms, etc., 
Just $4,700, brutal. 

Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,000: 25-10)— 
I'm a Bum.* Just niaklnfr th? 
grade at mild $8,000. Last week 
•Bie Drive' (FEi. Just $G.500. 

Biroad (Loow-UA) (3,000: 25-40)— 
'Face in the Sky* (Par). Good 
enough for $7r000.. Last week 'Island 
of Lost Souls' (Par), nice, $5,000. 

Grand (Nath) (1,100; 25-40)— 
Tadies They Talk About' (WB). 
Mild $3,500 in sight with lajt week 
same flgrur*» on 'Hard to Handle' 
(WB). 

Hartman (Great Lakes)- (1,700; 
20-30). Continuous vaude ,plu£ 
shorts looks like. $4,300. . Last week 
'No Living Witness' and vaude light 
at Just $4,000. 

IVlajestic (RKO) (1,100; 20-35) — 
"They Had to Get Married* (U). 
Looks to nice $3,000. Last week 
'DevU Is Driving' (Par) $2,500, 
above average. 

EVERHHING'S ON THE 
UP BEAT IN BOSTON 



Boston, Feb. 13. 
Besides the road showing 'Caval- 
cade* and 'Rasputin,' which have 
been hogging the spot, with no op- 
poslsh,' '20,000 Tears In Sing Sing* 
should help three major houses to 
inflation of hitherto slumping 
figures. 

'Big Drive* chased women from 
the State and Orpheum, but Irene 
Dunne In 'Secret of Madame 
iBlanche* Is bringing the femmes 
back. Both houses sadly needed the 
boost, as both have had a poor run 
of luck In film quality. 

The close race between 'Caval- 
cade' and 'Rasputin' the first week 
fizzed off, with the Fox entry shoot- 
ing to the front by winning lengths. 

Paramount Is doing well with 
'Sign of the Cross,* first time at pop 
prices. Film shown uncut, first time 
this has been done with a roadshow 
picture on its second run, but the 
house omits Its usual companion 
feature, De Mllle production being 
practically the whole show. 

Estimates for This Week 

Majestic (Shubert) (1,600; 65- 
$1.65) — 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Going 
fine on Its third week. Second 
warped a while, then straightened 
to sell out again. Boxes, usually un- 
sold and occupied only by paper, 
have takers. Second week saw $16,- 
000 roll In, as compared to $16,000 
the first. House looks for $14,500 
this week. 

Tremont (Indie) (1,633; $1.65 top) 
— 'Rasputin' (MG). Off as compared 
to Its flush flrst week. Second fln- 
ished at $11,500. 

Keith's (RKO) (4,000; 26-40-65)— 
'Devil Commands' (Col) and vaude. 
Knocking on wood for $12,000. Last 
week 'Child of Manhattan' (Col) 
better for $17,500. 

Boston (RKO) (4,000; 26-40-55)— 
'Nagana' (U) and vaude revue. Op- 
timism for $12,000. Last week 
'Lucky Devils' (Col) and vaude 
fell through to $8,600. 

Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-50)— 
'Madame Blanche' (MG). Stirs ex- 
pectation of $14,000. Last week 
"Hallelujah I'm a Bum' (UA) asth- 
matic for $11,000. 

State (Loew) (3,000; 30-50)— 'Ma- 
dame Blanche* (MG). Reacqualnt- 
Ing femmes with the house after 
stayaway, which spells biz; likely to 
hit $12,000. Last week 'Hallelujah' 
(UA) only $9,000. 

Met (Publix) (4,330; 35-50-65)— 
'20,000 Years' (FN) and stage show. 
Forecast for fine $19,000. Last week, 
pretty fair $10,000 with "She Done 
Him Wrong' (Par) and stage show. 

Paramount (Publix) (1,800; 20-30- 
,■55) — 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). 
Pointing to $11,000, corking good. 
Last week 'Face in the Sky' fFox) 
and 'Luxury Liner' (Par) disap- 
pointing at $S,ri00. 



Mouse is 15c. mats with 25 nights; 
two bits any time lias long l)een the 
rule. Til is price now niovc.i to tlie 
llamriclc Music Box here. 



BUFFALO DITTO 



Repeats General Npgatlveness, Fur- 
ther Guaranteed by Bad Weather 



Buffalo, Feb. 13. 

Bad weather partly responsible 
for b. o. anemia, something Buffalo 
is accustomed to by now. 

'Mummy* at Great Lakes and 
double features at Century- best In 
town. 

Estimates for This Week 

Buffalo (Shea) (3,600; 30-40-56)— 
'Tonight Is' Ours* (Par). Anything 
but a flurry in biz, bad weather 
hurting for $14,000 take, weak. Last 
week 'Frisco Jenny* (WB) downed 
house badly, $11,100. 

Great Lake* (3,400; 26-40)— 'The 
Mummy' (U). Won't be doing so 
bad at $7,000. Last week 'Hot Pep- 
per* (Fox) around house's recent 
average, $6,800. 

Century (Shea) (3,400; 26)— "Fol- 
low the Leader* (Par), 'Payment De- 
ferred* (MG) and 'Dangerous Fe- 
males' (MG), split. Looks to get 
$6,000 or better, okay. Last week 
'King Murder' (Chest^rfleld) and 
'Just Had to (Se Married* (U>, split, 
$6,800, not so bad. 

Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 26)— 'Luxury 
Liner' (Par). Will be lucky to get 
$4,000, poor. Last week 'Mme. But- 
terfly' (Par) and 'Once In Lifetime' 
(U), dplit, got $6,100, an Improve- 
ment over recent averages. 

Lafayette (Ind) (3,400; 26)— 'No 
More Orchids' (Col) and 'Speed De- 
mon' (Col). Great for $6,500. Last 
week $5,700. 

TAIRliiMSEE 
I8G IN FRISCO 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 
'State Fair' is pulling, but under 
expectations, and Al Jolson is dis- 
appointing in a week that's other- 
wise devoid of the unusual. Show- 
ers over the weekend took edge off 

Jolson's 'Hallelujah I'm a Bum' 
will give United Artists its poorest 
week since reopening last summer. 
UA will be lucky to get $10,000, and 
won't get more than two weeks out 
of it. House policy of 'exclusive 
runs In Frisco county* apparently 
discontinued as this'n like 'Cynara* 
before it, are being booked for other 
theatres. 

•State Fair* proving good at $18,- 
000 for Paramount, cast of Rogers, 
Gaynor and Ayres pulling biz and 
even 'Blue Boy* getting billing. Par 
changed its opening day from Sat- 
urday to Friday, cutting Mae West's 
'She Done Him Wrong" to six days, 
thereby wringing the managerial 
heart for that racy fllm was big 
here. 

Dan Markowltz's Embassy, after 
many upsets prior to opening and 
a four-day first week finally is on 
schedule. Opening day now set for 
Saturdays with 'Crooked Circle.* 
House policy of indie flrst runs at 
35c top helping and undoubtedly 
cutting Into such downtown grinds 
as the next-door Strand where 25c 
is the top for subsequent runs. 
Though theatre prominently dis- 
plays signs that Its operators are 
union there*s a picket doing his 
stuff in front of theatre, and in 
Frisco that's no business stimulant. 

Fox's roadshow of 'Cavalcade* 
opens Wednesday (16) at the St. 
Francis with $1.10 top. Instead of 
$1.66 as on 'Strange Interlude." 
Golden Gate and Warfield running 
about even, former showing 'They 
Just Had to Get Married* with 
Trlxle Friganza on stage and whole 
show being sold as "big laugh 
frolic.' Wai-field's 'Dangerously 
Tours,' with a Zasu Pltts-Thelma 
Todd comedy counting for some- 
thing, is opposition to the Gate fea- 
ture which has Pitts co-starred 
with Slim Summervllle. 

Estimates for This Week 

Embassy (Markowitz) (1,700; 26- 
35) 'Crooked Circle* (WW). Two 
bits afternoon and 35c night the 
big plug here, lowest price in re- 
cent years for flrst runs. About 
$4,000 on the week. 'Laughter In 
Hell *(U) opened house, running for 
four days and getting but $2,300. 

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 30-40- 
65) 'Just Had to Get Married* (U) 
and vaude, with Trlxle Friganza 
and Zizz Black, guest m.c. Sum- 
mervllle-Pitts combo good for 
laughs and few bucks with take 
around $13,000. 'Mummy* (U) was 
a corker last week at $15,500. 

Paramount (Fox) (2,700; 30-40- 
55) 'State Fair* (Fox). Drawing 
good biz at $18,000, but more was 
expected. Names and word-of- 
mouth helping. Mae West's 'She 
Done Him Wrong' got swell $14,- 
300 in six days last week, un- 
doubtedly proving that Franciscans 
like 'em bawdy and bloodv. 

St. Francis (Fox) (1,600; 65-83- 
$1.10) 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Road 
show opens Wed. night (13), instead 
of house's usual grind policy. • 

United Artists (1,400; 25-3."-50) 
'I'm a Bum' (UA). Jolson not « 
I''ri.»iCO di'.T.w despite rave notir' • 
and ok.iy word-of-mouth; $10, U' > 
poor. 

Warfield fFox) (2,700; B-l-.'JG-fiu ) 
'Dangerously Yours' (Kox) and 
.stage show. Warner Uaxter okay 
pull in this one; $16,000. 'Second 
H.'ind Wife' fFox) surprised last 
week with over $17,000. 



The situation Is beginning to 
balance a little better flnally, with 
Broadway starting to recover from 
the sock Radio City's Intensive 
draft has been giving It for some 
weeks now. . This week the two 
Radio City theatres will get around 
$140,000 gross between *em, from 
Indications. 

Paramount and Capitol are stag- 
ing the strong comebacks for the 
big street, yi'lth balance of the 
houses appearing to weather condi- 
tions better than they have been 
lately. 

At the Paramount Mae West in 
person and on screen in 'She Done 
Him Wrong' will get a possible big 
$65,000 on the eight-day engage- 
ment. This flgure puts the house 
nicely In the money and although 
fear was felt for stage shows, with 
house going on a week-to-week 
basis with stage hands and mu- 
sicians Saturday (18) as a protec- 
tive measure, this kind of business 
should eliminate any danger to stage 
shows. All th^ Par has to worrj' 
about Is some more of those 
weeks under $25,000, of which it 
had two In a row. 

Capitol, with its Ed Wynn 'Laugh 
Parade* show, plus draw of Jimmy 
Durante and Buste;- Keaton names 
in 'What, No Beer' as flicker. Is In 
a hunk of black at $60,000^ or better. 
Show will holdover over a second 
week. 

Lincoln's Birthday holiday yes- 
terday (Monday) gave all houses a 
good chance of bettering estimates. 

Big house In Radio City, Music' 
Hall with 'Topaze' and Amos 'n' 
Andy in perison will do better than 
the previous week, its possibilities 
being for around $100,000. RKO 
Roxy will hit over $37,000, with the 
strong b. o. shows at the Paramount 
and Capitol no doubt being respon- 
sible. 

Recent sloi-ms and cold weather 
also figure as having ill effect on 
R. C. due to the walk over to Sixth 
avenue. 

RKO Roxy this week holds 'Child 
of Manhattan,' instead of 'Sign of 



SNOWBOUND KC HELPED 
NABES; BEHER THIS WK 

Kansas City, Feb. 13. 
In spite of a hangover from the 
worst storm and coldest weather for 
years, the downto^'ti houses look 
promising for a regular week's busi- 
ness. 

'Sign of the Cross,' heavily pub- 
licized, got away at the Newman in 
great shae% a completQ> reversal of 
form frotn that shown by Kate 
Smith's 'Hello, Everybody,' which 
never got started and was eased out 
after five days. 'Cross' Is set In for 
nine days. 

Loew's Midland's 75c gate looks 
good for 'Big Drive,' which Is hold- 
ing up. Getting a heavy trade from 
the men especially. Attractive 
lobby display of war relics. Includ- 
ing several machine guns, causing 
lots of Interest. 

Russ Columbo and his orchestra 
Is the big draw at the RKO Main- 
stieet, although 'Past of Mary 
Holmes,' screen feature. Is not over- 
looked by the customers. 

Last week's storm nearly wrecked 
business here, not only shows but 
In all Industries. Thermometer 
down to 15 below, and driving snow 
simply tied things up. Street car 
service badly crippled at times and 
streets so Icy that auto driving was 
a risk. Many events including box- 
ing, recitals, amateur dramatics, 
and even an Ice hockey game, were 
postponed. 

Estimates for This Week 

Liberty (Dubinsky) (860; 10-16- 
25)— 'That's My Boy' (Col). Little 
house holding its own. With a 
weather break should get near $2,- 
500, fair. Last week hit hard by 
storm 'Conquerers' (RKO) and 
'0))ey the Law" $2,000, not so good. 

Mainstreet (RKO) (3,200; 26-35- 
50)— 'Past of Mary Holmes' (RKO) 
and vaudeville, with Russ Columbo 
and band featured. Indications for 
fair $12,500. Last week 'Child of 
-Manhattan' (Col), badly crippled by 
the weather, only $10,000. 

Midland (Loew) (4.000; 25) — 
'Big Drive' (FD). Heavy publicity 
getting the men, and it looks like 
close to $10,000, fair. Last week 
'M.i'lanie Blanche' (MG) opened 
.strong but was halted by the storm 
and clo.sed with $9,800, fair. 

Newman fPublix) (1,860; 25-3.'>- 
TiO) — '.<it,'n of the Cross' (Par). I'ic- 
'iire .'Jtarled Wednesday for a nine 
• lay run. Tlio two extra dfiy.s gainfl 
wiicn 'Jlello, JOveryboily' (\'at) \v;is 
Iiuiled. -('roH.s' is building and will 
probatjly rcafli $13,000, jirctty good. 
La.st week 'Hello, Kverybody n>ar). 
in .«r)ito fif wonrlcrful ad\-frti.-ln>r. 
retiirnfd less tliun $'5,000 fi)r tin- five 
days. 



the Cross' going Into the smaller 
house on top of last week's engage- 
ment at Music Hall. Picture Im- 
mediately became available for the 
Paramount, Brooklyn, where cur- 
rent 

Al Jolson, after a several years' 
absence from pictures, came back 
Wednesday (8) on a premiere $2 
opening, but grind thereafter, at the 
RIvolI and on flrst week his 'Halle- 
lujah, I'm a Bum' Is only fair with 
under $22,000. Again the Cap and 
Par's strong pull shows Its Qf^ect. 

Not much else on Broadway, ex- 
cepting 'Cavalcade' which continues 
capacity at the Gaiety. 

Strand on h. o. of 'Hard to Han- 
dle' will get about $15,000. mild but. 
okay. "Wax Museum* (WB) comes 
In Friday (17). WB's other Broad- 
way operation, the Winter Garden 
closes the same date, house revert- 
ing to the Shuberts. Final picture 
Is second run showing of . 'King's 
Vacation' which will not get over 
$7,600. WB has been In the Wlh- 
ter Garden a little over five yearsl 

Old Roxy, under Its 36c top policy, 
slips this week to around $16,000 or. 
a loss of about ^2,000. 

Neither the Mayfalr nor the Pal- 
ace are exhibiting strength cur- 
rently. 'They Just Had to Get Mar-, 
ried' at fortner won't get $S,OQ0, very 
poor, and Palace's 'State Fair,' with 
house reverting from its vacillating 
combo policy to straight plx again, 
dipping plenty in the red at $7,000. 
Estimates for This Week 

Astor (1,012; $1.10-$1.6S-$2.2O)— 
! (Rasputin) (MG) (8th week). No 
date as yet set for departure, but 
expected ais soon as Metro has suc- 
cessor ready. 

Capitol (6,400; 36-75-99-$1.65)— 
•What No Beer?' (MG) and Ed 
Wynn's 'Laugh Parade* show on 
stage. Plus Durante and Keaton on 
screen, sending housci for flrst time.. 
. in long while to a big $60,000 or bet- 
ter. Will holdover a second w'eek. 
Last week 'Secret of Madame 
Blanche' (MG) failed to draw, under 
$25,000. 

Gaiety (811; 65-$1.10-$1.66) — 
'Cavalcade' (Fox) (6th^week). Con- 
tinuing strongly, at capacity. L^st 
week picture on $1.50 engagement 
got around $13,000. 

Mayfair (2,200; 25-35-55-76) — 
'Just Had to Get Married' (U). 
Lacking In b.o. draft, Summervllle 
and Pitts meaning nothing on 
Broadway. Take will be only around 
$8,000, red. Last week 'Hot Pep- 
per* (Fox) on second run $11,300, 
weak. 

Palace (1,700; 30-40-55-85-$1.10) 
—'State Fair' (Fox) (2nd run). 
Stage shows out and brutal $7,000 
for straight films is beaucoup rouge. 
Last week 'Bitter Tea* (Col) (2nd 
run) did $10,800, mild. 

Paramount (3,664; 8,6-56-75-99)— 
'She Done Him Wrong* (Par), and 
stage show. Mae West on personal 
with her picture bringing 'em back 
to this de luxer, hard hit last three 
weeks. Her name will mean a very 
big $65,000 on eight days* stay. May 
hold over if pace continues. Last 
week 'Luxury Liner' and 'Desert 
Song* unit a dismal $24,800, despite 
costly stage show. 

Radio City Music Hall (5,945; 35- 
65-75) — 'Topaze' (RKO) and Amos 
'n' Andy in person. Picture no wow, 
but with air stars on stage indica- 
tions are for $100,000, with holiday 
to help. Last week 'Sign of Cross* 
(Par) hit heavy, garnering a nice 
$96,000. 

Rivoli (2,200; 40-55-76-86)— 'Hal- 
lelujah, I'm a Bum* (UA). Jolson 
picture heading for fair $22,000 on 
its flrst week, hard hit by weather. 
Cap and Par competlsh. Last week, 
third for 'Kid from Spain' (UA), 
okay at $16,000, 

RKO Roxy (3,626; 36-55-76)— 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col), and 
stage show. Taking smaller of R. C. 
houses to Its low so far, over $37,000. 
Last week 'State Fair' (Fox) on sec- 
ond run, a nice $41,800. 

Roxy (6,200; 25-35)— 'Terror Trail* 
(U) and stage show. Tom Mix 
western not getting the biz thLs 
week under 35c. policy, indications 
pointing to a little red at $16,000. 
There are no giveaways this week 
nor tleups of any kind. Last week 
'Iron Master' (Allied) and stage 
show got. $22, 500, black, continuing 
a second week with Plain Bill's air 
turn In person. 

Strand (2,000: 23-35-55-65-75) — 
'Hard to Handle' (WB) (2d w^ek). 
On hol(l()\er will get approximately 
$].'). 000, some profit. 'Wax Mu.«eum' 
(WB) ojicns Friday (17). First 
week for the Jimmy (Tagney item 
l)retfv good $25,000. 

Winter Garden (],41."?: 35-55-75) — 
'KinK".'< Vacation' (Wlit (2d run), 
l-'inislilng Voclc at around. $7,500. 
tliis r>i'^-i>"i"e i.s WB's swan song as 
(,I)oi-nf or.s of f^liiil.ert house. WB 
Kivf.M lip l'ri>1:iy dVi. thereafter 
iiiicUiii^ lo tlie &>irand alone. 



10 



VARIETY 



PICTURE GROSSES 



Tuestlay, February 14, 1933 



DENVER'S VERY 
HOTCHA THIS 
WEEK 



Denver, Feb. 13. 
Fre-J Sclimitt, popular leader 
locally, with an 18-plece orchestra 
at the Orpheum, 1b giving half hour 
presentations and pulling the best 
crowds at that house since last 
week of vaudeville in September, 
1»32. Schinltt was big draw at 
I>enver theatre and was responsi- 
ble for many of that house's regu- 
lar patrons. Has practically all of 
the old orchestra with him at Or- 
pheum and indications he will be 
big draw there. Picture at Orpheum 
has drawing power too and is get- 
ting Its share of word of mouth 
chatter. 

Sensation of the town is the 
crowds at the Tabor second run 
with stage show added this week. 
Holdouts Sunday all day. House 
should do better than $6,000, and 
that's reason to cheer; 25c is top 
and plenty low with over 40 in or- 
chestra and In show. 

Paramount doing excellent busi- 
ness and balcony cut to 25 anytime 
proving popular. 'Frisco Jenny* 
win be held seven days, It's draw- 
ing so fine. Denver some better 
than last week, but RIalto and Den- 
ham both down. Weather good 
overhead and sloppy underfoot, but 
not keeping anyone away from 
theatres. 

Estimates for This Week 

Denham (Hellborn) (1,700; 16-25) 
—'Crooner* (FN). Nice $3,800. Last 
•week 'Hypnotized' (WW) finished a 
grand ahead of the week previous, 
$4,200. 

Denver (Publix) (2,600; 25-35-40- 
50)— 'Son-Daughter' (MG). Upplng 
with Helen Hayes to $9,000. Last 
week 'Hello Evei-ybody' (Par) did 
a nosedive and finished with $6,200 
on six days. 

Orpheum (RKO-Huffman) (2,600; 
26-36-40)— 'Wax Museum* (WB). 
Fred Schmitt and orchestra. West 
Masters at the organ. Corking 
$13,500. Last week 'Hard to Han- 
dle' (WB) finished with a fine $12,- 
500. The two-bit balcony Is drag- 
ging them in, and the 40c top Is do- 
ing the same downstairs. 

Paramount (Publix) (2,000; 25-40) 
—'Mysterious .Rider' (Par) and 
•Frisco Jenny' (FN), split. Okay at 
$5,000. 'Luxury Liner* (Par) and 
'Employees* Entrance' (FN), split, 
bad at $2,5C0. 

Rialto (RKO-Huftman) (900; 20- 
25-40)— 'Robber's Roosf (Fox) and 
•Parachute Jumper* (WB), split. 
Fair $2,500 in view. Last week 
•Second Hand Wife* (Fox) finished 
with a fair $2,750. 



Zero, Snow Retard 
Balto.; 'Jumper' 12G, 
'Entrance' $14,000 



mXADE,' XROSS/CAP 
IN THE HONEY, MONTI 

Montreal, Feb. 13. 

A big week ahead with three 
stand-out pix and a Fanchon & 
Marco Minstrel show ought to show 
much Improved grosses ovgr the 
slump of last week, but it's hard to 
guess how they will come out. Fans 
go to pre-supper shows and save 
money, leaving the top admlsh hours 
at houses half empty. Fans look 
like they've started Lent month 
ahead of time in this town. 

'Cavalcade' at His Majesty's at 
75-$1.66 should get a big play, but 
with the highest price at the main 
stems 66c, It may hit a slump, and 
estimate Is for $11,000. Palace looks 
for nice pick-up on 'Sign of the 
Cross,' and at 60c top, plus Georye 
Rotsky's adroit ballyhoo, cannot be 
much below $14,000. Capitol has 
'The Mummy' as headllner of a 
brace. Probably is $11,000. 

Loew's showing good picture, 
'Blessed Event,' and will parade 
town with the first big minstrel 
show seen here In years, as the en- 
tire vaude show. This should be a 
smash, and gross of $15,000 would 
be no surprise. Princess relying on 
a double bill of Columbias should 
repeat average gross at $7,000.' 

Nabes, with perhaps couple of ex- 
ceptions. In the Infra-red. 

Estimates for This Week 

His Majesty's (Ind) (1,600; 76- 
$1.60)— 'Cavalcade* (Fox). Prices 
may scare 'em out, but matinees will 
be Jammed, and estimate of $11,000 
is likely below mark. Last week 
house put in French operetta which, 
on subscription basis, grossed 
$7,000. 

Palace (FP) (2,700; 60)— 'Sign of 
the Cross' (Par). Depends some on 
Vrhat censors do to It. Biggest bally- 
hoof of year and word-of-mouth 
going to fill house, if old man zero 
lets up; $14,000 is guess, last week 
Island Lost Souls' (Par) partici- 
pated In general slump, and grossed 
$10,000. 

Capitol (FP) (2„700: 60) — 'The 
Mummy' (U) and 'Had to Get Mar- 
ried' (U) make an above-average 
bill, especially the first; $11,000, 
pretty sure. Ltust week 'Flesh' (MG) 
and 'Match Xing' (WB) around 
$10,600. 

Loew's (FP) (3,200; 65)— 'Blessed 
Event' (WB) and Fanchon & Marco 
Minstrel Show. This should be 
week's topnotcher at $16,000, but not 
on picture. Last week 'Fast Life' 
(MG) and vaude grossed $12,000. 

Princess (CT) (1,900; 35-60)— 
Man Against Woman' (Col) and 
*Alr Hostess" (Col). Average bill 
should get $7,000. Last week 'No 
More Orchids' (Col) and "Last Man' 
(Col) $6,600. . 

Imperial (Franco-Films) (1,900; 
60) — 'Les Fils a Papa' and 'Quand 
Te Tues-Tu.' Just a couple of av- 
erage French, which may gross $1,- 
800. Last week 'Mater Dolorosa' 
$1,600. 

Cinema de Paris (Franco-Film) 
(600; 25) — 'Rol des Palaces.' Aver- 
age at $800. Second week of L'At- 
lantide' last week $750. 



Baltimore, Feb. 13. 
Series of the worst weather 
breaks in a long time has gotten 
this town's theatres down on its 
knees. Usually an exceptionally 
pood weather town for theatres, 
these past two weeks have been 
poison to Baltimore houses. Last 
week's zero. Ice and snow cost local 
houses approximately $75,000, ac- 
cording to estimates from those 
who should know. The downtown 
houses particularly suffered, the 
high expectations on some pictures 
coing for nothing when bucking 
against the weather man. 

Current week started oft with a 
bad dose of cold and snow, and kills 
hope for any real punch at the box 
office this session. About the best 
break on this account will be 'State 
Fair,' which didn't get started at 
the indie New until today (13). It's 
one of the few flicks this house has 
had in months that will touch off 
any fireworks at the register. That 
flock of names can't be beat, weath- 
er or no. 

Pop run of 'Sign of the Cross' at 
the Stanley is making the next best 
showing of b. o. pace, surprising at 
I the register after a Just so-so fort 
f night at $1.50 at the Auditorium 
some weeks ago. Looks like lots of 
people have learned how to wait. 

Neither the CentuiT nor the Hipp 
the two big vaudfllmers of town 
are showing any real strength this 
week. Hipp has 'Parachute Jump 
er' on a slough from Keith's, and 
makes it the first Warner flick to 
play this house since it's been taken 
over by Izzy Rappaport. Action 
type film okay for f e house, but 
not enough name strength to hold 
'Employees Entrance' at the Cen 
tury is sharing femme patrons with 
•Women They Talk About' at 
Keith's. 

Maryland and Auditorium once 
more desert the picture ranks, the 
former going bacjc to its leijit love, 
while the latter goes dark, the 10- 
(Continued on page 23) 



Anto Drawing Gag 
Excites in hdpis, 
'Sign Cross,' $9,000 



Indianapolis. Feb. 18. 
Instead of the stage talent giv- 
ing the usual "hey rube' howl at 
the Lyric last week, the audience 
went BO far as to hiss and howl 
a would-be kicker .iptt the stage 
during the free offering of an auto 
to a ticket holderr 

The lucky number was drawn by 
a member of the east Usually the 
manager does that but he was out 
of town. At the time the winner 
was walking to the stage to claim 
his car, a feminine customer ran 
pass him and Jumped to the stage 
and in no uncertain terms accused 
the ticket plucker that he had not 
pulled out the ticket In the proper 
fashion. The audience didn't like 
the Idea and started to hiss. 

Raynor Lehr, who heads his own 
unit on the stage pulled out the 
number and In explaining the sit- 
uation asserted he would buy a car 
for the person holding the number 
he pulled. If the audience wished 
It, and then would pull another 
number for the car on the stage. 
The audience would have none of 
It. Consequently the audience went 
away talking. 

The customers started to pile into 
the house early In the afternoon 
with their lunches and stayed until 
the drawing at 9 p. m. In some in- 
stances the mothers had their chilf 
dren occupy the iseats until they 
could leave the home work. 

Fare is strong this week and biz 
is on the upgrade. .'Sign of the 
Cross' at the Indiana should lead 
the pack, with 'iState Fair* at the 
Apollo next. Lyric with its stage 
unit and 'Unwritten Law* should 
pull them In again this week. 

Estimates For This Week 
Apollo (Fourth- Ave) (1,100; 25- 
40)— 'State Fair* (Fox). Around 
: i4,000, best for this house in several 
weeks. Last weeR, •Dangerously 
Yours' (Fox), around $2,800. 

Circle (Circle) (2,600; 26-35)— 
Employees Entrance' (WB). Should 
do around $3,000, but will have to 
climb plenty. Last week, •Luxury 
Liner* (Par), weak at $2,700. 

Indiana (Circle) (3,300; 26-40)— 
'Sign of the Cross' (Far). Maybe 
around $9,000. Last week, 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par), not as expected, 
only around $9,000, 

Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,800; 26- 
40) 'Secret of Madame Blanche* 
(MQ). Maybe around $4,600. Last 
week, Tm a Bum' (UA), did not 
gross the expected, but $7,000 Is 
oke. ' 

Lyric (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25- 
40) 'Unwritten Law' (Maj). Lehr 
stage unit and RKO vaude. Around 
$8,000. 'Penguin Murder' (RKO) 
ditto last week. 



PROV. GROSSES RISE AS 
TEMPERATURE DITTOES 



Newark No Exception in 
Nafl Weather Blight 

Newark, Feb. 13. 
Cold wave and snow hurt, but all 
should pick up sharply with better 
meterological conditions. Relative 
ly the Terminal, with $7,000 on eight 
days for 'Hot Pepper,' outstrips the 
others. 

Rialto opens next week with stock 
backed by New Yorkers. Hope 
springs eternal. 

Estimates for This Week 
Branford (WB) (2,966; 15-66)— 
'King's Vacation'' (WB). Arllss not 
so popular downtown, but pulls 
heavily in neighborhoods. Maybe 
weak $8,000. Last week 'Hard to 
Handle' (WB) okay with $11,000. 

Capitol (WB) (1.200; 16-25-35-50) 
—'20,000 Years' (FN) and 'Second 
Hand Wife' (Fox). Unlikely to top 
$4,700. Last week 'No Man of Her 
Own' and 'Parachute Jumper' (WB) 
nice $5,400. 

Little (Cinema) (299; 25-40) 
'Zwei Herzen.' Revival not strong 
and doubtful of $900. Last week 
'Living Corpse" (Garrison) died with 
$700. 

Loew's State (2,780; 15-75)— 
'Whistling in the Dark' (MG) and 
vaudeville. Good notices may help 
to a decent $12,000. Last week 'Big 
Drive' (1st Dlv) not bad at $13,000 

Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 15 
fi9)— 'Hello Everybody' (Par) and 
vaudeville. Even if some people 
really come in won't pa.ss $8,000 
Last week 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) 
good enough with over $12,000. 

Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 15-75)— 
'Goklie Gets Along* (RKO) and 'Rio 
Rita' (tab). Musical will do what 
drawing is done. Should cheer if it 
touches fair $12,000. Last week 
■Bitter Tea' (Col) over $12,000. 

Terminal (Skouras) (1,900: 15-50) 
— 'Hot Pepper' (Fox). Will sma.sh 
with $7,000 on eight days. House 
gone back to Friday opening. Could 
have held 'Maedchen' for full second 
week. Last week five days of 
'Maedchen In T''nlform' (Krimsky) 
(second week) okay with $3,000. 



Detrmt's Good Fare 
Should Offset Zero 
Weather Handicaps 

Detroit, Feb. 13. 
Zero weather continues with the 
same blighting effect on anything 
like normal business. Town has a 
nice array of offerings but unless 
the weather man smiles it looks 
bad. 

The Michigan with 'Whoopee' and 
'Hard to Handle' and the Fox with 
'State Fair' are bucking new op- 
position in the RKO Downtown 
which inaugurates a return to 
vaude this week in addition to 
'Child of Manhattan.' The Fox 
looks like the best bet for profits 
The Michigan is paying a lot of 
money for "Whoopee* and the Fox 
is sliding along on a low cost stage 
show. The Downtown has the nut 
down and is offering five good vaude 
acts and nice picture and all over 
$12,000 Is profit, but lucky this week 
to get over $10,000. 

The United Artists with a second 
week of Cantor in 'Kid From 
Spain' expects to get all those 
the weather kept away last week 
In; if they come picture is good for 
a third week. 

The Fisher seems to have gotten 
over the spurt it felt when It 
dropped stage shows and the prices 
Next two weeks will tell whether 
the house goes back to stage shows 
or not. 

Last week Mae West -In 'She 
Done Him Wrong* got the play of 
the town until the ice man stepped 
in. 'Kid From Spain' was also 
waylaid and thrown for no gain. 
The other houses suffered com 
paratively less as they had little to 
offer and didn't expect many. The 
Michigan took much less than the 
$30,000 expected, while the U. A 
slumped from under the expected 
$20,000 for the 'Spanish Kid.' 
Estimates For This Week 

Michigan (4,046; 15-25-35-40-55) 
— Hard to Handle' (WB), and 
'Whoopee' on stage. Won't be so 
good on $17,000. Last week 'She 
Done Him Wrong* (Par), good 
draw, $24,400. 

Fox (5,100; 15-25-35-40-65) — 



Providence, Feb. 13. 
Extreme cold and heavy snow 
put a damper on biz for fl^st two 
days, but clearing weather later 
jazzed things up a bit, and all 
stands are depending on fine screen 
and stage bills to come through 
okay. 

Spotlight once again will be with 
the theatres playing vaudeville and 
pictures. Opening of the new Metro- 
politan week ago has the combo 
houses trying to outdo each other 
with live entertainment. Variety 
attractions are getting the ballyhoo 
with the result that where the pic- 
ture houses would be doing excep- 
tionally well they can only hope for 
a fair week. 

The best bets this week will be 
Fay's and the RKO Albee where 
classy stage shows are holding 
sway to offset seven acts of vaude- 
ville and pictures at half the prices 
the first two houses are getting. 
The Albee is plugging 'Gamby' of 
Roxy's gang, and Fay's has 'Bag o' 
Tricks Revue,' both clicking. 

The film product generally is best 
thing town has seen in weeks, 
and under ordinary circumstances 
grosses would have been very good. 
But with the stage setup biz will 
be about fair with no particular 
leader Indicated. 

Three of the four picture stands 
are playing double features. The 
fourth, Loew's State, is depending 
upon 26c top and Irene Dunne's 
popularity here to make a decent 
showing. 

Estimates for This Week 
RKO Albee (2,300; 16-66)— 'Child 
of Manhattan' (Col) and vaudeville. 
Swell bill all around, but it's the 
live entertainment that the natives 
are going for. Prospects for a least 
$8,500, oke. Last week 'Past of 
Mary Holmes' (RKO) with Will Ma- 
honey on stage was largely re- 
sponsible for $8,000 figure. 

Fay's (1.600; 15-56)— 'Midnight 
Warning* and vaude. Picture just 
getting the breaks because of the 
stage show. Every indication that 
house come close to corrallng $7,000; 
fine. Last week, 'Ladies They Talk 
About' (WB) was one time picture 
didn't play second fiddle to vaude. 
Good at $6,800. 

Loew's State (3,700; 10-26)— 'Se- 
crets of Madame Blanche' (MG). 
Present set-up doesn't augur well 
for this stand, which Is facing plenty 
oppslsh all around, and cut-prices 
still having no noticeable effect on 
the boxofilce. May hit $6,600 if pres-^ 
ent pace doesn't slacken. Last week 
'Big Drive' (FD) managed to hold 
Its own at $6,200. 

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 16-66)— 
'Hot Pepper' (Fox) and 'Danger- 
ously Yours' (Fox). Plenty of names 
in this one to put thing over in a 
big way if opposish wasn't so 
strong. House will do no squawking 
if takings stay close to $7,600. Last 
week 'Employees* Entrance' (WB) 
and 'Parachute Jumper' (FN) satis- 
factory at $7,000. 

Paramount (2,200; 10-40)— 'Lux- 
ury Liner* (Par) and 'Billion Dol- 
lar Scandal' (Par). Well liked bill, 
but behind a peg because of weather 
and other circumstances. Word of 
mouth should build this one up to 
$6,500, and square things. Last 
week 'Hello Everybody' (Par) and 
•Penal Code' took a fiop much to 
surprise of everybody who figured 
Kate Smith would be sufllcient bait 
for the fans. Slid to $5,100. 

RKO Victory (1,600; 10-25)— 'Men 
Are Such Fools' (RKO) and 'Bitter 
Tea' (Col). Thursday opening gave 
this little spot fine edge on other 
picture stands with the result that 
this week's gross should be well 
over $2,500. Last week 'Self De- 
fense* (Mono) and 'Animal King- 
dom' (RKO) stood up well in the 
face of stiff opposition and cold 
weather; oke at $2,400. 

Metropolitan (3,400; 10-26)— 'Up- 
town New York* (WW) and seven 
■acts of vaudeville. House confident 
of holding its own despite cracker- 
jack shows at the other two combo 
houses. Union men picketing the- 
atre, and town Is plastered with 
posters urging boycott of house be- 
cause it Is unfair to organized labor, 
but management Insistent that 
labor difficulties having no effect on 
takings. Anticipate at least $3,000. 
Last week 'Afraid to Talk' (U) 
went to $3,500 on strength of open- 
ing. 



prrr needs an 

AUBI: HAS IT 
IN WEATHER 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 13. 
Temperature hitting rock bottom 
and so is business. Sub-zero weath^ 
er and coldest spell of winter here 
In last 16 years keeping customer^ 
at their firesides, with theatres 
these nights resembling pee-wea 
golf courses. Anyway, it has given 
the boys an alibi, and it there's on^ 
thing they need now. it's an alibi. 

•Cavalcade' the only thing in town 
that's managing to put up a stifC 
front against the mercurial opposi- 
tion. Freezing spell no doubt cost 
the road-show picture near-capacity, 
but first week at Nixon, with $1 top, 
accounted for $12,000, considered 
satisfactory, and prospects of re- 
peating in second and last week 
with any kind of break. 

Otherwise it looks pretty depress- 
ing all along the line. Stanley had 
a tough setback with 'Mystery of 
Wax Museum,' unable to get under 
way until Friday because of cen- 
sorial mix-up after picture had been 
exploited for a Wednesday opening, 
and will have trouble getting $8,500* 
Looks like about the same for 'To-i 
night Is Ours' at the Penn. That 
means oodles of red for both sites. 

Double-feature bills slipping at 
Davis, and when they won't even 
go for bargain around here, then 
somethln's wrong. Current bill, 
'Wild Girl' and 'Laughter in Hell.' 
looks like $3,300, while 'Madame 
Butterfly' will be lucky to touch $3,- 
600 at Fulton. Vaudfllm at Variety 
likewise skidding, with a poor $4,- 
200 in sight for 'Secrets of Wu Sin.» 
and Warner also taking it on th© 
chin with a weak sister, liadles 
They Talk About,' at brutal $4,500. 
Estimates for This Week J" 
Davis (WB) (1,700; 26-30-40)— 
'Wild Girl' (Fox) and "Laughter In 
Hell' (U). Twin bills slipping after 
neat start, with an Indifferent $3,300 • 
In sight currently. Last week 'Devil 
Is Driving' (Par) and 'Air Hostess' 
(Col) around $3,450. 

Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,760; 15-25- 
40)— 'Madame Butterfly* (Par). Hit- 
ting for $3,750, just fair, with two- 
for-ones still managing to keep this 
site In the running while others aro 
falUng by the waysi de. L ast week 
'Uptown New York' (WW) all right 
at $4,100. 

Nixon (Erlanger) (2,100; 65-83- 
$1.10)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Looks 
like $12,000 first* week. That's the 
best roadshow takings around here 
in a couple of years, all the more 
Impressive because of low top. Pic- 
ture won rave notices and drawing 
a lot of carriage trade, with bad 
break In weather only thing stand- 
ing between it and capacity. Stays 
second week, making way next 
Monday (20) for 'Rasputin' (MG). 

Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-36- 
60)— 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par). Try- 
ing to cash in on Noel Coward here, 
on strength of recent "Design for 
Living' engagement and current 
'Cavalcade' run, but it's no go. 
Picture simply isn't there, and will 
be lucky to come close to $9,000. 
Last week Island of Lost Souls' 
(Par) about $10,600. 

Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-50)— 
'Mystery of Wax Museum' (WB). 
Bad break for this one at outset. 
Ballyhooed for Wednesday opening. 
It didn't get under way until Fri- 
day through mlxup with censors, 
and customer confusion won't be of 
any help. Poor opening presages 
weak $8,600. Last week 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par) at $3,750, a new 
low for this site. 

Variety (Jaffe) (2,100; 25-40)— 
'Secrets of Wu Sin' (Chest) and 
vaude. Slipping to $4,100, not so 
good. Last week 'Speed Demon' 
(Col) around $4,300. 

Warner (WB) (2,000: 26-35-50)— 
'Ladles They Talk About' (WB). 
Flimsy programmer which not «?\'en 
Barbara Stanwyck's little b. o. draw 
can help. A brutal $4,500 In pros- 
pect. Last week 'Employees' En- 
trance' (WB) a pleasant surprise at 
$6,600. 



'State Fair' (Fox), and stage show 
Will get $20,000, oke. Last week, 
'Face in the Sky' (Fox), weak at 
$10,000. 

Downtown (2,750; 15-25-35-40-65) 
—'Child of Manhattan* (Col), and 
vaude. Should get $10,000 or more. 
Last week 'Nagana' three days and 
'Lucky Devils' (U), awful at $2,700 

United Artists (2,018; 15-25-36- 
40-55)— -Kid From Spain' (UA), 
(2d week). Should garner $12,000, 
under cxpcct.ation.s. First week al.so 
off. $16,200. 

Fisher (2,665; 15-25-35-40)- 
'Parachutc Jumper' (WB). Not get- 
ting anywhere here, $6,000, poor. 
Last week'.s 'Island of Lost Souls' 
(Par), $8,000. 



Unassigned Contracts 
Take Par Aide to N. Y. 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

In New York to straighten out 
legal documents of talent under 
contract to Paramount - Publix, 
Henry Herzbrun, Par studio attor- 
ney is conferring with home ofllce 
lawyers. With him is Walter K. 
Tuller of the L. A. firm of O'Mel- 
veney, Tullor and Myers, represent- 
ing Par Publix on the coast. 

Some of the stars and directors 
entered into contracts with P-P 
which had no assignment claii.se 
and couldn't be turned over to I'ar 
Productions when the receivership 
came. These are the ones th.it will 
be Ironed out in N. Y. 



' 'VABUITV I.OIIPON QFFIOfl 
9 St. MaTtfai'* Plaee, Traf«Is*r Saoars 



FAREKN FILM NEWS 



Cable Addr«M: TABIETT. lONDON 
Telephone: Temple Bar ItOll-SOlS 



11 




SEWED UP, TOO 



Pars Paris Studio on Rental Basb; 
Kane Ont, but May Join Fox Abroad 



Paramount has closed production 
In the JoinvUIe (Paris) studio and 
will make no more pictures there 
for the next year at least. Studio is 
belner turnetl into a rentlner proposi- 
tion. ^ 

Move' means that Robert Kane, 
head of'^Par's Sucopean production 
staff, is practically out. His con- 
tract has' until July to .run with no 
plans made as yet to renew It. Ac- 
cording to J. H. Seldelman. Par's 
foreign chief. Just returned from a 
CSuropean purvey; Kane promised to 
supervise the switching of the Joln- 
yllle studio to a renting studio base, 
at which time ICane will report back 
to Paramount's New York home 
oiBce. 

Kane has offers to switch to other 
companies, most likely of accept- 
ance being a bid to take over Fox's 
European production. 

According to Seldelman Para- 
mount now has 14 finished and un- 
released French Alms on hand. That, 
plus the American product which 
wilt be dubbed tn Paris, is enough 
t6 carry Paramount In France until 
about February, 1934. Therefore the 
complete stop In production, al- 
though a corner of the studio, has 
been laid out for dubbing purposes 
and will be Used constantly. 

Zklove-does not mean, says Seldel- 
man, that Far will not go back into 
production In six or nine months, 
but that time will depend entirely 
on edonomio conditions, hts current 
policy being, In view of the receiv- 
ei*6hlp of Paramount-Publix among 
other things, to sit on all financial 
expenditure. 

Meantime at least one French in- 
dependent has already moved into 
JoinviUe for production and several 
others are dickering. 



U HOOKS IIP ITALY FOR 
DUBBING, DISTRIBUTION 



Rome, Feb. 6. 

Universal has completed a dis- 
tribution deal with Comm. Domenlco 
Musso, who starts bulldfng a studio 
here Immediately to handle the pic- 
tures. He'll dub them Into Italian 
on his own and then distribute them. 

Deal Is for two years, with an 
option for three more and calls for 
a $70,000 guarantee yearly to U 
against a percentage. Musso can 
choose any or all of U's pictures 
during that time, with all other 
details and expenditures up to him. 

Musso is new to picture business, 
though having played about with 
them in a non- professional capacity. 

Louis .Marx handled the deal for 
Universal. 



Filming Deep Sea Hunt 
For Sunken Gold Cargo 

The Hague, Feb. 2. 

During the Napoleonic wars the 
British transport schooner Lutln 
was wrecked oft the Dutch coast 
north of the Zuydersea. It had about 
£1,200,000 of bullion and sliver on 
board. The bulk is stm on the bot- 
tom of the sea. 

Under agreement with Uoyds of 
No cure no pay, two Dutch salvage 
companies aro going to attempt lift- 
ing this treasure. Film rights of 
this enterprise have been obtained 
by Loet C. Barnsteyn, distributor 
for Holland of United Artists at The 
Hague. 



Two Mex. Native-Mades 

Mexico City, Feb. 9. 

Two more made-ln-Mexlco talk- 
ers have been released here. One Is 
•El Anonimo* ('The Nameless'), 
drama of the medical profession, 
written and directed by Fernando 
de Fuentes, former Far exec here, 
fourth production of National Mo- 
tion Picture Co. 

Other, 'Revolucion' ('Revolution'), 
depicting Mexico's two decades of 
stirring times and dealing with the 
late Pancho Villa of gory fame, is 
output of Aztlan Films. 



Einstein Kin, Russian, 

Filming in Far East 

Berlin, Feb. 13. 

Dr. Marlanoff, son-in-law of Prof. 
Albert Einstein, Is taking .i film ex- 
pedition for a commercial film into 
the Orient. The expedition is for 
Promethus Films. 

Dr. Marlar.olT. a Russian, has 
made pictures In Moscow. 



Jap Films 



(Continued from page 3) 
films which had first runs on its 
chain: 'Movie Crazy.' 'One Hour 
With Tou,' 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. 
Hyde,' 'Love Me Tonight,' 'Shang- 
hai Express.' 'Lady and Gent,' 'This 
Is the Night,' 'Monkey Business,' 
'Make Me a Star' and 'Rich Man's 
Folly.' They arc listed in order of 
business done. 

MGM put its best five in this 
order: 'Trader Horn,' 'Mata Harl,' 
•Hell Divers,' Inspiration* and 'Tar- 
zan-' Tear In and year out, Lloyd 
is the most popular foreign star 
here. Either Dietrich or Garbo 
ranks next, folowed by Chevalier 
and Bancroft. - The expression 
'Bankurofuto-talpu,' or 'Bancroft- 
type' is popular slang. Paramount 
has the edge 6ver Its competitors 
in star appeal because it has been 
operating its own theatres for years 
and naturally has shown more of 
its own pictures than any others. 
But, in the days when It was tak- 
ing Metro's releases along with 
others, it used all the Garbo pic- 
tures, so that she stands out. 

The outstanding releases of the 
Fox chain have been •The Man Who 
Came Bswjk,' 'CongoriUa,' and 'Over 
the Hill,' in that order. Other good 
b.o. releases, not In order, were 'De- 
licious,' 'Bad Girt,' 'Transatlantic' 
'Merely Mary Ann,' 'Heartbreak,' 
'Yellow Ticket,' and 'Dance Team.' 
Dunn is probably the Fox out- 
stander. Elissa Landi is building 
up a good following. 

Lecturer Out 

During the past year houses 
playing foreign talkers In the big 
cities have practically abolished the 
announcer, the leather-lunged boy 
who used to shout down the screen 
dialog in order to tell the Japa- 
nese audience what was happening. 
He was a nuisance after talkers 
came In, for he was so loud that 
the Japanese couldn't hear the pic- 
ture and the picture was so loud 
that the Japanese couldn't hear the 
announcer. 

Now about half the foreign films 
shown have superimposed Japanese 
titles and the Dalance are shown 
with Japanese titles on screens be- 
side the main screen. As this Is be- 
ing published, the Shocbiku-Para- 
mount chain is going a step farther 
and Is experimenting with English 
titles on the side screens when it 
plays Japanese talkers. 

Operation of the 50-50 controlled 
Shochiku-Paramount chain has 
opened the eyes of Japanese the- 
atre operators to many of the abuses 
which have made the theatre busi- 
ness a load of grief in the past. In 
the old days the common practice 
was to have the ticket-taker take 
the ticket, tear it in two and drop 
both halves into the box. Only 
sometimes he didn't tear it, but took 
it back to the box office and made 
the girl sell it over again, splitting 
with her on the profit. Now the 
tickets are numbered, the customer 
retains all save one corner, and 
must show the stub in order to get 
a seat, and it would take collusion 
by practically everybody In the the- 
atre in order to pull anything 
crooked. By running everything 
on a budget, eliminating the public 
Ity and advertising departments of 
the individual theatres and cutting 
out the possibility of 'squeeze' in 
film-buying, the chain is on a busi- 
ness basis. 6ther theatre operators 
are beginning to realize how bad 
the old plan Is and there are rum- 
blings. 



DT BUYS FUtLEII, 
MONOPgiT SET 



214 Theatres Involved — 
French and German Semi- 
Control Not Far 0£F — 
Setback for U. S. DUtribs 
Down Under — England 
Has Parallel Tie-up 



METRO CHECKMATED 



Despite America's experience and 
present attempt to disentangle it- 
self from amalgamations in ■ the- 
atre way, the rest of the world is 
rapidly heading towards theatre 
monopolies. 

Latest instance is in far off Aus- 
tralia where the General Theatres 
combine has taken on the Fuller 
chain, making a complete theatre 
monopoly for that continent. G. T., 
already had Hoyt. Greater Union, 
Carroll's and several other circuits, 
combined some months back. 

Combined total in the clialn Is 
now 214 theatres. 

Fuller's, at one time in legit and 
vaude, went to pictures about a year 
or so ago and has been consistently 
holding out against the combine. 
Headed by Sir Benjamin Fuller, an 
old time showman. Fuller's held an 
Important whip, although having 
less than 60 theatres, because most 
of the houses were first runs and 
serious competition. 

New Barrier to U. S. 

Amalgamation makes the com- 
bine even stronger In several im- 
portant ways. Greater Theatres 
has been fighting American film 
companies on block booking and 
prices, and looked almost ready to 
capitulate because of lack of prod- 
uct. Puller's, however. In a private 
deal, had taken on Metro pictures 
to fight the combine. Now, the 
Metro films go to the entire chain 
and added to Fox, which they have 
automatically and the British pic- 
tures available, makes their fight 
against U. S. distributors that much 
stronger. 

The same tendency to amalgamate 
is noticeable also in the theatres in 
England, where Gaumont-Brltlsh 
has bought up everything available 
and now practically has the. .field to 
Itself, with the exception of British 
International and the small Stoll 
circuit. Now G-B is making 
definite attempts to get Stoll. with 
that analogous to Fuller's in Aus- 
tralia inasmuch as Stoll holds a few 
but Important key spots. 

In France Halk is strengthening 
Its chain in every possible way and 
Is looking for merger possibilities 
with an idea of sooner or later con- 
trolling the theatre field there, al- 
though Pathe-Naton is still plenty 
strong on Its own. 

In Germany Ufa has little or no 
opposition now. Emelka's chain is 
the only Important one here, but 
Emelka Is practically bankrupt and 
Ufa has offered to take over the 
Emelka theatres which can be made 
to pay. Hitch Is that Ufa doesn't 
want all the theatres, some of them 
having leases which are a nuisance, 
but something is said to be in the 
wind in the way of a deaL 



Nolan for Fox in Ans. 



John Nolan left Los Angeles Fri- 
day (10) on a trip to Australia, to 
take charge of the Fox offices there. 
He will be In charge of all Fox 
business In that country. 

Nolan was formerly with Fox 
West Coast, having been relieved 
of his duties there by Herman 
Wobber. 



Czech's Eschew Dialog 

Prague, Jan, 30. 

'Extasy' Is the name of latest 
new Czech film, the work of the 
native reglsseur Machaty. Music by 
Dr. Bccca. 

Acting excellent, with Ilcdy Klos- 
ler and Z. Rogoz, as leads. Photog- 
raphy by Stalllch deserves praise. 
•Extaay* film contains little dialog. 



Gennany May Finance Its Native 
Feature Picture Producers with 
New Fihn Bank. Marx as Head 



'Ere, 'Ere 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

A writer In the London 'Dally 
Film Tlenter,' writing of the 
pre-release enthusiasm over 
'Cavalcade,' finishes up bis ar- 
ticle with; 

' ^and now, after hearing 

of the wonders of 'Cavalcade,' 
I am all agog to see the opus 
unspooled.' 



4 NATIONS POOL 
FOR NATIVE 
PICTURES 



Prague, Feb. 1- 
Tilttle Entente' has been formed 
by the four more Important Central 
European countries for film pro- 
duction. 

They're Czechoslovakia, Jugo- 
slavia, Poland and Koumanla. 
They'll get together on picture pro- 
duction and release from now on in 
an attempt to make them strong 
enough to stand up against other 
world film powers. 

Almost all of this territory has 
been suffering heavily in a fllpa way 
since the departure of American 
film companies from Czechoslo- 
vakia and Jugoslavia. These two 
countries put on heavy kontingent 
and duty laws in an attempt to 
build up home film industries, with 
the Americans immediately walk- 
ing out completely on the theory 
the markets were too small to 
bother with under those conditions. 

Said in some quarters that Ger- 
many is behind the consolidation, 
but no definite proof of this visible, 
especially since it is, on the face 
of it, as much a blow against Ger- 
many as against the. U. S. 



Snuth, Carewe Sponsor 
Canadian-Hade Pix 



victoria, B. C, Feb. 13. 

Promotion of a picture produc- 
tion company and studio here is 
under way by Major Fairbanks 
Smith, . former superlntendant of 
Radio studio In Hollywood. Edwin 
Carewe, Hollywood director. Is as- 
sociated with Smith in the deal, and 
says he will produce eight features 
In the new setup. 

Pictures will be made under the 
British quota. Smith says that 61% 
of the stock will be offered for sale 
In Victoria, and 49% In the United 
States. 

In the past five years, 12 picture 
companies have been in the promo- 
tion stage between here and Van- 
couver. None of them has gone 
past conversation. 



Raphaelson to B. I. 

Hollywood, Feb. H. 

Samson Raphaelson, now at Par- 
amount, has been engaged by Brit- 
ish International Pictures to write a 
script for the Jcanette MacDonald- 
Ilerbert Marshall musical. 

Writer must be In England by 
April 15. 



PERFECTION POLICY 

Brussels, Fob. 3. 

A theatre In Residence Palace, a 
large block of luxury flats, Is to be 
transformed Into a cinema and in 
being wired. 

The direction states that it will 
screen 'only those nlm.s which con- 
form to the ideal concoplion of tin- 
cinematographic art.' Tho .Mc-Uinf; 
capacity is 600. 



Berlin, Feb. S. 

GSovernmental finance reconstruc- 
tion is being arranged here as an 
aid to the native film Industry. For 
weeks negotiations have been going 
on between Spio, head organization 
of the German film trade, and the 
government, aiming towards a grant 
of necessary credit, the goal being 
$2,500,000. 

Idea seems to be to establish a 
film bank, the head of which la like- 
ly to be Konsul Marx, former mem- 
ber of the Ufa board and a Ger- 
man bank director. Proposition 
Is to finance production by the is- 
suance of notes ellerible to discount 
like commercial paper. 

This would necessitate a govern- 
ment concession to be obtained 
from a commission after examina- 
tion of the applicants. The com- 
mission would consist of members 
of the government, the new film 
bank, and mcnbers of the Gennan 
film industry, and they would pass 
on an applications. 

Move is made necessary by the 
shortage of money and decrease in 
consumption which are crippling 
Crerman business. Since August 10 
leading film companies have gone 
bankrupt and ■ everybody seems to 
be under the shadows. The .Blchard 
Tauber company, Hegewald Films, 
Suedfllm, Biograph Film, Messtro- 
Orpld Film, Heriny Porten Com- 
pany, Deutsches lilchtsplel-Syndl- 
cat, Relchsllga Film and Heros 
went into receivership. 

Americana 

American film companies have 
stepped in to make picture^ locally. 
Warners arranged for a production 
of two films, ' Paramount ordered 
four and Universal got started on a 
production plan of Its own which 
calls for 16 pictures. ' If it weren't 
for these theire would be a serious 
shortage of pictures. 

Under the American stimulus, the. 
local companies have been spurred 
a bit. Terra, which went bankrupt 
two years ago. has arranged a pro- 
gram of eight pictures: Tobla has 
formed Europa as a subsidiary dis- 
tribution company for • Suedfilm, 
Miesstro-Orplid and DliS, all Tobls 
creditors. 

That's not counting the regular 
Ufa program of 25 feature pictures 
and several others, but all that 
won't relieve the stringent situation. 
On all sides there is a desperate 
need of money. 

The governmental thing Is seen 
a's the only possible way out at 
present. 



Figure mentioned as the goal de- 
sired, $2,600,000, may be wrong due 
to mistake in transmission. It seems 
a small amount for the project in- 
volve,d. Ufa's capitalization alone 
Is nearly (10,000,000. 



'HoteP Disappoints on 
Geii. English Release 

London, Feb. 4. 

A surprising reversal occurred 
this week with the general release 
of 'Grand Hotel', on which about 
$30,000 was spent on national ad- 
vertising. It has proved a disap- 
pointment to practically every ex- 
hibitor. Rental for picture was on 
a 50-50 basis, whereas the average 
program picture receives only 25%. 

Several reasons suggested. It is 
due in no small part to the prevail- 
ing Influenza epidemic. 



Mojica Again Home 

Hollywood, Fob. 13. 

F(.>llowing comiilctlon of the Span- 
i^h v<?r.-ion of 'Forbidden Melody' at 
Imjx, .ro.sc M iji'^a. will leave for a 
concfi-t tuur In ICurope where he Is 
Iiclkt l;no\vn for his vocal achieve- 
mcnt.s than hy his picture work. 

Mojica bus been making a brief 
confi rt tour on the coast and Is 
oomln.tr ba^k for this picture, which 
will start Thursday (16). 



12 



VARIETY 



WtVM REViEWS 



Taesdaj, February 14, 1933 



Talking Shorts 



*ALUM AND LEAV& 
ZsGu Pitts and Thialma Todd 
18 Mins^ 

' MAti'opAlitan, Brooklyn - 
. Roaeh- Metro 

Slapstick iBtuft has them rocking 
and proljably will repeat in most 
Houses. To avoid airest tor epeed- 
Ing, Thelma Todd tells a cop she Is 
taklner Zasu Pitts to the hospital. 
Th$ obliging cop does escort duty 
and lands her in the operating 
room, waiting outside the door. 

When^ about 20 babies are brought 
out, singly and In groups, cop begins 
to suspect something and. to avoid 
'the imprisonment another arrest 
means, Todd tells him that it's really 
hydrophobia; She drjnks water Into 
which alum accidentally has been 
spilled and her brused Hps give 
fiouiids which suggest barks. 

When thoy all • drink the water 
and the cop adds a dose o£ liquid 
soap and starts to froth at the 
mouth, the girls make their escape 
In the commotion. 

Pricked with rough-and-tumble 
stuff all the way with pretty nurses 
with legs. Almost surefire. Cnic. 

SCREEN SNAPSHOTS No. 6 
Star Novelty 
.9. Mins. ' 

Mayfair, N. Y. ^. 

Columbia 

Similar in ' b^ickgrpund to oth^r 
releases In this sierles; now a couple 
veara^old, with Hollywood celebs 
Shown indulging in their favorite 
BportSi This type of material in 
bthtfr cases h?i8 been spliced in with 
doings of stars foreign to- Bports. 
Nbi heavyweight filler, but okay to 
flU noveUy demands. . _ 

■ l^wis^^fitone yachting, Vic Mc- 
' lAglen and Dick Bartheimess box- 
ing. Irene BlCh ia,t target practice, 
Jack Holt playing polo, and Norma 
eiiearer on the tennis court are 

- picked up by Col's roving camera. 
V In- this subject laughs are found 

■ throtigh 'staging jo^ a couple of clips, 
inclvding Charley Chase being an- 
taoyed by hie kids when trying to 

„ jnrncticij gplf .flyings, Marian Nlxpn 
v" playJnff inew boxlngrliko. game, pnd 
''':^m Mahoney getUng Into trouble 
.on a. golf cpuree. . Cmr. 

'BCD' 

Horror Novelty 
9 Mine. 

IMyfair, N. Y. 

Univarsal 

Splicing in shots from 'Franken- 
stein' a;nd Dracula* tor chiller back- 
ground, IT has used this as a back- 
ground in a short story which seeks 
to 'show the kind of nightmares a 
it^rsOtt tnlzlng milk with lobster 
might produce* Will amuse on Its 
novelty value ©lone and w4tJi any- 
■thipg AM nowadays In demand. It 
fills the bill. ■ . . ^ 

In order to . fit 'S^ankensteln* and 
^racula' atmosphere, mugg who 
tries' the mllk^lobster combo^ late at 
night is a caretaker of an apparently 
abfmdoned place. Iieanlng Is heavy 
■toward the creeps but with some 
laughed-up Bltuatlons created by an 
ofC-screen voice which warns char 
acters to Vatch out,' etc. 
Condition of print seemingly poor, 
• though it may have been Va idea 
to make it that way to keep it plenty 
eerie. Char. 



WIULIAM DEMAREST 
'The Run Around' 
Comedy; 18 Mine. 
Loew's New York 

Vitaphone Nos. 1460-70 

A boisterous rough-and-tumble 
short which squeezes bromides In 
an effort to force laughs. 

Attempted suicide furnishes the 
foolishment preface. After that, 
reiason for it all is the circus barker 
who got into society for one even- 
ing. 

Looks as though the producers 
figured they could use anything as 
long as they had Demarest, aJVanl- 
tles* co-star. Waiy. 

'RAILROAD WRETCH' 
Scrappy Cartoon 
7 Mins. ^, „ 
Hippodrome, N. Y. 

Columbia 

One of the Mlntz examples of pen- 
manship with the action chiefly -laid 
in the cab of a locomotive and 
sketches of the train pursuing its 
uneven way. No effort Is made to 
carry a long story, but It sticks to 
the one point instead of gagging in 
a lot of extraneoua material. 

Kumber of laughs when the draw- 
ing gets away from the hackneyed. 



Hallelujah, Vm a Bum! 

(With Sonfls) 

Joseph M, ScheneH P^sentatUm of 1^^^^ 
Milestone's production; roletteed by Unltea 
Artlstn. StflwInB Al Jolson. Madge Evans, 
Frank ' Morgan atid Horry l^angdon fea- 
tured. - Screen play by S. N.^ Behrnjan, 
from original story by Ben Hecht. MmbIc, 
lyrics and 'rhythmlo dialog' by Klphard 
BSlgerTahA >or<>n*- Hftrt^. 5»^«*„{f 
Lcyils: MUiBtome; assistant, Hate Watt. 
Art dlreCtor,-Rlcliard Day! Jf"*™. l^w" 
Adriot; musical director. AKred Newman. 
Running time. 8S minutes. At Rivoll. New 
York, commencing Feb. 8.. 

BumW ....Al Jolson 

June Marcher , 'iif^S^w^fr^ 

Mayor Hastings -^F^^K^^Vil^ 

Sgghead Harry I^iigdon 

Siwdw Chester Conklln 

Mayor's Secretary Tyler arooke 



....Edgar Connor 
Dorothea Wolbert 
. . . .Ijoulse Carver 



CHARLEY CHASE 
<Mr. Bride' 
17 Mine. 

Loew'e New York 

Roach- Metro 

Farce with Muriel Kvans and Dell 
Henderson. Promising Idea, but 
falls down In development, perhaps 
because the scenarist was afraid of 
stepping over the line on a ticklish 
proposition. 

Henderson decides to take an ex 
perlmental honeymoon, using his 
clerk as combined bride and note 
taker. Finally sends for his stenog, 
who Is the object of his affections, 
but she prefers Chstse. 

Opportunities for knockabout 
stuff, but played too straight' to get 
many laughs, letting down the en- 
tertainment value. Only fairly 
amusing. Chic. 



Apple Mfity •••■«•••••••< 

Ma Sunday 



Hiniatore Rem 

'Hallelujah, I'm • Bum I' 

(UA). Al Jolson starred. Jol- 
son's rep, whether It's radio or 
pr«-ether, will primarily tell 
the box-offlce story of this 
novel If rather hazy screen 
musical. 

<They Just Had to Get Mar-, 
tied' (U)i Slim fiummervlUe- 
ZaSu Pitts farce comedy of 
fair entertainment value. Not 
for big town first runs, but a 
booker's selection for B houses 
or less, 

Topaze' (Radio). Class pro- 
duction with John Barrymore 
In his best high comedy screen 
role to date. Oke for metro- 
politan spots, but scarcely for 
the sabsequenta. 

'Child of Manhattan' (Col). 
Programmer, with Nancy Car- 
roll imd John Boles as names. 
Should go to fair results where 
played. Nicely directed and 
well done. 

*Whatl No Beer?' (Metro). 
Keaton-Durante's forerunner 
of what may be a beer cycle. 
Primed for mass appeal and 
should have Its better effect In 
the mass houses If not in the 
topnotch doss keys. 

'Strange Adventure.' (Mono- 
gram),i Heavy handed mystery 
story. One with the robed fig- 
ure. Best doubled up, but It 
can kill an hour as a solo In 
apots where they are not ex- 
acting. 

'Between Fighting Men.' 

(World Wide.) Ken Maiynard 
western with more acting than 
usual; Elementary, but ' Vlll 
content devotees of action 
stories and can top a double 
combination. Well made. 



TORCHY TURNS THE TRICK' 

Comedy 

20 Mins. 

Hippodrome, N. Y. 

Educational 

Useful program filler offering no 
new angles, but carrying laughs 
with conventional business smartly 
done. Torchy is chartered to do es- 
cort duty to a pretty girl and man- 
ages to restore a foreign girl to the 
arms of her beloved prince in spite 
of a small section of his army act- 
ing AS keepers rather than body- 
guard. 

. All Implausible but well loaded 
with sure-fires, such as the order 
for a deml-tasde and a cup of cof- 
. lee, 'the Explosive cigar and disguise 
iw a wom^n, which always panics 
ihe'fipnily trade. 

Not a knockout, but easy enough 
UttQ9k'Mt. ^ Chic 



hallelujah, I'm a Bum!' must 
necessarily rise or fall by Al Jol- 
■son's draw. As a picture it s no 
wow but not half bad. either, com- 
manding attention because of Its 
provocative nature and general 
treatment. Any pro and con dls- 
cuesion over the 'rhythmic dialog* 
may stand it in good stead, although 
as a general thing the bare exposi- 
tion of the premise that a bunch of 
bums are made to converse In lyric 
metre may be enough to convict, 
regardless. It won't bore, >once In, 
but It's not a mass play picture un- 
less the box office selling offsets the 
several shortcomings. 

The U. A. campaign on the rhyth- 
mic dialog Is alOng strong^ lines, as 
is the bally that Jolson was the 
soundfilm pace-setter with 'Jasz 
Singer* five- years ago , and again 
paves the way with something new. 
One of the most difficult elements 
about this one, however, is that it's 
not a picture one can walk in on. in 
the middle, and enjoy It. Its best 
effect Is strictly getting the spirit 
from scratch. 

Almost Barrlelsh in Its whimsy, 
the ethereal quality of the Hecht- 
Behrman script foundation Is Its 
primary deficiency, liorenz Hart, 
while solely credited for the lyrics 
to Dick Rodgers' music, probably 
merits as mych authorship credit 
as the other pair, because his lyrical 
dialog constitutes the main- burden 
of the proceedings. 

As a commercial cinematic under- 
taking, of cpurse, 'Hallelujah' is one 
of those things that creates discus 
slons and complaints about what's 
the-matter-wlth-Hollywood? For, 
patently, the fundamental idea of an 
undertaking such as thi« was 
fraught with obvious pitfalls. And 
none of the principals concerned has 
sidestepped all of them. 

That the story is hokey isn't as 
much to be deprecated as the fact 
that it's not commercial hoke. The 
whole thing is an unconvincing ad- 
mixture of the fictional and fac 
tlonal. Ultra-modern realism with 
the playboy Mayor of the City of 
New York and his weakness for the 
Central Park Casino and a pretty 
femme In particular (Madge Evans) 
is blended with such unconvincing 
detail as non-exlstlng Central 
Park's hobos of which Jolson is the 
unofficial mayor. 

The rollicking fun or an uncertain 
but not too unsteady story structure 
collapses utterly ■When Miss Bvans, 
a victim of aphasia or amnesia, later 
figures as the romance interest op- 
posite Jolson, until recovering her 
senses for the finale with the mayor 
(Frank More^an), 

The' rhythmic dialog and the 
Milestonian method of wedding the 
tempo'd music to the action has . its 
moments. The laity (even more than 
the Rlvoli's first nii'hters did) will 
doubtlessly compare this to the 
Lubitsch technique In 'Trouble In 
F'aradlse,' although that type of 
dnematurgy Is obviously borrowed 



lOusy Jlut Had to 0«t Harried 

Universal production and rtlease. Co- 
■tatrlns 011m SummervlUe and ZaSu Pitts. 
Directed by Edward lAidwlv. From play 
by Cyril Harcourt, -with adapUtlon by 
Gladys I,ehman and B, U. Walker. Photog. 
raphy by Edward Snyder. At Mayfair. 
New Tork, Feb. ». Running tUne, 68 
minutes. 

Sam Sutton.... .,,.8110 SummervlUe 

Molly ..Z«Sa Pitta 

Hume ..Roland Toung 

Lola Montrose Verree Teasdale 

Marie ' .Fill D'Oreay 

Hampton C. Aubrey. Smith 

RadclUt Robert Grelg 

Montrose David Landau 

Lizzie .Elisabeth Patterson 

Falrctallds Wallts Clark 

Mrs. Falrohllds Vivien Oakland 

Rosalie Falrcbllds Oora Sue Collins 

Wllmot Fairchllds.... David Leo TlUotson 

Bradford -.7:. William Burress 

Mrs/ Bradford lioulse Maoklntosb 

Longley Bertram Marburgh 

Mrs; Langley Virginia Howell 

Clerk James Donlan 

Tony Henry Armetta 



from the Frenchmi^n Rene Clair and 
the (3erman-Hungarian director, 
Genza von Bolvary, whose lie Mil- 
lion* and 'Soils les Tolts de Paris,' 
In the former, iand 'Zwel Herzen Im 
drelrvlertiel Takt' In the latter In- 
stance, established that school of 
screen-music action. But Jolson's 
own undeniable personality and ar- 
tistry elevate this to a distinction 
all Its own. 

Quite obviously, too, this must 
have been one of the toughest pic- 
tures to shOot and undoubtedly the 
most trying for the rest of the cast 
who had to talk In rhyme and 
rhythm rather than their accus- 
tomed dramatic prose. 

Miss Ejvans, as the sincere and 
saccharine vis-a-vis, was well spot- 
ted for that typo of role. Ditto 
Frank UorgaA as the vacillating and 
amorous mayor. But next to Jol- 
son, the submerged colored Edgar 
Connor, oa Jolson's hobo buddy, 
stooge and valet, stole the picture 
with falB fiatuiol easy sense of com- 
edy values. Harry Iiangdon, the 
third of the sub-featured principals, 
was familiarly deadpannlsh In a sort 
of technocratic role. That's about 
as definite a characterization as the 
simile^ Others are bits. 

Jolson's selling of the title song 
and *Toii Are Too Beautiful,' the 
former reprised more often, of 
course leaves little wanting. 'Bum' 
is a pip of a number and already is 
beginning to get Into the air with 
Its odd-rhytbmed style and tempo. 
TU Do It Again' and "What Do Tou 
Want with Money' are other songs. 

The contributory detail Is some- 
times fraught with much promise 
and satire, as for example and ennui 
attending the laying of the corner- 
stone of a schoolhouse (the mayor 
forgetting which P. S. No. and the 
district number it is, in his routine 
hocus-pocus) and also in the snap- 
shots while Florida duck-hunting. In 
connection with the mayor's alibi 
about the delay because he was lay- 
ing a comer-stone, a note crept into 
it as Miss Evans wants to know if 
laying a corner-stone was all that 
delayed hizzoner. 

The technical detail Is 100% in 
every respect save the general inau- 
thentlcity of the geography of New 
York's Central Park, which has no 
recesses and underneath-the-brldges 
retreats that would permit any rov- 
ing band of hobos to disport them- 
selves only as they might on the 
Ozark trail. But this is the least 
one can be captious with in 'Halle- 
lujah, I'm a Bum!' Ahel. 

Coast Title Changes 

"Dead on Arrival' Is new title at 
Paramount for 'Police Surgeon.' 

Marx Brothers' current Par film 
will be released ^s 'Grasshoppers' 
Instead of 'Cracked Ice.' 

'Cook's Day Off' featuring Mar- 
Jorie Beebe at Sennett's changed to 
'Sweet Cookie.' 



A 'pinch booking' for houses of 
Mayfair calibre, on main streets of 
big keys, but as a lesser situation 
and small town attraction okay. 
Out In the spots where the non- 
sophistlcates exist, whether in 'A' 
houses In smaller communities or 
'B' operations in medium-sized 
cities, picture should make some 
money. Not a lot but enough to 
satisfy the theatre playing It. ' 

Slim Summerville and Za.Su Pitts 
as a team are strong draws in many 
of the minor situations where audi- 
ences like their homey type of 
comedy and plain, everyday pans. 
Neither Summerville nor Miss Pitts, 
together or individually, carry in 
the first runs of the big towns. 

Small - e^auge as entertainment 
anywhere, 'They Just Had to Get 
Married' carries Just enough comic 
appeal and simplicity to avoid au^ 
dlence dangers. 

But, what a long title! The ex- 
hibs will start to squawk over that. 

Summerville and Miss Pitts are 
cast in this one as buUer and maid 
who have been named . sole bene- 
ficiaries in the will of their late em- 
ployer. They have wanted to marry 
and this gives them the opportunity. 

In development of laughs, a few 
of which are close to extensive as 
belly-shakers, writers and director 
take the pair on a wild chase 
through the higher social strata to 
which they've been elevated. A part 
of It Is trying to break Summerville 
and his frau Into horseback riding, 
but It's somewhat overdrawn. 

The best situations hinge around 
circumstances which Innocently In- 
volve Summerville as the man who's 
appdrentiy trying to break up an- 
other couple'e home. This results 
In marital misunderstandings with 
his own wife. 

Script makes ho effort to explain 
why Summerville toward the last, 
after breakup with the missus^ be- 
comes a. waiter in a cafe. Must have 
gone broke trying to forget. 

Support Includes Roland Toung, 
Verree Teasdale and Flfl D'Orsay. 
None outstanding but each okay. 

Char. 



TERROR TRAIL 

Universal production and release. Star- 
ring Tom Mix. Armand Scbaefer, direc- 
tor. Adapted by Jack Cunningham from 
story by Grant Taylor. Dan Clark, photog. 
At old Rbxy, New Tork, week Feb. 10. 
Running time. 65 minutes. 

Tom Munroe Tom Mix 

Norma Naomi Judge 

Little Casino..' Arthur Rankin 

Dawson Raymond Hatton 

Tad McPherson Francis McDonald 

Tim Mcpherson Robert Koctmon 

Ormsby John St. Polls 

Tony, Jr. Tony, Jr. 

All westerns when well produced 
have a common virtue — action. 
That's what keeps the western alive 
in its own pasture, while elsewhere 
in the picture exhibition field the 
cycle continually changes. 'Terror 
Trail' is a well produced western 
and It has that action. But that it 
is 'a western' automatically leaves 
it for houses that like. But 'Terror 
Trail' and others, and all of them 
forerunners of the modern gangster 
theme, are capable of dishing out 
more genuine entertainment than 
the average slow moving parlor 
drama. 

'Terror Trail' is a typical Tom 
Mix, and a cinch in its own field 
because of its star. Its edge over 
the average is Mix. Bige. 



She Done Him Wrong 

Parivnonnt production and release. Mae 
West etaired. Directed by. Lowell Shor- 
man. Adapted by Harvey Thew and John 
Bright from Mlsa West's own' play, 'oia. 
mond IM,' Muslo -and lyrics by Ralph 
Rolnger. Charles Lang, photog. At Para* 
mount, New York, week Feb. 0. Running 
time, es mina. 

Lady Lou. . i. ,.,<.•■. .^.....r Uae West 

Capi, Cummlngs ,.Cary Grant 

Serge Stanlett Gilbert Roland 

Gua Jordan <....Noah Beery, Sr. 

Russian Rosle ....Rafaela Ottlono 

Dan Flynn David Landau 

Sally .Roohelle Hudson 

Ghl(uc Clark Owen Moore 

Rag-tlihe Kelly. Fuszy Knight 

Chuck Connors iTammany Toung 

Spider Kaiie Dewey Robinson 

I^ances Grace La Rue 



Only one previous picture part— a 
small one In 'Night After Nlght'-~ 
and now Mae West is starring! It 
looks as though Paramount brought 
Miss West along too fast. In New 
York she rates the billing but else- 
where^ where they may not know 
Mae from Joan of Arc, the name 
Over the title of this picture prob- 
ably w'on't attract much attention 
the first time. Besides, there's not 
a box Office monicker In the rest of 
the cast. 

Only alternative to a strong draw- 
lr.t; cast nowadays If. a picture 
Wants business, is strong entertain- 
ment. This one has neither. 

Folks In the sticks seeing Mae 
West for the first time in this 
flicker, without having heard of or 
about her before, are likely to in- 
quire as to what reform school Mae 
was brought up In. They may not 
know it, but they'll be seeing Mae 
In 'Diamond Lll.' Nothing much 
changed except the title, but' don't 
tell that to Win Hays. 

Atmospherically, 'She Done Him 
Wrong* is interesting since it takes 
the customers back to the '90,'s and 
inside a Bowery free-and-easy, but 
mostly following a few highlights in 
the career of Diamond Lou, nee LiL 
Its story is pretty feeble and stories 
are pretty important in pictures be- 
cause personality Is less of a factor 
on celluloid than m person in the 
talkers it seems. ' 

With the material Lowell Sher- 
man, director this time Instead of 
actor, turned in a comniendable Job. 
He tackled the script with a tongue- 
in-cheek attitude that takes noth- 
ing too seriousIyv'Alld he restrained 
Miss West from ^oln£r too far, some- 
thing Mae has neHftr been able to 
do on her own, . . 

The locale, the clothes and the 
types are interesting, and so Is Miss 
West in her picture hats, straight 
Jacket gowns aiid with so much 
Jewelry th&t she looks like a Knick- 
erbocker ice plant. But Miss West 
Is chiefly Interesting because she 
looks nice and youthful, and nice 
and thin. 

Deletions in the script from its 
original 1928 legit form were few, 
with only the roughest of the rough 
stuff out. White slavery angle is 
thinly disguised^ with the girls in^ 
stead shipped to Frisco to pick 
pockets. Character titles are changed 
only sllghUy, such as from LQ to 
Lou, etc. The swan bed Is In, but 
for a flash only, with Mae doing her 
stuff on the chaise lounge In this 
version. The closing boy friend, a 
Salvation Army fellow In the play, 
is Just a Bowery missionary as re* 
written. When Lou bumps off the 
villainous Rita (It's Rosle now) she 
still says, 'I'm .doing a Job that I 
never did before.' 

Caster delivered some excellent 
types for the colorful support ports 
and the troupe Is first rate as a 
whole. Numerous ex-vaudevllllana 
besides Miss West in the cost, in- 
cluding Gary Grant, the soul-saver; 
Fuzzy Knight, who whips a piano, 
and Grace La Rue. The latter, who 
headlined when Miss West was 
chasing acrobats In the No. 2 spot, 
has a bit. Rafaella Ottiano, who 
does Rita, is a carry-over from the 
original legit cast. 

With this strong line-up and 
others, including Gilbert Roland, 
Noah Beery, David Landau and 
Owen Moore us background, they're 
never permitted to be anything more 
than Just background. Miss West 
gets all the lens gravy and full fig- 
ure most of the time. When not 
flashing the ice and steaming up the 
boys, she sings 'Easy Rider,' 'I Like 
a Man Who Takes His Time,' or 
(Continued on page 21) 



Bnnyon Walks Over Fay 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Steve Runyon, brought from Co- 
lumbia to Poramount's publicity 
department. Is out of the latter 
studio. 

He walked over salary trouble. 



The Woman Angle 



'Topaze' (Radio). John 
amusing but not romantic. 



Barrymore's characterization Is eloquently 
Neither he nor picture's class production can 
overcome this pokey-paced French comedy's drawbacks of a background 
and viewpoint unfamiliar to American femmes. 



'What, No Beer' (M-G-M). Noisy robust slapstick assures a merry 
time for Junior and his ma, but there's nothing in It for his big alster. 



'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum' (UA). Pleasant novelty, too attenuated to 
provide full scope for the Jolson personality. Laoks wit, vitality and 
variety In presentation of Its satirical Ideas to put this type of whimsy 
across solid with the ladles. 



'She Dona Him Wrong' (Par). Mae West socks 'that certain clement' 
across despite static, muddled script. Good time for the broad-minded 
femmes and plenty for the others. 

'Child of Manhattan' (Col). Nancy Carroll and a seasoning of comedy 
eke out middling femme entertainment from an uninspired version of 
the well-worn Cinderella story — further handicapped by a wooden Prince 
Charming, implausible motivation and seeming censor cuts. 



Tuesday, February .14, 1933 



FILM HOaSE REVIEWS 



VARIETY 



13 




EMBASSY 



Latest Slno- Japanese activities 
are flashed exclusively on the Em- 
bassy screen. Chinese troops in the 
trenches, Japanese soldiers on the 
march and views of both of their 
generals are included in the new 
matter. Subject Is padded with a 
lengthy review of '32 troubles, in- 
cluding fires, panics and interview;?. 

Embassy also got first views of 
maneuvers of the Pacific fleet. Some 
of the camera angles were slightly 
novel,- Including a slant from the 
ship's side across the bow. • 
. While subjects of this kind are 
always Interesting, it is easily seen 
how a clever editor and an eco- 
nomical firm could, for quit'e ^ome 
time, just dive lnto> the vault when 
the occasion demanded and. slap 
current title matter on old stuff. It 
is difficult for the keenest and most 
constant lay observer of the news- 
reels quite often to note difference 
in work of this' general class com- 
pared to subjects .previously re- 
leased. Therefore, the reel should 
get credit for freshness every time 
it makes such claim. 

But It is a little too much to ex- 
pect audiences to believe ithat 
views of smouldering Vesuviusi are 
straight from the latest flurries in 
the Naples vicinity. That was a 
comparatively few days ago. How- 
ever, neither theatre claims a scoop 
in this direction. 

The Chicago blizzard is well han- 
dled by Paramount as well as Fox. 
To Fox goes recognition for work- 
ing in a laugh with the sndw. Fans 
can't resist the temptation when 
the wind upsets a huge trafflc. cop, 
even though the contact man inay 
have thespianed the officer for that! 
moment. 

There was scattered applause for 
Hitler in the Luxer. Embassy re- 
action was mixed, with marked 
hisses added. 

With the Florida season at its 
height, are two more subjects ideii'' 
tical to others of last year, and the 
year before. Silver Spring, girls' and 
pageant pirates re-t^pturlng Florida 
are/the two. Also, Florida racing, 
dogs chase the rabbit in the yearly 
fashion. 

A. representative of .tbe Dept of 
Labor tells of the > Qovefnment's 
steps to eliminate the alien vBicket 
after President De Valei;a asksi if or 
recognized Irish freedom. 

Otljier clips: . Singing Japanese 



TRANSLUX 

Political minds of Pathe rarely 
overlook a bet to spot their reel. 
Probably the most ingenious ex- 
ample is contained in the current 
release with the newsboys calling 
public attention to 'Pathe News 
Unemployment Plan Being Studied 
in Senate.' 

To make sure that the audience 
knows the Senators are in its audi- 
ence, Pathe first poses a committee 
In group and then re-photographs 
older views of gold mining on a 
projection room screen. 

There is some good straight news 
coverage In the current program. 
Pathe got one of those Iowa mort- 
gage sales where cows were bought 
off for a dime. It' even went so far 
as selling the representative of the 
mortgagor on publicly apologizing 
for his attempt to render a farmer 
homeless. 

When :free hair-cuts, steel mills, 
duck preserves and aquarium pen- 
guins, as. well as fathers being 
taught how to care for babes, are 
shown, the well trained audience Is 
sufficiently wise to sniff magazine. 

On the Barry subject. Paramount 
did it more finished work than Fox. 
It got Senator Black to defend the 
House, which the Embassy over- 
looked in confining the entire clip 
to the former Sergeant-at-Arms' 
story. Pot-bellied Japanese wrest- 
lers, as. photographed by Universal 
and described by McNamee, stirred 
up plenty of mirth. 
. There were a few gentle groans 
while the Paramount clip on Santos 
burning up coffee rather than low- 
ering price was being projected 
Saturday. 

. Both, houses had male fashions 
for woiTien; dog and bob-sledding; 
Roosevelt's trip with Astor. 

Waly. 



children; Kingsford- Smith arriving 
.in New Zealand; French electric 
vjolin; Garden wrestling; . Chicago 
blUlilr.d. tourney; . California oars- 
ine.n; IVf^rlne, .fliers . at i^uantl6o. 
. ylehnigk taxlmeiri protesting against 
incret^se in cbjst of g&s by abandon* 
ing their cabs in city streets proves 
amusing. Helen Madison, swimmer, 
as a Hollywood actress, provokes 
some audible comments. Talking 
reporter gagging Incognito of ex- 
Spanish sovereign draws: 'some 
laughs. Wflly. 



MUSIC HALL 

New York, Feb. 9. 
Heavy production pageantry last 
week and a scattered speclalty-and- 
tiallet program this week made the 
Music Hall a sort of, grab-bag on 
what the regular patron may ex- 
pect. The new show is a very un- 
even afTalr, good mixed with not so 
good. 

Stage proceedings run around 40 
minutes. Including the Lincoln com- 
memorative overture, medley of 
American standards and popular 
songs with newsreel sandwiched in 
and carrying in a Lincoln reference 
that Is particularly undistinguished. 

Amos 'n' Andy (New Acts) give 
the stage interlude a slow start de- 
spite some production build-up. 
Newsreel slipped in Immediately 
thereafter and the following sec- 
tion arranged loosely Into a co-re- 
lated chapter called 'Broadway, Old 
and New,' the unity whereof Is al- 
together In the title. 

First episode ia. a ballet set on a 
etage-within-a-stage idea, girls 
wojr^lng In the formal style and not 
very impressive. Patricia Bowman 
furnishes a sprightly finale to the 
number, the SQloist dominating the 
ensemble completely. 

York andj^ing work out in front 
of a drop doing their familiar rough 
and tumble and making it register 
even In the vast spaces of this house. 
Tribute to the trouping ability of 
Rose King is the fact that she is 
the first comic to play the house 
without calling attention to its size^ 
They did less than 10 minutes and 
made every minute count. Maybe 
her last-century costume was the 
Inspiration for the title. 

Follows a vague backgrounding 
on an animated screen for the num- 
ber 'Brother, Can You Spare a 
Dime?' John Uppman soloing as 
Fifth avenue crowds pass back and 
forth against a moving picture 
screening of Child's restaurant front. 
Jumbled background and half light- 
ing for the projection did the num- 
ber no special good. 

Roxyettes figure In a catchy nov- 
elty here. Stage platform Is raised 
in center, making a sort of futur- 
istic bar with eight girls in Jaunty 
trousers and men's coats, lined up 
on high chairs. A second line faces 
the audience from the other- side of 
the bar. Bar tender in center and 
general effect of a mirror behind 
the bar which paves the way for a 
surprise when it develops that the 
reflection is a double set of people. 
Bar sinks and the girls come down 
for a neat routine. 

On top of this, precision dance by 
32 girls, Eleanor Powell gets the 
assignment of doing a solo tap bit 
out in 'one,' one solitary dancer 
following an ensemble being some- 
thing of an idea in building an ef- 
fect that doesn't work out here.. 

This leads to the finale, a beauti- 
ful bit of staging that puts the final 
convincer on the ■ proposition that 
the whole show -Is' pretty much 
Dcenlc accessories and nothing to 
put in front of them. 

Setting Is a stunning picture In 
tfilver and bliie, representing a 
loVely grove of silver birches with 
a luminous pagbda of lustrous light 
blue in the center. Ballet goes 
through more formal maneuvers 
while Uppman and Gladys Haverty 
sing 'A Boy and a Girl Were Danc- 
ing' ; Roxyettes,' trim as can be in a 
sort of Robin Hood get-up with a 
cocky feather in their hats, do an- 
other legmania precision, which 
turns out to be the applause moment 
of the evening, and there is a gen- 
eral assembly of all hands for the 
curtain of just another presentation 
show. 

'Topaze' (Radio) on the screen. 

Rush. 



RKO ROXY 

New York, Feb. 10. 

This last word in picture houses. 
Is disporting itself this week with 
an imitation of the first work of 
picture house stagers. Not that it's 
called that. It's seriously put on 
as a new and novel show. Just as 
exactly the same kind of show 
might have been put on 10 or more 
years ago. Except that at that 
time it had the saving grace of 
novelty. And today it has nothing. 

Not only is there very little nov- 
elty and practically no cohesion to 
the current stage show, but evi- 
dently it was thrown together at 
the last minute. The lovely Roxy- 
ettes, generally so nice to look at, 
were out of step; Charles Previn's 
orchestra didn't keep time with the 
performers; nothing seemed to be 
ready. That was at the last show 
Friday night (10) with four shows 
already past. And the cashier out 
front still selling tickets. It looked 
very much as though in two or 
three more days of rehearsing the 
show misht be ready. 

C. J. Paimeiitler starts the stage 
procpodlnfrs with a tepid orpan re- 
cital and is followed by the over- 
ture, which turns out to be an elon- 
gated iiluK for "Hey, Young Fellow.' 
Full .st;\Rp for a church scene with 
the choral ensemble as angels and 
a soprano warhllng 'O. Divine Re- 
deemer.' Outside of the fact that 
the plntft)rm works too obviously 
here It's okay enough for a begin- 
ning. But, before it can have any 



effect,, the scrim is dropped again 
and tHe newsreel shown. 

With the stage show thus busted 
up and stalled It gets started again 
very slowly by Maria Gambarelll, 
occupying the entire stage by her- 
self, in a none too strong rendition 
of 'Rhapsody in Blue.' No doubt 
about Gamby's terpslchorean abil- 
ity. She's graceful and capable. 
But she's just one little blonde 
creature on a rather big stage start- 
ing the stage show here. An un- 
billed male dancer in evening 
clothes does a sailor's hornpipe and 
Gamby comes back for one more 
short number. 

Still in one, and Viola Philo, de- 
scribed as a draiiaatic soprano, 
throws out an operatic number and 
walks calmly off. Still in one and 
an unbilled young man, who turns 
out to be Paul Draper, comes on for 
two tap dances. 

Now the stage opens up to show 
an immense step set-up for the 
Roxyette finale in one of those old, 
old stairs routines with soldier suits 
and high hats. At that. It might 
have been good If the girls could 
keep themselves in line or time. 
They didn't. Fortunately Draper 
comes back to finish the thing off 
with a fast and furious tap dance 
atop a tiny table. He's a colorful 
and capable dancer, and bad as this 
show is he almost makes It worth 
seeing despite the fact of his not 
getting billing with the others, such 
as, for instance, the completely un- 
known Vioio, Philo. 

'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and a 
two-reel comedy round out the 
show, the film being weakish, also. 

Kauf. 



MIRROR 

Hollywood, Feb. 4. 
Here is a dejlression brand home- 
made presentation which has the 
merit of being short and snappy, 
and never pretentious. Male quar- 
tet, the Melody Four, and a line 
of six girls comprise the turn, 
which runs about IQ minutes. Plays 
this house two days, two at the 
Orange, In town of same name, 40 
miles from here, and three days, 
a break-in, at the Llemert, on the 
opposite side of Los Angeles. All 
houses owned by Westland The- 
atres. 

Each week there Is a different 
production with the quartet carried 
over. Currently It Is 'Plantation 
Days,' with southern songs, two of 
the men in blackface, third m.c.'Ing, 
and fourth supplying the only ac- 
companiment, at the piano. Girls 
do soft-shoe shuffling and a tap 
number, and three of them croon 
softly and without offense, pec- 
ognized in the line of six are two 
former specialty girls and a yaude 
act, the Pressler Sisters. 

Attempts at comedy lines by^ the 
two end men were wretched, but 
tthe audience didn't seem to mind. 
Costumes and drapeis were neat and 
clean and something alive on that 
sta^e was sufficient to hold the at- 
tention of the patrons for the scant 
time It took. Features were 'Rain' 
(UA) and 'Her Mad Night' (May- 
fair). At the 26c top, everyone ap- 
pears satlsfled. Act does one mat 
and one night show at this hous^ 
each Friday, Saturday, 



CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 11. 
Radio Rubes, a superior dish from 
the hillbilly kitchen, was the sur- 
prise click of the Chicago bill. Sur- 
prise because nobody knew from 
whence they came. They prove that 
hillbilly can play before audiences 
of a more discerning critical faculty 
than the average sodbuster and de- 
liver a competent brand of amuse- 
ment. 

Better known radioites are the 
Boswell Sisters whose presence was 
proclaimed in the largest Chelten- 
ham. And the 'girls sang with cer- 
tainty, verve and charm. They are 
one of an influx of radio stars that 
resulted directly from B&K's reac- 
tion to Maurice Chevalier. 

Heretofore, there has been but a 
feeble affection on B&K's part for 
radio headliners, but painfully 
taught by Chevalier that Hollywood 
was no bargain counter for stage 
attractions, the, new found interest 
in radio bookings resulted. 

Mady and Partner before the 
drapes, treated the spectators to a 
demonstration of knockabout acro- 
batics and floor-sweeping rough- 
house. Results were ludicrous but 
couple should resist that weakness 
for being audible. Broken English 
when applied to pointless comment 
and coming from acrobats smacks 
a wee bit of smartaleckry. 

Annette Ames, of postage stamp 
size, does taps, wings, and other 
dancing tricks not in themselves 
remarkable, but worthily deemed 
entertainment when offered by a 
child. Miss Ames Is 18 but looks 
10 years younger. 

7n a German Garden* provided 
the inspiration for Will Harris and 
the Abbott Dancers to do a becr- 
glorlfying tableau with dancing 
fraulelns that the audience fancied 
very much. Orchestral overture for 
the week Is an interpretive rendi- 
tion of what the forthcoming World 
Fair midway Is supposed to be like. 
Cle\'er arrangements and well liked. 

'Secret of Madame Blanche' 
(M-G) on the screen. Riz fair. 

Land. 



CAPITOL, N. Y. 

(Ed Wynn's 'Laugh Parade' Tab) 
New York, Feb. 110. 

The Cap last week with a near- 
$10,000 stage show grossed under 
$25,000. Current pace with Tezjaco's 
radio 'Fire Chief,' Ed'Wynn, and his 
condensed legit revue, Itaugh Pa- 
rade/ Is headed for about $56,000. 
Wynn's show Is payrolled at $20,000 
for the stage attraction. It was 
hoped Wynn would sock out a lusty 
60 grand, but $55,000 at the reduced 
scale is plenty good— if he makes it. 
The jury is still out at press time, 
while at this writing, following the 
evening shows. It didn't look par- 
ticularly auspicious. 

Only one holdout reported during 
the day, and while the checks on th^ 
pace were encouraging', they were 
not sensationaL At ^th of the 
opening night's shows the attend- 
ance was virtually capacity^ but not 
overflowing, with the tapes up but 
seating accommodations , more or 
less immediate. 

Bucking Amos *n' Anidy at the 
Radio City Music Hall, and Mae 
West (in person and in a picture) 
at the Paramount, down the main 
drag, Wynn's decisiveness on draw 
will determine a lot of .things 'about 
these here radio names and' big 
shows as counter-balances for so-so 
fllm fare. 

Buster Keaton and Jimmy Du- 
rante's 'What! No Beer?' is the. fea- 
ture picture; no wow, but pretty 
good, if light entertainment. And 
while Keaton -Durante may be no 
Garbo, Shearer or (Crawford! for 
Metro, they're not keeper-awayers, 
either. So, everything considering, 
Wynn's celluloid break would be 
worse. 

Accordingly, on the hookup and 
the business pace, perhaps Wynn's 
b, o. potency \. ill leave much want- 
ing, even at the $56,000 gait. If he 
exceeds that, the wisdom of a. gam- 
ble with a $20,000 stage attraction 
win have been endorsed. 

But what a gamble! Twenty 
grand on top of the' regular fixed 
charges in the hope of dragging 'em 
away from their radios, Jigsaw puz- 
zles, bridge or whatever is keeping 
'em out of the deluxers! 

Again the element figures whether 
they'll go • for the In-person . radio 
stars when they're gratis over the 
air every week. Wynn's peak, has 
now been reached. The break wHIidh 
suifily greets every air performer 
has occurred. There's that period 
of ascendancy when they're all talk- 
ing about 'em, after whiclji tipie fickle 
ether fans start cracking' wise ajbout 
their material, old gags, etc., 'jKlilch 
is the point where the air attraction 
commences leveling oft. Wynn had 
commenced. 

All this is reflected In acut0 or 
otherwise box-offlce Interest. 

That Wynn, with almost 60 people 
on the stage, giving 'em the high: 
lights of a recgnt Broadway re'vye, 
can't draw sensationally Is fodder 
for itiuch thought on the' subject of 
what do they want with their flick- 
ers in the deluxe stands 7 Maybe a 
solo sock personality ssins the long- 
Ish reyiie might be nfibre effective. . 

'Laugh Parade' is generou^iry long. 
Runs 75 minutes as against, t^e 'fea- 
ture fllm's 65. Which glVe^ an. idea. 

Program credits . are elaborat;e, a 
la the legit idea. The. eight scenes 
are carefully subdivided to .)lpi all 
principals, including, .the. ,ix<MneB of' 
the .22 ponies and eight . shQ^n^girls. 
Wynn works generously and hard, 
and is not without his effect, . 'You're 
My Everything" and 'Qoh! .That 
Kiss' are reprised in regulation mu- 
sical comedy manosr. Elsa Ersl Is 
the prima In Jeanne Aubert's place, 
and, incidentally, some might deem, 
her more engaging. Bartlett Sim- 
mons Is the Juvenile lead. Jack 
Powell, most prominently sub-fea- 
tured, next to Wynn, contributes, his 
socko drums specialty which forced 
him to go the entire route with ex-< 
tra trimmings and all. 

Amelia and Adam Dl Gatano reg- 
ister with their energetic, ' semi- 
apache terps. George Prentite. 
Harry and. Frank Seaman, Eddie 
Cheney, Al Baron and Frieda Mierse 
are other principals prominent in 
the proceedings. 

Wynn leads off with the regnlar 
show opening about this being a 
'novel entertainment,' wherein he 
shows a tough chorus boy, an un- 
willing iceman, etc., as part of the 
novelty. Thence his Punch and 
Judy specialty, into the stage-door 
scene -with Mus.solinl, Einstein, 
Show and King Alf among the 
johnnies. 

The speakeasy scene permits for 
the drunk and hoofing specialties, 
and some more of Wynn's personal 
commentaries. The Seaman Bros.' 
hoke aero specialty next, then the 
'Kiss' scene, into Powell's sure-fire 
drumology. aad the finale. 

Hearst Metrotonews and a Fltz- 
Patrick Iceland travelog short round 
out the screen portion. Abel. 



'Sad Indian' for Novarro 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Metro has purchased 'Sad Indian,' 
Thames- Willlam.son's novel for Ra- 
mon N'ovarro's next feature. 

No writing or directorial assign- 
ments yet. 



PARAMOUNt, N. Y. 

New York, li'eb. 10. 

Mae West (New- Acts), on stage 
and screen, Is 'the' Paramouht's pne- 
ring show this, week and there's 
nothing else In; sight. Mae West, 
can entertain In her way, and In 
New York she probably 'amounts 
to a box-office name, 'biit too 'muchi' 
is still too much,.' an4' there's' top 
much Miss West at the f.aramoaiit 
this week. ... ' 

The Par picture Is 'Mae We$t In 
'She Done Him Wrong/ The stage 
show la- Mae West In person.- In 
the picture, . Mae has all the boys, 
chasing- her. On the stage they|re 
still chasing, one in the flesh lajid 
tlie others on the telephone. Two 
and a half hours of It with Mae 
always In the lead tends to bore. 

Others in the stage show are 
Cliff Edwards aiid Georges Metaxa. 
Edwards is really the only actor in 
the house without a direct connec- 
tion with the star. He does his 
specialty and goes home. Metaxa,. 
despite his own specialty spot just 
after the opening, is obviously In to 
play gigolo and do straight for Miss 
West In the good old boudoir, and 
nothing else. 

Metaxa, backed by a pretty Val- 
entine set, sings three numbers, 
one from his last .show, 'Cat : and 
Fiddle,' and finishes okay after 
sagging in the middle. A cut to 
two songs would be beneflcial. Ed- 
wards, out in 'one' and alone, also 
sings thrice, mixing 'em with a 
couple of stalies. He worked like 
a picture star who knows he's 
.slumming on a theatre stage and 
the results this time weren't as 
happy as in Edwards' previous pic- 
ture house dates. 

Otherwise, the cast Is confined to 
the Alton mixed line of boys and 
girls, who dance together and by 
themselves, while boys as motor- 
cycle cops straight for Miss West's 
introduction. Latter wore a cling- 
ing black gown that showed the re- 
sults of a Hollywood diet. 

That the all-West idea this week 
was no accident Is evident from the 
cancellation of two acts, Diamond 
r-oys and Tlnova and Balkoff. Both 
billed but neither shows. 

Rublnoff gives out his heavy 
showmanship while conducting the 
pit orchestra through 'Gypsy Airs' 
and the overture copped the heavi- 
est hand of the show, as usual. 

No standouts Thursday (opening) 
night, but business better than the 
recent average. Bii/e. 



HQXY, N. Y. 

'New York, Fteb- 10. 
. The.. jra^Io. fetve-away ^ gag, by 
. which Va toothpaste - car^pn .equaled 
the price 4f admlsh. Is off -after two 

weeks,' -wHtn 'Roxy In.' Its third new 
'pbll6:^ Week how bn a regular cash 
ancl carry basis. I'he Iphg" lines of 
bomhiutrers 'M'Ith' toothpaste boxes In 
their' hahd^'' -were' missing Friday 
'hlgh'f; -biijE 'DUslhess was still okay, 
' iip And dPWTi. • 

Thby . . ^oh't know what , tjiey're 
getting... here 'ui^til thejr get. It, but 
,lt cost^ prily .25c or 35' to find out 
The brpmlidie,, that one fca'n't go Wrong 
tor.tvrp ifita'lk the real but: unbilled 
healdlihef.' And after three weeks 
th^y ■ are , probably cohvlftced that 
the old saying holds true. Plenty 
of show and plenty of value in each 
bill so far. Including the current one. 
It's a pop-priced bargain if ever 
there was one. 

If the shows are not as strong as 
those peddled for 75c In the nearby 
deluxers. It will be overlooked by 
the Roxy's depresh priced customers. " 
If the head bomlc's name is Cookie 
Bowers instedd of Eddie Cantor, 
thkt, too, may nbt count Importantly. 
For 25c or 35c they won't expect too 
much. -The old Roxy's new edge Is 
a psychological one; for 26 or 35c 
the customeirs aren't likely to get 
sore, no matter what happens. 

Based on comparative Broadway 
picture house values and the con- 
trasting scales, what they are get- 
ting here compared to what they are 
getting elsewhere looks like more 
than their money's worth. There's 
a full three-hour show, including a 
flashily dressed and backgrounded 
stage show played by about 60 peo- 
ple, some shorts and a feature. Cur- 
rent film is a Tom Mix western, 
•Terror Trail' (U), just a western, 
but probably entertainment for most 
of the Roxy's two-bl Iters. 

Dave Schooler Is doing a nice 
Job with the stage m.c.Ing. Hia 
lengthy Capitol experience did him 
no harm, for it taught him the 
Broadway tempo, and the Roxy is 
still only a block from Broadway 
despite the prices. Schooler la 
among the few presentation m.c.'s 
who knows how to keep himself on 
top of the show without butting in. 
His presence was a continual asset 
to the current list of acts. 

Between Schooler and the Fanchon 
& Marco trimmings, a rather small 
timey talent set-up looked good. 
That's the old picture house presen- 
tation system, of which audiences 
linally tired. But they were paying 

(Continued on page 41) . 



14 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



It throbs with every emotion 
Icnown to the human heart 




Again FOX sounds a new note in stories 
•rich in sentiment. • .powerful in theme 
.amazing in dramatic surprise. A 
young doctor just out of college. 
Tempted on one side by a glamorous 
flame of a woman, luxury and gaiety to 
step beyond the law. On the other, his 
fadier and his boyhood sweetheart 
but a life of saonfice. A human and 
revealing view of the family doctor . . . 
aimed straight at every heart. 




Coming to bolster your business: 

SAILOR'S LUCK 

JAMES DUNN SALLY EILBRS 
Sammy Cohen Victor Jory 

AFTER THE BALL 

ESTHER RALSTON BASIL RATHBONE 
Marie Butke Clifford Heatherly 
Gaumoat-British Productkut 

PLEASURE CRUISE 



(.if y 



GENEVIEVE TOBIN 
Herbert Mundin 
Minna (lombell 



ROLAND YOUNG 
Frank Atlunaon 
Ralph Fdtbea 



zoo IN BUDAPEST 

Jetse L. Lasky produftion 

LORETTA YOUNG GENE RAYMOND 
O. P. HEGGIE 



V '/ 



I 



RALPH MORGAN 
BOOTS MALLORY 
ALEXANDER KIRKLAND 
IRENE WARE 

From the story ^^Road to Heaven'^ by Harry Fried 

Directed by John Francis EMllon 



tjv. . .ft. ■■ ..1 . J— — ■ ■-■ ■■ - - ■ — 





Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



PICTVRES 



VARIETY 15 



EXPLOITATION -> By E*>« W. Sargem 



Cniangm^ 

Recently the Embaasy, N. T. 
newsreel theatre, put In a new press 
asrent, whose flrst efCort was to sup- 
plement the usual white on blacl- 
program cJirds on either side of the 
door with a blowup for the main 
feature. This carried enlargements 
from the film, news stills or what- 
ever could be used for illustrative 
matter, and the effect was almost 
Immediate. People who had been 
X>asslns the house for months with- 
out notice of the unvarying lettered 
signs were brought to a halt by the 
new appeal of the gaudy poster. 

It's all a matter of a change in 
pace. Soon the new poster wilt be- 
come standard and get less atten- 
tion. The appeal must be constant- 
ly varied^ even for a drop-in house. 
If attention Is to be held. Doing 
nothing is better than doing the 
same old thing week after week. 
Bven the valance is apt to grow 
stale if it always Is the same type, 
and the Times Square houses seek 
to change thesoK too. 



Joint Debate 

"With the country temporarily 
erazy about technocracy and man- 
agers l>tddlng for any film on the 
subject,, one theatre got a local angle 
that meant more to the b. o. than 
any film in the market, and yet it 
cost only $6. which was hung up aa^ 
the prize In a Joint debate between 
two speakers each from Rotary and 
Kiwanfs. The money went to the 
club treasury as a donation. 

Both clubs appointed two speak- 
ers and tossed a coin to decide 
-which would be for and which 
against the theory. The newspapers 
gave It plenty of space,, because all 
four speakers were advertisers^ and 
it overshadowed the film feature 
that night. 

It went over so well that the man- 
ager, located in a closed Sunday 
town, is trying to figure out a series 
of debates for Sunday afternoons, 
with a split to the two clubs. 



Not Invitmg 

SSconomy sometimes is expensive. 
The other day a couple of showmen 
went up Broadway on the side of 
the street opposite the Paramount. 
There was a gorgeous, not to say 
gaudy, red, yellow and gteen false 
front for a tabloid attraction, and 
the underside of the marquee was 
ablaze with light, but the inner 
lobby had been cut down on bulbs 
and loolced like the entrance to a 
crypt. 

It largely offset the value of the 
front, where more juice would have 
supported the outside show and 
have invited them In. Possibly no 
one consciously shied off the Par 
ibecause the inner lobby was dark- 
ened, but it is a certainty that no 
one was attracted to enter who had 
not been sold on the idea of at- 
tending. 

Saving current is Important, but 
there are times when less current is 
distinctly not a saving. 



Getting Them In 

Academy of Music, N. Y., recently 
ran a scheme in which patrons 
could write their names on 
the back of the program, deposit It 
In a box in the lobby, with the man- 
agement inviting a certain number 
to be its guests the following week. 

Now the offer is made more gen- 
erous, a recent program carrying a 
somewhat similar coupon, good for 
one guest ticket when presented at 
the box .office with the name and 
address filled in. There is a 10c 
service charge for the Employees' 
Benefit Fund, which checks the In- 
discriminate use. 

Probably few holders come alone, 
BO it's a form of two for one, and 
also fattens up the mailing list, 
which seems to be the important 
angle in a section of the town where 
removals are frequent. 



Dirty Dig 

One of the first-run houses is 
putting over 'Hello Everybody' with 
a diet sheet printed on the back. 
Latter was obtained from the m.an- 
ager's physician and Is not of the 
freak- variety. 

Copy on the other side urged the 
recipient to come and see Kate 
Smitli and then decide whether or 
not to follow the reduction scheme. 
Sent to all femme names on a mall 
list and the remainder put out in 
shop."? p.Ttrontzod by women. 



Nix on Technocracy 

Manager who is always looking 
for a chance to get the house into 
print got better than a column in 
the local paper by attacking tech- 
nocratic craze recently. 

He went down to the editor with 
a protest that technocracy did not 
in its practical outworkings dispose 
of human labor, pointing out that 
^\hlle his sound projectors were 
practirally .automatic once the ma- 
cliino was .startod, lie was compelled 
to liii-o two men for the shift, and 
siiir:'.i^ ;tinc: that .1 similar dovclop- 
nieni niii;lu accrue from otlier en- 



deavors to dispense with manpower. 

It was a new angle, he was plaus- 
ible in his arguments, and the mat- 
ter was one of general interest, so 
he stole a story In which his thea- 
tre was mentioned half a dozen 
times, stress was laid upon the ex- 
cellence of its sight and sound and 
the general suggestion created that 
the manager knew a lot ^boiit the 
more or less involved subject. 

No direct sales return, perhaps, 
but It keeps the theatre in the pub- 
lic mind. 



Counting Dollars 

state theatre, N. Y.. has been 
stopping them right on B'way with 
the time-honored stunt of putting 
a bowl of silver dollars in a case 
and letting all and sundry estimate 
tbelr number. Uses the advertising 
coins which are accessory on the 
picture instead of real money, which 
may be due to the recent holdup 
there, but a safer bet from any 
angle. 

Estimate blanks were free for the 
asking, and during the run of 'Sil- 
ver Dollar' the sidewalk -^as dotted 
with pedestrians taking time out to 
fill in their blanks. 

Idea is being used in other and 
less populous spots. Where the area 
is smaller there is a good kickof¥ in 
counting the coins in a store win- 
dow, where all may watch. The 
window, of course, is well provided 
with advertising for coming pic- 
tures unless the stunt is used as an 
advance, when it should be blown 
off the day before the picture comes 
in. All angles considered, this seems 
to be a better current than coming 
stunt. 



Bight or Left Side 

Survey by Columbia university 
purports to traverse the generally 
accepted fact that the right-hand 
page of a newspaper has a better 
attention -catching chance than the 
left-hand page. Plenty of discussion 
in the papers, but it is to be ques- 
tioned whether the matter really is 
important. The essential is tiiat a 
prominent display will get the first 
attention on either page, and that 
does not always mean the largest 
ad by a lot of lines. Often a small 
space will beat any larger part of a 
page for real attention if the larger 
space is muddled up by unimpor- 
tant materlaL 

A small space set in 10-point 
leaded, with no dl^lay other than 
the house sig, if there Is no similar 
space on the page, can kill the most 
important larger space Just because 
it is distinctive in a bunch of dis- 
plays all pretty much the same. 
Does not matter much whether it is 
on the right or left-hand page. 



Petering Ont 

Those electric window signs 
spread all over Manhattan and 
Brooklyn for the old Roxy theatre. 
Idea was that the storekeeper paid 
$1 a week for the sign, with half 
given to the Roxy and the rest to 
his announcement. In return he 
got two tickets each week to the 
theatre. 

With the clipped price the Roxy 
coverage Is much less, with the 35c 
Oakleys not meaning so much. In 
the outlying districts the stores keep 
the signs, but use the entire space 
to make their own announcements 
or take a news photo service for the 
attractor. 

Signs were not put out by the 
Roxy, but by a concern which has 
placed similar ones in various other 
cities in quantities ranging from 
600 to 3.000. 



Girl Hnmmy 

Edgar Hart, of the Rlvoli, Toledo, 
figured that with all but one of the 
banks closed and no one In funds, 
his customers were amply supplied 
with horrors in their daily lives and 
would react more sharply to some 
other appeal. 

Instead of playing up Karloff In 
'The Mummy,' he used a jood-look- 
Ing girl in modern dress and laid 
her out on a couch with tapers and 
other trimmings, being careful to 
stress that it was not death but re- 
incarnation. All of the s.ales copy 
was along the romantic angle. 

Seemed to be the answer, for the 
respon-se was excellent. 



Program Timer 

Hippodrome, N. Y., has one of the 
leatest program stunts yet for lobby 
work. Large illuminated clock face 
without hands has a movable disc 
around the rim, on which Is painted 
the various points of the show; fea- 
ture, shorts and vaudeville. 

When the house opens this rim Is 
moved to show the first show, and 
Just before the end it is swung 
around to give the time for the next 
program. 

Might, perhaps, be even better to 
have the sectors movable, with each 
being changed as that section plays 
out instead of waiting to shift the 
entire show. Ilr-tlcr than the de- 
tailed time table, which i.f apt to be 
too involve'! with four p1io'.v.>5 on the 
day. 



Used the Undies 

Birmingham. 
The mat showing a girl in undies 
sent out In press material by Fox 
for 'Hot Pepper' came In handy for 
a tie-up with a local departmer^t 
store's lingerie department. Cut was 
used in store advertisement and to 
the flrst 50 persons buying undies 
at the store on a Monday were 
given passes to see 'Hot Pepper.' 



Cleaning Up 

Ned E. Depinet, of Radio Pictures, 
is oil on a new line. Prepared a 
nice-looking booklet on the 32-33 
product, which Is being sent only 
those exhibs who have not yet 
signed a contract. Directed at them, 
and intimates that if anything has 
been holding up the deal, a direct 
contact with Depinet himself will 
get things straightened out. Sent 
along a prepaid reply envelope, so 
they would answer. 

Just applying exploitation along 
special lines, but apparently the 
flrst effort made to mop after the 
fleld force. Depinet knows the value 
of a letter from New York and Is 
cashing in on that. 



Money Matched 

Birmingham. 
With everyone wondering Just 
what medium of exchange will be 
used M technocracy Is adopted 
Alabama made up some fake money 



Los Angeles. 

Walter Kofeldt, former Fox West 
Coast district manager, who has 
been managing the Westwood Vil- 
lage in Westwood, has been trans- 
ferred to the Colorado, Pasadena, 
switching places with Fred Rapport, 
formerly manager of the Westwood. 

Robert C. Cannon, present mgr. of 
the Fox (F-WC) Pomona. Calif., 
now supervising Sunkist there. Ed 
Pierce, managing, is replaced by 
Stanley W. Kriner. 



Los Angeles. 
Louis Vega transferred from the 
Lyric (F-WC), Huntington Park, 
Calif., to manage the Alcazar, at 
Bell. Henry Skillman goes to the 
Lyric. 

Supervision of Bell has been 
added to duties of Hi Peasky, who 
also has the United Artists and 
Golden Gate, L. A., and Whittler 
for F-WC under his wing. 



Pittsburgh. 
Warner State, Washington, Pa., 
rebuilt to reopen Feb. 22, with fllm. 



Birmingham. 
Union situation at Rltz straight- 
ened out. One stage hand and three 
boothmen grailted RKO house fol- 
lowing notice given to union that 
they would have to come to these 
terms or RKO would close house. 



Oklahoma City. 
Adna Avery, former Publlx thea- 
tre manager Oklahoma City. Is 
opening a new theatre in Blackwell, 
Okla. 

The Iris theatre at Bonner 
Springs, Kans., reopened after ex- 
tensive remodeling. 

E. P. Michael has opened his new 
Braymer theatre at Braymer, Mo. 

The Mainstreet theatre at War- 
renburg. Mo., will open Feb. 15 with 
Dumond Christopher as manager. 

A lone yeggman robbed the man- 
ager of the Reno theatre, Okla- 
homa City, of |400 in currency Sun- 
day night and made bis escape. 



Seattle. 

Red (PNW) at Bremerton goes 
back to the Indians. PNW now has 
but one house in the navy town, the 
Rialto, which is the main standby. 



Seattle. 

Keighley & Roscoe booking Post 
Street theatre In Spokane, using 
three acts weekly. Ray Grumbach- 
er manager, with the biz oke at 10- 
15-26, the two-bit tariff on nights. 
This is the original American (Shu- 
hert) opera house. 



Denver. 

J. W. Davis has leased the Em- 
press at Hugo from Fay Leiber and 
has installed RCA sound. 



Toledo. 

Closing of the Rlvoli leaves Ed- 
gar Hart without a desk. He came 
here only last month from San 
Diego, Cal. 



Canton, O. 
Number of theatres, legitimate, 
vaude and fllm houses In eastern 
and central Ohio have changed 
hands in recent weeks. Park at 
Newton Falls, sold to H. M. Rader; 
Prince.s. Fox house at Sylvania, sold 
to E. W. Wolfe by Mr. and Mrs. 
Earl Plikerd; Elzane, at Martins 
Ferry acid to Fenray Photoplay 
Co.; William Hill disposed of his 



along the lines suggested by tech- 
nocrats. Instead of dollars, it is in 
units and kilowatt hours. Units ran 
as high as 50 and was labeled 'tech- 
nocracy money.' Reason for the 
use was the showing of the short 
on the goofy subject. 



Real Mnsenm 

New Haven. 
Jsu^ Sanson and Wes Griffith ar- 
ranged an effective bit of exploita- 
tion for 'Wax Museum.^ Transferred 
an actual wax museum from nearby 
amusement park to theatre lobby 
and opened house for early morning 
free inspection. 



Aaspicei 

There seems to be a hint to ex- 
hibitors in the stunt being worked 
by a N. Y. dept. store which put on 
a sale with a dally change of spon- 
sors. Hooked up to the police, fire- 
men, legion and other organizations 
with a small split to each on its spe- 
cial day, with the sponsors going 
for it In a big way. 

Some provided bands or other en- 
tertainment, and always there was 
some representative person to open 
the doors to the public with the 
idea of getting the buyers out early. 

Idea is not altogether new to the 
theatres, but the idea of a changing 
sponsor daily is something else 
again, and can be used to give an 
additional punch to the Idea. 



interest in opera house at Loveland 
to W. Hewitt; Strand at Mau- 
mee sold to H. G. Mouen by F. W. 
Mouen. Cort opera house at Belle- 
fontalne sold to the Cort Theatre 
Co. by Leo Janes. 



Seattle. 

Jack Sampson Joins publicity staff 
of Hamrlck group, with Ted Cham- 
pion, adv. mgr., coming from former 
Orpheum staff here. All adv. for 
the Hamrick houses, Portland, Ta- 
coma and Seattle, turned out at 
Champion's offices in Seattle. Eteim- 
rlck's latest expansion includes ac- 
quisition of Broadway (PNW) at 
Tacoma, now called the Music Box. 



Los Angeles. 
Lester Fountain takes over man- 
agement of the West Coast (F-WC) 
Santa Ana, in addition to the Broad- 
way there. He replaces Eddie Gra- 
ham at the West Coast. 



liOS Angeles. 

Latest Fox -West Coast managerial 
shakeup in Southern California has 
the veteran Frank R. Newman out, 
after a dozen years with the cir- 
cuit. Newman, recently shifted from 
Long Beach to supervision of Bak- 
ersfleld and Taft, has been replaced 
by Robert Frenzel. 

Lewis Harris replaces Dick Prltch- 
ard at the Majestic, Santa Monica, 
with the latter going to the Red- 
lands, Redlands, replacing William 
Murphy. George Angelich, for many 
years at the California, Bakersfleld, 
also has been shifted to the Hippo- 
drome, Taft, with Nat Blank from 
the Alcazar, Bell, replacing in Bak- 
ersfleld. Angelich takes over the du- 
ties of Warren Burgess, unasslgned. 

Charles Wuerz has been made 
manager of the Granada, Ontario, 
Calif. 



Syracuse, N. T. 

Leo Miller, formerly with Publlx 
in New York and Scranton, is set 
to succeed H. E. Thompson as 
booker for the Central New York 
Theatre Corporation, with head- 
quarters in this city. 

Edward Eggleston, formerly chief 
usher, is the new assistant to An- 
drew Roy, Paramount manager. 
Eggleston's promotion followed the 
departure of T. E. Anderson, re- 
called to Birmingham, Ala., by the 
critical illness of his father. 



San Francisco. 

C. D. 'Mike' Garrlty gets Ameri- 
can, San Jose, replacing Bob Pear- 
son. Cliff Morris to National, 
Woodland, succeeding William 
Cornwell. 

Dan Markowltz has named Bob 
Hazel manager of his Embassy, re- 
opened last week. 



New Haven. 

Recent changes announced by 
local Arthur headquarters: 

E. Marshall Taylor into Spring- 
field as div. mgr. of Poll and Fox. 

Bobby Hart succeeds Chas. Ben- 
son as mgr. Palace, Hartford. 

George French out as mgr. Ma- 
jestic, Bridgeport with L. H. Lewis 
transferred from Lyric to succeed 
French. 

A. Weir follows Lewis into Lyric 
which goes Into new grind policy at 
10-15 cts. 

Chas. Tally out an a.sst. msr. 
Palace, Now Haven with I'.ill.v lOlder 
following him In. ]C1(1<-i-h iiost In 
main office tnken over by IMiil ! 
Capozzi, I 



Wynnes Street Parade 

Ed Wynn did his grand street pa- 
rade by proxy at Uie opening! of his 
date at the Capitol Friday. He was 
impersonated by a double who waa. 
so convincing that a flock of people 
besieged him for autographs while 
ho was waiting for the line to start. 

Parade was from B'way and 40tli 
to the theatre at 51st and was 
formed of two bands, fire apparatus, 
a line of Texaco trucks bannered 
autos and the Capitol uniformed 
service staff. The motorized por- 
tion of the parade covered Broad- 
way from the Battery to Columbus 
Circle, the others falling into line to 
cover the Times Sq. section. 

Oil company and the theatre co- 
operated with credit in each other's 
newspaper ads, lobby display and 
other trimmings, and Maj. Bowes 
threw a lunch at the theatre. It 
was the biggest opening there since 
Al Jolson went In some years ago. 

Plays Sadio 

Winnipeg. 

John Flddes was told he was 
crazy to play Seth Parker's pic; 
that it had flopped everjrwhere. But 
John dug np a mixed quartet and 
had it sing old-time numbers, 
backed by a village setting of horse- 
hair sofas and so on, and put the 
picture over to a big success. 

He did the same with Amos 'n' 
Andy's picture, 'Check and D. 
Check.' Stage show with radio fa- 
.vorltes. etCn impersonating the 
stai's; and cleaned up. Another 
stunt of Flddes' was a tie-up with 
Mabel Harbour, gold medal elocu- 
tionist, giving away three scholar- 
ships to the best kid elocutionists 
on Saturday afternoon contests, 
which packed house. A free course 
with Miss Harbour is the prize. 
Contests are in three group ages- — 
1 to 10, 10 to 14, and a third for 
adults. Flddes has the College, a 
paying suburban house In Kprth 
Winnipeg. 



Beer? Sure! 

Pittsburgh. 

Through a tie-up with the Fort 
Pitt Brewing Compahy here, Fenn 
is dishing out near beer and 
pretzels this week from an old 
fashioned bar in the lobby. It's an 
exploitation stunt for the Keaton- 
Durante comedy. "What! No Boer?' 
which opens here Friday (17). 

As a sidelight on the beer give- 
away, the Penn now stands on the 
site of Pittsburgh's famous old An- 
derson Hotel, and the bartender 
Mike Cullen hired to dispense the 
near suds is the same fellow who 
for 21 years tended bar at the An- 
derson. The £rst hour he was oh 
duty 100 customers called him by 
his first name. 

Additional stunt for picture was 
to have Jimmy Durante wire per- 
sonal messages to the ItMial movie 
cricks on his way from t^e coast 
to New York, where he's heading 
for Brown & Henderson's 'Strike 
Me Piak.' 



Too Raw? 

It may be a bit too raw for some 
spots, but in a town where they like 
it rough a cleanup was made for 
"They Just Had to Get Married' 
with a three-piece perambulator. 

Trio consisted of a girl, sheepish 
looking boy and determined looking 
man. All were dressed in rural cos- 
tume. Man carried a shotgun under 
his arm, and the only advertising 
was the title of the picture on the 
back of his coat. 

There seems to be something 
funny to most people In shotgun 
marriages; perhaps due to the re- 
cent gush of comic mags, and the 
trio elicited a broad grin, which 
helped sell the comedy idea of the 
picture. 

It would not have hurt any had 
they stopped to sing a hillbilly song 
now and then. 

Poor Sample 

Piping parts of the show or other 
material to the loudspeaker for a 
lobby attraction has its drawbacks. 
Couple of weeks ago a drop-in house 
in New York had the bright idea of 
shooting the chatter of the monolo- 
glst to the lobby. To offset the 
noise of street traffic the amplifica- 
tion was rather high. 

A man and woman who were ap- 
parently headed for the box office 
paused when the woman grasped 
her escort's arm. 'Don't let's go In 
here, Harry,* she urged. 'The sound 
must be terrible.' 

Just how many had the same re- 
action Ir conjecture, but certainly a { 
raspy amplification in the lobby is 
no pood advertl.«iement for a sound 
theatre. If horns are used, they 
should be monitored carefully. 



Window Magic 

Manager of a city theatre told the 
local unemployment committee that 
in case a copper plate engraver 
ciinie looking for a Job he could give 
him a coui>l'> of days. Committee 
luit'-d the lernicit, wondering what 
.'i ilii';i!rf roiilrl do with an engrc ver. 
(Ci)iitinu'd on page 23) 



BEHIND tte KEYS 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 14, 193^ 






5,000,000 LIBERTY READERS 
ARE WAITING TO SEE IT! 




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BY TEN WORLD-FAMOUS AUTHORS 

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Tucscfay, February 14, 1933 



p I er a R E s 



VARIETY 



17 



Going Places 

By Cecelia Ager 



Th^ Elemental Lil 

Np'^ody can say anythlner of Mae 
West that she doesn't say flrat — and 
better. 'I'm one of the flnest women 
that ever walked the streets,' she 
Introduces herself In 'She Done Him 
Wrohg/ and thus sums up. the whole 
et^ry. She Is the whole show, too, 
conntnands every situi^tlon, every 
scene with her masr Iflcently lazy 
technique. She's a g^l who's sot a 
lot of what's she @rot, who knows 
Just how to make every Lit of It 
mean yet a little bit more. What- 
ever she says, the way she says it 
but skims the surface of Its deeper 
intent, . whatever sne does is only 
the preface tc what she's going to 
do. Sjlie's the, dynamo that supplies 
the power of suggestion. 

Upholstered In the costumes of 
the- '|||!st .Miss -West photographs a 
lush' aeries of goo$ xancy pictures 
. for brewery calendars. Ostrich 
plumes- to stagger a wench le^s stal- 
mirt, walstilnes to choke a belle a 
whit leii^ conscientious. Billowing 

^ bosom, ie>:piressive derrjere, Just miss 
^urstiiij^ their eloquent seaming. 

. . MaVe-iip^tbat blooms with Smooth 

. Tltallty, ihat a.ccents the confident 
glint In h^ir .eyes, tbat' stresses her 
beckoning Hps. The whole- ensemble ] 
amiable, ripe arid generous, a fit- 

' iing setting for the lass with the 
world's most persuasive hips. 
' ' Eyet>, hiQ^th, Voice announce Miss 
West-^lias iiitveled; her nimble hips 
toss th&t flnal flillp that makes i'' a 
pfQclt^mation. Miss West is a thor- 
ough performer, good to the last 
uhdi|ilation. 

To emphasize her own hearty elie-' 
mental nature, there is tlochelle. 
Hudson to represent timorous, in- 
experienced maidenhood;. Rafaela 
Ottiaiio to show how different seri- 
ous wickedness is. Miss Hudson 
photographs appropriately a pretty 
little flower, Miss Ottlano a base, 
Jealous cat. Nobody can buck up 
agMnat Miss West in 'She Done 
Hlin Wrohg.' She's an unassailable 
combination of showmanship, tim- 
ing, 'htimor— ^11 wrapped up with a 
loajd of what she herself describes 
mysteriously as 'that certain ele- 
ment.' 

From 'Cynara' to 'No Beer' 

Brave little Phyllis Barry pauses 
a moment before the sudsy whlrl-r 
pobi of "What, No Beer,' closes her 
ey60, takes a deep breath, then with 
a slight shudder plunges. She takes 
a sound trouncing, poor child, but 
she's isrtune.- It's quite a dlfCerent 
86t-up from her last picture, 'Cy- 
nara,' wftere ' there were only ladies 
and gBtit^, and it doesn't sf em fahr 
either, after giving such a true and 
difficult' performance there, to have 
now to become embroiled in such 
ffusty, physical antics. 

A Job's a Job, however. This one 
demands muscular fltness instead of 
emotional expression. It doesn't 
really, ma'tter what sort of clothes 
Miss Barry wears nor how well they 
lit, when they're only there to be 
torn off again. The basis of her 
costuming is a black lace chemise, 
standard uniform of slapstick hero- 
ines. Miss Barry is a little ill at 
ease In hers. She's much more con- 
fident in a black velvet evening 
sheath with a bunch of black coque 
feathers curled over one shoulder. 
Too, she's prettier, more adept at 
make-up «*nd coiffure than in 'Cy- 
nara.' The mass of dark ringlets 
all over her head in 'What, No 
Beer' intensifles the piquancy of her 
personality. A pity nobody takes a 
rough house. heroine seriously. 



the Roxyettes. Came the incredible 
indecision. 

That' Friday night audience be- 
held a sight not given to many men, 
a sight, however, despite the dis- 
tinction it bestowed upqn the on- 
lookers — they yearned deeply not to 
see. 



Speakeasy to Greek Temple 

The Music Hall's young ladies 
And themselves in a lot of strange 
places this week, what with an 
opening ballet danced before a per- 
spective set that switches the audi- 
ence backstage^ a Roxeyette rou- 
tine wherein '.the girls alt. on high 
stools before a ipigantic speakeasy 
bar and gaze 4t;their' Inflection, in 
the jnlrror, reflections thiatare real- 
ly real llv.6 copy-cattihg Rokyettes, 
and d flnale thdtTti^es place txn^or 
ai Grec^art . templ^ twirling'" Jn- a 
grove of.sllkeii birch tree£. .^hey ; 'o 
get around; these, frirlsl but ..never 
nonplussed no matter- 'where ttiej' 
land. 

Of the special super artistes, Pa- 
tricia Bowman In wisps of pastel 
tulle, neath which her graceful legs 
are 'misted over but not entirely 
concealed, is the costume designer's 
p^jt this. week.. Eleanor Powell mukr 
do hW . delicate taps in .silver 
fringed leotards, high silver hat and 
gauntlets^ although pyjamas lend to 
het . already ° smart .. posturfes much 
inOre cKlc. . • ' . : 

. The ballet corps, In their conven- 
tional vrjUte net ballet skirts with 
phartreuB^r.'ttaffeta bodices, fare bet-^ 
.ter' atirtorially than the Roxyettes, 
whose bright blue men's suit^ and: 
Sloubh' bati^, a timely tributO to 
I>eitrlch, indicate that it takes the 
Deitrich. manner to make them any- 
'thing, more ^ interesting than , just 
men's clothes on feminine ^ggers. 



Whatl Roxyettes Waverl 

Anarchy stole into the ranks of 
the RKO Roxyettes Friday night, 
broke their unity of purpose, 
smashed their oneness of move- 
ment, exposed them as plain human 
beings with heels of clay. 

It got them Just as they lined up 
on the top of the full stage stair? 
for the flnale, it sent them down the 
steps in a wavering line, it actually 
induced one of them to strike out 
on her own at the head of the stairs 
while her sisters marched irreso- 
lutely down without her. Then the 
mantle of greatness sllped from the 
shoulders of the Roxyettes and fell 
upon the audience. Whosoever shall 
encounter confusion in the forces 
of the Roxyettes becomes a watcher 
at a miracle. The audience Friday 
night win be heroes to their friends 
for weeks. They saw something 
that couldn't happen. 

The Roxyettes were all dressed 
up in their best gold pants, thoir 
high orange boots, their long oransp 
gloves, their shining helmets witli 
the long black plumes. The orchfis 
tra was playing a march and every- 
body knows how martial mustc gets 



F1p8t«MiD9 as Career 

There .is no flner charactet- build- 
er for "yOung-womeh, 'Child of Man- 
hattan.', points out, than dance hall 
hostessing. It teaches a girl In- 
stinOtlvely . to smell out a million- 
aire lurking ^ among the motley 
throng, it slv^es. her the ground- 
work for; 'resl^tingl his . initial ad- 
vances the tifihter'; to 'ensare blm 
the next time, ', ... 
. It' keeps '.froiii her the mundane 
details of the origrln of little babies, 
it gives her the good Judgment to 
refuse $100,000 per year allipony, 
thereby so impressing her husband 
with her nobility' of soul that he 
eagerly remarritis her and. presents 
her with full title to his name and 
rights to his fortune— which make 
the alimony «he so wisely spurned 
butt a miserly .handout Most im- 
portant ^f all; it' shows a young 
lady that nothing: so attractii a well 
born iQllilonalre as a Oreenpoint ac- 
cent. His eqiailciated ear, fed only 
with the meagro sounds of culti- 
vated apeecll, expands with ecstasy 
at the robust music In 'appernt- 
ment' 

Nancy Cairoll ' has been ' chosen 
to exemplify the splendid results 
accruing from 10- cents a dance. 
Watching her, parents ' might do 
well straightway to yank their 
daughters out of finishing schools 
and put them where they can 
achieve the same husband-snatch- 
ing ends ever so much more quick- 
ly. Miss Carroll doesn't have to 
lift a flnger to assure the proper 
culmination of her romance, she 
knows nothing of the tormenting 
uncertainties more sheltered maid- 
ens suffer. 

Miss Carroll, for Child of Man- 
hattan,' has abandoned the heavy 
stylized make-ups that have lately 
intrigued ber. fancy, allows her. 
natural prettiness to flower, again 
without the disconcerting overlay 
of a mystic, groplng-for-^under- 
standlng mask. Fine clothes come 
to her as soon as she's tied her 
millionaire, velvets with cowls of 
ermine, white suits heady with 
white fox, but she still is prettiest 
in her little dark suit with the 
youthfully brief Jacket and white 
frills at the throat. Simplicity of 
line and materials do best for her 
flgure and her wide eyed young 
face. 



'Laugh Parade' As Tab 

The Capitol, in presenting a con- 
densed version of 'The Laugh Pa- 
rade,' leaves out nothing that might 
make a revue addict pout. Elsa 
Ersi has shiny blonde hair and blue 
ostrich feathers on her blue crepe 
dress. She speaks with a naughty 
foreign accent, sings soprano, walks 
back and forth during her duets, 
flashes her eyes, and behaves like 
a frightful charmer. 

Frieda Mierse says a word or two 



in the sketches, smiles enthusias- 
tically, and gets her name on the 
screen in big type for it. Bbe also 
has a chartreuse crepe dress with 
a short draped cape banded in red 
fox, 

The line- up of 24 girls do a anake- 
hlps.and torso-toss in high yaller 
make-up, trlizy black wigs and 
painted cerise satin dresses whose 
up-in-front, down-In-back tiered 
skirts remind the audience what an 
unbecoming line that used to be. 
They iaJso dance prettily in short 
silver capes pleated into white Pur- 
itan collars worn with high blue 
boots, and then the curtains part to 
show the showgirls draped on huge 
wooden bubbles in diaphonous white 
long skirts spread gracefully about. 
That is the flash number. 

For the .finale, the whole company 
EToes on ■ par^d^. The line-ups in 
black patent leather trunks, capes 
and boots, with huge black drum 
major headdresses weighing them 
down. . . The show girls copy their 
costunaes, only, in white. .The trqupe 
then execute naiilltary maneuvers, 
but ' the dance ^dirWto^ has wisely 
seen to it. that the; Showgirls- have 
only to keep thetc;dlstatice- from one 
another. ' Anything 'more complex 
might confuse, them. 
' The .Dl Gatahoj?, previously, have 
done vehement '^ahce In ^^hich the 
girl, lithe and hnve, is frequently 
hurled hard on the. floor in her nice 
beige crepe dress, then tossed 
through ' a paper mirror over the 
set's bar for a thrilling finish. It'6 
all in the best tradition, and- a good 
gonerous slice of it too. 



: Myrna .Loy's New Emihane* 

In 'Animal Kingdom,' Myrna Loy 
made her scoffers, eat their words. 
From a ten-twent -thirt- slinking 
Oriental menace,' suddenly she 
sprang forth' full blowit, a civilized 
Intelligent young woman. It was a 
startling transformation. Now com^s 
'Tppaze' to prove that -Miss Loy was 
hot, as somie had doped it out. Just 
playing Trilby, to director E. .H. 
Griffith's Svengall. There's a new 
Myrna, Loy, .selfrcreated, progres- 
sively perfecting the details of her 
new Incarnation.. 

$he realizes- now, for Instance, 
th_t she had better not try. tp. match 
the expert carryings-on of a cast 
peppered with . John Barrymore, 
Reginald Mason and Jobyna How- 
land. She 'has become aware 'that 
maybe she has limitations. Not 
that her limitations won't disappear 
if she continues to. improve as 
steadily, biit nevertheless she's got 
them right now. So she remains 
very quiet, listens carefully and ob- 
serves the exquisite tricks of the 
star. It isn't long before people 
begin to notice her, conducting her-* 
self sO unobtrusively; She must be 
a' deep one, that well behaved girl, 
they begin to think. That poise' 
must well from some prof uond inner 
spring. 

^Even Miss liby's personal style 
has leaped miles ahead. Before her 
miraculous change, she would haVe 
seized the opportunity afforded hier 
in the role of a French mistress to 
go clanking around in cloth of gold 
hung with heavy baubles. Now she 
confines herself to the simple ele- 
gance of a truly dangerous wOman, 
and smashes over a black and white 
ensemble whose chio stylized out- 
lines, huge puffed sleeved white fur 
Jacket, and pert little white toque 



High Rentals, % Demands, Leave MG 
50% Unsold; Other Majors Reach 
Quotas, but Revenue Tobhogans 



would have been her undoing In her 
fancy days. 

Miss Loy has become sensitive to 
her environment. Moving, In 
'Topaize,* amidst Interiors that ex- 
press cultivated taste and a flair for 
genuine decorative idea, her per- 
sonality undergoes a subtle adjust- 
ment that makes her a fit chate- 
laine for its unusually smart sur- 
roundings. The all white draw- 
ing, room of her apartment, with 
ligh'tlng as interesting as it is be- 
coming, combines period furniture 
with the stark putlnes . of modern 
jpleces, welds them, into . a charm- 
Ingr room by unity of color, fine 
Judgment in selection, aesthetically 
baiahcied grouping.. . 



Heroine Amnesia Victim 

Madge Eyd'nS 16 'a fortunate girl, 
and that's because she's such a very 
nice one. She's fortunate in 'Hal- 
lelujah I'm a Zium' — for not onl^ 
Frank Morgan, but Al Jplson is 
mad about her.^ Because she's such 
a nice girl, the story arranges for 
her to havO.' amnesia^ so she can re- 
turn their adbratloii- each in tuin. 
When she's got a ih^mory, she loves. 
Mr. Morgan, when she's lost It, she 
loves Mr. Jolson. It \)fould never do 
for a nic^ slrl to be a two-timer, 
and a nice girl couldn't fail to find 
both Mr. Morgan and Mr. Jolapn 
charming. If. ^i^seems a llttle.nitxed 
up, that|s because the rewards of 
virtue have been a1}sent from th^. 
screen for such a long time thai 
hardly anyone recognizes them an'y 
more. 

Being . true blue, reerular , and 
wholesome takes up so .much ofr a 
nice girl's ;time that she has very 
little energy leljt for' the lifess. worthy. 
pursuits-7<>f . ' style, for .instance. 
Miss Evans pauses -long ^hpugh lit 
her devotions -: to. right to flic. jxDr- 
self up with a flatteringly, expert 
make-up thiat. realizes what flne, 
frank eyes rshe .has, but! that's al) 
the attention she can sparci .for 
vanity; 

Her clothes are neat, of ' counts, 
and ladylike, but flair is the shallow 
province of hussies. Miss Evans 
has a couple of decent suits that 
will do very nicely,^and a light satin 
one-piece dress for times when 
she's expected to be a little seduc- 
tive. That satin dress Just proves 
that nice girls really ought to stay 
In thelf own baOkyi^rcL' It 'dings so 
desperately in several ' places that 
It becomes a little embarrassing. 
Oftentimes nice 'jgltls are that way 
because their figures don't «lve 
them any choice. 



Writers Again On 'l^uinor' 

Hollywood, Febl 13. 

Frank Butler and Claude Binyon 
are back on> the script of 'College 
Humor" at Paramount. 

Writing team taken off that 
script for a partial rewrite on 'Dead 
Reckoning,' when trouble developed 
on the latter story. 



Arthur Takes Fox-Hrool#n 

Starts Operating It Feb. 17 with SOc Top- 
Also Has Old Roxy 



Harry Arthur has acquired the 
operating supervision of the Fox- 
Brooklyn, commencing Friday (17). 
Arthur's other operating deal con- 
cerns the old Roxy. Both are run 
by receivers. These are in addition, 
to Arthur's present operation of the 
Fox-Poli circuit- in New England, 
also in receivership. 

As at the old Roxy, Fanchon & 
Marco will book and produce for 
the Fox-Brooklyn under Arthur's 
operation. 

Irving Lesser, brother of Sol Les- 
ser, will manage the Fox-Brooklyn 
for Arthur. In the past two or 
three years Lesser has sort of 
bounced around the business, hold- 
ing various posts with various firms, 
the most recent of which was with 
his brother's firm. Principal Pic- 
tures. He formerly worked for Ar- 
thur on the coast. 

There Isn't any doubt but that the 
Fox-Brooklyn will undergo a com- 
plete change in administration un- 
der the Arthur wing. The house 
has been In an uncertain shape for 



more than a year after the Reliance 
Realty people took the spot ever 
from Fox Film. Reliance is a sub- 
sidiary of Strauss, and under these 
firms the place was operated at dif- 
ferent times under different man- 
agements. 

While 'nothing official Ir? forthcom- 
ing it looks apparent that a read- 
justment of rental has b'eeii made in 
favor of Arthur. This will permit 
him to reduce his weekly overhead. 
To what extent isn't known. Under 
Arthur a new b.o. scale will very 
likely go into effect, with the ad- 
mission switched to a 50c top eve- 
nings and Sundays, 25-35 for mat- 
inees. This is new b.o. tariff for 
the downtown- Brooklyn district. 
With the Fox- Brooklyn being out- 
side of the major film booking ring 
and being subject to mostly a 
catch-as-catch-can situation on film 
product, its new scale is calculated 
not to affect the other deluxe Brook- 
lyn houses which aggregately con- 
trol the first-run film product In 
Brooklyn. 



High rentals and guarantees d»< 
manded for product during the early 
months of the current selling sea- 
son finds Metro, alone among the 
major distrlbs, with more than 60% 
of the '33-'34 sales as yet unclosed. 
During the last few weeks some- 
what lower figures have been 
quoted by the company's film 
salesmen, but heads of most Metro 
exchanges admit they, haven't 
reached first base so far. 

Exhibs, mostly indies, and some 
of the smaller circuits, have turned 
down Metro's demands for SO'^SO 
terms on "Grand Hotel,' and . the 
40% demanded for 'Strange Inter- 
lude.' Average percentage asked for 
other product has been around °^3Q% 
and ° 35%, alsr- now scarlps . off 
prospects^ 

With the exception of Metro, 'vir- 
tually every other distributing or- 
ganization has practically wound 
up its selling season, a few qt the 
majors being 100% closed, ejccept- 
iHg a few minor spots which seldom 
flgure In flnal reckonings. 
. One; or two of the majors have 
even resorted to reduced rental fig- 
ures In order to speed up t];uotas^ 
with 'the result that in . several in- 
stahces while volume has-been ok<ey 
firross results have pot. been ableVto 
Goippare with recent yearis. .. 

: Exchange iiianagers report collec- 
tions considerably Improved, .. ek- 
iceptlng In Isolated Instances. -where 
continued depresh conditions'- haVe 
reduced b. o. takes to their lowest 
ebb. Most of the major distributing 
companies are collecting daily fpr 
flim rentals, particularly from Patr- 
amount Pubilx and RKO houses 
now in receivership. 



'Supernataral' Sjdt 



Hollywood, ' Feb, u; 
Halperln Bros'. 'Superiiatttital'. 
goes Into production at Pat^^oipubt 
Thursday (IS) with "Victor ^alpeHn 
directing. . ' / v 

Cast will Include Carole. jLplhhvid* 
Randolph Scptt, Keiity 'Ta;^Jotii)^1l^il 
liam Farn\i).m, .H,~ B,; 'W'arQer:.^a^^ 
Re'ryl Mercer. ' •- .. '> . ■■■^■' .'.< '■ .. 



Schn<eider in YMitt^ 

Louis El Sohhelder, until tt^cehtly 
operating asslstatvt to Gteitti'-IDembbw 
in Publlx, left last weelc, itpr TuDaia; 
Ariz, to take oyer two housesfthere, 
Lyric and .Tunia. ' . ' |. . ' 

Publlx turned over . iheae two 
houses to Schneider as a result' of 
the breakdown of the ppi^ratihg 
staff In New York. '. 

Tuma is exactly where Louis 
wanted to go. 



Stodio Placements 



Edmund Breese, Bela LugosI, 
Franklyn Pangborn, RarrlsOn Green, 
'Internationar House,' Par, ■'. 

H. B. Warner, Ali^ jpinehart, 
Carole Lombard, Kent Taylor, Ran- 
dolph Scott, 'Supematur«iV Hal- 
perln Bros, for Par. 

Robert Warwick, Hedda Hopper, 
Inez Palaige, 'Pilgrimage,' F6x. 

Tiny Sanford, Elsie Cort, Elinor 
Kent, Yolandi -Pattl, 'House of Ref- 
uge,' Fox. 

Teva Lawlor. Irene Homer, 'War- 
rior's Husbanct' Fox. 

Merle Tottenham, 'Peg o' My 
Heart,' Metro. ... 

Dorothy Burgess, Frank Albert- 
son, Franklin Pangborn, Noah 
Beery, Bert Ropch, Arthur Jloyt, 
Ethel Wales, Marjorie Beebe, Gay 
Seabrook, William "V. Mong, -'Easy 
Millions,' Ralph Like. 

.Benlta Hume, Douglas Walton, 
Phillips Holmes, Colin CHve, Lionel 
Barrymore, Lewis Stone, Elizabeth 
Allen, 'Service,' Metro. 

Christian Rub, 'Kiss in the Mir- 
ror,' U. 

David Manners, 'Warrior's Hus- 
band,' Fox. 

Nell Hamilton, Paul Hurst, 'Pub- 
lic Be Damned,' Majestic, 'Dead 
Reckoning,' Par. 

Richard Arlen, Jean Hersholt, 
Charles Blckford, 'Legal Crime,* 
Par. 

Charles Vldor as assistant to 
Bayard Velller, Par. 

Stuart Walker, Mitchell Leisen to 
co-direct 'Kagle and the Hawk,' Par. 



1« VARIETY TwMday, Febnutty 14, 1933 




Have you heard the ^and and glorious news? 
Just previewed on the Coast! Bigger than "Hell 
Divers'^! M-G-M^s next Big Bomb-shelL Whoopeel 

iust carCt hold those gosh dumed M-GrM fellers!) 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



P ICTil RES 



VARIETY 19 



Drop From $270,000 to $100,000 Rent 
For Mayf air May Be N.G.'d by RKO 



Walter Reade has organized an 
RKO landlords' committee, which 
makes it seem RKO has decided to 
turn back the Mayfair on Broadway 
to Reade. 

When first approached, Reade re- 
fused to grant RKO any substantial 
readjustment In the Mayfair's rent. 
Since RKO receivership, Reade is 
said to have offered a reduction 
from the present Mayfair rent of 
$270,000 annually to |100,000. 

When the turn-back may occur 
Isn't known. In view of the com- 
plexed negotiations which RKO was 
compelled to enter into with Reade, 
the theatre people are said to feel 
hesitant about continuing to operate 
the Mayfair on any basis. They 
might swap situations between the 
Palace and the Mayfair. 

Palace, Broadway, is still one of 
RKO's major headaches. This house 
Is partly owned by Martin Beck 
through a stock Interest, and for the 
past year Beck has had the princi- 
pal operating voice In the theatre. 
The RKO theatre people apparently 
feel that as long as Beck wants to 
run the spot, they are willing to let 
him do so. Beck's latest idea, and 
which was accepted by the theatre 
management, to turn the Palace into 
a subsequent run picture house, ap- 
parently dooms the Mayfair affilia- 
tion with RKO. 



OLMSTEAD ON CAMPAIGN 
FOR AU PAR PICTURES 



Ed Olmstead left New York Fri- 
day (10) for Hollywood to take up 
a post at the Paramount studio In 
supervision of a nationwide cam- 
paign on Par pictures direct with 
theatres. A week ago Olmstead 
was dropped by Publlx in Its sweep 
across the payroll. He had been 
an advertlslng.,operating contact 
representative, along with J[ohn 
Smith and Rodney Bush, trio con- 
tacting all Publlx houses. Shift to 
the Par studio campaign capacity 
Is largely as a result of Olmstead's 
wide theatre experience. . 

Bush is now attached to Arthur 
Mayer's department at h.o. on press 
books and Smith may be also re- 
tained by Mayer. 

Olmstead came Into Publlx from 
the old Famous Players organiza- 
tion when Publlx was formed. 



Par's Busy February 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Current Paramount schedule calls 
for the busiest February produc- 
tion In years. With seven pictures 
now in, slate calls for five more to 
start by Feb. 20. 

Starting (16) will be 'Super- 
natural' (Halperlns), 'Bedfellows' 
and 'International House.' Five 
days later starts on 'Eagle and the 
Hawk' and 'Grasshoppers,' the 
the Marx Brothers' pic. 

Of the seven now in production 
all but one, 'Murders In the Zoo,' 
will carry past Feb. 20. 



LEWIN STICKS TO METRO 



Given Leave for European Vacation 
— Upset Over 'Out' Reports 



Al Lewln, Metro associate pro- 
ducer, and associated with Irving 
Thalberg for eight years, sailed Fri- 
day (10) on the 'Paris' with his wife 
for a European vacation, receiving 
an eight weeks' leave from the stu- 
dio with pay, made necessary by 
overwork. Lewin is still with the 
Metro organization and any report 
of his leaving MGM is officially de- 
nied all around. 

Lewln couldn't be released before 
setting 'Soviet' which goes Into 
work momentarily under Frank 
Capra's direction. With Thalberg 
convinced the script (by Jules 
Furthmann) and everything was all 
set. the leave was made possible be- 
cause Lewin's overwrought physical 
condition required It. Howard Hawks 
will pinch-hit for Lewin on 'Soviet' 
until latter returns in April. 

In view of Lewin's record with 
'Smllln' Thru* and 'The Guardsmen', 
plus 'Redheaded Woman' which cre- 
ated a new star for the studio, all 
of which films he supervised, Metro 
seomod miych upset about the 'out' 
rep'K-t.'!. coiT^ornlng Lowin, aa the 
assooi.-iii- |)i-o'.lucer was. 



New Fox Deal in Aug. 



Fox will distribute all current 
World Wide product, about 20 fea- 
tures with 10 still to be made. 

A new deal will have to be made 
in August. Arrangement for the 
present was made. It is understood, 
because of Educational's relations 
with WW prior to using Fox dis- 
tribution channels and abandoning 
its own exchanges. 



CROWD OF RKO 
EMPLOYES OUT 



Coincident with notices to be- 
tween 80 and 90 people in the RKO 
home office, certain executives and 
personnel were transferred from the 
RKO to the Orpheum payroll, 
among them Nate Blumberg and his 
divisional publicity head, John Jo- 
sephs. RKO is unde:* an equity re- 
ceivership, while Orpheum is in 
bankruptcy. Martin Beck remains 
on the RKO h.o. payroll. 

Notices given out in RKO are ef- 
fective Saturday (21). This differs 
frbm the sweep in Publlx which 
came suddenly for over 100 persons 
and was effective within a day or 
two. 

In addition to execs dropped . by 
RKO, headed by George Godfrey, 
vaude bobker, and D. P. Canavan, 
head of maintenance, minor per 
sonnel was lopped off wherever it 
could' be stood. Canavan was 
shifted to the Radio City theatres 
in charge of maintenance at about 
the same time the number of R.C 
watchmen was cut from five to 
three. 

In wholesale firing at RKO, no 
departments other than those con- 
nected with the theatre and book- 
ing (films and vaude), were af- 
fected. Radio Pictures remains un- 
touched. 

- Exec- not previously reported who 
also got notice is Bruce Powell, 
heading the merchandising depart- 
ment. 



Von Sternberg Due Back 



Josef Von Sternberg is due back 
in the U. S. again within the next 
couple weeks. 

From reports abroad be has 
changed his mind about making 
pictures there. He has been study- 
ing foreign production. 



Hollywood Fete for 
Quarter Century of Fix 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Hollywood win celebrate Its 25 
years as the home of pictures in 
March, a week's fete and pageant 
now being promoted by Harry Su- 
garman, manager of F-WC Egyptian 
here, and Arthur Shirley, English 
actof* and producer. 

Boulevard merchants have Indi- 
cated a willingness to participate, 
with the studios now being ap- 
proached for co-operation. Climax- 
ing the week will be a parade of 
floats, and the cutting of a huge 
birthday cake topped by 26 electri- 
cally lighted candles. 

As a part of the observance, early 
pictures — including the Johnny 
Bunny comedies and others — will be 
revived. Spotted along the boule- 
vard also will be two of the old 
nickelodeon type of show. 



Monogram Plans Cash-In 
On Bow Name in Bell Pix 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Cashing in on the publicity ac- 
corded Rex Bell as Clara Bow's 
hubby, Monogram is figuring on 
starring him for the 1933-34 pro- 
gram in a series of action dramas 
aimed for first or second run 
houses. In the past, he has ap- 
peared almost exclusively in west- 
erns. 

E'en and Miss Bow are due In 
New York from Paris Wednesday 
(15), with the former returning to 
Hollywood by next Sunday (19). He 
has three western to do on his pres- 
ent Monogram contract. 



Ace Berry Reappointed 

Indianapolis, Feb. 13. 
Ace Berry, manager of the In- 
diana and Circle Theatres for seven 
years, has been reappointed to that 
post succeeding Jack Roth. I?erry 
recently has been field manager for 
the RKO Corp. 



CAHETT BANKRUPTCY 
TOPS FUM MOB SUITS 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Voluntary bankruptcy petition of 
Walter Catlett, In debt $11,97G, 
headed the list of legal actions in- 
volving film people in Los Angeles 
.courts last week. Bankruptcy pe- 
tition was filed by Catlett two years 
ago, but was later withdrawn at 
ills request. 

Among Uabllltes listed by the 
actor are Joyce & Selznick, $450; 
Lee Francis, $150; income tax, 
$3,500; Conly & Morrison, $1,200; 
alimony, $1,126; Frank Fay, $200, 
and Wheeler and Woolsey, $100 
each. 

Suing Leslie Fenton for $10,463 
commission and alleged breach of 
contcart, Phil Iterg, agent, was 
awarded default Judgment of $804 
in Superior court. The actor is now 
in Europe. 

Other suits are that of Fred K. 
Hawkins against the F-WC Ritz, 
L. A., for $13,600 for a sprained 
ankle alleged to have been caused 
when he tripped on the theatre's 
carpet; National Theatre Supply 
Co., through Theatre Equipment 
Acceptance Corp., is suing C. W. 
Toung, Glendale theatre operator, 
for $2,400. alleglnir unlawful de- 
tainer of equipment. 



Par's P. A. Reorganization 



Reorgacnlzatlon of the Paramount 
Publlx publicity-advertising depart- 
ment is expected following the res- 
ignation Saturday (11) of Jack 
Hess, with the company a year In 
charge of advertising under Arthur 
Mayer. Hess' notice is effective 
Saturday (25). He has other offers 
under consideration. 

Mayer up to yesterday (Monday) 
would say nothing about any pro- 
posed changes. 

It is understood Bill Danziger 
will move Into the Hess post over 
advertising, with someone else 
placed in charge of press books. 
This may be John Smith, veteran 
advertising and operating exec with 
Publix, who recently had been one 
of the theatre contact representa- 
tives. 

Smith went off the Publlx payroll 
in the big recent sweep, along with 
Ed Olmstead and Rodney Bush. 
Latter is already In Mayer's depart- 
ment in a general advertising ca- 
pacity. 

Hess came Into Publlx last spring 
from RKO h. o. He had previously 
been with RKO In Chicago and also 
with Marks Bros, out there. 



F&M Buys Out Fox-WC 50% Share 
In Big Producing Firm-Independent 



Like Own— Only Tenant 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Ralph Like, owner of Interna- 
tional studio. Is the only producer 
left on the rental lot. George W. 
Weeks' Mayfair left for Metropoli- 
tan last week, and Phil Goldstone's 
Majestic to Universal two weeks 
ago. 

Like put 'Easy Millions* into pro- 
duction today, with Fred Newmeyer 
directing. 



Newsreel Houses in 
Trouble Trying to 
Keep Up 25c Draw 



With admissions of a quarter, and 
even less, for shows two and three 
times as long, Broadway's two all- 
newsreel theatres are admittedly 
finding it difficult to keep to the 
25 cents standard. 

The Luxer as well as the Em- 
bassy is now going in for special 
exploitation. Luxer always went In 
for heavier marqueelng, not being 
content with Just advertising the 
name and price In lights. 

Embassy, while adhering to the 
original policy of keeping Fox on 
the one side and Hearst on the 
other in bulbs, Is using magnified 
tab illustrations and art drawings 
to furnish the eye attractor In the 
lobby and around the. box office. 

Saturday attendances at the two 
houses remain about the same, fair, 
but considerable of the mid-week 
business is reported to be not so 
good. 



Extra Work Drops 



Hollywood, Feb. 13.- 
Slight slump In studio placements 
last week with the amount of money 
spent for extras going even lower, 
due to large number of $3 people 
used. Total for the week was 6,089. 

Biggest day was Feb. 9 and big- 
gest set was on (10) at Columbia 
where 410 spectators were used for 
'Murder of the Circus Queen.' 



Nelson's Shorts 

Jack W. S. Nelson, former ex- 
change manager here for Educa- 
tional, has formed Borden Picture 
Corp., with headquarters at Metro- 
politan studios. 

He will make a series of educa- 
tional shorts, ftnd has assembled 
footage taken In Kentucky for his 
first, 'Trapping Kentucky Moon- 
shiners.' 



Knocking the Sup Out of Supers 



Only Studio Bosses Supreme in Eyes of 

Many Directors 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Gradual downfall of the super- 
visory system In picture production 
has half the contracted directors at 

major studios working on their own 
with the exception of front office 
conferences when they get in a Jam. 

Warners probably give their di- 
rectors more of a free hand once 
production has started than any 
other studio. However, Metro has 
half a dozen directors who go about 
their business with a minimum of 
production advice. 

On the WB lot, Darryl Zanuck 
sits In on all conferences during 
production with Hal Wallis, Henry 
Blanke and Ray Griffith acting as 
the go-betweens, each having the 
title of supervisor. Roy Del' Ruth 
and Mervyn LeRoy have more or 
less of a free hand in their pictures, 
immediate supervision being at a 
minimum with the duo. George 
Arllss among the stars is in a like 
position. 

At Metro. Howard Hawks and 
Sidney Franklin have producer- 



director titles and are responsible 
only to Louis B. Mayer. (Clarence 
Brown, Robert Leonard, George Hill 
and Sam Wood have limited super- 
vision. 

Another Trio on Own 

William K. Howard, Frank Bor- 
zage and John Ford take orders 
from the front office at Fox with 
direct supervision being practically 
out for the trio. 

On the Paramount lot, Ernst Lu- 
bitsch, Rouben Mamoulian and, be- 
fore he resigned, Joseph Von Stern- 
berg go their merry way without 
a boss except the studio head. 

John Stahl and James Whale at 
Universal are both allowed to com- 
plete their pictures with but little 
advice from headquarters. 

Letdown of supervision i.s mostly 
In the case of established director.s 
who have made a rep for bringing 
In pictures with a minimum of 
trouble. However, it has been 
m.irljfd in the past few months 
with tlioso 'llipctors mpntlonod KOt- 
tiiv^ mfir'» Icoway in trnn^fcirlnc 
ihelr sloi i' -^ lo thf> sci i-pp. 



Fanchon & Marco during the past 
week acquired a 100% ownership of 
F. & M.. Inc., by purchasing Fox 
West Coast's 50% interest in the 
stage show company for around 
$1,500,000. 

This docs not mean that F. & M. 
have otherwise severed with F-WC. 
The two will continue in a booking 
afllllation. Besides buying full con- 
trol of the company. Fanchon 8c 
Marco secured additionally an ex- 
clusive booking arrangement with 
Fox West Coast for five years. 

With the purchase of Fox West 
Coast's interest, Fanchon & Marco 
becomes independent. Firm Is now 
unfettered by any theatre company 
control as was exercised In part*by 
F-WC. The buy also eliminates Fox 
Films from the F. & M. concern. 
This Fox films connection came 
through Fox's 100% ownership of 
F-WC. 

The new F. & M. set-up, P-WC 
will have but one board representa- 
tive. This may be Charles Skouras. 
Latter Is the active theatre opera- 
tor .of Fox West Coast. 

Deal was started and completed 
In New York. Marco has been east 
for several weeks. Negotiations were 
completed after Charles Skouraa 
came on from the coast, summoned 
here by his brother, Spyros, head of 
all Skouras theatre operations. 
Six-Year Partners 

The dissolution marks the termi- 
nation of a 4-year partnership be- 
tween the companies. In severing 
t^heir financial co-responsiblllty, the 
two firms write fipls to that earlier 
partnership agreement which was 
reinewed only a year or so ago. Fan- 
chon & Marco as a company is now 
on Its 11th year. 

In this time It has sprung for- 
ward as the leading stage show 
firm, with the longest route of any 
kind for live talent. This route 
runs around 22 weeks currently all 
of which springs from the time In 
in 1922 when the first F. & M. 'Idea' 
played at the Warfield, Frisco. FoN- 
lowing this, F. & M. produced other 
shows for Fox West Coast, finally 
culminating In a financial partner- 
ship. 

The F. &. M. shows have since and 
are presently playing almost for 
every circuit besides Independents 
in the U. S. and Canada. Its route 
reached peak In 1931 when a con- 
tinuous book of around 60 weeks 
was handled by F. & M. Presently 
the company has branch offices in 
several key cities, besides its studio 
plant in Hollywood and a subsidi- 
ary company office in New York. 
2,000 People Employed 

It employs a permanent force of 
around 2;000 persons with a weekly 
payroll estimated to run between 
$60,000 and $60,000. This was doubled 
in 1931. At that time F. & M. had 
around 6,000 people on Its rolls, in- 
cluding talent of all kinds. 

The company has been Fox's most 
consistent profit-maker. In 1931, 
when making a net of over $600,000, 
it was the ohly profitable subsidiary 
in the Fox Film set-up. Estimated 
profits for F&M's 11 years may 
have amounted to around $2,500,000. 

In achieving Independent opera- 
tion, F. ^ M. places itself open to 
any kind of aifillation anywhere, a. 
phase of its endeavors which was 
limited while financially partnered 
with F-WC. During the past year 
there have been formal propositions 
for an F. & M. affiliation from every 
major circuit, including Loew's and 
RKO, with the RKO thing almost 
becoming a fact, save that the 
F-WC partnership obstacled the ne- 
gotiations. Whether any of these 
negotiations will be revived is left 
open. 

No trade secret that Fanchon & 
Marco has long desired an inde- 
pendent status which would provide 
Ju.st this kind of opportunity. Tljat 
this desire lurked back of the dis- 
solution aim is likely. 

Fanchon & Marco, who are brother 
and sister, started as a vaude team, 
graduating to a vaude revue which 
they produced themselves. They 
later staged the shows at Tait's, 
when that spot was the leading cafe 
In 'Frisco. It was here that Harry 
Arthur first glimpsed the pair, and 
which meeting ultlm.itely resulted 
In F. & M. Rolng to F-WC. 

It also WHS through Arthur that 
Fanchon & Marco shows began their 
trek eastward in 1931. Arthur, at 
that time, was general manager of 
ill l'i>\ Ui':itres, east and west. 



20 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 14, I933 



"The new pricture at Radio City Music Hall this week is 

Utterly delightful entertainment.. 

, . . Barrymope has a role that suits him perfectly ... a decidedly 
superior piece of irlm work . . . rich in cynical humor . . . Barry more 
is at all times superb. ... Topaze is decidedly well worth seeing." 

Rose Pelswick, JV. Y, Eve. Journal 




"Probably the neatest, most adroitly 
filled in character of the movie sea- 
son . . . beautifully directed by Harry 
D'Arrast ... he has given Topaze a 
quiet, tickling humor . . . Barrymore 
plays superbly. . . far superior to the 
play . . . deserves to rank with the 
memorable creative performances 
of the theatrical season." 

John S, Cohen, Jr.y N, F. Sun 

"John Barrymore shines in Topaze 
. . . he*s the whole show . . . obviously 
having the time of his life providing 
amusement for the spectators ! . . . 
Topaze is a lot of fun." 

Regtna Crewe y N, Amerkan 

"Topaze provides delightful cinema 
entertainment ... a smartly made 
piece ... a choice morsel for particu- 
lar audiences ... we knov/ you'll 
like Topaze." 

Irene Tkirer, N. Y. Daily News 




m 

[You 11 love the scoundrel} in 




MYRNA LOY 

/r<wi Adaptation by Benn W. Levy 0/ .Play by 
Mixrcel Pagnol. Directed by H. UAbbadieUArrast 

An^RKO-RADIO Picture 0/ coursel 
David O.^ Selzniclii- executive^productr 

. • and look what^s coming right away . . . 

RICHARD DIX in "The Great Jasper^ . . . LIONEL BARRYMORE 
in "Sweepings''... "Christopher Strong" with KATHARINE HEPBURN 
. , . CONSTANCE BENNETT in "Our Betters" AND THE BOX OFFICE 
GIANT ''KING KONG". . . 



Tuesdaft February 14, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



21 



Stock Market 



(Continued from page 7) 
a change In Washln^rton ought to 
be as good an excuse as anything 
else to give It Inspiration. Some 
sort of upturn would be In the nat- 
ural order and Its absence would 
break up the annual market pattern 
of the last three years, not to speak 
of a very ancient market tradition. 
L>ast year the seasonal upswing got 
under way considerably earlier than 
this, but the January move this 
year never got beyond the mild 
prodding of capital by the downtown 
Investment and brokerage houses 
seeking to attract the investment 
of year-end dividends and Interest 
payments. 

Look to Washington 
The market is looking to Wash- 
ington for the good news that is 
needed to break security prices out 
of their narrow range, for there is 
nothing in ..the picture of general 
business to hold out much hope of 
a basic change In the immediate 
future. 

Whatever the general- market 
does this sprlag, there ts . small 
prospect of the amusement stocks 
participating to any great extent In 
a recovery. Trade situation Is too 
mixed, with two of the large units 
In receiverships and the whole 
group of equity stocks dragging 
along near their all time bottom. 
Here the best that can be hoped is 
that the drastic adjustments now 
being made In the whole Indtistry 
will have gone far enough by next 
fall to Justify somei constructive 
campaign- In its securities.. . 

At this time their position 1b 
pretty well on a dead center. Ad- 
justments such as scaling down ob- 
ligations and reshaping capital 
structures are bound to be bitter 
medicine to stock atad. bondholders. 
Current business Is not satisfactory 
and the best six months of the year 
are past. There la the usual yearly 
tapering box oBlce demand Just 
ahead as mild weather arrives and 
then the dull summer to be faced. 
By that time the trade feels the 
picture companies will have had a 
thorough house cleaning, reorgani- 
zations will, be under way it not 
completed and the business will be 
prepared to enter a new season 
ready for action. 

There are many experienced mar- 
ket observers who believe that the 
film -shares offer a good gambling 
chance of profit for the medium 
long pull, based principally on the 
theory that the group will be among 
the early stocks to undergo a dras- 
tic and thorough deflation and reor- 
ganization and will be In a favor- 
able position to take full advan- 
tage of any business Improvement.' 
This, however, ts strictly a minority 
view. The btilk of traders continue 
to Igrnore the theatre stocks, an at- 
titude on the part of the majority, 
by the way, which pretty generally 
accompanies an Impending changre 
In the tide. 

Nothing of significance came out 

Summary for week ending Saturday, Feb. 11 

STOCK EXCHANGE 



In lEust week's trading. Volume was 
small (Saturday's tiimover, '346,000 
shares was the smallest for months) 
and prices unchanged to fraction- 
ally higher for the active oonunon 
stocks, Xoew's threatened Its recent 
bottom of 16% several times, but at 
the critical moment support was 
forthcoming. Price weakness, how- 
ever, developed in the preferred, 
which lost about net to 50^ and 
Metro-Goldwyn preferred gave way 
nearly 2 points on minor transac- 
tions. One sale of Warner's pre- 
ferred also was down. At 4^ it 
was within a quarter of Its former 
all-time low. 

Paramount topped the group iii 
volume, but even that was small, 
13,000 compared to many times that 
recently. This Issue moved fre- 
quently at % and fair sized blocks 
changed hands there, but the final 
was an eighth above that. RKO 
common had a suspicious looking 
bulge late Saturday when It did the 
best, of the week at 1% after sinking 
to a new bottom at 1^. Old Or- 
pheum senior stock gained a frac- 
tion on minimum dealings, although 
that company Is In bankruptcy. 

Consolidated Film held much of 
Its gained ground with a fair de- 
mand based on reports that a div- 
idend on the preferred Is likely for 
the first half year, at least one 
quarterly 60 cents being expected. 

Columbia last week voted to pay 
the regular preferred dividend of 
76 cents on March 1 to stock of 
record of Feb. 16. Income state- 
ment made public at the some meet- 
ing showed net for the 13 weeks 
ending Sept 24, 1933, at $220,028, 
equal, after all charges, federal 
taxes and payment of the %S rate on 
the preferred, to $1,23 a share on 
the 167,886 shares outstaqdlng. On 
this showing It was regarded as 
likely that the company would prob 
ably make a dividend payment of 
60 cents for the first quarter of 1933. 
Stock was listless, however, show- 
ing, a minor fractional gain on the 
week. 

The amuisement bonds made an 
excellent showing, suggesting anew 
repurchase of bonds thrown over- 
board during the fiurry over the two 
receiverships. Maximum gains ap- 
peared in ^e Warner debentures 
which were up 8% on the week. 
Elven the RKO debentures had a 
rebound from 8% to 10, while the two 
Panimounts moved up abreaist, 
malotainlng the puzzling relation 
wMch gives the 5%'a a pFemlum oyer 
the 6'8. Both advanced 1%. the 
turnover in tha Par-Publlx . issue 
beingr enormous considering the 
dullnes elsewhere. The old Keith 
6's went against the trend, declin- 
ing 2^4 net to 82%, the only minus 
sign timong liens in the group. Oddly 
enough, it was the Keith bonds that 
riBBlsted the pressure best wheh ur- 
gent selling was present several 
weeks ,ago throughout the amuse- 
ments. 



, 1032- 


•38 , 




Hlgh. 


Lovr. 


Sales. 


3% 


% 


2!466 




1 


14% 


«i 


2,100 


ii?4 


2* 


10,300 


87% 


89^4 


6,600 


6% 


1 


i.eoo 


20^ 


S<A 


43,300 


80 


7 




87% 


1314 


7,466 


80 


■SO 


eoo 




1% 


800 




14 


400 


15 


IH. 


40 


11% 


% 


13,100 


114 


14 


1.300 


OX 


114 


400 


13Vk 


2% 


17.800 


7% 


H4 


8,600 


60 


10% 




4% 


% 


e!i66 


20 


4 


100 


43^ 


15% 


17.700 



Issue and rate. 

American Seat 

Consol. Film 

Columbia P. vtc 

Coneol. Film pfd 

Eastmpn Kodak (3)... 

Fox, Class A... 

Gen. Elee. (40c.) 

Keltb pfd 

Loew (3) 

Do pref. (OH) 

Madison Sq. Garden.. 
Met-O-M pref. (1.89). 

Orpheum pfd 

Paramount 

Pathe Exchange 

Pathe, Class A 

Radio Corp 

RKO 

Universal ptef , 

Warner Bros 

Do pfd 

Westlnehoua.e 







Net cbg. 


High. 


Low. 


I<ast for wk. 




1)4 Md 


4 


*854 


8% 


+ % 


10 


6)4 


»% 


+ % 


iiH 


10 


10% 


+ % 


BO 


66)4 


fi7)i 


+ )4 


1% 


1)4 


1% 


+ % 


14H 


12T4 


14 


+ % 






8 bid 




lex 


16% 


16% 




60% 


60)4 


60)4 


-1% 


e% 


6 


«% 


+ % 


17 


16)4 


16% 


-1% 


2)4 


1% 


2% 


n 


% 


% 


% 




% 


% 


% 






1% 


1)4 


+ 14 


4% 


4 


4% 


+ % 


1% 


1)4 


1% 


+ % 






10% bid 


'in 


*i)4 


1% 


+ 14 


4% 


4% 


4% 


- % 


28% 


2S 


27% 


+1% 



15 

4% 
8)4 



4% 
)4 
% 
% 
% 



CURB 

Columbia Plcls 

3,400 De Forest Radio A 

400 Gen. Theo. B. pfd % 

400 Technicolor 3% 

100 Trans Lux 1% 



A 

3 



% 
% 
3% 
1% 



+ )4 



BONDS 



7% 


1 


03 


24 


00 


04 


80 


40 


60% 


8% 


66 


6% 


10 


8% 


0 


)4 


40 


0% 



$3,000 

22,000 
103,000 
2.000 

49.000 
183,000 

16,000 

IS&OOO 



Gen. Tliea. Eq. 
Keith U'B, '40. 
Loew 6's, '41. . 
Pathe 7'e, '87.. 
Par-Fam -Lasky 
Par-Pub 6Wb, 
RKO debs O's. 

Shubert O's 

Warner Bros. O's, 



40. 



6's, 
60.. 



■47 



•30. 



1% 


1% 


1* 


84% 


82% 


32% — 2>4 


68 


65% 


67% +1% 


£3 


61 


53 + % 


11 


8% 


10% +1% 


12 


0% 


11 +1% 


10 


8% 


10 +1% 






%last 


18% 


135i 


17% +3% 



Over the Counter, N. Y. 

Bid. Asked. 

^ 2% Roxy, Class A (3.50) 

Gen. Theatre cfa. $13,000 all at 1%. 



Hays in Double Feature Fite 



Mrs. Winter on Coast Circulating Public to 

Obtain Opinions 



Judgments 



.luDKle Fllmfi, Inc.: S. Hyama; $12,017. 
Mora Maagiiam; Marel Works, Inc.; 
$2,807. 

Chateau Amasement Corp.; H. Salch; 
$60. 

I'^ranfc and Catlteiine Halentliaa; Atlas 

Soundfllrh Recording Studios, Inc.: $1SI. 



Delay Wurtzel Transfer 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Although three of his pictures are 
in production at the Fox Western 
avenue plant, Sol Wultzel will not 
move his headquarters from the 
Fox Hills studio for about two 
weeks. 



INCORPORATIONS 

Alabama 
Birmingham, Feb. 13. 
Tlie Iluuber Tlieatres, Inc., of Jack- 
son, Tonn.; O. C. Haubpr, V. L. Kearney 
and Donald Weaver are the Incorpora- 
tors; capital, $10,000. 

Texa« 

Galveston, Feb. II. 
Texaa Theatre Compaajr, Amarlllo, 
Texas; moving pictures; Mpltal $6,000. 
Incorporators: Ben Ooldlng, SaUr E. 
Goldlng, James O. CJoIdlng. 



Charles Perley Dies 

Santa Ana, CaL Feb. 13. 
(Charles Perley, the actor, died 
suddenly of heart disease in his 
home here Friday (10). 



She Done Him Wrong 

(Continued from page 12) 

fVankie and Johnnie.' All some- 
what cleaned up lyrically, but Mae 
cotildn't sing a lullaby without mak- 
bag It sexy. 

A Bowery street set and a heavy 
Interior of 'Gus Jordan's Joint' are 
exceptionally good In appearance, 
and probably won't get many argu- 
ments about accuracy or lack of it. 
But the nifty looking ohorus gals in 
the Bowery Joint's show don't seem 
to fit the location. 

Mae West in pictures should stand 
out just as she did In legit — as a 
distinct personality. There's no one 
just like her and she can be built 
up to mean something for film box 
offices. But she needs extreme care 
In the literary department. Also 
some nursing. This premature shove 
to the foreground could retard her 
prc:,TesB. Obviously due to studio 
hunger for a new attraction, with 
Miss West expected to attract be- 
fore she Is known. If not rushed 
she should be able to build all by 
herself. Bige. 



TOPAZE 

Radio production and releaae. Starring 
John .Barrymore. Directed by H. D* Abba- 
die D'Arraat. UyrnA Lo7 featured. From 
French play of same name bjr Uarcel Pag- 
nol film, story by Benn W. LAVt. Camera- 
man, Luclen Andrlot. At Radio City 
Muslo HalL New Tork. week Feb. 0. 
Running time, 80 minutes. 



Topaae John Barrymore 

Coco ' Myma Loy 

Henri Albert Contl 

Dr. Bomb..^ Louis Albernl 

Baron ..Reginald Blason 

Baroness ....fobyns Howland 

Charlemagne Jackie Searle 

Stegs Stank Belcher 



Picture made to order for the 
high brow and high hat clienteles 
In the metropolitan centers and pos- 
sibly from fair to an outright b.o. 
decliner .from that grade down to 
the shooting galleries. Barrymore 
probably will belp^ Jbiit even with 
him the picture Isn^t In the real 
money. On Uterary and acting 
merit. It otight to do well, but mis- 
cellaneous experiences by producers 
Biakes It evident that the faiu • 

. , siue won't take Continental 

ccmedy. 

It's a pity It'a true, but It Is. 
There are other complications In- 
volved In this lladlo aubject. Screen 
rights were bouf^t by Paramount 
In the first place. That company de- 
cided to. make a Awnch veroloh and 
did so, passlnjg njp thei American 
field completely, but reservlnff for- 
eign territory, a decision, that at 
this stage of the plotore's evolution 
looks sound buslnesa. The essence 
.of the whole matter Is that the 
story, Uie characten and the whole 
satirical philosophy ot the produc- 
tion are alien to American mass au- 
diences. There haven't been half a 
dozen foreign dramaa that have 
clicked on the screen, A sUm few 
French light comedies have done 
fairly well on the American stage, 
but there doesn't come to mind a 
single French frivol that got to first 
base on the screen ot this country. 
'Congress Danced was snowed un- 
der by its alien atmosphere and 
humor, and even ChevfUler's last 
picture was Injured by Its Contin- 
ental flavor. 

So 'Topaize* goes down as a gal- 
lant but 111 advised gesture by the 
Radio studio. Pity of the situation 
Is that the story finds John Barry- 
more In probably Uie best bit of 
character high comedy he has ever 
done, certainly the best trouplng In 
that vein In hia whole screen ca- 
reer. For delicate balance, his per- 
formance Is flawless. The Barry- 
more floiu-ish Is absent. Instead, 
he achieves a curious awkward 
grace, a sublimated clumsiness that 
is the essence of ProL Topaze him- 
self, an honest, tiresome nitwit who 
nevertheless, brings a sympathetic 
lump into the throat. Truly a sim- 
ple, but arresting Interpretation and 
the only comedy character In which 
this many sided actor has found 
employment for the full stretch of 
his talents. 

Myrna Loy also takes on a new 
lustre, and in a part that Is al- 
most utterly passive. Without any 
acting opportunity whatever, she 
creates a distinct atmosphere seem- 
ingly by no other means than self- 
effacement. Albert Contl, last word 
In Continental aplomb, completes a 
trio of players who leave nothing 
to be desired for high comedy effect. 
Whatever the picture's fate, the 
director overlooked nothing to give 
it vitality. 

Put no acting and no suavity of 
presentation can quite overcome the 
innate (for American purposes) de- 
ficiencies of the story for the gen- 
erality. There are long sequences 
where for surface dramatic effect, 
nothing happens in the story of this 
booblsh school teacher who is trick- 
ed by French business and French 
politics into participating in a 
swindle, only to turn a cheater of 
cheaters and fatten on those who 
tricked him out of his contented 
boobery. 

There is for Instance a long 
episode In which Topaze, the school- 
master, develops the text of 'Good 
vs. Evil' tto his Kmall and restless 
pupils that would be very draggy 
except for the light It throws upon 
the inwardness of Topaze himself. 
Of anything like drama It Is guilt- 



less. Even where there might be 
some force In the action. It is de- 
signedly soft pedalled and the foot- 
age devoted to closeups of Barry- 
more Is enormous. That doesn't 
make popular product for the mob 
ever, but In this case It does make 
swell class product. 

Technical production Is of the 
first grade, direction is signally 
good, and the screen treatment 
brings the story to a neat coniedy 
finish. Rush. 



WHAT! NO BEER? 

Metro production and relcnse, Co-star- 
rlngr Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. 
Directed by Edward Sedewlck, Story by 
Robert D. Hopkins; screen play, Carey 
Wilson: additional dialog. Jack Cluett. 
Camera, Harold Wenstrom: film editor, 
Frank Sullivan. Running time, 05 mine., 
at the Capitol, New Tork, week commenc- 
ing Feb. 10. 

Elmer J. Butts Buster Keaton 

Jimmy Potts Jimmy Durante 

Schults Rosco Ates 

Hortense Phyllis Barry 

Butch Lorado...... John MlUan 

Tony Henry Armetta 

Spihe Moran..' Edward Brophy 

Malllgan Charles Dunbar 

Chief Charlfes Glbljrn 



Keaton and Durante here have a 
commercial little laugh picture. Not 
so strong for the A's, if without 
strong stage support, but better In 
the others. It packs all the elements 
of mass appeal through the beer 
angle and Is primed right down to . 
the mob. 

Starts rather slowly and becomes 
almost banally hokey In spots, but 
strikes a fairly decent laff averae^e. 
Some of the gags are Joemlllers or 
'College Humor.' There's even the 
kangaroo gag about It beln^ a na- 
tive of Australia ('Gee, did my sis- 
ter marry one of them!'), but the 
Keaton-Durante fans will gloss over 
all of this. 

. Schnoz is the organizer who for- 
sakes his bsurber's chair to be . the 
first with beer on the market, now 
that he thinks It's legal. Keaton la 
the deadpan who finances the move 
because be wani;s to make a million 
for Phyllis Barry, the racketeer's 
moU. Xeaton's dumb innocence Is 
mistaken for the air of a cool mas- 
ter mind as one mob moves In on 
his brewery. 

The hoke eventuates when the 
beer barrels on a steep grade roll 
down bill and upset the pursulngr 
mobsters. That's quite a throwback 
to Sennett and Keystone, of course, 
but this, along with the other In- 
nocuous stuff. Is made more or less 
palatable by Director Sedgwick, In 
view of the farcical theme and the 
natural mass sympathies on the 
brew situation. 

The free-beer punch has the 
townsmen chasing to the brewery, 
where they consume some 10,000 
gallons of beer and thus destroy all 
the evidence before the enforcement 
squad steps In. 

Most of the action centers around 
the rehabilitated brewery which 
Keaton's 10 grand threw open. 
Three hoboes, Rosco Ates, Henry 
Armetta and another (Dunbar or 
Dolnan), are conveniently discovered 
biding In the abandoned brewery, 
where Schultz (Ates) Is the expert 
brew-master. 

Schnozzle Durante as the high- 
pressure organizer and moving 
spirit In the beer-making dominates 
almost every scene, Keaton's quiet, 
dead-piannery being about eclipsed 
as a result. It's not so much that 
Keaton stooges Dui:ante, as the 
script, while motivating an unte- 
quieted love Interest around Keaton 
and Miss Barry, more or less favor^ 
Schnoz. And Durante's own ener- 
getic profile -Ing and hotchichacha, 
of course, more than takes full ad- 
vantage of all opportunities. 

The iris-out has Schnoz over a 
huge stein of foam with an 'it won't 
be long now' tagllne — ^an out-and- 
out bid for bourgeoisie approval. 

And with that element as a screen 
pioneer, plus the Keaton-Durante 
comedy Investiture, there's every In- 
dication that the mass appeal equa- 
tion should prove Its box-office 
worth. Abel. 



Strange Adventure 

Chadwick production. Monogram release. 
Supervised by Treth Carr and directed by 
rtill Whitman, Leon Shamroy, camera. 
Story by Arthur Hoert. Adaptation by Lee 
Cbadwlck. Cast: Regis Toomey, June 
Clyde, Lucille La Veme, Wm. V. Mong, 
.Tason Robards, Eddie Phillips, DwiRht 
Krj-e, Isabelle Vcokl. Alan RoMCoe. Nndln^ 
Dore, Snowllake, Wm. J. Humphrey, Harry 
Myerfl. At Loew'a New York, one day, 
Feb. 7, on double bill. Running time, 00 
minutes. 



This Is an effort to use the girl 
reporter to put a little newness in 
the mystery pattern in which there 
is a mysterious killing in a room- 
ful of people, with all more or leaa 
under suspicion. Stilted dialog and 
slow speed do nothing to help a 
story which is fair photographically 
but off on sound and direction. Cut 
to an exact hour, it might have been 
better In 55, but not much better. 
It is a last resort as a singleton for 



Hollywood, Feb. .13. 

First direct move by the coast 
Hays office towards possible elim- 
ination of double feature bookings, 
has been launched by Mrs. Thomas 
G. Winter, associate director of 
public relations, who is sending out 
a questionnaire to all key persons 
of the Better Picture movement, 
asklncr their views on the problem. 

Move Is In conjunction with a 
nationwide Inquiry started by the 
Hal Roach studios. In a serious at- 
tempt to clarify the situation 
through a survey, which It Is hoped 
will give a. general attitude of repre- 
sentative people who are Influenchig 
picture audiences everywhere. 

Questionnaire embraces three 
questions, and Is labelled, 'An effort 
to aid the motion picture producers 
and theatre owners to secure an 
unbiased expression frpni those who 
are theatre patronCi regarding the 
presentation of double features.' 
Questions are; 

8he Asks Theml 

1. — 1>o yoii prefer patronizing the 
theatre, showing double-features, 
namely two pictures, during one 
performance? 

2, — ^Would you prefer a more 
diversified program, l,e„ such as 
one good feature, supplemented by 
short comedy subjects, newsreel, 
etc? 

. 3.— What objections. If any, have 
you against, the doUble-feature pol- 
icy 7 We will appreciate a compre- 
hensive summary, of yoiir opinion, 
and the general >ittltude of your 
meqtbershlp. . 

Pointing out In her general let- 
,ter that the dual feature problem 
has reached a crucial stage^ end 
that the niatter ot.lts continuance 
III the most debatable lissue now 
confrbnilnff the picture Industry, 
Mrs; . Winter states that 'producers 
seem to feel it Is a detriment to 
gpod business;, that It is an . Im- 
position on .Uie theatre public to 
expect tfa^m' to see a show that runs 
almost four hours.' 

While the local Hays office has 
no hdpe ot reaching the theatre 
patrons most vitally Interested in 
dual- programs,' It does hope . to get 
a comprehensive 'viewpoint of the 
key people of the Better Picture 
movement, and feels that through 
the eorrent canvass a definite trend 
of . publfb opinion will be obtained 
which Will have a strong influence 
both on distributing organizations 
and theatre, and pave the 'way for 
dual bill elimination. 



all but the cheaper houses, but can 
fill out a tandem if the companion 
feature Is good. 

Usual clutching hand character, 
cloaked and. hooded, one of the sus- 
pects is hanged and another nearly 
killed by a thrown dagger and later 
kidnapped. Regis Toomey, as a 
detective sergeant, aci^s as master 
of ceremonies, with June Clyde as a 
wisecracking girl reporter who gets 
into the house where the newsmen 
are barred. She does nothing to 
solve the mystery, but brightens the 
scene now and then. 

Action all occurs between mid- 
night and dawn. Lucille La Verne 
goes overboard in one heavy scene, 
which Is not her fault. Others 
merely feed the leads, it being that 
sort of story. CMo. 



Child of Manhattan 

Columbia production and release. Stars 
Nancy Carroll; features John Boles. Direc- 
tion, Eddie BuzzoU; adaptation, Gertrude 
Purcell, from play by Preston Sturges: 
camera, Teddy Tetzlaffi. Running time, 70 
mina. 

Madeleine McOonegal Nancy Carroll 

Paul Vanderklll John Boles 

Egglcston WarburCon Gamble 

Aont Bophle Clara Blandick 

Mrs, McGonegal Jane Harwell 

Buddy Gary Owen 

Lucy Retty Grable 

Bustamente Luis Albr-rnl 

Aunt Minnie Jessie Ralph 

Panama Kelly Charle.i Jones 

Dulcey Tyli r llrooke 

Louise Dotty Kendall 



Program fodder, except that 
there's more almpllclty than purity. 
It should go to fair results and 
ought to hold up well In the nabes. 

Film l.s from a sfape play by the 
same name, with a su.spiclon on all 
sides at the time the play waa pro- 
duced that It wa.s Intended for pic- 
tures. It's that kind of a picture. 
So Implau.silble and so obviously 
manufactured for the screen that It 
loses half its appeal immediately. 
It's hokc, baby ahoea and all, plus 
the Cinderella yarn brought to a 10- 
cent dance joint, 

Nancy Carroll gets a good chance 
to emote, and takes It, aa the dance- 
hall hostess. She's supposed to be 
wise to all the tricks, but falls for 
(Continued on page 44) 



22 VARIETY tneaday, February 14, 1933 




Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 2S 



iQiiick Rent Adjustments Sought 
By Publix RecVer-Avoid Closii^s 



Immediate adjustments of rent 
firlth landlords In Publlz bouses un- 
der receivership have followed ac- 
tion by courts, whether for friendly 
equity receivers or bankruptcy. 
Subsidiary theiitre corporations of 
Paramount which are in receiver- 
ehlp, as well as subsidiary groups 
In the Publlz Enterprises setup, are 
themselves neeotiating deals with 
landlords, locally. 

Publlx Enterprises, strictly a 
holding company. Is in bankruptcy 
recelv;ership under George. W. Top- 
llff, representing the Irving Trust. 
All rei#readju)9tni^nts In subsidiary 
grroups'^of P. B., while under the su- 
pervision of Topliff as Irving Trust's 
receiver appointee, are being han- 
dled locally by the theatres in their 
various localities. • 

So far as reorganization is con- 
cerned, with high hope that Publix 
Enterprises will not have to liqui- 
date many of its properties, rent 
readjustment la the first important 
step taken. Irving Trust and Top- 
liff are said to regard rent readjust- 
ments since declaration of P-P re- 
ceivership as very satisfactory. 

Thus far no action has been taken 
toward readjustment of fllm rental 
by houses in the Publix Enterprises 
setup, but it is expected this will 
Bhortiy l>egln with - new bookings, 
especially on a 'banki^ptcy basis' 
satisfactory to. the receiver. 

Reorganization 

Topliff is giving the P. E. theatre 
subsidiaries every possible advan- 
tage in their efforts to reorganize on 
a proper basis. 

Attorneys appointed for Irving 
.Trust have Joined Topliff In quar- 
ters ; in the Publix portion of the 
Paramount building:, along with a 
small staff of assistants and secre- 
taries. Attorneys are Wlnthrop, 
£tlmson, Putnam & Boberts. 

Topliff is moving slowly and care- 
fully, studying the' entire situation 
In ail its ramifications, with aid of 
charts, analyses, etc., rather than 
jumping In rapidly to 'liquidate what 
might at first have seemed a hope- 
less business enterprise. 

Operation of all subsidiary com- 
panies in Publix Ent. will continue. 
There Is no intention at this time to 
retard operation or stop it, simply 
as a result of the bankruptcy re- 
ceivership. 

In addition to rent relief in the- 
atres covered by receiverships, the- 
atres Tiot affected, such as New 
7ork and Brooklyn Paramounts, but 
which regard , rent as too high, are 
locally trying for adjustments. 



Exploitation 



(Continued from page 16) 

Happened that a man turned up 
who possessed this accomplishment 
and he was sent to the theatre. A 
few days later one of the committee 
was surprised to find the man in a 
store window writing sales messages 
for a picture, using a cake of com- 
mon laundry soap whittled into 
sticks. Working from the inside of 
the glass, he naturally worked in 
reverse, and that was what was 
holding the crowd. To write back- 
ward with such facility seemed lit- 
tle short of marvelous to those who 
did not know that all engravers 
have to cut in reverse, and can do 
It quickly if they have to. 



Switchboard Girls' Spiels 

Minneapolis. 

Phone operators at the Publix of 
flees here include among their du 
ties the selling of shows at Publix 
theatres to the public. This is, of 
course, in addition to their task of 
attending to the switchboard calls. 

AVhen an inquirer calls up to ask 
the name of the attraction playing 
at any particular Publix theatre, 
the central not only provides the 
title, l)ut also In a few, well-chosen 
words, tolls how good the picture 
is, the names of the stars and rea- 
sons why you should see it. It all 
sounds very spontaneous and seems 
to conip from the heart, indicating 
maybe that the gnls have to be good 
acties.sos as well as saleswomen 
and switchboard experts. 



Up to Public 

When tlie receivership of Par- 
amount and RKO broke in the news 
there w.is a lot of comment from 
the lay public, and one live wire 
hustled Into the excitement with a 
placard reading: 

'This theatre is not going into re- 



ceivership. It Is not going to go 
into a receivership ,un]es,s you fail 
to come la aufBcieat' imm'bers. We 
shall clTer the Paramount .pictures 
as always, for the receivership does 
not affect the branches of the com- 
pany making and distributing the 
pictures. We'll keep right on giving 
you the pictures if you'll keep on 
coming.' 

Locally the announcement got 
more attention than the wire news. 



W. W. Uniforms 

Boston. 

Victor Morris' exploitation for 
'The Big Driv«' here may aid other 
exhibitors. . V|c hired on Liegion 
vets, attired them in a dbzen differ- 
ent varieties of world war uniforms, 
representing all the big nations, said 
costvmes being rented-, from New 
York iahd sent as official. Itad the 
boys po.9e in lobby, and parade the 
streets, attracting wide- attention. 

Morris flgures Idea will give 
thousands of men employment be- 
sides serving as efUcient ballyhoo. 

Another hoiise here used- a world 
war museum in lobby, interestingr 
but far less spectacular. 



Putting 411 Plenty 

George Brown , has turned o\x% a 
great press took for the first 
Wheeler and Wbolsey picture under 
Columbia release, 'So This Is Af- 
rica.' It Is double the page size of 
the usual press book or the equiva- 
lent of 24 pages of the usual size. 
There are enough' exploitation 
stunts to keep a theatre going for 
a month, good publicity stuff and 
a number of accessories and two 
additional sheets of special ad mats. 

It'« one of the largest of the re- 
cent press . b'bbkiEi, but it's not Just 
bulk. It's brains, too. Trust an old 
campaigner like Brown for that. 



Regular Girls Do Best 



By CECILIA ACER 

'Painted Hps, painted eyes.* 
The 6rlrlB are blinking from the 
screen wlthi slanting eyes, pouting 
with tortured mouth. Nineteen 
thirty-two and prettlness out. 
Brooding exoticism, that's tii.e 
thing. 

' 'Joan Crawford discovered that 
by. enlarerlnR' her mouth, outlining 
more , heavily her eyes, she might 
not look like herself, but by all the 
gods of picture stars she looked like 
something. So her eyes grew 
blacker and her mouth more agon- 
ized until sometimes In 'Rain' she 
was an animated Totem pole. 

Girls are Just girls in Hollywood 
too. Imitation lurks in the hearts 
of the little stars Just as It does In 
the big onefe. Now the wholesome 
lassies, the glris always cast as 
somebodsr'B daughter 6r somebody's 
niece, ; are blotting out their fea- 
tures, ' leaving' only staring eyes, 
twisted lips. 

Katharine Cornell always has her 
picture taken ugly; she's doing a|I 
right.- The palpitations engendered 
by Marlene Deitrich's Satanic eyei- 
brows, those tliin lines that swing 
off to her temples like nothing , hu- 

(Contlnued on page 66) 




ions' Go 
For $75 Per 



Maybe 

Warners Is out for a float in the 
inaugural parade of Pres. Roosevelt 
as the ,end Of a ballyhoo that will 
stretch across the continent via spe- 
cial train. Will push the flhn, •42d 
Street.' 

"Where the laugh comes In In the 
press announcement is that 'the 
float appearing in the parade will 
symbolize Better Times and also 
42d..Et. as the greatest theatrical 
street in the world.' 

Minskys and the flea circus will 
be delighted. 



Stage Anto Show 

New Haven. 
Paramount worked out some nice 
general publicity In tieup with local 
auto dealers. Dealers paid for half- 
page advs. of week's bill In return 
for auto display on stage plus a 
two-minute spiel at each . perform- 
ance. Stunt was worked as a series, 
with a different dealer exhibiting 
and sponsoring adv.- for each day, 
such as 'du-ysler Day,' 'Chevrolet 
Day,' etc. 




id 



Holljrwood, Feb. 13. 

Plenty of swaiik 'houses that cost 
up t9 976,000 to build can be rented 
these days here and lil'Beverly Hills 
for $76 to $100 monthly, A few 
years ago such small mansions 
couldn't be rented for less than $800 
to $600 a month. 

£ftring to the letting of the houses 
at this low rental Is that those, go- 
ing In must have good- furniture. 
Argument here is that ifC bous^ prop- 
erly furnished will sell better than 
an empty one. 

No leases are given under this 
system, with tenant agreeing to 
show the house at least once every 
two weeks to prospective buyers If 
there are any and an underistaQd- 
Ing that the tenants will move out 
at a week's notice If a sale is put 
over. For this the .occtipant gets 
tw9 months' rent refunded. 

Another reason for putting in 
renters at this figure is to save 
plumbing fixtures and other remov- 
able objects which have been the 
prey lately of marauders. One 
house recently lost two bathtubs by 
theft. 



Doc Joe Lee Out of RKO After Curing 
Its M Houses-$UOO,000 Profits 



Joe Lee, who earned the sobriquet 
of 'Dr.' for curing a circuit of 10 
RKO 'sick' picture theatres In 
Brooklyn, and whose string, a 
former loser, showed a profit of 
more than $1,300,000 In three years 
under Lee's operation, is out as an 
RKO division manager. He has 
been offered a one house manager- 
ship but not known whether he'll 
accept. 

Lee started with RKO in 1929 as 
manager of the Orpheum, third run 
grind In downtown Brooklyn. The 
house had lost $60,000 the year be- 
fore, but in the first year under 
Lee's management It made a profit 
of $12,000. Lee was then given the 
dyeenpoint, which had dropped $40,- 
000 the year before, but which 
turned in a $72,000 profit in the first 
year of 'Dr.' Lee's treatment. 

The Bushwlck was then added to 
Lee's group. AUhouph not a loser, 
it had finished only $400 above the 
red the year before. In its first year 
under Lee the Bushwick made $65,- 
000, 

RKO continued to turn its 'sick' 
ones over to Lee until the string 
reached a total of 10 houses, all in 
Brooklyn and Long Island. They 
were declared a division and Lee a 
division manager. Besides the Or- 
pheum, Greenpolnt and Bushwich, 



the Lee theatres included the Dyker, 
Shore Road and Tllyou, all Brook- 
lyn; the Strand and Columbia in 
Far Rockaway, and one each In 
Rockaway Park and Cedar hurst. 
Successive Raises 

Following Lee's successful opera- 
tion of the Orpheum and Greenpoint, 
RKO decided to give him more 'sick' 
theatres to cure. Lee and Joe 
Plunkett, who was then the RKO 
theatre operating head, made a new 
agreement by which Lee would get 
a raise In salary with each new the- 
atre added to his string. After the 
first couple of additions Lee's sal- 
ary commenced to rise pretty high 
for a division manager. When RKO 
balked, Lee accepted the respons- 
ibility of six more theatres at no in- 
crease in salary. 

Before joining RKO Lee exploited 
Tom Mix, the late Harry Houdlni 
and others. He applied the same 
ballyhoo methods to theatre man- 
agement and this was held chiefly 
responsible for the results he ob- 
tained. 

Another RKO division manager, 
Nat Holt, received his notice last 
week but this was later rescinded, 
with Holt now due to stay in Cin- 
cinnati as head of the Ohio theatre 
group. RKO had intended to bring 
Holt to New York as manager of 
the Albee, Brooklyn. 



ShermSn Beats Out Favorite at 306 
Presidential Election-Inunediately 
Goes for Cut-Down of Bus. Agents 



BALTIMORE 

(Continued from page 10) 

20-30 scale Idea for weak flickers 
not working out properly. It was 
a valiant attempt by Len Mp- 
Laughlln, but the product scarcity- 
was against him. 

Estimates for This Week 

Auditorium (Penn Mutual) a.600; 
10-20-30) —'Trailing the Killer* 
(WW). House's low scale try with 
iiidie product lasted only two weeks; 
^e price, was oke but not the prod- 
uct. Theatre goes dark for a couple 
of weeks while McLaughlin flgures 
out a new way to light up the mar- 
quee. Both weeks around $3,600. ' 

Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25-36- 
45-65-.6B) — 'Employees' Entrance' 
(WB) and vaude. Georgie Price on 
atage doesn't mean much. Femme 
Shoppers are being pulled three 
ways this week, with pash attrac- 
tions at this and two other down- 
town spots. This one looks like an 
average session at $14,000. Last 
week the weather held back '20,000 
Years in Sing Sing* (WB) to -$16,100. 

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,400; 
"5-35-45-55-65) — 'Parachute Jumper' 
(WBB) and vaude. Duncan Sisters 
reunited on the rostrum. House 
sticks to average gross also, show- 
ing notlilng outstanding either ott 
stage or screen from early iiidlcar 
tlons. Maybe $12,000. Previolis. 
session was a serious dlsaiikpolnf- 
ment in Harry Richman's personal, 
who starved the house down to $11,^ 
SCO, with 'Sailor Be Good' (RKO> 
feature. 

Keith's (Schahberger) (2,400; 80-c 
40-60)— 'Women They Talk About' 
(WB). On draw It's Barbara Stan- 
wyck. Heading for $6,000, stei^dy 
profit for this spot. Last week' 
drew in the kids for 'Nagana' (U) 
to $5,400, very good. 

' Maryland (Penn Mutual) (1,900; 
66-83-$1.10-$1.66)— 'Rasputin' (MO). 
Fortnight for this roadshow sHd off 
badly in the second week, again tak- 
ing the weather Into consideration; 
$4,300 for the second portion. House 
back to legit, opening tonight (13)' 
with'-K'atharlne Cornell 'Alien Corn' 
premiere. 

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 30-40-60) 
—'State Fair' (Fox). A bls one from 
Fox and happylng the box office to 
$7,000, powerful In comparison with 
former grosses lately. Last week, 
for instance, was only $3,900 ^or 
'Child of Manliattan' (Col). 

Stanley (Loew-UA) (3,400; 25-35- 
45-55-65)— 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). 
Pop run looks for $16,000, okay. 
These pop runs are closing .up Hear- 
er to roadshowlngs, this one being 
separated from Its local roadshow 
by. only a scant number of weeks^ 
Weather slapped 'Kid from Spain" 
(UA) hard last week and held down 
an early terrific pace to $19,800. 



'Cross/ Port., $8,000, Beat 
For House Since Sound 



Portland, Ore., Feb. 18. 

Broadway is boosting its gross 
this week with 'Sign of the Cross' 
in line for best biz in that house 
since it went all sound. 

Fox will roadshow 'Cavalcade' In 
the Rialto at $1.10 top, and buildup 
exploitation has already started in 
advance of opening. 

•Kid from Spain,' now in its sec- 
ond week at the United Artists, is 
holding up to okay biz. First Week 
put the small house of 1,000 seats 
into top spot of the burg's grosses. 

Two very quiet weeks for the 
Orpheum with 'Hard to Handle' and 
'No Other Woman.' This house has 
the only stage units In the burg but 
the edge is dulling on that as b. o. 
draw. Stage units swell the nut at 
least three grand without name 
acts and no signs at the present 
writing of there being that much 
extra biz in the burg for flesh shows. 
Estimates for This Week 

Broadway (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 
25-40)— 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). 



As president of New York opera- 
tors. Local 306, Harry Sherman's 
flrst decision is in the direction 
of executive economy. He Is hop- 
ing to. force through a resolution at 
ati e&rly dat^ which will reduce the 
number of business agents from 
four to tw<>, . 

"While appointing four, as required 
by. local's by-laws,- on his entrance 
Into' office, Sherman contemplates 
calling a meeting shortly and pro- 
pose elimination of two of the men. 
At the same . jtiine, Sherman wants 
to reiieye himself of appointing 
pctwers,. In.. future, by a, resolution 
which 'Woiild dictate that two -busi- 
ness as^t>td shall be elected, start- 
ing, with the next regular election 
in December. 

Sherman took office yesterday as 
the 806 president, following his vic- 
tory over two opponents at a special 
election Friday (10). His desire to 
reduce business agents to two. 
starting with next December's elec- 
tion if not sooner, is looked upon as 
an attempt by Sherman to avoid 
any possibility of feeling within his 
local thfit' he hankers for the power 
and i»oiltt<« . Involved in appoint- 
menttr.'- • V 

LoM Salary 

,\ As president of MS, Sherman win 
rec^iye-' $21t66& anidually. This Is 
uilcief ;th6 Salary he has received 
ak ^Pnbliz's - lab0r tekecutlve. Sher- 
man' elided, ^^th Publix Saturday 
(li), tumlnig' in his resignation ef- 
fective 'tha.t date. irohn< Sullivan, as- 
sistant -to 'Sherman, also resigned 
SaLturday (11) aind followed Sher- 
majti into-,30S. 

Tip - yntii .' Wo days prior to the 
306 eliectldn Friday (10), Sherman 
was not the favorite, HanV Mack- 
ler, one of bis opponents,/i)elng at 
two-to-one. A hot debate' Thursday 
night (9) between M&ckler and the 
fiery, speak-hls-mlnd Sherman, 
turhed the tide. Results were Sher- 
man, 630; Mackler, 350 and Howard 
Paxton, 93. 

Paxton was the candidate on the 
'Sam Kaplan ticket' His number of 
votes when compared to that of 
opponents was about the average 
the other candidates of Kaplan re- 
ceived. It was a washout for any- 
one proposed by E:aplan. 

Charles' 'Thl<|e, leader lii the fight 
to oust .'KaplOA, was elected -vice- 
president :by -5^0 votes out of a total 
of -963. George Reeves was elected 
recording secretary, Charles Beck- 
man financial secretary, and Thomas 
Mitchell sergeant-at-arms. 

Sherman goes into 306 as the 
choice of the I.A.T.S.E., which toss- 
ed out Kaplan. He has been the 
lA favorite for ii long time and 
would probably have been appointed 
to the proxy post by the lA if it had 
been a question of appointment 
rather than a special election. 



Going good and in line for big $8,- 
000. Last week '20,000 Years' (FN) 
poor at $5,600. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 25-55)— 
'Lucky Devil' (RKO) and vaude 
with stage, band. Away off at $3,500. 
Last week 'No • Other Woman' 
(RKO). Mild on take of $4,700. 

United Artists (Fox-Parker) (1,- 
000; 26-66)— 'Kid from Spain' (UA). 
In sec6nd week and doing nicely for 
about $4,000. First week topped the 
burg's grosses for the week in this 
small house with $7,000, plenty good. 

Oriental (Hamrick) (2,500; 25-35) 
—'Hard to Handle' (WB). Clicking 
fairly and should get $4,000. Last 
week Tiadles They Talk About' 
(WB) Just average at $3,300. 

Liberty (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 15- 
25)— 'Match King' (FN). Looks good 
for pretty nice $3,500. Last week 
'Central Park' (WB), $3,000. 




'Bad Manners' — Unfavorable 
'BAD MANNERS' (Comedy, W. A. Brady, .Sr., Playhouse). 
Too lightweight as a stage play. No indicated value for screen. 



I bee. 



'Evensong' — Favorable 
'EVE.VSONG' (Comedy drarna, Selwyn & Jack.son, Selwyn). 
Should make a good feature. Rights may have been disposed of in 
England, where show was originally produced. 76ee. 



'Before Morning' — Favorable 

'P.EFORE MOnXIXC (Mcl(ji]r;iinn. Banni.^tor and Norman, Ritz). 
Polite mystery play which should m.ike a jiidure with additional 
material. Ibee* 



24 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 14, 198S 




INOTHER FOX RECORD? 

%nd in times like this, tool 



f 



MlS day-and-dale openings (Feb. 9-ia} 



beatins "Sunny Side Hp's" 
standing recoid . . . 

tww look at these: 



ions- 




JANET 

GAYNOR 

LEW 

AYRES 

NORMAN 

FOSTER 

FRANK 

CRAVEN 



WILL 

ROGERS 

SALLY 

EILERS 

LOUISE 

DRESSER 

VKTOR 

JORY 



$fwy hy PHIL STC^^Ka Screen play by Sonya Lerkn amd Paul Green 

HENRY KING Production 



iilii 

i 
I 



5 .r'i?^*- "•<'%^/ii.uruL' is^' 



# Ipiir^ey Bt^ of 
; Elricry: dai)" makes it sini^iliiiicl surer , , , 



RADIO QTY MUSIC HALL, 
New York. Broke house record 
with 182,217 adnussions in cm week. 

LOEWS STATE, Los Angeles. 
Broke all time attendance records. 
Biggest poss since sound came in 
desfUtt lower prices, 

NEW ROXY, New York. Qpa- 
city crowds all week. Booked into 
Palace Theatre to accommodate 
overflow. 

UNITED ARTISTS, El Ccntro. 
Smashed all records. Gross 42 per 
cent higher than any other picture 
that played house. 

UPTOWN, Kansas City, Opening 
day's receipts almost equal average 
weekly take of past eleven months. 

In Phoenix, Ariz, and Santa Bar- 
bara, Cal. first two days equalled 
average week's business. 

If this is a depression, who cares 
if prosperity ever comes* 




One of the 

FOX 

Cavalcade of HITS 



Tdesday, Febniarj 14, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



25 



SAVING THE NEIGHBORHOODS 



WB May Incorporate AD Theatres 
Separately as Tiiey Have m Peim. 



InoorpQratIno individual theatres 
In Penn.» Is admitted by Warners 
a forsrunner of what may prevail 
for Its entire theatre circuit. Ad> 
vantages of separate corporations, 
•specially in bad times, are numer* 
«us, Wfrnsrites declare. 
. Operi\ti6n of circuit and general 
Warner theatre policy will not be 
•ffeoted by the legal move. It Is 
held. 



Harrlsburcr. I^b. 18. 

State Department has received 
applicatioris from 41 theatres In 
Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and vicin- 
ities near those cities for Pennsyl- 
vania charters. Applicants are af- 
flllated with Warner Brothers, 
which corporation deposited f 1,640 
to cover all fees. 

The Incorporators are the same 
In each Instance, PhlUp J. Raff, 296 
West 11th street. New York City; 
WllHam J. McGowan, Jr, 7131 Lou- 
ise road, Philadelphia, and Iioula 8. 
Aldrlch, 821 West 44th street, New 
York City. The^ number of shares 
without nominal; or par Valt|,e that 
may be Issued la 1,000 by each In- 
dividual corporation, the stated cap- 
ital applicable being $6,000, 10% of 
which has been paid to the corpora- 
tion's treasurer. 

Each theatre plans to begin busi- 
ness with $600 capital. 

Companies applying for charters 

UHMvT Theatn Cto.. FlilU. 
JefTerMil-PaA O9., FUI*. 
Open Honae Go.'. AmDler. 
Adtor Stnntoy Co., BMdlnc 
Quaen Theatre Co., Rradln*. 
Bex Theatre CO., xuaMnt. 
B6yal Tbsatze C6., Beadln*. 
VlotorU fChMtt* Cb., Beadlnv. 
Hurl* Theatre Co.. Itarentam. 
Feople'a.. Theatre Co.. TaMntam. 
Park Theatre Co., Jobnatown. 
Framlar Theatre Corp. _ 
AmuBement Dnterprlaes. Germantown. 
Northeaatem Amoae. Corp. 
Blohmond Amnaey Co.. PhUa. 
Grand Willow Oo» Ktna. 
Prlneo Theatre Co.. Ambrldse. 
Clearwater Bealtr Co. 
Phoenix Theatrical Corp. 
Lindrom* Theatrical Co. 
Caineraphon* Thaatra Co., Plttsbargh. 
Buildlnr Thatro Ca, Plttaburgh. 
Arcadia Theatre Co., Beadlnff. 
Wio. Penb Theatre Co.. Pittsburg 
Palace Theatre Co., PlttsbnrKb. 
Model Theatre Co.. FlttaburKh. 
Horrla Theatre Co.. Plttsbuista. 
World Theatre Co., Phlla. 
Liindy Amusement Co. 
Rita Theatre Co.. New Kensington. 
Victor Theatre Co., McKeesport. 
etrand Theatre Co.. Gettysburg. 
McKeesport Tbeatre Co. 
WesleyvlUe Theatres Corp. 
Holme Theatre Co., HoImeeburK. 
Liberty Theatre Co., Donora. 
X>onora Theatre Co., Donora. 
Butler Theatre Co.. Butler. 
AmbtidEB Theatre Co., Ambrlds*. 
Theatre Co.. Altoona. 
Ambler Theatre Co., Ambler. 

2 -mmL EMPIRE 
GOES TO 1ST RUNS 



B&K WORRIERS 



BY STOP OF CUT Mlix-MOiated 
IDM ISSIDNS Avoid Recehrersbips Though 

Some May Have to Go Bath Later 



Syracuse, N. T., Feb. 18. 
Empire, devoted to repeats on a 
double feature basis since Its op- 
eration by the Skouras Interests, 
this week begins an expirement 
with a first run policy which may 
determine the future status' of the 
house. 

Playing 'State Fair,' Empire has 
advanced its price scale from 15-20 
to 26-40, the level maintained by 
other principal theatres. 



Oriental Deal Off 



Harry Arthur and Mike Marco's 
deal with Baiabn & Katz for the 
Oriental, Chicago, Is off, due to B. 
& K.'s Insistence on straight rental. 
New operators of the old Roxy, New 
York, wanted the loop picture house 
on percentage. 

The Arthur- Marco plans for the 
Oriental Involved a two-bit policy 
along the lines of that presently at 
the Roxy. 



MILLSTEIN'S EETURN 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 13. 
After almost a year as sales man- 
ager for Universal's shorts, Harry 
Millstein has returned to Pittsburgh, 
as again manager of the local U ex- 
change. 

He succeeds Max Cohen, who re- 
turns to the New York head- 
quarters. 



Daily Pre-view of Features Becomes 
Necessary in Chicago 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Some 16 members of the operating, 
booking, and exploitation staffs of 
Balalian and Katz are now spend- 
ing fromi 11-1 daily In the projection 
room. This contrasts with the 
former system of devoting only one 
day, Wednesday, to the projection 
room. 

Behind this set-up with Its de- 
mands on everybody's time Is the 
chaotic conditions of today. All of 
the persons involved must be fa- 
miliar with from two to three times 
as many of the current releases as 
formerly necessary. 

Previously the product was di- 
vided In advance between weekly 
change and extended run houses and 
the two groups did not have to 
overlap. Now all features must be 
pre- viewed li> projection rooms for 
the reason that booking switches 
are sb frequent, the practice of 
yanking pictures short of their full 
engagement Is so common, and the 
flops of touted pictures so confus- 
ing that a film intended for the 
Roosevelt Auty land in the Oriental, 
or one intended for McVlckers may 
go to the Chicago theatre. 

In other words, the old regime 
could say, ..That's one of your pic- 
tures, you worry about It,' but to- 
day everybody belongs to. a soviet 
of worrleiis. About 9 fe&tures a 
week are pre-vlewied. 



GEO. WALSH IN CHARGE 
OF PUBUX N. Y. HOUSES 



In appointment of George Walsh 
as Publlx operator over upstate 
New York properties, taking In 
everything excepting New York, 
Brooklyn and Staten Island, Harry 
Royster and George Kavanaugh, 
district managers, are demoted, 

Royster, who has operated a dis- 
trict out of Rochester, takes over 
the management of two houses In 
that city. Regent and Century, for 
Walsh. Kavanaugh goes into Peeks- 
kill, N. Y., over the Paramount 
there. He formerly had the Hudson 
River district. 

Eastern Ohio Is no longer tied 
Into the western New York district 
as a result of receiverships In that 
state. Including towns that are af- 
fected by the Publlx Enterprises 
bankruptcy. 

Walsh will direct operation of the 
New York houses under him from 
the Publlx h. o. on the payroll of 
the upstate group. 



B&P's May Go Skouras 



Fromer Bradder and PoUak the- 
atres operated by RKO In New 
Jersey may go to Skouras under a 
new deal which receivers for RKO 
are considering. The Skouras nego- 
tiation is part of RKO's general 
plan on reorganization of the com- 
pany's theatre end. 

Skouras' takeover of the B. & P. 
spots would give Skouras around 
23 theatres in Jersey, as the broth- 
ers already operate around 16 in 
that territory. The B. & P. spots 
number around seven, mostly In 
small towns. 



Indie Leaders Reported 
Agreed on This Solution 
— 50% of Exhibitors on 
Brink of Collapse, They 
Say 



CAN'T LAST LONG 



if neighborhood houses are to 
survive show business must have a 
showdown. Headed by Charles 
O'Reiiiy independent leaders hold 
that fully 50% of the mass of ex- 
hibitors in cities proper are^today 
on the brink of colfapaSf that the 
erisie will come before summer and 
that' the only possible way to delay 
or avert it is by key theatres estop- 
ping immediately further slashes in 
admissions. 

There Is an alternative being pre- 
sented to the producers. This Is 
that If the price war continues with 
circuits, In and out of receiverships, 
taking the Initiative, then a mora- 
torium on protection should be es- 
ta,bllshed and thie Indle should, at 
least, have the opportunity of pre- 
senting pictures at abont the same 
time. 

Under present conditions the 
neighborhood exhibitor has only one 
sales point left. This Is the cou' 
venlence of his location for the 
neighborhood plcturegoers. 

Observing this and that double 
features, trick gift nights, two-for 
ones and all of the others are flops 
In the hands of the indie alongside 
of dime morning admissions of flrst 
run circuit houses, O'Reilly, as the 
Indle spokesmen, declares It would 
be better for the entire Industry to 
shut down over the summer and 
concentrate on general livable re- 
adjustment and reorganization than 
to continue on Its present plane. 

Stressing the need of Immediate 
aid for the neighborhooder O'Reilly 
maintains that the fruits of decen- 
tralization and whatever Influence 
receiverships have in reducing 
leases may come too late. 

Unbelievably Low 

The neighborhooder cannot be ex- 
pected to last long In a competi- 
tion, remarks the Theatre Owners' 
Chamber of Commerce head, when 
top runs are now charging admis- 
sions which even he would have 
laughed at for his own box office a 
few years ago. 

For every Indle who Is forced to 
closer O'Reilly reminds, other the- 
atres are being compelled to take 
on such loss. Unless the admis- 
sions war Is stopped or picture 
classes and runs are combined into 
one general category of release. It 
won't be many months from now 
when the producer will have to get 
his Hollywood overhead from his 
own theatres. 

In New York city the center of 
attack is not aimed so much at the 
reduction In Broadway admissions 
and the novelties of Radio City. Ex- 
hibitors up in the Bronx declare 
they won't have to take this seri- 
ously until Broadway sends a free 
bus up for its patrons. The charges 
here are directed specifically at 
more immediate circuit competition 
which reaches directly into the 
neighborhoods. 



Coles Goes to Boston 

Marian Coles, Publix executive 
is transferring to Boston as treas- 
urer of all the Publix Theatre cor- 
porations in that territory, number- 
ing around 60. He left New York 
Sunday (12). 

Up to time of his transfer from 
the h.o.. Coles was secretary and 
assistant treasurer of Publlx Thea- 
tres Corp., as well as a director of 
various Publix subsidiaries. He also 
occupied title of treasurer with ' 
some of the subslds. ' 



Stickebneyer in Ohio 

Toledo, 0., Feb. 13. 

Henry Stlckelmeyer, division 
manager at Chicago over the In- 
diana territory. Is coming In here 
within a week to operate all of Ohio 
for Publlx receivers. He will head- 
quarter here, operating two Toledo 
)iousos as well. 

Charles Kurtzman, in charge 
locally, intends going to Xew York. 



Claudia Coleman in P!x 

Hollywood. Feb. 13. 
Claudia Coleman, vaudc, gets her 
picture break in Fox's 'Warrior's 
Husband.' She plays one of the 
Amazon women. 



Indigestion 



That flve-day week may be 
great with the unions, hut It's 
driving house managers with 
stage shows nuts. Reason is 
the weekly gumming up of 
light cues back stage and In 
the booth when the new men 
come on. 

Most of the managers, how- 
ever, have arranged for their 
regular boys to be on for re- 
hearsals and the flrst couple of 
days of the new show. Wben 
the union boys change over 
that's the day the managers 
go for a walk. They've found 
their digestion Is delicate 
enough as Is. 



5 N. Y. BiLU AFFECTING 
BOX OFnCESff PASSED 



Albany, N. T. 
Five new bills pertaining to 
amusements weire introduced. In the 
state legislature last week. A move- 
ment was launched to bar from, the 
state any flim creating a fialse Im- 
presslbn of the conduct o]t public 
ofllclals or undermine publlo con-^ 
fldence in them. Asseml>Iyinan 

Irwin Steingut, mlnori^ leader of 
the lower house and Senia.tOr Jere- 
miah F. .Twpmey, BrQoklyn Demo- 
criat, are the sponsors.' 

A 10% tax is proposed in ifc blU 
on admission to' unfuseinent shows, 
applying to all enteirtainmeiits with 
box offices, where the proceeds are 
not donated to charity. 

Marathon dance contests would be 
prohibited In another hill. 

Dramatic and stage performances 
as well as motion pictures, would 
be allowed Sunday In communities 
where there exists an ordinance al- 
ready permitting Sunday films. ' Any 
city, town or village would be per- 
mitted to adopt any such ordinance. 

Another bill would permit any 
governing body of a city, or village 
to pass an ordinance allowing the- 
atre owners to permit children over 
the age of 10 admission to shoWs 
unaccompanied by their parents or 
guardians or other adult persons. 
The theatres, however, would have 
to exhibit only those fllins approved 
and designated by the education de- 
partment as especially suited for 
children under 16. 



CATHOLIC GUILD SHORTS 



Its Members Will Appear in Reels 
Made by Glucksman— 25% Split 



A deal has been entered Into be- 
tween the Catholic Actors' Guild 
and E. M. Glucksman under which 
the Guild win benefit to 26% of the 
proceeds from shorts to be pro- 
duced by Glucksman. 

In return the Guild agrees to fur- 
nish gratis from its lengthy mem- 
bership holding all of the prominent 
Catholic professionals of the east, 
any of those members as requested 
by Glucksman to take part in the 
shorts. 

It's somewhat similar to deals 
made not so long ago by the Lambs, 
and also the Masquers In Holly- 
wood. 



I. M. Halperin Out 



Detroit, Fob. 13. 
I. M. Halperin is out as division 
manager of Publix Michi'^an thea- 
tres here this week. N. M. I'. Att 
returns to top position locally be- 
ing responsible directly to Jr.lm 
Balaban in Chicago. Halperin h.as 
been in the local pU-tui-o for sohio 
time and is a nephew of Sam l-Paiz. j 



Publlx Theiatres Corp., an oper- 
ating and servicing company, and 
various important theatre subsld- 
larles of Paramount-Pubilx, notably 
Balaban & Katz, Great States and 
Famous Players-Canadian, are not 
expected to be forced Into receiver- 
ship. Others of lesser Importance, 
such as Netoco in New Bngland and 
Paschall Texas circuit, also are de- 
clared to have big odds In their 
favor against receivership. 

As a means of protection It may 
be that ancillary receivers Will 
eventually be appointed over most 
all P-P theatre, and other properties. 
This has occurred so far In Chi- 
cago, with Adplph Zukor and 
Charles D. HlUes ancillary receivers 
over P-P properties In that terri- 
tory, which presumably would take 
in everything owned there. Includ- 
ing theatres and film exchanges. 
P-P . copals a. 96% Interest In 
B^K, which in turn controls. Great 
States ; (Dllnols) 100%.' Biftk also 
controls the Publix-Eunsky inter- 
ests in Detroit, which mfty be even- 
tually forced into receivership. B&K 
Itself Is pictured by Paramount as 
'soUd as a rock.* 

Ancillary receivers, again Zukor 
and Hllles, liav<B been appointed in 
Los Angeles over everything there,, 
taking in theatres (Paramount, 
li A.), studio and. exchange prop- 
erties. 

Under. anclliaiT'^ctions receiver- 
ships are subject t6^ the receivership 
of the court of original Jurisdiction, 
which. iiji the case of Chlc^o and 
I4. A. woiMid'.be the Parainoimt-Pub- 
Ux iiareni/co.'s reiciBiyershlp. 
. For tbe xiortheni district of Ohio 
a receivership ancillary, to the Pub- 
llx .'Enterprises;. . 'bcuUcroptcy , has 
been ordered. This is over the Pub- 
llz-Ohlo Corp., whlcli during ^past 
week went Into bankruptcy with Al 
Ruben 1^ ..receiver . and takes In 
among bthep .spots Toledo .and 
Freemont. : Publlz-Qhlo Corp, Is a 
subsld of Publlx Enterprises. . 

Pending' in Utah 

A pending receivership . action 
haners Over the Publlx-UtaJi prop- 
erties as the result of a suit brought 
by Liouls Marcus as landlord. Mav. 
cus asks tliat a receiver be ap- 
pointed to manage the properties, 
taking in theatres in Salt Lake City, 
Ogden, Provo and other towns. 

Marcus Is now mayor of Salt 
Lake City. He was a former Pub- 
llx operating partner In Utah. A 
week ago Marcus came Into New 
York trying for a settlement with 
Publlx, his suit following unsuc- 
cessful efforts in that direction. He 
left New York Wednesday (8). 

During the past week a receiver 
was appointed over six theatres 
in the Publlx-O'Donnell division, 
which as a group Is known as 
Southern Enterprises of Texas. 
Houses are Worth, Fort Worth; 
Metropolitan, Queen and Kirby, 
Houston, and Melba and Palace, 
Dallas. Clarence Llnz was named 
receiver. Other houses in the 
O'Donnell setup, around 15, are un- 
affected. 

As with the Paschall string (old 
Dent circuit) the remaining 16 are 
looked upon as likely to avoid re- 
ceivership. Only a minority of the 
Saenger houses are actually affected 
by the receivership in that chain. 
San Antonio Amusement Co., Pub- 
lix partnership with W. C. Lytell, 
Is unaffected as well by southern 
receiver actions. 

E. J. Sparks, who has all of Flor- 
ida with exception of two theatres 
In Pensacola owned by Saenger, 
may pull through without a re- 
ceiver. .Same Is held true probably 
of Mike Shea's setup in Buffalo. 

Klnccy & Wllby, as well as vari- 
ous lesser partnerships in the south, 
also are malcing every effort to 
avoid rccelverahlp except where 
houses are affected by the P. B. 
bunJcruptcy. 

A.s a result of landlord suits in 
Color.Tilo, It Is though a receiver 
will eventually bo appointed out ■ 
ilifitj. 



26 



VARIETY 



Tuesclay, February 14, 193S 






■ \ 



IN HER FIRST 
STARRING VEHICLE 




HIM 




Playins to Capaelty 
Audiences 



Th^ Critics Are Never Wrong 



rrhls iB Mae West Week at the 
Paramonht, and pereonally . we'd 
rather hard it that kind of a week 
than almost any other we can think 
of."— Thornton Dtlehanty, Evening 
Pott. 



Her inimitable manner makes 
•She Done Him Wrong* strong for 
the box office!, and besides there is 
the hot personality of Miss West in 
the flesh on the stage." — Iriehe 
TMfer, Dally News. 



•Mae West's a wow!" — Regina 
Carewe, TJevo York American. 



"Tou've got to see it it you have 
time or not. Miss West is starred 
in a flrst-rate entertainment"— 
Wm. Boehn-l, 'World-TeJegram. 



"Hearty, hilarious and handsomely 
rowdy motion picture. It is one of 
the grandest things about Miss 
West's robust comedy."— Jlicftard 
WattB, jr.. Herald Tribune. 



"Miss West gives a highly amusing 
performance and supplements her 
appearance by lending her swagger* 
ing talents to the s*age show."— • 
A. D. Bennwald, TUew "York Times. 



"Mae West is the most colorful pe> 
- sonallty acquired by the talkies."—* 
Bland Johaneaon, Daily Mirror. 



"Don't mlBS Miss West in 'She Done 
Him Wrong.' You might Just as 
well sit on and see the film a second 
time."— JJose Pelswick, New York 
Evening Journal. 



PERSONAL APPEARANCE THIS WEEK (FEB. 9) 
AND HELD OVER 2nd WEEK (FEB. 16) 

PARAMOUNT, NEW YORK 

BREAKING ALL HOtlSE RECORDS !4 

Exclusive Management: WILLIAM MORRIS AGENCY, Inc. Personal Management: MURRAY FEIL 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



PIC T II R E S 



VARIETY 



27 



lOc Ist-Runs in Minneapolis Loop 

7th St. Tnring It — ^Naborhooders Complain- 
ing— Other Downtowners 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 

S^rst runs at 10c have bit the lo- 
cal loop, making: a new box office 
low. Seventh Street theatre Is In- 
stitutlner the dime price efCectlve 
until 6:30 p. m. dally, after which 
time It goes to 20c. ' House, usin? 
a considerable number of first-runs 
recently. Including: such pictures as 
♦Night Mayor,' had been charging 
lEc up to 6:30 p. m. Second runs 
and occasional third runs alternate 
with the first runs and there are 
three changes a week. 

As a result of this reduction, a 
price war now threatens in the loop. 
Fantages, another independent grind 
third-run house, charges a flat IBc 



price throughout. Publix Palace, 
with a similar policy, has a 15c scale, 
while the Publix Aster, using some 
flrst runs along with second and 
thirds, charges 15c up to 6:30 p. m. 
and 26c at night. 

Bill Elson, Independent operator, 
runs the Seventh Street theatre 
along with several other houses In 
other cities. The theatre Is ^he old 
RKO Orpheum and once was the 
town's big-time vaudeville house. 

Independent neighborhood exhibi- 
tors are up in arms over the low 
scales In loop houses which get 
playing time preference over them. 
Cancellations of numerous pictures 
have been threatened. 



CHARLIE (d«««y) McCarthy 




Under Management and Miiniptdation of 

EDGAR BERGEN 

"VenAriloquist** 



There is no truth In the rumor that I am splitting with 
Bergen and going to do ■ single. I will continue to 
play leads in Bergen's future Vitaphone and vaudeville 
sketches. 



*'AFRICA SPEAKS— ENGLISH/' BERGEN'S 
SEVENTH VITAPHONE FOR WARNER BROS^ 
NOW AT THE WINTER GARDEN THEATRE, 
NEW YORK. 



Sailing on M. S. Kungsholm March 17 on South Amer* 
ican cruiae, returning in April. 



ANN 
GREENWAY 

(Late Feature "Face the Music^' Co.) 

OPENING FEB. 17 

CHICAGO THEATRE 

CHICAGO 

Al»o Appearing Nightly at 
Chicago's Newest and Smarest Rendezvous 

WALNUT ROOM 

BISMARCK HOTEL 



SOME RKO Dir. MCRS. 
MAY BE SWITCHED 



There la llitely to b« a general 
switch of divisional operators on the 
RKO theatre end as the company's 
reorganization under the receiver- 
ship progresses. Thia will happen 
Just as soon as the company gets set 
for a switchback of a number of its 
houses to former ownera of new 
operators. 

Divisions which may be affected 
include the middle west, the coast 
and the south, besides one or two 
spots around New York. 

It is probably that Charles Koer- 
ner, presently dfvisional manager in 
the south for the Hoblitzelle houses, 
may come north into another post. 
Nat Holt, divisional director in the 
middle west and who holds a con- 
tract with the company, may be 
shifted eastward. Nate Blumenberg 
will continue at Chicago, In charge 
of Orpheum houses for the re- 
ceivers. 

Koerner's retnaining in the south 
is dependent on Hoblitzelle himself. 
Latter has requested RKO to let 
Kearner stay, at least temporarily, 
with the report having it that Koer- 
ner may be named trustee under 
tlie receivership by the court for the 
RKO southern housesi 

RKO is agreeable to this. Koer- 
ner, therefore, will stay south for at 
least another two months. The 
switchup will also have an effect on 
salaries, with the present Indicated 
idea being to cut the pay of some of 
the fleld chieftains under the new 
order of things which is being set. 



MAYBE BOT ONE RKO 
HOUSE LEFT IN CHI 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
It is not yet certain whether RKO 
will retain one or both of its Chi 
cage spots, namely the State Lake 
and the Palace theatres. Any way 
RKO may decided Is dependent on 
the receivers for the company ac 
qulescing. Presently it may be part 
of Nate Blumberg^B Job aa operator 
for the receivers to determine which 
house may stay within the operating 
fold of RKO and which may be let 
go. 

Altogether around 10 of the Orph- 
eum cities may be retained if the 
receivers are willing. Among these 
may" be the Golden Gate, Frisco, 
and the Hillstreet, Los Angeles. 
These are besides the Chicago 
probability and other locations like 
in New Orleans, Denver and Omaha. 



Fox-PoU 



(Continued from page 4) 
Theatres Corp., which subleased 
the thea,tre properties from the 
Fox-New Ene,Iand Theatres to meet 
bond interest obligrattons to the lat- 
ter concern under terms of the lease 
brought about the action. 

The Arthur company agreed to 
assume a certain debt of the Fox- 
New England Theatres according to 
the bill of ccmplaint that was due 
the New York Trust Company on 
Feb. 1 of $333,000, representing the 
Interests for six months on the 
bonded indebtedness, of the Fox- 
New England Theatres concern. 
New York Trust Co. is the trustee 
on the first mortgage of the New 
England Theatres. Arthur Theatres 
also defaulted to Fox New England 
on a $70,000 sinking fund payment. 
Defaults by F-New England to the 
Guarantee Trust Company trustee 
for the second mortgage amounted 
to $339,000 In interest due and 
$152,000 sinking fund payment, also 
alleged. 

Owed $2,000,000 

The defendant corporation, the 
bill stated, was indebted directly to 
the Fox company for $1,997,000 on 
advances and owed to others in ad- 
dition $79,000. Arthur Theatres had 
failed to pay rentals due for Jan. 
25, 1933. There was also default made 
in payment of about $330,000 In 
taxes. The Fox-New England The- 
atres on August 23, 1928, purchased 
the theatre properties now in re- 
ceivership from Sylvester Z. Poli. 
Properties were later sublet to the 
Arthur Theatres* under a stock 
ownership and profit sharing agree- 
ment, the Arthur company to pay 
rent taxes. Insurance and aa.sunif 
certain current obligations. 

Practically the same story was In^ 
volved "in the OlympTa "Thcatre.s" 
where complaints filed alleged non- 
payments of rentals, taxes and other 
bills involved In the operation of 
some 16 tlT-itres In Connecticut. 



Myers Alleged Hook-up with His 
Piromise of Delivery to Reformers 
Sends Ex-Leader Under Hays Ban 



Vita, Toledo, Burned Down 



Toledo, Feb. 13. 

Vita theatre, 80 -year-old house, 
was destroyed Friday (10). Fire be- 
lieved to have originated oh the 
roof from sparks from the chimney. 
Damage is placed at $160,0.00. . 

House has been playliig second 
run, under the manaerement of Bud 
Silverman and was one of the tew 
In Toledo to still use black ink. 



CAL'S M TAX BHl 
ON ALL OVER 9c 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Assemblyman Claire Woolwlne to- 
day Introduces in state legl^Iiature 
at Sacramento bill for 10% tax on 
all amusements where admission 
price charged is over 9c. Thi^ in- 
cludes athletics and amusements in 
every form. 



IMackenzIe OK 

Maurice Mackenie returned to his 
desk at the Hays offlcei Friday (10) 
after an illness and convalescence 
lasting over five weeks. 



Hays OfiHce Monday (13) added to 
its flies the name of Abram F. 
Myers. From now on Haysltes con- 
sider the Allied Exhibitor counsel in 
the same category with Canon 
Chase and other 'permanent outside 
reformers' of the business. 

In the understanding of Haysltes, 
Myers has guaranteed- ^o. deliver 
indie exhibitors to the Federal Mo- 
tl6n picture Council of America. 
The 4ear. between the council and 
Myers, . according to word in New 
York,, is that the reformers will flrst 
endeavor to aid Allied in passing 
the . Brookhart bill, or a similar 
measure. If this fails, it; Is recount- 
ed by Haysltes,^ then Myers is cred- 
ited with having agreed to deliver 
Ills indie exhibitor memtbers to the 
council's age-old caudeir'of federal 
censorship of flimdom. 

Ih tying up with the council, 
Myers, according to Haysltes, has 
adopted this as his own slant on 
the business. But, the Hays office 
is little worried by the ex- Allied 
leader's former connection. They 
point out that he has tried practi- 
cally everything on the calender to 
make Allied a paying proposition — 
that. hls hookup with the council Is 
:like that of the man who burned all 
bridges to return. 



THE PARADE or the 



' WINNERS 



• WoDc into any . of ih* iboii- 
sandB of emioU'-fowii, SOO-seat 
movies and you w^find"Aaier* 
icoDi Gli^a^^8^*p^9doilllinf^flfls^Soa^ 
yourself In ony of America's 
9reat«^ show houses ond digtdn 
you piobodbly will be eidoiinvflie 
. comibzt of an "American' Chcdr** 




I 



ASK us. 

'llow can I rjeseat my 
.Ibeatre economlcallY?" 



The WINNERS .'in':£SS.2? 



Hadio CUT— BEO 
New York City 

Civic Memorial Opera 
House 

San Francitco 

Earl CanoVL Theatra 
New York City 



RKO Thealies 

Albany, Schenectady, 
Doiver, Davenport 

Marcus Lowe's IlieatiM 

72nd Street, New York 
175t]i Street, New York 
Grand- Atlanta, Johen- 
oesburg, South Africa 



UnUed AitUte 

Berkeley, Cal. 

Borne ClfodtBallimoce 

Broadway, Apollo, 
Harlem Theatre* 

T. & D. Jr. Cnteipilsee 

Alameda, Cat 



American Seating Company 

Makers of dependable aeating for theairem, 
achoola and churches 

General Offices: GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 

BBANCHES IN ALL PBINCIPAL CITIES 




28 



VARIETY 



PICT 



ES 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



Studios: 



Allied 



Offices: 



729 Seventh Ave.i 
New York, N. Y. 



Pathe Studios, 

Culver City, Cal. 

Cowboy Counsellor, The. Hoot Gibsoti poses as a lawyer. Dir. George Mel- 
ford. 66 mins. Rel. Oct. 15. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Iron Master, The. Success and romance In a steel mill. Reginald Denny, Llla 
Lee. .1. Farrell MacDonald. Virginia Sale. Dir. Chester M. Franlilln. 66 
mln. Rel. Nov. 16. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Man's Land. A. Western, with Hoot Gibson winning Marlon Schilling. Dir. 
Phil Rosen. 68 mlns. Rel. June 11. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Officer 13. Motorcycle offloer exposes racketeers. Monte Blue, Llla Lee. Seena 
Owen. Mickey McGuIre, Jackie Searle. Dir. George Melford. 63 mlns. 
Rel. Dee. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Parisian Romance, A. Famous stage play. Lew Cody, Marian Shilling. Gil- 
bert Roland. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 76 mlns. Rel. Oct, 1. Rev. 
Oct. 18. 

Offices: 1540 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 

Forgotten. Original. Story of a forgotten man. June Clyde. Wm. Collier, 
Jr., Natalie Moorhead. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mlns. Rel. Feb. 15. 

King Murder, The. From the novel. Conway Tearle. Natalie Moorehead. Robt. 
Frazer. Dorothy Revler. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time. 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 
2B. Rev. Nov 1. 

Slightly Married. Com«dy drama. Evalyn Knapp, Walter Byron Marie Pre- 

vost. Dir. Richard Thorpe. Time, 65 mlns. Rel. Nov. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Strange People. Mystery melodrama. John Darrow, Gloria Shea, Hale 

Hamilton. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 66 mlns. Rel. Jan. 15. 
Thrill of Youth, The. Modern society. June Clyde, Allan Vincent, Matty 

Kemn Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time. 63 mlns. Rel. Aug. 16. 
Women Won't Tell. Romantic drama. Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan. Dir. 

Rich. Thorpe. Time. 67 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. 



Chesterfield 



Columbia 



729 Seventh Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Studio: Gower at Sunset, 
Hollywood, Cal 

Air Hostess. Thrilling story of the adventure and romance of a 1933 girl who 
fearlessly flies across the continent in passenger ships. Evalyn Knapp, 
James Murray. Dir. Al Rogell. Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 24. 

American Mainees. Melodrama of a run on the bank anid bow It was checked. 
Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien. Kay Johnson, Constance Cummlngs. Frank 
Capra. dir. Time. 76 mlns. Rel. Aug. IS. Rev. Aug. 9. 

Bitter Tea of General Yen. Romance' and adventures of an American girl 
caught In the maelstrom of Shanghai. Barbara Stanwyck. Nils Asther, 
Walter Connolly. Dir. Frank Capra. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Deception. Story of the wrestling game and its frameups. Leo Carrlllo, 
Thelma Todd, Dickie Moore. Dir. Lew. Seller. 67 mine. Rel. Nov. 4. 
Rev. Jan. 17. , 

End of the Trail, The. A IT. S. cavalry officer, who is court martlaled, and 
redeems himself. Tim McCoy. Luana Walters. Dir. D. Ross L«derman. 
68 mins. Rel. Dec. 9. 

Hello Trouble. Buck Jones quits the rangers — but he goes back. Buck Jones, 
Llna Basquette. Dir. Lambert HUlyer. Time. 61 mins. Rel. July 16. 
Rev. Oct. 18. 

Last Man, The. Drama of outlawry on the high seas. Chas. Blckford, Con- 
stance Cummlngi. Dir. Howard Hlgglns. Time. 66 mifls. Rel. Aug. 31. 
Rev. Sept. 20. 

Man Against Woman. Man's strength against woman's wiles. Jack Holt, 
Lillian Miles. Dir. Irving Cummlngs, Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Nov. 16. 
Rev. Dec. 20. 

Man of Action. Original outdoor drama. Tim McCoy. Dir. Geo. Melford, 

67 mins. Rel. Jan, 20. 
Mark It Paid. Original story of motorboat racing. Wm. Collier, Jr.. Joan 

March. Dir. D. Ross Lederman. ,69 mins, Rel, Nov. 12. Rev. Jan. 24. 
McKenna of the Mounted. Canadian policeman dropi^taelow the liorder. Buck 

Jones, Greta Gransted. Dir. Ross Lederman. Time, 67 mins. Rel. Aug 

26. Rev. Nov 8. 
Murder of the Night Club Lady. See 'Night Club Lady.' 

Night Club Lady. Unique murder mystery, done from a novel. Adolphe 

Menjou, Mayo Methot, Skeets Gallagher. Dir. Irving Cummlngs. Time. 

66 mlns Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Night Mayor. Political story based on Jas. J. Walker. Lee Tracy. Evalyn 

Knapp, Eugene Palette. Dir. Ben Stoloff. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Aug. 19. 

Rev. Nov. 29. 

No More Orchids. A millionairess who is regenerated by the new American 
spirit. Carole Lombard. Lyie Talbot, Walter Connedy, Louise Closser 
Hale. Dir. Walter Lang. 70 mins. Rel. Nov. 25. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Obey the Law. Original of an efisy lAark who turned firebrand, Leo Carlllo, 
Lois Wilson, Dir. Benj. StolofC. 69 mins. Rel. Jan. 20. 

That's My Boy. Football story off the usual lines. Rich. Cromwell, Dorothy 
Jordan, Mae Marsh. Dir. R. W. NieL Time, 71 inlna. Rel. Oct. 6. Rev. 
Nov. 22, 

This Sporting. Age. Revenge on the polo field. Jack Holt. Evalyn Knapp. 
Dir. A. W. Bennison, Time, 71 mlns, Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Vanity Street. Girl breaks a window to get into Jail, but lands In the 'Fol- 
lies.' Helen Chandler, Chas, Blckford. Dir. Nick Grinde. Time, 67 
mlns, Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. Oct. 11. 

Virtue. A street walker who goes straight. Carole Lombard, Pat O'Brien. 
Dir. Edw. Buzzell. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Oct. 26. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Washington Merry-Go-Round. Political satire. Il«e Tracy, Constance Cum- 
mlngs. Dir. Jas, Cruze. Time. 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 16, Rev. Oct, 26. 

White Eagle. Buck Jones as an Indian pony express rider, Jones, Barbara 
Weeks. Dir. Lambert Hillyear. Time, 66 mina Rel. Oct. 7. Rev 
Sept. 27, 



These tabulations are compiled 
from information supplied by the 
various production com^'>anies and 
checked up as soon as possible after 
release. Listing Is given when re* 
lease dates are definitely set. Titles 
are retained foi six months. Man- 
agers who receive service subse- 
quent to that period should pre- 
serve a copy of the calendar for 
reference. 

The running time .8 given here 
is presumably that of the projection 
room showings and can only approx- 
imate the actual release length in 
those states or communities where 
local or state censorship may result 
in deletions. Running time in the 
reviews as given in 'Variety' carry 
the actual time clocked in the the- 
atre after passage by the New York 
state censorship, since pictures jre 
reviewed only on actual theatre 
showings. 

While every effort is made te hold 
this list accuratoi the information 
upplied may not always be correct, 
even though official. To obtain the 
fullest degree of exactness 'Variety' 
will appreciate the co-operation of 
II managers who may note discrep- 
ancies. 



(Continued from page 6) 
will he 'Straight Jacket,' with Mal- 
colm Stuart Boylan and Harvey 
Gates handling the story. 



Studios: 



Burbank, 

Calif. 



First National y. 



Cabin In the Cotton. A social study of the poor whites. Rich. Barthelmess, 

Dorothy Jordan, Bette Davis, Dir. Michael Curtiz. Time, 76 mins, Rel 

Oct, 16. Rev, Oct. 4. 
Central Park. Western cowboy hunts bandits In a New York park. Joan 

Blondell. Wallace Ford, Guy Kibbee. Dir. John Adolfl. Time, 66 mins. 

Rel. Dec. 10, 

Crash, The. How one couple reacted to the panic. Ruth Chatterton, Geo. 
Brent. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Oct 8. Rev. Sept. 13, 

Crooner, The. Comedy drama of a radio singer. David Manners, Ann Dvorak 

Dlr, Lloyd Bacon. Time. 68 mlns. Rel. Aug. SO. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Doctor X. Mystery thriller In color. Lionel AtwIIl, Fay Wray, Lee Tracy 

Dir. Michael Curtiz. Time. 77 mlns. Rel. Aug. 27. Riv. Aug. 9. 
Employee's Entrance. Original 'Love In a Dept. Store.' Warren William 

LoretU Young, Alice White. Dir. Roy Del Ruth. 74 mlns. Rel, Feb, 11 

Rev. Jan. 24. 

Frisco Jenny. 'Madame X' In San Francisco locale, Ruth Chatterton, Donald 
Cook, Jas. Murray. Dir. Gerard Beaumont. 70 mlns. Rel. Jan. 14, Rev 
Jan. 10. 

Life Begins, Tactfully handled maternity story from a stage play. Loretta 
Young, Eric Linden. Dir. Jas. Flood and Elliott Nugent, Time, 72 
mlns. Kcl. Oct. 1. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Match King, Fictitious romance of the Swedish flnancier. Warren William, 
Llll D.inilta. Dir. Howard Bretherton-Wm, Keighley. 79 mlns. Rel 
Dec. 31, Rev. Dec, 13. 

Silver Dollar. Sliver boom days in Col. Edw. G. Robinson. Dir. Alfred E, 

Green. 84 mlns, Rel, Dec, 24. Rev, Dec. 27. 
They Call It Sin. Kansas girl breaks into N. Y. show life. Loretta Young 

. Geo Brent, David Manners. Dir. Thornton Freeland. Time, 70 mins. 

V Hel. Nov. 5. Rev. Oct. 25. 

■ Three on a Match, Three schoolgirls have adventures. Joan Blondell. War 
r ren Willlum. Ann Dvorak, Bette Davis, Dlr, Mervyn L* Roy, Time, 63 

mlns. Hel. Oct. 29. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Tiger Shark. Life and tragedy with the tuna fishers. Edw. G. Robinson 
Zita Johan. Rich'. Arlen. Dir. Howard Hawks, 70 mins. Rel. Sept, 24 
Rev, Sept. 27. 

You Said a Mouthful, Joe Brown swims to Catallna. Joe E. Brown. Ginger 
Rogers. Dir. Lloyd Bacon. Time, 70 mlns, Hel. Nov. 26. Rev. Nov. 22 



Studio: Fox Hills, 

Hollywood, Cal. 



Fox 



Offices: 850 Tenth Ave., 
New York, N Y 



Broadway Bad. Story by Wm. R. Llpnian and W. W, Pezct, Modern drama 
Joan Blondell, Ginger nr>K»:r,<!, Rlcardo Cortez, Margaret Sedden. Dir. 
Sidney Lanfleld. Rel. Feb. 24. 

Call Her Savage. Tiffany Thayer's story of a half breed girl. Clara Bow, 
■ Monroe— Owsley-. --Gilbert- Roland. DlP: - John-- Francis Dillon. Time, 82 
mlns. Rel. Nov. 27, Rev. Nov. 29. 

Cavalcade. Noel Coward's pageant of Brltl.sh society. Diana Wynyard, Cllvc 

Brook, Herbert Mundln, Ursula Jeans. Dlr, Frank Lloyd. Iloadshow 

length 110 mlns. No release date set. Rev. Jan, 10, 
Chandu the Magician. Dramatized radio broadcast, Edmund Lowe, Bela 

Lugosi, Irene Ware. Dir. Marcel Varnel. Time, 72 mlns. Rel, Sept. 18 

Rev. Oct. i. 



HoDywood 



S. Fowler Wright's fantastic story. 
The Deluge,' has been bought by 
Sam Bischoftl Likely will not be 
made for the World-Wide progi'am 



Sheila Terry gets a new termer 
at Warners. Going Into 'Mayor of 
Heir on completion of 'Silk Ex- 
press.' 



Table to Screen 

Last week Tolandl PattI was a 
waitress In the Fox studio cafe. 
This week she Is playing a part in 
the studio's 'Bondage.' 



Bankruptcy petition has been filed 
by Harry C. Hervey, novelist, now 
a script writer. Dorothy Gulliver 
has been given her bankruptcy dis- 
charge after filing liabilities of 
$1,796 and assets of $200. 



Gilbert Roland gets the male lead 
opposite Catallna Barcena In the 
Fox Spanish picture, 'Romantic 
Widow.' 



Dangerously Yours. Society thief and girl detective. Warner Baxter. Miriam 

Jordan, Herbert Mundin. Dir. Frank Tuttle. 74 mins. Rel. Feb. 8. 
Face In the Sky. Romantic adventures of a billboard sign painter. Spencer 
Tracy, Marian Nixon, Stuart Erwin. Dir. Harry Lachman. Rel. Jan, 15. 
First Year, The. Domestic drama from a stage play, Janet Oaynor, Chas. 
Farrell. Dir. William K. Howard. Time, .. mins. Rel. July SL Rev. 
Aug. 23. 

Handle with Care. Comedy. Jaa Dunn. Boots Mallory, El Brendel. Dlr, 

David Butler. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Deo. 27. 
Hat Check Qirl. Murder and mystery In a nite olub. Sally Ellers, Ben Lyon, 
Ginger Rogers. Dir. Sidney Landfleld. Time, 63 mlns. Rel. Sept. 3S. 
Rev. Oct. 11. 

Hot Pepper. Flagg and Quirt— with Lupe. Edmund Lowe, Vic. McLagien, 
Lupe Velez. Dir. John Blystone. 74 mlns. Rel. Jan. 22. Rev. Jan. 24. 

I Am Guilty of Love. Original. Physician who seeks to save his son from a 
woman's Influence. Bdots Mallory, Alex. KIrkland, Irene Ware. Dir. 
John Francis Dillon. Rel. Mar. = 3. 

nfernal Machine. From the novel by Carl Sloboda. Drama. Genevieve To« 
bin, Chester Morris. Dir. Marcol Varnel. 66 mine. Rel. Feb. 10. 

Me and My Qal. Comedy arama. Joan Bennett, Spencer Tracy. Dir. Raoul 

Walsh. Time. 78 mins. Rel. Dec. 4. 
Painted Woman. Drama of the East Indies, with Spencer Tracy and Peggy 

Shannon. Dir. John Blystone. Rel. Aug. 14. Rev. SepL 6. 
Passport to Hell, A. Drama of African Jungle. Blissa Landi, Alex. KIrkland, 

Warner Oland. Dir. Frank Lloyd. Rel. Aug. 7. Rev. Aug. 80. 
Rackety Rax. Football satire. Victor McLaglen, Greta Nlssen. Dir. Alfred 

Worker. Time. 65 mlns. ReL Oct. 23. Rev. Nov. 8. ^ 
Robbers' Roost. Rustler discovers that love Interferes with cattle stealing. 

George O'Brien. Dir. Louis King. 63 mlns. Rel. Jan. 8. 
Sailor's Luck. Original. Romance of a XT. S. Navy gob. Jas. Dunn, Sally 
Eilers, Victor Jory. Dir. Raoul Walsh. Rel. Mar, 10. 

Second Hand Wife. Banker's secretary steps from his office into his heart. 

Sally Ellcrs, Ralph Bellamy. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 64 mins. Rel. 

Jan. ].- Rev. Jan. 17. 
Sherlock Holmes. The Conan Doyle story with a new gangster twist. Clive 

Brook, Miriam Jordan, Ernest Torrence. Dir. W. K. Howard. Time, 

68 mlns. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Nor. IS. 
Six Hours to Live. Murdered diplomat is revived to avenge his murder. 

Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 78 mins. 

Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. Oct. ^26. 

Smoke Lightning. From Zane Gray's 'Canyon Walls.' Geo. O'Brien, Nell 

O'Day. Dir. David Howard. Rel. Feb. 17. 
State Fair. From the novel by Phil Strog. Love and triumph at the state 

fair. Janet Gaynor, Lew Ayres, WIU Rogers, Louise Dresser. Dir< 

Henry King. €0 mins. Rel. Feb. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Teas of the Storm Country. Talk version of an old silent. Janet Gaynor, 

Ohas. Farrell. Dir. Al. Santell. Time. 76 mins. Rel. Nov. 20. Rev. 

Nov. 22. 

Too Busy to Work. Talking version of 'Jubllo.' Will Rogers, Marian Nixon. 
Dir. Jas. Blystone.- Time, 76 mlns. ReL Nov. 13. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Freuler Associfttes ^^'^'^^ ''N"eTYo"rk, n."^! 

Deadwood Pass. Original. Western. Hidden treasure and government agents. 
Tom Tyler, Alice Dahl, Wally Wales. Dir. J. F. McGowan. Rel. Mar. 16. 

Fighting Gentleman, The. A fighter who goes to the top and back again, 
wm. Collier, Jr., Josephine Dunn, Pat O'Malley. Dir. Burton King. 
Time. 60 mlns. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Forty-Nlners. The overland trek In pioneer dajrs. Tom TyMit, Dir. J, P. 

McCarthy. 49 mlns. Rel. Oct. 28. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Gambling Sex, The. Racing story with a society slant. Ruth Hall, Grant 
Withers. Dir. Fred Newmeyer. Time, 64 mlos. Rel. Nov. 21. Rev. 
Dec, 27. 

Kiss of Araby. Original. Sahara story of British army and Rift, with love 
Interest. Marie Alba, Walter Byron, Claire Windsor. Dir. Phil Rosen. 
Rel. Feb. 23. 

Penal Code. Story of a boy's regeneration surmounting complications. Regis 
Toomey, Helen Cohan, Robert Ellis. Dir. George Melford. 62 mins. 
Rel, Jan. 16. . 

Savage Girl, The. Big game hunters find a white Jungle beauty. Rochelle 
Hudson, Walter Byron. Harry Myers. Adolph Mllar, Dir. Harry L. 
Fraser. Rel. Dec. 6. 

When a Man Rides Alone. Robin Hood of the West and some daring stage 
coach holdups and fast riding, Tom Tyler, Adele Lacey, Duke Lee. 
Dlr, J, P. McGowan. Rel. Jan. 29. 



Halperin Brothers will photograph 
a woman being electrocuted for 
mui'der In their production, 'Super- 
natural,' for Par. She will be dressed 
in an evening gown, however. 



Because Wynne Gibson refused to 
do 'Dead Reckoning,' Par has given 
the actress a four-week vacation 
without pay. 



Cortez III, Loses Spot 

Charles Rogers Is trying to get 
another male lead for 'Bedfellows,' 
to replace Rlcardo Cortez, who will 
be confined to the hospital for an- 
other 10 days with the flu. 



Jesse Lasky Is shelving the idea 
of making 'Peking Picnic' He be- 
lieves the market won't absorb an- 
other Chinese film at this time. 



Warner's '42nd St.' may follow 
'Cavalcade' liUo the Chinese, with 
latter closing In two weeks. Possi- 
bility of theatre slicing admissions 
on next attraction. 



Universal has bought 'Beautiful 
Face,' an original by Jerry Horwln. 
Gloria Stuart and Andy Devine may 
get the leads. 

Tom Buckingham, directing and 
writing for Universal, has signed 
Baby Peggy on a personal contract 
He formerly directed the child act- 
ress, now 16. 



Earle Foxe replaces Minor Wat 
son in Par's 'Bedtime Story.' Latter 
previously replaced Charles Ruggles, 



Brown Draws 'Lady' 

Clarence Brown starts on John W. 
Consldine, Jr.'s, 'Dancing Lady,' 
following 'Service* at Metro, 'Lady' 
has Joan Crawford, Lee Tracy and 
Fanchot Tone In leads. 



Bartlett Cormack writing an origl 
nal for the next Cecil B, DeMillc 
picture at Par, Story to be a black 
and tan affair. 



Majestic 



Fox gives Val Burton and Will 
Jason, song writers, new termers. 



Dorothy Fields and Jimmy Mc- 
Il.igli'wflllng the 'songs for Melro'H" 
Wynn feature, which may be titled 
'Fire Chief.' 



Joseph Schlldkraut will return to 
pictures at Metro. Now In Icglt in 
Xew York. 



Offices: 1619 Broadway, 
New York City 

Crusader, The. Drama of a crusading district attorney. Evelyn Bren., H. H« 
Warner, Ned Sparks, Lew Cody. Walter Byron, Marceline Day. Dir. 
Fnink Strayer. 72 mins, Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Oct. 11. 
Gold. Western drama. Jack Hoxie, Alice Day, Matthew Betz, Dynamite* 
horse. Dir. Otto Brower. Time, 66 mins. Rel, Sept. 16, Rev. Oct. IL 
Gun Law. M'estern. Jack Hoxie, Betty Boyd. Rel, Mar, 1. 
Hearts of Humanity. Drama of New York's East Side, Jean Hersholt, Jackie 
Searl, J. Farrell MacDonald, Claudia Dell, Charles Delaney. Dir. Christy 
Cabanne. Time, 70 mins. Rel. Sept, 1. Rev. Sept. 27. 
Law and Lawless. Western drama. Jack Hoxie, Hilda Moreno, Yakima Can» 
utt. Wally Wales, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, 61 
mlns. Rel. Nov. 30, 

Outlaw Justice. Western drama. Jack Hoxie, Dorothy Qulllver, Donald 
Keith, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, 61 mins. ReL 
Oct. 1, 

Phantom Express, The, Railroad melodramatic mystery. J. Farrell Mac* 
Donald, William Collier, Jr., Sally Blane, Hobart Bosworth, Eddie PhlN 
lips Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mins. Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Public Be Darned, The. Story behind present-day conditions. E>7elyn Brent, 
Pat O'Brien. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Rel. Mar. 1. 

Sing. You Sinner. Dramatic life of a torch-singer. From the play by Wilson 
Colllson, Leila Hyams, Paul Lucas. Rel. Mar. 1. 

Unwritten Law The. A drama of betrayal and vengeance. Greta Nlssen, 
SUeets Gallagher, Mary Brian, Lew Cody, Louise Fazenda, Hedda Hop- 
per, Dlr, Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. ReL Nov. 16. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Vampire Bat, The. A thriller. Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas. 
George E. Stone, Maude Eburne. Dir. Frank Strayer. Rel. Jan. 21. 
Rev. Jan. 24. 

Via Pony Express. Jack Hoxie western. Marceline Day. Dir. Lew Collin. 
Rel. Feb, 8, 

Studios: 4376 Sunset Drive, 1Ulawfn» Offices: 1600 Broadway, 

Hollywood, Cal. mayittir Nevv York, N. Y, 

Alias Mary Smith. Events follow a chance meeting. Semi-detective. John 
Darrow, Gwen Lee, Ray Hatton. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 61 mine. 
Hel. July 15. Uev. Aug. 30. 

Heart Punch. Murder story with a prize ring angle, Lloyd Hughes, Marlon 
Shilling. Dir. Breezy Eason. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. Dec, 13. 

Her Mad Night. Mother assumes guilt for a daughter's crime. Irene Rich, 
Conway Tearle. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time. 67 mins. Rel. Oct. 1. 
Rev. Nov. 29, 

Malay Nights, Original, Mother love in the tropics, Johnny Mack Brown, 
Dorothy Burgess. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. 69 mins. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. 
Feb. 7. 

No Living Witness. Novelty crime story. Gilbert Roland, Noah Beery, Bar- 
bara Kent, Dir. E, Mason Hopper, Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 15. Rev. 
Oct. 11. 

Tangled Destinies. Mystery in a deserted desert home. Lloyd Whltlock, 
Doris Hill, Glen Tryon, Vera Reynolds. Dir. Frank Strayer. Time, hi 
mlns. Rcl. Sept, 1. Rev. Oct. 26. 

Trapped in Tia Juana. Army life on the Mex. border. Edwlna Booth, Duncan 
Renaldo. Dir. Wallace W. Fo.t. Time, 65 mlns. Rel, Aug, 15, 

Studios: Culver City, 1\/I#»*rft Offices: 1640 Broadway, 

Calif. meiro York, N. Y. 

Blondle of the Follies. Self explunnrory title. Marlon D.ivles, Robt. Mont- 
gomery, Billy Dove. Dlr, E. Gouldlng. Time, 91 mlns. Rel. Aug. 18. 
Rev. Sept, 13. 

Clear All Wires, I'lrturlzntlon of the recent Broadway hit about a foreign 
correspondent. Leo Tracy, Bcnlta Hume, Dir. George Hill. Rcl. Feb, 17. 

Divorce In the Family, Jackie Cooper saves the family happiness- Jackie 
(■Vioperr GonrttdnNagcl. Lewis StDno, Lois Wihom — ^Dlrr-Clnts.- P. -Rref=ner. 
Time, 78 mins Rel. Aug. 27. Uev. Nov. 1. 

Downstairs. LKo holow stairs In n titled f.-xmlly, John Gllbort, Virginia 
I'.rnre, Taiil I.iikas, Dir. Monta Bell. 'rimo. 77 mlns. ltd. Aug. 8. 
Hov. Oct. 11. 

Fast Life. Typlr.nl ITnlnps story with a thrilling speed boat race. Willl.im 
Halnos, CHIT Edward.s, Conrad Nagel, Madge Evans, Dlr, Harry Pollard. 
S2 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Dec. 27. 



Tuesday* February 14, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 29 



FInh. Wallace Beery as a wrestler. Karen Horley. RIccardo Cortez, Jean 
HersboU. Dir. John Ford. 96 mine. Re). Deo. 9. Rev. Dec 13. 

Faithless. Rich girl learns the lesson of the depression. Tallulah Bankbead, 
Robt. Montgomery. Dir. Barry Beaumont. Time. 76 mino. ReL Oct 16 
Rev. Nov. 22. 

Hell Below. The submarine heroes ot the World War. Robert Montgomery, 
Jimmy Durante, Madge E^rans. Walter Huston. Dir. Jack Conway. 
Rel. March 17. 

Konso. Remake ot th^e silent of the same^^tltle. ^Sorcery in central Africa. 



Walter Huston, Lupe Velez, Conrad Nagel, Virginia Bruce. 
Cowen. Time. 86 mlns. Rei. Oct. 1. Rev. Nov. 22. 



Dir. Wm- 



Lady Deceived. The. Based on the Broadway stage bit by Martin Brown, 
Irene Dunne. Philips Holmes. Dir. Charles Brabln. Rel. Jan. 13. 

Mask of Fu Manchu. Chinese plotter seeks the sword of Ghengls Kahn. 

Boris Karloff, Lewis Stone, Karen Morley. Dir. Chas. Brabln. Time, 

68 mlns. R«I. Nov. 6. Rev. Deo. 6. 
Outsider, The. An unlicensed surgeon performs seeming miracles. Harold 

Huth, Jo\n Barry, Frank Lawton. -nlns. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Pack Up Your Troubles. LaufoI and Hardy full length military comedy. Dir. 

Geo. Ma shall and Raymond Carey. Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Sept. 17. Rev. 

Oct. 4. 

Payment Defirred. Murder story from the play of that title with Chos. 
cLaughtOii -n his original role, Maureen O'SulIivan, Dorothy Peterson. 
Dir. Lioti 0 r Mendez. Time, 80 mins. Rel. Oct. 8. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Prosperity. P^t depression comedy with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. 
Dir. San Wood. Time, 87 mlns. Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Rasputin and the Empress. The Russian overthrow and its cause. John, 
Ethel an t Lionel Barrymore. Dir. Rich. Boleslavsky. Roadshow time, 
133 mins No release set. Rev. Dec. 27. 

Red Dust. Jci n Harlow tJB6 Clark Gable as a new team In a story of Indo- 
china. 1 >lr. Victor Fleming. Time, 83 mlns. Rel. Oct. 22. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Rivets.' John Gilbert as a skyscraper worker. Robert Armstrong, Mae Clarke, 
Muriel KIrkland. Dir. Tod Browning. Rel. March 24. 

Secret of Madame Blanche, The. Based on Martin Brown's play 'The Lady.' 
Irene Dunne, Phillips Holmes. Dir. Chas. Brabln. 83 mins. Rel. Feb. 3. 
^Rev. Feb. 7. 

Smilln' ThroubS. Remake of the Norma Talmadge silent and Jane Cowl play. 
Norma S hearer, Leslie Howard, Frederic March, O. P. Heggle. Dir. Sid- 
ney Frai kiln. Time, 96 mins. Rel. Sept 18. Rev. Oct. 18. 

Son-Daughter, The. From the play by David Belasco. Helen Hayes, Ramon 

Novarro, Lewis Stone, Warner Oland. Dir. Clarence Brown. 81 mlns. 

Rel. Dec 23. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Strange Interlude. The famous O'Neill play. Norma Shearer, Clark Gable. 

Dir. Robert Z. Leonard. Time, 110 mlns. Dec. 80. Rev. Sept. 6. 
Today We Live. An English girl ambulance-driver during the war. Joan 

Crawford, Gary Cooper. Dir. Howard Hawks. Rel. March 3. 
Washington Masquerade. Political satire. Lionel Barrymore. Karen Morley. 

Nils Asther. Dir. Chas. Brabln. Time, 91 mlns. Rel. July 8. Rev. 

July 26. 

WhatI No Beer? Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante In the beer racket. 
Phyllis Barry, Roscoe Ates, John Mlljan. Dir. Edward Sedgwick. Rel. 
Feb. 10. 

What Women Give. Picturizatton of the Broadway play, 'Men Must Fight.' 
The war problem in 1940. Diana Wynyard, Phillips Holmes, Lewis 
Stone. Dir. Edgar Selwyn. Rel. March 10. 

White Sister The. Based on the famous F. Marlon Crawford novel. Helen 
Hayes, Clark Gable. Dir. Victor Fleming. Rel. Feb. 24. 

Whistling In the Dark. Adapted from the Broadway stage success. In which 
a famous mystery writer Is kidnapped and forced to plan a murder 
himself. Ernest Truex, Una Merkel, Jean Hersholt Dir. Elliot Nugent 
Rel. Jan. 27. Rev, Jan. 31. 



Studio: 6048 Sunset Blvd., 

Hollywood, Cal. 



Monogram 



Office: 723 Seventh Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Diamond Trail. Western. Rex Bell. Dir. Harry Fraser. Rel. Dec. 30. 

Fighting Champ, The. Western. Bob Steele, Arietta Duncan. Dir. J. P. 
McCarthy. Time, 64 mins. Rel. Deo. 16. 

From Broadway to Cheyenne N. T. gangster meets the shooting West Rex 
Bell. Marcellne Day. Dir. Harry Frazer. Time, 62 mina Rel. Aug. 16. 
Rev. Sept 27. 

6irl from Calgary, The. Girl cowboy comes east to stage triumphs. FIfl 
D'Orsay, Paul Kelly. Dir. PhU Whitman. Time, 64 mins.O Rel. Sept. 24. 
Rev. Nov. 22. 

Guilty or Not Guilty? Betty Compson, Claudia Dell. Dir. Albert Ray. 67 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 16. 

Klondike. Physician who falls In a major operation makes a comeback. Frank 
Hawks, Thelma Todd, H. B. Walthal. Dir. Lyle Talbot. Time, 65 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. 30. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Lucky Larrigan. Western. Rex Bell, Helen Foster. Dir. J. P. McCarthy. 
Rel. Dec. 10. 

Self- Defense. Story by Peter B. Kyne. Pauline Frederick, Theodore Von 
Eltz, Barbara Kent, Robert Elliott, Claire Windsor. Dir. Phil Rosen. 
Rel. Dec. 16. 

Strange Adventure. Regis Toomey, June Clyde. Dir. PhU Whitman and 

Hampton Del Ruth. Rel. Dec. 1. 
Thirteenth Guest, The. Mystery play by author of 'Scarface.' Ginger Rogers, 

Lyle Talbot, J. Farrell McDonald. Dir. Alfred Ray. Time, 66 mins. 

Rel. Aug. 26. Rev. Sept 6. (Chadwick.) 
Western Limited, The. Mystery aboard a transcontinental train. Estelle 

Taylor, Edmund Bums, Gertrude Astor, Crauford Kent Dir. Christy 

Cabanne. Time, mins. Rel. Aug. 10. Rev. Oct 19. 
Young Blood. Western. Bob Steele. Story by Wellyn Totman. Dir. Phil 

Rosen. Time, 62 mins. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Jan. 24. 



Studios; 6851 Marathon St., 
Hollywood, Calif. 



Paramount 



CfHces: 1601 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 



Big Broadcast, The. Broadcasting story with many air stars. Stuart Erwln, 
Blng Crosby, Leila Hyams. Dir. Frank Tuttle. Time, 80 mins. Rel. 
Oct. Rev. Oct. 18. 

Billion Dollar Scandal. Based on the Teapot Dome investigation. Robt. Arm- 
strong, Constance Cummlngs, Olga Baclanova. Dir. Harry Joe Brown. 
76 mine. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 10. 

Blonde Venus. Story of a stage woman's efforts to retain her child. Marlene 

Dietrich, Herbert Marshall, Dickey Moore. Dir. Jos. Von Sternberg. 

Time, 86 mins. Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Sept 27. 
Crime of the Century, The. From the European stage play of same title. 

Jean Hersholt, Frances Dee, Wynne Gibson, David Landau. Dir. Wm. 

Beaudine. Rel. Feb. 24. 
Dead Reckoning. Original sea story by Robt. Presnell of a Flying Dutchman 

of today. Shirley Gray, Chas. Ruggles, John Halllday, Verree Teasdale. 

Dir. Paul Sloane. Rel. Mar. 24. 
Devil and the Deep. Jealousy in a submerged submarine. Tallulah Bankbead, 

Gary Cooper, Chas. Laughton. Dir. Marlon Gering. Time, 72 mlns. 

Rel. Aug. 12. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Devil Is Driving, The. Wynne Gibson, Edmund Lowe. Dickie Moore. Dir. 

Stoloff. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Evenings for Sale. Viennese nobleman becomes a gigolo. Herbert Marshall, 

Sari Marltza. Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stuart Walker. Time, 61 mlna. Rel. 

Nov. 11. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Farewell to Arms. Hemmingway's novel of war on the Italian front. Helen 

.Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou. Dir. Frank Borzage. 90 mlns. 

Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Dec. 13. 
From Hell to Heaven. Romance story based on play by Lawrence Hazard, 

with a race-track slant. Not a racing drama. Carole Lombard, Jack 

Oakle. Dir. Erie Kenton. Rel. Feb. 24. 
Guilty as Hell. Murder mystery with Quirt and Flagg comedy angle. Edmund 

Liowe, Victor McL.aglen, Richard Arlen. Dir. ISrle Kenton. Time, 82 

mine. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. Aug. 9. 
He Learned About Women. Comedy drama. Stuart Erwln, Allison Skip- 
worth. Dir. Lloyd Corrlgan. Time, 67 mins. Rel. Nov. 4. 
Hello, Everybody. Original radio story by Fannie Hurst. Kate Smith, Ran- 

dolf Scott, Sally Blane. Dir. Seiter. Rel. Feb. 17. Rev. Jan, 31. 
Horse Feathers. Marx Brothers go collegiate. Dir. Norman McLeod. Time, 

70 mins. Rel. Aug. 19. Rev. Aug. 16. 
Hot Saturday. Gossip In a small town. Nancy Carroll. Dir. W. Seiter. Time, 

72 mins. Rel. Oct 28. Rev Nov. 8. 
If I Had a Million. How various persons would react to an Inheritance. Gary 

Cooper, Geo. Raft, Wynne Gibson, Chas. Laughton, Jack Oakie and many 

others, each In a single sequence. Directional sequences by various di- 
rectors. Time. 86 mins. Rel. Nov. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Island of Lost Souls. Novelty story. Chas. Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila 

Hyams. Dir. Chas. Kenton. December special. Rev. Jan. 17. 
King of the Jungle. Novelty story. Buster Crabbe, Frances Dee. Dlrs. Hum- 

berstone-Marcln. Jan. special release. 
Lady's Profession, A'. Story by Nina Wilco.x Putnam. Speakeasy prop, mas- 
querading as riding master. Geo. Barbier, Sari Marltza. Dir. Norman 

MacLeod. Rel. Mar. 3. 
Lily Christine. BrKIsh made. Corlnne Griffith, Colin Clive. Time. 59 mins 

Rel. July. Uev. Sept. 20. 
Love Me Tonight. Clicvallfr txa a tailor in m.isquerade. Jeanptlc MacDonald, 

Chas. HugKles, Clvas. nuttci worih, Morna I.,oy. Dir. Uoubcn Mamoullan. 

Time, 90 mins. Rel. Aug. 26. Hcv. Aug. 23. 
Luxury Liner. From the novel by Oliia Kau.". Grand Hotol on sliiiibo.-irfl. 

Opo. IJrpnt, Zlta .lohann. Alice "White, Vciroe Tcasdalc. Olr. by Lolhar 

Mendez under B. P. Schulberg. 70 mlns. Rcl. Feb. 3. Rev. Feb. 7. 



Madame Butterfly. From the opera. Sylvia Sidney, Cary Grant, Chas. Ruggles. 

Dir. Gearing. Rel. Deo. 80. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Madison Square. Sporting atory. Jack Oakle, Marian Nixon, Thos. Mciglian. 

Dir. Harry J. Brown. Time. 70 mlns. Rel, Oct. 7. Rev. Oct. IS. 
Make Me a Star Dialog version of Mcrton of the Movies. Stuart Erwln, Joan 
Blondell, Zasu Pitts. Dir. Wm. Beaudine. Time, 86 mins. Rel. July 1. 
Rev. July 6. 

Merrily We Go to Hell. From a stage comedy drama. Sylvia Sidney, Frederic 
March. Dir. Dorothy Arzner. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. July 10. Rev. 
June 14. 

Movie Crazy. Harold Lloyd breaks Into pictures. Constance Cummlngs. Dlr 

Clarence Bruckman. Time, 96 mins. Rel. Sept. 23. Rev. Sept. 20. 
Murders In the Zoo. Original by Philip Wylie and Seton I. Miller. Drama 
largely held to a zoological garden. Chas. Ruggles, Lionel AtwUI, Gall 
Patrick. Dir. Edw. Sutherland. Rel. Mar. 17. 

Mysterious Rider. Western. Kent Taylor. Dir. Allen. Rel. Jan. 27. 
Night After Night. Humor In the night clubs. Mae West, Goo. Raft, Con> 
stance Cummlngs, Allison Suipworth. Dir. Archie Mayo. Time, 70 mlns. 
Rel. Oct 14. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Night of June 13, The. The neighbors react to a murder suspicion. Clive 
Brook, LUa Lee, Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stephen Roberts. Time, 76 mins. 
ReL Sept. 23. Rev. Sept. 20. 
No Man of Her Own. From the novel 'No Bod of Her Own.' Clark Gable, 
Carole Lombard, Dorothy MackalH. Dir. Wesley Ruggles. December 
special. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Phantom President. Political story of a presidential double. George M. Cohan. 
Jimmy Durante. Claudette Colbert. Time, 77 min& Rel. Oct. 7. Rev 
Oct 4. 

Pick Up. (Schulberg.) A girl of the people and a service station sheik. Sylvia 
Sidney, Geo. Raft. Dir. Marlon Gering. Rel. Mar. 31. 

70,000 Witnesses. Murder on the football f.eld. Phillips Holmes, Dorothy 
Jordan, Chas. Ruggles, Johnny Mack Brown, Liew Cody. Dir. Ralph 
Murphy. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Sept. 2. Rev. Sept. 6. 
She Done Him Wrong. Paraphrase of 'Diamond Lll.' Mae West, Cary Grant, 
Noah Beery, Owen Moore. Dir. Lowell Sherman. Rel. Jan. 27. 

Sign of the Cross, The. Spectacular version of Wilson Barrett's play of 
Roman persecution of the Christians. Claudette Colbert, Fredrlc March, 
Ellssa lAndl, Chas. Laughton. Dir. Cecil B. De Mille. 99 mins. Regu- 
lar release Feb. 10. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Strictly Personal. (Rogers.) Original by Wilson Mizner and Robt. T. Shan- 
non on the matrimonial agency racket. Marjorle Rambeau, Eddie QuU- 
lan, Dorothy Jordan. Dir. Ralph Murphy. Rel. Mar. 19. 

Tonight Is Ours. Noel Coward's 'The Queen Was In the Parlor.' Claudette 
Colbert, Frederic March, Allison Sklpworth. Dir. Stuart Walker. Rel. 
Jan. 13. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Trouble In Paradise. Cheating cheaters In Paris and Venice. Miriam Hop- 
kins, Kay Francis. Herbert Marshall. Dir. Ernst Lubitsch. lime, 81 
mins. Rel. Oct 21. Rev. Nov. 15. 

Undercover Man. Secret service bests the gangsters. Geo. Raft, Nancy Car- 
roll. Dir. Jas. Flood. Time. 74 mlns. Rel. Dec. 2. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Under the Tonto Rim. From the Zane Grey story. Stuart Erwln, Vema 
HiUie, Ray Hatton. Dir. Henry Hathaway. Rel. Mar. 24. 

Vanishing Frontier. Western drama. John Mack Brown, Evalyn Knapp, 
Zasu Pitta. Dir. Phil Rosen. Time, 66 mlna Rel. July 29. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Wild Horse Mesa. Zane Grey's story. Rudolph Scott Sally Blane, Fred 
Kohler. Dir. Henry Hathaway. Time, 60 mlns. Rel. Nov. 25, Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

Woman Accused. The. From the story In 'Liberty' by ten well-known authors. 
Girl accused of murder with action chiefly on a pleasure cruise. Nancy 
Carroll, Cary Grant, John Halllday. Dir. Paul Sloan. Rel. Feb. 17. 

Pawaws Offices: 723 Seventh Ave., 

rowers ^ now York, N. Y. 

Lucky Girl. Musical comedy farce. Gene Gerrard, Molly Lamont Dir. Eu- 
gene O'SuUlvan. Time, 69 mlns. Rel, Sept. 1. 

Man Who Won. The. Story of a wastrel who makes good. Henry Kendall. 
Heather Angel. Time, 70 mlns. Dir. Norman Walker. Rel. Sept. 16. 

Woman Decides, The. From a stage play of Labor vs. Capital. Adrlenne 
Allen, Owen Nare. Dir. Miles Mander. Time, 68 mlns. ReL Aug. 16. 



Principal 



P If O Pnfha Office: 1B60 Broadway, 
I^E^tKI* rame New York, N. Y. 



Rir f\ D- Jl- Offlces: 1660 Broadway, 
IvaaiO New York, N. Y. 



Daily Gross Wires 
Declared All Out 
In Publix Houses 



Offices: 11 West 42d St., 
New York, N. Y. 

Blame the Woman. British made with Adolphe Men]ou and Claude Alllster 
as a pair of crooks. Dir. Fred Nlblo. Time, 74 mins. Rel. Oct 1. 

Devil's Playground, The. George Vanderbllt's expeditionary film. 64 mlns. 
Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Jungle GIgllo. TraveL Humorous treatment of Sumatran customs. 66 mlns. 
Rel. Feb. 16. 

Virgins of Ball. Travelogue of the Island of BaH. Time, 43 mlns. Rel 

Sept 16. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Voodoo. Travel. Voodoo ceremonies in Haiti produced by Sergeant Wlrkus, 

'White King of LaGonave.' 4 reels. Rel. Feb. 15. 
With Williamson Beneath the Sea. Underwater exploration. 60 mlns. Rel 

Jan. 1. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

Come On. Danger. Western. Tom Keene, J. Hayden, Roscoe Ates. Dir. Robt 

HilL Time, 64 mine. Rel. Sept 23. 
What Price Hollywood. Hollywood lowdown. Constance Bennett, Lowell 

Sherman. Dir. Geo. Cukor. Rel. June 24. Rev. July 19. . 

Studios: Hollywood. 

Calif. 

Age of Consent. The. Love and trouble for a co-ed. Dorothy Wilson, i:' 

ard Cromwell. Dir. Gregory Cava. Time, 63 mins. ReL Aug. 6. 
Rev. Sept 6. 

Animal Kingdom, The. The man who could not distinguish between his wife 

and mlBtress. Ijeslie Howard. Ann Harding, Myrna Loy. Dir. Edw. H. 

Griffith. 90 mins. ReL Dec 23. Rev. Jan. 3, 
Bill of Divorcement, A. Story of a shell-shocked war vet By (Tlemence Dane. 

John Barrymore, Billie Burke, Katherlne Hepburn. Dir. Geo. Cukor. 

Time, 69 mlns. ReL Sept 80. Rev. Oct 4. 
Bird of Paradise, A. . Famous stage play of the South Seas. Dolores Del Rio. 

Joel McOea. Dir. King Vidor. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. Aug. 12. Rev. 

Sept 18. 

Bring 'Em Back Alive. Frank Buck's animal thriller. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. 

Aug. 19. Rev. June 21. 
Cheyenne Kid, The. Tom Keene Western. Dir. Robert HiU. 56 mins. Rcl. 

Jan. 20. 

Conquerors, The. A story of American depressions and their surmounting. 

Rich, Dlx. Ann Harding, Edna May Oliver. Dir. Wm. Wellman. Time, 

84 mlns. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev. Nov, 22. 
Goldie Gets Along. Movie-struck girl who works the beauty contest racket. 

LUi Damlta, Chas. Morton, Sam Hardy. 88 mlns. Rel. Jan. 27. 
Half- Naked Truth, The. From Harry Relchenbach's memoirs of a press 

agent. Lee Tracy, Lupe Velez, Eugene Palette. Dir. Gregory Le Cava. 

76 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Hell's Highway. The horrors ot a convict camp. Richard Dlx, Tom Brown. 

Dir. Rowland Brown. Time, 62 mins. Rel. Sept. 21. Rev. Sept. 27. 
Hold 'Em JaU. Wheeler and Woolsey play football on the convict eleven. 

Dir. Norman Taurog. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Sept. 2. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Little Orphan Annie. Based on the cartoon. Mitzl Green. Ed. Keennedy. 

Dir. John Robertson. Time, 61 mins. Kei. Nov. 4. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Men Are Such Fools. Leo Carlllo. Dir. Wm. Nigh. Time, 66 mlns. ReL Nov. 18. 
Men of America. BUI Boyd, Dorothy Wilson, Chic Sale. Dir. Ralph Ince. 

Time 67 mlns. Rel. Dec. 
Monkey's Paw, The. W. W. Jacobs mystery story of a hoodooed charm. C. 

Aubrey Smith, Ivan Simpson, Louise Carter. Dir. Wesley Ruggles. 56 

mlns. ReL Jan. 18. 

Most Dangerous Game, The. Island recluse who hunts human beings for 

sport Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Letslie Banks. Dir. E. Schoedsack. 

Time, 63 mins. Rel. Sept. 9. Rev. Nov. 22. 
No Other Woman. Steel worker who rises to affluence and drags his wife into 

the mire. Irene Dunn, Chas. BickforU. Dir. J. Walter Ruben. 58 mins. 

Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Past of Mary Holmes, The. Destitute opr-ra singer unwittingly accuses her 

son of murder. Helen MacKeliar, Erie Linden, Skcets Gallagher. Dir. 

Harlan Thompson, Slavo Vorkapicli. lUl. Jan. 20. 

Penguin Pool Murder, The, Stuart Palmer's novel; murder mystery. Mae 

Clark, Robt. Armstrong, Edna Mae Oliver, James (Jlcason. Dir. Geo. 

Archainbaud. 69 mins. Rel. Doc. -9. Rev. Dec , 27. 
Phantom of Crestwood, The. Mystery at a wook-end party. RIcardo Cortez, 

Katherlne Morley. Dir. J. W. Uubon. Time, 77 mlna Rel. Oct U. 

Rev. Oct. 18. 

RocKabye. Sentimental mother-love story. Con.stancc Bennett, Joel McCrea. 

Dir. Geo. Cukor. Time, 70 mlns. Uel. Nov. 20. Ucv. Dec. 6. 
Secrets of the French Police. Foreign mystory. Gwill Andre, Frank Morgan, 

•iregory Ratoff. Dir. Ed. Sutlicrland. Tlmo, 58 mlns. Rol. Dec. 2. 

Ho.v. Dec. 13. 

Sport Parade. Novelty story. Joel MrCrc-a. Marian Marsh, Wm. Cardan. 
Dir. Dudley Murphy. Time. 65 niina. IM. Nov. 11. Rev. Dec. 20. 

(Continued on page 31) 



Along with elimination of fixed 
charges to the Publix homo ofllce, 
theatres In the chain which are un- 
der receiversliip, eauity or bank- 
ruptcy, are no longer sending in 
grosses by wire for information of 
h.o. executives and departments. 

This occurred immediately In F, 
& R., New England middle west 
and parts of the south, with only 
a few exceptions where houses were 
continuing to send in amount of re- 
ceipts according to custom. 

Saving alone through elimination 
of gross information, wired Into 
New York daily. Is large when 
spread over the entire circuit It 
has been the custom for every Pub- 
lix A house and most of the Cs to 
telegraph receipts to New York each 
day, including Sunday, so that h.o. 
could Insert figures in specially pre- 
pared booklet forms and distribute 
them over the entire Publix organi- 
zation. 

Smaller theatres in Publix mailed 
In their gross figures, a policy which 
eventually will probably be pursued 
by all. In wiring grosses, theatres 
also have been reporting what 
weather conditions were, as well aq 
Publix check on opposition houses 
in the larger key situations. 



Racine's Mayor Says 
Close AO theatres 
Or Stop Labor War ^ 

Milwaukee, Feb. 18. 
Mayor William Swoboda ot 'Ra- 
cine has threatened to close all the- 
atres In that city unless there - is 
an Immediate abatement of labor 
troubles that have resulted in fre- 
quent stench bombings and vandal« 
ism. 

The act that aroused Racine's 
mayor was the finding of seven 
sticks of dynamite attached to a 
partly burned fuse under a rub- 
bish heap next to the Uptown^ 
Majestic. 

Fred Chapman, Waukegan, was 
recently arrested for tossing a tear 
gas bomb in the same theatre'q 
lobby. His case is pending. 



UNION PICKETS HURT 
HET'S 25c REOPENING 



Providence, Feb. 13. 

Opened a little more than a week, 
the new Metropolitan Theatre here, 
is beset with labor difficulties that 
may short live the theatrical enter- 
prise, operated on a co-operative 
basis. Organized labor is picketing 
the theatre in protest of the man« 
agement's refusal to hire union men. 

Opening of the 3i200-seat house 
was remarkable, but the lines to the 
box office started to thin away Just 
as soon as the union pickets ap- 
peared with big placards. 

Boycotting of the Met. Is being 
undertaken by stage and picture 
operators' unions in a big way. 
Providence and nearby vicinity are 
plastered with posters. 

Evangelist Turgeon interested two 
local showmen, Charles H. Williams 
and Harry Storln In the theatre, and 
both are now associated with him 
In the enterprise. 

Met has vaudfllm policy at 26o 
top. 



Shorts of Old-Timers 



About six shorts will be made for 
Columbia Pictures by Toddy Hayes, 
along Ideas suggested by Hayes. 

The Hayes shorts will carry former 
silent pictures of the best known 
athletes of the day, with Hayes off 
screen talking of tholr most inter- 
esting exploits. First short will 
probably have Joe Gans, the great 
colored lightweight of his time, and 
IJpnny Leonard, America's unde- 
feated lightweight champion. 



Holleb Resigns 

Columbus, Feb. 13. 
Lou Ildllcl). manager oC the RKO 
M;ijo.'<tic hfrr, has re.signod, effec- 
tive Immf tllatf'ly. 

K(K'ar ir.irt of Toledo Is expected 
to fuccccd him. 



■tit 



30 



VARIETY 



' fuesdaj, Tebruary 14, 1933 



^>:^:::■ 



'.■.•.v. 

1 

v.v.v. 

1 



m. 



i 




NEW YORK 

154 West 46Hi Street 

HOLLYWOOD 

Taft BuiMmg 

CHICAGO 

Woods Theatre BuiUing 

LONDON 

8 St Hec« 



Taesdny* February 14» W 



r I CT 



YAitmv 



SI 



CALENDMOF CURRENT RELEASES 



etranoe 4u»tlc«^ 



(Continued from page 29) 

, Oddities of ttae criminal code, Mae Marsh, Norman Foster, 

leglnald Denny. Dir. V. C. Schertzlnger. Time, 64 mine. Rel. Oct. 7. 
Thisft of the Moha - Lisa, The. Foreign made. Willy Forst. Tnide von Molo 

Dir. O. Von Bolvary. Time, 88 mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. - Rev. Sept 16. 
Thirteen Women. From . Tiffany Thayer's story of the power of suggestion. 
Ricardo Gortez. Irene Dunne. Dir. O. Archalnbaud. Time, 60 mine. 
Rel. Sept. 16, Rev. Oct. 18. 

United ArH«U ^«rVoVk.'^^^^^^ 

Cynara. PhlUp Merlvaie stage hit Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis 

Barry. Dir. King Vldor. Time, 79 mlns. Rel. Dec. 28. Rev. Jan. 8. 
Kid from 6R«ini The. - E^dl^ Cantor masquerades as a bull fighter down In 

Mexico. Cantor. Lyda Robiartl. Dir. Leo. McCarey. Time (roadshow), 

118 mlns. Rel. Jan. 21. Rev. Nov. 22. 
Magic Nldht. Viennese operetta. Jacic Buchanan. Dir. Herbert Wilcox. 

. Time; 79 Mlns. ReL Nov. 2. Rev; Nov; 8. 
Mr. Roblnaon Crusoe'.' Adventures ' In the South Seas. Douglas Fairbanks, 

Maria Alba. Dir. Edw.' Sutherland. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 21. Rev. 

Sept 27 

Rain. Jeanne- Eagles! tecmovn .stage hit. Joan Crawford, Walter Huston. Dir. 

Wm. Gargan/ Tlnpe. 93 nilns. Rel. Oct 12. Rev. Oct 18. 
White Zombie,' The. Haytlan sorcery. Bela LugosI, Madge Bellamy. Dir. 
. Victor Halperln. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. July 28. Rev. Aug. 2. 



Last Mile, The. Drama Ip the death house, from the stage play. Howard 
Phillips, Preston Foster, Geo, Stone, Noel Madison. Dir. Sam. BIschoS. 
Time, 84 mlns. ■ Rel. Aug. 21. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Sign of Four, The. Sherlock Holmes story. British cast. Arthur Wontner, 
Isla Bevan, Ian Hunter. Dir. Graham Cutts. Time, 74 mlns. Rel. Aug. 
14. Rev. Aug. 80. 

Texas Buddies. Cowboy, veterao of the AEF, turns aviator to balk the vil- 
lains. Boh Steele, Mancy Drexel, Dir. R. N. Bradbury. Time, 67 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. 28. R0V. Nov. 16< 
Those We Love. A woman's understanding averts domestic tragedy. Mary 
Astor, Ulyan Tashman, Kenneth MoKenna. IMr. Robt Florey. Time, 
77 mlns. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Tombstone Canyon. Western, In which the hero tries to solve the-jnystery of 
his birth. Ken Maynard, Cecilia Parker. .Dir. Alan James. Ret. D|ec. 26., 

Trailing the Killer. Eplo of the North Woods. Dir. Herman C. Raymaker. 

Time,. 64 mln& Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Uptown New Vork. Married happiness and a past Jack Oakle, Shirley Grey. 
Dir. Victor Schertzlnger. Time. 74 mlns. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Deo. 13. 



•tiidloi Universal City, 
Calif. 



Universal 



Ofllceo: 730 Fifth Ave., 
New York, N. V, 



Warner. Brothers ""•--^NlJrvt'rV^ff.V 



Afraid to Talk. -From the stage play 'Merry-Go'>Round' about crooked politics. 
>Erlc Linden, Sidney Fox, Tuliy Marshall, Louts Calhern. Dir. Edw. L. 
■ Cabn; 74 mlns. ReK NoV. 17. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Air Mali, The^ Commercial flying thrill story. Pat O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, 
- Gloria Stuart, Slim Summervllle. Dir. John Ford. Time. 86 mlns. Rel. 
Nov 3 Rev. Nov. 8. 

Ail . American. The. Football story. Rich. Arlen,- Gloria Stuart Dir. Russell 
Mack. Time, 73 mInS. -Rel. Oct. 13. Rev. Oct 14, 

Back street. A one-man girl whose love defied convention. From a Fanny 
Hurst novel. Irene Dunn, John Boles. Dir. John Stahl. Time, 91 mlns 
Rel. Sept 1. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Destination Unknown. Adventure on- a rum runror adrift in the Paciflc. Pat 
- O'Brien, Ralpti Hellamy, Betty Compson. X)ir. ray Garnett. Rel. Jan. 26. 

Fourth Horseman, The. . Original story. Western with the ghost town basis. 

Toib MlXi Margaret Lindsay. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 67 mine. Rel. 

Sept: 29. Rev; Jam 31. 
Igloe. Life struggle In: the Arctic. Eskimo players. Dlr;. Ewing Scott Time, 

60 mlns. Rel. July 14. Rev. July 26. 

Laughter In Hell.- -Chain gang story. Fat O'Brien, Merna Kennedy. Dir. 

Edw. Cahn. 72 mlns. Rel. Jan. 12. Rev. Jan. 17.. 
Miihiniy, The. Mystery thriller.. Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners. 

Dir. Karl Freuna; . Rel. Dep. 22. Rev. Jan. 10, 
My Pal, this King. A wild west show in a Balkan kingdom. Tom Mix. Dir. 

Kurt Neumann. Time. 76 mine. Rel. Aug. "4. Rev. Oct. 11. 
Nagana. "Tropical drama. Tala Btrell, Melvyn Douglas. Dir. E. L. Frank, 
. , Rel. Jan. 19. , • , 

Okay America. Columnist story. Lew Ayres, Maureen O'SuUlvan, Louis Cat- 

hern. Dir. Tay Garnett Time, 00 mlns. Rel; Sept. 8. Rev. Sept 13. 
Old bark House. A night of terror in an English country home. Boris Kar. 

loff, Melvyn Douglas, Ohas. Laughton, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Jas. Whale. 
.Time, 70 mlns. - Rel. Oct.. 20. Rev. Nov. l. < 
Once In a Lifetime. Hollywood satire from the stage play. Jack Oakle, 

Sidney Fox, Alice MacMahon. Dir. Russell Mack. Time, 90 mlns. Rel. 

Sept. 22. Rev. Nov. 1 
They JMSt Had to Get Married, Matrimonial adventures, of a.newlyrlch 

couple. Slim Summervllle, Zasu Pitts. Dir. -Edw. Ludwig. 71 mlns. 

Rel. Jan. 6. . ^ 

Studios: Burbank, 

Calif. 

Big City BiuAa. Country boy comes to New York for thrilling -experiences. 

Joan Blondell, Eric Linden. Dlr; Mervyn L>e Roy. Time, 68 mlns.' Rel 

Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 18. ' r 

Blessed .Event. Columnist story. Lee Tracy, Mary .ttrian, Allen Jenkins. Dlri 

Roy Del Riith. Time, 84 mlns. Rel. Sept 10. Rev. Sept. 6. 
Hard to Handle. Cagney as a high powered promoter. Cagney, Mary Brian 

Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. 81 mlns, Rel. Jan. -28. Rev. Feb. 7. 
-Haunted- Oold. Search for gold In a haunted mine. J'ohn Wayne. Dir. Mack 

Wright 00 mlns. Rel. Dec. 17. Rev. Jan. 17. 
I Am a Fugitive. From the story- 'I Am a Fugitive from a Chaht Gang.' Paul 

Muni, Glenda Farrell. Dir. Mervyn .Le Roy. Time, 93 mlns. Rel. Nov. 

19.. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Illegal. British made story of a night club. British cast and director. Time. 

61 mlns. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. Oct 4. 
Jewel Robbery. Romantic comedy drama from an Hungarian source. Kay 

: Francis, William Powell. Dir. Wm. Dleterle. Time; 68 mina Rel 

Aug. 13. Rev. July 26. 
King's Vacation, The. From a story by Ernest Pascal. The king takes timo 

out to visit his first wife. Geo. Arliss. Dir. John Adolfi. 62 mlns. Rel 

Feb. 28. Rev. Jan. 24. 
Lawyer Man; Inside story of the profession. William Powell, Joan Blondell 

Dir. Wm. Dleterle. 68 mlns. Rel. Jan. 7. Revv Jan. 8. 
One Way Passage. Love develops for a prisoner. Kay Francis, William Pow- 

ell' Dir. Tay Garnett Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Oct 22. Rev. Oct 18; 
Parachute Jumper. The. Two ex-marines and a girl who go aloft. Doug. 

Fairbanks, Jr., Bette Davis. Dir. Alfred E. Green. 72 mlns. Rel. 

Jan. 28. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Purchase Price. The.. Night club singer with a past. Barbara Stanwyck. Dir. 

Wra. A. wellman. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. July 23. Rev. July 19. 
RMe Him. Cowboy. Western cowb«)y story. John Wayne. Dir. Fred Allen. 

Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Scarlet Dawn. Russian refugees in Constantinople. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., 

Nancy Carroll, Lilyan Tashman. Dir. Wm. Dleterle. Time, 68 mlns. 

Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Stranger In Town. Comedy drama of real people. Chic Sale, Ann Dvorak. 

Dir. Earle C. Kenton. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. July 12. 
Successful Calamity, A. Merchant pretends poverty to check family's ex- 
travagance. George Arliss, Mary Astor, Evalyn Knapp. Dir. John O. 

Adolfi. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 17. Rev. Sept 27. 
Twenty Thousand Years in Sing Sing. Visualization of Warden Lawes' book. 

Spencer Tracy, Bette Da\MS. Dfr. Michael Curtlz. 78 mlns. Rel. Jan. 31. 

Rev. Jan, 17. 

Two Agalnat the World. Constance Bennett In a murder Jam. Dir. Archie 

Mayo. Time, 71. mlns. Rel. Sept 3. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Winner Take All. Smashing fight comedy. James t^gney. Dir. Roy Del 

Ruth. Time. 67 mlns. Rel. July 16. Rev. June 21. 

World Wide ^'?J,5To?K','i:i. y. 

Auction In Souls. From Eugene O'Neill's play 'Recklessness.' Conrad Nagel, 
Leila Hyams. Dir. Victor Schertzlnger. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Between Fighting Men. Conflict between the sheep men and cattle raisers. 
Ken Maynard, Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time. 62 mlns. Rel. 
Oct. 16. 

Breach of Promise. The ruin of a man's career. Chester Morris, May Clarke, 
Mary Doran. Dir. Paul Stein. Time, 67 mlns. Rel. Oct 23. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

Come On, Tarzan. Ranch owner saves his horse from a gang. Ken Maynard, 
Myrna Kennedy. Dir. Alan James. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

Crooked Circle, The. Mystery story with ample comedy. Ben Lyon, ZaSu 
Pitts, James Gleason, Irene Purcell. Dr. H. Bruce Humberstone. Time, 
70 mlns. Rel. Sept 26. Rev. Oct 4. , 

Death Kiss, The. A murder mystery with a motion picture studio back- 
ground. David Manners, Adrlcnne Ames. John Wray, Bela Lugosl. Dir. 
Edwin L. Marin. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Drum Taps. A Boy Scout troup to the rescue of Ken Maynard. Ken May- 
nard, Junior Coughlln, Scout Troop 107 of Hollywood. Dir. J. P. Mc- 
Gowan. 61 mlns. Rel. Jan. 29, 

Dynamite Ranch. Ranch manager falls to vanquish the hero. Ken Maynard, 
Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. July 31. Rev. 
Dec. 27. 

False Faces. Doctor makes a racket of his profession. LK)well Sherman, Llla 
Lee. Peggy Shannon. Dir. Sherman. Time, 83 mins. Rel. Oct 13. Rev. 
Nov. 29. 

Fargo Express. Straight-shooting sacrince In the career of a cow country 
hero. Ken Maynard, Helen Mack. Dir. Alan James. Time, 62 mine. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Hypnotized. Jam following a big sweepstakes win. Morao and Mack. Dir. 
Mack SennetL JUL DM. ». Rev. Jan. M. 



Miscellaneous Releases 



Big Payoff,. The. (Capital.) From a Peter B. Kyne story. Barbara Kent, 
3. Farrell MacDonead, Glen Tryon, Matt Moore. 71 ihlns. Ret. Jan, 16. 
Rev. Jan. 24. 

Big ToWn, The. (Invincible.) Vice crusade story. Lester Vail, Frances 
Dade. Dir. Arthur Hoerle. 67 mins. Rev. Dec. 27. 

Face on the Bar Room Floor, The. (Invincible.) Temperance discussion.: 
Dulcle iCooper, Bramwell Fletcher. Dir. Bert Bracken. Time. 66 mine. 
. Rel. Oct -Rev. Oct 18. 

Footsteps In- the Night.- (Auten.) Mystery drama. Benlta Hume. Dir. Mau* 
rice Elvery. Time, 69 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. ■ 

Goona Qoona. (First Div.) Love charms on the Island Of Sail. Dir. Andree 

Roosevelt, Armand Denis. Rel. Nov. 26, Rev. Sept.- 20. 
Hotel Variety. (Capital.) Grand Hotel in an actors boarding house. Hal 

Skelly, Olive Borden. Dir. Raymond Cannon. 71 mlns. Rev. Jan. 10. 
Jungle Killer. (Century.) Expose of wild game hunting lii Africa. With lec 

tore. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev- Nov. 29. " . • , ^ ' ' " 

Manhattan Tower. (Remington.) Suggestive of 'Skyscraper Souls.' Romance 

in an office building. Mary Brian, Irene Rich, Jas. Hall; Dir. Frank 

Strayer. 62 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Racing Strain, The. (Irvlng-Maxlm.) Original of > the auto races with air 

stuff, wally Reid. Jr. Dir. Jerome BtOrm. 68 mln&. 

Red- Haired. Alibi. The. (Tower.) Gangster story. Mema Kennedy, Theo. 
Von Eltz. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. 
Oct. 26. 

Scarlet Week End. (Irving.) Murder at a house party. . Dorothy Revler,' 
Theo. Von Eltz. Dir. Willis Kent. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Oct Rey 
Nov. 1. 

Speed Madness. (Capital.) Speedboat racing with acrobatic trimmings. 

Rich, Talmadge, N^ncy Drexel. Dir. Geo. Crone. Time, ; 61 mlns. Rel 

Aug. 27. Rev. Oct. 11. 
Tex Takes a Holiday. (Argosy). All multi-color western of a mysterious 

stranger. Wallace MacDopald, Virginia Brown Faire. Dir. Alvlh J. 

Nletz. 69 mlns. Rev. Dec. 13. 

Unholy Love. (First Dlv.) The classic. *Mme. Boviury,' transplanted to 
Rye, N. T. - H. B. Warner, Llla Lee. Dir. Albert Ray. Time, 76 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Woman In Chains. (Auten.) Tragedy of a woman tied to an hypochondriac. 
Eng. cast Dir. Basil Dean. Time, 68 mins. Rel, Nov. 18. JElev. Nov. 22, 



Foreign Language Films 



(Note: Because of the slow movement of foreign films, this list covers one 

year of releases.) 

(Most of these available with English titles.) . 

A Nous la Liberie. (Auten) (French). Comedy drama.. Ilenrl Marchand, 
Raymond Cordy. Dir. Rene Clair. 93 mlns. Rel. -Miiy. " ' 

Barberlna, die Taenzerin von Sansoucl. (Capital) (German). Rococco musical 
comedy. Lir Dagover, Otto Gebuehr. Dir. Carl Firoellcb; 83 mins. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Brand in der Optr. (Capital) (German). Musical dramas Giistav Froellcb 
Dir. Carl Froellch. Rel. July 19. 

Broken Vow, The. (Capital) (Polish). From a novel..- Krystyna Ankwlcx, 
M. Cybulskl. 89 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. 

Cinq Gentleman Maudit (Protex) (French). Mystery drama. Rene Lefevre, 
Horry Baur. Dir. Jullen Duvlvier. 78 mlns. Rel. Jan. ' Rev. Jan, 24. ■ 

Coiffeur Pour Dames (Paramount) (French). Musical farce. Femand Gravey. 
80 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Das Nachtlgall Madel (Capital) (Ger). Love In Hawaii. "Dir. Leo- Lasky. 
80 mins. Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Das Schoone Abenteuer (German) (Protex). Romantic comedy. Kaethe 
von Nagy. . Dir. Relnhold Schunzel. 83 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1, Rev. Dec. 13; 

David Qolder (French) (Protex), Drama. Harry Baun Dir. Julleh Duvlvier. 
90 mlns. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Oct 26. 

Der Ball (Qerman) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dolly Haas. Dir. Wllhelm 

Thieie. 88 mlns. Rel. Oct. 9. 
Der Falsche Ehemann (German) (Protex). Force. Dir. Johannes Outer. 

86 mlns. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Oct. 23. 

Der Falsche Feldmarschal. (Capital) (German). Military - musiool. Vlosta 
Burton. Dir. Carl Zjomoc. Time, 81 mins. Rel. July 12. 

Der Hauptmann von Kopenick (A-R) (Ger). Comedy. Max Adalbert Dir. 
Richard Oswald. 96 mins. Rel. Jon. 16. Rev. Jon. 24, 

Der Herr Burovorsteher. (Ciopltol) (Ger). Felix Bressart, Herman Thlmlg, 

Dir. Hans Behrendt. Time, 86 mins. Rel. June 10. 
Der SchWartze Hussar (Protex) (Ger.). Costume romance'. Cbnrad Veldt, 

Dir. Gerhard Lamprecht 90 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev, Jan.' 3. 

Die Bliimenfrau von LIndenau (German) (Protex). Comedy. Renate Muel- 
ler, Hansl Nlese. Dir. Georg Jacoby. 70 mlns. ReL July 1. Rev. July 12. 

Die Cslkos Baroness. (Capital) (Gerl Hung). Musical comedy. Gretl Theimer. 
Paul Vihcenti. Dir. Ernst Verebes. Time, 82 mins. .Bel. April 1. 

Die Qrosae Attraktion (A-R) (Ger). Musical romance. Richard .Touber. 80 
mins. Rel. Feb. 16. 

Die Grease Llebe. (German) (FAF). Dromo of mother love.' HonsI Nlese. 
80 mlns. Rel. March 1. Rey. Feb. 23. 

Die Lustlgen Welber von Wien. "Capital) (Ger). Willy Forst, Irene Elslnger. 
. Dir. Geza von Bolvary. Time, 97 n.*ns. Rel. July 1. 

Dienst Is DIenst. (New Era) (Ger). Musical. Ralph Roberts, Lucie Eng- 
llsche. Dir. Carl Bosse. Time, 84 mlns. Rel. June 8. 

Die vom Rummelplatz. (Capital) (Ger). Anny Ondra, Siegfried Amo. Dir. 
Karl Lamac. 9 reels. Rel. Feb. .10. 

Eine Nacht In Paradies (A-R) (Ger). Musical comedy. Anny Ondra. 90 

mlns. Rel. Feb. 16. 
Eine Tuer Geht Auf. (Protex) (Ger.). Mystery thriller. Dir. Alfred Zeieler. 

68 mins. Rel. Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 7. 
EIn Prlnz Verllebt SIch. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Lien Deyers. Dir. 

Conrad Wiene. 76 mlns. Rel. May. 

El Hombre Que Asesino (Paramount) (Spanish). Rosita Moreno, Ricardo 
Fuga. 70 mins. Rel. April 16. 

EIn Walzer von Strauss. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froellch. Dir. 
Conrad Welns. 89 mlns. Rel. March 10. 

Friederike (A-R) (Ger). Dramatic operetta based on Goethe's life. Mady 

Christians. 90 mlns. Reli Feb. 15. 
Qltta Entdeckt Ihr Herz. (Capital) (Ger). Musical comedy. Gitta Alpar, 

Oustav Froellch. Dir. Carl Froellch. 90 mlns. Rel. Oct. 4. 

Gloria. (German) (New Era). Transatlantic aviation drama. Gustav Froeh- 
lich, Brigltte Helm. 76 mins. Rel. Nov. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Holzapfel Weiss Alles (German) (CaplUl). Comedy. Felix Bressart. Dir. 

Viktor Janson. 86 mins. Rcl. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Hurrah, EIn Junge. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Max Adalbert, Ida Wuest, Lucie 

English. Dir. Geo. Jacoby. 91 mlns. Rel. June 24. 

Hyppollt a LakaJ (International) (Hungarian). Fast farce. Dir. Szekely Ist- 
van. 77 mins. Rel. Jan, Rev. Jan. 17. 

Ivan. (Amklno) (Russ.). Transformation of peasants. Dir. Dovzhenko. 83 
mlns. Rel. Feb. 1. 

Kamaradschaft. (Asso. Cinema) (Ger). Sensational drama. Alex Granach. 

Ernst Busch. Dir. G. W. Pabst. Time, 78 mlns. Rel. Nov. 8. 
Koenlgin von Preussen. See 'Lulse'. 

La Couturlere de Lunevllle (Par) (Frencli). Mu.slca1 of woman's love. 

Madeleine Renaud, I'lerre Blanchar. 90 mlns. Uel. July 1. Rev. Oct. 22. 
Le Bal (French) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dir. Wllhelm Thiele. 83 mlns. 
Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Le Roi Des Resqullleurs ('French) (Protex). Comedy with music. Milton. Dir. 

Georges Colombler. 90 mlns. Rel. June L Rev. June 14. 
Llebe 1st Llebe (German) (Protex). Musical comedy. Kaethe von Nagy, Hans 

Albers. Dir. Paul Martin. 80 mins. Rel. June 1. Rev. June 7. 
LJubav I Strast. (Yugoslav) (Croat). Drama of life among N. Y. imlgrants. 
Rakcl Davidovlc. Dir. Frank Melford. 60 mln.s. Ucl. nec. 15. 

Lulse, Koenlgin von Preussen. (Asso. Cinema). (Ger). Historical. Henry 
Porten. Dir. Carl Froellch. Time, 92 mlns. Kel. Oct i. 

(Continued on page 54) 



dAHAGOES 
100% RECEIVER 



Omaha, t^b. II. 
Town's In hands of receivers. 
Orpheum made It unamlmoiu by 
going in at reauest of . Siinneisota 
Loan jand Trust company and C* V. 
Smith of Minneapolis, co-trustees 
for $.1,250,000 bond Issue dated Dec 
1. 1926. Charge that |82,1(>0 Inter- 
est, -as well as Dec. 1, 1932, principal 
paynlent In default and company 
behind on ground rent. Herbert S. 
Daniel is receiver. 

Paramount holdings here went 
into receivership a few days before, 
with A. H. BlanlE appointed. 

All theatres operating and looks 
like ' lease charges main obj^t of 
attack, 

Omaha Orpheum is subsidiary of 
lUtO, national. 



HAMRICK TAKES OVER 
FOX B'WAY, TACOMA 



Tacom2^ Feb. 1,9< 
Fox Broadway, PWC, blgg:est 
local deluxer, has been leased by 
John Hamrlck. 

■ Reopening Saturday with 'The 
Kid From Spain' at 2Gc any time 
with 40p loges. 

■ Ned . Edrls, manager for Hamrlck 
fit this.Blue Mouse and Tendple, wUl 
direct the newly named 'Music Box/ 
virith VB^. J. Cohners, asslst^t city 
manag-er for Hamrlck helping. 

•'"With Hamrlck taking over the old 
Bii'paidway, all local theatres are ntyw 
operated by native interests. Jen- 
sen •& ' Von Herberer are. ' recent 
ifSa^kiA., .of . the RKO, renamed . th&. 
tLoT^l . ' 

Fmc Bialto, former FWC house 
hiere^ .how .in receivership,, suddenly 
(ilosted last -week. . Understood clos-. 
ins was oarrlied oiit to force cance- 
lation of lease carried by Padflq 
Northwest Theatres, sub of FWC. 



FILMS FOR RIVOLI 



'decrets' After Current 'Bium', Then 
Swanaon Picture 



The last of four pictures prom- 
ised the Rivoll, New York, by Pam,- 
-mount, ' is not, expected until late 
spring; What 'it may be no on^ aa 
yet knows". 

Meanwhile, the United. Artists 
first run does not believer It will be 
cramped for product. Following 
Fm a Bum', current, house will get 
Mary Pickford's 'Secrets' and aft«r 
that 'Perfect UiiderstandlhEr',' made 
by Gloria Swanson in England.. 
. 'Masquerader*, from Sam Gold- 
wjrn, and 'Jade', made indepen- 
dently for UA release by Walter 
Futter, come in after that. 



RKO in L A. Trying 2 



Los Angeles, Feb. 18. 

RKO Hlllstreet, holding to the 
highest admission of the straight 
picture deluxers .downtown, has 
booked in another dual bill for week 
beginning (16). Similar experiment 
was made a few weeks ago. 

Augmenting 'Lucky Devils' wlU 
be Bd Wynn In 'Follow the Crowd/ 
reissue which management hopes to 
capitalize on through the come- 
dian's weekly broadcasts. 



Par's NashviDe Receiver 



Nashville. Feb. 13. 
An ancillary receivership for the 
local Paramount, sought by Charles 
L, Dooley, receiver for the Tennes- 
see Enterprises, and the Irving 
Trust Company of New York, re- 
ceiver for the Publlx Enterprises^^ 
was granted by Federal Judge John 
J. Gore. 

Theatre is the property of the 
Tennessee Enterprises, Indebted to 
the Publlx Enterprises. Dooley wa« 
named ancillary receiver. 



Union Operators Back 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Union projectlonl.sts are back In 
the Carlton and Rivoli after out 
over a year. Houses are subside of 
the West Coast Hollywood Theatres, 
with Carl Graff also owning 50%. 

Change to union operators was 
made two weeks ago in the other 
houses of the subsld circuit. 



32 



VAimTY 



Taesd«y« Febraarj 14, 1933 



AIR LINE NEWS 

By Nellie Revell 

Women In Radio 

'We glrla' have been active in radio since its inception. Tlie first 
columnist on the air was a woman, Bertha Bralnard, now an executive 
of the NBC. The first crooner was a woman, Vaughn de I«ath. 

And some o« the biggest singers— both from a salary and a physical 
standpoint — are women. 

Overtones 

When the Three Sizzlers were on the air last week they finished their 
program with 'It Don't Mean a Thing.' The announcer was signing them 
off with 'This Is the National Broadcasting Company," but over it all 
oould be heard, 'And It Don't Mean a Thing.* 

IndlctmentI 

Mike Porter, N. T. "Evening Journal's' 'Aircaster,' hurls this into the ] 
camp of the radio critics: 

'More than 60% of today's so-called radio critics have graduated from j 
office l>oy Jobs on newspapers because vnimagrlnative managing editors, | 
in the early days of radio, assigned callow, untrained youths to the .han- 
dling of programs. Eventually, these youths Ijecame radio editors, and I 
Inevitably set themselves up as oracles and experts, even though they 
were, and still are, totally ignorant of more than a casual smattering 
of music, drama, history, comedy and most of the other phases of ether | 
entertainment.* • 

A Porter's Mistake 

Morton Downey went into the studio the other day for rehearsal andl 
found it empty but for a porter whp greeted htm with 'Good evening, 
Mr. Novis.* 

The porter has been apologizing ever since. 



Always *Yet* 



Too Many Slugs 

The telephone pay stations have been taken off the floors at NBC. Too | 
many slugs were being^ osed. 

Two more booths have been added In the drug store In the same build- { 
Ing, and the crowd has to go there to use the phones. And Is that drug- 
gist pleased with the added patronagel 

Novis Returns 

Donald Novis Is convalescing and expeettt to be able' to return to the! 
Woodbury program this week, but will not return to the Paramount until { 
March 1. 

Incidentally, Mr. Novls's new secretary Is a gentleman from the West. 



SVeddie Berrens handles some 
36 programs for CBS weekly 
and plays betweien 200 and 260 
songs.a week. All this under an 
assortment of noms-de-ether 
Including Rhythm Kings, 8yn- 
copators, Dream Waltzers, 
Sweet 'n' Hot Band, CBS Sou- 
venirs,, besides anonymously 
accompanying the Boswells, 
Oreta Neisen, Rels and Dunn, 
et al. 

In all his extensive experi- 
ence Berrens ol>serves that at 
auditions everbody gives one 
another that weisenhelmer nod 
of approval and okay* I^ot once 
has one dared to opine that 
mebbe this wasn't so hot. It's 
gotten Berrens go peeved that 
he's deliberately played sour 
notes only to get the same af- 
firmative nod of approval 
Never a 'nay.' 

Berrens, once furiona at this 
stupid log-rolling, gave out a 
particularly sonr program at 
an audition when, for some 
reason, everything went awry 
Including lack of tbs proper 
music and general tinpreparedr 
neas. He came out with a 
'hang-dog expression, figuring 
that this time he'd get it 100%, 
and deservlngly, but found, if 
anything, that the back-slap- 
ping was even more enthusi- 
astic. 

This is the 'Once in a Life>- 
tline' of radio. Not • once have 
people In the control rooms of 
studios, at audlUons, audibly 
expressed disappointment. 






Looking for Farm 

Tom Noonan. who conducts the 'Cathedral of the Underworld' broad- 
casts over WMCA, Is looking for a farm where he can put some of his | 
people to work to supply food tor his Mission. 

Slight Connection 

Outside of playing the title role, arranging the music, composing some I 
of the songs. Singing the chants, directing the program and helping as 
co-adaptor, Juano Hernandez has nothing to do with 'John Henry,'' 
CBS's dramatizations of Roark Bradford's book. 

Xylophone Barrage 

Watch for a new Jap offensive against China. Harry Breuer, WOB 
xylophonlst, is teaching 11 sons of the Mikado how to play that instru- 
ment. 

Whiteman's First Sponsor 

Paul Whiteman's first sponsor was an Italian frdt vendor In Denver. 
At the age of seven, Paul played his fiddle on the sidewalk In front of the 
stand to attract trade. 

That is, he did until his mother caught him at it 

Toothpaste's Journeys 

T'orhan Toothpaste begins a new series of weekly programs over 
WMCA Feb. 20 called 'Jews in Scattered Ijands' — a musical Journey , to 
foreign lands. 

Fred Allane's Secret 

Fred Allen's right name is John Florence Sullivan. Before adopting 
Allen as his stage name, he was professionally known as Paul Huckle 
and Fred James. No luck with either tag. 



QUITS KHJ IN 
SPUT HGHT 



lios Angeles. Feb. 13. 
Quarrel over the percentage split 
for theatre dates between the ma- 
jority talent of the -Happy-Go 
Lucky' hour and the Don Lee coast 
CBS tihBfin resulted in a walk-out of 
the players after the Friday (10) 
programi 

Hour, a sustalner, has been 
favorite on the coast for 4!ii years, 
and recently was switched from 
KFBC, the Leet station In San 
Francisco, to broadcast five after- 
noons a week from KHJ here. It 
has been appearing dally to the sta 
tion capacity of 1,200 persons and 
was being boo|ked for theatre dates 
by the Thomas Lee Artists' Bureau, 
Playing in Fox West CoMt Santa 
Barbara house a week ago, the hour 
was to go into Pantages, Hollywood 
(23) on an 80-20 split above 96,500 
House had trailers on the screen 
announcing the engagement, but 
show was cancelled Friday by the 
Lee Bureau without giving the- the- 
atre any reason, 

Inside is that the talent, led by 
Al and Cal Pearce, its m.c.'s, were 
not satisfied with their spilt Fol- 



hsiile Staff-Radio 



Chase & Sanborn will defray all wire charges -Jid other expenses to 
pick up Eddie Cantor in Florida, or from other spots e& tour with the 
Cantor- Jmnel vaudo roadshow; This differ* from Al Jolson, who pern 
sonaily went $1,200 on the nut for the remote piokups from Miami durlag 
his winter va^ash. 

Economio reason figures as Jolson's |S,OM per broadcast la twice 
Cantor?*. Latter receives |2,60Q plas $760 for script, the latter having 
been a voluntary contribution by the advertising iaccoimt as a sort of 
bonus; similar to tho film studio Idea. - But Cantor has been paying 
writers like Sid Slivers, Jack Tellen and David Freedinan |300 a week 
e^eh, off ud on, beside* spending the entire, script allowance for mate* 
rlaL 

In view of Cantor's no-squawklnff amenability, the 7. Walter Thomp. 
son ad agency will defray the pIck-tip charges and also the expenses of 
James Walllngfbrd, the C&S aqnouncer and Cantor's straight man. 
Walllngford has joined the comedian In Miami, where Caintor wlU vacash 
a couple of weeks, and then continue about three more weeks with the 
vaude tour. In each instance being picked up for the air on the road. 

The latis Frederick Bonfils, publisher of the Denver "Post.' only a week 
or two before his death was expatiating with an NBC official on radio 
programs. Bonfils opined that the level of programs was not high. 1 
think ril. endow a station so that the country can get some decent enter- 
tainnient oyer the air,' Bonfils announced abruptly In his characterlstlo 
oifhand manner. 'How much will it cost?' 

Taking him literally, the NBClte paper-and-^pencUled an estimated 
cost of an endowed non-commercial station. Bonfils, staggered by the 
quotation, squinted at the NBC official, honestly. Mr. Bonfils, would 
you really Invest a single dollar In a radio station?* the network exeo 
asked. 

"Qo on, get out of here,' growled Bonfils, pretending to put the other 
out of his office. 



Offer by NBC to participate fliuwctially In the Co-operative Analysis 
of Broadcastlnir, also known a* .the Crossley Reports, has been turned 
down by the Association of National Advertisers. For an annual $10,000 
-contribution to the survey the network had stipulated, that It be allowed 
to publish for general coi^sumption in the trade the reports' findings. 
ANA InDlsts, hdwever, that the Info collected be kept sub rosa among 
the clients paying for It. . 

Subscriptions' among, the 40 national adyertisers and advertisers elig> 
ible to the pierlodle mirvey expire In March and. the. ANA Is now out try- 
ing to drum up renewals. To ilate only 19 renewed subscriptions have 
come In. Project so far has take^n $64,000 from xaemibiBrs of the ANA 
and another $32,000 from advertising agencies. 



While waiting for the trans-Canada network to develop, western Can* 
ada prairie stations, headed by CKY, Winnipeg, are developing an inter* 
change of programs via the telephone system temporarily dubbed by 
press writers The Western Canada Prairie Network. 

"Programs which have been deemed good enough to go over the chain 
are, from Winnipeg: -Prairie Hour,' 'Saturday Minstrels,' Van Russell, 
magician, -Round-Up Rangenr,* "Half Hour of Fine Music,* and Vesper 
Hour. From Reglna the periods Include Regina Rifles - Band, Fireside 
Hour, Concert Period and 'Dreamland Melodies.* Stations In the web 
are Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and ReglnsL 



An economic advantage which Victor and Columbia recording labs 
have for the making of electrical transcription disks Is that they are 
licensed by Western Electric under an old royalty arrangement. Charge 
is considerably less than the $1 per disk royalty which the other inde* 
pendent sound studios must pay W. B. It used to be $2, but recently 
cut in half. 

Victor and Col, as ex'tenslve phonograph record manufacturers, were 
licensed prior to the radio bull market and also are In much better po* 
sltlon through equipment charge-off for their regular phonograph busi* 
ness instead of saddling everything on the radio adjunct. 



P. a.'s in several of the major agencies have been Instructed to guard 
from publicity the script authors on radio shows, particularly those on 
the agency's regular staff. Purpose here is to protect the employee in 
the event the advertiser becomes dissatisfied with the output and in- 
sists that the writer get the axe. 

Other angle is that the agency as a rule sells the client on the idea 
that the service given it Is derived from co-operation of the agency's 
entire staff and that no man in particular is responsible for any piece of 
advertising copy or any part of a program put on the air. 



Shorlf Shots 

George Cohan Is helping Thomas Noonan put on a show Feb. 19 for 
his Mission Carnival. . .Grace Breen Clark, for whom Victor Herbert 
wrote the operetta 'Eileen,' is auditioning for radio... A correspondent 
asks what became of the strong silent men that the talkies put out of 

the movies; most of them became crooners ... Nat Shilkret ls~ writing 1 jQ^j^g a hot Mgument Friday, they 
and orchestrating a brand new score for each 'Inside Story.' of the new | poimpnted to eo on that afternoon 
Edwin C. HIU series on CBS... Billy Jones and Ernie Hare are playing ™™f"^^„„° i* „,,u= 
vaudeviUe... Ralph Kirberry has signed to make 13 shorts. . .Dory s Le- ' ^"^^ " 
Vene and Jashe* Zabdo, concert pianists, every Monday night at 7 over 
WINS, and at 8:30 Miss LeVene jglves a recital with Hannah Lefkowltz 
over WMCA. . .May Slnghl Breen is on a compulsory diet of buttermUk. 
. . .In his- seven and a halt years on the air Frank Munn has never missed 
a scheduled program. . .Those giant, water-cooled power tubes used at 
transmitting stations cost $480 apiece and last a thousand hours 
Bobby Benson, CBS kid actor, averaged above 90% in his mid-year 
exams. . .They changed the name of Ed Hill's new book from "The Amerl 
can Scene — 1932' to 'The American Scene — the Inside Story,' a free plug 
for his oil sponsor. . .Mr. and Mrs. PhU Cook are auditioning for the 
stork. . .Mildred Bailey is flirting with a commercial on -Columbia 
Arlene Jackson is a. new find of NBC; a little California girl who writes 
her town material. . .Sam Prager, CBS pianist, hopes it will be a boy 
WINS will supplement its report of the Roosevelt inaugural with a de- 
scription of tlie parade from a Goodyear dirigible. . .Joe Haymes, Nut 

Club bandleader, will record for Columbia. . .Greta Keller, newly arrived 

Viennese songbird, is making records with Nat Shilkret's orchestra 

Paul Tremalne, broadcasting from the Bohemia restaurant will get five 

air periods weekly over CBS... WINS has a new concert grand piano 

nine feet long. . .Freddie Rich, after an absence of five years from clubs 

and ballrooms, will return to the Empire spot from which place he'll 

broadcast over a W.ABC wire three times the week he's there. . .Dolph 

Martin, Columbia maestro, and Dok Eisenbourg, big shot in the Wharf 
"^eatre summer activities at Provlnceton.. Mass., are one and the same 

...Kate Smith resumes her vaude tour, opening at the Earle, Phllly, 

Feb. 17... Bill Lincoln, whose 'Coral Islanders' are heard on WINS, Is a 

native of Honolulu, who has been in America since the San Francisco 

World's Fair in 1916... Jimmy Dorsey has written a new tune for Crosby 

...Bill Paley, CBS president, is returning from a Nassau vacation 

All work and no play makes jack — and lots of it. .if you have a sponsor 



Other Walks 

Walking out besides the Pearce 
brothers were Tony Romano and 
Murray Amsterdam, comics; Hazel 
Warner, Norman Nielsen and Mabel 
Todd, vocalists. 

Chain Intention Is to continue 
with another dally program under 
the same title this afternoon (Mon- 
day), using other station talent and 
quick nU-ins, with Kenneth Nlles 
m.c.'lng. An attempt wUl be made 
to recruit new outside talent 

Engagements 



NBC Drops Heller 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Jackie Heller, who has been get- 
ting an NBC build-up, Is singing 
for Columbia now. He gets a 
Wednesday afternoon network and 
two local airings over WBBM 
through the week. 
. Understood NBC New York called 
off Heller's periods. 



DUAL WEB AUTITION 

Chicago, Feb. 13 
NBC and CBS auditioned the 
same program on the same day last 
week. And to make It more piquant 
Irene Wicker played the main role 
fpr both networks' consideration. 

Show in question is 'Chickle,' dra- 
matic rights of which are controlled 
I by Fritz Blockl. 



Lady Esther with Wayne King's 
orchestra for 13 weeks from Feb. 
16. Basic blue, excepting Cincin- 
nati, and WMAL and WSTR, 

J. A. Folgor Coffee, with the 'Judy 
and Jane' serial, for nine weeks on 
NBC starting Feb. 27. Mon. to Frl 
inclusive. 

Household Finance Corp., con- 
cert orchestra with Edgar Guest 
m.c, for 13 weeks over NBC's blue 
(WJZ) network. 

Pennzoll, with Harry Sosnlck or 
chestra and quartet over 31 CBS 
stations Sunday nights for 13 weeks 
starting Feb. 12, 

Gold Dust Corp., Goldy and Dusty 
with the Silver Dust Twins, Mon. 
to Frl. mornings inclusive for 13 
weeks starting Feb. 15 over 10 CBS 
eastern stations. 



The four week cancellation clause now contained in^ practically all 
contracts, causing the sudden shifts of talent on commercial programs, 
has made it embarrassing for the monthly radio fan mags. 

Mags' material is usually prepared a couple of months In advance and 
by the time they make the stands they frequently dnd that several of 
the artists given the spread in the current issue are no longer on the 
air. Often a heavy play is also given to a performer's commercl&l c_on- 
tact but by mag release date the artist is back on sustaining and another 
has taken his place on the subsidized show. 



So that the fans In the hinterland can get an eyeful of the likenesses 
of both the major and minor names on NBC programs, the network's 
press department is arranging to tour an elaborate photo exhibit Pic- 
tures mounted on special accordion -folded frames will be put on display 
in each town's leading department store. 

Suggestion that Ray Lee Jackson, the official studio photog, travel 
along with the exhibit has been vetoed. Contacts with the department 
stores and arrangement for shipping to the next town, will be left to the 
NBC affiliate stations on the itinerary mapped out. 



When NBC launches Josef Lhevlnne on his regular Sunday evening 
half hour it won't be wholly due to the fact that the network has de- 

(Continued on page 42) 



HOBUCK WITH C&B 

Harry Horlick and his A. & P. 

Gypsies, with Frank Parker, vocal 

soloist, have been signed by Ed 
Conne and Al Boasberg for exclu- 
sive Columbia phonograph and radio 
handling. They're also preparing an 
act for Horlick for some personal 
apps. 

Blossom Secley and Benny Fields 
are similarly set with Conne-Boas- 
berg. 



Kyne Starts 

San Francisco, -Feb. 13. 

Peter B. Kyne goes radio next 
week when he Btarts spinning 
yarns for MJB Coffee over NBC's 
Coast hookup. 

Ted FioRito's orchestra and other 
talent lineup continues. 



Lottery Clause on Way 

Washington, Feb. 13. 

Ban on lotteries over air. Included 
in House bill to amend radio act, 
went through Senate Thursday (9) 
without record vote. Bill now goes 
to conference before final passage 
by both houses. 

Lottery measures bars broadcast- 
ing any Information of lotteries 
wherein awarding of prizes depends 
on chance. Does not affect contests 
with positive skill angle. Penalty 
for conviction is $1,000, or year or 
both. 

Senate added to House recom- 
mendation clause that station can 
not be taken off air for violation of 
lottery ban. 



Taesday, February 14, 1988 



RADIO 



VARIETY 



S3 



NO NEW AIR 'NAME' SINCE '31 



Croskys Suspends Its Booking; 
Cut In as High as 50% on Salaries 



Clncinaatl, Feb. 13. 

Ci'osley'B artists' bureau sus- 
pended last week. From now on 
WLtW talent Is at liberty to arrange 
bookings for personal appearances 
either direct or through individual 
representatives, but must pay the 
station a percentage of the take for 
air announcements of the dates. 

In the past the Crosley booking 
department furnished an agent and 
offered ther blasts of theatre en- 
gagements for a cut of from 40 to 
60% of the artist's salary. Under 
the new arrangement the station's 
cut, it is understood, will be some- 
thing like 10% of what the theatre 
pays to its talent. 

For the last year or so the WLfW 
artists' bureau was headed by sev- 
eral different men who had no 
previous booking experience. Most 
of their contracts with houses were 
on a percentage basis, which re- 
sulted in light returns for the tal- 
ent. In a few instances, where ar- 
tists were to share In a spilt of a 
theatre's gross above a certain fig- 
ure, the artists failed to reach the 
dividing marks and received noth- 
ing for their stage work. They also 
lost transportation and hotel ex- 
pense for the dates, which they paid 
themselves. 

Seven Let Out 

The folding of the bureau came 
on the heels of the flop suffered by 
a. unit of WLW acts at the Music 
Hall in this city last week. A six- 
act bill was booked into the 3,500- 
eeat auditorium for seven days. 
Poor biz called for a halt after three 
days. Troupe was in on a 50-50 
split, and its share for the three 
days was only (200. 

Brodie also resulted in WLW let- 
ting out Sid Ten Eyck, announcer 
and sustaining artist; the Randall 
Sisters, hillbilly singing trio; Toe- 
dllng Twins and the Wanderers. 
R. Li. Ferguson and Jim McConnell, 
In charge of bookings, also are out. 



Groucho-Chico Get 
$6,500 Weekly oh 
New S. 0. Contract 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Marx Brothers (Groucho and 
Chico) get a renewal of their 
Standard Oil air contract for an ad- 
ditional 13 weeks at $6,500 a per- 
formance for the two comics. Ip 
addition they are allowed an extra 
11,000 for writer expenses. 

Half hour will cost S-O around 
$12,600 under the new arrangement. 
Remainder of cost includes $2,500 
for NBC ether time; $1,000 for music 
and production expense, and around 
$3,000 in line charges. 

Endeavor to tie Standard Oil of 
California into the contract, so that 
the progi'ams could go out on the 
Coast, fell through. 

The Marxes will continue their 
Coast broadcasts, having two more 
to go on the present contract until 
they flnlsh their Paramount picture, 
•Cracked Ice.' They then go to New 
York for the subsequent weekly 
programs. 

Broadcasts will be handled by 
John Swallow at this end in the 
absence of F. A. McCann, of the Mc- 
Cann-Erickson aponcy. who returns 
to New York. 



liardboiled S.A. 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Carson Plrie Scott, department 
Store, has taken the physical culture 
period of Capt. Paul F.ogarty. This 
1b an earlv morning period over 
WGK. 

Pogarty's tough guy style of 
shouting orders at his unseen pupils 
over the air was discovered to have 
sex appeal for the ladies- ^r"+t4»—th€- 
dopartment store tle-ln a result. 

Believed to be the llrst time mat- 
Inal setting up exercises have been 
bankrolled on the air. Fogarty 
comes to radio from fnhrr.^ Mili- 
tary Academj, 



100% Booked 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Boswell Sisters, currently at 
the Chicago, and Kate Smith, 
booked for March 17 at th^ 
same house, will complete an 
unusual record at Balaban and 
Katz. At that time, everyone 
of the radio cast in Para- 
mount's 'Big Broadcast' film 
will have made a personal ap- 
pearance in Chicago at either 
the Chicago or Oriental thea- 
tres. 

Included in this roster are: 
Mills Brothers, Bing Crosby, 
Kate Smith, Boswells, Arthur 
Tracy, Burns and Allen, Cab 
Calloway, and Vincent Lopez. 



GaimOneWayto 
Insult Agencies Is 
To Ask for Money 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Fritz Blockl's experience with 
Fred Ibbett, of the McCann-Erick- 
son agency, bears out the claim of 
other radio authors that the one 
way to 'nsult an advertising agency 
is to Insist upon payment for 
scripts written to order. Blocki got 
his script back, a curt dismissal, 

and all negotiations were declared 
oft when. In making an issue of the 
agency's responBibillty, he requested 
payment on a script written for 
Italian Campagna's 'Fu Manchu.' 

Other authors have reported sim- 
ilar experiences with various ad 
agencies which are pleasant and 
enthusiastic until the authors de- 
clare themselves as unwilling to 
write Just for glory and anxious to 
see a little cash. 

Blocki took his complaint to A. R. 
Wallace, Ibbett's superior in Mc- 
Cann-Erlckson. As far as known, 
Blocki is the first radio author to 
do something about the treatment 
they all grumble about privately. 
From reports Blockl's argument is 
that he is submitted an outline of 
his script which was okayed by 
Ibbett, and lie contends that this 
constitutes a contract for his serv- 
ices as the price was also fixed at 
the time. 

Italian Campagana did not reject 
Blockl's script, but everything was 
declared off by Ibbett when the pay- 
ment question became acute. 



COAST AIR DUO PLNA TO 
BACK OWN LEGIT SHOW 



San Francisco, Feb. 13. 
With possible sponsorship just 
around the corner Cecil & Sally, 
serial duo recently dropped by Pub- 
lic Food Stores on KPO, are going 
leglt. 

Johnny Patrick, who is 'Cecil' of 
the pair, is backing himself in a 
leglt show of his own authoring 
which he'll open Feb. 26 at the Ful- 
ton, Oakland. Marks first public 
appearance for the team with Pat- 
rick's partner, Helen Troy, and cast 
all set. John Fee directing. 



WBBM'S DANCE LINEUP 

Chicago. Feb. 13. 
Frank Raimoiidi orrhestra from 
the 100 Club Joins wnBM's round 
the town musical group this week. 
Ether itinerary now includes Ben 
-Pcrlk 



Straight at Vanity Fair, p:arl Hoff- 
man at Casa de Alex, Herbie Mintz 
at Granada and Irvlnq Singpr at thf> 
Rainbo Gardens. 

Throp of these .'^piits are newly 
opened. 



DEPT. POLITICS 
KILLS tmillCES 



Networks Careless with Sus- 
taining Acts — Inter-Dept. 
Politics Ruinous to Pos- 
Isible Radio Stars — Couple 
Broadcasts and Off 



ALWAYS NEW PETS 



Facit that no new names have been 
created from within radio's own 
ranks for ■ year, according to the 
coneensuB of opinion in the broad- 
casting trade, is due to the careless 
treatment accorded to the networks 
to acts designated for a buildup. 
Contention is that at no time during 
the past year has this knack for 
talent mishandling be«n as aggra- 
vated as it now prevails. 

What makes it worse than ever 
is the turmoil of inside politics. 
Under pressure from the top to get 
busy and stimulate listener interest 
with a new line of candidates for 
ether fame, one department finds 
itself pitted against the other In try- 
ing to maintain spots on the sched- 
ule for its respective candidates. 
Program department has its own 
selections for a buildup and it 
wants to make sure that these are 
down for a regular release. Execs 
in the artists' service are as deter 
mined to see that the prospects 
they've picked get both the right 
and ample spots on the network's 
time chart. In the clash between 
the two departments the talent then 
becomes a football with its chances 
of getting anywhere pretty much 
nullified. 

Politics and Angles 

These battles for the open niches 
has prevented untold numbers of 
sustaining candidates from being 
pegged for regular mike appear- 
ances. A couple of broadcasts and 
off they come to make room for the 
other department's latest 'find,' with 
the change taking place before 
they've had a chance to see what 
the reaction, if any, was on the 
loudspeaker. 

For an act to get a regular sus- 
taining period at the start doesn't 
mean that it will retain that same 
spot very long. No matter if the 
turn shows click possibilities, the 
skids are there to be slipped under 
it at any moment ripe by the oppo- 
sition department. 

If the candidate hasn't the inter- 
departmental situation to contend 
with, there are other handicaps. 
Being shifted around on the sched- 
ule is the least of the headaches. 

For each of the act's programs 
there's probably a different studio 
leader and a different set of musi- 
cians, men who may be on their 
consecutive session and who look 
upon this one as just another chore. 
If the subject of the buildup Is hav- 
ing instrumental backgrounds con- 
stantly changed on it, it's likely 
confronted on each mike appear- 
ance with a different continuity 
writer, or a different production 
man, or another engineer at the 
controls, or some other anouncer 
who looks upon this performance as 
just a limp. 

When these circumstances are 
stacked against them it is no won- 
der to the trade that neither net- 
work has, on its own, built up any 
out.=tanding names the past year. 



Coast, Sensing B. 0. in Ether Acts 
On Split, Urges Free Air Show Ban 



Darmour Waxing Also; 
Actors on 2-Way Terms 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 
Larry Darmour will attempt mak- 
ing pictures and radio tran.scrip- 
tions at the same time and with thf 
.«amo rasts. Indie fllni producer l.s 
or.^^.nnizing a recording company and 
hcz-Parep, Oiarley | will — hue players on double ron- 
tiaci.s. 

rir.«t .series will be a set of rorn- 
i(ly 'li.scsi 'Conky and Ills I'als." 
Irvinf? FogC'l, of Hollywood Radio 
.Mtraciions, will handle Uarmour'.s 
air department. 



Watching All Stages 



Scouting around for talent in 
musical, dramatic and vaude 
houses has become part of the 
regular duties of ad agency 
staff men concerned with the 
production or writing of pro- 
grams. One agency makes it a 
point of seeing that a member 
or two of its radio department 
are in attendance at each mus- 
ical opening on Broadway, the 
boys assigned to turn in sug- 
gestions on possibilities for 
radio in the cast. 

Another agency frequently 
has men from this department 
taking a flier to nearby cities 
to look over a show breaklng- 
in. 



Ad Agency Tells 
Its Radio DepL 
No Parties^ts 



An order to employees in its radio 
department to stop attending parties 
with performers and their agents 
has been issued by one of the big 
advertising agencies. Also stressed 
is this agency's attitude on the ac- 
ceptance of gifts from persons from 
whom it buys anything. Employees 
are advised that under no circum- 
stances are they to accept any sort 
of gratuity from talent or their rep- 
resentatives. 

In a conference of the agency's 
execs, preceding the issuing of the 
orders, reference was made to com- 
mission splitting implications made 
in stories which have recently ap- 
peared in 'Variety.' Special note is 
said to have been paid to the pub- 
lished interview with Stuart Pea- 
body, president of the Association of 
National Advertisers, who warned 
that padding of talent prices and 
cutting in on what the mike per- 
former was supposed to get boded 
no good for the future of radio. 



Haverlin Joins Agency 

Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 
Carl Haverlin, sales manager of 
ICFI-KECA for several years, has 
resigned to join the advertising 
firm of Bowman, Daute & Cum- 
mings. 

Glen R. Dolberg, stations' assist- 
ant manager, steps into the higher 
berth. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 
With Coast theatres beginning to 
show a keener interest In the book- 
ing of fave radio programs, there 
is a noticeable change of heart on 
the part of the stations to the free 
radio broadcasting shows which, it 
Is estimated, are playing to around 
10,000 persons a week in Los An- 
geles alone. 

Advertisers paying the bills for 
ihese air programs want to continue 
the gratis performances, but the 
stations are beginning to oppose 
this on the theory 'why give away 
jomething tor which theatres are 
willing to pay?' Talent, naturally, 
is in accord with this, but so far 
the advertisers are holding out. 
Booking Municipal Auditoriums 
New point of view toward the free 
shows, both in radio and theatre 
circles, followed the launching of a 
plan to roadshow the coast CBS 
Happy-Go-Lucky hour in auditor- 
iums and halls throughout the 
state. First of these is to be at the 
Long Beach municipal auditoriuin, 
although a week ago the hour played 
a Fox-West Coast house in Santa 
Barbara on a 50-50 split from the 
first dollar. Negotiations are now 
for the program to go into the 
Pantages, Hollywood, on an 80-20 
split after $5,600 (house nut), the 
larger share going to the air lineup. 

F-WC is showing a wllllrigness to 
book this and other ether acts In 
lieu of stage shows now that Fan- 
chon and Marco units are out, but 
it is Indicated that the interest 
would be keener if the stations de- 
sisted from those free daily and 
weekly stage broadcasts for the 
public. 

KFWB Stops Free Ducats 

Warner Brothers, KFWB, which 
started the free sight and sound 
show parade with its weekly Hi- 
Jinks, is demonstrating a tendency 
to ease up. Plan formerly was for 
admissions to these broadcasts on 
the presentation of labels from the 
bread the program plugs. The 
premium thing was stopped last 
week, and, while the programs are 
free to those who want to go, there 
is not now any particular emphasis 
to obtain audiences. 

Back of this is seen the influence 
of the picture and theatre end of 
the film company. 



More Funeral Stuff 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 

'Tombs of the Great' is the al- 
luring title of a new program over 
WBBM every Sunday afternoon 
after March 6. Dr. Guetav Romfort 
will provide organ music appropri- 
ate to the theme that Oak Ridge 
Abbey is a nifty cemetery. 

Selling vaults. 



Radio Protective Material Dept. 



Similar to 'Variety's' Protective Material Dept. for vaudeville, 
and for long an institution in the stage show business, 'Vareity' 
again offers its facilities, gratis, for the protection of radio mate- 
rial. 

Radio scripts, ideas and all material for broadcasting purposes, 
may be registered free with 'Variety' at its main office in New 
York. Registration carries no charge or obligation whatsoever. 
Receipt of such material for registration establishes a means for 
priority claims in the event of future dispute.^ over gags, continui- 
ties, etc. It operated that way for vaudevlll.^ and was considered 
by this paper as a 'ree service. 

Radio manuscript.s, placed in scaled envelopes, are thus regis- 
tered. 'Variety' reserves the right to open any envelopes at any 
time to estaljlish any phase of the legitimacy of the contents, al- 
though it Is otherwise not concerned with the contents or outcome 
of any disputes. Likewise, the right. If the sender is not l<nown in 
the show business, to at once open the envelope to a.si.ertain if con- 
tents are sent in good faith or to act as a psfudo claim later on, 
if a dcpullcation should appear on the air or i '.'^owhcre. If dcciiling 
material has not been sent In good f.-ilth, if will not bf; :icc pptfd by 
'\'ariety' for registration. 

The advantage of thl.s rfgistrntion of material Is to expedite dif- 
fi'ronc^s and arguments over Ideas, gags and matei'ial. In the 
v.'iudoville field these arbitrations with the ;.Id of 'Variety* meant 
tliat many oases were kept out of the points and more sp'^^rtlly 
.iiljudicatod by an intra- trade l)o;ird. 

I'npcrfoi-med, like unpul)lished manu.sfTipt.", can't be copyrlght- 
protPOted. Thu.<!, this rfgl.<itr.Ttion nffords 'an author with a num- 
ber of ideas to register these with 'Variety' ao ,i means for the 
est-nlillsbni'^nt of some premise i,f jiriority. 



S4 VARIETY 



RADIO 



Tuesday, February 14, I933 



I 14 n I I 1 1 1 11 1 i>i n I'l 1.1 1-1.1.1 f I I I 11 w Li i^ 1.1 M 1 1 1 I iJ-i>ri.i 1-1 I i'WJm>:ni--H(.nasi(i?i'Nr.i'rn T, 



RADIO CHATTER 



^at:ayiKBBKUeilBlBaatllllBIBIlll«l»UWIimiBBHMllHllilHtHIPHHimHffHMi.B»BJMHBI 



East 



Phyllis (Mrs. John P.) Medbury 
will drive in from Hollywood to Join 
the Old Gold in.c. who's set for six 
weeks at least. Their home Is oh 
tbo co&dt« 

Roland Martini, ex- pulp writer, 
authors 13 scripts a weelt for Black 
ett, Sample & Hummert agency 
every, week. 

Ed HexTvlgr, news broadcaster over 
WGT, talks like Kaltenborn for 
CBS. 

Leiand Stowe, Paris correspondent 
of the N. T. 'Herald Tribune,' 
sounded homesick in his broadcast, 
short wave lengthed by NBC 

Walter O'Keefe has a couple of 
radio commercial nibbles which ne- 
' cessitated Al Boasberg hopping to 
meet the comedian in Cleveland last 
week. O'Keefe was there making a 
personal app. 

Theft of a supply of radio tran- 
scription records for WHDH, Sa- 
lem, caused a problem. They were 
Intended for tlie day's program. 

J. Rosamond Johnson is the Uncle 
Hannibal in the Wheatenaville 
sketches (NBC). 

CBS convened its branch pA.'s in 
New York last week for no other 
reason than to pep th-im up again 
over -Columbia's future. Visiting 
firemen were Steve Trumbull, Chi- 
cago, Ted Church, - Washlngrton, 
Han-y Elliott, San Francisco, and 
John Neagle, Soston. 

Abe Lyman and Freddie Berrens 
seem to be feuding. 

Eiddie Millers now haB a regular 
period all to himself on WOR, New- 
ark, Tuesday mornings. 

Johnny O'Connor is still business 
plenipotentiary for Fred Waring. 

Rule against releasing pictures of 
the 'Skippy' ether cast still prevails, 
- with Percy Crosby refusing to make 
an exception even for the N. T. 
'World-Tele' radio poll in which his 
creation won first place among the 
p^ld stanzas. 

One of Frank Mason's main tasks 
Is to guard. Col. Richard C. Patter- 



LEONi 




N.B.C. 

Wed. 
9:30, E.S.T. 
Woodbury 
Hour 



Men., Thurs. 
and 
Saturday 

NIGHTLY 
AMBASSADOR HOTEL, N. Y. 
Sole Direction HEIUIAN BERNIB 
1010 Bro»dway, Mew T«>fk 



LEONARD 
HAYTON 

and His 

CHESTERFIELD 

ORCHESTRA 



SIX NIGHTS WEEKLY 
(Except Sunday) 
via 

Entire Columbia Network 
0 P. U. (E.S.T.) 



son, NBC^s neW head v.p., from In- 
terviewing newspaper men. It's in- 
structions from M. H. Aylesworth, 
who's still the ofQclal and exclusive 
spokesman for the chain. 

James D. Shouse and Leonard 
Erickson, of CBS' western sales 
division, dropped In on the home 
office last week. 



West 



KSL, Salt Lake City, producing 
from new Utah hotel studio. 

Milt Tagpert's band, recently 
back from road route, plays KDYL. 

Francis Farney, ex-theatre organ- 
ist, now exclusively with KSL on 
piano work. 

Lew Greenfield, who inaugurated 
remote pick up of Salt Lake fur- 
niture auctions last year, back from 
Seattle. 

Joe Kerns added to KSL an- 
nouncing staff; Lennox Murdock 
taken off mike and transferred to 
copy dept. 

KLO, Ogden, books Rev. John 
Carver for dailj' talks. 
KTFP, Twin Falls, gets full time. 
Renewal of license untlly July 1 
for KICA, Clovis, N. H. 

KGCU, Mandan, N. D., jumps 
power from 260 to 500 watts. 

KRSC, Seattle, goes from day- 
time to unlimited time by special 
authorization. 

License of KJR, Seattle, assigned 
from Northwest Brdcstg. System to 
Fishers Bleiid Station, Inc.' 

While in L. A. for Paramount's 
Internatloiial' House/ Bums and 
Allen will CBS via KHJ. It wont 
be heard, however, west of St. Louis. 

Tom Jones and Lions Club quar- 
tet to broadcast dally over KLZ, 
Denver, for Denver Dry Goods Co. 
Two announcers will give news 
events, one as of today and the 
other as of 39 ye&rs ago. 

Caswell CbfCee Co., pioneer in 
Frisco broadcasting, renewed its 
Caswell Concerts over NBC for an- 
other 52 weeks. Emll Polak and 
orchestra, with singers, continue. 



Mid-West 




DUMB 
CRACKERS 

ROBERT 
BURNS 
PANETELA 

WABC 

Every 
Wedneoday 
Evenlnc 
at »:30 r. M. 



BUIlHS»o ALLEN 

Dir.: Vru. MORBIS AGENCY 



Dick (Dusty) Farnham, sports 
announcer of WRHM, Minneapolis^ 
is a former pro ball player, having 
pitched for Minneapolis. 

KYW, Davenport, la,, lias a new 
announcer in Hugh Hippie, who re- 
signed from the Central Broadcast- 
ing's woe, effective Feb. 10. 

Claude Morris, youngest of 
KDKA's announcers, to devote his 
entire time to direction of dramatic 
presentations. A graduate of Car- 
negie Tech's drama school and with 
KDKA since diploma time. 

KSO bringing on Alice Joy for 
auto show. 

WHO sponsoring new series 'busi- 
ness ethics' talks by prominent Iowa 
Rotarlans. 

KSO featuring Fred Jeske, from 
WGN, and making ready for Dor- 
othy Fay, NBC. 

WBBM, Chicago, and five other 
midwestern stations take Kellogg's 
'Buck Rogers' program in an expan- 
.«!ion move. 

WIBO, Chicago, housewarmed 
Wednesday (8) at their new studios 
while subzero weather prevailed. 

Margaret McKay will pilot Clara, 
Lu and Em on their eastern jaunt 
to Washington and other points 
starting Feb. 28. 

Gene Kreitslnger lost four days 
from CBS, Chicago, because of that 
frisky nag. Horse was ruled insane 
and shot. 

Horlick's 'Devil Bird,' originating 
over WGN, Chicago, extended to 
KMOX, St. Louis; KMBC, Kansas 
City: KHAB, Lincoln, and WHAS. 
Louisville. 

From a field of 17 audition aspir- 
ants, Donald Regan, Dixon, 111., has 
been named as an announcer at 
woe. Central Broadcasting Co. unit 
here, to succeed Hugh Hippie, now 
with KYW, Chicago. 



VAUDEVILLE ON 
COAST AIR TRY 



Loa Angeles, Feb. IS. 

Town la going overboard on 
vaudeville programa on the air« L. 
A| is prietty well filled with people 
who used to. do their stuff on the 
stage, and those who can are turn- 
ing to the air. 

Latest outlet ia a Buy American 
drive to be inaugurated Thursday 
(16), by Wilshlre Oil on KMTR on a 
time contract. Period will cover 
45 minutes and be devoted to vaude 
acts exclusively. 

First procrram will Include Doc. 
Hall, of Russell and Hall, Chas. 
Lung and six other acts m.c'd by 
Glno Sevrl. 



AGENCY-NBC BATTLE 
OVER WRITER'S CREDIT 



Agency on the G. Washington 
coffee account and the program 
powers at NBC are feuding over 
the web's refusal to give air recog- 
nition to the script writer on these 
Sherlock Holmea yams. Network 
refuses to budge from Its iwUcy of 
giving no writer credit Unlesd a lit- 
erary name. Cecil, Warwick & 
C^cll agency contends that If It 
chooses to plug the writer of a show 
that's its own business. 

Continuity scribbler la Edith 
Meiser who not only prepares the 
dialog for the mystery show but 
also does the Sloan Liniment affair, 
'Warden Lawes in '20 Years in Sing 
Sing,' another C-W-C account. Both 
shows are produced by an outside 
firm, McKnight & Jordan. Tom 
McKnlght is the script writer's hus- 
band. 

NBC execs declare they don't 
think the public is interested in the 
continuity author and, anyway, 
have no intention of making an ex- 
ception in Miss Melser's case. Be- 
fore taking the script to G. Wash- 
ington Coffee, Miss Meiser had of- 
fered this sleuth series to the NBC 
program department for sustaining. 
But Bertha Bralnard, at the time, 
thumbed it down on the ground thai 
the serial wouldn't have a chance 
on the air. 



["THE GREATEST TRIO 
ON THE AIR" 

I"Th'o girig and i boy that sizzle and 
Ispnrlcle with red hot mnslo and song 
I for the early liaers." 

(AIRCASTBR) 



I DON-HALL TRIO 

COAST TO COAST 
WEAF SUNDAY 10 P.M. 
WJZ 7,- 30 AM. Every 
iHon,,. iTues.. We^,° Thar«., FrL, Sat.,! 
I iMft. M. Gale. ISI W. Ata 81., N«w Y«rfc f 



WELCOME LEWIS RETURNS 



Sustaining for NBC— Andrea Marsh 
Also for Same Web 



After a year's retirement from the 
network Welcome Lewis returns to 
NBC Feb. 27. It's for a thrice 
weekly for a sustaining schedule. 

Another warbler of similar cate- 
gory set for a regular sustaining 
niche on the same chain is Andrea 
Marsh who formerly worked on the 
Canada Dry series with Ted Weems. 
This is a twice a week release with 
a third, period to be added later. 



3 rS GO NBC 

Three X Sisters have switched 
their ether connection to NBC. 
Harmony trio is set for a four pro- 
gram a week buildup starting this 
week. 

Girls, until a few weeks ago, were 
on the Tydol show over Columbia 
and were being booked foc^personals 
by that network's artists' service. 



Bureau of Inf ormation 



FOR 



Advertising Agencies 



Advertising agencies and others in the field of radio, against 
any problem pertaining to the show business or broadcasting from 
a show angle, are invited to consult 'Variety' for information. This 
service is gratis. Mail communications will be answered promptly. 

Any show angles unfamiliar to the radio proerram directors of 
advertising agencies, and all others in the radio-show business, will 
be clarified, 

Information particularly may be desired by radio talent buyers on 
the estimation of acts' salary values. These will be forthcoming as 
part of the Information published in 'Variety' in the past as to the 
value of standard attractions for the stage, screen or radio. 

This entire free service is confidential. 'Variety' pledges none of 
the requests will be given publicity in print or otherwise. 



The Poison Twins 



Ed Wynn and Eddie Cantor 
remain, with new year well 
under way, the two attractions 
that other commercials shy 
away from opposing on either 
Columbia or NBC's blue (WJZ) 
network. 

Inducing prospective cus- 
tomers to be opposition at 
these hours has about proved 
a hopeless proposition. Sales 
depai'tments of both chains ad- 
mit this. 



LoewBuysWRNY 
To Plug Houses 
In Greater N. Y. 



Loew, Inc., has . taken over 
WRNT, New York, on an outright 
buy. Deal gives the theatre circuit 
practically full time on the air. 
WRNT is on the same channel 
(1010 kilocycles) with WHN, lo- 
cated in Manhattan, and WPAP in 
Palisades Park, N. J., both of 
which latter outlets are owned and 
operated by Loew. 

Possession of the WRNT studios 
and transmitters was Immedate fol- 
lowing the closing of the sale and 
the Federal Radio Commission's ap- 
proval of the transfer. .of WRNT's 
operating license to the new owner. 
Loew intends to operate WRNY as 
a separate entity for the time being 
but to eventually merge it with 
WHN. 

Fourth station sharing the wave 
length, whose broadcasting power is 
limited to 260 watts, ia WQAO, 
which is owned and operated by the 
Calvary Baptist Church of Palisades, 
N. J. This outlet goes on the air for 
one hour two evenings a week and 
two hours on Sundays. 

Loew's plan is to use WRNY to 
plug the Capitol theatre and the 
circuit's major houses located in 
Brooklyn and Queens. 



CBS ACCOUNT FED UP 
ON NBC'S THURS. NITES 



Coming to the conclusion that the 
three one hour shows running con- 
secutively on NBC's red (WEAF) 
network Thursday nights is too 
tough a combination, to contend 
with, Procter & Gamble (Chipso) 
has decided to cut out its Mills 
Brothers session that evening and 
instead concentrate on a single half 
hour period some other night in the 
week. New arrangement will go 
Into effect as soon as CBS can clear 
the required stations. 

As its schedule now stands the 
P-G account has the Mills also on 
a quarter hour whirl Monday 
nights. When the program goes to 
a single 30-minutes Victor Young 
will step in to baton the band with 
Paul Small also added to do solo 
warbling. 

The three programs that P-G con- 
siders too strong a hand to stack 
up against are Flelschmann, Max- 
well House's Showboat and Lucky 
Strike. 



Dempsey or Hayes 

For Boxing Resume 

Teddy Hayes, formerly Jack 
Dempsoy's trainer, is peddling 
around to ad agencies a series of 
scripts purporting to spill the In- 
side on the boxing Industry. Prop- 
osltI6n calls for his personal ap- 
pearance at the mike, and program 
would be a mixture of personal nar- 
rative and dramatized flashbacks 
from big flgiits in which Hayes was 
Involved. 

Among the agencies to whom the 
idea has been submitted, one has 
also been offered Jack Dempsey in 
person for a network series, but 
not with Hayes as part of the show. 



2 Broadcasts and Off, 

A New York Record 

The Mr. Sole and Mr. Heel stanza, 
supported by Klein's shoe repairing 
chain on WEAF Sunday afternoons, 
canceled after two broadcasts. Short 
.stay on the air marks a record for 
any of the three local network sta- 
tions. 

Program used a harmony team. 



FORD'S 3 WKLY 
HOURSJWEBS 



Ford Motor Ca.r Co., Is in nego- 
tiation with both NBC and Colum- 
bia for three one hour periods a 
week. Idea is similar to the ar- 
rangement now being supported by 
the Standard Oil combine. 

The Ford Intent is three different 
types of programs "with release de- 
pending on which network is able 
to clear the stations required. One 
program would be framed around a 
dramiatlo or musical comedy idea, 
the second would be strictly made 
up of name dance bands, and the 
third, a symphonic orchestra wlt4i 
guest concert stars. All programs 
will be scheduled for an evening 
cross-country hookup. 

The contract Ford figures oh sig- 
naturing with the networks caUs 
for a minimum of 13 weeks. 



PACIFIC COAST AIR GETS 
MARLBORO CIGARETS 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Marlboro clgarets invading the 
coast, opening Tuesday (21) with a 
three times weekly broadcast over 
the Don Lee coast CBS chain for & 
62rweek period, 9 to 9:16 p. m.. 
Pacific time. 

Backbone will be Raymond Paige's 
KHJ orchestra with vocal interrup- 
tions, in a program of symphonlo 
jazz. 



Richy Craig ID Again 

Hollywood. Feb. 13. 

Rlchy Craig, Jr., is understood to 
be in a serious condition and going 
to Pottinger's Sanitarium, Monrovia, 
Calif., for treatment. 

Craig alls ofC and on with his 
lung trouble. 



FRED 
ALLEN 

Management 
WALTER BATCH ELOR 

BATH CLUB REVUE 
— — WABC — — 

Sunday, 9 P. M., E. S. T. 

LOU 
KATZMAN 

And His LINIT ORCHESTRA 



JACK DENNY 

AND ORCHESTRA 



WEAF 



WABC 



Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 
Victor Records 
Lucky Strike Dance Hour 
Whitman Chocolates 

WJZ_ 0 WO R 

Management M. 0. A. 



THREE 

Vi 



Peavl 




Jessie 



SISTERS 



t- 

I. 



CBS— WABC 
TYOOL JUBILEE 
Mon., Wed., Fri., 7:SQ P.M. I 

4 

Personal ManaKoment Er> WOLF 



Taesdajt February 14, 1933 



R A II I 



VARIETY 



9S 




(A* • oonvonience for raad«r« unfamiliar with who's who In Radio. 
'Variety' print* below a directory for New York and Chicago.) 



New York City 

NBC 

(Stations WJZ-WEAF) 

711 Fifth Ave. 
Plaza 2-1900 
M H. Ayleswortb, President. 
Blchard C. Patterson, Jr., Executive V.-P. 
Q. C. McClelland, Aas't to the President. 
John Elwood. V.-P. 

A. Ij. Ashby. V.-P. and Gen. Atty. 
George Bnglea, V.-P. on Artists' Service. 
John T. Royal, V.-P. on Programs. 
Boy C. TVltmer, V.-P. on Sales. 
Frank Bfaaon, V.-P. on Public Belatlons. 
t«wlB MacConnach, Secretary. 

Hark J. Woods, Secretary.' 
H. F. MoKeon, Auditor. 
H. F. Kelly. Asst. Auditor. 

C. W. Horn. Gen. Engineer. 
Frank Uullen, Agricultural Dir. 

J. deJara Almonte, Evening Operations. 
Bertha Bralnard, Program Mgr. 
O. W. Payne. Operations. 

B. J. Telchem, Asst. to Treas. 

D. S. Tuthlll, Bales Mgr., Artists' Service. 

Department Heads 

Donald G. Bhaw, Eastern Sales Mgr. 

Thos. H. Belvlso, Music Ubrary. 

W. D.' Bloxbam, Purchasing Agent. 

John B. Carey, Service Supervisor. 

O. B, Hanson, Mgr., Plant Operation and 
Engineering Dept. . 

Buth Keeler, Personnel Supervisor. 

Donald (Vlthycomb, Mgr. Bta. Relations. 

Paul r.' Peter, Mgr. Statistical Dept. 

a. W. Johnstone, Mgr. Press Belatlons 
Dept. 

I'ulnton Adams, Mgr. Eleotrlcal Traa* 
ecrlptlon Dept; 
B. P. H. James, Sales Promotions Mgr. 

CB8 
(Station WABC) 

486 Madlaon Ave. 

Wlokeraham 2-2000 
'William S. Paley, President. 
Edward Klauber, Executive V.-F. 
Sam Plckard. V.-P. 

Hugh Kendall. Bolce, V.-F. In Charge of 
tales, 

Lawrence W. Lowman, V.-P. on Opera- 
tions and eecretary. 
' M. R. Bunyon, Treasurer. 
Karl Knipe, Sales Mgr. 
William H. Englsn, Asst. Sales Mgr. 
Julius S. Seebacb, Program Operations. 
Paul W. White, Publicity. 
Edwin K. Cohan, Technical Dir. 
Paul W. Kesten, Sales Besearch. 
John J. Karol, Market Besearch. 
John S. Carllslei Production Mgr. 
Frederic P. Willis, Educational Dir. 
Julius Mattfeld. Muslo Ldbrary. 
Hugh Cowan, Commercial Engineer. 
Ferrln Eraser, Editor, Continuity. 
Marlon B. Parsonnett, Dramatic Dir. 
Herbert B. Glover, News Broadcasting. 
Ralph J. Wonders, Mgr., Artists' Bureau. 

WOR 

1440 Broadway 
Pennsylvania 0-8383 
Alfred J. McCosher, Station Mgr. 
A. A. 'Cormier, Sales Mgr. 
Walter J. Keff, Asst. Sales Mgr. 
Iiewls Beld, Program Dir. 
George 6hackley, Musical Dir. 
Bobert I. Wilder. Press. 
J. Ri. Poppele, Chief Engineer, 



morton a. milman 



circle 7-2S25 
•2580 




CHARLES 
ALTHOFF 

Variety, New York 



VINCENT SOREY 

Creator o{ the 

Gauehos Program 

■ And Many Other Superior Programs 
I CBS Sunday 11 P. M. WABC 



"SWEETHEARTS OF THE AIR" 



MAY 8INGHI 



PETER 



-BREEN »d DE ROSE-a 



r 

■ENTERING IDTU YEAR OF RAUIO 
I Mgt. NBC ArtlBts' Bareao 



I 



WINS 

114 B. 68th St. 

Eldorado 6-6100 
Bradley Kejly, Station Mgr. 
John 8. Martin, Sales Mgr. 
John McCormick, Program Dir. 
Harold Shubert, Production Mgr. 
Bernard Levltow, Musical Dir. 
George Wiedo, Press. 

WMCA-WPCH 

1097 Broadway 
Columbus 6-6660 
Donald Flamm, Pres. 
William Weisman, V.-P. 
Fred W. Dyson, Bus. Mgr. 
Sidney Flamm, Sales Mgr. 
Harry .Carlson, WMCA Progi:am Mgr. 
Bill Williams, WPCH Program Mgr. 
Jack 'Bicker, Studio Director, 
Harry Pascoe, Continuity. 
Capt. Bobert Wood, Publicity. 
Irving Seizor and Sol Shapiro, Musical 
Directors, 
Frank Marx, chief engineer. 



Chicago 

. NBC 

Merchandise Mart 
Superior 8300 

(Stations WENR— WMAQ) 

Ntles Trammel. V.-P. in cheurge. 
P. G. Parker, Asst. Gen. Mgr. 
Fred Weber. Station Belatlons Mgr. 
John Whalley, Office Mgr. 
Roy Shield, Chief Musical Dir. 
C. li. Monser, Production Dir. 

A. W; Kaney, Program Mgr. 
Alex Robb, Asst. Program Mgr. 
L. J. Fitzgerald, - Artists Mgr. 
John Gulon, Continuity Editor. 
Frank Mullen, Dir. of Agriculture. 
Judith Waller, ^ucixtlonal Dir. 
Kenneth Carpenter, Sales Mgr. 
William Hedges. Local Sales Mgr. 

I. B. Showerman, Sales Service Mgr. 
E. C. Carlson. Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Howard Luugens, Chief Engineer. 
M. W. Rife, Chief Field Engineer. 

B. B. Dongea, Maintenance Mgr. ■ 
Ben Pratt, Public Relations Counsel. 
Al Williamson, Publicity Mgr. 

CBS 

Wrigley teldg. 
Whitehall 0000 

(Station WBBM) 

Leslie Atlass, V.-P. in charge. 
Leonard Erlckson, Western Baleq Mgr. 
Wolter Preston, Program Dir. 
Bobby Brown, Gen. Production Mgr. 
Jell King, Trafllc and Ofllce Mgr. 
Harold Fair, Asst. Program Dir. 
Howard Neumlller. Musical Dir. 
William Cooper, Continuity Editor. 
Larry Flsk, Chief Engineer. 
Kelly Smith, WBBM Sajcs Mpr. 
Steve Trumbull, CBS Publicity Mgr. 
Buth Betz, WBBM Publicity Mgr. 
Harlow Wilcox, Chief Announcer. 
Richard Elpers, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Arthur Wesncr, Community .Concert Mgr. 
McClure Bellows, CBS Concert Mgr. 

KYW 

Strauss Bldg, 

Wabash 4040 
Homer Hogan, Gen. Mgr. 
Parker Wheatley, Production Mgr. 
Harold E. Bean, Asst. Production Mgr. 
Bex Maupin, Musical Director. 
H. E. Randall, Chief E^nglneer. 
Uimer Turner, Publicity Dir. 

WCFL 

Furniture Mart 

. Delaware 0600 
John Fltzpatrlck, President. 
Edward N. Nockles. Gen. Mgr. 
Franklin Lundquist, Bus. Mgr. 
Maurice Lynch, Treasurer. 
Phillip Frledlander, Production Dir. 
Eddie Hanson, Musical Dir. 
Howard Keegan, Chief Announcer. 
Maynard Marquardt, Chief Engineer. 
Pat Murphy, Publicity Dir. 

WJJD 

Pnlmcr House 
State 6466 

C. A. Howell, Mgr. 

R. R. Kaufman, Commercial Mgr. 
David Cnpp, Program Dir. 
David Bennett, Musical Dlr, 
Joe Allobough, Chief Announcer. 

WLS 

1280 W. Washington 
Haymarket 7600 
Burrldge Butler, President. 
Glenn Snyder, Gen. Mgr. 
George BIggar, Program Mgr. 

D. R. McDonald. Adv. Mgr. 
Tom Rowe, Chief Engineer, 
Clementine I.egg, Artists Mgr. 
Hal O'Halloran, Chief Announcer. 
Harry Steele, Publicity Dir. 

WGN 

Drake Hotel 

Superior 0100 
W. E. McFarland, Gon. Mgr. 
Quln Ryan, Station Mgr. 
George Isaac, Commercial Mgr. 
Edward Harry, Production Mgr. 
Delos Owen, Musical Dir. 
Carl Myers. Chief Engineer. 
Krnnk .«.~!iroll rr, Publicity Dir. 




PAUL 



WHITEMAN'S 

s'BO Network - Blltmore llote 




WIBO 
lOehlfkn-'Waelur BU«. 
AadoTMr MM 

AlbeK m NelMB, OeiMnl Mgr. 
Uoyd O. Bmnit, Prodnettoa Uft. 
John Oerny, Mnsleal .Dlr. 
Jomaa MacPheraen. H al— Msr. 
H. V. FltzCharlea. CUet Bnglneer. 
Alice Tiplady, Fnblicltr Dir. 

WQE8 

las N. Crawford 
Van OBoian 000 

Gene Dyer, Station Mgr. 
Cbarlea £«Dphear, Frodaetlon Mgr. 
Joseph Bmbaker, Chlet Btailneer. 
John Van, Mnilcal Dir. 
' Don Crosnor, Chief Announce*. 

Advertising Aganoies 

Lord ft Thomas— Henry SaUlnger. 
J. Walter Thompabn—Vom LackenbUl. 
Erwin-Woaey— WlUiam WeddelL 
McCann-BrlekaoB— Fked Ibbett. 
N. W. Ayei^W. O. VeOnlre. 
Crltchfleld— Frank SteeL 
McJunkln— O. H. llorrts. 
BBDAO-George Mar. 
Blackett-Sample— Bdwln Ayleshlie. 
Henri Hurst McDonald— Art D^er. 

Los Angeles 

KHJ 

(Columbia Don Lee Broadcastlnc System) 
1076 West 7tb . Street 
Vandyke 71U 
Don Lee, President, 
tieo B. Tyson. Gen, Mgr. 
C. Ellsworth Wylle. Gen. Soles Mgr. 
Raymond Paige, Mtisical and Program 
Dir. 

Paul Rlckenbacher. Production Mgr. 
Kenneth Niles, Asst. Prod. Mgr. 
Van C. Newkirk. Ttaflic Mgr. 
Arthur J. Kemp, Asst. Adv. Mgr. (KHJ 
only). 

KFI and KECA 

(NBC onUeto) 
Barle C. Anthony, Inc. 
1000 So. Hope Street 
Richmond 0111' 
Barle C. Anthony, Freatdent. - 
Arthur Kalea, V.-P. and Gen. Mgr. 
Glen Dolbers, Program Dir. 
Carl Haverlin, Conunerciol Mar. 

kfWb 

Warner Broa. !tlctnre8 Corp. 
Warner Ttieatre Bldg. 
' Hollywood «SU 
Gerald King, Gen. Mgr. 
Chester Mlttendorf, Commercial Mgr. 
Jack Joy, Program Dir. 
Johnnie Murray. Charge Yande Prpgrams, 
Kay Van Riper, (Aarge Dramatlo Frog. 

KNX 

Western Broadcasting Co. 
Paramount Studios. Hollywood 
Hempstead 4101 
Guy C. Earl. Jr.. President. ' 
Naylor Rogera, V.-F. and Gen. Mgr. 
Carl B. Nlssen,' Commercial Mgr. 
Kenneth C. Ormieton. Technical Super- 
visor. 

Drury Lane, Program Mgr. 
Wilbur Hatch. Musical filr. 

KMTR 

KMTR Radio Oon. 
916 Mo. Formoea, Hollywood 
HlUalde 1161 
Reed E. Calllster, President. 
L. W. Petera, Geq. Mgr. 
Harold Horton, Prod. Mgr. 
Balvatorc Santaella, Musical Dir. 

San Francisco 

NBC 

Pafelflo Coast Dlvialon 
111 Centre Street 
Centre 1020 
Don E. Oilman, V.-P. of NBC and Gen, 
Mgr. Pac. Coast Div. 
C. L, McCarthy, Asst. Gen. Mgr. 
Harry Anderson, Adv. Mgr. 
J. L. Frost, Program Dir. 



NBC Says Helpless on Routine Ufts, . 
Yaude Bunch Gaim Can Be Stopped 



Armour Mulls Drama 

With Legit Cast 

Armour & Co. Is considering turn- 
ing Its Friday evening half hour on 
NBC Into a dramatic affair. Would 
use legit names In the cast. 

Sample show the meat packer 
auditioned wais a tab version of 
'The Valiant,' with Glenn Hunter, 
Sylvia Fields, William Morris, Wil- 
liam Shelly, Percy Moore and Ray 
Collins. 



A & F AusmoBina 

A & P stores is auditioning H. H. 
Van Loan's dramatic aeries, 'A Tale 
of the Cities.' The two samples of 
the saga, heard by the account at 
NBC, had Nat Shilkret heading the 
musical interludes. For the second 
installment A & P inserted a mixed 
quartet. 

Same commercial has currently on 
the same network the Booth Tark- 
ington episodic sketch, 'Maude and 
Bill.' 



NBC SWEABS IN POSSE 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 
NBC has added three salesmen to 
stalk new accounts. They are 
Calvin Austin, formerly of Lord and 
Thomas, Hi Schuster from the Chi- 
cago 'Daily News,' and James 
Bolger, Hearst graduate. 

As soon as the cold weather Is 
over they'll start pounding the pave- 
ments. 



Notox on Air 

Chicago, Feb. IS. 

_ -Joseph GalUchlo-and Cyril_£ltts 
will be paid by Notox, hair dye, for 
a Monday- Wednesday-Friday series 
over WENR, 

Several other hair dyes already 
on the air. 



Stop 15 Sec Chisel' 



Reason for Columbia's short- 
ening of the station break 
(station Identification) from 
30 to 16 seconds is to prevent 
affiliated stations from slip- 
ping in local announcements. 
Clipping of time here, of 
course, only pertains to the 
pauses between the quarter- 
hour cycles of programs run- 
ning a half hour or more. . Be- 
cause of mechanical require- 
ments the full 30-second break 
will continue to prevail for 
programs originating from the 
Pacific Coast. 

Network says it foiind that 
too many of the stations on a 
sustaining hookup were taking 
advantage of the customary 
pause to Slip in a plug for some 
local account, with the result 
that listeners frequently gar- 
nered the Impression that the 
program was being bankrolled 
by the local commercial. Or- 
ders to desist failed to curtail 
the practice. 



Agencies, Ad?erti$er$ 
Flock to Hear First 
F-M Edier Audition 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Fanchon & Marco's initial radio 
audition was staged at the Sunset 
avenue studios Tuesday (7) with 
reps on hand from all Coast adver- 
tising agencies, and' most of the 
wholesale and retail companies 
which go In for etherizing thQlr 
product. First audition consisted of 
three individual programs, each 
running 30 mlns. 

One comprised Georgie Stoll, with 
an orchestra of 28 providing the 
musical background; Richey Craig, 
Jr., in two comedy bits, and Jimmy 
Starr, picture ed of the L. A. "Her- 
ald-£:xpress,' doing four minutes of 
film chatter. 

Second program was headed by 
Rube Wolf and Included the Three 
Cheers. Third period was a conti- 
nuity broadcast titled 'Applause 
Department,' comedy skit by Barry 
Trlvers and Ed Josephs. 



Columnist's Commercial 
With Guest Talent Fare 

Canadian Fur Trappers, operators 
of a chain of fur shops, starts on 
NBC with a cross-country hookup 
within the next three weeks. Talent 
end of the program will be a Nick 
Kenny promotion, the N. T. 'Mirror' 
radio columnist agreeing, for a lump 
sum weekly, to furnish the guest 
artists. Only persons on the show 
due to collect in cash are members 
of the George Hall orchestra. 

Kenny has already pegged for his 
first broadcast Mr. and Mrs. Jesse 
Crawford, the organists. Arrange- 
ment calls for at least three broad- 
casts a week. 



BUTTEIIWOBTH TBYINO 

Charlie Butterworth Is radio-ex- 
pectant. Comedian hasn't a sponsor 
yet but has been auditioning. 

He is being serviced with script 
material by Pat Ballard. 



There's nothing, say NBC execs, 
that they can do in advance to pre- 
vent comedy acts on the network 
from lifting a routine being done by 
a turn In vaudeville. They admit 
that squawks o( material pilfering 
Crom this source have become quite 
frequent of late but the chain, they ' 
contend, has no method of protect* 
Ing itself or the victimized act. 

Complaints have been directed 
particularly against a couple of 
crossfire teams NBC has recently 
'aunched on sustaining buildups. 
Both acts themselves are from the 
v^ariety's ranks. Network's attitude 
Is that the only thing that can be 
done about a lift allegation is to 
drop the act from the schedule iafter 
tie complaining party has submitted 
Droof that it has been or is using 
the routine in question. 

Vaude acts contend that NBC 
can put a stop to the lifting evil, 
as in Its artists' service, the per- 
formers point out, it has m6n ac- 
quainted with vaiide acts and their 
routines. To these bookers the net- 
works could Bublnit the continuities 
of their . comedy teams prior to 
broadcast, say the vaudeVillianp. 
Those in the artists bureau referred 
to here^are Harold Kemp and Ches- 
ter Stratton. 

Jay Brennan's Complaint 

Among tbose who have recently 
lodged a lifting complaint with the 
network -is Jay Brentaan, partner <>f 
the late Bert Savoy. Brennan ad-' 
vised that the script used by Ann 
Butler with Chick Harrison, on the 
two and a quarter hour variety 
broadcast over the blue (WJZ) link 
a week ago Saturday C4), was one 
written by him and used In a Vita- 
phone short made, two years ago 
with Miss Butler and himself doing 
the crossfire. Comedienne^ Brennan 
Informed the network, had not ob- 
tained his permission to use the ma- 
terial and the act of broadcast was 
In itself an infringement of. copy- 
right ownership established through 
the WB short. 

According to Brennan, when he 
took the matter up with Miss But- 
ler, her only explanation was that 
others had lifted her material and 
she didn't think Brennan would 
mind if she used his stuff over the 
air. Brennan declares he used this 
same script in an audition he gave 
for CBS about a year ago with 
Marie Hartman, of Hlbbett and 
Hartman. 



ABE 

LYMAN 

AND HIS 

CALIFORNIA ORCHESTRA 
Colombia BroadcastliiK Syttem 
PHILLIP'S DENTAL MAGNESIA 
TQM.. Wed., Thart., S:45 to • P.H. E.8.T. 

COAST-TO-COAST 

ABC 



Marge Sheridan's New Tag 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 

Marge Sheridan, of vaude, emerges 
over the CBS ether waves as Cherl 
McKay. New billing is for euphony 
in order that she and her three 
male partners of recent merger, the 
McMlchael Brothers, may Jointly 
call themselves the Merry Mac's. 

CHmalene, soap product, is pay- 
ing tlie bills for a Tuesday-Thurs- 
day airing from tomorrow (14) on- 
ward at 11.45 a. m. 




and o Uuitot* 

COLUMBIA 

BROADCASTING 
^ SYSTEM 

I 



Mill, ' Back-til. Int. 
9.liP.M Mon-Thuri. 




RUTH ETTIN<3 



GLOaiPYING POPULAR SONG 




MONDAY and THCBSDAT, • P. H., B.S.T. 




36 



VASIETY 



RADIO ■ePORTS 



T«eidbj« Fcbnuwy 14, 1933 



OLD GOLD 

With Waring'a P«fif»ylvanl«iu and 

John P< Medbuiy 
'Cand. Comedy 
30 Minutea 
COMMERCIAL 
WABC, Now York 

Debutlne {8) of thie one was a 
rush-'em-up job and the results 
showed it, making the occasion of 
Old Gold's return to the alrlanes 
after a year and a halfa absence 
anything but an aust>lclous one. NO 
one to blame for the soumesa but 
the clggie roller Itself, together vitta 
tlie agency on the account, X>ennen 
& Mitchell. Theirs was a case of 
announcing a etartlng date and then 
ruflhing around for a show to go 
Into it. 

After auditioning some 16 comics, 
Old (Sold and its agency finally de- 
cided to wait until John P. Medbury 
flew in from the coast. Medbury, 
under OBS auspices, was given a 
hearing on a Simday, and three days 
later he and the Waring unit found 
themselves before a mike'' feeding it 
out to a hookup of .66 stations. To 
make it still worse, combination had 
to broadcast from a studio outside 
the Columbia ieadquarters because 
the latter's nialn studio was occu- 
pied by the Robert Burns session,, 
which preceded It on the schedule, i 

D\ consequence, that Initial show \ 
was a ragged, slam-bang affair. I 
Pace was weighed down and tied up 
into knots by careless and inexpert' 
routining, with the general effect of, 
the broadcast bringing little credit 
to tjie Waring combo and still less 
to Medbury^s rep, at least out on 
the west coast, as a gagater both on 
confecting the glmcracks and tell- 
ing them to a mike. 

The account couldn't have picked 
a better announcer to peddle Its 
slogan, 'America's Sweetest CU^^t.' 
than David Itos.9> and It conldn't 
have picked a. less adept choice to 
do the foiung 1th Medbury. In- 
adequate preparation In the comedy 
department 'made Itself ^ a still 
tougher obstacle for Medbury, par- 
ticularly during those passages In 
which members of the Waring or- 
ganisation partlclpatied. 
. Despite an the impedimenta of 
poor pi«paratlon and rontlhtog, the 
Waring ontflt came tfarougit with 
two smartly executed items, show- 
ing sometfalng^^ novA in ensemble 
singing and uncoiling an arrange- 
ment of *When Day Is Done' that 
o must have registersd solidly -with 
the Tocklngchalr mob. It munded 
differently. 

To make owe of a listening aiidlT 
enee from the start the clg account 
elected to follow the itobeit Bums 
(Iiombardo - Bums and AUen) 
stanza, using, about the same lineup 
of fftnt'^nq. . Which simmera down 
to one band and comedy turn fol- 
lowing another. Odec. 




SOUTHERN JUBILEE QUARTET 

Sustaining 

WGY, Schenectady 

Colored singenT 16 -minute after- 
noon program once a week. Neither 
their names nor outside associa- 
tions are given, but from type of 
entertainment presented may be 
product of a Negro college. It's the 
Negro of the southern camp meet- 
are featured. 

Men sing without piano accom- 
paniment, but with the character- 
istic ear for harmony. A feeling for 
' the dramatic and a spirit of rellg 
lous fervor mark their rendition of 
spirituals. Tenor usually leads. On 
earlier broadcasts comedy and 
straight harmony were included, but 
recently they have been doing only 
spirituals. This Is a mistake. 

Program is different' for a local 
and singers could flU a night spot 

Joco 

DOROTHY FIELDS and 

JIMMY McHUGH 
Songs 
Sustaining 
WJZ, New York 

Writing partners of many click 
shows and of many show bits, Dor- 
othy Fields and Jimmy McHugh 
made their debut of NBC's blue net- 
work Friday (10) with a nifty 
package of entertainment of their 
own compositions. McHugh manned 
the keys, but otherwise remained 
inaudible, leaving it to the confec- 
tor of the lyrics to which he puts 
the tunes to sing and talk for both. 
That Miss Fields did with a throaty 
contralto and personality that it 
takes. 

Repertoire she chose tor the oc- 
casion was a nicely balanced collec- 
tion of their spliced authoring, go- 
ing back to 'I Can't Give Tou Any- 
thing But Liove' and winding up 
with 'Heh, Young Fella.' 

Buildup given the pair in the con- 
tinuity phrasing was exceptionally 
well handled by the announcer, 
, Ford Bond, which the Dorothy Fields 
personality program easily rates. 

Odec. 



'BUY AMERICAN' BENEFIT 
Contributsd Talent 
KFW6, Hollywood 
Star attractions of «ev«rat I«s 

Angeles stations' vaude hours will- 
ingly contributed th^r talent and 
time for a one liour program in the 
interests of the 'Bay American' 
campaign of the local Hearsf s 'Ex- 
aminer,' and the columns of pub- 
licity space that went with it. It 
was something like WJZ's recent 
vaude carnival In the east. 

Crowding the high lights of the 
various programs into one hour re- 
sulted in a treat for the lOUowers 
of this type of air fodder. Consid- 
ering that but four of the acts 
turned up for rrfiearsal, and that 
timing of the turns was a baphaz- 
ard affair, the results were suxprls- 
Ingly good. Only two of the acts 
previously billed were kept off the 
program throned lack of time, and 
the mike-hogging of some of the 
early spotters. 

Despite the evident eleventh hour 
confusion, Johnnie Murray did a 
worth-while Job as m. c For the 
most part the contributors supplied 
brief bits from previous routines on 
their own programs. Outside of a 
couple of short plugs for the 'Buy 
American' camitaign the patriotic 
theme only got into the entertain- 
ment end with a short opening and 
closing chorus. Those contributing 
were Al Pearce of the 'fiappy-(xO- 
Lucky hou r; C harley Leland, comic j 
of the KFWB "Big Show'; Frank 
Brown and Kay £a.Velle, Beverly 
HIU Billies; Sam Co^ow. Jimmy 
Newell, The Rythmettes, Calmoni 
Luboviski, violinist from KNX; 
Ki ng's Men, male Quartet from 
KFWB; Harry Baxris, liols White- 
man, Duke Atterbery and Ken <SU- 
liim. comic; from the. GlLtnore Cirr 
cus; Beatrice Hagan, soprano, and 
Sterling Holloway. of KHJ's 'Mer- 
rymakers.* Jack Joy's Orchestra 
backgrounded. 

I^^oe^am was put on beHore an 
audience on one of the stages at the 
Warners' Hollywood studio and rer 
broadcast over the other nine sta- 
tions. Only local stations not using 
the benefit wei^o KHJ and KFI, 
which, while being unable to switch 
commercial tlnie, nevertheless sup-! 
plied talent. Stan. 



DISC RECORDS 
FROSmONG 



S. D. STATIOM OFF 



KQDA Decided Against by €iemin1«- 
•ion — Stops Maroh 2 



'RED STAR OF BROADWAY' 
With HeyWood Broun 
Comedy, Songs, Orchestra 
30 Minutes 
COMMERCIAL 
yrOR, Newark 

Heywood Broun's new ether 
connection, Macy's, has him special- 
izing in a sales routine cm furni- 
ture. 'Worid-Tele' cobnunist also 
ea.-3e8 In and out of the raziety 
eeedings as a sort of m. c, bat hie 
primary assignment here is to give 
the listeners the wbimsical slant on 
the Macy brand of furniture. That 
slow, drawling delivery of Ws fits 
in nicely with the subject as long 
as It touches on the four-poster ar- 
ticle. Otherwise as a peddler of 
merchandise over the air Broun 
still rates as a keen and interesting 
topical commentator. 

Occasionally in his sales spiel 
Broun rings in some tber depart- 
ment In the Macy emporium. When 
he isn't doing this or introducing 
the next item of entertainment 
Broun expatiates on how he came 
to be labelled 'The Man About 
Town.' That explanation Is also 
of tfao whimsical variety. 

For this session, which replaces 
the store's Minstrel Show, they 
gathered a slick bunch of enter- 
tainers and all deftly routined. Oh- 
man and Arden double from piano - 
duetlng to batoning the orchestra. 
For some bright moments of har- 
monizing there's Jerry White and 
the 4 New Torker& Team of Pick 
and Pat, station's blackface stand- 
bys, help spice up the event with 
a sprinkling here and there of cross 
fire comedy, while Mabel Jackson 
gives pleasant voice to a moon-and- 
June ditty. 

Broun brings with him a staunch 
and wide fQllp.wlng, but it Is doubt 
ful whether to the uninitiated 
among dlalthumbers the columnist's 
connection with the program will 
mean other than Just another an 
hOuncer with a leisurely style that 
makes him slightly different though 
less stimulating to listen to. Oiec. 



Coast Broadcasters 
Acc^t House Rent, 
Hderdashery IB Pay 



I<oi Angeles, Feb. 13. 
Small w^"'*^ liene will trade 
radio time for almost anything. 
Soms «C th* larger . staUtms are^not 
even averse to taidnc merchandise 
credit In lieu of cadi. 

One of the mall outlets plugs 
apartment houses and pay* off part 
of Its taleat and atafC irages:in free 
rent. . Anotber takes care of the 
clothteflr waats of its stalC through 
a strict^ tzadto CKebasi^ with one 
of the downtown swank haberdash- 
ers. Still MWthfr takes foralture in 
return for' Its other time. 

Larger stations will readily ex- 
chango tlms for aatomoblles occa- 
sionally, while another, with a stu- 
dio tle-ln, promised a gasoline com- 
pany all ths plctars company's pat- 
ronage In exchange for the air ac- 
count. 



GOLD MEDAL CONTEST BAND 
Disk 

COMMERCIAL 
WGY, Schenectady 

Latest in a aeries of records used 
by General Mills of Minneapolis, 
plugging a word building, contest 
for its Gold Medal Flour (oompeti 
tlon also newspaper advertised). 

Disc starts 'with a band number, 
followed by a two and a half -min- 
ute high pressure spiel which Har- 
lovi^ Wilcox delivers about the con- 
test He talks with ^e speed of a 
Floyd Glhbona, Waiter is run off 
several thnee.<* day ahd entertaln- 
mftttt value .almoist •all.Kjt'a the con- 
tftBt or Aothibg. ' . t Vooo. 



JERRY FRIEDMAN-JACK 
OSTERMAN 

Sustaining 
WMCA, New York 

At 2:30 to 3 in the a. m.. If you're 
up that late, the rhythmic jaaz of 
Jerry Friedman's combo from the 
Club Richman, and Jack Osterman's 
energetic m. o.'ing will further defy 
insomnia. It's the wlndup period 
for station WMCA at an hour when 
the Richman^ is the hottest, for this 
late spot, with Its stream of noc- 
turnal droppers-ln, is the latest 
morning hangout. 

Friedman's jazzlque is as ever ef- 
fective and Osterman's sophistl 
cated introductorles and common 
tarles between numbers (also doing 
a couple of vocal solos on his own) 
are in keeping with the uno^ven 
tlonal hour. Abtl. 



Time brokers who have the best 
available time tied up, and have cre- 
ated split ne lao r ks for advertisers 
In the hlaterlaad. are proving a 
booh for the olectrleal transcription 
(disc)- people. These disc record 
makem am flourishing as the result, 
of Insuffldent simultaneous cover- 
age OB a network hookup. 
. The disc manufaetorers take the 
programik as broadcast off the 
ether, record them and then ship 
out to the spots where the time has 
been sewed up, for broadcasting at 
some later day and hour on a spot- 
broadcasting contract. 

The chains have been particularly 
in the hinterland. The difference in 
time is another factor so that often 
only a New Yoik broadcast can 
blanket the Atlantic and Middle At- 
lantic territory, because the midwest 
or the Rocky Mountain territory, 
through an hour or two hours' time 
difference, Is sold to some other ad- 
vertiser. 



ANTWERP WIRE SERVICE 
OFFERED AT 3c A DAT 



Washington, Feb. W. 

KQDA, Mitchell Broadtaisting 
Corp., Mitchell, S. D., lost its Ucanse 
to WNAX, operated by House of 
Gurney, mall order outfit. Tank- 
ton, S. D., in. decision of Radio 
Commission Friday <10}. 

WNAX, now using 1.000-vattB on 
570 kc sought increase to 2,£00- 
watts and deletion oC KGDA. Both 
were granted. 

' Commission claimed KQDA lacked 
solid financial backing and was 
careless In programing. Station, 
which operates with lOA-watts on 
1370 kc. wiU go off air March 2. 



Brussels, Feb. S. 

Collective radio distribution has 
made its appearance In Belgium at 
Deume, a popnions suburb of Ant- 
werp, where the first central has 
Just been Inaugurated. Household- 
ers can be connected to the dis- 
tributing station for less than $5 
and for t cents a day, payable 
weekly, they can switch at will to 
any of four different programs. 

An amplifier Is provided for con- 
trol of sound voliune^ all the sub- 
scriber needs as apparatus being a 
loud speaker. Centrals are now be- 
ing equipped In five other districts 
and each will be capable of dealing ' 
with 40.000 cUents. 



Holt in L. A. After Air 
Talent for Advertisers 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Here for a week to 10 days, J. 
Stanley Holt of the J. Walter 
Thompson agency, is searching for 
possible radio talent for national 
sponsors. 

A number of prospects have been 
interviewed, with Wheeler and 
Woolsey likely to get a broadcast 
contract. 



HOLLYWOOD HAMS 
Comedy Serial, 
SustainingL 
KNX, Hollywood 

Presumably the experience of a 
couple of Hollywood film extras In 
their various picture Jobs at the 
studio. Passable for the hlnter- 
landers who go for the film colony; 
stuff, station Is aiming this dailyj 
half hour at the sticks, particularly* 



the northwest, considered KNX's 
heavy stamping ground. 

Daily chapters have to do with 
the Job-hunting activities of a ham 
of the old tragedian school, and a 
hard-boiled mugg. Parts are played 
by Robert Adair, as the ham, and 
Jimmy Eagles as the mugg. Art 
Belasco does film exec. Program 
has little hope of getting out of the 
'also ran' class. Btan. 



STRING ENSEMBLE, 

Sustaining, 

WSM, Nashville ^ 

A 16 -minute program of classical 
music coming in around 7:16 p. m. 
With string Instruments so popular 
in the south It Is different from the 
usual hlU-bllly stuff. 

Arrangements are good and every 
instrumentation' Just right. Only 
flaw Is not repeating title of num-^ 
bers. No lonir spiels at this station. 



SeeWORasKey 
To 3d Web, But 
DiscoimlTheory 



Any and all talk of a third radio 
chain Is being disregarded by well 
versed ether meuv Physical limita- 
tions through unavailability of suit- 
able stations stops the idea almost 
cold. 

Most loglcBl head for. a third 
chain. It Is generaly conceded, 
would be W. K. Hearst. Tet Hearst 
la the first to recognize that his 
WINS (International News Service) 
in Mew Toik. sharing spilt time, 
couldn't possibly be a key station, 
as the average set in New York 
can't even tune it In. And if they 
could there aren't enough other 
suitable stations to start even a 
link of any chain. 

Almost all hope for a third chain 
centers around the aspirations 
towards enlisting WOB, Newark. 
The ra^ scphistlcatea, to begin 
with, believe that NBO must have 
a substantial chunk of WOR. If it 
hasn't, the manner In which WOH 
takes over the overflow talent from 
WJZ and WXJAF, of NBC, la evi- 
dence of a more than casual friend- 
liness and co-cperatlan between the 
stations. Besides which, the Bam- 
berger Broadcasting Service, Inc., 
owners and operators of WOR, find 
that station too much of a value for 
plugging the affiliated L. Bam- 
berger (Newark) and Macy's (New 
York) department stores, bo^ of 
which are institutionally ballyhooed 
regularly ail through the day. 

KOKA and WLW 

Powerful stations like KDKA, 
Pittsburgh, or WLW, Cincinnati, 
taking the pick of the features from 
either of the red or blue networks 
of NBC, thus have the choice 
of the CTeam features which 
they take on at will. Any promo- 
tion therefore of a third air chain 
Is being more or less suspiciously 
viewed. Any such talk smacks of 
the phoney or the promotional to 
the conservatives in radio. 

NBC's foresight in splitting Itself 
up into a red and blue network, re- 
spectively, the WEAF and the WJZ 
hookups, thus have gobbled up more 
than one goxl station where they 
were available in any city. And 
CBS usually has the third top sta- 
tion. The limitations of wave 
lengths and channel clearances are 
scientific handicaps to any further 
expandings along chain lines. 

About the only other means for 
a third chain to come into existence 
would be through NBC voluntarily 
splitting up its own WJZ and 
WEAF networks and turning one of 
these over to somebody as a third, 
pseudo- independent network. Tiiat's 
of course unlikely for obvious rea- 
sons. 



Fannie Brice Follows 
Ken Murray fcH* R-G 

Royal Gelatine Is switching its 
entire program around, Fannie Brlce 
succeeding Ken Murray March 1. 

R. Russell Bennett's orchestra, 
under Caravelli's direction, will also 
be replaced on NBC. 



11,000 CAL. CUT 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 

Pow-wow between musicians' 
union and X<6W Frost, program idiief 
of NBC. Calling to bring about a 
10% cut for ad NBC musicians, net- 
work lopped $1.<MM off the payroll. 

Among those affected are Nathan 
Abas, who loses his director's baton 
but retains his twice weekly solo 
spots as violinist. 



IMBROKERS 
ACTIVE IN 
SOUTH 



A new type of time broker has 
made his appearance in broadcast* 
Ing. He's the kind that doesn't aak 
the station to do any gamblldg with 
Mm, but pays the outlet on the line 
and takes his chances with the com- 
merclaL !f he delivers the results 
for the advertiser, he cashes 1q 
heaTy. If he doesn't, he Just writes 
it off to bad judgment In picking 
that particular station. 

For the speculative idea the time 
brokers are passing up tlie small* 
powered ^ttatlon and confining them- 
selves to outlets operating on from 
26,000 to £0,000 watts and which are 
strategically located. Most of the 
spots picked by these brokers are 
In the south or in farm districts 
where the maU-order thing has al- 
ways had Its strongest 'appeaL 

Most successful of tha time brok- 
ers operating on the speculative 
plan with merchandisers is George 
McEHhiney, whose firm, McElhlney 
Associated, rates as one of the old- 
est In the station representative 
field. At the present time McEl- 
hlney is operating on a deal with 
WSM, Nashville. WSM, owned and 
operated by the National Life and 
Accident Insurance Co., went 50,000 
watts several months ago. 

How H Works 

From the station McElhlney has 
bought outright four hours of Sat- 
urday evenincr time, < pjn. to mid- 
night, and also the Grand Ol' Opery 
House stanza, broadcast over the 
outlet every Saturday night for the 
past U yeara Ifs a lump-sum ar- 
rangement of $tJitiSi, covering time 
and talent, the latter undergoing 
some revision each week. Contract 
between McElhlney and the elation 
is for IS. weeks and ts non-canceU 
able by either side. ' 

For commercial purposes McEU 
hlney breaks up his four-hour 
stretch into half-hour periods and 
will only sell to those advertisers 
who have something to give away 
or are out for direct mail orders. 
McElhlney asks for nothing in ad« 
vance from the merchandisers, but 
he works out a deal whereby he 
collects so much on every inquiry or 
reply received from a listener. 

Each client is restricted to a cou- 
pie of one-and-a-half or two-min- 
ute announcements at the begia« 
nlng and end of the period. Two 
Saturday evening broadcasts Is all 
that McElhlney will sign for with a 
single commerciai. Twice, the time 
broker figures, is enough for a com- 
mercial to sieve the territory. After 
that he figures a sampling or so- 
liciting stunt can get no more than 
the odds and ends. 

One of McElhiney's biggest nets 
to date was on a percentage deal he 
worked out with 'Pathfinder.' maga- 
zine, published in Washington. On 
a single broadcast claim is that ttie 
circulation was increased by 20,000. 
McElhlney Ued up his end with a 
word-bulIding contest in which he 
gave away $600 in cash prizes. To 
become eligible for the contest a 
listener had to mall In 50c for a six 
months' subscription to the mag. 



WTMJ Asking Musical 
Ideas on 3 Programs 

MUwaukee, Feb. 13. 

WTMJ. Milwaukee 'Journal' st*«' 
tlon, is giving Its listeners a chance 
to assist in building up three musi- 
cal programs. Not a contest, but an 
effort to obtain ideas from dialers. 

Programs being used are HeiJiie 
and his Grenadiers, the Black and 
Gold Ensemble, and the Stardust 
Symphony. To guide those Inter- 
ested, station Is listing the instru- 
mentation used in, the three pro- 
grams. Suggestions are being con- 
sidered by W. J. Benning, general 
musical director. Full credit will bo 
given the persons olTerlng the best 
plans. 



WWSW'S EEMME PDBUCIST 

Pittsburgh. Feb. 13. 

First woman publicity chief for a 
local radio station is Helen Solo- 
mon, named for that post by 
WWSW, most recent of Pittsburgh's 
five broadcasting outfits. 

Miss Solomon has been with 
WWSW for two years In various 
capacities.- ^ 



Tuesday* February 14, 193S 



E V I I- L E 



VARIETY 



100 NEW WEEKS OF VAUDE 



Show People Caught in Hotel Fare 

Millarcly Omaha) Destroyed — No Guests In- 
juredy but Valuable ElfiFects Burned 



Omaha, Feb. 18. 

Fire of unknown cause totally de- 
stroyed the Willard hotel, famoue 
actors' resort for many years, Wed- 
nesday night (8). Seven firemen, 
including the chief of department, 
were killed In their efforte to check 
the flames. 

Many theatrical people were stop- 
ping at the hoteL Some escaped in 
their night clothes, including Mar- 
Jorie La Marr. Most serious suf- 
ferers are Geo. Barton and Jerry 
Marion. 

Barton, who owns 'ShufClin Sam 
from Alabam,' playing Publix houses 
in this territory, lost all his clothes 
and valuable papers. Marlon, mu- 
flical comedy comedian and pro- 
ducer, lost everything he owned, In- 
cluding trunks containing scripts, 
stage and personal wardrobe and a 
lifetime collection of photos, blllinrr 
matter and press clippings. 

Theatrical people who are work- 
ing around here are contributing all 
they can to aid the sufferers. 



B&K Vetoes Operatic 
Satire During Mary 
Garden's Week in Chi 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 

Ann Greenway, who was booked 
to open Friday (17) at the Chicago, 
will probably be delayed a week to 
open Feb. 24. Balaban ft Katz, 
after discovering that some of Miss 
Greenway's material was burlesque 
operatics. decided that It wasn't 
a graceful combination to have her 
on the same bill with Mary Garden. 

Meanwhile, Miss Greenway Is 
playing the Bismarck hotel. 



DANCER GIVEN $8,500 
FOR INJURY ON STAGE 



After a Boston jury travelled 
over to the Scollay Sq. theatre to 
Inspect the boles on the stage of 
that Hub vaudfllmer, a Jury awarded 
Gaby Leslie $8,500 damages as the 
result of hurts sustained on the 
stage because the heel of her danc- 
ing shoes caught in said holes and 
injured her. Miss Leslie asked $20,- 
000 damages. 

Manager E. A. Vinson of the Scol- 
lay contended that the holes, bored 
into the stage for the trapeze and 
other acrobatic acts wherein to 
brace their horizontal bars, etc., did 
not constitute any managerial neg- 
ligence. 

Accident occurred April 25, last, 
on the first day of Miss Leslie's en- 
gagement there, and she hasn't 
worked since. Miss Leslie averred 
she performed before royalty, and 
received $300 for such performances, 
although Publix wasn't so regal at 
$100 for the Scollay date. 

House was Publlx-booked but In- 
dividually operated by the Olym- 
pla Operating Co. whom Julius 
Kendler, for the dancer, sued. 
Bouse isn't effected by any receiver- 
ships. 



Hazel Harris Badly Hurt 
When Missing Jump in Act 

Havana, Feb. 13. 

Hazel Harris, partner-wife of 
"Wesley Pierce, Almendares Hotel's 
ballroom dancers, missed a jump 
while dancing at the San Soucl 
roadhouse. 

It was an extra engagement, sup- 
plementing their hotel dates. She 
Buffered severe head and body in- 
juries. 



Secretly Married 

Arthur Fisher, New York Indle 
Taude booker, and Flo Newton of 
vaude, were secretly married Sept. 
15, last. 

Bride was formerly of Rice and 
Kewton. 



Declasse 



RKO agents now have to buy 
tickets to see their own acts at 
Badlo City. 

With all agents' passes re- 
voked, the agents can card 
their way into the other RKO 
theatres by asking for the 
manager. But at Radio City 
they have no standing at all. 



Circuits Forget 
NYASanDueto 
Receiverships? 



Saranac Lake, N. T., Feb. 13. 
At a gathering here last week of 
noted surgeons and medical men 
from all over the country it was 
shown that the NVA Sanitorium 
now stands in the first rank of the 
world's tubercular I nstitutions. 
They extolled the work of Dr. Ed- 
gar Mayer and his staff not only 
for their treatment of the actor- 
patients here but for accomplish- 
ments In behalf of the entire med- 
ical profession. 

Meeting, presided over by Dr. 
Mayer, who is medical director of 
the NVA San was for the purpose 
of exchanging the latest informa- 
tion about research into tuber- 
culosis and other diseases. 

The visiting medicos were enter- 
tained at the San by the patients. 
Phyllis Mllford, Leonard Crowley, 
Al Jockers, Rita Nolan, Danny 
(Dutch) Murphy, Alma Montague 
and Tommy Vlcks did their stuff in 
the show. 

The NVA In New York has ap- 
parently been temporarily forgot- 
ten by the circuits during their re- 
ceivership and other troubles. A 
meeting of the circuits' heads to 
determine a means of raising funds 
was scheduled for last week but not 
held. 

Usually by this time of the year 
details for the NVA drive, which is 
held in April, are set. This year 
it look like a last minute proposi- 
tion, if at all. 

About $250,000 is needed for 
maintenance of the NVA's Saranac 
and New York ends for a year. Of 
that total, the Saranac overhead 
amounts to les^- than $100,000. 

Cut of around 10% in the NVA's 
operating expenses was recently in- 
stituted by a committee of three 
comprising Major Thompson of 
RKO, Moe Silvers of Warner Bros, 
and Sam Scribner. 



Kennedy's Vaude FiD-Ins 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Edgar Kennedy will go on a 12- 
week vaude and picture house tour 
on his lay-off from RKO. He will 
appear with Mrs. Kennedy In a 
sketch, 'Nitwits on the Network.' 

Act was written by Russell Bird- 
well, who handles the continuity of 
'Hollywood on the Air.' 

Kennedy Is on a 40-week a year 
contract to-appear in RKO two-reel 
comedies. 



Chic Sale's RKO 



Hollywood, Feb. 18. 
Chic Sale left yesterday (12) for 
Chicago for three or four weeks of 
personal appearances for RKO. 
Sale opens Friday (17) at the RKO 
Palace for a week, and then to 
Kansas City. 

ILco Morrlnon arranged the book- 
ings. 



DECENTimilZED 
CHIIIIITIIEIITIIES 

Estimate About 62 Weeks 
Possible on 14 Theatre 
Strings Returning from 
Circuits to Original Own- 
ers — 20-30% Cheaper 
Costs Under Indie Opera- 
tion Favors Stags Shows 



Beck with 2 Bookers Now Left in 
RKO Vaude DepL-(iodfrey Given 
Small Booking Job-Under Watch 



ONE BOOKING OFFICE?, 



Possibility for the '33-'34 season 
in .vaudeville commencino next fall 
is that 100 weeks of new or resur- 
rected playing ti^^^ ^i" result from 
the receiverships and decentraliza- 
tion now ooing on within the the- 
atre chains. 

The facts on which the hopes 
are based are that the same former 
vaude theatres which went straight 
pictures under chain operation can 
run 20% to 30% cheaper under in- 
dependent handling, with that dif- 
ference sufficibnt to provide for the 
extra costs of stage showsi in addi- 



Gift to Opposition 



Rochester, Feb. 13. 

Flocks of birds seeking 
warmth of lights on Palace 
and Century theatre signs, re- 
sult in comedy not on tlie 
screens. Manager Harry Roy- 
Bter delegates an usher to 
wave a long stick at them from 
a second story window, at 
which the birds fly over to 
the Palace. 

There, house manager Charles 
Freeman has a bell rigged up 
high on the sign. He yanks the 
cord and the birds fly back to 
the Century. 



Prospective Time 



Houses Weeks 

Poll 4 

Harry Arthur 6 

Karl Hoblitzelle 6 

Walter Reade 3 

Bob O'rionnell 8 

Orpheum 10 

Pantages 6 

E. V. Richards (Saenger) ... 5 

Butterfleld 4 

Great States 3 

Balaban & Katz > 4 

A. H. Blank (Iowa) 2 

Midland (Kansas City) 1 

Qulmby (Ft Wayne) 1 

Total 62 



KATE WILL NOT 
GAMBLE WITH 
PUBLIX 



tion to the possibility of increased 
grosses with the stage draw; and 
that most of the managers who are 
getting back their theatres from 
the dissolving circuits are vaude- 
minded. ' 

Many returning Independent man- 
agers have for some years, or since 
becoming circuit operators, con- 
stantly opined that combination 
vaud-fllm is still the best policy for 
pop priced operation. 

There is talk among some of 
them of a central booking office for 
the various indle strings, with at 
least two of the revived Independ- 
ents known to have sounded out 
others on the project. 

The accompanying box lists the 
approximate playing time likely to 
develop from each of the strings 
now being turned back to their 
original operators by the chains. It 
adds up to 62 weeks. The estimated 
100 weeks of new time Is based on 
(Continued on page 41) 



Unwilling to gamble, with no as- 
surance that her $7,600 salary 
would be paid, Kate Smith decided 
at the last minute to cancel her cur- 
rent week's booking with Publix for 
the Metropolitan, Boston. House 
went into receivership after the 
Smith date was arranged. Singer 
would have opened Friday (10). 

Receivers last week notified Ted 
Collins, Miss Smith's manager, that 
she would have to gamble with the 
theatre on suflldent business to pay 
her full salary. Theatre's idea was 
that if Miss Smith didn't draw 
enough to cover her own salary and 
keep the house out of the red, that 
she would receive only enough to 
permit an even break. 

The Boston date would have been 
Miss Smith's final for Publix. After 
billing Miss Smith in advance for 
a couple of weeks the Met filled in 
the current show with a Fanchon & 
Marco unit. 



RUTH ETTING REJECTS 
LOEW'S $6,000 A WEEK 



Ruth Ettlng's lioew stage book- 
ings at $6,000 a week are off. Radio 
singer advised the lioew booking of- 
fice that she does not feel able to 
double at the present time. 

The $6,000 salary. If accepted, 
would have been the highest stage 
figure achieved by Miss Bttlng. 
Offer came from Loew through 
(Charlie Morrison. 



Now and Then L A. Stage Acts 

Loew's and Pantages, Now Off'n 'Em, Will 
Take When Looking Good Enough 



George Godfrey was out and off 
the RKO payroll as vaude booking 
head Saturday (11), but is re- 
maining In the office to book the 
vaude for 2Ut's Cosmopolitan, New 
York. His holdover on the booking 
floor was arranged by Martin Beck 
and okayed with reservations by the 
RKO theatre department. 

Theatre department stated it re- 
serves the right to remove Godfrey 
from the booking office altogether 
in the event his authority tends to 
extend beyond buying the $600 
worth of acts (five) weekly for C. P. 
Zittel'a theatre side venture. RKO'o 
own bookers, Arthur Willi and Bill 
Howard, are understood to have 
been instructed to not permit the 
use of the RKO houses in name or 
in fact to influence acts to accept 
cut-rate bookings at the Cosmopoli* 
tan. 

There was a report that Beck, who 
maintained Godfrey's booking capa- 
bilities up to the end and who In- 
sisted on his remaining against op- 
position from every other Important 
exec at RKO, is now personally pay- 
ing Godfrey's former RKO salary^ 
but this was denied. 

Before Godfrey was through aa 
RKO booking head an hour, Willi 
and Howard were confronted by 
acts to whom Godfrey had made 
verbal promises in return for sal- 
ary concessions, etc. The acts 
were there to collect, but the book- 
ers refused to recognize promise* 
made by their former boss. 
'Amateur' Gag 

Affected along with Godfrey by 
the latter's dismissal are a few pet 
agents who got most of the little 
gravy that remained In the booking 
office of Jate. Among them Is Alex 
Gerber, who w^as permitted by God- 
frey to give orders to the bookers 
and who recently went to Harold 
B. Franklin to complain about an- 
other agent having an alleged 'In* 
with the booker. Another Is Henry 
Bellltt, whose activities in connec- 
tion with the staging of $40 a night 
'amateur* shows In some RKO 
neighborhood theatres are being In- 
vestigated by the theatre depart- 
ment. The 'amateur* show thing 
was swung for Bellltt by Godfrey. 

Beck says the office will operate 
without a successor to Godfrey until 
fall, at least. Howard and Willi 
will handle the bookings and con- 
tact Beck direct Instead of through 
a booking head, as in the paat. 

As a result of Godfrey's forced 
dismissal over Beck's head there Is 
now considerable speculation at 
RKO as to Beck's status. Beck re- 
ceives a salary of $1,000 a week. 
The Godfrey regime was ended by 
the theatre department against 
Beck's opposition after a lengthy 
flght. 

It Is thought that with Godfrey 
out and Beck's authority apparently 
lessened, that vaude will be regard- 
ed with more favor by the RKO 
theatre men. As long as Godfrey 
was there the RKO theatre depart- 
ment refused to consider vaude as 
an asset. 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Although both the Pantages here 
and Loew's State downtown have 
dropped permanent stage shows, the 
two Fox West Coast houses have 
adopted a policy of occasional live 
attractions when b. o. features are 
available at a price. 

Pantages, now playing double 
bills of independent pictures, has 
booked the 'Happy-Go-Lucky' hour 
from radio for one week beginning 
Thursday (23) with the ether act 
of eight people getting an 80-20 
split after the house nut of $5,500 
is taken In at the gate. 



First to go into the State prob- 
ably will be Mme. Schumann-Heink, 
with Sidney Schallman, F-WC 
booker, also negotiating for Mary 
Garden at $3,760 for seven days. 

Gllmore Circus, another air act, 
will try out the picture theatres, 
with Warners Granada, Santa, 
Barbara, as the flrst set-in as a test 
of the b. o. draw. Five-day book- 
ings at the auto shows in both Se- 
attle and Portland have been ar- 
ranged by Eddie Gamble for the 
Circus, which will receive, including 
oxpf-nsos fri^rn Los Angeles, $6,000 
for each date. 



INAUGURAL SHOW 



Preparing it to Open March 4 at 
Capital— For Milton Berle 



Sid Silvers and David Freedman 
have been assembled by Charlie 
Morrison, manager for Milton Berle, 
to write and lay out an Inaugural 
Show for the Loew Circuit. It is 
intended that Berle shall m.c. the 
show when it opens at the Loew 
house in Washington on the day of 
the Inauguration, March 4. 

If getting over the same show is 
expected to play over the Loew 
time. 

Not reported who is paying the 
writers but presumably Berle. Both 
of the writers are expensive. 



38 



VARIETY 



VAUDE HOUSE REVIEWS 



Tuesdajt February 14, I933 



RKO Palace Now Grinding With 
AD Fflms On From Now Till Then 



New York Palace went straight 
picture grind Saturday (H). 

Briefly that's the length, breadth 
and thickness of the new chapter 
for what was once the premier 
vaudeville stand of the country. 
Except In the location of the house 
on one of the prime spots of Times 
Square, there is nothing to dis- 
tinguish Its entertainment from any 
neighborhood playing second or 
third runs and a haphazard assort- 
ment of short film subjects. 

It starts week-days at 9:30 in the 
morning and runs until unconscious 
which means a midnight show, too. 
Scale is from 25c before noon on 
week-days to 7Bc nights on Satur- 
days and Sundays. 

Main point is that the best ad- 
vertised stage entertainment insti- 
tution in the 48 states goes into a 
typical sub-run stand without the 
flicker of a new idea in presentation 
of its show or selection of the sup- 
porting shorts. 

The big booking office has been in 
the business of blending specialty 
bills for plenty of years, meeting all 
sorts of show framing conditions 
and when they are handed the Pal- 
ace for straight pictures, the best 
model they can find to follow is 
something like you see on 8th ave- 
nue. Pay your two or six bits, rove 
around to an empty seat (which 
was no problem this Saturday after- 
noon) and settle down to witness: 

(1) 'Across America,' 10 minutes 
of Lyman Howe travelog, condens- 
ing a trans-Continental air trip 
from New York to San Francisco 
Into that footage of aerial views of 
the principal towns accompanied by 
an off- screen lecture. 
, (2) 'Scrappy,' another 10 minutes 
of Charles Mlntz' animated cartoon. 

(3) 'State Fair' (Fox) feature, 60 
minutes of the excellent production 
that played the RKO Music Hall 
two weeks ago. 

(4) Pathe newsreel as a chaser 
and around four minutes of trailer 
extolling next week's attraction. 

Apparently the RKO executives in 
charge decided on a change of pol- 
icy and left the details to the head 
usher. Certainly nobody gave the 
future much thought. 

This performance, starting Just 
after 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon 
drew about a two-thirds house, 
most of the customers asking the 
carriage starter first if he was sure 
there was no vaudeville and then, 
Incredulous, going on in to make 
sure. Once assembled, a more 
apathetic crowd would be hard to 
find. If there were any Palace regu- 
lars among them, they must have 
felt strangely out of place in the 
old spot. Rush. 



STATE, N. Y. 



'Cynara' (UA) on screen shares 
with Stoopnagle and Bud on stage 
the draw State's show offers this 
week. It will not be outstanding 
but should carry house through to 
a satisfactory seven-day gross with 
any kind of a break. 

Six-act bill is slightly above aver- 
age in audience value and along 
with picture will not send anyone 
out disappointed. Word-of-mouth 
win be an okay rather than a de- 
mand not to miss show, which may 
be conceded as a help. Certainly 
not a drawback. The Ronald Col- 
man draft is admittedly not as 
strong as it was, Colman is begin 
ning to show his years, but around 
New York he still does fairly well 
at the box-office. 

Vaude division includes three new 
acts, a little unusual in these times 
and for this house of late. They 
are De Muth's Four Jewels, Rex 
Weber and Taylor and Leon. 

Next to Stoopnagle and Budd in 
drawing strength Is the Frank and 
Milt Britton band, which closes in 
giving stagehands a chance to clean 
up after them for next performance, 
Britton band may get tiresome if 
seen too much, since its surprises 
cease to be surprises, but on a sec- 
ond look act is still okay. People 
who've seen it once, if not too re 
cently, might want to see it again, 
Thus Brlttons should contribute 
certain draw over and above the 
average act. 

Weber, around for years as half 
of Milton and Weber, is working 
with an unbilled partner. The act 
Isn't as strong as It was. Weber 
too obviously Is being forced to 
carry most of It alone, and his new 
partner, though okay as a straight 
on the crossfire portion. Isn't up to 
Joe Milton on the 'ventriloquism 
fltuif. When he is going through 
the lip motions, but Weber is doing 
the singing, it's easier to see how 
the trick's done. 

Stoopnagle and Pudd, who've been 
here before, are now around with a 
freshened routine for vaude. And 
a good act In its. entirety, regardless 
of how much new or how much old 
material is in it, 
The adagio dance act of Taylor 



turns of S. and B. and Weber. This 
Is one of the flashiest and cleverest 
adagio turns of Its kind. It rated 
on applause here Saturday afternoon 
with any other act on bill. 

Lynn Cantor, No. 2, but not get- 
ting the reception she should. Maybe 
people hadn't yet gotten the snow 
out of their mitts. Miss Cantor has 
a good little deuce spot turn, rou- 
tined with an eye to novelty and 
ably merchandised. Her drunk spe- 
cial around the beer parade out- 
standing. It closes. DeMuth's Four 
Jewels, acrobatic dancers, open. 
Four girls In routines that reach. 

Business fairly good Saturday 
afternoon, with wet streets probably 
helping. Char. 

PALLADIUM, LONDON 

London, Jan. 31. 

This week's bill is not devoid of 
Incidents. Firstly, Dorrle Dene, Eng- 
lish burlesque comedienne, failed to 
show, due to a touch of flu and an 
attack of 'barring clause.' Secondly, 
Mary Hay and Charles Sabin, In for 
the second of a two weeks' booking, 
walked off. after claiming the two 
pianists accompanying them were 
playing solos. Dorrle Dene was re- 
placed by Tex McLeod and Mar- 
Jorte Tiller, now Mrs. McLeod, who 
since her marriage has developed 
more confidence. The management 
finding program was running full 
time as Is, decided no substitute was 
necessary for Hay and Sabin, and 
thus saved $350, which Is good 
money in these hard times. 

Outside of these happenings the 
program is fair, and a lot better 
than it has been in the last few 
months. 

Opening are Winnetou and Char- 
He, described as the 'Two White 
Eagles, one dressed In cowboy re- 
galia and the other long-haired to 
resemble on Indian. Act is good 
opening material, with some balanc- 
ing and rope spinning. Doing 14 
minutes, which is 60% too long. 

Max Hoffman, spontaneous come- 
dian and rhymster, with a few 
stooges, is a perky little fellow with 
plenty of nerve, which they like 
here. 

Paola Bedini. a very youthful Jug- 
gler from the Continent, doing the 
Identical vehicle Bob Ripa did here 
in the last fortnight. Only differ- 
ence is Ripa has the poise and fin- 
esse which the kid lacks. Getting 
Bedini to follow Ripa here is not 
good Judgment. 

Bob Anderson and Pony here after 
an absence of over eight years has 
as good an act as ever. Anderson's 
talk and the almost human Intelli- 
gence of the pony makes act Inter- 
esting and novel. Bob should get a 
fair amount of work here, If there is 
anything doing. 

CardinI enhances his reputation 
gained with five weeks' stay at the 
Palladium recently, and is good 
enough for an early return here. 

Naunton Wayne being back after 
a flu bout, the cabaret is its former 
self again, with the exception of the 
Pavilion beauties, who are far too 
nxsaty to deserve their title. How 
ever, it is practically set Sherman- 
Fisher girls will return here almost 
any day. 

Opening the proceedings, after a 
brief appearance of the 'beauties,' 
are Billy Cotton and his band. Cot- 
ton still plays the numbers he 
played last week and the week be 
fore that. A change would benefit 
all. 

Lou Parker and Edith Davis, a 
couple of Americans booked here 
after an audition, have personality, 
looks and a fair amount of talent. 
Girl is particularly pretty and can 
dance. Boy does a lot of inconse 
quentlal chatter which Is sometimes 
rather aggressive, but as a whole 
should fare well here. 

Stanelll and Edgar, in America 
some years ago as Stanelll and 
Douglas, are still doinp practically 
the same vehicle; a lot of fooling 
some piano and fiddle playing. Act 
has been around for some time, but 
is new here, which is a consolation 
Al and Val Reno, American dancers 
are held over from last week. 

Big clianges are expected here any 
day, with the Abrahams, lessees 
who have been operating the house 
temporarily, being out. Horace 
Sheldon is likely to become perma 
nent house conductor here. John 
Southern will be elevated from gen 
eral manager to managing director, 



LOEWS, MONTREAL 

Montreal. Feb. 10. 
Boscoe "Fatty* Arbuckl© brought 
In a bunch of the cheaper seat fans 
as headllner In the vaude bill, but 
they fell oft at the supper hour show. 
He gets a good hand, part of which 
goes to the smart foil in a box. Bal- 
ance of Ave acts get by with one 
better-than-average. 

Eddie Sanborn stays in pit this 
week but spots a bass sax and pic- 
colo solo, while against screen of a 
tossing ocean a baSso profundo 
works through 'Asleep in the Deep.' 
Not so good for Eddie who gets but 
languid applause. 

Opening with Dorothea and the 
Yellow Jackets, three men and a 
girl throw a few steps and then 
cartwheel across the stage with one 
man tossing himself over the other 
two. A few trick steps and a gen- 
eral whirl close act which gets a 
fair hand. 

Mary Marlow sings a little and 
imitates a lot. As an Irish char, a 
gum-chewing girl and a reciting in- 
fant prodigy she gives the crowd a 
laugh. Parrot and dog imitations 
something of a let-down after Initial 
efforts. Fans liked her and act is 
novel here, getting the best recep- 
tion that far. 

Trey brings Reed and Levere, 
pantomlmlst and Instrumentalists. 
Reed relies on facial effects but 
start of act was slow. It wakes up 
and Reed gets into the picture with 
crowd warming up and Levere 
showing some nifty tap steps. They 
build to a good character finish. 
Customers liked them. 

Arbuckle in fourth spot. He comes 
on quietly and starts to talk. Crowd 
not much interested after first look, 
then foil starts in from box and 
patter is quick and smart. It gets 
plenty laughs. Girl who is looker 
strolls on and furnishes new angle 
to patter. This went over fine, but 
when they are off Arbuckle goes on 
talking, sings the odd song and 
goes off after a dance. 

Don Luiz and Bonita adagio in 
closing spot. Also a second man 
(unnamed) does some trick hoof- 
ing. Nicely dressed act which is 
fairly attractive and has a nice 
finish with Lulz dressed as toreador 
waving rag In front of bull (Bonita). 
She goes into a fast dance with rag 
utilized as skirt. Fair hand. 




Haines picture, 'Fast Life' (M-G) 
is feature. 



DOWNTOWN. L. A. 

Los Angeles. Feb. 10. 
Harboring 'Mystery of the Wax 
Museum' (WB), a shocker sans hu- 
mor, on the screen, Manager George 
Sackett did the wise thing In book 
Ing four comedy acts in his five -act 
bill this week. Plenty of physical 
and vocal humor on the bill, which 
sports Murray and Oakland, Roy 
Cummlngs and Sid Lewis. 

Tyler and St. Clair, marlmbaphon- 
Ists, open, with several medleys 
Man's announcements take In a lit- 
tle more territory than the team de- 
livers, but they score as the only 
music on the bill. 

Sid Lewis Is assisted by Stanley 
Mack in the audience, who straights 
expertly. Mack, former vaude 
singer, Is filling In between picture 
Jobs. Act reminds of Phil Baker 
and smacks across with plenty of 
worthwhile material. Pair wind up 
with a couple of all-right vocal se 
lections. 

John T. Murray and Vivian Oak 
land are assisted by Ernie Young In 
their nonsensical bits, which Include 
a goofy murder mystery and a 
French playlet. While a little high- 
class for this house, most of the 
material scored. 

Roy Cummlngs and Florence Rob- 
erts do their familiar act with the 
collapsing curtain, but they have 
not worked th^lr stuff to death 
around here and therefore go over 
a little better than anything else on 
the bill. 

Closing is Franklyn D'Amore and 
Co.. knockabout acro-comlc team, 
who garner plenty of laughter. 
Fake adagio is one of the best of 
their bits. 

Business good. 



AMOS and ANDY 
8 Mins.; One and Full 
Music Hall 

The radio blackface pair are billed 
as in their first stage appearance, 
forgetting the Paramount date of a 
couple of years ago. They have the 
thinnest kind of an act, but with 
the resources of the big Mu3lc Hall 
it is built to considerable magni- 
tude by incidentals. 

Opens on a shallow stage, drop 
representing ramshackle Harlem 
with the vocal ensemble posed 
about as a black belt crowd waiting 
before a radio store for the Amos 
iind Andy broadcast. Air program 
introductory spiel begins in exact 
duplicate of Bill Hayes receiving 
set formula, announcer giving a 
summary of the situation up to the 
start of the sketch. 

While this spiel is going on re- 
volving stage turns, bringing on a 
darkened stage boxed in drapes 
with a cabinet down front. Cab- 
inet front unfolds, revealing Car- 
roll and Gosden in white face and 
street clothes seated at a desk be- 
fore a mike, visual representation, 
of course, of their end of the fa- 
miliar broadcast series. 

Pair go into a characteristic ex- 
change of dialog neatly sprinkled 
with gags and references to the 
serial, all of which was liberally 
punctuated with audience response. 

For the finish the pair move for- 
ward out of the cabinet to a shoul- 
der-high mike to run through a 
series of their characters, Andy 
(Carroll, the bass voice one) supply- 
ing a cue, and Andy (Gosden) com- 
ing back with the vocal Impersona- 
tion of Brother Crawford, the King- 
fish, Lightning and the others. 

Billed all over the marquee and 
they get a lot of ballyhoo, but still 
are set at the very start of the stage 
show. Idea- was that the production 
surroundings would make for an 
entrance build-up, but it doesn't 
work out that way, leading to a 
rather cold introduction. Whole 
thing lacks the showmanly touch, 
and the unpretentious offering of 
the pair does not help them in audi- 
ence esteem. Rush. 



DE MUTH'S FOUR JEWELS 

Acrobatic Danci.ng 

9 Mins.; Four ('Special) 

State 

Producer or owner of this prob- 
ably dug around for acrobatic spe- 
cialty dancers, one as good as the 
other, with view of putting them 
together as a fiash novelty. He 
found them, four girls who even 
look alike and In their work. Indl 
vldually or together, rate about 
even. Qualifies for average vaude 
bill, particularly as an opener, as 
spotted here. 

Act probably did not cost a great 
deal, yet fills the demands of a the 
atre for a flash nicely enough. Rou 
lined satisfactory, doubles and sin 
gles lead up to a sort of challenge 
for a finish. Some smart splits 
figure in the finale. 

Speed Is one of the virtues. No 
stalls and the nearest thing to sec 
ond gear is the single acrobatic spe 
clalty to waltz music, but it's sup 
posed to be that way. Char. 



MAE WEST 
Talk arid~ Sonfl 
Presentation 
Paramount, N. Y. 

Miss- West is at the Broadway 
Paramount on a studio bookine 
doubling with her Par picture, 'She 
Done Him Wrong.' On the stage 
as in the picture, she's playing hep 
forte role, a bad, bad lady who gets 
more applicants than a want ad in 
the newspaper. 

They introduce Miss West here 
amidst a troop of motorcycle cops 
She sings a song, tosses 'em some 
hot chatter and then goes Into a 
full stage bedroom, but not to bed. 
After telling the colored maid not 
to call her madame and turning 
down a flock of dates that comes 
over the phone, she ducts with 
Georges Metaxa on a chaise lounge. 

She'll try anything once, says 
Mae, to Metaxa who says he's a 
gigolo and then hands her his price 
list. Mae says she'll sample a kiss 
and the kiss is the finish. It's a 
long kiss and while Mae Is on the 
receiving end she Isn't always mo- 
tionless. At the end of the first 
reel they break, and Mae chirps, 
'Boy. are you lousy!' 

If Miss West did anything but 
Just what she is doing as an act at 
the Paramount, her aud.once would 
probably be disappointed. For 
Broadway they'll expect it. and on 
Broadway Miss West should draw 
some business. Away from Broad- 
way she may need more picture sea- 
soning, because star billing In her 
second film Is rather premature. 

At 119. Miss West weighs In at 
two pounds over the bantamweight 
limit, which for an ex-welter isn't 
so bad.. She looked surprisingly 
good on this picture house stage. 

Bine. 



REX WEBER 

Singing, Comedy Novely 

15 Mins.; One 

State 

Not as good an act as was Wilton 
and Weber, of which Rex Weber 
was 50% or more for many years. 
Since the split with Joe Wilton, a 
blustering straight with a good 
voice, Weber is taking the billing 
alone. He has another man oppo- 
site him to fill the Wilton shoes, but 
the results aren't the same. 

While Rex Weber and his un- 
billed mate have a good act, one 
that far from flops, it leaves some- 
thing to be desired. The weak spot 
principally Is in the number where 
Weber's voice between the teeth is 
doing the singing that synchronizes 
with Hp motions of his partner for 
that ventrlloqulstlc surprise. It's 
easy to see the partner Isn't doing 
the singing. 

On the talk crossflrc. with same 
material as used by the Wllton- 
Webef double, the punch is there 
virtually as strong as before. 

In closing Weber does a song 
number straight. 'Three Square 
Meals a Day,' which he himself 
wrote. Weber mentions he Intro- 
duced the number. 'Brother. Can 
You Spare a Dime,' which became 
the 1932 theme song. He hopes his 
number will be this year's theme 
song. It's not much as a song num- 
ber, but it's a good flag-waver for 
a flnlsh. 

House spotted act to closinp: on a 
six-act bill. Char. 



Vaude Back in Troy 



Vaude goes back in Troy, N. 
Y., Wednesday (15). RKO having 
changed its mind about dropping It 
permanently there. 

Straight picture run, which started 
Saturday (11) now holds only for 



the flr.st half on,Tn;:otnpnt of thf Par 
«nVLelm^°i8 betweetT two' com^ 'Sign of the Cro.ss.' 



Paramount, Newark 

Newark, Feb. 11. 
Although not employing names or 
going in for stage effects, and really 
mostly second-rate acts, this house 
offers bills that have a tone of their 
own, and would never be mistaken 
for those shown in Itfi two compet- 
itors. It goes heavjly for dumb 
acts and musical turns, particularly 
singers. No matter how Indifferent 
the singers are, they always get re- 
spectful and generally entliuslastic 
attention. The acts may be, and 
often are, crude, but unless one has 
an antipathy to this sort of thing 
they offer more entertainment than 
the much costlier bills at competing 
stands. 

Not scintillating, this bill starts 
with dancing and singing, ends with 



singing and dancing, and puts a 
dumb act in the middle. Opener. 
Masquerade Revue, like so many 
acts here, makes one wonder why 
they don't hire a showman and turn 
the possibilities apparent into a 
smash. Three men and three girls, 
appearing first briefiy with masks, 
and using tieir own set. work all 
sorts of combinations In dancing, 
during which one girl is free and 
agile with her kicks. Notable also 
are a man and girl doing very fast 
stuff. Songs attend this, and the 
same kicker teams with a man for 
a comic ditty. A girl tickles an ac- 
cordion, and the others close in a 
dance with a flood in the foots 
throwing shadows. It looked as 
though something In direction or 
execution failed to produce an in- 
tended effect here. 

Murray and Irwin follow with 
song and whistling, but not too long. 
In a hotel the Hanlon Brothers as 
clowns do tricky pantomime be- 
tween Wolf's songs. The Hanlons 
are decidedly good, but they no like. 

Anger. Hamilton and Davis, two 
men and a girl, are brief with some 
nonsense and some acrobatics by 
the girl and win. 'Dancing Around' 
offers three girls, two men and a 
pair dressed as dancing boys. It 
has a gypsy tinge with a woodland 
set. While the dancing numbers are 
okay, it's the singing, some of It by 
a woman, the McCoy, that repeat- 
edly lands. 

An announcement of simply Burns 
and Allen on the marquee, that 
turns out of course to be only a 
short, looks like a troublemaker, as 
the team Is very liopular here. The 
cold wave kept attendance down, or 
else Kate Smith in 'Hello. Every 
body' (Par). 



DOWNTOWN, DET. 

Detroit. Feb. 11. 

Opening week of a return to a 
vaude film policy at this RKO 
house and It looks good for a per- 
manent stay if the opening week is 
criterion. House tried vaude a lit- 
tle over a year ago, but the shows 
at that time were of in and out 
quality and plenty was charged up 
to profit and loss. 

Opening bill Including Bert Wal- 
ton, the Rimacs Havana Orchestra, 
Bomby and his gang, Forsythe, Sea- 
men and Farrell and the Wing Wah 
Troupe. Coupled with 'Child of 
Manhattan' (Col) on the screen and 
selling for 40c top week days and a 
56c week ends. All of which com- 
pares favorably with the opposition 
houses. 

Opening with the Wing Wah 
troupe and running one hour and 
fifteen minutes, show 6ffered a lot 
of entertainment and should help 
educate the locals back to vaude. 
This town has seen little vaude in 
the five years since the old Keith 
Temple went grind and Charlie 
Miles dropped this house, which 
was then the Oriental, and played 
Pantages road shows. At that time 
the Temple sold seats by the sea- 
son with turn-away business any 
week. The only other sample was 
when this house tried it a year ago 
last Xmas and ran about 12 weeks. 
With the presentation policy get- 
ting the break in enuslng years at 
both the Michigan and Fox, it Is 
probable the public can be weaned 
back to regular love. 

For a January act the Wing Wah 
troupe can show on any stage. De- 
spite lack of showmanship, they gc' 
(Continued on page 40) 



TaeMUf* Febrtiary 14, 1938 



VAUDEVILLE 



VARIETY S9 



Par/ State Tariff Cut May Force 
Vaude on L. A. Subsequent Runs 



IjOb Angeles, Feb. 18. 

Propping of stage shows by Ptira- 
jnount and liOew's State In favor of 
erlnd flrst-hin policies at 26c and 
40c, lowest prices' at which these 
deluzera have ever been operated, 
aild the Increased daily attendance 
irblch the new setup has brought. 
Is figured by showmen as presaging 
a return to pop vaude by subsequent 
run houses downtown, which have 
been particularly hard hit as a re- 
sult of the stiff competition. State 
and Far now grind dally at two bits 
ap to i p.m., and then tilt the ante 
to 40c for the rest of the evening. 

First subsequent to cut Its b. o. 
tariff to meet the new opposition Is 
the Palace (F-WC Principal), which 
la now showing double features for 
a straight 15c at any hour. Palace 
Is reported to be strongly consider- 
ing an eight-piece stage band in the 
hope of luring extra shekels. 
L; a. Goes Double 

The L>oa Angeles (Wm. Fox), dl- 
lectly across the street from the 
Palace, which for more than a year 
garnered heavily through its 
straight 16c single-feature policy 
(following every downtown run), is 
now showing double features (In- 
dependent pix) first run, at 16c 
and 26c. 

House Is seriously contemplating 
•lasbbig Its tariff to a straight 
dime to overcome the stiff opposi- 
tion, and may even 'include three to 
five acts of vaude, plus the double- 
feature bills, at this minimum tariff. 

President, a block away from the 
Palace (also F->WC Principal), is 
sticking to 16 and 26, but likely to 
switch any minute. Stage shows 
are not a remote possibility for this 
bouse likewise. The Million Dollar, 
only a few blocks distant, is already 
. using vaiide on a f till-week policy. 
' Jleduced downtown tariff situation 
Is also felt in the nabes, where, in 
many instances, a 26-30c gate is still 
In effect, although playing subse- 
quent runs. The Par and State 
slash has resulted in a dent in the 
attendance at these nabes, with the 
operators figuring that the custom- 
'•rs prefer seeing the first runs 
downtown rather than wait the ex- 
tra 14 to 28 days in the outlying 
districts. 



CURTIS-MORRIS FOREIGN 
CONNECnON SEVERED 



WUllam Morris and Jack Curtis 
agencies are disbanding their joint 
foreign booking bureau. Dick 
Henry, who has been representing 
both agencies with headquarters at 
the Morris ofllce, returns to Curtis 
& Allen exclusively March 1. 

The Morris- Curtis connection for 
European placements was made a 
year ago on a partnership basis, 
with Henry shifting from the Curtis 
office to operate out of the Morris 
agency. 

The combination has bookings 
amounting to around |200,000 in 
salaries that extend to November. 
Commlsh split arrangement applies 
to these bookings, but ' oh all 
further bookings they'll operate on 
their own. 



Cabaret in N. O. Folds, 
Floor Show Into Saenger 

New Orleans, Feb. 13. 

Suburban Gardens folded again, 
With the entire show jumping into 
the Saenger for a week. 

Show consists of Joe Lewis and 
fcls stooge, Paul Small, Babe Bel- 
tnore, Rita White and Bud and 
Betty. 



Errol-GIadys Glad 

In 'Smmy' at Par 



Leon E^rrol at $3,600 and Gladys 
Glad will be added to Fanchon & 
Marco's 'Sunny* tab for next week 
at the Paramount, New York. 
It will be the theatre's second em- 
bellishment of an F. & M. unit, 
Vivlenne Segal and Gus Shy hav- 
ing been added to 'Desert Song* last 
week. 

Brrol was in the original 'Sally' 
cast opposite Marilyn Miller under 
Zlegfeld. Mary Eaton has the Miller 
role in F. & M.'s version. 



15'25c Stage Band Policy 
At Moe Goldman^s Circle 

Moe Goldman's Circle at 69th 
street and Broadway, New York, 
starts a five-act stage band policy 
on three splits this week, with A. & 
B. Dow booking. Top will be 26c 
at night, 16c matinees. 

House Is across Columbus Circle 
from the RKO-booked Cosmopoli 
tan. It played vaude years ago and 
then straight pictures under Loew's 
operation. Loew turned the Circle 
back to Goldman last year. 



Santa Barbara Now Vaud 

Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Warners' Granada at Santa Bar' 
bara has gone in for one day a week 
vaude, beginning yesterday (12). 
Five acts, booked out of the Bert 
Levey office, will play the house 
each Sunday. 

While the bill at Warners Down- 
town here will not go intact to 
Santa Barbara, certain acts each 
week will be set in there. 



Inside Stuff-Vaude 



Bums and Allen script used on the Robert Burns session passes 
through four sets of hands before It's cleared over the air. Gene Con- 
rad and John P. Medbury, who are under commission direct from B. & A., 
first submit their gags to the comedy team. Latter then turns them over 
for doctoring and amending to Carroll Carroll, of the J. Walter Thomp- 
son's writing staff. From that point the script passes on to the head 
of the agency's radio department, John Reber.. Final treatment is left 
to Nat Burns himself on the theory that he knows best what <5racie Allen 
can or cannot do effectively. 



Those winter cruises have been lifesavers almost for many a dance 
team, which type of act has been hardest hit with the minimization of 
outlets for performance, such as theatres and cafes. 

It's resulted in the dancers making the winter vacation trips, going 
principally for the ride and the chow, sans any other compensation. For- 
merly they made something with It, but the tours people, with rates 
down, etc., realizing that dancers are one type of act who can't broad- 
cast or go radio, have had no trouble gettinfr some of the best-known 
standard dancing acts to call It even on a trade arrangement. 



In booking vaude for Warners' Downtown, Los Angeles, George Sackett, 
manager, keeps an eye on the cosmopolitan makeup of the city. When 
possible to obtain a standard act of foreign origin he does so, his box 
office records showing that such an act on week-end draw more than 
pays the nut for that portion of a bill. Week ago he had the Royal 
Hawaiians, with crowds of both Hawaiians and Filipinos In attendance 
on Saturday and Sunday. Same draw Is possiblo, he has found, if one 
act happens to be Spanish, German or Irish. 



Par and RKO receiverships have made the booking thing no sinecure 
for agents who again must learn their situations If they are to give an 
act anything approaching a route. No more okaying of 20 to 40 weeks 
at one booking. Each week becomes an individual task. An agent must 
learn how to open up new situations for the talent, and how to plot out 
a route. 



'DIME' RIGHTS AT $300 

Shubcrts Bar Song's Use by Weber, 
Its Introducer 



Because he refused to pay them 
$300 for the rights, the Shuberts are 
restraining Rex Weber from using 
'Brother, Can Tou Spare a Dime?' 
in his vaude and picture house 
dates. 

Weber introduced the Shuberts' 
'Brother' number In 'Americana.' 
Shuberts declared they wanted to 
protect the song because they may 
send the show out on the road. 



NEW F&M PROD. 
SET-UP IN 
6 KEYS 



William Morris agency's development of the radio and picture talent 
fields stands them in good stead now with the minimization of theatre 
time. That office has built up both of these divisions to offset the stage 
t>ooklng shortcomings. 



Pending disposition of theatres on 
policies under receiverships and 
other operation changes, Fanchon & 
Marco is decentralizing unit produc- 
ing to concentrate on shaping up its 
new divisional or localized produc- 
tion setup. Meanwhile the 21 F. & 
M. units still on the road will con- 
.tlnue. 

In changing to non-intact units of 
four grades and prices, F. & M. fig- 
ures on saving around 20% of pres- 
ent unit expenses through elimina- 
tion of transportation costs. Travel- 
ing expenses of the regulair travel- 
ing F. & M. shows now amount to 
20% of the unlttf total cost. 

The F. & M. regional plan for 
stage producing Involves separate 
production offices in New York, 
Hollywood, St. Louis, New Orleans, 
Boston and ' Seattle, with each 
branch to service its own territory. 
F. & M. figures this will permit 
more flexibility than the old unit 
plan, under which a unit produced 
for one part of the route did not 
prove satisfactory all over. 

In addition to servicing theatres, 
F. & M. will go after fair and club 
business from its various production 
centers. 

Units %\f3M to $6,000 
For theatres F. & M. will build 
units ranging in price from $1,000 
to $6,000, and by order of the the- 
atre whose management can super- 
vise the staging. 

The different grades of units as 
laid out in (he F. & M. future plans 
comprise a 'de luxe' show with 
name talent, line of girls, special 
scenery and costuming; unit re- 
sembling the present F. & M.'s with 
the trimmings but no names; rotat- 
ing group of principals to augment 
a permanent girl line and bouse 
m.c; vaudeville unit with scenery; 
low cost motorized show for one, 
two and three-day stands. 

Central tliougbt In the plan is to 
deliver stage shows that will s^it 
the individual theatres' needs In- 
stead of a standardized presenta- 
tion. 



RKO Agent Loses to 
NBC Talent Bureau 
Over Radio Singer 



A complicated decision by the 
RKO agents' association in the dis- 
pute between the Jimmy Plunkett 
office and NBC, over Frances Lang- 
ford, limits the Plunkett agency's 
share of commlsh to 2%% of the 
singer's present RKO salary. Miss 
Langford's salary on Plunkett book- 
ings made prior to NBC taking her 
over, has been |476. 

Under the arbitrary decision the 
Plunkett office will receive 2^% of 
$475, no matter how much more 
Miss Lahgford may be paid while 
represented by NBC. 

Contending It had represented 
Miss Langford in her first vaude 
date and had spent time and effort 
in building her up for stage pur- 
poses since then, the Plunkett office 
objected to losing the single to the 
network, which placed her under 
contract to its artist bureau. 



Lynchburg Stage Showt 
Lynchburg, Va., Feb. 13. 
Stage shows are supplementing 
films at the Publlx Academy, but 
the attractions will shortly be 
moved across the street to the larg- 
er Paramount. 

Latter's stage has Just been re- 
modeled. Booking tab revues and 
presentations. 



RKO Palace, Cleveland, Booking 
Its 5 Ads, $2,000, Away From RKO 



VAUDEVILLIANS' PROP 
CANNON EXCITES POUCE 



London, Ont., Feb. 13. 
Three vaudeville actors today 
ruined the hopes of local and dis- 
trict police that three bandits, 
armed with a machine gun on the 
trailer of their automobile had been 
captured after all police of western 
Ontario had been on their trail for 
the past 48 hours. Local headquar- 
ters of the Ontario Provincial po- 
lice received a telegram from 
Wheatley, Ont, last night that a car 
bearing an Ohio license With trailer 
had a machine gun. 

An alarm was broadcast and P. C. 
William Pudney of the London 
force spotted the license number as 
the car crossed a local intersection. 
He commandeered a passing auto- 
mobile and gave chase. The men 
were taken to headquarters for 
questioning. A weapon was found 
In the trailer. But Investigation 
proved It to be a 'cannon' used in 
their act. which opens in Toronto 
next week. They gave their names 
as Fred Larkln, James Johnston 
and Joseph McGee, vaudeville ac- 
tors from Ohio who were on their 
way to Toronto. They were allowed 
their freedom at once. The 'cannon' 
is used In the sinking of a ship In 
their act. 



DIAMONDS VS. PAR 

Act After Week's Salary' Because 
of Cancellation 



Diamond Boys have filed a claim 
with the V. M. A. for a week's sal- 
ary from the Paramount, New 
Tork, which cancelled them off the 
current show. They ask payment 
on closing day (Thursday), along 
with the rest of this week's bill. 

The Diamonds declare Publlx 
asked them to postpone their Par 
booking until the week of March 8 
and promised a $260 bonus if 
they'd agree. They say they ac- 
cepted, but that Publix refused to 
put it in writing. 

Act reported at the theatre open- 
ing day for rehearsals and the first 
show, but was not permitted to 
open. 



Watsons-Grace Hayes 
Get Their Air Chance 

Latest two standard acts from 
vaude due for an NBC buildup are 
the Watson Sisters and Grace 
Hayes. 

It all depends on their final okay 
by the network's program board. 
They're candidates of the artists' 
servlco. 



RKO's theatre department Is go- 
ing outside Its own vaude booking 
office for a show for the Palace, 
Cleveland, which returns to vaude 
Feb, 24. It will spend $2,000 a week 
for five acts. 

J. J. Franklin, RKO's Cleveland 
division manager, lasf; week con- 
tacted several New Tork indie 
agents. Including Fanchon & Marco 
and William Morris, for acts, asking 
them to submit available material 
for the Palace stage. He Is Harold 
B. Franklin's brother. 

It seemed strange to the outside 
agents approached that an RKO 
should not care to Intrust a $2,000 
booking Job with Its own booking 
office, but none of them bothered to 
ask why. 

The Cleve. Palace vaude return 
follows a flop straight picture ex- 
periment. The RKO Hippodrome, 
with which the Palace swapped 
vaud films, goes i>ack to films only 
on Feb. 18. 



Los Angeles, Feb. IS. 

Following current week's layoff 
at the Golden Gate, 'Frisco Horace 
Heidt band, which has been there 
for several months, will be spilt in 
three sections, with Heidt taking 
seven men to Cleveland, to open a 
run at the Palace (RKO) there. An- 
other portion of the band resumes 
at the Golden Gate. 'Frisco, Horace 
next week, and a third section 
moves Into the Orpheum, Portland, 
where the Heidt policy replaces 
vaude (16). 

Heidt, personally, is currently at 
the Orpheum, Portland, for one 
week. 



Cleveland, Feb. 18. 

RKO Palace is closing for 10 days 
for repairs, reorganization and re- 
hearsals of Horace Heldt's stage 
band which will open theatre's 
vaude policy Feb. 24. 

Frank Hlncs, now manager of the 
Hipp, which is being taken over 
from RKO by William Elson, is go- 
ing back to the Palace again as its 
manager. Hines, who first managed 
the Palace after Jol^n Royal re- 
signed to Join NBC, supplants Wil- 
liam Hoc' J. EUliott, who is being 
shifted to RKO's E^ast End. Howard 
Higley made assistant manager and 
treasurer, while Bert Hansen con- 
tinues as publicity head. 

Hipp under Elson will become a 
10-and-16c film grinder with third- 
run product 



Keate Leaves F-M 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Earl H. Keate. who has been 
vaude booker for Fanchon & Marco 
for the past five years, has resigned 
to become associated with the Lou 
Dorn agency. 

He will handle film people for pic- 
tures, stage and radio engagements. 



Squawks 

This Week's — James Barton — Milton Berle 



New Tork, Feb. 7. 
Editor 'Variety': 

'Barton's $1,000 — Loew's Headllner 
Chops $2,500 Off Old Top Salary.' 

In 'Variety* of Jan. 31, under the 
above heading, you indicated that 
I voluntarily accepted a lesser sum 
for my services than that received 
by me heretofore. This is entirely 
erroneous. At no time have I signed 
or entered Into a contract for the 
sum you stated. I have no agent. 
I am my own particular personal 
representative.. 

The engagement I fulfilled at 
Loew's, 'Jersey City, last week was 
a replacement when Bob Hope de- 
veloped a bad throat opening day. 
Lyons & Lyons, agents, asked me if 
I would fill in. I told them I would 
if I was paid the same salary which 
they had previously secured for me 
and which was far in excess of the 
amount named in your article. . To 
satisfy the theatre, I did not stop 
to pick up the contracts but Lyons 
& Lyons Informed me that they 
would be delivered to me at the the- 
atre. 

Resting on this assurance, I un- 
dertook the work in question. I 
sent one of my relatives over to 
Lyons & Lyons the day after the 
beginning of my engagement to tell 
the office the contracts had not 



been delivered. This messenger was 
informed that everything was all 
right and that I would receive the 
contracts. Relying on this, I con- 
tinued my performance. 

When the contracts were finally 
delivered to me, and they are stil^ 
in my possession, I refused to sign 
them. I am Instituting suit through 
my attorney, Harry S. Heckheimer, 
against Lyons & Lyons. 

James Barton. 



Editor 'Variety': 

New Tork, Feb. T. 

Strange as It may seem to many 
people the gag referred to which 
Andy Rice claimed he wrote for 
Weber & Fields as follows: 

'We will soon have machines 
where you drop In a nickel and out 
win come a wife but we want ma- 
chines where you can drop In a wife 
and out will come a nickel,' was 
purchased from Eugene Conrad by 
me and contained .in a radio script 
which I did on the Flelschmann 
broadcast. 

Maybe Andy Rice is seeking a 
little free publicity through your 
paper, but I am notifying him my 
attorneys are O'Brien, DrlscoU & 
Raftery. Or he can take the matter 
up with my manager, Charles Mor- 
rison. 

Milton BwU. 



40 



VARIETY 



VAUDEVILLE 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



Downtown, Detroit 

(Continued from page 38) 
over on their sheer ability. As is, 
these Ave people do nine minutes of 
breath taking contortions and acro- 
batics. 

On second, Forsythe, Seamon and 
Farreli could cut about five minu- 
tes by speeding up, but still a good 
turn and got .across very nicely. 
Perhaps a little too much mugging 
by the Miss Farreli. 

Bomby and his gang offering a 
nice, variety of songs and choosing 
familiar favorites that were easily 
understood. Act also gets away 
from the usual radio act weakness 
— the mike. A prop mike can be 
seen on the stage, but is not used. 
Composed of two men and two 
women and a female piano player. 

Bert Walton hasn't been seen 
here In years and landed on his 
talk. His big asset is his stooge. 
Using an audience plant who is per- 
fect for the spot he starts talking 
to the fellow and finds out that he 
Is a radio artist out of work. Talk 
Is clever enough to fool the most 
hardened audience in this day of 
nxultltudlnous stooge acts. For the 
finale the stooge sings a so^g. 

The Rimacs offer the usual type 
orchestra. This grouo offers three 
dancers In addition to the leader 
who also dances. All very well done 
and unusual enough to get a nice 
hand and hold- up the final assign- 
ment suitably. Lee. 



PALACE, CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 10. 

Many Star Acts, and 'Child of 
Manhattan'- Is the reading in the big 
tungstens atop the marquee proper 
and after that Walter O'Keefe, Louis 
Armstrong, and Berbice Claire and 
Alexander Oraiy do the snarling. Ex- 
ploitation elements of the bill were 
thus recognized as not precisely 
electrifying, although so far as the 
loop, status quo for the current week 
Is concerned It'p even Stephen be- 
tweien the Palace and the Chicago, 
whero the permanent house m.c. 1§ 
billed over the headUner. 

Dawn Sisters and Paul Cadleux 
opened the show but hardly can be 
said to have gotten things started. 
Neither as dancing nor as comedy 
is the quality high. A certain hard- 
working hopefulness sustains the 
turn, which, however, cannot bear 
the unkind glare of analysis. For 
essentially it's one faked routine 
after another with solid indubitable 
merit never revealed. The day Is 
past when pseudo-flashlness can 
carry a revue In competition with 
the wow specialty turns. 

Ross and. Edwards, a purely syn- 
thetic paroxysm ' of endlessly pro- 
longed mispronunciations, are old- 
tfmdy In a good deal of their ma- 
terial but sufficiently effective to 
please a plurality of customers. 
That may be taiceh as modem re- 
sults and a squarer for some of 
that 1915 flavor. They have ex 
perlence and know how to make a 
laugh grow where only a giggle 
would ordinarily sprout. They work 
their garbled English laugh formula 



to the point of exhaustion, mean 
while sticking In some typically 
Manhattan gags about pansies, 
boarders and broads. 

Bernlce Claire and Alexander Gray 
did nicely with their exhibition of 
light operatics and pretty costumes. 
Walter O'Keefe, carrying the Man- 
hattanese to its ultimate sophistica- 
tion, cracked wise -about Hitler in 
a town with half a million or more 
Germans. O'Kecfe's patter got a 
pretty fair laugh count considering 
the trend of his humor and an in- 
different history for success in pop 
priced houses. 

Lculs Armstrong's wah-wah cloged- 
punchily a bill that was moderately 
attended on the Friday getaway. 
■V eather considerably warmer than 
through the icy week just ending. 

Land. 



HIPP, BALTIMORE 

Baltimore, Feb. 11. 
Again the old bogie of scarcity 
of headline talent is causing lines 
to show in the foreheads of the local 
vaude managers. The wail is on, 
but looks, like there's nothing com- 
ing to the rescue. Only out appar- 
ently Is to start repeating, and that 
is the saddest thing than can hap- 
pen to local vauderles, which have 
made this town in the past 24 
months one of the ace vaude burgs. 
Not only are they repeating- on 
theniselves, but- on each other. For 
instance, within two weelcs Loew's 
Century brings tq town Don Redman 
orchestra and tlie Mills Bros., both 
acts having shown at the Hipp not 
six months before. And the Hipp 
is in no sweeter position; It is play- 
ing acts which have headlined only 
recently at the Century, and is now 
negotiating with acts which were at 
this theatre within the past year. 

Current leader on the Hipp stage 
is a hurried booking, due to the sud- 
den disappointment in a Helen Kane 
date which was set for this week. 
Miss Kaiie's postponed until March. 
Headlining currently are the Dun- 
can Sisters, reunited after some tw:o 
years; There was some speculation 
and everybody concerned was ner- 
vous about how strong they would 
show. To all concerned the first 
show was a happy surprise. The 
girls are still there, even without 
strong material; that old showman- 
ship is still going strong. 

The Duncans have taken some of 
the old clowning and spliced It In 
with some new material. They tried 
it out on the audience on Friday, 
and most of It got across. The 
Topsy and Eva stuff is out entirely, 
only the old Spanish number re- 
taining a sign of a spot in the rou- 
tine. After long Uiies of weak radio 
performers and uncertain comics, 
these two standout for performance. 

Opening the bill, which was badly 
arranged at the first show, were 
Grace Elder and the Reed Bros, in 
a hoofing sequence that suffers from 
lack of variety. Only One type of 
dancing throughout and It palls, 
even the finishing challenge routine 
being dragged out beyond reason- 
able leingth. A change of pace 



would be an improvement, and Miss 
Elder can do it, since she's got grace 
arid rhythm and the lookg. Act didn't 
belong in the opening notch, since 
it started the show oft with three 
dancing acts In a row. The Royal 
Uyenos, closing, would have been a 
better bet for the opening score, 
since that's the usual spot allotted to 
this standard Oriental tumbling, 
rlsley and acrobatic group. 

And closing should have been 
Jerry and Her Baby Grands, now 
third. A class act still, this, turn of 
three pianos and three specialty 
workers had plenty punch to finish 
the show strong. On the piano work 
a cinch, but something should be 
done about that dancing, especially 
with a lot of other dancers for com- 
parison. 

In the deuce were Smith, Rogers 
and Eddy, in an act spoiled by the 
mechanical manner In which the 
two comedians work. The comedy 
misses because of an Irritating lack 
of spontaneity. Femme stooge Is a 
stooge. 

'Parachute Jumper* (WB), first 
Warner fiick to play this Rappaport 
house, feature. Tom and Jerry car- 
toon and Pathe News completed. 
Biz fairish Friday afternoon. 



MET, BROOKLYN 

Not just five a,cts, but a vaude- 
ville show at tioeyr'B Metropolitan, 
Brooklyn, this week, which is more 
of a novelty than the. stage acts, 
most of. which are familiar; Five 
acts which are put. together for the 
best. effect with a novelty opening, a 
strong singing turn, comedy dance 
effort, -strong roughhouse comedy 
and into a showy revue, each act 
helping to build for the next as acts 
on a vaudeville bill should* but sel- 
dom do these days. 

Great Oretonas, four men and a 
girl on the tight rope with balanc- 
ing poles made) necessary by the 
rigidity of the rope which In turn is 
diie to the load it has to carry, four 
working at the same time on the 
strand. Novel formations and good 
flash to the stuff. 

I»eter Hlgglns, deucer, went 
straight to the spot when It was seen 
that here was a tenor without a 
mike attachment. Evidently re- 
membered and mild bursts of ap- 
plause as he went into some favorite 
number, with plenty more when he 
got through. Made a- quick exit aiid 
the travelers were, together before 
the crowd realized he- was not com- 
ing back, BO they dld_ something 
about It and he encored In front of 
the curtain. Pleasant voice and a 
he-man style of singing that helps, 

Lowe, BernofC and Wensley. took 
the third trick with Al Trahan bat- 
ting It out in a big way with the 
aid of Youkona Cameron. He went 
the full distance and they cried tor 
more, but the show was overboard 
on length. 

Anatole Friedland's revue closed, 
with the audience appreciating the 
speed and . flash. . Frledland was 
forced to work, with a mike, owing 
to throat trouble, and that slowed 
things a little, but it went over In a 



Reprinted from "Daily Mirror," Wednesday, February 8, 1933 

Walter Winchell 

On Broadway 

<Trade Mark Registered) CopyrlEtit, 1933, Dally Mirror, Inc. 

Portrait of a Man Talking to Himself 

it pleases me the way the IHitler facts spread... The facts had 
been buried in other publications many times — but when they were 
reprinted here — they served to show him up... Yet they were buried in 
a newspaper the other day, instead of having the spotlight thrown on 
them... Yes, Hitler would like to su ppress newspapermen here, as he has 

done in Germany— considering that AT LOEW'S STATE THE 0THER\ 
•DAY TWO COMEDIANS TOOK IT UP. ONE PLACED A HAND ON I 

Ia hip and the "STRAIGHT MAN" SAID: "AH! A HITLERITE!" ' 

?aiK."^^^A^;.^"J£" WAS PACKED, ROARED IN ApJrSvAL AND .-^MT 
THEN HEAVY APPLAUSE SWEPT THE THEATRE. SHOWING 9P|Li 
THAT LOCALS "LIKE" HITLER AND HIS FOLLOWERS. ' 



nice way. Even got a hand at the 
close, which Is unusual here. 

Friday night the five turns ran 28 
minutes over the hour with nothing 
that seemed to call for clipping, 
though the house average is around 
60 minutes. Film feature was 'Cyn- 
ara' (UA). which was backed up by 
a lively Pltts-Todd two-reeler, the 
newsreel, a long trailer for Ed 
Wynn, the organist's singing class 
and a brief overture. Well over 
three hours on the total. House 
two-thirds full at the first night 
show. Chic. 



AN ORCHID TO MR. WINCHELL WHO MEANT 

MARTY 

COLLINS 



AND 

HARRY 



PETERSON 

in "YOU'RE A WISE GUY" 

IiOEW^S STATE, NEW YORK 

LAST WEEK (FEB. 3) 



Golden Gate, Frisco 

San Francisco, Feb. 10. 

It's a pleasure to watch an m. c. 
who for once has this tough mob 
under control. Zizz Black in for a 
week following the lengthy stay of 
Horace Heldt. 

Maestro, who's a Frisco boy, pre- 
sided over a 14-piece pickup band, 
Just In for the substitute week, and 
put that gang through some stellar 
musical tricks. Show was a bit 
rough and band not spread out 
enough, but those defects were 
probably remedied after initial per- 
formance. Opened ' with shadow 
effects, then into a neat novelty 
tuiie, with all boys getting a break. 
After a niedley of pops Black 
brought out Shirley Aaronson, cute 
ingenue who won last year's RKO 
Opportunity contest. Toitngster did 
a song and soft shoe dance that 
clicked. An International rhumba 
done by five girls in solo hoofing 
built up. a punchy cloiser for Black's 
well .jrecelved session. 

Trixie Frlganza copped mazda 
honors, and on stage demonstrated 
she's still going strong. Did her 
usual routine, which Is quite fa- 
miliar here, and was awarded gen- 



erous applause. She did a walk nn 
in Black's rhumba finale that en* 
laughs. * * 

Croel and Allan, with man 
breakaway piano ahd girl a cut* 
singer and hoofer, opened strong 
and gradually petered out until their 
closing minutes barely gave them 
enough applause to reach the witiPR 
Couple need something as stronc Vq 
their opening to complete the turn 

Gordon Bros. (3) with a boxire 
kangaroo added a novelty touch tn 
the fro;ic. Chapelle and Carlton 
opened with a good aero act =n 
which male, lying down, holds 'eiri 
and meanwhile rolls up stairs, etc 
Loomis and Remy are dancers' who 
sing and do comedy but shouldn't 

Picture, 'They Just Had to Get 
Married' (U). Bock 

hdie's 5 Acts 



A circuit house In upstate New 
York, on being turned back to orig- 
inal owners, Immediately goes 
vaude. Jt's the Capitol, Illon, N. 
returned to Young Amusements by. 
Skouras Bros., ancl will' try five-act- 
blUs on Fridays and . Saturdays only. 
First show went In Friday (10).; 

Jack LInder, booking tli'on, also 
has the Royal, Port Jervis, N. 
for two-day vaude oh two' splits a 
week, Mondays; Tuesdays and "Fri- 
days, Saturdays. Initial bill went 
In Friday (10). 

LInder has nfflliated with a new 
Independent vaude agency In Bos- 
ton, Commonwealth agency, for New 
England territory. Boston agency, 
I with two weeks of time, is headed 
' by T. A. Howard and J. B. Wheeler. 




L6«w-rtYONS A LYONS 
(Matty Rosen) 



Direction 



RKO— CHA8. H. ALLEN 
(Curtis A Allen Offioe) 



General Sxecutive Offices 

LOEWBUIIDING 
AN N E X 

160 WESX 46^ ST* 

BRyant 9.7800 NEW YORK CITY 

J. H. LUBIN 

MARVIN H. SCHENCK 

BOOKmO ItAMAOBII 



TED 



BUD 



EDDY-BURTSON 

and Their WOR ORCHESTItA. 

ACADEMY, NEW YORK (Feb. 11-14) 

— OUR PAST RECORD— 
FRESH MEADOW COUNTRY CLUB 

RIVIERA ON THE HUDSON 

FELTMAN'S MAPLE GARDENS 



ADAM 



New Appearing for RKO 
Address VARIETY, New York 



ED WYNN 

DiGATANO 

CAPITOL, NEW YORK, NOW 

(Week Feb. 10) 



AMELIA 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



VARIETY 



41 



Variety Oills 

NEXT WEEK (February 18) 
THIS WEEK (February 11) 

Numerala In oonnectlon with billa belo\M IncI.eaU opentng day 
show, whether full or split week 




VKBT TOBK CITT 
'hobIo UaU <lfl) 

"John" Pearce 
Karia Samaon 
Patricia Bowman 
(Two to All) 
( 9 ) 

Amos 'n' Andy 
Patricia Bowman 
York & King 
John Upman 
Joanne Travero 
Bleanor Powell 
aiadyfl Haverty 
ACADBMT 
let half.(18r21) 
Nell Kelly 
Runaway Foulr 
Bob Herring Orcn 
(Two to fill) 

■t& half (22-24) 
Sylvia Frooa 
Art Landry Orch 
(Three to ftll) 

2d half (lB-17) 
Stanley Broa & A 



OBAND RAPIDS 
Uelth'8 

1st half (18-21) 
Llbonatl 3 
Wills & Davie 
Kitty Doner Co 
Bert Walton 
6 Buccaneers 

1st half (11-14) 
KlutlnRs' Co 
Ada Brown 
Joe Morris Co 
A & F I^ke 
Adler A Bradford 
HBMPSTRAD 
Rtvoll 

1st half (18-31) 
3 Olymplts 
Casa & L«hn 
Hobart Bosworth 
Sylvia' Clark 
RadloUtee. .■ 

1st half (11^-.14) 
Hazelle Se Klatoff 
Doris James 
Iiewla Mach .Co 



Now with " 

ED WYNN ^ 

at the Capitol, New York 
JACK PbWBLt 
GEORGE PRENtrCE 
Pi<U!«d by ' 
LEDDY & SMITH 



Tricey & Vlnette 
Tyler Mason 
Boiall's Paradise R 
Cosroopoinan 
lat half (11-14) 
Cedora 

Faber & Ford 
Daphne Pollard 
Songs & Satires 
BROOKLTM 
Albe« (18) 

Ulllan Shade 
Walter O'Keefe 
Howard Marsh Co 
Dave Harris 
(One to All) 
(11) 

Whiteelde, A A B 
Amaut Bros 
Gould . ft Robey 
Sylvia FrooB 
W Powell Orcb 

lYospect 

lat half (18-21) 
Frank^nberg 4 
Howard & Llnd 
J & K Bpangler 
Baron Surlanl 
(One to DID 

2d half (22-24) 
Buccaneers 
Lydell Macy ft C 
<Two to fill) 
. 2d half (16-17) 
Aladdin 
'Tabor & Frye 
Chas Kemper Co 
Ijeon Janney 
Xarres Noyes & !• 
ALBANY 
Palac« 

Ist half (18-21) 
Klles & Selgol 
Larry Rich Co 
<Three to flll) 

2d half (22-24) 
▲rnaut Broa 
Roscoo Ates 
(Three to fill) 

2d half (16-17) 
Teddy, Mary & B 
Joe Mollno Co 
Vaughn De Leath 
Hilton & Qaron 
Johnny Johnson Or 



Jordan & Woods 
4 Nelsons 

KANSAS CITT 
Molnstnet (18) 
Howard Sadelle ft B 
Walter Walters 
Bill Telaak Co 
Buddy Rogers 

(11) 
Campo Co 
Boice & Marafa 
Mel Klee 
Russ Columbo Orcb 
LTMBROOK 
Kelth'8 (19 only) 
3 Alvln Boys 
Rube Demareat 
(Two to flll) 
(12 only) 
Moran & Wlaer 
Olen Pope 
Reeves 4 
Paul Morton Co 
Qrey Fam 

MINNEAPOTJ8 
Orphemn (18) 
Olorla l«e .Co 
Bud Harris Co 
Madame 'V Schwarz 
Ray Bolger 
Ike Rose's Co 

(11) 
3 Relllys 
B ft J Browne 
Bernlce ft Bmlly 
Leavltt ft Lockw'd 
Flfl D'Oraay 
NEATARK 
Palace (18) 
Oracle Schenck Co 
Harry Burns Co 
'Voice of Experience 
John S Gambling 
(Two to fill) 

(11) 
Rio Rita Co 
NEW ORI^EANS 
State (18) 
Diaz ft Powers 
KIrby ft Duval 
Alice Joy Co 
JImmlo Save 
Adler ft Bradford 
(11) 

Olaen & Johnson 



OFFICIAL DENTIST TO THE N. V. A. 

DR. JULIAN SIEGEL 

1580 Broadway 
This Week: Harry Short, Ralph Saoford 



BOSTON 
Keith's (18) 
Alice & Sonny 
Ray Samuels 
Oambarelll 
(Two to nil) 
(11) 

Jflss Ch.-irllne Rev 
Lillian Shade 
Welst & Stanton 
Buck ft Bubbles 
KIkuta Japs 

CHICAOO 
Poloco (18) 
Detoregoes 
Garner Wolf ft H 
Aaronson Fayro Co 
Chic Sale 
Hudson Wondera 

Dawn Sla ft P C 
Boas & Bdwarda 
Gray ft Claire 
Walter O'Keefe 
L Armstrong Bd 
CIN'CINNATI 
Albee (18) 
4 Casting Pearls 
Stone & Gibbons 
Vic Oliver 
Bomby Co 
Will Mahoney 

June Purlans Co 
Herman Hyde Co 
Glory Leo Co 
Wills ft Davis 
4 Mills Bros 

CLEVELAND 
nippodrome (11) 
Detorogocs 
Al Vtrdl & Thelma 
Blac'-ntnno 

DETROT 
Kelth'8 (18) 
Klutlngs' Co 
Ada Brown 
Joe Morris Co 
A ft F Lake 
Betty June •Coo;>'>r 

Wing Wnh Tr 
Forsylhe S'm'n ft F 
Bomby Co 
Bert Walton 
mmacs Orch 



OM.VHA 
Keith's 

lat half (18-21) 
Campo Co 
Bolce ft Marsh 
Mel Klee 
Russ Columbo Or 
2d half (11-14) 
Gloria Lee Co 
BUI -Telaak Co 
Madame V Schwaz 
Ray Bolger 
Jack Gwynne Co 
PARK L/VNE 
Keith's (19 only) 
Connie & Uen 
Larry Rich 
(Three to fill) 
(12 only) 
Rlcardo 

Kllecn & Ilardeen 
Hobart Bosworth 
Fred Ardath 
Tom Pternfeld Co 
P.XTERBON 
Keitli's 
lat half (18-21) 

3 Whippets 
Sylvia Froos 
Marty May 
Yorke ft King 
(One to flll) 

2d half (22-24) 
Miles ft Selgcl 
Bob Hall 
Calif Collegians 
(Two to flll) 

2d half (16-17) 

4 Frankcnbergs 
Louis Zingona 
Ua))hne Pollard 
4 Eton Boya 
Dcvlto ft Denny Co 

PROVIDENCE 

Kcith'8 my 

Martin & Martin 
Berry Bros 
Welst ft Stanton Co 
Senator Murphy- 
Jlennff Uonova ft n 
(11) 

A ft S Mont 
Wl.ltnn Sla 
T.cwis ft Moore 
Britt Wood 
3 Swifts 



SCHENECTADY 

Keith's 
lat half (18-21) 
Walter Powell Or 
TORONTO 
Hippodrome (18) 
4 Nelsons 
Al Verdi Co 
Flfl D'Oraay 
Bob Murphy 
Jack Randall Co 
(11) 

3 French Misses 
Nash ft Fately 
Llta Oray Chaplin 
Chas 'Slim' Tlmblln 
Swan Lucille ft C 
TRENTON 
Capitol 

1st half (18-21) 
Arthur LeFleur 
(Three to flll) 
. 2d half (22-24) 
Aren ft Broderick 
Helen Menken 
PInkUs ft Sedley 
(One to flll) 

2d half (14-17) . 
M'rc'lle ft Williams 



Bertollno 
Larry Rich Co 
6 Avalons 

TROT 
Kelth'8 

let half (18-21) 
Hilton ft Garon 
Joe Mellno Co 
Teddy Mary ft B 
(Two to flll) 

2d half (22-24) 
Larry Rich Co 
(Four to flll) 

2d half (lB-17) 
James Evans Co 
Ann Lester 
Pllllard ft HlUler 
Charlie Masters Co 
WE6TWOOD 

Kltb'B (18 only) 
Connie ft Ben 
Larry Rich 
(Three to flll) 
(11 only) 
Rlcardo 

Klleeh ft Hardeen 
Hobart Bosworth 
Fred Ardath. 
Dorothy Martin Co 




OAKJLAND 
Orpheom (10) 

Varieties of 1933' 
Joe Phillips Co 
Lambertl 
Armando ft Llta 
Crane 2 
Behymer 6 

PHOENIX 
Fox (17) 

Hollywood Com' 
Teddy Joyce 
Walter Hlera 
'Snub' Pollard 
Four Normans 
Blossom Sis 
Mary Miles 
Cnthlecn Bessette 

SAN FRANCISCO 

Warfleld (10) 
'Snapshots' 
Stone ft Lee 
D ft H Murray 
Grace Du Faye 
Robert Williams 
Art ft Ben Mowatt 
Oscar Taylor 
Betz Blair 

ST. LODI8 
Fox (10) 

'Hot House' I 
Jackson ft Gardner 
Helen Howell 3 
Ite Paul 



Myrab Lang 
Sunklat Enu 

TORONTO 
Imperial (10) 

'Whoopee' I 

Buddy Doyle 

Bobbe Arnst 

Jane Leo 

John Rutherford 

Pietro Gontlll 

Carter De IlavOD Jr 

William Dyer 

Eddie Abdo 

Howard. Nugent 

Virginia L Douldin 

Juan Vlllasana 
VANCOUVER 
Orpheum (0) 

"Vancouver Follies' 

Buster Shaver Co 

Jed Dooley Co 

4 Trojans 

Ada Broadbent 

Lana Mauzey 
WORCESTER 
Poll (17) 

•Joy Dells' I 

King Bros & C 

Stetson 

Nadlne Gae 

T Atkins Boys 

Ann Roberts 

Sunklst Ens 



LONDON 



Week Feb. 13 



NEW YORK CITY 

Capitol (17) 
D ft B Barstow 
(Others to flll) 
Bonlevard 
1st halt (17-20) 
Leach, LaQulnlan 3 
4 Dough Boys 
Zelaya 

Seller ft Wills 

2d half (21-28) 
3 St. John Bros 
Eddie Parks Co 
The Hickories 
Emll Boreo 
Kennedy Marsh Co 
Orpheam 
1st half (17-20) 
Gilbert Bros 
Bob Fisher 
F ft J Hubert 
Chas Foy Co 
Bryant Rains ft T 

2d half (21-23) 
Janet May 
Gardner 4 
Freda ft Palace 
Hal Sherman 
Henry Bergman Co 

Paradise <17) 
Great Gretonas 
Sid Gary 

Lowe, Burnoft ft W 
Harry Savoy 
Friedland Revue 

State (17) 
Andressens 
Leon Navarro 
Medley ft Duprey 
Aunt Jemima 
Jans ft Whalen 
Freddy Rich Orch 
BROOKLYN 
Gates Ave. 

1st half (17-20) 
6 Arleya 
Gale ft Caraon 
Emil Boreo 
Rolaman'a Alab'lana 

2d half (21-23) 
3 White Flashes 
Helen Lynd 
Billy Farrell Co 



Zelaya 

Renoff, Renora ft B 
MdtropoUtaa (17) 
Ed Wyhn Co 

Valencia (17) 
Monroe, ft Grant 
Frances Arms 
ClifToi'd ft Marion 
Bill Robinspn 
Starnes ft Kover Co 

BAI.IXMORE 

Centory (17) 
Rector ft Doreen 
Andre Renaud 
A ft M Havel 
Bob Hope 
Britton Orch 

CLEVELAND 
State <17> 
Mills Bros 
Don Redman Orch 
Red ft Strugge 
Bar] Lattlmore 
Myra Johnson 
12 girls 

Pete Peaches ft D 
JERSEY OI'TY 
Loew'8 (17) 
Ruiz & Bonlta 
Colvert Irving ft H 
Billy Hallen 



Nicola 

MONTREAL 
Loew (17) 

Don Valerie 

Senorita Carlta 

2 Daveys 

Ann Codee 

B ft R Gorman 
NEWARK 
State (17) 

Gbezzis 

Roger Williams 
Smith ft Hart 
Nan Halperin 
Rosette ft Lutt'ann 
WASHINGTON 
Fax (17) 
Honey Fam 
Al Mamaux 
Rosa Wyae Jr 
Geo Olaen Orch 




ELIZABETH 

RItE 

1st half (17-20) 
Johnny Marvin Co 
Al K Hall 
(Two to flll) 

2d half (21-28) 
Runaway 4 
Georgle Price 
(Two to flll) 

1st half (10-13) 
HIte Kenny ft C 
Oliver Amb'se ft 8 
Reynolds ft White 
Nlckola 

2d half (14-16) 
Manny King Co 
Jordan ft Woods 
Bert Frohman 
ELMIRA 

Keeney (17-20) 
Stewart ft Violet 
Hilton ft Garron 
Runaway 4 

(10-13) 
3 Olympics 



2 Daveys 

Roxy LaRocca Co 
Seed ft London 
G ft P Magley 
PHTL.4DEI.PHIA 
Eerie (17) 
Kate Smith Co 

(10) 
Harris 2 ft L 
Honan ft Arden 
May ft Carroll 
Helen Kane 

3 Sailors 

WASHINGTON 
Earle (17) 

Casting Campi)ella 
Sid Page 
Gus Van 
Aristocrats 
(10) 
Robblns Fam 

4 Blondes 
Johnny Marvin Co 
Solly Ward 

Olga Baclanova Co 



Fanchon & Marco 



NEW YORK CITY 
Paramount (16) 

'Sally' 

Mary Eaton 
Jack Waldron 
T Roy Barnes 
Hal Young 
Miss Harriett 
George Guhl 
Horry Stafford 
Lela Bliss 
Jack Duffy 
Jack Egnn 

BOSTON 
Metropolitan (17) 
'Spotlights' I 
Charles Melson 
Irmanctto 
3 Bredwins 
Chalmers Ens 
BRIDGEPORT 
Poll (17) 
'Shanghai' I 
Long Tack Sam 
Ml-Na ft Nee-Sa L 
Sam Lohk 
Pan ft Chang 
Manc-hu 3 

BUFFAIX> 
Buffalo (17) 

'School Days' I 
Milton Douglas 
Mary Price 
Freddie Craig Jr 
Olllo Morosco 
Edna Sedgwick 
Charley Myers 
Bobby Bernard 
Muriel Moran 
Arlette Young 
O'Connor Bros 



Buster Kelm 

Dorothy Kelm 

Sue St. John 

E ft B Hershey 
DETROIT 
Fox (17) 

'Girl Trouble' I 

Chester Fredericks 

Warren Jackson 

Julia Curtis 

De Long Sis 

r;ali(ornia Redheads 

Joey Cey Lon 

Ottllle George 

6 Thoroughbreds 

Trouble Ens 

HARTFORD 
Capitol (17) 

'Irene' 

Kathryn Crawford 
Bobby Watson 
George Dobba 
Walter Regan 
George Ball 
Buddy Knrscn 
George Fox 
Sydni'y Rcynoldn 
Anolyn Arden 
Ruth Fay 
Betty Farrlngton 
Dorothy I>a Marr 
Wanda Allen 
Karscn ft Gretel 
NEW ORLEANS 

State (17) 
'Star Gazing' I 
Zelda Santley 
Judaon Coie 
Athcnas 
Muriel Gardner 
Collenette Ens 



Canterbury H. H. 

1st half (13-16) 
Co as booked 

2d half (16-18) 
Johnnie Jonea 
Co aa booked 

Kit Kat Best 

Sandler Bd 
Douglaa Byng 

New Victoria 
Tlplca Orch 

Palladium 
Cardini 
C S Melvln 
Max Miller 
Vardell Bros 
Nice, Florio ft L 
Loyal's Doga 
Kirkwhite ft Ad 
June Carr 
Lloyd Family 
Wright ft Marlon 

BRIXTON 
Astoria' 
Rosalind Ware 
12 Super Blondes 
Peter Bernard 
H ft M RIstorl 
DALSTOM 
Pletnr^ Honse ' 
Ralflnl Bd 

EAST HAM 
Premier 

Parsons Bd 

EDOEWATBB BD. 
Grand 

Tounkman Bd 

FIN8BDRY FK. 
Astoria 

'Happy Days' 
M ft H Nesbitt 



8 Astoria Girls 
4 Dennis Boys 



HOLBORN 
Empire 

Halg ft Escoe 
Hazel Mangean Gle 
Cottrlllos 
Fred Culpltt* 
Russell. M ft J 
Slate Bros 
Dick Henderson 
ILFORD 
Soper 
Parsons Bd 

KILIIURN 
Grange 
Tounkman Bd 
LEWISHAM 
Pala<:e 
Tom Lucas 

NEW CROSS 
Empire 
Karno'n 'Real Life' 

Kinema 
Billy Shenton 
OLD KENT ROAD 

Astoria 
Anniversary Week 
PECKHAM 
Tower 
CarellO' Bd 

Palace 
Billy Shenton 
SHEPHERD'S B'SH 

Pavilion 
Tarano ft Hard'ck 
STAMFORD HILL 

Regent 
Ralflnl Bd 

STREATHAM 
Astoria 
Berinoff ft C 
M Dore 7 

STRATFORD 
Empire 
G Barclay Co 
Kate Carney 
SYDENHAM 
Rink 
CarellO Bd 



Picture Theatres 



NEW YORK CITV 
Pwramonnt (0) 

Mae West 
George Mclexn 
Diamond Bros 
Cliff Edwards 
Done Him Wrong' 

RKO Roz}- (10) 
GambarelU 
Viola Phllo 
Paul Draper 
Child Manhattan' 

Roxy (10) 
Dave Schooler 
Cookie Bowers 
Max Co 

Gene Sheldon Co 
4 Albee Sis 
Sis ft B Roberts 
Terror Trail' 
BROOKLYN 
Paramount (0) 
Vivienne Segal 
Gun Shy 
Perry Askam 
'Done Him Wrong' 

B.\LTIMORE 
Hippodrome (10) 
Duncan Sla 



PROVINaAL 



Week February 13 



BRIGHTON 
Hippodrome 

Mm Jack Hylton Co 
BIRMINGHAM 
Hippodrome 

Blliott-Oitano Co 
B Dainty Maids 
Eileen Audry 
Michel ft Nan 
Sammy Shields 
Peters ft Billy 
Gertie Oitana 
O H Elliott 
Billy Danver 
Chester's Dogs 
GLASGOW 

Empire 
Hilton Sis 
Co as booked 

HULL 

Palace 
Derickson ft B Co 
Sylvia 
Mr Thomaa 
Greene Bros 
Donovan ft Hayes 
Yo-yo Contest 
Zanfrella 
Johnny Walker 



Thelmlna 

LEEDS 
Hippodrome 
Lew I>ake's Stars 
MANCHESTER 
Poramoont 
'Big Broadcast' 
Paul England 
C^rlyle Cousins 
Ronald Frankau 
NEWCASTLE 
Pornmonnt 
Cole Bros 
SOl'TH SHIELDS 

lamplre 
Mary Hagen 
Murray ft Mooney 
Carlton ft Nippers 
SUNDERLAND 
Empire 

Storks 

Tommy Dixon 
Muldoon ft O'Sbea 
Jean Kennedy 
Jean Florian 
Shaw ft Stanton 
Peter Fannan 
Layton ft J'nstone 
Ara ft Zetta 




NEW TOBK CITY 



Blltmore Hotel 

Paul Whltemao Or 
Jane Vance 
Red McKenzle 
Peggy llealy 
Irene Taylor 
Jack Fulton Jr 
Ftamona 

Central P'k Casino 

>Iorton Downey 
Ed<fy Duchin Orch 

Club Hoytalr 

Millard ft Anita 
Oscar Davis 
Margie Landy 
Madiyn Moore 
Beth Cannon 
Lee 

Al Crawford Orch 
S Mayfair Beauties 

Ck>nnle'8 Inn 

Cora Green 
Bobby Evans 
Jazzllpa Richardson 
P ft B Meerea 
Emma Smith 
Bessie Dudley 
Lillian Cowan 
Red ft Struggle 
Simms ft Bowie 
Loulee Cook 
Willie Jackson 
Lucky Seven 3 

Cotton Clob 

Aida Ward 
Henri Weasel 
Swan & Lee 
Anise Doyer 
Roy Atkins 
Peaohea ft Duke 
Brown ft McGraw 
Nicholas Bros 
Leitha Hill 
Cab Calloway Orch 

Clob RIchman 

Jack 0.«terman 
Rlbhman Rev 
Jerry Freeman Or 



Arthur Brown 
C ft C Herbert 
Francis Faye 

El Chlco'8 

Duran ft Moreno 
Lorenzo Herrera 

El Flamengo 

Al Valencia Orcb 
El Flanionclto 
Nina ft Moreno 
Marquita Flores 
Ignaclo Rufflno 
Marta de la Torre 
Accordion Luia 

El Patio 
Beatrice Lillle 
Fontana ft Coles 
Endor ft Farrell 
Henry King Or 

Embassy Club 
Georges Metexa 
D ft D FItzglbbon 
Loom is 2 
H Rosenthal Ore 
Don Carlos Ore 

Gypsy Trail 

Baroness Erzsl 
Louis Hegedush 
Ethel Pastor 
Kokosch Gypsy Or 
H'lyw'd R'staurant 
Fowler ft Tamara 
Collette Sis 
Frank Hazzard 
Blanche Dow 
4 Climas 

Marciucrite ft Loroy 
Theo Phane 
Barbara lilane 
Jean Muna 
Ahl 

Vercell ft RInnott 
Gladys I^esiie 
Iris Adrian 
Marian Martin 
Isham Jones Orch 

Hotel Lexington 
Don Bestor Orcb 



Jerry Co 

Smith, Rog*-rs & E 
Ro>ni I'yonos 
JCiilor ft lleod Co 
•Pnr;u'hute Jumper' 

BOSTON 
Metropnlltun (10) 
'Joy Dolles' 
King Hros ft C 
Stetson 
Nading Gae 
Tommy Atkins Co 
Ann Roberts 
Sunklst Ens 
PHILADKLPUIA 

Fox (10) 
Dave Appolon 
Danzl Goodel 
Nora Williams 
'State Fair' 

Keith's (10) 
'Hollywood Rev' 
Deniarest Sis 
Cost el lo ft I>ee 
G ft M Green 
3 Byrne Sis 
Don Santos Co 
Lewis ft Ames 
•Wu Sin' 



I|Inyfalr Yacht Clab 

Ross ft Sargent 
Meyer Davis Orch 

Hotel Hontclair 

Charley Eckels Or 

Monte Cario 

Val Vestoft 
Vlto ft Plrl 
Donald Burr 
Medisca .ft Mlchnell 
Dorothy Dell 
Jaincs Hall 
Ethel Ants 

Nat dab 
:lack White 
Jerry Bergen 
Lulu Bates 
Brooke Adams 
Bill Spencer 
Blanche Latcll 
Dorothy Maxine 
Al Parker 
Jimmy Murphy 

3 'Blake Bis 
Lew Dolgoff 

Joe Haymes Orch 

Paradise 
N T O ' Rev 
Cantor's Beauts 
Abe Lyman Orch 
' Panunonnt Giill 

Ted Healy Co 
T Hanahan Oro 

Park Central Hotel 

Ruas Columbo Orcb 
Hannah Williams 

Farlic Central 
Freddie Martin Or 
Frances Langford 
Rachel Carlez 

4 Siz^lers 
Charmel 
Selbys 

Place Plgalle 

Peggy de Albrew 
Veloz & Yoianda 
B Madreguera Orch 
D Alberto Tangoists 



Hotel Pennsylvania 
Ted Wecme Orch 
Roosevelt Hotel 

Guy Lombardo' Or 

Russian Arts 

Joe Morantz Orcb 
Renee ft Lauta 
Ntckola's Haddrlcb 
Barra Blra ' ' 
Mi|Sha Usanoff 

St. Regis Hotel 

Anson Weeks Orcb 

Small's Paradise 

'Black Rhythm' R 
Nyra Johnson 
Meers ft Norton 
3 Speed Dernons 
Geo Walker 
Wm Spellmap 
3 Palmer "Bros 
May Alex 
Mabel Scott 
Roy White 
Dorothy Turner 
Chas Johnson Orcb 

Taft Grill 

Geo Han Orcb 

The Csarda 

Karoly Bencze 
Zslga Bela 
Mme Ilona deThury 
ICaroly Nyaray 

Village Bam 

Broolt Adams 
Val Vestoft 
Floria Vestoft 
Eddie Ray 
Kris Gerald 
T & F Hoag 
Byrnes ft Swanaon 
Slave Dance 
Molly MacGovem 
Joe Furst's Orcb 

Waldort-A8t<wia 

Nina Loughlin 
Jack Denny Orcb ' 



CHICAGO 



Blacbbawk 

Rose ft Ray Lyte 
Deane Janis 
Hal Kemp Orcb 

Bismarck 

Ann Greenway 
Donna ft Darrell 
Jean ft Joan 
Frieda Sullivan 
Art Kassel Orch 

Bine Grotto 
Tina Tweedle 
Marjorle Tate 
Marge ft Marie 
Honey Sis 
Jean Miles 
Jackie Daw Orcb 

Cafe DeAlex 

Alfredo ft Dolores 
Marie de la Vega 
Leola Ackman 
Enrico ClausI 
Dennis O'Neil 
B Hoffman Orch 
ChoE I^i'ee 

Collette Sis 
Bryan McDonald 
Helen Wherle 
Caston Llbby ft K 
Georgle Taps 
Edith Grifflth 
Ben Pollock Orcb 

College Inn 
Fawn ft Jordon 
Jackie Heller 
Pat Barnes 
4 Abbotters 
Ben Bernle 

Congress Hotel 

Baron ft Blair 
Katya Llbby ft C 
Robert Royce 
Lopez Orch 

Frolic's 
Tex Gulnan Gang 
Florence Barlow 
Ralph Cook 
Yvonne Douvler 



June Carroll 
Bernle Marshall 
Easter ft Hazelton 
Dick Lane 
Dick Rock Orch 

Playsronnd 
Eddie Clifford 
Vaughn 61s 
Julia Lyons 
Robinson A Lonise 
June Hurley 
Norma Ballard 
Carl Lorraine Orch 

Paramount 
Anita LaPlerre 
Mary Nolan 
Peggy Moore 
Genevieve Moore 
Billy Carr 
Mary Neville 
Syd Lang Orch 

Terrace Gardens 

Paul Sla 
Mayfleld 3 
The Daniels 
Alice Blue 
Al Kvale Orcb 

Vanity Fair 
ClifT Wlnehin 
Alexander ft S 
Doris Lenlhan 
Bobbie Cook 
Phil Sax Orcb 
Via Lago 

Jackie Hamlin 
Todd Sis 
Paula Tymes 
Wlkl Bird 
Al Handler Bd 

Winter garden 
Buckley ft Bennett 
Miss Lydla 
liOvey Twins 
Joreska ft Lydla 
Frankle Masters Or 

100 Club 
La Mignon 
Johanna Nagle 
Jimmy Noone Orch 



ROXY, N. Y. 

(Continued from page 13) 

85c. for it In the old days. The 25c 
attitude may be different. 

Cookie Bowers was easily the 
head man amonf: applause getters 
Friday night. Recently he played 
two or three other Broadway houses 
and did well enough to make the 
bookers forget about opposish. 
Cookie's act consists of portraits and 
vocal Imitations of barnyard fowls, 
a man getting up in the morning and 
an old Jewish lady In a swimming 
pool. What it takes besides nerve 
Is more nerve. They ate him up 
here. 

More to see and less to hear 
work.s less of a hardship on the big 
Roxy's audiences. In order to talk 
the acts must use the mike. That's 
why Bowers did best with his panto- 
mime and why the other comedy 
att mpts on this Hhow were made 
with actions rather than words. 
Gene Sholdon, who saw Harry 
Lan^'lon once and c.'in't forget it, 
takes falls and got.s hin flnger.s 



caught In a banjo. He whips the 
latter for a finish. Straight woman 
assists. Max of Max and His Gang 
is doing more acrobatics than dog 
act now, but the dogs me still the 
act, well trained and lianilled by 
M.-xx. 

l-\)iir Albee Sisters, wlioso appear- 
ance Is their best point, do harmony 
sijiging and one InstrunnMital bit. 
They'i-e billed as 'TomDirow's Bos- 
well tfisiers' on the premise that to- 
morrow never comes. Sis and Buddy 
Roberts, In one fast double number, 
and Juanita Richards and Boys, 
adagio troupe, take care of the spe- 
cialty dancing end. Petite Mlsa 
Richards files through the air from 
partner to partner in the customary 
adagio manner. Some time ago, 
when every bill had Its adagio act, 
the edge wore off. Sameness elimi- 
nated all of them, but after about a 
year the tossing busln(^,ss looks set 
for a comeback. Miss Richards as 
a flier rates tops. 

The Gae Foster line of girls has 
three spots, two of them novelties 
out of F. & M..units. First, In which 
some of the girls wear dog costumes, 
give Max's Gang a good build-up. 
Other is a tom-tom routine in which 
the_ heavy drums, one for each girl, 
preclude chances for-much stepping. 
They return for a toe ballet. 

Schooler next-to-closes the 24-. 
piece stage banpl's spot with his 
piano solo. Smart staging helped, 
to make the baqd look larger than 
it Is and mana«red to. ilU up this 
huge stage surprisingly well. But 
for a small pneumatic platform that 
holds a piano, the former Grand 
panyon orchestra pit is now cov- 
ered over with stage boards. All 
acts use the .front section and it 
brings them up close. Formerly all 
acts at the Roxy were working In 
Jersey • City. ■ • Sige. 



CASINO, FRISCO 

San Francisco, Feb. 9. 

Glen Rice set a hooking precedent 
with his Beverly Hill Billies when 
he booked his radio-record act into 
the downtown Casino and nabor- 
hood Royal for. same two days. 
Casino is operated by Irving Acker- 
man (formerly Ackerman & Harris) 
while Royal is under Nasser Bros. 

Hill Billies, who played downtown 
at the Warfleld for Fox several 
months ago, did business here. Out- 
fit has played almost everything In 
northern California, working 68 days 
out (rf 61, which in these days, is 
not only a record but a career. 

Hill Billies record for Brunswick. 
Theirs is not nasal, twangy music 
but subdued and pleasing. Rice In 
dude garb lendis plenty of show- 
manly touches io the entire turn, 
aiding a whip cracker who's a re- 
cent addition to the act and intro- 
dubing an o,k&y kid guitarist and 
yodeler and a capable cornetlst. 

Biz capacity thld night show with 
house drawlnir 2Bc top for Hill 
Billies and a pair of features. 

Bock 



Vaude's 100 Weeks 



(Continued from page 37) 

the possibilities of additional time 
coming in from Independents not 
listed. 

How It Figures 

The savings on indie operation as 
against circuit control, all of which 
can do vaude no harm, range from 
local expenses to home office 
contributions and amortizations 
through which theatre costs have 
mounted to ruinous heights under 
recent chain operation. Costs of 
union help necessary in the presen- 
tation of vaude or any type of stage 
show, can also be lowered consid- 
erably by the indies, it is known. 

Anothei; problem to be solved by 
the prospective indie vaudfllm op- 
erators concerns picture costs and 
rentals. In the time they have 
spent with the circuits, the return- 
ing Indlo managers have learned 
more than ever the true valuation 
of pictures to the theatre gross. 
Film's Valuation 

Theatres that formerly grossed 
$15,000 with vaudfllms and playing 
pictures on percentage saw the 
film's share of that gross Jump to 
$2,000. and $3,000. When the vaude 
was tossed out and the grosses 
slumped the pictures on the same 
percentage got only $800. Since 
the picture was on its own then, 
the $800 it drew for Itself was all 
It was worth In any house the man- 
agers believe. 

In dropping vaude to reduce their 
own losses chain theatres Inadvert- 
ently cut down their own picture 
producing subsidiaries' Income, since 
reduced grosses brought reduced 
percentage rentals. 

The anticipated '^aude ' revivals 
through establishment of new play- 
ing time is not expected to involve 
time in the circuit theatres, or those 
theatres remaining under circuit 
operation. Circuit overhead wUl 
continue to apply for them and cir- 
cuit overhead is not amenable to 
stage expenses. 



42 



VARIETY 



EDITORIAL 



Tuesdaj, Februarjr 14, I933 



Trade Hark Befflstered 

Pabllslied U'eokly b7 VABIETT, Inc. 

Sid Silverman, Prealdcnt 
1S4 West 46th Street New Tork City 



SUBSCRIPTION 

Annual %6 Foreign $7 

Single Copies 16 Cents 



Vol. 109 



120 



No. 10 



15 YEARS AGO 

(From 'Variety" and 'Clipper') 



Shuberts and Klaw A Erlanger 
were fixing their fences. Both out 
after Indie producers to strengthen 
their lineups. Start of a finish flght 
In which both llnished. 



Theatre shutdowns on Tuesdays 
to conserve coal were ended by fuel 
administrator. 



•Smileage* books were belne sold 
friends of enlisted men, good at any 
camp theatre. 



Another phase of war troubles 
was song copyrights. Songs had to 
be placed on sale simultaneously in 
all countries where copyrighted. 
Ocean transportation was slow and 
it sometimes took two months to 
distribute copies instead of the for- 
mer 10 days. 



Distributors checked film thefts 
by supplying the government with 
lists of titles and their owners. For- 
elgrn shipment by others required 
proof of ownership. Helped stop 
duping, too. Most of the stuff went 
to South America. 



Movement was started to hire di- 
rectors by the picture and not by 
the year. 



Paramount ofBclal denied com 
pany was building up a theatre 
chain. 'We are manufacturers and 
distributors exclusively,' he stated, 
^nd intend so to remain*. 



Actors were planning a new club. 
One of the by-laws was prohibition 
of show talk in the club house. Too 
big a handicap. 



Alan Dale signed a contract to do 
a second play for Morosco. His first 
was holding up nicely in Its N. T. 
run. 



Police were having one of the 
Sunday show spasms. Visited the 
shows during the week and told the 
manager which acts went out Sun- 
day. Mostly dancers and acrobats 
got the gate. 



Inside Stitf— Pictores 



Reason that Fox's 'Cavalcade' so closely follows %ho London stage 
production Is Noel Coward, its author. Prior to the sale being completed 
the author inserted a clause in the agreement specifying that the film 
parallel the stage presentation almost all the way. It also explains the 
Frank Borzage unit's trip abroad to camera the stage show as presented 
there. The Borzage reels. Incidentally, were screened In New York Fox 
projection rooms lately for those sufficiently interested. 

Further research on the subject also reveals the cause as to why 
Borzage, after having made the ocean Jaunt to film the play, was taken 
olt the picture and Frank Lloyd substituted as director. This was a 
difference of opinion between Borzage and Winnie Sheehan as to treat- 
ment. The director and his co-workers insisted that a. precautionary 
measure should be an American cast of standard 'names' for insurance. 
Sheehan couldn't agree and insisted that the picture bo 100% British or 
nothing. So by the time Lloyd got around to 'Cavalcade' it was already 
$200,000 on the nut. 

Around and amongst the Fox bunch credit for the picture is generally 
being split three ways— Mrs. B. R. Tinker, Sheehan, and Lloyd. Mrs. 
Tinker, wife of the former Fox president, figures because it was she 
who cabled a buy recommendation to her husband after witnessing the 
spectacle In London and supplementary discussions about it with Coward. 
Mrs. Tinker's pick is considered the more remarkable as, having little 
or no show experience, It was In direct contrast to the Judgment of vet- 
eran showmen who had previously rendered their no verdict on 'Caval- 
cade' for America either as to screen or stage. Besides which practically 
all Fox men were afraid of It and, with a prayer, tore into it to salvage 
as much as they could from a high cost and supposed dud left over ttom 
the previous regime. 

All of which goes to make another point for those who contend that 
practically all of the film industry's successful |2 pictures have been 
'accidents'— or films which started out merely as ordinary program pic- 
tures and developed Into road shows in the making. They'll trace this 
back for you through the years to 'The Big Parade', 'Covered Wagon' 
and 'Birth of a Nation*. 



Stage show at the R. C. Music Hall <Feb. 2-S) uncovered treadmills 
and horses for the first time in years in the big New Tork film theatres. 
Publix once had a unit which used ponies and the old Roxy had one of 
the caterpillar contrivances on which to walk its people^ but the folks 
haven't had a look at the old fashioned effeict in a long while. And it 
looked Just as good as ever. 

Maybe that was because the Music Hall gave it a twist. Using three 
two-horse chariots, the mills were pulled from behind a set piece, turned 
downstage toward the audience and then turned again as U to exit Into 
the wings from which they had emerged. Old way was to Just let the 
animals run in profile to the audience. 

Effect was staged as a prolog to 'Sign of the Cross* (Par) with the 
house adhering to the Rothafel theory of dropping the scrim on the stage 
finale to catch the picture's title while rostrum action continues with 
lighting from the front cut off but pouring forth from the sides. The 
Music HaM, however, apparently found the scrim dovetailing a bit awk- 
ward due to the necessary slowness In dropping the theatre*B big screen. 
It forced the scrim to stay down until the feature was past its titles and 
into the action, besides which the production staff dispelled some of the 
Illusion by running people on to the stage on the audience side of the 
transparency. 

It remains a corking and showmanly effect first Introduced, as far as 
known, by Rothafel at the New York Capitol tor Mary Plckford's 'Roslta*. 



Since the first of the year 31 stock 
companies had been opened and 
more were coming. No transpor- 
tation problem helped. 



50 YEARS AGO 

(From 'CM'>per') 



There were 14 free vaudeville 
shows In San Francisco, the revenue 
coming from refreshments served. A 
record number, though idea com- 
mon. 



Dan Costello was planning a cir- 
cus to be called the Nickel Plate 
shows. First use of this title. 



•Clipper* replying to a fat 
woman's question added 'there are 
two kinds of weight; actual and 
professional'. 



St. Louis managers were worried. 
Theatrical shows on Sunday had 
been tolerated, but It was feared 
that boxing and wrestling matches 
would put all amusements out of 
business, 



Fanny Davenport bought the 
American rights to Sardou's > "Fe- 
dora', supposed reserved for Bern- 
hardt, who had done it in Paris. 
Bernhardt later played it over here 
In French. 



Le.ster Wallack sued the Mt. 
Morris, Harlem theatre, for the re 
mainder of his salary. Promised 
$2,000 a week but got only $1,250 
Manager said that was all the house 
took In. Only legit theatre in 
Harlem. 



Columbia Pictures had a clause in its contract with the new manage- 
ment of the old Roxy, New York, that Columbia's "Devirg Command' 
could not play the old Roxy unless the scale reached 66 cents. With the 
Roxy scale as at present 26-36 the booking had to be switched, with 
Universal's Tom Mix western going in currently instead. 

While a couple of the chains had protested against the Roxy scale and 
Its 10-cent give-away toothpaste gag by warning independents not to 
permit the old Roxy to play their features under penalty of having their 
product cut out on the chains, that the Mix picture is a western prob- 
ably saved it from being among those barred. None of the chain houses 
In New York are exclusively playing westerns. 

Leaving the old Roxy groping for any kind of a feature picture each 
week Is handicapping it to an extent on the film end, although the house 
management of Harry Arthur and Mike Marco believe that their stage 
show at the scale of 25-35 is sufficient. Still they will continue to use 
the feature pictures that may be secured with possibly foreign features 
sandwiched in among those of the native Independents. 

Notwithstanding Columbia demanding a 66c price at any first-run 
house In New York before its feature can be shown, there is a story in 
this week's "Variety' to the effect that Columbia's 'Night Mayor' is play 
Ing as a first run at the Seventh St., Minneapolis, which has a day-time 
10c admission In Its scale. 



Broadway showmen, psychologists at times, have figured that Radio 
City has one Important factor to contend with — ^the weather. This, the 
Broadway boys claim, was proved last week when the cold wave hit 
town, with people not wanting to brace winds by walking way over to 
6th avenue. It Is claimed by the big street showmen, also, that business 
drawn by Radio ' City from 6th avenue and the shopping crowd that's 
strolling around. Is affected by Inclement weather. 

According to checks last Friday morning. Radio City wasn't getting 
the early bird mat trade as strongly as it had up to then, while some 
of the Broadway theatres were doing better morning trade than usual 



Inside Stuff— Radio 



(Continued from page 82) 

cided to give ether recognition to the concert pianist. Move was motl. 
vated by the discovery that Ernest Hutcheson, pianist, and his concert 
orchestra on CBS Sunday nights, has built up the largest listening fou 
lowing of Its kind for the week rating second to the New York Phllharl 
monlc broadcast. 

NBC found that the Hutcheson program has been gathering consider,, 
able comment, around the country and to counteract both the rcsultlne 
listener popularity and publicity, the NBC program department picked 
Lhevlnne as the name around which to frame a similar session. 



Amos 'n' Andy started in show business from Peoria, ni., and Rich, 
mond, Va., respectively, whore both were picked up as ambitious amal 
teurs by Joe Brenner. Joe, in those days, did a thriving business stagl 
ing home talent entertainments for Elks lodges, etc. 

Brenner boarded his assistants lavishly, but t>aid off In compliments. 
Correll and Gosden have since humorously claimed that Brenner, now 
in the band booking business, owes htm 10 years' back wages. 



Chances are that when Bing Crosby leaves for Hollywood, to fill an 
April 1 studio date with Paramount, his connection with Chesterfield 
will have been terminated. 

Although the Paramount contract stipulates payment of all extra 
wire charges for a network, the tobacco firm has expressed itself in 
favor of having Crosby's programs originate from CBS In New York. 
Warbler's Chesterfield contract has six weeks td go 



Application for a receivership over Paramount Fubllx assets In New 
Jersey was thrown out on Par's representation that company has no 
assets In that state. Action was brought In Newark before Judge Fake 
by a bondholder shortly before Publix abandoned operation of the Wal 
ter Reade houses. 

Paramount has an Interest In a few houses in New Jersey In the At- 
lantic states setup, but has nothing to do with administration or opera- 
tion of these theatres. They are operated by the Adams Bros, with home 
ofUce supervision from the Skouras Bros. Theatres include Paramount 
Newark. 



John R. Freuler's demands for major studio stars in his $15,000 melo- 
dramas has left him with but one producer to help complete his program 
for Freuler Film Associates. With Ralph Like lined up to make prob 
ably only one picture, Freuler contemplates doing his own filming, and 
has placed his coast rep, Edward Manson, in charge of production. 

When indie producers discovered that Freuler wasn't gagging in his 
demands for Low Ayrcs and other players of that caliber, they dropped 
all negotiations with him. 

Burton King, who made nine for Freuler, finally split with the latter 
over the champagne demands on the 15 grand budgets. 



Minnie Maddern tried out new 
play, 'The Storm Child', but floppo. 
Crude melodrama. She went back 
to "Fogg's Ferry'. 



Manager was offering $225,000 for 
McVIcker's theatre, Chicago. For 
the building only, on a ground rent. 
McVlcker held out for $345,000. 



Ely Culbertson, the contract bridge expert, had the Radio studio execs 
up a tree as a result of his prima donna tactics while working on his 
•Kridge Classic' shorts. He Is said to have told the officials how he 
wanted the set lighted and how the picture should be directed. In addi- 
tion, he demanded the right to okay each sequence of the story before 
It was filmed. 



Discovering that only 34 of its total membership of 112 arc studio 
press ageiitf", the V.':;mpas faction that sought the elimination of free 
lance p. n.'s and ottiorr; not working In the studio publicity departments 
from t'.;o or.";;r.i:7T:inn, lias ciiiietly abandoned its plans. It was felt that 



Chicago 'Tribune's' WGK accepted the Edwin C. Hill program of 
Socony from Columbia only after considerable consideration. WGN was 
loath to take Hill, figuring he was to be sold as a newspaper personality 
and that the 'Tribune' had plenty of Journalistic celebs of Its own to pub. 
licize without taking easterners. 

However, on CBS assurance that Hill was not to be emphasized or sold 
on that angle WGN found a spot and took the program. 



It's become the NBC policy, as frequently commented upon in the 
broadcasting trade, to wait and see how a new sustaining attraction on 
Columbia fares. If an outstanding click NBC then scouts around for 
something to toss into the ring as competition. 

Case In point is the introduction of Cesare Sodero on a late NBC eve* 
ning concert series after Columbia had built up with Howard Barlow's 
symphony orchestra. 



After the window-cards had been distributed, Loew's State, New Yorlc, 
learned that Colonel Stoopnagle and Budd had been billed as an NBC 
presentation. Same billing, 'NBC Presents,' had been printed on the 
one-sheets, but these were caught before the poster crew started slap- 
ping them up. 

CBS Artists' Service demanded that tlie mistake be taken care of all 
along the line, but the window cards stayed as is. 



Hook-up which 'March of Time' has with Western Union means, be- 
sides the air mention, an agent's commission to the telegraph company 
on every subscription so placed. 

Arrangement Is now about three weeks old and has the radio program 
Informing listeners they can subscribe to 'Time' by calling any W, U. 
station. All Western Union offices now weekly get copies to make a 24- 
hour first delivery to the subscriber. 



Only relative William S. Paley has on the CBS payroll Is Bernard 
J. Proctor, assistant program director. Proctor, who started with the 
network three and a half years ago, as a typist of production reports, 
hails from Chicago, where the Paley clan has an extensive membership. 

Other relatives have since repeatedly tried to crash the network gate 
but without avail. 



Coast's nine oil companies, bankrolling around a million dollars' worth 
of western network programs, are hopefully seeking a new type of enter- 
tainment. Thrillers, serials and variety shows constitute the present 
menu, without exception. Despite the admitted need for something dif- 
ferent, none know which way to turn and are continuing to audition 
the same brand of stuff that's already overflowing on tlie ether lanes. 



KFI, once considered the class Los Angeles station, has been compelled 
to remove its ban against using records after 6 p. m. 

Station, keenly feeling competition from the other L. A. broadcasters, 
is now using a disc serial on one of the evening spots, previously con- 
sidered choice time at that outlet. 



to throw out two-thirds of its membership might destroy the organiza- 
tion. 

Wampas membership currently is comprised of 26 unemployed, nine 
out of town, six In theatre work, 15 free lancers and 22 In studio exec 
berths, or in other lines divorced from studio press agonting. 



An efficiency expert in one of the New York exchanges, digging for 
'unsold possibilities' found one away out on Long Island and had a sales- 
man assigned to go out to sell it. House was listed as the Graham, 
Garrltson Beach, L. I. 

Salesman drove out in his car. He finally found the theatre but It 
was surrounded by water as part of a development started in boom 
times and abandoned. 

No exhib in sight. 



Metro is exercised by the appearance of a number of nude girls' photos 
in a number of so-called 'art magazines', credited as being Metro photos, 
with nothing much the company can do about it. 

Some years back a number of these pictures were made of unknowo 
girls for publication in South American papers, where they went for that 
sort of thing and where the studio signature was considered a help. 
Now the American papers that lUce pictures like that are copying them 
from the foreign mags and taking over credit line and all. 



A major studio recently gave a contract to a contest winner, calling 
for one year without options at $200 weekly. Contract was made by the 
studio attorney, with company now contending that a six-month ticket 
at $100 weekly should have been enough until the grirl had proven herself 
suitable screen material. 



A high labor leader has Invited an Important Indie exhib leader, known 
for his aggressive and successful stand against certain union formulas, 
to spend a couple of days with him. The meeting comes off soon and Its 
outcome may have far-rcachlng effects in relations between unions and 
the theatres throughout the country. 



Mrs. James Beck, wife of the Hays office rep in London, has not be- 
come picture critic for the London 'Daily Express,' as reported. Slie 
was approached on, the job, but-haau't decided one way or the other, 
with likelihood said to be she'll turn It down. 



RKO and Par's cash position must be fairly liquid, at least as fnf 
film buying is concerned. 

Both are paying off their film rentals not only currently but taking up 
arrears at almost a normal pace. 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



LECITIM ATE 



VAJUETT 



43 



Take a Chance' Cntting Top to $3.30, 
Leaving 'Design' Alone with $4.40 



Although business on Broadway 
; Tvas distinctly oft last week mostly 
' because ot weather conditions, con- 
■ tlnued further favorable reaction 
was noted In ticket circles on the 
; reduction of box office prices. It 
' iB believed that <4.40 top for ticli- 
ets 1b passe and no show can hold 
to that scale for more than eight 
weeks. There may be some devia- 
tion in exceptional cases or if con- 
ditions become better, but that ap- 
plies for this season and probably 
lor the next year. 

There are but two shows with 
a $4.40 top on the boards — 'Design 
For Living' and 'Take a Chance.* 
letter is the leading musical and 
•Dpslgn' the dramatic top-liner. 

'Chance* has definitely decided to 
cut the ticket scale .to $3.30 top and 
may do so shortly «tfter Washlng- 
r ton's Birthday (22). The Improved 
attendance for 'Music In the Air' 
since it dropped to $3.30 has been 
; considerable. Gross has not jumped, 
i but the show is playing to more 
\ people and its run chances are en- 
i hanccd. 

Only show in sight pi-oposlng a 
$4.40 top is the coming 'Strike Me 
Pink' which Is booked into the 
large Majestic. Before the show 
opens, however, the management is 
expected to follow the trend to- 
wards three dollars top for music- 
als. 



Cops Convoy Opera Mgr. 
Past Unpaid Singers 

Milwaukee, Feb. 13. 
When he was unable to pay sal- 
aries of the Boston English Opera 
company following two weeks of 
dollai' opera at the Pabst, manager 
Edward Beck had to ask for police 
protection against the unpaid sing- 
ers. 

The first uprising was in the the- 
atre and was renewed in the lobby 
of the Wisconsin hotel when one of 
the tenors tried to prevent Beck 
from leaving for Chicago. Two de- 
tectives In a squad car saw that 
Beck reached the depot. 

The company is said to have had ' 
its hotel bills paid for two weeks, j 
but Beck was unable to settle for | 
the final seven days. 



Poric Pays for Beans 



Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 

John H. Dilson, stage direc- 
tor of tlie Bainbridge company 
at the Shubert, is plugging 
pork products for a packing 
concern over the radio every 
morning as an outside activity 
which nets him a goodly sum. 

Dilson writes the 'continuity' 
extolling the virtues of his 
company's meats and does the 
spieling, too. 



HND PROFIT IN 
FORGOTTEN 
TANKS 



FIRST FOREIGN TROUPES 
ON SUBSCRIPTION UST 



For the first time. a foreign troupe 
; will appear in the American Drama 
Society subscription theatres. It is 
the Colburne and Jones company 
which toured Canada, coast to coast 
and is now playing western U. S 
stands, presenting 'The Queen's 
Husband' and 'To True To be Good.' 
: Attraction will go into the Plym- 
outh, Boston, early next month for 
two weeks. If successful there, 
Baltimore and Washington will fol- 
low. Both plays were seen on 
Broadway, but out of town show- 
ings were limited. 

The Drama Society is a combina- 
tion of the Theatre Guild, Shubert 
I and Erlanger subscription groups. 
[ It has been hard put in selecting 
! attractions for subscribers. For one 
1 thing the Guild Is behind In its pro- 
1 duction schedule. Attractions by 
independent producers were antici- 
pated, but few have been deemed 
suitable for the subscription time. 

The out-of-town subscription 'cir- 
cuit' looked good to independent 
managers last season because of 
\ the guaranteed gi'osses. It was less 
f attractive this season because the 
! percentage to the oiitside shows was 
j decreased and the charge made by 
ithe society was jacked up. Under- 
J etood that several managers re- 
' fused subscription booking offers. 



NEWSPAPER FEUD 



Lincoln Stock Pulls Adv. and Pans 
Press in Hand Bills 



Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 13. 

Glenray Comedy company (stock) 
opening at the Liberty Tuesday 
night (7) got off on the wrong foot 
with the newspapers the following 
day when the reviews came out. 
Result is that all advertising has 
been withdrawn and press passes 
taken up. Company intends to re- 
sort to hand bill and shopper guide 
ads exclu.oively. 

Ray Weaver, comp.iny manager, 
signed 20,000 handbills to be distrib- 
uted about the city panning the 
local press. Outlook of the com- 
pany is Just so-so at the bargain 
top of the 3Bo. and the first two 
nights going two-for-one. 



BOOKINa SPUET IN HUB 

l^oston, Fob. 13. 

I-*glt booklntjs Ijiings to tlic Col- 
onial Tallulah Bankliead in 'Kor- 
eaklng All Others' tonight n3); 
next Monday, to Plymouth, 'The 
Qvieen's HuHlmnd,' coming In tlircc- 
day jump from AVinnipog; Poal)ody 
iPlayhouse tonight, 'Shall AVc Join 
tl^e Ladips?'; same ihoatro next 
Monday, 'Miss Lulu Pctf; whilo 
Copley oxtonds Trinco oC- rilsm' 
Second week, and follows noxt Mon- 
day with revival of 'The Cfislia.' 

Mary Duncan and Ian Keith, lat- 
ter a particular fave hei-e. are hiIpk- 
Irtg from cast of Bankliead play, 
fred Keating remains in cawt. 



Towns in the Virginias and Caro- 
linas are playing a show for the 
first time in more than four years. 
It Is 'Broadway Rhapsody' which 
is playing two days and nights In 
one nighters almost forgotten as 
show stands to all but veteran 
showmen. 

The attraction is a group of spe- 
cialty people, the performance in- 
cluding an afterpiece. Show travels 
in a bus with two motor trucks 
carrying trunks, settings and a 
miniature amplifier plant for local 
street ballyhoo. 

Bookings are principally in pic- 
ture houses where the show Is wel- 
comed as a change of pace and 
box office reaction has been report- 
ed favorably from almost every 
point played. 

That Is proven by repeat engage- 
ments In stands where the manage- 
ments were skeptical of booking 
any type of stage show. Route of 
'Rhapsody' may be found in Road 
Show listings in this department. 



Chicken Dinner 
With Each Ticket 
For $1 Rep Shows 



Philadelphia, Feb. 13. 

A new racket, at least for the 
legit, is at the Playhouse. It has 
a weekly-change rep with profes- 
sional talent and featured guest 
stars each week. House la giving 
away a chicken dinner with every 
ticket bought. 

Theatre owned by John Mc- 
Clatchy, real estate man, who has 
much of the property In its popul- 
ous section and is anxious to put 
the theatre over for that reason, al- 
though he doesn't pretend to know 
much about show business. 

Scale at Playhouse is 50, 75 and $1, 
with 50c top at the two matinees. 
'The Nut Farm' on this week. 



Players Services to Mayf air Brings 
Park Avenue Aid to Stage Relief 



Operettas Recoup Loss 
On Rochester Concerts 

Rochester, Feb. 13. 

Light opera, locally produced at 
$1 top, is the only bright spot finan- 
cially in the Civic Music Associa- 
tion repertory. McCormick, Pons 
and Krelsler concerts, expected to 
make up deficits, showed little or 
no profits, leaving the Association 
in a tough spot with possibility of 
curtailment next season. 

Four of these operas given this 
year with average of 9,000 paid ad- 
missions in three performances, and 
$1,000 net profit. Most of perform- 
ers are amateurs. Few of even the 
more experienced singers are paid 
and the Eastman School of Music 
provides many of the performers 
who go for it as good experience. 



COURT STRING 
ON SHUBERT 
SALE 



BW DUCAT DEALERS 
HONOR HARRY NELMES 



Bako Only Pre-B'way 
Date for 'Alien Corn' 



Baltimore, Feb. 13. 

Katherine Cornell surprises the 
legit business when she opens her 
new show of the season, 'Allen 
Corn,' at the Indie Maryland here 
rather than at a regular UBO- 
booked spot. Miss Cornell's date 
here, which starts tonight (13) will 
be the only showing outside of New 
York, where she opens next week at 
the Belasco. 

Reason given for Miss Cornell's 
selection of the Maryland is that 
she has always played this house 
in Baltimore, even before it went 
independent. Last year In 'Bar- 
retts of Wlmpole St.', she estab- 
lished the all-time dramatic high of 



The Treasurers Club tendered a 
testimonial dinner Saturday night 
at the Astor hotel. New York, to 
Harry B. Nelmes, on the occasion 
of his 13th year as its president 
and his 25th anniversary as a mem- 
ber. The event played to capacity 
In the north ballroom and was 
opened by the singing of a special 
lyric, 'We're Just Nerta About 
Harry', to the tune Tm Just Wild 
About Susie'. It was written by 
Ballard MacDonald, 'with thanks for 
the two behind the post'. 

A number of specialty people from 
Broadway attractions were present 
as entertainers, but the punch of 
the evening came with the parade 
of the waiters through the diners, 
carrying a birthday cake five feet 
high. After that Joseph P. Bicker- 
ton, Jr., the club's counsel, acting 
as toastmaster, presented Nelmes 
with diamond ring with a stone of 
three and one-half karats. 

The president was also presented 
with a life membership card made 
in solid gold. Only one other gold 
card ever has been presented by the 
box office men's organization, It go- 
ing to EMward Rice. The Treas- 
urers Club of Boston had six men 
In attendance and the Hub bunch 
presented Nelmes with a silver 
gavel. About 20 treasurers from 
Phila. were cn band and presented 
Xelmos with a silver cup of gold 
pieces. The Boston contingent 
started back immediately after the 
dinner, to be on hand for the fu- 
neral of Tom Lothian, veteran man- 
ager of the Colonial (Boston) who 
died last Thursday (9). His assist- 



Next step in the receivership of 
the Shubert Theatre Corporation 
will be the sale of the theatres and 
other assets at public auction on 
Friday (24) of next week. In the 
meantime there is speculation over 
the reorganization plan promised by 
Lee Shubert. 

There is also speculation as to the 
value of the theatres to be disposed 
of. The Shuberts and associates 
are expected to take over the prop- 
erties and a new $1,000,000 corpora- 
tion is in the making for that pur- 
pose, also with the object of pro- 
ducing shows. 

The court has made It plain that 
the purchase of the theatres will 
not be confirmed until the reorgan 
ization plan has been presented to 
the various creditor groups. How- 
ever, it is not necessary to state the 
plan until the date of the auction. 
Th^ sale itself may be accomplished 
speedily or it may consume several 
days. 

A report is that the Shuberts pro 
pose to issue stock to the various 
creditors, the shares representing 
but a fraction of the Indebtedness. 
Such shares would go to stock and 
bondholders, according to the rumor. 



Castle Square, Boston 
Legit Landmark, Razed 



town, taking $29,970. Advance sale , ant and the treasurer of the house. 



for this Sidney Howard play Is 
larger than that of 'Barretts.' 



New St. James Tenant 

Indie legit production by George 
Kondolph and Merlin Taylor, with 
William A. Brady, Jr. associated, of 
n.angman's Whip' comes into the 
St. Jamos theatre. New York, suc- 
ceeding "Walk aXittle Faster' which 
transfers the end of this week. 

Norman Riley Raines and Frank 
Butler authored 'Whip,' which h.ns 
Helen Flint, Montagu Love, Ian 
Keith, Barton MacLano, Harold Dp 
Becker and Robert BcU as prin- 
clp.'ils. 



Ernest Grenier, passed away about 
a month ago. 

Six other clubmen were made life 
members, having been in the club 
25 years. 

They are Ralph W. Long, Allan 
J. Schnebbe, Mack C. Hillard, Frank 
Meyers, William G. Ridgeway and 
Frank A. GIraud. The dinner ar- 
rangement Committee was headed 
by Lep Solomon, chairman, of the 
Music Box. 

His aides were Sol De Vrles, Lew 
X. Wood, Henry Blossom, Allan 
Schnebbe. Entertainment was in 
charge of AUred T. Darling, William 
(t. Norton, Harry Snowden, Saul 
Abr.'tham, George Morley, Leon 
f^paclinrr and Julius (Blutch) Stone. 



Boston, Feb. 13. 
Old Castle Square theatre, land 
mark. Is being razed. For 39 years 
house carried on with legit. 

Built by Henry W. Savage, Bos- 
ton real estate man, with grand 
opera in English as his yen. He 
founded Castle Sq. Op. Co. Though 
not a showman. Savage had the In 
stinct, and his idea leaped to sue 
cess. 

Max Hirshfield, then a youngster 
from Germany, and now musical di- 
rector at the Copley, was Savage's 
conductor. Savage later sent his 
English Grand Opera Co. over the 
world. 

John Craig came later to the 
Castle Sq., and his prize otters tor 
originals brought out many notable 
plays. One was 'Common Clay,' by 
a Harvard student, later a Broad- 
way and screen hit. 



Ahern's Coast Revue 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 



Coast 'Holiday' Sequel 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 
O. D. Woodward, coast legit pro- 
AA'ill Ahern, of Will and Gladys diii er, filed snlt In .'Superior co>irt 
Ahern, vaurle, is iilnnninsr ihe pi o- ! h' re .-i^ainst Naiional .'Surety Co. 
(lucti'-n ot a mii.<;ir-.'il rfviie en ih<^ "f .N'' \v York, growing out of a dls- 
cnasr. Hud Mnrrny '\vill do tlVr i'..ie wiili Arthur Ifopkln.";. 
s:t.at:ii)(.'. Wrjc.lwnrd wanis $39,7] 8 lit; 

AlHTii plans to open at the Holly- | i laitns to have lost because Na- 
wood I'lnyiiouse Marrh fi. :\t $1 ..Of" ^ I icn.il. Jirting for liopkin.", halted by 
top. I'ieee will po to ."^an Kian- injiitntlon his lofal production ('f 
cl.sco following the local run. I Holiday' in 1020. 



BVay Musical Revivals 

Charlie Purcell Is after Vivlennc 
Segal to team with him for a perm- 
anent comic opera revK'al season 
on Broadway at $1.50. 

Purcell r'lans to do 'Chocolate 
Soldier', 'Maytime', 'Dearest En- 
emy' and 'Magic Melody' as the first 
.seciuenee In h'h repertoire. 



Belasco-Curran's $2 Top 

Los Antreles, Feb. 13. 
Following f-vhf-(luled two week;;' 
lun of 'Another I^anf<u;igo' at the 
HclaHoo, nf-lfi.<--eo <fc Curran will pro- 
rluee 'ijinr.er at liinht." Xo r;ist so 
far. 

icrreotlve with 'I.anuunK'!' fl3). 
hoti.ee adopt." a $1' top price, with 
matinees at $150. 



Park avenue Is making a generw 
ous and friendly gesture to Broad- 
way and is coming to the aid of the 
stage's needy. Women .and men so- 
cially prominent have formed a 
group called the Citizens Commit- 
tee to Aid the Stage Relief Fund. 
Offices are being opened on Madi- 
son avenue and an elaborate bene- 
fit will be staged in the Metropoli- 
tan Opera house late in March or 
in April. All proceeds will go to 
the Stage Relief Fund established 
by Rachel Crothers. 

Accompanying the move was the 
gracious explanation of its genesis: 
'The theatre has never failed to re- 
spond when we asked its partici- 
pation in our charitable aRairs and 
now we are happy to return the 
compliment.' That came from one 
of the committee-women. 

Men social register rating will 
handle the business details: Jay F. 
Cai-lyle, chairman; Dcwees Dil- 
worth, treasurer, and Norman EJ. 
Toerde, secretary. The executive 
committee is: Mrs. Bernard Ba- 
ruch, Mrs. Jay F. Carlyle, Mrs. De- 
Wees Dilworth. Mrs. John Golden, 
Mrs. Edward F. Hutton, Mrs. Wil- 
liam Randolph Hearst, Mrs. Wil- 
liam Goadby Loew, Mrs. Herbert 
Bayard Swope, Mrs. Graham Fair 
Vanderbllt. 

Mora Than $20,000 

The relief fund's total has passed 
the $20,000 mark what with the 
benefit performance of 'Dinner at 
Eight' at the Music Box Sunday. 
The fund is expending $1,400 week- 
ly. There Is an average of 125 ap- 
plicants for aid daily. Not all ap- 
ply for funds, some getting wearing 
apparel, others getting tickets to 
dine at the Actors' Dinner Club. 
The actual expenditures are mostly 
for room rent, food baskets also 
being bought for those with living 
quarters provided for In other ways. 

The fund's executive committee 
proposes to regulate the present 
method of distributing money If it 
becomes necessary. The Increase 
In the number of applicants Is so 
steady that a maximum number to 
bo provided for will be set and 
those who have received succor for 
four or five weeks consecutively, 
will be placed at the bottom of the 
list. However, if contributions con- 
tinue to be In excess of the weekly 
expenditure, the proposed regula- 
tion wlU not be necessary. 

The shows now giving a percent- 
age of their weekly earnings to the 
fund now are: 'Biography,' 'Gay 
Divorce,' '20th Century,' 'Of Thee I 
Sing' (two companies), 'Pigeons 
and People, 'Another Language,' 
'Dinner at Eight,' 'When Ladles 
Meet,' 'Autumn Crocus' and 'Dan- 
gerous Corner.' 

Contributions up to Feb. 10: 

Previous contributions $17,344.85 

Rachel Crothers 200.00 

Mrs. Kath. Outerbrldge. . , 80.00 

Sam Harris office 64.00 

Thomas W. Gurney 25.00 

Mrs. Katherine Porter.... 20.00 
Mrs. Frances Compton.... 10.00 
Lewis Convenor Morris... 10.00 
Prof. Robt. H. Hatch.... lO.OO 

Mrs. Ralph Pulitzer lO.OO 

Other contributions 583.00 

Total contributions $18,358.00 



EDITORS CONSULTED 

'Pastures' Seeks Consensus 
Guide to a Tour South 



As 



Washington,- Feb. 13. 
'Green Pastures' ran into snag 
here when plans for benefit per- 
formance at National for colored 
Elks scholarship fund fell thru. 
Extra show was to be run for col- 
ored audience. 

J. Finely Wilson, Elk head, called 
all bets off on grounds that National 
would not open doors to colored 
people at regular performances. 
Many of the ca.st come from Wash. 
Ington. 

Invitations has been extended to 
a dozen editors of South to attend 
show this week and give opinions 
on f hances nf routing it thru ."^otith. 



To Star Helen Morgan 

A. C. Ulumenth.'il planning to star 
JT'Oen Morgan In .i mii.>-if al. .Xow 
h' incr written. 

MiriS TiUiVrfun in the .soli' remain- 
in;,' fi-aliired nu-mher of the oiininal 
•.^'liow Hoai' coi))r>i'ny, touring un- 
(lor i'.liiincnihal .'iii.spir-es, and Last 
week tahloidized for the picture 
hou.scs. 



44 



VARIETY 



LEGITIMAYE 



Tuesdny, February, 14, I933 



London Show World 



liOndon, Feb. 4. 

Herbert Marshall makes a flying 
visit to New York for a chat with 
/ Paramount officials and returns 
immediately. The run of 'Another 
Xjanguage' was short-lived when 
Edna Best withdrew from the cast. 



A First Attempt 

A strange play, by common con- 
sent, is 'Head-On Crash,' a first ef 
fort by a young man from the prov 
Inces, presented by Sir Barry Jack' 
son at the Queen's, Feb. 1. A bril- 
liant cast only served to emphasize 
that the play has a certain atmos- 
phere about it, but contains little 
else. A girl with a twisted - sense 
of humor brings to a peer's bouse 
the man whose drunken careless- 
ness caused tlie death of his only 
son in a motor smash. On learn- 
ing the Identity of his unbidden 
guest, the bereaved father shoots 
him, then poisons himself. 

Although the promise of fruitful 
drama was In this Instance unful- 
fllled, there are grounds for believ- 
ing this 22-year-old Laurence Miller 
may some day write something 
worth while. Flora Robson and 
Cedrlc Hardwicke won the chief 
acting honors. 



Murray's May Change Hands 

Murray's Club, founded by Jack 
May In 1913, and the oldest club in 
London, is likely to be sold soon. 
Club has had a hectic career. It 
ia controlled by W. A. Steward, who 
also controls Romano's, in . the 
Strand, at one time one of the most 
famous rendezvous in the West End. 
- Six months ago the club was In 
the market for $20,000, but it has 
recently been under the manage- 
ment of Beauniont Alexander, who 
•formerly controlled the Princes' 
•Restaurant and the Silver Slipper. 
With improvement in nightly tak- 
ings, price has jumped to $90,000, 
with $60,000 already offered by 
wealthy syndicate, but so far Stew- 
ard is holding out. 



Disastrous Week 

Week of Jan. 23 will go down in 
history as the worst ever, both in 
London and the provinces. Worst 
sufferers were vaudeville and legit 
houses. Of the 30 shows running in 
the West End not more than four 
made money, with a similar number 
breaking .even. 

In vaudeville, practically every 
house lost on the week, while one 
house, headlining with a big Eng- 
lish comedian, opened to under $300 
on Monday, with the next diay's 
takings dropping, to $200. In the 
provinces a revue with a spicy 
French title took . $25 on opening 
day. One firm touring four big pro- 
ductions had to wire $6,500 to pay 
salaries. 



McLaglen Turpln 

' Victor McLaglen Is due here early 
March to appear. in the fllmizatlon 
of Harrison Ainaworth's 'Rookwood.' 
He will have the role of Dick Tur- 
pln, directed by John Stafford, who 
is running his own production unit. 



BERETS ARE NOT HATS 



Brussels Changes Law to Avoid 
Row With Femmes In Theatres 



What England Likes 

•A Bit of Test.' produced at the 
Aldwycli, Jan. 30, is the 13th con- 
secutive piece of the same kidney 
produced at that house in 10 years, 
with practically the same personnel. 

When you see one,, you see them 
all. The audience liked the first one. 
Succeeding audiences liked every 
one of the other 12, and there is 
likelihood the 13th will share a 
similar fate. 



At the Palladium 

Business was anemic at Palla- 
dium Monday night (30). First came 
Patsy Marr, assisted by the perma- 
nent Palladium girls. She opens the 
first htilf and also the second, divid- 
ing her acrobatic ■ dancing turn. 
Hardly a fair chance to judge her 
work as an Individual act. In both 
Instajices. however, she fared nicely. 

Then came Dave Morris and Ed- 
die Connor, cross-talk comedians. 
Morris appeared to be suffering 
from a cold. Apparently their turn 
is a good one, as everything in it 
has been seen before to good effect. 

Three Slate Brothers, .comedy 
dancers, and Radcliff and Rodgers, 
making their debuts in England, 
both scored emphatically. What 
would have happened to them with 
a packed house would probably be 
plenty. Enoa Frazere is back after 
a number of years and suitably held 
the audience in the closing spot. 



Testing 'Lifetime' 

•Once in a Lifetime' was given its 
English premiere at the Birming- 
ham Repertory theatre, Jan. 28. 
This tryout Is designed to'.' test the 
play's mettle with a view to iLondon, 



Camilla Horn'at Wembley 
' Camilla Horn Js working at the 
Wembley studios for the newly 
formed Wyndham Films, Ltd. She 
^-wtil be fgiitured invft.dwmaUc.fltory 



Brussels, Jan. 30. 

Since theatres have existed in 
Brussels police orders have been 
that no woman in the stalls or pit 
should be allowed to keep her hat 
on during the performance. The 
flat berets that girls now mirac- 
ulously balance on the left ear have 
changed that regulation. 

When ordered to remove them the 
girls perkily refuse and to prevent 
further disputes the chief of police 
has decided that berets are not 
hats. If however, they are dec- 
orated with a pom-pom likely to 
obstruct the view of the person^ 
sitting behind they are hats and 
off they must come. Police offi- 
cers on theatre duty are now pro- 
vided with a foot-rule to measure 
the gills' pom-poms. 



ALIBr SOUTARY 
LONDON CLICK 



London, Feb. 13. 
'Ten Minute Alibi' at the Hay- 
market is that rare thing, an orig- 
inal melodrama. Looks certain to 
be a fair -success. A nice run Is In 
prospect. 

It's the one bright epot in la^st 
week's new show list. At the 
Vaudeville is 'Half a Million', which 
is an old fashioned farce. Well 
acted, but the piece is hopeless. 



RECEIVER'S TERMS 



Samett R^nts London Piccadilly 
for 15 P.C. of Gross 



London, Feb. 4. 
Lucieh Samett, the originator In 
London pf continuous entertain- 
ment, despite many claimants, re- 
turns to the Piccadilly Feb. 27 with 
continuous vaudeville. 

Theatre has been leased by C. A. 
Bolton, managing director of Brit- 
ish Raycol Co., which Is financed 
by Cpurtaiilds, the millionaire silk 
manufacturers, who have financed 
Basil Dean In his many film proj- 
ects. 

The theatre has been leased from 
the receiver on very fayorable 
terms. Thie receiver to get 15% of 
the intake, with the bars, cloak- 
rooms and programs to be operated, 
by the lessees. 



Newsreel Vaude 

London; Feb. 2.. 

The first time In the history of 
show business in England — and 
maybe In the world-:— that a vaude-^ 
ville act Is playing in a newsreel 
theatre In the flesh. 

This distinction belongs to the 
Four Musketeers, an Americin act, 
playing at the Cameo Newsreel the- 
atre. Charing Cross Road, London. 



Carrent Road Shows 



Czech Opera Vet Dies 

Prague, Feb. 1. 
The oldest singer of the Czech 
National theatre, Adolf Kroesslng, 
is dead at 85. He was a member 
of the national theatre for 40 years, 
appeared in 200 roles and sang 4,000 
times. 

Kroesslng created the , part of 
Vasek In Smetana's famous opera, 
'The Bartered Bride-' 



Belated 'Rzse Marie' 

Prague, Feb. 1. 
For the first time in the German 
section of Czechoslovakia 'Rose 
Marie' by the American composer 
Friml is running, in Bruex, a city 
of North Bohemia. Kaethe Stam- 
mer in the chief role. 



of stage life, entitled 'Matinee Idol," 
directed by George King. 



Royalty at Shows 

While the Prince of Wales was 
attending 'Dinner at Eight,' his 
brother George was among the first 
nlghters of 'Mother of Pearl,' other 
celebrities being Gertie Lawrence, 
Elizabeth Bergner, June. . Cochran 
clalnfs largest after production 
booking since his production Pf 
'Afgar' at the Pavilion some years 
ogo^ • ' 



This Week (Feb. 13) 
'Abbey Players,' Royal Alexandra, 
Toronto, 

'Blossom Time'— 'Student Prince,' 
Grand Opera House, Chicago. 

Broadway. Rhapsody,'. 13-14, Mt. 
Airy, N. C; Burlington; 17, Roanoke 
Rapids; 18, Rocky Mount; 19, Fort 
Monroe, Va.; 20-21, Greensboro, 
North Car.; 22-23, Durham; 24-26, 
Raleigh; 27, Wilson; 28,. Qoldsboro. 

'Cat and the Fiddle,' Apollo, Chi- 
cago, 

'Cavalcade,' Erianger, Chicago. 
'Cavalcade,' Majestic, Boston. 
'Cavalcade,' Nixon, Pittsburgh. 
'Cavalcade,' Erianger, Buffalo. 
'Counsellor at Law,' Chestnut 
Street, Philadelphia. 

'Of Thee I Sing,' Forrest, Phila- 
delphia. 

'Caponsaechi' apd 'Hamlet,' Feb. 
13, Capitol, Albany; Kalurah Tem- 
ple Blnghamton, N. T., 15; Temple, 
Scranton, Pa., 15; Strand, Ithaca, 
16; Lyceum, Rochester, 17-18. 

'Dixie On Parade,' Garrick, Chi- 
cago. 

'Forsaking All Others,' Colonial, 
Boston. 

'Of Thee I Sing,' City Auditorium. 
AmariUo, Tex., Feb. 13; Memorial 
Auditorium, Wichita Falls, 14; Au- 
ditorium, Fort Worth, 15; Fair Park 
Auditorium, Dallas, 16; Auditorium, 
Galveston, 17; Auditorium, Hous- 
ton, 18. 

'Rhapsody in Black,' Shubert, 
Newark. 

'Springtime for Henry,' Majestic, 
Brooklyn. 

'Shuffle Along,' Gorrlck, Philadel- 
phia. 

The Green Pastures,' National, 
Washington. 

'The Family Upstairs,' Cort, Chi- 
cago. 

'The Queen's Husband,' Walker 
theatre, Wlnnlpelr, Feb. 13-15. 

'Vanities,' Feb. 13-14-16. Lyceum. 
Rochester; 16-17-18, Capitol, Al- 
bany. 



Child of Manhattan 

(Continued from page 21) 
the mllllQnaire, John Boles, and be- 
lieves In him even when he takes 
her out the very next day and bujrs 
her tons of rags an4 Ice. Withoiit 
explanation or buildup she's sud- 
denly discovered to be kiilttlng baby 
clothes, and John, looking as honor- 
able as he knows how, sends for a 
marriage license. But the baby dies, 
so she runs away to get a divorce 
and offers to marry another man, 
Charles Jones. ' -All because she 
loves her husband, of course. And 
on the new wedding day Boles 
shows up, looks at Nancy reproach- 
fully, she falls Into his arms, her 
new fiance scrams, and all Is prob- 
ably well. 

Miss Carroll acts that part right, 
and if the acting Is obvious often, 
it doesn't much matter, because It's 
that kind of a. role. Boles is claimed 
to have a femme appeal, so maybe 
.his reticence and reserve . are the 
proper ticket, although he's a singer 
first. Charles Jones, oncd billed as 
Buck,' has ah impossible job as the 
other man and resorts to his old- 
fashioned horse-opera tactics — big 
hat, trick suit and. all. 

Eddie Buzzell on the direction did 
as well as anyone could and smartly 
sacrlflc^ a number of scenes for 
laughter. His megglng calls for a 
bow. But Buzzell, as a comedian 
himself, should have known that 
Jessie Ralph's alleged eccentric 
German comedienne was too hope- 
less. 

Production and photography A-1. 

Kauf. 



Between Fighting Men 

KBS production and World-Wide releanp 
fltarrlnR Ken Majrnard and featuring Ruth 
Hall. Directed by Forrest Sheldon. Story 
and continuity by Betty Burbrldge nnd 
Forrest Sheldon. Caat includes Josephine 
Dunn, Wallace MacDonald. Albert J. 
Smith, Walter Law, Jamea Bradbury. Jr.. 
John Pratt. At Loew's New Tork, one 
day, Feb. 7, on double bill. Running time, 
30 minutes. 



More plot action than usual in a 
western has this Ken Maynard story 
with several players carrying the 
plot Instead of standing back to give 
It all to the star. Good photography, 
inttUigent direction, plenty of rid- 
ing and better than average sound 
help to make this a good feature In 
its class. Will do well where they 
want westerns and can be ventured 
one step above in a pinch. 

Basic plot is the enmity between 
the cowmen and the incoming 
sheepmen. Herder is killed and lii.s 
daughter adopted by the man who 
instigated the action against him. 
Cowman's son and adopted son both 
love the girl, with the son getting 
shot to leave the field clear for the 
star. Action progresses steadily 
and without lost motion. There are 
some good sheep shots and the 
usual hard riding, but chiefly It is 
the acting out of the story which 
makes this a bit different. 

Ruth Hall, Wallace MacDonald 
and Walter Law get a fair chance 
at the dramatics, with Josephine 
Dunn, Albert Smith and John Pratt 
in to show now and then. Dialog 
Is a bit foolish, but that will not 
annoy western fans. Chic. 



Plays on Broadway 



BEFORE MORNING 

Melodrama in three acta presented at 
the Ritz Feb.- 0' •by -Albert Bannister and 
John Q. Norman; written by Edna and 
Edward P. RelUy; stacked by William B. 
Frledlander. 

Jenny Maud Turner 

Doris Alice Burrage 

Joyce .' Norvell Barry 

Leo Bergman Clyde Fillmore 

nen Ayoub Jules Bp^llly 

Blale Manning Jessie Royce Landls 

Horace Barker John Lllel 

Nell Kennedy tiouls Jean Heydt 

James E. Nichols ^....Hugh Buckler 

Dr. Gruelle McKay Morris 

Mrs. Nichols. t«uise Prusslng 



The care with which this play 
was presented indicates the new 
managerial team concerned is liable 
sooner or later ^o put over a win- 
ner. It probably won't be 'Before 
Morning,' made into a murder mys- 
tery piece by Edna and Edward P. 
Reily from one of their short 
stories. 

Main trouble with the play is 
that it has but one good act, the 
flrst. In that interlude there is a 
well-deflned change of pace and all 
of the evening's comedy. Casting 
has been intelligently done and 
there are several better-known 
players on view. The authors have 
conceived a diawing-room mystery 
story that holds the Interest fairly 
well, though there seemed to be 
some vasted characters, several be- 
ing on but cnce. 

It is scened in the hotel apart- 
ment of Elsie Manning, an actress 
who has a married lover. This man 
Nichols would wed her were he free. 
He had been very kind to Elsie and 
her small daughter. Injured in a 
motor smash which killed the 
husband. At the moment Elsie 
welcomes the promise of security in 
marriage to Horace Barker from 
Detroit. For that reason she re 
jects a stage offer from a quizzical 
young producer whose wry com- 
ments about show business furnish 
the only fun of the play. 

Nichols, back from a trip, com- 
plains of illness and lies down on 
Elsie's bed, where he promptly ex 
plres, apparently from heart dis 
ease. Two men friends manage to 
remove the dead man to a sani- 
tarium, carrying him between them 
like the stunt in 'Broadway.' 

But the doctor, waiting a chance 
at blackmail, calls on Elsie and de 
Clares that Nichols was murdered 
by a dose of nicotine. How it was 
administered, and by whom. Is 
solved in the . third act, and when 
the medico exits he is on his way 
to pollect $200,000 demanded as the 
price of silence. It is explained 
that the effect of the poison would 
make it appear that death was from 
natural causes. The man from De 
trolt still desires to wed Elsie and 
that end of the story is tied up in a 
fashion. . 

Jessie Royce Landls is Elsie, re 
maining on stage virtually through 
out, action spanning the time from 
after theatre one evening to some 
time before dawn. The believable 
impersonation of Miss Landls' Elsie 
has the support of actors such as 
McKay Morris, who plays the schem- 
ing doctor; Louis. Jean Heydt as 
the showman with a sense of hu- 
mor, John Lltel as the straight- 
shooting Detroiter, Hugh Buckler, 
as the man who gets bumped off, 
Clyde Fillmore as a man about 
town, Jules Epallly his associate, 
and Louise Prusstng, the dead man's 
wife. 

. 'Before Morning' has most of the 
makings, but it appeared that when 
the authors paldded their story Into 
a play, not quite enough time was 
devoted to the work. /bee. 



'Evensong* Into Storage, 
Tours Canada in Fall 

'Evensong,' which was withdrawn 
from the Selwyn, New York, Sat- 
urday (11) after a scant two weeks, 
win tour Canada next season. Edith 
Evans will head the cast. Miss 
Evans starred In the show during 
its successful London engagement, 
likewise the disappointing Broad- 
way date. 

Despite the show's failure here it 
is figured to be welcomed in the 
Domlnlan. The production is being 
shipped to Montreal where it will 
be .stored until the opening there 
next fall. 



In Baltimore at $2 Top 

Baltimore, Feb. 13. 

Plan of O. E. Wee and Jules Lev- 
entlml for an indie eastern circuit 
of legit revivals and repeats at one 
buck top didn't materialize as 
promised, but the project is going 
through, at $2 high. Wee & Lcv- 
enthal have the Broad In Philadel- 
phia, a house in Boston, and will 
come into tiia Indie Maryland here. 

Will start with the 'Good Fairy' 
with Ada May, coming in Feb. 20 
against Paul Muni In 'Counsellor- 
At-Law' at the UBO Fords. And 
then come 'Whistling In the Dark,' 
'That's Gratitude,' and after that, 
it depends on the grosses of the 
first attempts. 



Academy Dramatic Arli 

* Sixth matinee pcrrormanop Uv ii*r. 
of the school at"^ Lyceum ihoatre 'p^lS"' 
afternoon,. Feb. 10. preaentlnc a .J^.'*' 
dramatic curtain raiser and three-act 
opening with '*fMk 

The Cajun 

Dramatic playet in one act by Ada Janu 
French. a'^nsement with Bamtt*5 
Armlde Lorna Volar* 

»e-::::::::::::::::::::a^lS 

J'-ather Martel .... J 1 1 1 „ pJui^JJ^J* 

Usually dramatic school pupHs 
are happier in dramatic stuff than 
the lighter and more exacting farce 
but thl^ tense story of the diluted' 
Acadian stock in southern Louisiana 
failed to get over with the approxU 
mate force of Its big moments. In 
the lighter opening scene the play, 
ers did well enough, but failed fully 
to come up to the climax, which is 
no trifle in even in the hands of 
more experienced players. 

They read their lines fluently, 
seemed at home on the stage and 
gave value to the opening, but the 
story fell with the entrance of the 
priest, who brings about the denoue- 
ment. Lorna Volare was good as 
the expectant bride, but Edith 
Edith Pritchard was handicapped 
from the start by a voice too youth- 
ful for her gray hair. Ralph Ship- 
man .played sincerely but without 
Are, and Paul Ames shows a simi- 
lar fault In hid Father Martel. The 
sketch is a little too trying for 
novices. 

Hay Fever 

Farce In three acts and one sot by Noel 
Coward, done by arrangement with Samuel 
French. 

.Sorel Bliss Nancy Dillon 

Simon Bliss Ronald nrogan 

Clara Jenn Blakeslee 

Judith Bliss Holen Wright 

David BUss John Swan 

.Sandy Tyrell Clyde Turner 

Myra Arundel Gloria Oil! 

Richard Oreatham Stanley Gorham 

Jackie Coryton Ediih Tachna 

Noel Coward's brisk lines and 
amusing situations carry the play 
along, but the players were un- 
usually at home in the lively farce 
and gave an ensemble effect that is 
usually lacking in student produc- 
tions. Helen Wright walked away 
with the honors as Judith Bliss, 
showing a flair for comedy that 
gave her work the value of a prao- 
tised player. She has that Inde- 
finable something that marks few 
women as comediennes. In general, 
the performance was almost up to 
the average stock company present 
tatlon, IJiough now and then lnez> 
perience would show. Nancy Dil- 
lon was a competent ingenue and 
Ronald Brogan played with a sweep 
that was appreciated. 

The outstanding feature of the 
performance was the speed and 
smoothness of the tempo, once an 
act was started, but an awkward 
instant following the rise of each 
curtain. Lines were picked up 
promptly and bits of business were 
smoothly done. It was an enjoy- 
able performance even to those who 
were not interested In the players 
thrbugh acquaintanceship, which 
may be said very seldom of these 
trial performances. Chic. 



Pasadena's Frisco Deal 
Changed, Bookings Hint 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 

Two set for this month are 'Crim- 
inal at Large,' coming Into Ditffy'a 
Alcazar 24, and 'Louder Please,' re- 
lighting Erlanger's Columbia 20, 
after a month's darkness. 

Pauline Frederick will do the 
Duffy show. Follows Lilyan Tash- 
man in 'Grounds for Divorce.' Joe 
E. Brown was set for 'Shore Leave,* 
but comic didn't like the piece, and 
he and Duffy are shopping for an- 
other. 

Opening of 'Louder Please' at Co- 
lumbia under Pasadena Playhouse 
banner, evidently marks breaking 
off of relations between little thea- 
tre group and Belasco & Curran. 
Pasadena bunch was. set with B. & 
C. for four plays here, but after 
'Brief Moment' brodied, deal went 
cold, with B. & C. turning down 
those plays that didn't presage 
return."?. 



OBAMA FBOF'S FLAY 

Easton, Pa., Feb. 13. 
'The Edge of the World,' a plfi/ 
written by Professor Albert H. Cil" 
mer, head of the dramatic depart- 
ment of Lafayette College, hail its 
premiere In the Little Thoutre at 
the college here Thursday (0). and 
played three nights. 

The play is set in Ireland and 
deals with the struggle of its lipro- 
Ine to escape from her common- 
place life and surroundings. 



Tuesday* February 14, 1933 



LECITIMATE 



VAKIETY 4S 



Inside Stnff-Legit 



In Buffalo Bd Wynn did a two-alarm over the fact Jessel-Cantor one 
night troupe hopping Into town and taking all the $2 show money avcdl- 
abl6 for that evening with the Wynn show the same night dying. 
- Wynn was careful to state to the Buffalo 'Courier* In an Interview 
that his peeve was not against Cantor and Jessel alone hut against the 
one-nlte idea. He said the one-day shows were as bad for the town as 
for the company which was so unfortunate as to follow the hit-and-run 
troupes into a date, It was all right for the actors, he admitted, but It 
was bad for the town, from his point of view. It was bad for the Ed 
Wynn show, he also admitted. 

According to his squawk Wynn got Into Buffalo with a company of 
80 people, hired 36 stage hands and an orchestra and bis 80 players 
'spent money at the city's hotels for a week, rode In the city's taxlcabs 
and dropped coin In the local stores or the slot machines. As he put It, 
they left more money in the town than they took out. 

On the other hand, the mercenary comic claimed, the C-J aggregation 
hopped in for the day, carrying a small troupe, spent the day In Buffalo 
and little else, and out to the next stand, leaving the city sour for any 
troupe to show until the pocketbooks had Inflated again. 

But Wynn didn't object to Ed Wynn for one nite only and weekly on 
the radio with $6,000 that evening for Wynn, whether one-nlte stage 
troupes starved or walked. 



John Hay Whitney, mentioned In last week "Variety' story from the 
Coast as a possible partner of David O. Selznl.ck, and as the flnancial 
angel for Director Lewis Milestone, is a son of, and eventual heir to, 
the estate of the late Payne Whitney, and not Harry Payne Whitney. 
Latter was his uncle, Payne Whitney being a brother of Harry Payne 
Whitney. 

Latter's son Is Cornelius (Sonny) Whitney, head of the Whitney Stable, 
and an unsuccessful candidate for Congress on the Democratic ticket In 
a Long Island district last fall. 

The estate of Payne Whitney, who died from over-exertion In a tennis 
game, was appraised for New York State inheritance tax purposes at 
1168,000,000, the largest on record. This was before the stock market 
crash melted away security values. John Hay Whitney, known to 
friends as 'Jock,' has dabbled In the show business on one or two pre- 
vious occasions. He was reputed to have furnished the sugar for Peter 
Amo's flop musical show of last season. His mother, Mrs. Payne Whit- 
ney, owns the Greentree Stable. 

The founder of the Whitney fortune was William Collins Whitney, 
grandfather of John H. and Cornelius V., who held large Interests in 
New York City transit lines ad" well as in many other enterprises. 



'When Ladies Meet' at the Royale, New York, experimented with the 
early evening performance Idea, the theory being that by ringing up the 
curtain at. 7: 16 one night during the week, commuter attendance would 
be boosted. Early show was given Thursday last with attendant spe- 
cial publicity but the success of the plan Is In doubt. 

Attendance was capacity in the balcony, but lower floor trade was dis- 
appointing, indicating the draw was mostly from picture house patrons, 
'Ladles' will continue with Tuesday's early performance, however, to 
thoroughly try out Its practicability. It is believed that if several addi- 
tional shows would follow suit the plan would work out successfully. 



There Is but one show on Broadway 'under control' at the Postal Tele- 
graph-Leblang agency. It is 'Design for Living' at the Barrymore. Bal- 
cony tickets are also safeguarded. It being the first time for the upstairs 
to be controlled. 

The late Joe Leblang devised the control system, designed to prevent 
tickets for smashes from falling into the hands of gyps. A numbered 
slip in a sealed envelope Is given the customers, not the actual tickets. 
When the slips are presented at the theatre shortly before curtain time 
they are then exchanged for the tickets. Switch is made after the cus- 
tomer enters the theatre proper. 



Alex A. Aarons was abed five weeks suffering with a stone In his kid- 
ney. There was no operation and the affliction in combination with 
high blood pressure brought about a nervous collapse which for a time 
affected his left side. 

■ His condition has Improved, but he has gpne far out on Long Island 
for a complete rest.- Aarons was taken ill while 'Pardon My English' 
was trying out In Boston. His partner, Vinton Freedley, will be In full 
charge during Aarons' convalescence. 



Attitude of the house staff at the Barrymore, where 'Design for Liv- 
ing* holds forth is that Noel Coward Is the unoflScial major star and 
that the demand would drop out of the show if he bowed out, despite 
the co-stellar presence of Lunt an^Fontanne. The femme inquiries 
concerning where that dressing gown Coward wears in the play could 
be bought and kindred interest in anything pertaining to Coward, but 
not the others. Is evidence of the British playwright-actor's dominance 
in public Interest, they think. 



•Forsaking All Others' which brings Tallulah Bankhead back to Broad- 
way from Hollywood, is being bankrolled by the star. Arch Selwyn Is 
presenting the show and acting in a managerial capacity. Show is in 
Boston this week and opens at the Times Square, New York, next week. 

Last week in Baltimore Douglas GUlmore wag summarily dismissed 
for cause. Matter was reported to Equity but no formal charges have 
been filed as yet. An understudy went into the part. 



Lenore Ulrlc hit page one in the New York papers last week when 
the Internal Reveue Department rejected her application for a rebate on 
income tax. Star contended she forgot to charge off a considerable sum 
claimed to have been expended in entertaining dramatic critics. 

After the story appeared Miss Ulrlc phoned the reviewers to say the 
yarn was Incorrect Did not seem to worry them whether or not 



Edna and Edward P. Riley, who playwrlghted 'Before Morning* at the 
RItz, New York, collaborated In a number of short stories published in 
magazines. 

Melodrama, 'Morning,' Is their Initial stage effort. Play Is based on a 
short story which the Rlleys called 'Dawn.' 

Stage version of 'Diamond Lll', which ran at the Royale, New York, 
was produced by Jack Linder, not the Shuberts. Latter took over the 
show for the road. Play was based on Mark Linder's script, 'Chatham 
Square', which was revised by Mae West and Greta Wlllard. 



Duffy Lines Up Two 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Henry Duffy has purchased coast 
rights to Elmer Rice's 'Counsellor at 
Law' and 'Criminal at Large,' by 
Edgar Wallace. No date for their 
set-in at the El Capltan so far. 

Duffy leaves for New York in 
three weeks to line up plays for his 
summer season here. 



ENGAGEMENTS 

Lupe Velez, Jimmy Durante, Hope 
Williams, Hal LeRoy, Roy Atwell, 
Eddie Garr^ George Dewey Wash- 
ington, Johnny Downs, Harrison 
and Fisher, Carolyn Nolte, Milton 
Watson, Grade Barrle, Dorothy 
Dare, Blanche Collins, Aber Twins, 
"Otto Malde, Wilma Cox, Frank 
Conlan and Barbara MacDonald, 
'Strike Me Fink' (complete). 



Shows in Rehearsal 



'A Trip to Pressburg' (Shu- 
berts), 46th Street. 

'The Bride Retires' (Edgar 
Mason), Selwyn. 

'Saturday Night' (W. A. 
Brady), Playhouse. 

'Lone Valley' (Sophie Tread 
well), Morosco. 

'The Lady Refuses' (Charles 
E. Blaney), Longacre. 

'Our Wife' (Halle and 
Brotherton), Selwyn lobby. 

'Strike Me Pink' (Brown and 
Henderson), Lyric and Bijou. 

'American Dream' (Theatre 
Guild), Guild. 

'Hangman's Whip' (W. A. 
Brady, Jr.), St. James. 

'East River Romance' (H. 
Inches), Mansfield. 



WEATHER SOCKS 
CHICAGO LEGITS 



, Chicago, Feb. 13. 

Grosses tumbled with the mer- 
cury. Blizzard may or may not 
have spoiled the run possibilities of 
'Cat and the Fiddle,' which was ex- 
pected to stay longer at the Apollo. 
Anyhow, It's one more week and 
then Kansaa City. House gets a 
Metro roadshowing of 'Rasputin.' 
Estimates for Last Week 

'Blossom Time^ Grand (0-1,207; 
$2.20) (2d, final week). Hardly $6,- 
000. 'Student Prince' comes In for 
a fortnight Exhkustlng the Shu- 
bert list of revivals. 

'Cat and the Fiddle' Apollo (M- 
1,600; $2.20) (8th week). First half 
of week sloughed by worst blizzard 
of winter. Maybe $13,600 on week. 
Goes out next Saturday (18). 

'Dixie On Parade' Garrick (R- 
1,276; $2.20) (3rd week). Show re- 
ported much improved since first 
week. Subtract subzero weather 
from cutrates for estimated $6,000. 

'Family Upstairs' Cort (C-1.100; 
$2.20) (8th week). Around $3,400. 

'Desert Song' Civic (0-3,800; 
$1.66). Weather a sock here, too. 
Low scale stock operetta around 
$6,000. . 



Worst Storm in Four Years Dents 
B way Grosses for $1,000 Average 



L A. RUN OKE 



Los Angeles, Feb. 18. 

'Bridal Wise,' only legit attrac- 
tion in town, folded at the El Capl- 
tan Saturday night (11), to $6,100 
on the week. Three-week run gave 
Henry Duffy a fair profit after the 
nut was covered on the San Fran- 
cisco dates. ' Lilyan Tashman in 
'Grounds for Divorce' opened Sun- 
day matinee (12), to the strongest 
advance the house had had in sev- 
eral years with the picture colony 
out in full force for the evening 
performance. First week is near 
capacity with the Tashman ward- 
robe getting the credit. 

'Another Language,' road com- 
pany, opened at the Belasco to- 
night (Mon.) to a fair advance. 
Piece is in for two weeks only. 



STANWYCK-FAY TALES' 
DOES 'FRISCO $15,000 



San Francisco, Feb. 13. 

Belasco & Curran have entire 
local field to themselves with two 
shows, newest of which is 'When 
Ladles Meet,' opening at Geary to- 
night (13). 

Other Is 'Tattle Tales' In Its third 
stanza at the Curran. Frank Fay- 
Barbara Stanwyck r^vue has been 
doing quite well, second week grab- 
bing around $16,000, most of it bal- 
cony money. 

Lilyan Tashman bowed out of 
Duffy's Alcazar after three weeks 
In 'Grounds for Divorce,' last one 
being a surprise holdover. Take 
was around $4,600. House dark un- 
til Feb. 24 when Pauline Frederick 
opens in 'Criminal at Large.' 

Erlanger's Columbia, too, lights 
up, getting 'Louder Please' from 
Pasadena Playhouse on Feb. 20. 



Cartoon Revival Test 
Ends as 'Father' Folds 

An attempt to revive carloon 
shows flivved when 'Bringing Up 
Father' folded in Baltimore. It was 
out two weeks under the manage- 
ment of Edward Hutchinson. 

'Father' was originally one of Gus 
Hill's collection of comic strip pop 
priced shows. 



Violent temperature changes and 
Inclement weather affected almost 
every legit theatre on Broadway 
last week and it was estlmated:that 
the cost to the box offices was 
around $60,000 — the average drop in 
gross was upward of $1,000 and 
some shows got $2,000 less. 

Rain on Tuesday and Wednesday 
nights was followed by intense cold 
which sent the thermometer to five 
degrees Thursday. Early that eve- 
ning thred news commentators ad- 
vised listeners on the radio not to 
venture out a blizzard being on its 
way from Chicago. The storm was 
side-tracked, but late Friday night 
an eight Inch snow storm, the 
heaviest in four years here, dented 
the normally good Saturday matinee 
and night trade. 

Only shows not affected were 
those with advance ticket sales and 
very few attractions have been able 
to command that this season. With 
the agencies having most of 'Design 
For Living' tickets, the specs had 
the worry of distributing them, not 
the house and the show again 
bettered $29,000. 'Dinner at Eight' 
now runner-up among the dramas 
eased off to $20,000. Among the 
musicals 'Take a Chance' got about 
$23,000 and 'Music in the Air' $20,- 
000 all others being down, though 
supported by cut rate deals. 

Only one new production opened 
last week, 'Before Morning* at the 
Ritz. It drew rather good notices, 
with only one real panning. Busi- 
ness chances doubtful after a mid- 
week start. Other openings carded 
were postponed until this week. 

'Evensong' was a quick failure and 
was taken off after ' two weeks at 
the Selwyn. Definitely closing this 
week is 'Another Language,' Booth. 
Among the doubtful shows is 'We 
the People' which, despite the un- 
usual attention given it in the 
papers, slipped Instead of improv- 
ing at the Empire. 

'Strike Me Pink' has been booked 
Into the Majestic which means that 
'Pardon My English' will either 
move or close. 'Walk "a Little 
Faster* will be supplanted by 'Hang- 
man's Whip* at the St James and 
is due to move to the Selwyn next 
week, when 'Allen Corn' comes to 
the Belasco and 'American .Dream' 
debuts at the Guild. 'Biography' 
moves from the latter house to the 
Avon. 

Estimbtes for Last Week 
'Alice in Wonderland/ N6w Am- 
sterdam (3d week) (C-l,702-$2,20). 
While nearly all shows eased off 
last, week, went to $12,600; theatre 
party and matinee strength the rea- 
son. 

'Autumn Crocus/ Morosco (14th 
week) (CD-893-$3.30). Making small 
profit at modest grosses; last week 
slipped around $6,000. 

'Another Language/ Booth (43d 
week) (C-708-$1.66). Final week; 
announced to leave several times; 
around $6,000; gdeis on tour. 

'Before Morning/ Ritz (2d week) 
(D-946-$2.20). Opened middle of 
last week drawing fairly good 
notices; some question over busi- 
ness chances. 

'Biography/ Guild (10th week) 
(C-914-$3.30). Winner for the Guild 
should go well into spring; approxi- 
mated $13,000 last week which is 
real coin this season; moves to 
Avon next week; 'American Dream' 
to follow here. 

'Criminal at Large/ 48th St. (19th 
week) (D-893-$3.30). Leaving for 
the road and should do well; busi- 
ness approximated $6,000; good 
enough. 

'Conquest/ Plymouth (1st week) 
(C-l,040-$3.30). Presented by 
Arthur Hopkins, who also is Its au- 
thor; due to open Saturday (18). 

'Dangerous Corner/ Fulton (17th 
week) (D-913-$3.30). Geared to turn 
profit at small grosses; business 
figured $4,000 or less, but enough. 

'Design for Living/ Barrymore 
(4th week) (CD-l,090-$4.40). No 
difference in new dramatic smash 
except standees; business last week 
again over $29,000. 

'Dinner at Eight/ Music Box (17th 
week) (C-l,000-$3.85). Affected for 
first time; gross around $20,000, but 
that is plenty big for dramatic 
smash, A 

'Evensong/ Selwyn. Withdrawn 
Saturday after playing one day less 
than two weeks; house may get 
'Walk a Little Faster.' 

'Flying Colors/ Imperial (22d' 
week) (R-l,446-$2.20). Dipped un- 
der $12,000 for first time; revue 
protected by cut rate deal and 
showed some profit. 

'Four o'clock/ Blltmore (iPt 
week) (D-924-$3.30). First .slated 
for Elliott; postponed from last 
week; opened Monday. 

'Gay Divorce/ Shubert (12th 
week) (M-1.395-$3.30). Held up bet- 
ter than the other moderate money 
musicals with the gross topping 
$13,000 last week. 

'Goodbye Again/ Ma.sdue (8th 
week) (C-700-$3.30). Sponsors quite 
satisfied with businetjs; dipped In 



last week's going, but approximated 
$8,000. 

'Honeymoon/ Vanderbilt (9th 
week) (C-771-$2.20). One of group 
of low gross shows getting by some- 
how; figured $3,000 or under. 

'Late Christopher Bean/ Miller 
(16th week) (C-946-$3.30). Three 
matinees helping considerably; got 
around $9,000 last week and okay. 

'Melody/ Casino (let week) (O- 
2,000-$3.30). Presented by George 
White; his first operetta presenta- 
tion; well reported from road; opens 
tonight with large lower floor c{i« 
pacity reduced. 

'Music in the Air/ Alvln (16th 
week) (C-l,397-$3.30). Popular op- 
eretta doing well under reduced 
ticket scale; claimed to have bet- 
tered previous week sliglitly; around 
$20,000. 

'One Sunday Afternoon/ Little 
(1st week) (D-530-$3.30). Postponed 
from last week; slated to open 
Wednesday (15). 

'Pardon My English/ Majestic 
(6th week) (M-l,700-$3.30). Dropped 
last week to about $1C,000; may be 
moved to another house 'Strike Me 
Pink* booked in. 

'Pigeons and People/ Lyceum (6th 
week) <C-9e7-$2.20). George M. 
Cohan's show drawing attention 
and moderate trade; around $6,000 
in seven times (no mid-week mati- 
nee). 

'Sophistoerats/ BlJou (1st week) 
(C-608-$3.30), Presented Independ- 
ently (Shepard Traube) ; written by 
Kenneth Phillips Brltton; first 
called 'The Sophlstlcrats'; opened 
Monday. 

'Take a Chance/ Apollo (12th 
week) (M-l,270-$4.40), Topping the 
musicals, but trade not, what it 
should be; estimated around $23,000 
last week. 

'Twentieth Century/ Broadhurst 
(8th week) (C-l,118-$3.80). Defi- 
nitely among the season's hits; 
laugh show somewhat affected, last - 
week, but very good at $13,600. 

'Walk ■ Little Faster/ St. James 
(8th week) (R-l,620-$2.76). Cut 
rates helped, out last week when re- 
vue grossed around $16,000; due to 
move after this week; 'Hangman's 
Whip' slated for next week. 

'We, the People/ Empire (4th 
week) (CD-l,099-$3.30). Plenty of 
talk about propaganda drama, but 
business mostly upstairs; gross of 
$6,000 not profitable. 

'When Ladies Meat/ Royale (20tta 
week) (C-l,118-$2.20). Estimated 
around $9,000 last week; off from 
previous pace, but still profitable. 
Other Attraction* 
'Face the.Musie," 44th Street; re« 
peal dated being cut rated. 

'Black Diamond/ Frovlncetown; 
written by Stanley Kimmel; . anoth« 
er Village try opens Friday (17), 

Shakepeare Theatre (Jolson)e)j' 
Shakespearean revivals. 

Italian Marionsttas (Ficcoli), 
Cohan. 

•The Monster/ Waldorf; revival. 
'As Husband Qo/ Forrest; re- 
vival. 

'The 8how-Off/ Hudson; revival. 



Hayes, Howaid in Barry Flay . 

Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Helen Hayes and Leslie Howard 
have been set by Philip Barry for 
his new, untitled play* 

It will open in New York late in 
March. 



AHEAD AND BACK 

'Alien Com,' Ray Henderson 
ahead; Stanley Glllkey, back. 



There Must Be a Rea- 
son If Such Prominent 
People Carry Annuities: 

JACK DEMP8EY 
W. C. FIELDS 
WILLIE HOWARD 
JOHN CHARLES THOMAS 
BILLY JONES and 
ERNIE HARE 
HAROLD LLOYD 
J. HAROLD MURRAY 
"BABE" RUTH 
WILL ROGERS 
"CHIC" SALE 
VIVIENNE SEGAL 
NED WAYBURN 
BERT WHEELER 
It would pay you to consult us 
before buying new Life Insur- 
ance or Annuities. 



> 



JOHN J. 



KEMP 



551 Fifth Av., New York City 

Phones: Murray Hill 2-7838-7839 



46 



VARtETY 



L I T E II A T I 



tWsdAf, Fclinuuy 14, 1933 



Free Throwaways on Coast 

Lios -Anseles dallies are meeting 
keen competition In advertlslns 
from a number of strlctljr throw- 
away advertiflingr i>apers, wliich are 
mostly publiBlied iby former news- 
papermen, thrown out of 'employ- 
ment In recent mergers. City has 
at least 20 of these free papers, with 
every residential district having its 
own for merchants In that territory, 
plus three downtown sheets, cir- 
culated widely.. One of the publica- 
tions runs a weekly circulation of 
800,000. Others range from 20,000 
to IBO.OOO. 

No other community. It Is said, 
Is ao overrun with this type of free 
pai>er as is Los Angeles. Their ef- 
fect on the dailies has 1>een tre- 
mendous, with the ad costs so far 
below the regular space rates. Reg- 
ularity of the deliveries has been a 
point in their favor, -with house- 
wives looking for these papers for 
the ads in preference to the regu- 
lar sheets. One of the throwaways 
Is particularly helpful to theatres, 
running a page of programs cover- 
ing every house in the metropolitan 
area once a week. 

Among the former newspapermen 
running these adv sheets are 
Charles Powell, formerly olasslfled 
ad manager of the Xb A. Hxpres^; 
"Wilfred Beebe, former general man- 
ager of the Hollywood ■Wews'; Don 
liong. formerly managing editor of 
the same paper, and R. ¥<. Sefler, at 
one time in charge of daaslfled ad- 
TcrtlBlng on all coast Hearst papers, 
and later with the Xi. A. Times.* 

"W. B. Paris, a former L- A. 'Ex- 
press' ad man, started one of the 
throwaways In Fresno a few 
months ago, and Is now launchihg 
another in Stockton. 



mag to the distributor as unsold 
and therefore credited with the full 
amount under his return privilege. 
Thus the dealers would get many 
times the mag's profit, than if sold, 
and at no cost. 

To curb the practice, the distribu- 
tor advocates a seal on every copy 
of a mag placed on sale, with no 
returns of mags with their aeals 
broken. Publishers may hasa to 
adopt it as a protective measure. 



Reprint Mlao 

William Lievlne, the mag pub- 
lisher, who Is also Will Ijevlnrew, 
the mag editor and acrlbbler, re- 
turning to the publishing Add with 
a new monthly, 'Great Detective 
Stories.' 

Not a chance for the contempo- 
rary detective-story Bcrlbblem to 
land, however;, as Levlne or Ijevln- 
rew Is using only reprint stulT. In 
a alngle Issue, for Instance, will be 
carried Sdgar Wallace. Sax Roh- 
mer, O. K. Chesterton, Dorothy 
Sayers. May Edglnton, SI. W. Hor- 
nung and Reginald Wright Kanlf- 
man. A collection of new material 
from such an aggregation would 
ordinarily coat a staggering aum. 
Reprint rights can be had for "but- 
tons, and those names do se^l mags.: 

Levlne'a last publishing effort was 
'Man Story Magazine.' It did a 
brodia 



Jones* Surprise Acceptance 

After 15 years of scenario writ- 
ing on the coast, Grover Jones ^otd 
his first magazine story last wee& 
to HiJolliers,' receiving |S00 for the 
yarn. Jones, writing magazine etuff 
for the past 10 years, has destroyed 
everything he has written. The 
'Colliei* tale was an experience of 
lones, when he worked in the coal 
mines. After completing the atory, 
he gave it to his partiier, 'William 
Slavlns McNutt, to read. McNntt 
said the atory waa tenible and 
asked permission to rewrite U. In- 
•tead, McNutt fient it on to the mag, 
which accepted it. First Jones 
knew' of what happened vraa when 
he received the acceptance slip and 
the check. 



Wtiy Eds Go Crazy 

"Delineator' magazine Is having 
Its hands full these d^ys with a 
certain famous author trho has sopa 
high society. Signed up for a aerial, 
but getting, the installments from 
her is like pulling the teetJi from 
the mouth of the man in the moon. 

From installment to installment, 
the characters keep changing their 
names, and the grandmother who 
died in the first chapter suddenly 
came to life in the fourth. 

Fan letters are pouring in pro- 
tests and a ghost writer has been 
assigned to a closet. 



Bonfils' Will 

'Will of the late Frederick O. Bon- 
flls makes no provision for the con- 
tinuance of the estate In the 'Post,' 
which may or may not be aold to 
other Interests as hts executors jnay 
decide. Annuities of about :|!50,0»0 
are devised and about flOO.ODO dis- 
posed of In direct bequests to rela- 
tives. Estate will pass to the Bbn- 
fUs Medical and Educational Foundr 
ation when the yearly payments 
atop, which It is anticipated win 
not be for SO years. 

Not even an approximatlsa of the 
estate has been made yet. In 1928 
Bonflls testified that the erection 
of the foundation had reduced his 
personal fortune to 1100,000. 



Wants the Break* 

Adolf Hitler's desire to brook 
journalistic favoritism with iiie 
foreign press, particularly British 
and American, has been commented 
upon by German newspapermen. 
They haven't a fraction of the en- 
tree for Interviews with Hitler as 
the foreign correspondents. 

This has been evidenced time and 
again where friendly native German 
and British or American Journalists 
have almost simultaneously tele- 
phoned Hitler's aecretaries for ap- 
pointments, with the foreign press 
favored In short order for any sort 
of Interviews desired. 



-Shy Publishers 
It's not enough when you have 
genius. These days you've got to 
wear boxing gloves as well. Pub- 
lishers, waiting for better times to 
break, are holding up publication as 
never before. Books set into type 
two years ago are still in type. 
Promises of spring publication are 
held over until fall and from fall to 
winter, with author having no 
come-back clause in hie contract- 
Tough for the writing wretch with- 
out a private income or a working 
wife. 



Newspaper People Invited 

Warner Bros, nmy send some of 
its own people to Hollywood for re- 
turn on the '42nd Street' special 
train under hookup with General 
Electric. One of two New York 
newspaper or fan writers may also 
go out. 

Eileen Creelman, m.p. editor of 
•Sun,' left Friday (10) to return on 
the train, but with her expenses 
paid by the 'Sun.' 

Two coast fan writers, now in 
Hollywood, are expected to also 
make the trip. 



Lansinger'a Plan 

Deal brewing between a New 
York group and J. M. Lianslnger, the 
Chicago publisher, by which lAn- 
slnger's 'Real Detective Magazine' 
may pass to the hands of the others. 
Follows the report that Lansinger 
would relinquish his 'College 
Humor,' but that mag not men- 
tioned in the present negotiations. 

Made known recently by lian- 
slnger that he would shortly get 
out a new mag; 'Real America,' un- 
der the editorship of Edwin Balrd. 
Unlikely then that Balrd, who's 
been editing 'Real Detective* for 
years, would come East with that 
mag should Lanslnger transfer It to 
others. 

Same group which Is negotiating 
for 'Real Detective' has on tap a 
mag to be called 'The Collegiate 
Reporter.' and understood to be In 
the 'College Humor' manner. Noth- 
ing definite for 'The Collegiate Re- 
porter* as yet, pending the disposi- 
tion of the 'Real Detective Maga- 
zine* matter. 



Guilds and GuSlda 

Smooth paper writers h»m their. 
Authors' Xieague of America and the 
pulps have their American Fiction 
Guild and Junior Fiction Guild, of 
which former Arthur Buries ia thb 
president. Author^ Xieague duee 
are 426 per annum; AJFJS^u |10 and 
the Jr. F. O. $S, the latter organiza- 
tions, through Attorney John J. 
Wlldberg, establishing an emergency 
fund to discount notes, etc., ao often 
given out by the pulps In payment 
for Ms. Wlldberg, ad counsel for 
both Fiction 'OuUdfl. la al«o setting 
up a fair and unfair list of «blseling 
author'a agents and lirokeni,' and 
publishers who dont meet their 
documentary obligations tw Msa. 
accepted, 'nte pidp^ practice of 
driving three to six-month notes in 
payment of material has often en- 
tailed legal procedure to OQUeet. 

The Junior Goild will be particu- 
larly nurtored to ateer its novitiate: 
members <dear of any maehlnatlagi 
script brokers whu take advantage; 
of budding eeaiua. by exorbitant 
typing, editing and vf&iw 'service' 
charges In liandllhg>Msk 



at the new novel by Peggy Hopkins 
Joyce, figuring that It teay be ault 
able' for a picture with her. Mlaa 
Joyce is notr doing ^International 
House' for Par, which has an op- 
tion for a second picture, for which 
it is ogling Transatlantic WUe.' 



Lawrence Atrtiott Passes 

lAwrence Abbott died at his 
home in New Tork'last week in his 
7Srd year. He waa connected with 
the 'Outlook* In Its long period of 
prosperity, acting as editor between 
18fl3 and 192S, reqignlng the active 
management at tiiat time to take 
the post of contributing editor 
which had been established for 
Theodore Roosevelt. 



PJoflty of Oust 

Metro's defense to injunction and 
damage suit by WHl Jenkins,> whose 
nom-de-plnme is' Murray I<elnster. 
over 'Red Dust,' is that two English 
books and other stories bare been 
fdmllarly titled, hence the Metro 
film of that name didn't specifically 
infringe on Leinst^s story In 'Ar- 
goay* of some years bade, and more 
recently reprinted in 'Amazing 
Stories.' 

Metro also proceeds on Uie propo- 
sition of not being able to protect 
a title through the established rul- 
ing that none can copyright the 
English language. John J. Wlldberg. 
for XiCinster <or Jenkins) is suing In 
the New York Supreme Court and 
not the Federal Court, as It's not a 
copyright Infi*Ingement matter but 
at common law on grounds of un- 
fair competition. 



Book On Father Ceuiphlln 
Ruth Mugglebee, Boston news- 
pa,per woman, steps forward as 
an author. Her maiden Tolnme Is 
-Father Ooughlin of 1*(b Shrine of 
the Uttle Flower/ an appreciative 
study of 'the radio priest,' his life, 
his ^rk and his message. 

The book Is the result of 13aa im- 
pression made upon the news- 
paper woman by a man she went 
to interview, for the Boston 'Amer- 
fcan.^ 

Former Governor Alfred 31. Smith 
.tlxpught so much of the volume that 
he wrote the foreword. Profeseor 
Robert E. Rogers, of the Massa- 
chusetts Bistltute of Technology, 
wrote the introduction. 

Miss Mugglebee is 29. For three 
years she has been Instructor In 
journalism for the Massachusetts 
Division of TTniverslty Extension. 
She Is a reporter for the Boston 
*Evenlng American* and 'Sunday 
Advertiser.* 



Hollywood's New Chatter Sheet 
'Boulevard Spy,' an eight page 
weekly devoted to Hollywood boule- 
vard gossip, has made Its appear- 
ance In the film colony under the 
editorship of John W. Reynolds. 
Devoted to chatter of minor Impor- 
tance, it is making a play for those 
people in the Industry who do not 
rate the chatter columns of the 
dalUes. 



It's the Depresh 

One of the mag distributors, 
puzzled why certain neighborhood 
news dealers made few if any mag 
sales over extended periods. Inves- 
tigated and uncovered a gyp prac- 
tice on the parts of the dealers. 
Scheme has proved as profitable to 
the dealers ais it has been costly to 
the distributors and publishers. 

Gyp. ptactiOe of these dealers has 
l>een to tent' out juags-fpr lialf tiie 
«&l#d price, i^t the end of the mdnth. 
Hi* JMwsdealer'. would return- Wt 



Three Months' Vet 

After but two issues. The New 
Viewpoint' has had an editorial 
shake-up already. Third issue, 
which comes out around Feb. 20, 
will be the work of Julius R. Young, 
as executive editor, and Lieonard F. 
Winston, managing editor. Also In 
a new make-up. 

The New Viewpoint,' another one 
of those mags for serious-thinking 
youngsters, with its aim the inter- 
pretation of the contemporary 
scene. With its third isaue it will 
be a veteran mag of its type. 



Near the Top 

In his 'Mother Sea' (Claud Ken- 
dall), Felix Riesenberg has written 
a marine romance of the shift from 
sails to steam, back In the 'OO's. It 
may not attain a rank with the top 
six, but it should get major atten- 
tion from readers, for it Is Interest- 
ing. Done In the style of Theo 
Drleser, with elaboration of detail 
to gain the desh^ effect 



Kidding the Kidnaps 

Justine Mansfield did a fine job in 
•True Tales of Kidnaping.' Under- 
world kldnapings, gypsy kidnaplngs, 
from the Charlie Ross case to the 
Lindbergh tragedy, Justine has col- 
lected them all. She's another 
marathon writer. From research to 
book counter In 30 days. 



Invited to Buy 

Bernard Shaw, whom tiiese Amer- 
ican shores will soon see In person 
on the lecture platform, has a brand 
of new gag up his celluloid cuff. 
Admittance to lectures by personal 
invitations only. Bernard has just 
finished a satirical novel with the 
generous title of 'The Adventures of 
the Black Girl in Search of Her God,' 
The -a^Y- woodcuts are by John Far- 
lelgh. 



Merry-Go- Round Follow- Up 

Aftermath of Washington Merry- 
Go-Round and "Brevities' (now ex- 
tinct) takes the form of a new 
weekly In the capital, 'Washlng- 
tonla.' 

Goes in for hi -hat humor and In- 
side stuff on official and social life. 
Run by Duncan Hazel, 'Post* ex- 
reporter, and using ntiost of unem- 
ployed newspapeimen around town, 
including best part of old "Brevities' 
staff. 



Jerry Lane's 'Voice of Film' 

Geraldine Xiane, former coast 
press agent, writing in film mag- 
azine under the name of 'Jerry 
Lane,' has hit the 'Satevepost' with 
an article 'Voice of the Films.* It 
wlU be published In about four 
weeks. 



Publisher Adamant 

Despite pressure from Paramount 
to obtain an advance look at the 
galleys of Transatlantic WU(e,' the 
Macauley Publishing Co. is holding 
on to the material until It can be 
shown to all studios. 

Paramount la anxlow for » look I 



f.. A. 'Times' Drops Cline 

William Hamilton Cline, for many 
years press agent for this xAA Or- 
pheum in Los Angles, and more 
recently editorial writer on the L. 
A. Times,' has received the ax 
along with others In that daily's 
drastic pay roll cut. 



164 Weeks of It 

'Time*, wll^ shortly announce that 
the 164th week of the Big Lull has 
past and that for this period it has 
tacked on a circulation increase 
averaging 1,000 a week. 

It brings this weekly's current 
run to around 430,009. 



Goes Beoml 

Petitions in bankruptcy have been 
filed against the White Plains Daily 
Corporation, publishers of the 'Dally 
Press.' Claims are for less than 
$1,000, but others are expected fol- 
lowing this action. 



Another 10% Slash 

All employees of the Los Angeles 
'Examiner' took a cut of 10% last 
week. That makes a total of S6% 
salary slice the Hearst paper's per- 
sonnel has taken in the past three 
months. 



Sth Cut 

'Pictorial Review* cut the salaries 
of its staff for a fifth time last week. 



Chatter 

The 'Saturday Evening Post' has 
gone haywire highbrow with a hlgh- 
jtone literary column conducted by 
Donald Gordon. 

Helen Eliot has written 'She 
Would and She Wouldn't,' a story 
about a girl who decided to do just 
that very thing. Viking Is publish- 
ing. ^ 

Philip Guedella, author and es- 
sayist, is here from England on a 
lecture tour. The minute he's fin- 
ished speeching, he goes to Mexico 
to do a little listening around for 
his next opus. 

Award for the best book designs 
for 1932 goes to Aaron Sxissman of 
Claude Kendall, Inc. 

The mother of our new presldent- 
to-be has dictated the story of his 
life in 'My Boy Franklin.' It will be 
on the book stands early in March. 

Doubleday-Doran is publishing 
the Ben Hecht-Charles McArthur 
play, '20th Century.' 

Helen Dougherty won the True 
Confession' magazine prize of $2,500 
for the second time. She worked 
for it. 

Theodore Dreiser engaged a sec- 
retary to write his letters. He was 
so good that he engaged a secretary 
for his secretary. 

Magazine editors say that the in- 
crease in postage rates has caused 
a 60% decrease in mma. submit- 
tances. 

Magazine soliciting subscription 
by high-pressure telephone t"''f , Six 
calls before they give you up for 
dead. 

Grace Hegger Lewis, Slnclah- 
Lewl^ ex, and also a scribbler, mar- 
ried. 

Despite what he's said about Hit- 
ler over here. Lion Feuchtwanger 
wUl go back to Germany, 

Gilbert Seldea vacationing In Ber- 
muda. 

▲ jmt atnee It prlglnal^ eame 



out, Sheila MacDonald's 'Sally in 
Rbodeala* is to be republished al- 
ready. 

As with most of the poets, Babetto 
Deutsoh has turned novelist, too. 

Next of the Authors' League Fund 
teas will be at the Everett Dean 
Martins on Sunday. Elmer Davla. 
Alice IHier Milter and Mildred Dill. 
Ing irill be guests of honor. 

George Maoy off for Russia and 
other points. 

Harry Block; the Covicl, Frlede 
editorial chief, back from Mexico. 

Ellas Tobenkln got the dope for 
his 'Stalin's Ladder' as Russian cor. 
respondent for the "Herald Tribune.' 

Tom Oersoa, between chapters on 
that new novel, is editing the 'Tea. 
aedc Vorumi 

Blocracy anay follow technocracy 
as a popular book subject. 
John Strachey coming over. 
Hbbart Rogers thinks Majorca the 
bunk. 

Frank Scully and George Antbell 
collablng on song, 'Fun In Bed,' 
based on Scully's book, which will 
come all the way from Nice to Mills 
Music, Inc., Tin Pan Alley, U.S.A., 
for publication. 

George W. Franklin, widely 
known Troy newspaperman, who for 
a number of years was publicity 
director of the Republican State 
committee and who once served as 
deputy superintendent of State 
Prison, had a net estate of $16,291.76 
at the time of his death last Au- 
gust, according to an inheritance 
tax report filed in Surrogate's 
court. Troy. 

Paul Jordan Smith has been ap. 
pointed book editor of the L. A. 
'Times.* His criticisms are pub- 
lished every Sunday in the 'Books 
and Their Makers* column. 
' Meredith Nicholson, the novelist. 
Is a close friend of Indiana's new 
Governor, Paul V. McNutt, a former 
national commander of the Ameri- 
can Legion. 

Floyd Gibbons, on the coast to 
write a series of articles on the Pa. 
clflc fleet for.-%osmopolltan,' will 
try to Interest film producers in his 
"Red Knight of Germany* during 
his stay there. 



Coin Rush Fatal 



((Continued from page 1) 
almost at any price. They know 
that the visualizlnjg of themselves 
lii canned form will ruin their 
chances for personal appearances 
later on. One band was ribbed 
about this, but In refutation brags 
of a one-nlghter at a $1,500 guaran- 
tee against 50% of the gross, in 
which the combo came away with 
$3,600 on the date. The bandman 
avers that this couldn't have been 
done had film shorts of his outfit 
preceded him. He had the air and 
his records as serviceable advance 
builders. 

In contrast there is Eddie Can- 
tor's big vaude roadshow on top of 
consistent radio broadcasting, and 
probably trailing right in on the 
heels of his picture 'Kid From 
Spain.* Element of Cantor's 'Kid,' a 
fuU-length feature, seems so good 
that it has whetted instead of Jaded 
public interest in him and may be 
one factor that proves a counter- 
argument in the film angle. 
Once Around 

No question that the radio build- 
up Is swell for a once-around. After 
that the radio act has become a 
long shot gamble for theatres and 
a drug on the market. There are 
instances galore on this score. 

Hence, those entertainers pausing 
to look about them observe that all 
their fellow performers are pan- 
icky. With stage channels mini- 
mized and monopolized principally, 
at fabulous figures, by radio-famous 
acts, all the artists are groping for 
a look-in on this bonanza. 

Radio talent buyers and adver- 
tisers aver that talent which for- 
merly rltzed their stage booking 
agents are now willing to cut up 
10, 20, and even 30% in commissions 
to as many agents who will expe- 
dite a look-in for them on a radio 
commerclaL Some performers have 
two and three people offering them 
around, at varying prices, and the 
result has been one of much dis- 
gust from the buying end because 
of this multiple representation. 

Not forgetting that for the stage 
artist .radio Is a dream they never 
thought could come true — big money 
for a minimum amount of work, no 
traveling, and that publicity. 



Reserved Seats at 10-20 

Clinton, Iowa, Feb. 13. 
SchaEtner players, stock, playing 
Indef at thei ' Clinton theatre bal- 
cony 10 and lower floor 20 with 
seats reserved. 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



MUSIC 



VARIETY 



47 



MUSIC TRADE'S BAD SHAPE 



Inside Stuff-Musk 



In elvlne CBS carte blanche about Inviting any one It wanted to the 
party be threw at the Essex House last Tuesday (7) night, Fred Waring, 
however, stipulated that music publishers were not to be included among 
the Invitees. Reason for the attitude was that while he played theatre 
dates the music men paid little attention to hinn, but now that he has 
the Old Gold hour on the air they're all too reacl'y to floclc around him. 

Waring also had a little difflculty with the New York musicians' local. 
Union rated the affair as a regular dance function and figured that 
Warlner ought to pay for a standby orchestra, but the band leader even- 
tually eatisfled the local officials that the thing wasi merely an exploita- 
tion stunt and that his combo wasn't doing another unit out of an 
engagement. 



Branch of show business apparently least affected by current economic 
conditions has been the concert field. Although the season now drawing 
to a close has not been the most profitable, concerts held their own far 
better than any other division of the entertainment business. Situation 
is attributed by impressarios to the fact that musical luminaries are in- 
dividual personalities in a period of over mass production in other 
branches, and because fans will do without necessities to hear good con- 
cert attractions. This has always been true in the past. 

That the majority of concert stars have been gambling on percentages, 
rather than demanding high guarantees, has been a life saver for the 
managers. Added to this is the low nut of a concert attraction. 



300.0110 SALES IN 
WEEK IS CROSS 



Leading Firms Obliged to 
Keep Up Costly Standard 
—Question How Many 
Can Last 



SHAKING OUT DUE 



Publishers do little prolonged concentration on a new number nowa- 
days. Rarely is a tune nursed along over a sustained period. Radio, 
they say, has done away with this procedure. 

When the time comes to plug a new release the important spots are 
duly covered and a certain time allotted for the music counter feelers 
to make themselves noticeable. If the ractlon isn't soon forthcoming, 
that ends the attention given it by the firm's radio contacteers. Pub- 
lishers figure that If later on a call for the song pops up and possibilities 
reveal themselves, they can always go back to it. 



Indie publishers not associated with the ASCAP, and with songs au- 
thored by non-society members, are using the National Association of 
Broadcasters, and Oswald Schuette particularly, as a plugfest, because of 
the known strained relations between ASCAP and NAB. 

Schuette's knowledge, or rather lack of knowledge of tin pan alley 
angles, makes him wide open for this use of his stations for plugging 
purposes. All Schuette apparently can think of is the idea of battling 
the established music pubs and songwriters, not realizing how necessary 
Is their pop song material to the nAb stations. 



Al Jolson nearly stole the air Wednesday (8), opening date of his new 
film at Rlvoli, N. T. Numbers from the picture were spotted on as 
many as eight ether programs that day. In each Instance the broad- 
casts specifically mentioned the Jolson opening with spotting of plugs 
Arranged through Harms, publisher of the numbers. 

Programs taking the Jolson tunes Included Rise and Shine, Breakfast 
Club, Frank Martin's orchestra. Royal Gelatine, Abe Lyman, Anson 
Weeks' band, Eddie Duchin combo and Joe First Village Barn orchestra. 



As an indication of hinterland conception of the popular music indus- 
try, whether Inspired by opposing Interests or not, is the following edi- 
torial comment from the Peoria 'Star,' which has been widely reprinted: 

'An authority estimates that Tin Pan Alley turns out 25,000 different 
popular songs a year. Different? Popular? Songs?' 



FEiST. AS WITH HARMS, 
ABANDONS 16c PRICE 



Feist is remaining in the MDS, 
but as with Harms, likewise a mem- 
ber of the Music Dealers Service, 
Is virtually abandoning the 16c 
wholesale price. Feist is raising its 
sheets to 18 and 2C, and up to 24c 
wholesale, on the theory that cer- 
tain hits can't sell more than a cer- 
tain point and that the difference of 
two and four cents per copy in 
favor of the publisher is necessary 
to keep them in business. 

The better grade of pop songs 
almost compels a higher wholesale, 
and relative retail, price because 
the author's roj'alty Is predicated 
on the standard of wholesaling. 

Harms, since Joining MDS, hasn't 
had one 16c song. All issues are 
18c or over. Dealers can't sell 
these at 2Bc, but get 30 to 40c a 
sheet accordingly, and It hasn't 
dented the turnover becau.se this 
brand of publication wouldn't go 
much beyond a certain figure, ac- 
cording to present day standards. 



German Rep for Music 



Berlin. Feb. 6. 

Fred C. Fraenkel representing the 
Mills-Rockwell band and music in- 
terests in Germany was recently 
appointed on -Irving Mills' Euro- 
pean sojoui'n. 

Fraenkol will essay the unusual 
of trying to spot the Lawrence 
Music Co. and the Mills Music Co.'s 
tunes in German tonfilins, the flr.st 
attempt of its kind. 



Lou Nelson, from New York, is 
on the Coast representing Bibo- 
Lange. He is headquartering in 
Los Angeles. 



NOTICE FOR ALL NBC MUSIC 



Precautionary Pending Outcome of 
Union Negotiations 



Every musician on the NBC pay- 
roll in the New York studios has 
been handed his notice effective as 
of March 1. Move was described by 
the network as a precautionary one 
in the event the present negotiations 
for a new contract blow up or in 
the event the union grants the re- 
vision of working hours and condi- 
tions asked by the chain. 

NBC and Columbia Jointly have 
submitted to local No. 802 a proposi- 
tion whereby the hours of all staff 
musicians are extended all along the 
line with each of the scales staying 
as is. 

Networks have been in a huddle 
with the union on the 1933 contract 
since the end of December. 



Harms Induces NBC to 
Lift Ban on tatiful' 



Harms went to bat on 'You're 
Too Beautiful,' one,, of Al Jolson's 
songs from 'Hallelujah. I'm a 
Bum!', with NBC and the chain's 
ban on the number Is no more. 
Net's objection was a supposedly 
hyper-sophlstlcation of the lyric 
context. Ruling had prevented Jol- 
son from etherizing the number on 
his own Chevrolet broadcasts al- 
though the other title song of the 
film is oke. 

Lyric changes were promised. 
Numbers are by Rodgers and Hart 
and published by the songwriters' 
own firm, RoOart, with Harms as 
selling agenfs. The .sapoUoed radio 
edition will become the regular pub- 
lication version 



Analysis of the music publishing 
firms, of long and recent standing, 
discloses how scattered the busi- 
ness is, and how out of proportion 
some of the hookups and over- 
heads are, for the amount of rev- 
enue possible in a deflated field. 
All concur it's become necessary 
to scale everything down, under the 
circunistances, and wait for im- 
proved national conditions to re- 
flect themselves in sheet . music 
sales. For none disputes that music 
is essentially a luxury and its mar- 
ket has collapsed. 

With it all, certain firms like 
Feist, Berlin, Witmark, Shapiro- 
Bernstein, Bobbins, et al, are com- 
pelled to maintain certain stand- 
ards. Their personnel Is veteran; 
executives are accustomed to cer- 
tain standards; and the prestige in 
the American Society of Composers, 
in order to maintain top ratings, re- 
quires certain investment in the 
business, etc. 

In view of this, the elasticity of 
the bankroll Is an element which 
must figure in the ultimate survival. 
Shaking out of the others may 
prove an ultimate boon and boom 
to the business. 

Meantime, Feist's, for example, 
turning out bit after hit, manag&s 
to hold its own despite the big 
league overhead. Berlin's with three 
top exec salaries to Irving Berlin, 
Saul Bornsteln and Max Winslow 
hasn't been making any too good 
headway. 

A firm like Harms, always hooked 
up modestly, isn't complaining. E. 
B. Marks with Its standard music 
and an occasional hit like the cur- 
rent 'Play Fiddle, Play,' Is actually 
enjoying boom times. 

Bobby Crawford has trimmed his 
DeSylva, Brown & Henderson 
company way down. Including the 
elimination of all three names of 
the firm as partners (the nut is 
down to around $16,000 a month 
now), but still has been losing 
plenty. 

Own Money Back 

Louis Bernstein has been putting 
back plenty of his own coin into 
Shapiro-Bernstein which too had 
made thousands upon thousands for 
its president until the last few 
years. 

Bobbins draws on Metro and its 
reserve, losing |76,000 In 1932. Sam 
Fox goes along modestly and with 
a bi-eak on his major cut of the 
$825,000 ERPI money, and a con- 
servative hookup, manages pretty 
well. Others are benefiting this 
week in the ERPI split. 

Of the Warner subsids, Witmarks 
is most ambitiously hooked up. It's 
the important popular outlet and 
must feed hit after hit to the pub- 
lic to get anywhere. So far it's 
been oke. 

Famous, the Paramount subsid, in 
which Warner Bros. (through 
Harms) owns 60%, has likewise 
been conservative and making 
money as a result. The picture 
songs helped, particularly from the 
(Continued on page 65) 



Sues for Alimony 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 

Divorced wife of Bill Moreing 
with Anson Weeks' orchestra at 
Ijotel St. Regis, New York, ha.s 
sued Moreing and Weeks for more 
than $1,000 back alimony, which the 
former owes her, she says. 

Charges are that maestro and hli^ 
fiddler signed a Joint note in which 
thf-y agreed to pay $34. C9 a week. 
Moreing recently married Laura 
Doo. prominent and wealthy local 
sfieif'ty deb who went east with 
him. 



Canadian Society's Music Copyright 
Control Rapped in Court Findings 



Radisson's Name Bands 
Supplant Floor Shows 

Minneapolis, Feb. 13. 

Hotel Rndisson, one of town's two 
leading hotels, will try the experi- 
ment of name bands and a mini- 
mum charge of $1.25 per person for 
week days and $1.75 for Saturdays, 
entitling guest to unlimited ginger 
ale. beer or other soft drinks. 

Ed Slight, who put on an elabo- 
rate floor show for the same estab- 
lishment several months ago, will 
do the bookings and is closing for 
Paul Specht for his opening attrac- 
tion. . 

Hotel Lowry in St. Paul has been 
using name bunds with success the 
past several years. Costly floor 
shows flopped at the Radisson and 
the hotel recpntly has been using 
tlie 'Ingenues.' taking the girl band 
after it played a week at the Or- 
pheum here. 



Disk Income Now 
Short Cost of 
Orchestrations 



Music publishers say they can't 
see a reason any longer to pay or- 
chestra leaders for special arrange- 
ments on phonograph recordings. 
It's got so. aver the sheet purvey- 
ors, that the use of a tune on a disk 
has become a liability Instead of 
turning in some velvet. Number of 
the major publishers who hither- 
fore have been amenable to this 
special orchestration tap are now 
refusing to shell out. 

The publishers base their mathe- 
matical calculations on the prem- 
ise that the average dance recording 
now sells 3,000 records. The bill- 
for these special orchestrations 
handed publisliers by bands with a 
phonograph company connection 
average $35 per number, with many 
of the better-known combos mak- 
ing it anything from $50 to $76. 

As the royalty on each record for 
the publisher is 2c less 10%, out of 
which sum the authors cut In for a 
third. Two cents on 3,000 records 
less the 10% and the share going 
to the writers, on the final reckon- 
ing, leaves the publisher just $36. 
And even that $36 isn't all his be- 
cause the Music Publishers Protec- 
tive Association deducts another 
10%. 



ASCAP Authority Tossed 
By Ricordi of Milan 



ASCAP ha.s been deprived of any 
authority over the American per- 
forming rights of operatic and other 
publications of the G. Ricordi firm 
of Milan. Upon the withdrawal of 
that firm from the Italian Society 
of Composers, these rights were in- 
vested In the Milan publishing 
house's American affiliate, O. Ricordi 
& Co., of whom Dr. Renardo Cas- 
selli is the new head. 

Ricordi of Milan decided to pull 
out of the Italian Society and as- 
sign the performing rights direct 
to its own American organization 
as a result of its dissatisfaction 
with the coin Kelng derived from 
these rights. Altogether last year 
the ASCAP turned over to Italian 
obligations t)ic CQiilvalent of slight- 
ly over $12,000. Ricordi of Milan 
figured that the American broad- 
casting rights to its Puccini and 
other operas, .'ilone, were worth at 
least twice the sum sent over to 
be split up among all the Italian 
pnlillshers and composers. 

Dr. Cas.selli, sent here from 
.Milan, replaced George Maxwell 
who for many years headed the 
American company and was one of 
the prime agitators for and a char- 
ter momhpr 'if the American So- 
ciety. 



Ottawa, Feb. 13. 

Canadian Performing Rights So- 
ciety was rapped by Justice Ewing 
of the Supreme Court in his findings 
submitted to the Canadian Govern- 
ment relative to the doings of the 
Society in connection with copy- 
riglit control of broadcasting sta- 
tions in the Dominion. Tliis fol- 
lowed a judiciary investigation at 
the request of six Western stations. 

The judge found that the Society 
had not complied witli Copyright 
Act In that it had not filed with 
the Copyright Ofllce at Ottawa a 
statement of fees which it pro- 
posed to collect for licensing pur- 
poses. With regard to the stations 
in Western Canada, Justice Ewing 
said, 'It must be said that the So- 
ciety has proposed to collect ex- 
cessive fees from the petitioners.' 

After discussing the Society's pro- 
cedure for the collecting of tees, in- 
cluding a unit charge of $5 for a 
license for any one performance or 
any one musical work by any per- 
son. Justice Ewing declared: 'This 
fee is not applicable solely to broad- 
casting stations. It Is at once ap- 
parent that. If all the Society's 
repertoire amounting to some 2,000,- 
000 selections were performed once, 
the revenue to the Society would 
be $10,000,000. Even if the 200.000 
selections said to be in common use 
were performed once the revenue 
would be' $1,000,000.' 

Judge adds in his report that the 
Society had asserted there was no 
intention of charging the $6 fee for 
the single performance for a few 
minutes of a popular selection. In 
this connection be wrote: 

'This can only mean that the so- 
ciety has filed a fee for the occa- 
sional or exceptional case but has 
given no Indication of any kind as 
to what the unit fee will be for the 
vast majority of cases . . . Surely 
the society could, without mucli ex- 
penditure of time or labor, put on 
record some informative scale of 
unit fees. By so doing the society 
would be entitled to the credit of 
making a frank and reasonable ef- 
fort to comply with the require- 
ments of the statute.' 

Court's Suggestion 

Report points out that the socie- 
ty's statement of fees filed with the 
Commissioner of Patents ranges 
from an annual charge of $100 for a 
five-watt station to an annual fee 
of $12,600 for a 20,000-watt station 
for a general license for broadcast- 
ing under which a station could- 
perform the society's repertoire dur- 
ing a maximum period of 10 hours 
or more per day. He suggests to 
the government that the fees for 
general licenses might be based on 
the population served by a station 
within a designated radius, and on 
the proportion of time devoted to 
music. He points out that Canada 
now has 86 broadcasting stations, 
but that the number will probably 
be reduced in the near future. The 
latter Is probably a thought that the 
new Canadian Radio Commission 
will be canceling some broadcasting 
licenses shortly. 

Parliament is now In session, and 
the presentation of Justice Ewing's 
report may be given consideration 
in legislation on copyrights which 
will be brought down during the 
sitting, it is expected. The report 
has aroused widespread Interest in 
theatre and musical circles. 



BASIO PAIR'S DISKS 

Greta Niestn, radio songstress, 
and Phil Regan, ether tenor, .slated 
for a series of Columbia records. 

Making them both for American 
and British release. 



Eddie McCauley, professional and 
business rep for Remick in Philly 
for 27 years, now on the road for 
Bobbins. 



Edgar Fairchild, formerly of Fair- 
child and Herbert Clair, piano team, 
has his dance combo at the Algon- 
quin hotel, N. Y. 



48 



VARIETY 



MUSIC 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



Bands and Orchestras^ 

Week of Feb. 13 



Partnanint addrMM* ot bands or orohaatraa will ba publlafiad 
without charaa. 

No eharga la'mada for Hating In thia dapartment. 

For rafaranea guidanea, InKiala rapraaent: H— hotal, T— thaatra, 
P— park, P— cafa, D H— danea hall, B^ballropm, R— raataurant. 

Aa far aa poaafbla, atraat addraaaai •■'"fl* «'*'•• '"^ Ine'"***** 



Aaronson, Irvlnr. Rnzton B., N. T. C. 
Asnew. Chas., care Kennaway, (Aleaso. 
AltMit. JulM, CBS. 48S MadtMB At*.. 
W. T. C. 

Allen. Wallr, 19U BWfl. Bait. W. Naw 
Terk, N. J. 
Alidort, U. J.. 68 Ubartr Bi.. Nawburah. 
Amldon. A.. 012 B. Sth Bt.. Flint. Web. 
Andrus. '-ud. Uberatorla R.. XHtnlra. 
V. S. 

. Appel, Oaear. The Catbajr, Baltlmora. 
Arand. HeniT. M Broad St. Newark. 
Arcadia Syneopatora (C Bdcerton). S004 
Addlion Bt., Fhtla. 

Aristocrats (Win. Hughes), 404 Blandlna 
8t., Uttca, N. T. 
Arkell. liee, KVI. Tacoma. Waah. 
Armbruater. J. L., B. A. C. Buffalo. 
Amhelm, Qua, MCA, Chi. 
Ash. Paul, Capitol T., N. T. C. 
Atklna, A. P., M14 4tb Atc,, Dea Uolnea. 
Austin. 8., Darla la. Country C. Tampa. 
Azt, Dr. Wm., M-O-M Studio. Cttlrar 
City, Cal. _ 
B 

Bacbman. t«w. 211 N. Central, Chi. 
Balrd, Maynard, CryaUl T„ Knoxvllla. 
Baldwin, P., Frontanoe. Quabee, Can. 
Bailey. Earl, Cavalier Beach C;. Virginia 
Beach. Va. ' ' J. ^ 

Ballew. Smith. Muehlbach H.. K. C. 
Bard. Job., Golden Pheasant R., Balto. 
Barnard, B., SSO W. Uorrell BL, Jaokaon, 
Mich. 

Barrlngar, Don, Calllco Cat B., Iflaml. 
Bartlatt, O., Book-Cadlllao BU. Detroit. 
Barton, Herbert. B4ft Bth Ave., M. T. C. 
Baraley; Beenar, Uontauk Point. Mon- 
tauk, Lh I. 

Baalle, Jos.. 05 No. t4th St., Nawartt. 
H. J. 

Bauer. F. J., 87 Ormond St., Rochester, 
H. T. „ 
Baum, Babe, 226 Roaa St., Reading, Pa. 

Bnxter. Phil. WDAP, K. a 
Began. Walter. NBC. S. F. 
Beckley, T., loa a. atb St.. Wilmington, 
Del. _ 
Belasco, Leon. Ambassador H., N. T. 
Benavla, Bam; Flahar T., Detroit. 
Bennett, Dave, Station WJJO. Palmar 
Rouse. Chicago. 
Bentley. Billy. KXO. BI Centro, CaUf. 
Bercowltz, Aba, KQW. Portland. Ore. 
Barge; W. B., ST Orand Ave., Bnglewoed, 
N. J. 

Berger. Jack..Astor H.. N. T. C. 
Berger. W. J., B440 Penn Ave.. Pitts- 
burgh. 

Berlin. PauL 42BS Archer Ave.. Chi. 
Bernle. Ben. 1S18 Broadway, N. T. C 
Berrene. Freddie. CBS. N.T.C 
Befl'tor. Don. Hotel I,ciilngton, N. T. 
Beddick, Jlmmle, KMTR, Hollywood. 
Bentord, Jack & Jill Tavern, Portland, 
Ore 

BIssette-Maclean. Marigold R.. Rochester. 
Black. Ted. 1010 Broadway. N. T. C 
Blaufuss, Walter, N.B.C.. Chicago. 
Blumenthaira Oroh., Sovereign H., Chl- 
^go. 

Beb's Sunnyaldera, 80 B. Haverhill St.. 
lAwfence. Mass. 

BefrrX MlBcha, Ens,, Waldorf-Astoria, 
N. ^ 

Bovee. Ralph, KHQ, Spokane. 
Bowley, Ray. 21 Beacon St., Hyde Park, 
Mass. 

Boyd, Tommy, Sacramento H., Sacra- 
tnento, Calif; 
Boyle, Billy. Copley-Plasa H.. Boston. 
Boyle. Marian, KHQ, Spokane, Wash. 
Brandy'a Singing Bd.. Palmer*a Park, 
Lansing. Mich. 
Brashin, Abe. RJR, Seattle. 
Breeskln. Daniel, Barle T.. Washington, 
Brieode Ace. Merry Garden B. R.. Chi, 
B'way Collegians, Walled Lake B., De- 
troit. 

Brewer. Ted, Toeng's R.. B'way and Blst 
St.. N. T. C. 

Brooks. Harvey, Zulu Hut, No. Holly- 
wood. Calif. 
Broudy. Dave, Grant T., Pittsburgh. 
Brownagle. T.. 922 0th St.. Harrlsburg. 
Pa. 

Brustloft. Nat. 10 B. 40th St., N. T. C. 
Bryant. W. H., 1026 8. Oth St., Terra 
Haute, Ind. 

Buckeye Wondera, 040 Bo. Main St., 
Akron, O. 
Butfano. Jules, Bth Ave. T., Seattle. 
Buloskwles Callfa.. Eagle B., Milwaukee. 
Bunchuk, Tasha, Capitol T.. N. T. C. 
Burk. Mllo, Brockton. Mass. 
Burke. Chick, Ameabury, Maas. 
Burke's Canadians, New Constant Spring 
n., Kingston, Jamaica. 
Burnett, Jordan. Greenhlll B.R., Chicago. 
Burns, Jimmy, Lido Venice H.. Sand- 
wich, Ont. 

c 

Calloway, Cab, TOO Tth Ave., N. T. C. 
Caperoon, Fred, 401 B'way, Camdan. N. J. 
Cappo, Jos.. Lakeside Park. Dayton, O. 
Carlln, Herb, Guyon'a B. R.. Chicago. 
Carberry, Duke. Walpole, Masa. 
Carpenter, Earl. 1010 B'way. N. T. C. 
Carr Broa.. 2187 Oulyot. Oeeanslde, Cal. 
Casa Loma, 790 7th ave., N. T. C 
Casa Nova, Greenwich Village, Dayton, O. 
Caaale, M.. 140 Plna St., Wllllamaport. 
Pa. 

Cassldy. D. L.. Vancouver H., Vaneoavar, 

B. C. 

CasBon. Pap. Victoria H., N. T. C. 
Castro, Hanolo. Naclonale H.. Havana. 
Causer, Bob. Ithaca H., Ithaca. N. T. 
Cavallava. John. SO Irving St.. New 
Raven. 

Cavato. Bt», Flotilla Club. Pittsburgh. 
Cave, Don. El Cortcz H.. San Diego. 
Cervone, Issy, OOa Blackstone BIdg. 
Pittsburgh. ' 
Charles.j Roy. Golden Pumpkin C. Cbl. 
Chlo-B-Revelers, Station WJBO, New Or 
leans. 

Cbrlstensen. Pavl, WKT, Oklahoma City 
^ Christie. H. J„ 1881 N. Ormsby Ave. 
Louisville. 

Church. Ross, Buekeya Laka P.. Buek- 
•ye Lake, O. . ,'>. . 

Clarke, Bobi 1000 Rosbury TiC (B), Co 
lumbua, O. ' ' . . 

Clarke. Herb. L., Munlotpal Batod. Long 
Bearh, Cal. 

Clevelandera. Fuller's Garden, CInolnnatI 
■ Coakley. Tom, Athens C, Oakland, Calif. 
Col. F., 202 W. Douglas St.. Reading, Pa. 
Colemfttt. . Bmll. . Waldorf -Astpria, N^.T. ' 
College Club, '4120 Dewey Ave., OmMut. 
Collegian Serenadtfrs, Far Bast R.; OHvs- 

land. ■ > 

Columbo, Ross. Palace T., Chi. 
, ^ Cole,' King, Solomon's D. H., L, A. 
> Qontey. Ralt)h,.1110 Grand SI,. Whsal- 

Ing, "W Va , . . 

ContaA.ait: ^1088, PiCK. A,Ve;,. If.. JT. C. V> 
Cook. Arttiur« \tXYZ. Oetrou. 



Cooler, Frita, Maple View. Plttsfleld, 
Mass. 

Coon, Dell, La Salle H.. Chi. 
Cooney. Bernard, KWO, Stockton, Calif. 
Oornwoll. Frank, Mayfair C. Boston. 
Coyle, L. R., XIO B. JOth St.. Baaton. Pa. 
Craig. Francis, Hermitage H.. Nashville. 
Crescent Orcb.. Armory. MIddletown. N.T. 
Crawford, "Buss," 2110 Pennsylvania 
Ave., N. W., Washington. 
Crawford, Jack, Fox T., Seattle. 
Crawford. Thomas L.. Wichita. Rans. 
Cullea, 8. B., §14 B. Oth St.. South Bos- 
ton 

Currie, Harry, Beelbaeh H., Louisville. 
Cummlngs. Johnalo, Webster H.. Canan- 
dalgua, N. T. 

Cummins, Bemle, MCA, Chi, 



Dahl. Ted, Beverly Hills H., Beverly 
Hills, Calif. 
DamskI, Henri. KJR, Seattle. 
Dantzig, B. J., B42 Putnam Av*., B'klyn. 
Dantzler, T., MIrador B. R., Phoenix. 
D'Artrf's Orcb.. Bl 14tb St.. Norwich. 
Conn. 

Daugherty, Emery. Jardin Lido, Arling- 
ton H., Washington, D. C. 

Davidson. J. W., Norshora T., Chicago. 
Davis. C, Indiana, T.. Indlai\apolls. 
Davis, Meyer, 18 B. 48th St., N. T. C. 
Davison, Walt. Ualnstreet T.. K. C. 
DeForest, Don, 111 King ',St,. PorUand, 
Ore, 

Delany, Jack, KLX. Oakland. CuMt. 
Delbtldge.' Del., 404 Hadlaan T. BIdg.. 

Detroit. 

Del .Pose, Senor, 1D8T B'wtky. N. T. C. 
DeLuca. J., 881 St Marks Ave., Brook- 
lyn. N. T. 
Denny. Claude, Nocturne C. Chi. 
Denny. Jack, Waldorf-Astoria H.. N.T.C. 
Deterlcta, Roy, Stevens H., Chicago. 
Dewces, Lowell, 1200 Jackaon St., Spring- 
Held, lit 

Dickenson. Bob. McEHroy'a B. R.. Seattle 
DItmars. Ivan. KOL. Seattle. 
Dolan. Bert. Bond Hotal, Hartford. Oona. 
Domine urcb., 22 4tb St.. Troy, N. Y. 
Donnelly, W. H.. 288 Glenwood Ave., B. 
Orange, N. 

Domberger, Chaa., Mt Royal H., Mont- 
real. 

Doty, Mike. Celealum B. R., Tacoma, 

Waah. 

Dougherty. Doe. Adelpbia H., Phlla. 

Dowell. Boots, Cotton C. San Diego. 
Downey, Harry. Ballyhoo C. B'way and 
40tb St. N. T. C 
Dunn. Jack, El Patio B. R.. L. A. 
Duerr. Dalph. 11401 Orvllle Ave.. Cleve. 
Duchln, Ed., Central Park Casino. N.T.C. 



Eckel, Charlie, Hotel Montclair, N. T. 

Edmunds, Olen, BIk's C. U A. 

Ellington, Duke, 790 7th ave., N. T. C. 

Elmwood Band. 872 Van Noatrand Ave.. 
-Jersey City. 

Bppel, 0780 N. 7th St. Philadelphia. 
Epplnoft,. Ivan, MCA, Chi. 
Erickson. Harry, Saltalr Beach Co, Salt 
Lake City. 
Esllck. J., 8077 Georgia St., San Diego. 



Fay, Barnard. Fay'a. Providence. 

Farrell, F., Inn. 4 Sheridan 84.. M. T. C, 

Feeney, J. M., 390 B. 11th St. Oakland 

Fagan. Ray. Sagamor* U., Rodiester. 

Fabello, Phil. Albee. Brooklyn. 

Farr, Aaron, Miami Baadt Country C. 
Miami Beach. 

Feldman. Joe, 1088 B. OOth St., CleveUnd, 
Ohio. 

Felton, Hajipy, DeWItt Clinton H, N. T. 

Ferdlnando, Felix. Le Chateau B. R. 
Mancheater, N. H. 

Ferko, Jos, A.. 600 W. Glenwood Ave., 
Phlla., Pa. 

Feyl. J. W., 878 River St, Troy, N. T. 

Flo-Rlto, Ted. St. Francis H., 8. F. 

FIschsr. Carl. Majestic D. H., Detroit 

Fischer, C. L. 014 South Westncdge St.. 
Kalamasoo, MIcb. 

Fisher. Buddy, Bohemian C, Hollywood. 

Fisher. Mark, Edgewater Beach H., Chi. 

FInston. Nat. Par. Studio. Hollywood. 

Fltzpatrick, Eddie, N.B.C., 8. F. 

Foard, Don, 1410 Reed Ave. Kalamasoo. 
Mich. 

Fogg A. M.. 174 Beacon 8t, Portland, 
Me. 

Fomlsh, Henry, Pleasant Lake, Jackson, 

Mich. 

Fosdlck, Gene, Rye Bath A Tennis C. 

Westchester. 
Freed. Carl. 30 8. Orangs Ave.. Newark 
Friary, - George, Rockland, Masa. 
Friedman, L. F., St Louis T.. St. Louis. 
Friedman, Snooks, Paramount H-, N.T.C 
Prleso. J. F.. Strand T.. Stamford. Conn 
Frost, Jack, Station WJAR, Providence 

R. L 

Fuller, Barl, Swiss Gardens, Clnn, 
Funk. Larry. WEAF, N. T. C. 
Furst. Jules. Village Bam, N. T. C. 
Fye. Gil, Silver Spray B. R., Long Beach, 
Calif. 

Q 

Oalvln, J, >., Plasa T.. Worceaier. Mass 

Galllcchlo. Jo. 0200 Sheridan Rd.. Cbl. 

Garber, Jan, Trianon B. R,, Chi. 

Gardner, C. C, 1027 N. Mtb St., Lin 
coin. Neb. 

Gates, Hal, KGER, L. A. 

Gates. Manny, Aleasar H.. Miami. 

Gaul, Geo., Washington. D. C. 

Gaylord, Chas., La Boheme, Hollywood. 

Geldt Al„ 117 S. N. J. Ave., Altantlc 
City. 

Oerun, Tom, Bal Taberin C, B. F. 

Gibson's Blue Devils. I. O. O. F.. Ball 
room. Baltimore. 

Gill, Sumit C. Baltimore. 

0111, Joe, Hollywood C, Galveston, Tex 

Olllea. Frank. Detroit Tacht C. Detroit 

Glllet. Albert KOW, Portland, Ore. 

Ginsberg, Ralph, Palmer H.. Chi. 

Gervin, Hal, 1626 Gough St, 3. F. 

Gott, Mark, Briggs R., Detroit. 

Goldberg, Geo.. Celestial R., Bay Shore 
Park. Baltimore. Md. 

Golden, Neal. WOR, N. T. C. 

Ooldkette, Jean. Book Tower. Detroit. 

Gonaales, S. N., 810 B. Oth St., SanU 
Ana. Cal. 

Gorrell. Ray. 404 MadUoa T. BIdg., De 

trolt. 

Graham, Paul, fenkllnson Pav., Pt 
Pleasant, N. J. 
Grass, Chet. .3040 8. Corona, Denver, 
Green, Jimmy. Beaob View Gardens C 

Chicago.' 

Gross, Prentts, McEIroy B., Portland, Or*. 
Greer. Billy, 1003 Main St.. Davenport la 
Orler, Jimmy. Adolphus H.. Dallas. 

- >Oros*o,^^.P«al, . -'.Arlington .H... - Colorado 

fiprlriga. Col. 



Onanstto, Lea. 10 Bt Angela St. Qnebee, 

Oumlek. Bd., 80 Reyaelda At*., Pfovl« 
dence. • 

Onnsondoifer. W.. 'ja* O., B. W. 

Outterson. M.. Valenola T.. BaltlttM*. 

Outterson. Waldamar. Booaavolt H.. 
Hollywood, 

H 

Haas, Alexander. W. TOtb Bt. N.T.C. 

Haines, "Whltey," Tavsia laa. 188 M. 
Bend 8t. Pawtnoket, R. I. 

Hall, Georg*. Taft H., M. T. O. 

Hall, Blefpy. UOA. Cbloag*; 

Hamilton, a«o.. Airport Garden*. L. A. 

Hammond) Jean. Sky Room. Mllwauke*. 

Hamond, Cheatlne. KIT, Taklma. Wash. 

Hamp, Johnny, Mark Hopkins H., 8. f; 

Hancock, Hogan, Jstt*t*OB H., Birming- 
ham. 

Handler, Al, Via Lago, Chi. 

Harmon, M., Club Hfradot, ' Washington. 

Harris, Phil. Ambassador H., L. A. 

Harrison, J.. Rendesvous, Toronto. 

Hart Ronnl^ British Columbia Pk., Van- 
couver, B. C. 

Harkneas, Bddle, 2080 Franklin St., 8. F. 

Hatch, Nelson. Old Mill Tea Garden. To- 
ronto, Can. 

Hatch, Wilbur, KNX. Hollywood. 

Haney. AL 30 Capital Bt. Pawtuokat 
R. 1. 

Haucke, Curt Rainbow Gardens, L. A. 
Haymes. Joe, Village Nut Club, N. T. C. 
Haya, Bill. Cathay Tea Qardan. Phlla. 
Helberger. Emil, Bond H., Hartford. 
Heldt Horace. R. K. O. Golden Gate. 
Frisco. 

Henderson, F., 228 W. 189th St, N. T. C. 
Henkel, Ted, Capitol T., Sydney. Aua. 
Henry, Joe, Astoria, N. T. 
Henry. Tal.. e-o NBC. 711 Oth Ave.. 

N. T. C. 

Hlrabak. A., 1128 Ooottman St., Pltta- 

burgh. 

Hlte, Les, Cotton Club, Culver City, Cal. 
Hobbs, Frank, Bt Catherine H., CaUllna 

Is 

Hoffman, Earl, Casa de Alex, Chi. 
Hoffman. L. O., 78 Elrnst St., Buffalo. 
Hogan; Bill, Frolica C.,' Culver City, Calif. 
Hogan, Twe*t, Chanel Lake, lit 
Hogland. Everett Rendesvous B. R.. Bal- 
boa. Calif. 

Hollowell, B., Strand P. H., Wilmington, 

Del. 

Hoillywood Collegians, K. of C. C. N.C.T. 

Holroan, Bob, Cafe de Parse, L. A. 

Holmes. Wright Bfartlnlqu* U., N. T. C. 

Hopkins, Claude, Roaeland B, B'way and- 
BOth St, N. T. a 

Homlok, Joe. NBC, B. F. 

Houston, Clia*., Monmoutk Beaeb C, 
N J. 

Hueston. Billy, 1008 B'way, N. T. C 

Hultberg, Henry. Inglaterra B.- R.. Chi. 
Hyde. Alex., c-o Wm. Morris, Mayfa'lr T. 
BIdg.. N. T. a 

I 

Innis, Bd, Vanity FWr B., Huntington. 
W. Va. 

Irving, B.. Lyceum T.. New Britain, 
Conn. 

laemlnger. Bill, Hageratown. Md. 

Isltt Doug, Butt*, Moat 

lula. Folic*. Rivoll T.. Baltlmor*. 

lute, RulDno, City Park Bd.. Baltlmor*. 



Jackson's Jaaa. 18 Chestnut St., Glovsra- 
llle, N. T. 

Jalfy. Gilbert, Lelghton's Arcade, L. A. 
Janis, Fred, Turkish Village C, Chicago. 
Janover. A. L., 1200 Grant Ave., N. T. C. 
Janeen, EMward, KVI, Tacoma. Wash. 
Jaxon, 'Half Pint' WJJD, Chi. 
Jedel, H., 470 Hawthorn* Av*., N*w*rk, 
N. J. 

Jehle. John, 70 Driggs Av*., Brooklyn. 
Jockers, At 1010 B'way, N. T. C. 
Johnson, C, Small's Paradise, N. T. C. 
Johnson, Owlght Bmprefs H., Portland, 
Ore 

Johnson, Gladys, KTM, L. A. 

Johnston, Merle, 101 W. 40th St, N.T.C. 

Johnston, O. W.. 48 Grove Ave., Ottawa. 

Jolly Joyce's Syn., 010-lT Walnut 8t, 
Philadelphia. 

Jordan, Art, 0241 Norwood Bt, Phlla. 

Jonea, Rogan. KVOS, BelUngham, Wash. 

Jones. Isham. Hollywood R„ N. Y. C. 

Jorgensen, Ruth, 1280 Sheldon St.. Jaek- 
son, Mich. 

Joy, Jlmmle, Va riety, Hollywood. 

Joy, Jack. KFWB, Hollywood. 



K 

Kahn, Harry, 5210 Galnor Road, Phlla,, 
Pa. 

Kahn, Herman, Capitol T.. Newark. M. ). 
Kahn, Roger W.. 1007 B'way. N. T. C 
Kails, U.. lad* V*nlc* C, Boston. 
Kamaa, Al, Swanee B. R., Washington. 

Kassel. Art, BIrmarck H., Chicago. 
Katzman, Louis, 1780 B'way, N. T, C. 
Kaufman, W., 28 N. 10th St., tiobanon. 
Pa. 

Kay. Herble. MCA, Chicago. 
Kayser, Kay, Nixon R., Pitta. 
Keegan. Ross B.. 32 Gold St., Freeport, 
L. I. 

Klefer, Bert, 447 R. R. Ave., Pen Argyle, 
Fa. 

Keller, Wm. R., 4110 Blst St.. Woodslde. 
L. 1.. N T. 

Kelly. Paul. La Granduja. S. F. 

Kelsey. Walter, KFRC, S. F. 

Kemp, Hal, Blackhawk C. Chi. 

Kennedy, Clem, KTAB, 8. , 

Kennsts, Larry, 001 Keenab BIdg.. Pitts- 
burgh. 

Keutner, H., Ben)., Franklin H., Phlla. 

Kerr, Chas, Adelphla H., Phlla. 

Red Kibbler, Recreation Pier. Long 
Beach. Cal. 

Koestner, Jos., N. B. C. Merchandise 
Mart. 222 North Bank Dr.. Chicago. 

Keystone Screnaders. Od. Riviera T., De- 
troit. 

King, Dan. and his Radio Boandats. Four 
Towers. Cedar Grove. N. T. 

King's Mslody, 08 MueUer St., Bingham' 
ton. N. T. 

King, Wayne, Aragoa B. R., Cbl. 

Klein, Fred. Klngaway U., Hot Spring*. 
Ark. 

Kline, M.. B400 Spruce St.. Philadelphia 
Knelsel. B., Blltmor* H.. Atlanta. 
Knutson, Brllng, President U., K. C. 
Koials, Jim, BtatloH WLFL. Chicago. 
Krauskrtll, Walt 847 aaremont BIdg. 
3. F. 

Krueger. Art 'WTSN, Milwaukee. 
Knimbols, Q., P. O. Bex 404, New Bed- 
ford. Mass. 
Kyts. Benny, Station WJR. Detroit. 



La Fer^ra. Vinton, 1821 Grant Ave., 8. F. 
Lagaaas, F., UB Merrlma* Bt, Lowell 
Mass. 

Laltsky. Ban, Malestle T, BIdg., L. A. 

Lampe, Del, -Palais D'Or, N. T. 
Lampham, Clayton, Luna Park, Coney 
Is.. N. T. 

Lanlleld. M..' BBB's Cellar, Hollywood, 

Lang, Harry, Baker H.. Dallas. 

Lange, J, V., ST Abbott St., Lowell, Mass. 

Lanin, Sam. e/o CBS. 480 Madison Ave 
N. 1. C. 

Lanln. Howard. CBS, N.T.C. 

Laws. Bernle. Pattls C, Des Moines, la 

Mickey- Lazarus,- McFdddeii B. R.,- San 
Francisco. 

Lefcourt, Harry, iT-lO Newtowa Ave, 
Astoria, L. 1. 

Letkowlts, Harry. Caaley H., Soranton, 
Pa, 

Leftwioh. lolly. Caeaalo H., WrIgfaUvllle 
Beacb, N. C. 



Levant Phil. MCA. Chicago. 
' Levin. At 470 Wlialtey Av*<. New HaT*n. 
' L*vltow. Bvmard, Commoder* H., N.T.C. 
. u«o Oroh.. Ball* 88 Lo*w Bld«., Wash- 
ingtoa. D. a _ , 

Light, Bnoob. Plantation Gardens, Pblla> 
delphia. Pa. . 
'Llndebaum, lo*. Breaker* it. Long 
Beach. Calif. 

, LlsDln, Hank. Adolphus B., Dallas, 
' Lombardo, Guy, Roosevelt H., N. T. 

Lopez. Vincent Congress H.. Chi, 

i'Loiird, Howard O.. 4100 8rd St.. N. W.. 
Wash., D. C 

Lowe, Bemle. Nanking Cafe, Des Molnea. 

Lowe, Sol, Manchester T., L. A. 

Ludek*k Frank, Davenport H.,- Spokan*. 
Warti. 

' Luse, Harley, Wilson's B. R., I*, A. . 

Luster, Mayo, Oriental Gardens, Cbl, 
Lyman. Abe, Paradise R..' N. T. C. 

Lynn, Corray, Blu* Gretta C. Chleago. 

Lynn. Sammy. 9000 Wichita St., Dalla*. 

M 

:Maedonald. Rex. Coliseum, St. Peteia- 
burg. 

Hace,' Art Rendezvous B. R„ Santa 
Monica, Cat 

Mack, Dave. Parts Inn, L. A. 

Maok, Ted. Blackstone H., Fort Worth. 

Madreguera-, BnrlO, Place Plgalle, N.T.C. 

Mahon, Margie, KMO, Seattle. 

Major. F. J., 8007 8d St., Ocean Pari. 
Cat 

Maklns, Bddl* LeOlalr*. C. Chicago, 
Maloney, A. B., BOO BUnor St., KaoxvlUe,. 
Tenn. 

Manthe, - At, 007 N. Francis; Madison 
Wis. 

Marburger, H., ' Reseland B. R.. N. T. 

Marengo, Joe, Ita^an , Village, L, A. 

Marsh. Chas... Ft Pitt U. Pittsburgh. 

Marabali; Red. Venice' B., Venice, Cal. 

Marmaro- John. B*aua. A*ts C, 80 W. 
40th St.. N. T. C. ' 

Martin, Fred, Park Central H., N. T. C. 

Maallm, Sam, Seneca H., Rochester. 

Mason. BobbI* (MI|M). N*w China R.. 
Toungstown.' 'Ohio.' 

Masters,' Frankle,' Morrison' H., Cbl. 

Mattasc^. Sti^v*. Oar>|en B..' Seattle. 

Maupin, Rex; KTW.. Cbl. . 

Maurice, Jadk, KOFJ, t. A. 

Maytalr. Bernl*. TO So. DtvUloa, Bat- 
tl* Cr**k, Mich. 

MoCloud, Mac, care Paul Cohan, Bl West 
Randolph, Chi. 

McCoy, Clyde, D'rabe H., Chicago. 

McDowell, Adrian. Town A Country C. 
Milwaukee. 

MoBnelly, B. J., 00 Sylvan St.. Spring- 
field, Mass. . 

McGay. J.. Detroit Country Club, Detroit. 

McGowan, Loos, c/o R. W. Kahn, 1007 
B'way. N. T. C. 

^Mclntyr*, Jam**, Cbatsau Laurlar. Ot- 
tawa. 

Mclhtlr*. Lahl, RtiTR. Hollywood. 
MoVeas I. S., 1321 B. 83d St, L. A. 
Mella, Wm., 01 Edwin St., Rldgedeld 
Park. N. J. 
Memphlsonlans, 02 S. Main St., Memphis. 
Messenger, Al, RoseIan4, Taunton, Mass. 
Merolf, Ben, Variety. N. T. 
Meyer. M. F., 020 Broadway. Brooklyn, 

a. T. 

Meyer Oscar, 4020 Camao St, Phila- 
delphia. 

Mcyerlnch, Herb. States Hofbrau. S. F. 
Meysrs. At 0200 Glrard Av*., Phlla. 
Meyers, Louis. Zenda B.. L. A. 
Meyers. VIo Trianon B. R. Seattle. 
Miles, Dusty, The Roof, Kenosha, Wis. 
Miles. Jack. Granada C. Chicago. 
Mllholland, H. I., KGA, Spokane. 
Miller, J. Frani, Statler H.. Detroit 
Miller, Gladys. KOHO. Seattle. 
MlUer Jack, Pees* Clubi Montreal. 
Miller, N.. 121 . WUllama St.. Cbelaea. 
Mass. ' 

Miller. Vlo, Lo*w'* SUte, Syracuse. 
Milan. Bert, Eastwood Park, Detroit. 
Mills. Floyd, 760 Fayette Bt, Cunvber- 
land. Md. 

Milne, Del, 670 B. Washington St, Port- 
land, Ore. 

Mlner-Doyle, 1109 MIddlessx St.. Lowell, 
Mass. 

MInloh. BM., 1101 Prospect Ave., fioran- 
ton. Pa. 

MIeheloff, Sol, Commodore H, N. T. C. 
Mitchell, Al, 4 Reed 8t„ So. Norwalk. 

Conn. 

Mobrraan. MaUe. KJR, Seattle. 
Morton. Fran.. Italian Gardens, Bpokan*, 
Wash. 

MoUno, Carlos, Roosevelt H., Holly. 

Moore. Carl, care Kennaway, OhI. 

Moore's, Dlnty, Washington Arms, Ma- 
maroneck. N. T. 

Moor*, Pryor, Sdiaber's C, Ik A. 

Moore, Tom, CInderelte B.. Long Beach, 
Cal. 

M-^rey, Al, Worth T., Ft. Worth, 
Morris, Glen. Silver Slipper. Baltlmor*. 
Moss, Jo*, 18 B. 48tb St., N. T. C 
Mosby, Curtis. Apex C. S. F. 
Mosber, V., 8187 10th Ave. 8., Minneap- 
olis. 

Murlal. Fred, OrlenUI T.. Detroit 
Moana H., Walklkl Beach, Honolulu, Ha- 
walt 

N 

Nappl, BUI, TutwUler H., Birmingham, 
Ala. 

Nash. Len, Len Naah'e Barn, Compton, 
Cal. 

Nashold, Dudley. Nashold's R. R., San 

Diego. 

Naylor, Oliver, Walton H„ Phlla. 

NeS. Art. 0228 Spruce St.. Philadelphia. 

Neglar, Merlin, Fox T., Spokane. Wash. 

Nelman, Bddle, Ora nd T errace, ChL 
Neumlller, Howard, 'W6BM, Chi, 
NewleU, Nick, 81B0 Mtb St, Astoria. 
L. I. 

Nelson, Ozzle, Hotel ' New Torker, N.T.C. 
Nelson, Tom, Roosevelt H„ N. T. C 
New Orleans Owls. H. Roosevelt. N. O. 
Newman, Alfred. U. A. Studio, Holly- 
wood. 

Nichols, Red, Golden Pheasant, Cleve, O 
Nolan. Bob. Fisher T., Detroit. 
Neone. Jimmy. Club Dlxl*. Cbleag*. 

Norman, Jess. 1770 Qreen St.. 8. F. 



O'Brien, Tom, Baranae Lake H.. Baranae 
Lake. N. T. 

O'Connell, Mark, 810 W 08 St., N. T. C. 
Octavet Ore. 80 Duffleld St.. Brooklyn. 
N. T. 

O'Hare, Husk, La Salle H.. Chicago. 
O'Heam, Trave, LeClaIr H., Mollne, lit 
Olsen, Qeorge, NBC, N. T. C. 
Olsen. Guy, Eagles Aud.. Seattle, Wash. 

Olscn, Ole, Commodore C, Vancouver, 
B. C. 

Oppenhelm. W.. Ben). Franklin H., Phlla. 
Original Georgia 0. Danceland, Jamaica. 

L. 1 

Original Tellow Jackets, Bummerland 
Deach, Buckeye Lake, O. 
Orlando, Nick. Plaza H., N. T. C. 

Opbome, Will, c/o Variety, N. T. 
Owen, Deloa, WON, Chi. 
Owens. Harry. Grand H., Santa Monica, 
Cal, 



Paige, Ray, SUtlon KHJ, L. A. 

Paimqulst Ernie, Eagle B, R., Milwaukee 
Parisian Red Heads, 23 W. North St 
Indlanapblls. 
Parker, Dud. 380 Hart Bt., fi'klyn. N. T 
Pameil, Chas., Hartford B. R., San Ber- 
nardino, Cal. 
Paso, Gsorg* C, Rotevlll*. O. 



P*arl. Uor«y. 308 Hunthig Av*., Boston. 
P*«k, Jack. 801 Keenaa BIdg.. PltUburgh. 

Pedro, Don, Morrison H.. Chi. 
^^•erles* Oroh., Monmouth St, Nowpett. 

Pendarvli^ Paul. Jonathan C, L. A. 
PernI, Don, Baenger T., Now Orlaans. r.. 
^P*iy. Frank. Flagler H., BUIlsbw!^ 

Peterson. Art Traut-da1*-ln-th*-PiB^ 
Ev*rgreen. Colo. ^ 
. P«ttls, Jack, Wm. Penn H., Pittsburgh 

^Peyton. - Doo, Syracuse ri„ Syracuse^ 

.Peterson. B,. TlvoU T.. Michigan at* 
Ind. • •• 

Pfelfter's Orcb., IS42 Palmetto Ave Ta. 
ledo: 

Phllbrlck'a 'Orch., Tounker's Dept. Btoi*. 

Dea Homes., la. 
Phillips, Pbll.. Club Bagdad. Dallas. 
Plecino, A.. 860 N. 8th St.. Reading. p> 
Pierce. Chaa,, Midway Gardens, Cedar ' 

Lake. Ind. 
Plpp'a Orcb., Sullivan's, Edmonton, Can, 
.Pontrelll, Pete, Palace B. R., Ocean Park. 

Cal. 

Powell, Walter & Rudy Bundx, care 
Leddy & Smith. 220 W. 47th St.. N. T. C. 

Prado,' Fred, American House, Boston, 

Prior, Will, KFAC, L. A. 

Pullen, R. B,, 1300 Sellers St., Fmnkford. 

Phlla. . ^• 

R 

Ralston. Jack, Station WOL, Washington . 

D. C, 

Radin, Oscar, M-G-M Studio. Culver City, 
Cal. 

Radrlgues, Jos., KFI, L. A. 

Rapee. Brno, Radio City Music Halt 
N. T. C. 

Rasmussen. F.. 148 Graham Ave.. Counoll 
Bluffs. la 

Ray, Alvino, NBC, S. P. 

Read. Kemp, BOO Ashley Blvd., New Bed* 
ford. . Mass. 

Red ' Domlnos. care of E. K. Nadel, 110 
W. 47th St., N. T. C. 

Redman. Don. 700 7th Ave.. N.T.C. 

Reese, Gardner, 1010 Broadway, N. T. 

Rclsmdn, Leo.. ISO W. e7tb St.. N. T. flL 

Relyea,' Al 'Ruddy,' New Harmony H., ' 
Cohoes, N, T. 

Rendleman, Duiik, Del Monte, Blrniing. 
ham, Ala. 

Reno. Frankt Blltmore H., Santa Bar> 
bara, Cal. 

Reynolds, Lou, 000 Central Ave., Ala- 
meda, Cal. 

Rich, Fred. CBS, N. T. C 

Richards, Barney, Uptown Vlllags, Cbl. 

Rlckltts, J. C. Kosciusko, MlM. 

Rlnes, Jos., BIks H., Boston. 

Rlttenbaud, J., U, Artlats T., Detroit 

nizzo, Vincent Sylvania H.. Phlla. 

Roanes' Penn. Commodore B., Lowol^ 
Mass. . 

Bobbins, Sammy, McAlpIn H, N. T. 
Roberts, Miles, 0 Sheldon St,, Prov.. R. I. 
Robinson. Johnny, Snowboat, Seaside. Or*. ' 
Robinson, Johnny, Olympic H., Seattle. 
Roky. Leon, Syracuse H., Syracuse. 
Rolfe, B. A.. Ill W. 07th St., N. T. C. 
Romanelll. I.. King Edward H., Toronto. 
Rose, Irv., Jefferson H.. St. L. 
Harry Rosenthal. lOoO Broadway, N. T. C. 
Roasman, Harold, Bagdad C, Miami. 
Rothschild, Leo, 800 W. 14th St., N.T.a 
Ruht Wamey. Michigan Tech.. Hough* 
ton. Mich. 

Russell, B., King Cotton H.. Qreensbor*. 

S 

Samptetro, Joe. KOIN, PortUnd, Ore. 
Sanders. Joe. MCA. Chi. 
Bant, P., 310 RIdgewood Av*.. B'klya. 
Sohara, C. F., 024 B'wuy, Buffalo, N. T. 
Sohlll. J.. Arcadia B. R., N. T. C. 
Sohubart Ed., 84 Arthur St., Lawrens^ 
Mass. 

Schumlskl. Joe, Station WCFL, Cbloag*. 
Schwarta, U. J., 810 Court St., Framont, 

Ohio. 

Scoggin, Cble, Pla-Mor B. R., Kansas 

City, Mo. 

Scott, L. W.. 000 Dltbert Av*., Spring* 
Held. O. 

Scott Frank. 804 President Bt„ Bklyn,, 
N. T. 

Cal. 

Scottt, Bin, Pierre H., N. T. C. 
Beldenman, Bid, Mayflower H,. Wash. 
Belger, Rudy. Fairmont H.. B. P, 
Selvin, Ben, e/o Col. R*cordlng. 08 Oth 
Av*. 

Setoro. A., Paramount Studio, Holly. 
Severt Glno. KHJ, L. A. 
Bheffcr*. H. C, Wilbur's Taunton, Haas. 
Shepard, Ohas., KFI, L. A. 
Sheridan, Phlt Mossula. Mont. 
Sherman, Maurle, College Inn C, Cbl, 
Shield, LeRoy, NBC. Chi. 
SldelU Curtis, Hollywood A. C, Holly* 
wood. 

Sleff, Solly, Palace H., 8. P. 

Silverman. D., Missouri T., St. Louis. 

SImmonds, Arlle, Playland Park, South 
Bend, Ind. 

Simons, Seymour, 1304 B'way. Detroit. 

Slason. Pni, Lotus R.. Washington, D. C, 

Bmltb, Beasley. Rosemont B.. B'klyn. 

Smclln, 8.. 180 W. Bucbtel Ave., Akron. 
Ohio. 

Sorey, Vincent, CBS. 489 Madison Av*., 

N. T., C. 
.Sosnlck, Harry, MCA, Chi. 
Sp'ector, Irving, WOKO, Albany, N. T. 
Spitalny. Phil. N. B. C. N. T. C. 
Spor, Paul. Paxton Hotet Omaha. Neb. 
Springer. Leon. 134 Livingston St.. Bklyn. 
St. Clair Jesters, Prince Edward H., 
Windsor, Cansda. 
St. George. Geo., 210(! Belmont Ave., N.T. 
.St. Louis Kings. 1028 V »5th St.. B'klya. 
Stafford. H.. Oil Sumner St., Lincoln, Neb. 
Stafford, Jesse, c/o Variety. Hollywood. 
Btannu. John. 020 Broadway, San An* 
tonio, Tex. 
Starr Henry, Cotton C, Culver City, Cat 
Stelner, Max, Radio Studio. Hollywood. 
Steed, Hy, SUtlon WMBC, Detroit 
Stem, Harold, St. Moritz, N. T. 
Stevens, Perley, 2|IB Huntington Ave., 
Boston. 

Stoll. Geo., Paramount T.. Los Angeles. 
Stone. Marty. Radlsson H.. MInneapolla 
Story. Geo.. Wong's C. London, Ont. 
StraUb. Herb, Buffalo Broadeastlhg Corp., 
Buffalo. 

Strlssoff. Vanderbllt H.. N. T. C. 
Sweet, Al, 20 Quincy et.. Chicago. 



Taylor. Art. Nantucket Tacht C. Nan- 
tucket, Mass. 

Telller, Ray, Falrmount H., S. P. 

Teppas, J. J., 633 Glenwood Ave., Buffalo. 

Teeven. Roy, Regent T.. Grand Raplda 
Mich. 

Thomas, Howard, c-o M. C. A.., 03 W. 
Randolph. Chicago. 

Thompson's 'Virginians,' Vsntor T.. At- 
lantic City. N. J. 

Thorpe. Sunny Pan Tan R.. 24^4 Cal* 
St.. N. E.. Philadelphia. 

Tiemey Five. Rlltenhouse H., Phils. 

'/Iloff. Andre. Surf C. Miami Boaoh, Fla. 

Toblns. Henry, WMCA. N. T. 

Tohler. Uen. Rnaemnnt n.. Bklyn. 

Tolland. Ray, Detroit Leland H.. Detroit, 

Trace, Al, Hyde Pork C, Chi. 

Traveler. Lou. Cosino B. R., Oceon Para, 
Cel. 

Treranlne, Paul, Dohemin C, N. T. C. 
Treastor, Bob, BInokhowk, Chi. 
Trevor. Prank. KOIN. Portland, Or*. 
Trlnl, Anthony, noeeland BR.. N, T. C. 
Tucker. Tommy. Hollywood R.. N. T. c. 
Turcotte. Geo., 00 Orange St., Manchester, 
N. H. 

Turnhnra, Edith, Royale C„ L. A. 
' (Continued oti 'page 66) 



Tuesday, Febraary 14, 1933 



MUSIC— NITE CLUBS 



VARIETY 



49 



Disc Reviews 

By Abel Green 



Nat Ghilkrat 

Swell pop concert stuff, Maurice 
Bavel's popular 'Bolero,' Bcored by 
Salinger-Shllkret, becomes a very 
danceable foxtrot under the Victor 
niaestro's baton. lot, Seduccion' 
tango on the reverse Is one of the 
most familiar Argentine numbers, 
and Just as apptollng for straight 
hear as hoof stuff. Victor 22671. 



Victor Arden-Phil Ohman 

Arden-Ohman with their orches- 
tra offer their favorite composer, 
the Oershwlns' outstanding twain 
.from 'Pardon My Bnglish.' This 
piano team invariably augments the 
pit orchestra of every Gershwin 
musical. Their kitties. Isn't It a 
Pity?' and 'iCousin Im Milwaukee' 
are forte on the: pianologlc inter- 
ludes, but altogether satisfactory 
dance tunes. Victor 24206. 



'. Rudy Vallee 

- Flock of ' Vallees on Columbia's 
new blue disk. No. 2744 couples 
'Qirl in the Little Green Hat,' one 
of the season's most novel singing 
.foxtrot diUies, with 'Hey! Young 
Fella,' the Dorothy Fields- Jimmy 
McHugh foxtrot - that came to at- 
.tentlon at the Radio City Music 
.Hall premiere. 'Echo in the Val- 
ley' and 'Language of Love* (No. 
2733) and 'Linger Little Longer in 
Twilight', with 'Jug of Wine, Loaf 
of Bread and Thou' are In the same 
smooth foxtrotology with Vallee 
vocal interludes. 



Art KaGsel^Henry Hall 

Columbia 2743 backs up Kassel's 
own 'Chewing Gum,' a bucolic dance 
novelty, with 'When Morning Rolls 
Around,' by the English Henry Hall 
orchestra. 'Morning' Is an English 
tune published In America. The. 
JCassels.in' the Air orch.on No. 2742. 
couples two from Kate Smith's pic- 
ture, 'Twenty Million People' and 
'Moon Song,' the latter the out- 
stander of 'Hello Everybody' (Par). 



Enric Madreguera 

This orchestra, until last week- 
end doubling between the Hotel 
Commodore and the snooty Place 
Plgalle nltery In New York, has 
been among those coming to the 
fore, and with it among those pro- 
liflcally recording for Col to cash 
-In on the up-and-coming radio rep 
■this stylized dance combo was 
•building for itself. 'Waltzing in a 
Dream' and 'Baby Parade,' waltz 
and fox back-up (Columbia 2736) 
and 'It's Within Your Power' with 
'Second Honeymoon' (No. 2736) are 
typical of Madreguera's smooth 
dansapatlon. 



Gardner and Walter Hunt air the 
lyrics respectively. 

Gray alone monopolizes No. 24224 
with 'Slttln' by the Fire' and 'Where 
Are You Tonight?' the latter the pip 
tune by Nick Kenny, N. Y. 'Mirror' 
radio columnist, and Helen (Mrs. 
Jesse) Crawford, the* console lady. 
Kenny Sargent does the vocalizing. 

The Olsenltes on 24221 back up 
the two Jolson songs, 'You Are Too 
Beautiful' and 'Hallelujah I I'm a 
Bum,' from the film of that name, 
Oke Rodgers and Hart tunes, and 
brilliantly done by Olsen with Fran 
Frey and Bobby Borger on the vo- 
cals. 'Fraternity Pin* and 'Girl In 
Green Hat' are further to the Ol- 
sen's tastes, being strong novelties. 

Ben Selvin 

Little more than to be expected, 
perhaps, that the boss of the Colum- 
bia recordings turn out a pretty 
good disk under his own name. Sel- 
vin does more than that .with the 
two foxes, 'Secret of Dreams' and 
'A White House of Our Own,' the 
latter a semi-topical ballad ho6ked 
up with the forthcoming inaugura- 
tion. Elmer Feldkamp tells all about 
it vocally. 



DreMing to Scale 



The valet that an air orches- 
tra leader boasts of Is the 
dresser from the Broadway 
picture house where the same 
maestro once did a stretch In 
the pit. Servant la retained 
every Friday night to dress the 
conductor for his broadcast and 
then lingers to help him change 
to street clothes after the pro- 
gram. 

The valel is paid the union 
rate — (3 per session. 



BATTING A THOUSAND 



NIGHT CLUB REVIEWS 



Hopkins- Haymes-Moten- Armstrong 

This is 100% stuff for the heated 
music addicts. Evenly divided on 
Vic and Col. Victor's Bennle Moten's 
orch from Kansas City proves that 
they're there with 'Lafayette' and 
'New Orleans.' . Beaucoup chaud. 
Ditto by and with Louis Armstrong, 
writing, vocalizing, trumpeteering 
and Jazzing 'You'll Wish You'd 
-Never Been Born' ■ and 'Hate to 
Leave You Now.' Hot stuff for cold 
nights. 

Columbia's 2739 has Joe Haymes' 
'Jazz Pie' and 'One Note Trumpet 
Player* aggravating the indigo 
stratosphere, while Claude J. Hop- 
kins' crew goes to town with 'Cali- 
fornia, Here I Come,' the old Jolson 
ditty, and 'Look Who's . Here' (No. 
2741). 



Harms' Unbroken 1932-33 Produc- 
tion Musid Record 



Ted Weems 

'Baby Parade' and 'Old Kitchen 
Kettle' (Victor 24219); 'Look Who's 
Here' and 'Hats Off, Here Comes a 
Lady' (No. 24208); and 'Lonely 
Park' with 'Morning Rolls Around' 
are good dance reasons for Weems' 
ethereal favor, especially on the 
Lucky Strike hookups, etc. It's a 
staccato, dance-compelling brand of 
music, effectively scored for the 
popular ear. Andrea Marsh and 
Parker Gibbs contrlb the vocal 
choruses. 



Waring's Pennsylvanians 

Two out of the Warner film, '42d 
St.,' by the Warlngs on Victor 24212 
are engaging foxtrotology. Tom 
Waring, back with his brother Fred, 
does the vocal refrains. The re- 
union was prelude to the Warings' 
first radio commercial for Old Gold. 
•Young and Healthy' and 'You're 
Getting to Be a Habit' are the selec- 
tions by Al Dubin and--Han'y 
Warren. 



COMPROMISE ON TAMP' 

8-B Will Publish Jenkins' Version,- 
Latter Firm Getting Royalty 

Under a compromise deal worked 
out between Shapiro, Bernstein & 
Co., and the Jenkins Music Co., of 
Kansas City, the hillbilly lament, 
'When It's Lamp Llchtln* Time In 
the Valley', becomes the exclusive 
property of S-B. In return for tl.e' 
exclusive right to publish the num- 
ber Shapiro has agreed to discard 
its own version of the song and pay 
Jenkins a royalty on every copy 
sold. 

After Jenkins had placed its 
'Lamp Lighttn' Time' ditty on the 
market, Shapiro-Bernstein came out 
with a number of the same title 
that It had had on the shelf since 
'29. Jenkins' version was authored 
1 by a trio knowh on southern 
, radio stations as the Vagabonds. 
The Shapiro tune, also recorded 
four years age- carried Joe Lyons 
and Sam C. Hart as its authors. 
She piro- Bernstein will cease print- 
ing the Lyons-Hart song and pub- 
lish the Jenkins version. 

Grant Egge, general manager for 
J. W. Jenkins, came on to New York 
last week to start injunction pro- 
ceedings against Shapiro -Bernstein 
but wound ap with an amlcalile ad- 
justment of thfc dispute. 



The Harms music pub firm is bat- 
ting 1.000 this season by grabbing 
the publication rights of every 
Broadway musical so far, including 
the sole two 'outside' showsi 'Take 
a Chance'' and now the forthcoming 
'Strike Me Pink.' Latter, to be pub- 
lished by Elar Co. (the coined com- 
bination of Lew Brown and Ray 
Henderson's first initials) was to 
have been distributed through De 
Sylva, Brown & Henderson, Inc., as 
sole selling agent. Instead, Elar will 
have Harms in that capacity. 

'Strike Me Pink,' DeSylva 4 
Schwab's production, likewise was 
published by Harms. 

The breaking away of DeSylva, 
individually, and Brown & Hender- 
son from the music publishing firm 
bearing their name Is cause for com- 
ment in Tin Pan Alley. DeSylva 
and B&H previously had split up 
as a writing team, but the trio Is 
now divorced from the publishing 
firm- bearing their names. Bobby 
Crawford is president of the firm. 

Crawford Is reported interested 
in reuniting the trio for a Fox film 
production with the comeback of 
screen musicals later on. -. 

Sole other freelance production 
not regularly published by Harms 
was 'Vanities,' which that firm also 
garnered this year, and while the 
revue was a flop, its song, 'My Dar- 
ling,' has bedn plugged into the cur- 
rent No. 1 seller. ^ 



George Olsen-Glen Gray 

Flock of current air ditties. Victor 
24222 has the. Olsenites saluting 
'Say, Young Lady' and Glen Gray's 
Jazzlsts replying, 'Hey, Young Fella,' 
a natural enough backup. Hotcha 



Bismarck's Floor Show 

Chicago, Feb. 13. 

When Art Kassel opens tomor- 
row (14) at the Bismarck hotel to 
which tavern he returns after six 
weeks on the road, a new policy 
will be inaugurated. For the first 
time Eltels will try a floor show. 

Ann Greenway will headline that 
department. 



Bemie, Lop^ Look for 
World Fair Repeats 

ChlcagOr Feb. 13. 

Ben Bemle will pull out of the 
College Inn early In March, and on 
or about the same time his chief 
local competitor of the moment, 
Vincent Lopez, will scram from the 
Congress. Both will head eastward, 
witli bookings to be determined. 

Berjiie and Lopez are both ex- 
pected to retiim to (Chicago about 
June 1, with the idea of running 
through the summer for World Fair 
patronage. Both College Inn and 
Congress are equipped with refrig- 
eration plants for comfort. 



Frisco Lido Bums 

San Francisco, Feb. 13. 
Fire gutted the Lido Cafe early 
last Thursday (9), and razed en- 
tire dine-dance spot and hotel 
above. 

Three-alarm bibze destroyed not 
only all equipment and fixtures but 
many of musicians' Instruments in- 
cluding a fiddle described by Its 
owner Joe Wright, as a genuine 
Stradlvarlus valued at $16,000. It 
was the first time Wright had ever 
left the violin out of his sight over 
night. Place being rebuilt. 



Monte Carlo Casino 

New York, Feb. 8. 
Ben Ueberall Is back at his old 
spot on West 48th off Broadway, the 
Everglades downstairs room, now 
labeled the Monte Carlo Casino, the 
same intimate interior of 30O ca- 
pacity, but with a novelty getup. 
It's the gambling house motif, hence 
the name, with roulette wheels, dice 
and card insignia the decorative 
scheme. With this is the added nov- 
elty of table-to-table French phones 
plus a couple of corner 'royal boxes' 
a la the Joe Zelll rue Chaptal idea 
In Paris' Montmartre. The royal 
box in Zelll's, Paris, however, is 
every location, but Ueberall has 
specially designated a couple of cor- 
ner retreats as a showmanly cover- 
upper for rather remote points of 
vantage. 

With it, the show is Inclined to 
the sportive in every degree, in- 
cluding the costumes as numerals 
adorn the rear of the sparsely 
dressed chorines for a human rou- 
lette number. 

Gaming aspects of the interior 
are reflected in the general hotcha- 
cha of the Bobby Sanford show, 
with special material by Jean Her- 
bert and Johii Hancock, that should 
make this one ot the town's hot 
spots, particularly wUh the tourists. 
It's the last word in sizzling inti- 
macy, with the undraped stuff leav- 
ing naught to the imagination, and 
the general can-can stuff certain of 
making this an out-of-town buyer's 
delight. 

The phone thing Is more practical 
than Zelll's, us. the switchboard girl 
can get outside numbers and every- 
thing. One patron tried to get the 
'Bremen' iii mldocean the other 
night only to be advised the boat 
had already docked in Bremer- 
haven. The practicability of out- 
side connections is a la the Brown 
Derby In Hollywood which, . how- 
ever, doesn't make possible one 
flirting with some table across the 
room. Ueberall, similar to the ZelU 
idea, has dice-like squares lighted 
up with large numerals to facilitate 
identlflcatlon at a distance. Zelll's 
system is self-dial, sans operator's 
assistance./ 

James Hall, from pictures, h^ds 
the show as pseudo bandleader and 
m.c, although he does more parad- 
ing around as greeter than stick 
waver. That's a better Idea. He 
paces the show okay, wearing in- 
formal flannels while the rest of the 
performance Is more formal when 
not in costume. Dorothy Dell (Miss 
Universe) heads the femme contin- 
gent. She's a looker who's permitted 
herself to puw on flesh. 

Donald Burr, from 'Walk a Little 
Faster,' Is the vocal specialist. Val 
Vestoff, ex-'Vanltles' whirl-dancer; 
Medlsca and Michael, dance team; 
Eleanor Arden (Miss Ohio); Ethel 
Allis, and Vito and Pirl comprise 
the principals. There are 12 girls 
and nine showgirls. All wear more 
or less on occasion. Miss Allis Is 
the personal number leader. 'Congo' 
and 'Voodoo' permit for much Afrl- 
cancah coochery. Usual nudes In 
between. 

The room has a lot of novelty and 
color, with a central switchboard 
controlling the very effective lights 
and color scheme. A giant roulette 
wheel, whirled for the flnale, calls 
for four prizes to the correspond- 
ingly numbered tables. 

Capacity is 300, which will prove 
the best wedge for Ueberall in the 
competlsh against the big capacity 
no convert cabalret - restaurants. 
Latter are 900-1,100 capacities and, 
for the boys, doesn't appeal as much 
as the softer-lighted, more nite 
clubby Monte Carlo Casino. No 
convert here either, but a $2.60 
minimum for the ringside table and 
t3 on week-ends. Off the ring 
there's no minimum, with a |1.60 



and $2 table d'hote dinner obtal-- 
ing. 

Ueberall looks to have a winner, 
combining a novelty interior with a 
good floor show and names like Hall 
and the Miss Universe beaut. East- 
man-Kuhne did the novel decora- 
tions. A6el. 



EMBASSY CLUB 

New York, Feb. 11. 
Embassy is a snooty private club 
with an elaborate system of mem- 
bership, election, etc., as part of the 
schcme^'to keep it ultra and exclu- 
sive. 

It features a night floor show 
that's -a well balanced entertainment 
and a good sample of divertissement 
for a patronage of this type. Georges 
Metaxa is featured with romantic 
songs which the Roumanian impor- 
tee handles in very effective man- 
ner through an earnestness and 
showmanship that go big with the 
ladles. Metaxa didn't do so well in 
Par pictures but was quite a clicker 
in 'Cat and the Fiddle' and In the 
more recent 'Music In the' Air.' 

David and Dorothy Fitzgibbon, 
dancers out of 'Walk a Little Fas- 
ter,' are a swell personality pair 
with very modern ballroom. exhibi- 
tionism. The Loomis Sisters, Vir- 
ginia and Maxine, handle the vocal 
duets and Jane Vance, ether vocal- 
iste, accompanies with Harry Ros- 
enthal's very danceable Jazzique. 
Rosenthal's smooth rhythmpation la 
of a type well primed for a discreet 
interior such as this. There's also 
a tango band, Don Carlos' Argen- 
tinians. 

A bargain $1 luncheon is a builder- 
upper to get the femnies to bring 
'em back late at night at $2 a head 
convert. Admission is by member- 
ship card only. Abel. 



Two-Two^lub, Detroit 

Detroit, Feb. 10-. 

This Is one of the exclusive nIte 
spots In this town. Operating be- 
hind closed doors for a private 
membership 4t shows what a public 
spot has for competition. 

Spot seats 450 people without , any 
difficulty and . offers a series ot 
name attractions. Fritzle Scheff is 
In now and Russ Columba Just 
closed. Names are In addition to a 
regular "floor show. 

Billy Kurth, local nlte-.spot man- 
ager for 10 years and prior to that' 
at the New Amsterdam Roof,: NeV 
York, is the manager. Opening on 
the same show.',.wIth. .Scheff Is \^in( 
Shaw. : - . ' - • 

Show Just closing Id probably aa 
fine a floor affair as this town will 
ever see for talent and names. Cq- 
lumbo brought his orchestra here 
and that in addition .to Jack Russell 
and his music from Chicago. Bands 
alternated. In addition, Ethel Nor- 
rls of leglt musicals, and Margo do- 
ing a Spanish castenet dance. Ronio 
Vincent as m.c. 

llomo Vincent as m. c. desenreia, 
commendable mention, y!is\\ known 
in Chicago, this Is his first appear- 
ance here. With singing his main 
forte, he handles proce'edlngct nicely. 

Lee. 




-io»t \VW'^„,„He.*'' 



Ifk In the air, fieri, then, even/ where. 




o 



$0 



VARBETT 



TIMES S9«AlliE 



T^esJ^y, FdmiMy 14, 1933 



East 



Lenore Ulrlc to eet a divorce 
from Sidney Blackmer, but has not 
decided wtien. 



Huerh O'Connell will stage 'Sat- 
urday Night' for W. A. Brady and 
play one of the leads. 

Gladys Walton Parllman. show 
girl, gets an order granting her ?60 
a week permanent alimony, marked 
down from her demand for $250. 
Judge holds up his decision as to a 
divorce to go with It. She charged 
undue intimacy with Dorotiiy Brlt- 
ton. another show girL Parllman's 
lawyer says it means the ^^Umony 
Jail for bis client, who's already 
paying alimony to his first wife. 



Muriel Young Hutchlngs asking 
temporary alimony pending trial of 
her dlToi'ce suit, in which she names 
Norma Taylor, who was formerly 
with Tex Guinan. John Hutchlngs 
is the dramatic coach. According 
to her story, he took up with Miss 
Taylor when the wife went to 
Loomis, N. Y. for health treatment. 
When she put on 45 pounds he told 
her he liked 'em thinner. 



jmHHKH I im iB 



i iin i inH i i inni 



News From the Dailies 

This departmaU containa rewritten theatrical news item a* published during the week in the 
d<uly papers of NeVf York* CJucago, San Franasco, Holisemooi and London, , Variety take* no 
credit for these neD/s items; each hoM been rewtitttn from a dcaly paper. 



■ ■■-■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ilMP' 



off the air because of the approacli 
Ing Inauguration, her daughter, Sflrs. 
Anna R. DaU, will be available for 
approved air contracts, agencies are 
told. 



Atlantic City will resume beauty 
contesta this fall. It Is announced. 



Dorothy Emerson Smith, former 
showgirl and now an Orange (N. J.) 
matron, in $2,000 ball on her hus- 
band's charges of turpitude. Says 
she misconducted herself with an 
unidentified man and permitted a 
taxi driver to embrace her in the 
presence of their daughter. 



N. Y. liOglslature considering a 
10% tax on all amusements, includ- 
ing roller skating and couvert 
charges: 



Announced that Marlon Talley 
will return to concert stage and 
radio in the falL NBC artists' bu- 
reau will mainage her. 



National theatre In W. 41st £t. to 
be sold for the benefit of the U. S. 
Savings bank, which has foreclosed 
a mortgage. 



A. Xi. Erlanger Bealty Corp. and 
Jos. and Alonzo Klaw, fdr all stock- 
holders suing Nick Schenck, David 
Bernstein and Arthur M. Loew as 
the Anchor Theatrical Corp. to com- 
pel them to pay $425,000 Into the 
treasury of the Anchor Corp. As- 
serted that last Blay Anchor took 
OTer the lease of the Fox theatre, 
Washington, to pay the sum ^[lamed 
and to relieve the Fox Co. from the 
payment of <20O.0O0 annual rental. 
Now claimed to be a subterfuge to 
relieve Fox of the burden. 



Vtancesoo TC. Satichelli, known to 
theatrical people as !a chirojpractor, 
gets a $600 fine and suspended sen- 
tepce for one year for practice of 
'medicine without a license. Per- 
mitted to contlnne his chlropractlce 
but not to diagnose or prescribe. 

N. T. police, may follow Scotland 
Yard In using picture screens to 
advertise for fugitives, Picture and 
description Is shown on most 
screens In Great Britain and often 
results in a capture. >, 



Rosa Ponselle, oper&tlc diva, 
breaks the new^aper with the an- 
nouncement she Is e:oing to get her 
hair bobbed. Not a close crop, but 
a tbree-quarterSi she explains. 

Nlta Naldl back before referee in 
bankrhptcy with pawn tickets to 
prove she's broke. Fighting a fur- 
rier's bill for a coat. Her address is 
Hotel Plaza. 



Burlesque troupe at Parson's the- 
atre, Hartford, beats it in midweek 
on threat of state prosecutor to 
pinch the bunch for too tough a 
show. 



Paul D. Cravath of the Mot. opera 
advises R. Fulton Cutting, of Met. 
opera realty, that the lease on the 
opera house, which expires May 31, 
will not be renewed unless there Is a 
guarantee fund raised meanwhile. 
Met. had $1,100,000 to start the 30-31 
season with. Got a fund of $160,000 
last year, but that's gone. too. Now 
wants $300,000 assured. 



members the prevIouB' night, ^th 
Your Hbuseis* due Iv March 6. 

O. V. Johnson again business 
agent of Local 644, Picture Camera- 
men. Third term as representative 
of the N. y. body and elected by a 
vote of 14S to 1. 



Florence Rogge, Roxy's .ballet 
mistress slnc6 bis Capitol days, re- 
veals she married Jan. IS. Groom 
is a Philadelphia realtor. 

Lily Pons is going to add two Jazz 
songs to her concert rep, written for 
her by George Gershwin. 



contact man Cor Publtx theatresi 
was elected pr«a oC the IC P. I<oeal 
30S, receiving ^0 votes against 460 
for Harry Mackler and 93 for How- 
ard Faxtoa, the latter regarded ma 
a Kaplan candidate; Chaa. S. Thlde, 
v^.; George Reeves, recoYdlng sec, 
and Chas. Beckman, fliianclal. sec. 
Jam over trees, because Max Silver- 
man was inadvertently left off list 
of candidates. 



iSbartiea oC making false statement. 



WInthrop Ames loses his appeal 
to be permitted to deduct his Uttle 
Theatre losses from his incoma tax. 
He lost $604,372 and sought to de- 
duct $21,436. 



Will of Klathryn Wilson, mother 
o;: Mrs. . Channing Pollock (Anna 
Marble), left her estate to 'my 
friend, Mrs. Channing Pollock.' Dis- 
liked to admit she was the mother 
because she passed for 65 instiead 
of 80. 



£dward G. Robinson comes east, 
anticipating birth. Mrs. Robinson 
is the former Gladys Lloyd. 



Recently Fannie Todd Mitchell, 
who got a Reno divorce from Leon 
LeonldolE .and married Seymour 
Woolner, back with the ballet mas- 
ter because she contends the Reno 
divorce illegal. Now Woolner Is 
suing her for divorce and Leonidoff 
for alienation. Latter has coimter 
suit against the millionaire on the 
same grounds. 



Jury empaneled In General Ses- 
sions for the retrial of Sam Kaplan 
and 21 of his officers, accused of 
coercion. Case goes to hearing to- 
day (14). 



Chas. D. .Coburn, actor- producer, 
in voluntary bankruptcy. - Owes 
$35,984. Has $4 in bank. 



Arthur Hopkins admits he's the 
author of 'Conquest,' which opens 
this week. 



Lenore THrlc ordered to pay addi- 
tional income tax. She deducted 
$7,075 in 1527 and $4,054 the foltow- 
ing year for entertaining she con- 
tended was essential to the procur- 
ing of engagements. Tax appeal 
board could not see It In her light, 
so she'll have to come across. Tough 
part is she feels that some of the 
critics she entertained gave her 
poor reviews. 



Mrs. Helen Vogel Stem, suing 
Mrs. Ruth Erlanger Nathan; of the., 
theatrical family, for $400,000 alien- 
ation of the affections of Allison L. 
6. Stem, took a new tutn last week 
when Mrs. Nathan applied tor per- 
mission to examine Oliver Rice be- 
fore trial to determine whether Mrs. 
Stern was entitled to look to her 
spouse for the love and affection of 
which she claims she has been de- 
prived. Among other items, Mrs. 
Stern charges that Mrs. Nathan 
pulled Stern's shirt-tail out at a 
dance. 



Pig In the window of the Pennsyl- 
vania dru^ store in the Astor hotel 
caused plenty of trouble Sat 6.P. 
C.A. man not only charged violation 
in exhibiting the pig, but asserted 
that there was a stick with nails in 
it on the floor of the window to pre- 
vent the porker from lying down. 
Store manager Insisted the presence 
of the stick was accldentaL In a 
struggle to retain possession of the 
stick the manager was pierced In 
the hand by the nafl. In court the 
store people were found £unty, but 
sentence suspended. The pig will 
be sent baidc to Virginia to be 
turned into hams Instead of adver- 
tising ham sandwiches. 



Mr^. l>illle Leblang Jasle, widow 
of the la:te Joe Leblang, who died 
April 17, 1931, Hied an accounting 
of the estate, with Surrogate Foley 
last week. She was so ordered by 
the court after William ^ufman 
complained he had not received 
$25,000 bequeathed to him by the 
ticket magnate. 

Accounting Indicated that when 
Ijeblang died his enterprises were 
insolvent mostly because of realty 
depreciation. His life Insurance 
policies totaled $632,071. Debts due 
him totaled $250,665. Including $84.- 
491 owed by Lee Shubert. Major 
portion of the liabilities Alleged to 
have beeil owed by Leblan^r to his 
own ticket projects— Public Service 
Ticket Office (cut rates) and the 
Joe Xieblang Ticket Agency, As 
executrlc Mrs. Jasle said she had 
paid off $506,933 of the indebted- 
ness. 



Amber Roobenlan, Armenian, Is 
suing Albert J. Weber, retired piano 
maker, for breach of promise. Said 
he became Interested in her musical 
compositlom and extended financial 
assistance «nd then propot^ed. When 
she assented, he became chilled. 
Counsel for Weber asked that the 
case be transferred to the Federal 
court, as he Is not a resident of 
this state. 



Jimmy Durante tells an Interview- 
er he's been rusticating In Hol^- 
wood. Walt until he gets back. 



'Of Thee t Sing* leaves Washing- 
ton, and Congress again has a 
quorum. 

Livingston Piatt to do the scenic 
designs for 'Hangman's Whip.' 



£dlth Evans, Ihigllsh actress who 
came over for /Ehrensong,* going 
back home this week. 



Old Boxy management playing 
hard on social end for Its low- 
priced amusement, liends the stage 
to the swank Emergency Elxchange 
Association for a dance following 
the show next Friday (17) with 
dancing on the stage and refresh-, 
ments In the employees' cafeteria. 



Owen Davis, Jr., out of 'Even- 
song,' gets into 'Saturday Night' 
Jane Wyatt hooked lip with Judith 
Anderson. 



Coast 



BrothertoB & Halle will stage 
'Our Wife,' comedy by Lyon.Mear- 
son and Lillian Day. Cast to in- 
clude lUith Gordon, Humphrey Bo- 
gart and Anna Held, Jr. 



John Golden will continue his 
commuter specials at the Royale, 
but the early curtain will rise Tues- 
days instead of Thursday. Latter is 
maid's night out and the suburban- 
ites have to stay home with the 
babies, U any. 



John v. A. Weaver turning 'The 
Command Performance' Into a mus- 
ical for Jack Waller. 



Jean Coventry dancer, awarded 
$50 a week temporary alimony 
pending the hearing of her divorce 
suit against Jack Stanley Morris. 
Morris has a cohnter suit for annul- 
ment. 



Frank Mandel writing a play and 
referring to himself as a reformed 
producer. Contends the writers get 
the money and the producers the 
headache, so takes his pen in hand. 



Al Grossman, former manager of 
the Breakfast club, gets guUty and 
fine of $2S0. 



Francis Wilson, comic opera 
comedian, celebrated his 79th birth- 
day last week and says he's feeling 
flne. 



Daughter. 16, of late Chauncey 
Olcott, plans a piano debut in Monte 
Carlo. 



George Jessel gives Norma Tal 
madge the house in Palm Beach he 
purchased last falL Deed recorded 
last week. 



Clerk of the raided Breakfast club 
astonishes court by testifying Alvin 
Grossman, alleged to own the club, 
threatened, to have her put on the 
spot if she testified against him. 

Senator White and Judge Sykes. 
chairman of the F. B. C, to repre- 
sent this country at the Mexican 
radio conference to adjust wave 
lengths and other confusions. 

Ruth Gordon not to be In 'Butter 
No nrsnlps.* 

Chas. .ILiaiiffhton has 4iiit pictures 
ai«d irill stage produce Xionel'Hale's 
'A Vak^ lady,* in X«ndon. -< 

ITTbefi Mrs. if. T>.- Rbosevelt'igoes 



Samuel Hamilton, of Harlem, en- 
ters suit against Amos 'n' Andy to 
force them to discontinue broad- 
casts which hold him and all other 
Negro residents of that sector up to 
'ridicule, shame, scorn, humiliation 
and degradation.' he alleges. De- 
nied it a press stunt in connection 
with A & A appearance at Radio 
City. 



Wholesale price of clgarets cut to 
$6.50 thousand. Heading for a dime 
a pack. Grocery chain sells at that 
price with Schulte 11 Vic 



Application of a stockholder for 
bankruptcy i*ecelvers of New Jersey 
assets of Paramount Publix denied. 
Newark judge holds assets in that 
state nominal and no bankruptcy 
receivers appointed in New York. 



Elizabeth Allen, English actress, 
landed Friday (10) after held up 
until the Immigration Inspectors de- 
cided whether or not she came un- 
der the classification of great. She 
was too modest to talk, but her hus- 
band convinced the inspectors that 
she was a real star. Going to 
Metro. 



Janet Reade. In 'Tattle Tales' at 
the Curran, Frisco, has announced 
she contemplates divorce action 
against Walter Batcbelor, N. T. legit 
ag'ent. 



Attempt at suicide with a gun al- 
legedly made by Dolores Shaffer, 
formerly known on the screen as 
Dolores Duncan, at her home In 
Marysvllle, Calif. Authorities said 
she was despondent because of the 
death of her huaband. 



Boots Manory has announced that 
because of incompatibility, she is 
planning a Mexican divorce from 
Charles Bennett, N. Y. agent and 
actor. 



Esther Ralston, returned to Hol- 
lywood from New York and London, 
has stated her intention of going 
back to England in the spring to 
continue picture work there. Will 
sell her Los Angeles real estate, she 
said. 



Civic Players Guild to take B'way 
hits to the smaller towns. To keep 
out of cities where Shuberts and 
Theatre Guild have subscriptions, 
employing the same guarantee plan 
but one play a weelv, starting in 
March. 



Stir in Washington over the de- 
sire of Negroes to see 'Green Pas- 
tures.' Negroes are tacitly barred 
from the choice locations in theatre. 
Compromise, which did not satisfy 
anyone, was a Sunday night benefit 
(2«> for the local lodge of Negro 
Elks with no segregation. -Marc 
Connelly protests exclusion at any 
time. 



Gladys Kimball, former vaude 
actress. In Yonkers, N. Y., jail last 
week when, according to her hus- 
band, Joseph C. Kimball, who is 
suing for divorce, she defied a Su- 
preme Court order giving him the 
custody of the three children and 
took them to her home in Long Is- 
land City. 



Thugs, .employing a heavy club 
and a razor, broke two ribs and 
splintered the shoulder bone of Pat- 
ricia Regan, actress, and while she 
lay helpless they slashed her wrists. 
She Is the wife of Joseph Francis 
Regan, convicted of murder In Los 
Angeles during a theatre holdup. 

Guy Plxler, former city examiner 
for motion picture projectionists, 
sentenced to pay $250 fine or serve 
125 days in jail. Plxler, indicted 
last December of accepting bribes 
to aid projectionists to pass their 
examination, was allowed 10 days 
to pay the :lne. 



George H. Bunny, actor, fined 
$150 by Judge Lowe of Glendale, 
Calit, when he pleaded guilty to a 
charge of drunken driving. 



Senate passes bill prohibiting 
radio lotteries. One year or $1,000. 

'June Moon* as a co-op tempo- 
rarily off. 

Boris Kap lan and . Harold Stone 
will do 'Hilda Cassldy,* which was 

tried out a couple of years ago by 
W. A. Brady and Al Woods. 

Jealous wife caused a raid-on the 
Blalson Royal Sat. Found hubby 
was taking another women there, so 
she told. Five pinched and 126 
chased out, still thirsty. Police, not 
feds. 



Edward Q. Robinson, actor, en 
route to New York, to be with his 
wife, who is expecting the birth of 
a child about March 1. 



Theatre €killd shifts datet^. 
'American Dream* will open Feb. 21 
instead of 20, with a preview for ' H^rry Sherman, recently labor 



Alan Mowbray, actor, ordered to 
appear for trial, March 27, when the 
actor pleaded not guilty to charge 
of driving his car while Intoxicated. 

William M. Conselman, writer, 
iias filed a voluntary bankruptcy 
petition here with liabilities %Vl,Wt 
and assets $8B6. SImllai' petition 
filed by Mrs. Conselman. who 
placed her obligations at the same 
figure as her husband. 



Charges of murder and drunk 
driving against Harold MenW 
stepson- of Adolphe Menjou, dl^: 
missed by Superior Judge CharS^ 
S; Burnell. Kenjoa was amatS 
last June when his car overturn^ 
killing his, eirl companion. ""^"'^ 

Byron .Morgan, writer, engaeed' 
an armed guard to escort his uS 
children to and from school. AcUaS 
taken after one of the youngsteni 
reported beln«; fUlowed by a Zxx^ 
th0 way home. T 

Gordon Westcott. actor, recover* 
Ing from an eye Injury, received 
when a blank cartridge exploded 12 
his face. T 

Victoria Vinton, dancer, has filed 
suit for $135,000 against Sam GoT. 
berg. producer. Miss Vinton ak 
leged that her rights to privMv 
were violated when Goldberg dls' 
played, without her consent, a seml'- 
nude. photograph of hei-self in tlM 
lobby of a theatre. , ^ " 

- • t - 

Bill Sharpleto, radio m. c, injured 
when his automobile got out of con< 
trol and smashed into two parked 
cars In Hollywood. 

Judgment of $10,000 which Har- 
vey Gates, writer, won from Aimee 
Semple McPherson Hutton and J. 
Roy Stewart for services rendered 
on a proposed picture, has been up- 
held on appeal. 

Charles D. Thompson, studio 
purchasing agent, booked at the 
Hollywood police station on suspi- 
cion of driving while drunk. 

Although he contends that he la 
being framed, Sidney Blackmer, 
actor, has been booked by the I«. A* 
police for alleged attacking a 17* 
year-old glrL Blackmar is the hus* 
band of X<eaore tJIrlc 



Christie Film Co. filed a volun- 
taiy bankruptcy petition In L. A. 
'Superior court, listing liabilities at 
$580,478 and assets of |5€8,07<. Of 
the assets, $662,804 Is listed as opeil 
account debts due the company. 

Frank Atkinson, English acter, 
arrested and held under $2,000 bon^ 
by Li. A. Immigration Service au« 
thoritles on charges of Illegal entry 
Into this co|intry,and over-stayloir 
a visitors' permit. 

Mrs. Helen Knutson flled «ult for 
divorce against Dewey LaVeme 
Knutson. actor, In Ij. A. Superior 
court. 



Arthur Shirley, picture producer^ 
suing liloyd K. Hillman and Hlll« 
man Auto Lioan, Ltd., in Jj. A. Su- 
perior court, for recovery ,of 2,000 
feet of film valued at $26,000. com- 
plaining that the film was taken 
from his garage by the defendents 
or their agents. Defendents denied 
the assertion. 



Mid-West 



Prohibition officers raided the 
'Show Boat Cafe,' under Its new 
name of 'The Plantation,' and 
pushed 60 customers out into the 
subzero Chicago night. Bernle Bell- 
fus and Harry Blum were arrested 
as the proprietors. 



Edward G. Falrchlld, 42, manag- 
ing editor of Dubuque 'Telegraph- 
Herald,' died In an auto accident 
Son, 19, also killed. 



Harry Marlnoff asked authorities 
to apprehend Mr. and Mrs. Dean 
Schooley. whom he charged with 
stealing all his theatrical wardrobe 
from the Wacker hotel, Chicago. 
Wardrobe and Schooleys disap- 
peared simultaneously. 



Palace, Gary, Indiana, drew a 
bomb and $1,500 damages to Its 
lobby. Nothing new in Gary. 



Edward Quigley, 25, doorman at 
the Imperial, Chicago, captured two 
fleeing bandits who had held up the 
theatre. It was his third display of 
heroism, as once before, when box- 
office bandits visited the house, he 
pursued and captured, and again 
on a different occasion caused the 
arrest of counterfeiters. 



John Farrow, actor. Indicted bv 
a federal grand Jury, L.' A., on 



Edward Beck, described as from 
Brookline, Mass... but known in Chi- 
cago as a cabaret producer, had to 
get police assistance in a Milwaukee 
hotel when his so-called Boston 
English grand opera promotion fell 
upon hardships. An irate chorus 
backed by other hungry performers 
had cornered their Impresario and 
were pressing him on the subject, 
•when^do we eat?* when Beck, in 
panic, called for police aid. 

He finally made the depot and a 
Chicago-bound train under police 
escort 



Monroe theatre, Chicago, was vis- 
ited by a lone bandit who scooped 
UP $150 from C^hler Ann Grossman 
and scrammed. Several loiterers 
never suspected the crime commit- 
ted a few feet awav 



TaeBday* Febraary 14, 1933 



TINES SQIIARE— SPORTS 



VARIETY 



51 



Tm Telling You 

By Jack Osterman 

— -f 



A COLUMNIST ■WRITES BE- 
NAPS. 

Dear Editor 

Here It 1b Monday and I haven't 
A column. This business of staying 
lip all nl«ht Is tough. Can I help It 
If we cater to late cover charges? 
Know you will be happy to know 
that the Club Rlchman is still do- 
ing okay. Realize we go to press 
any minute so will fake a column 
for you and will trust to your 
friendship for the results. 

The Way It Sounded 

After listening to the first half of 
Jolson's 'Hallelujah, Tm a Bum,' 
they mentioned the Central Park 
Casino so often we flgui-ed that Sid 
Solomon must have written the 
dialog. 

Continuity 

Th9 other night we listened to a 
broadcast and heard this: 'You can 
buy this car for |500. Everybody 
today can afford to buy a car. And 
now folks the band will play, 
'Brother, Can Tou Spare a Dime.' 
Advertisement 

Lux advertises If you wash stock- 
ings with their product, etc., — 34 
Days Without A Run. We know 
actors without Lux that have been 
84 years without a run. 

New Racket 

Last Sunday when we went up to 
Sing Sing we asked for Warden 
Lawes and was Informed he was 
downtown broadcasting. It's prob- 
ably getting so now that in order 
to become Warden you must have 
an audition from Ralph Wonders. 
Stage Struck 

Anatole Frledland, who has been 
laying off for live years, returned 
to the Loew's State stage last week 
and lost his voice. 

Ostermania 

The Palace hasn't changed Its 
policy in the last 20 minutes. . .Lit- 
tle Jack Little and his wife he goes 
around with .gave a swell birthday 
ttarty to 'Lenny .Hayton..,We 
Showed up because you can never 
tell when you'll need a Chesterfield 
...With all the other music pub- 
lishers complaining about business. 
Jack Mills goes to) the West Indies 
...Which gives you a rough Idea 
what the Cotton Club songs can do 
...Dave Burns, the only American 
In the London company of "Dinner 
at Eight,' writes us that It's 'ducky* 
over there... Why Is It they call 
every bartender Mario?... We told 
you ,Editor, we were going to fake 
a column, . .How are we doing? (Not 
BO hot I— Ed.)... ARE TOU READ- 
ING? 



Drive For Books 

Mrs. S. L. Rothafel, head librarian 
for the Hospital for Joint Diseases 
In New York, is launching another 
drive for books. There are no re- 
strictions as to subject matter. 

Interested in this charity work for 
the past five years, Mrs. Rothafel 
heads a committee of 10 women who 
see that the patients obtain the 
reading matter they desire. They 
serve not only the institution with 
which they ai'e affiliated, but other 
hospitals, as well. 

Books may be addressed to the 
library of the Hospital for Joint 
Diseases, 1919 Madison avenue. New 
York. 



ALFALFA CASE ENDS 

Chin Foliage Decision in 'Variety's' 
Favor Affirmed on Appeal 

Final legal tap to Albert Hersh- 
fleld'a suit against "Variety' in con- 
nection with a printed comment on 
his chin foliage was delivered by 
the Appellate Division when it last 
week dismissed an appeal the car- 
toonist took from a verdict in the 
Supreme Court. Higher tribuned at 
the same time affirmed a Judgment 
obtained against Hershfleld cover- 
ing the costs of the trial. 

Appellate Division took the ac- 
tion on a motion made by 'Variety* 
after Hershfleld had failed to fol- 
low up the notice of appeal he en- 
tered Dec. 16. 

O'Brien, Driscoll & Raftery rep- 
resented this paper. 



WALYU THE PREEH 
KAYOS ERNIE SCHAAF 



Lincoln Hotel in Chain 

The Lincoln hotel is now under 
the direction of Reliance Property 
Management, Inc., which operates 
Delmonico's and Ambassador In 
New York and the Ambassador In 
Atlantic City. 

With change in management, 
rates are cut to |3 single and $4 
double. 



MARRIAGES 

Josephine Dunn, screen actress, to 
Eugene J. Lewis, attorney. Great 
Neck, L. L, Jan. 6. It's Miss Dunn's 
third. 

Sylvia Nelson, of the roadshow 
'Vanities,' to Frederick R. Mann, 
non-pro, New York, Feb. 12. 

Zoe Hoffer, former showgirl, to 
George Nash Blatchford, New York, 
Dec. 29. Groom has been connected 
. with Fox enterprises and is now 
treasurer of Fox Midwesco. 

Joe McKenna of Joe and Jane 
McKenna (vatdc), and Topsy Lee, 
dancer,' Jan. 23 in Baltimore. 

Florence Rogge to Jos. O. Dick- 
man, Jan. 16. She is ballet mis- 
tress at the RKO theatres. Bride- 
groom is non-pro. 



By JACK PULASKI 

When Prime Camera, the hugest 
wop ever to contend for champion- 
ship honors, stopped Ernie Schaaf 
in the 13th round at Madison 
Square Garden last Friday (10) the 
kayo was witnessed by the largest 
crowd the arena has held for a box- 
ing show In years. 

What the draw really was seemed 
to be a puzzle and It Just couldn't 
be that so many people wanted to 
get a peek at the Proem's enormous 
dogs. However It was a sell-out 
and the gate was $37,000 net at $3.30 
top. For the first time In the his- 
tory of the Garden extra rows were 
Inserted Just In back of the work- 
ing press and there were standees 
In all sections of the house. 

Sports writers for various rea- 
sons and angles panned the match 
plenty In advance and maybe that 
boomeranged into roiislng the curl-' 
osity of the fans. The scribes did 
not like the Idea that the winner 
would fight Jack Sharkey for the 
title next summer because Sharkey 
'owns' a piece of Schaaf and a 
match between the champ and his 
stable-mate would be a boner and 
hardly draw expenses. 

Sharkey came forth with a state- 
ment that he would not fight 
Schaaf, win or lose against Camera, 
whom Jack defeated last summer. 
Their next match may be better 
than It looks right now because 
Prime has Improved fturther and he 
was favored 11 to 6 over Schaaf. 
The Sharkey-Camera match Is the 
Garden's counter outdoors to Jack 
Dempsey's show which will be head- 
ed by Schmeling and Baer. 

The fight writers were not In ac- 
cord again over the legitimacy of 
the Carnera-Schaaf contest and 
some were even more aggressive In 
their stories of the contest than the 
comment concerning the Canzonerl- 
Townsend affair. Either the boys 
are over-suspicious or they are 
right. 

Schaaf sank to the canvas after 
Prime landed a straight left Jab 
that seemed to be a half shove. 
Ernie's head slowly bowed down as 
he was counted out and he was ap- 
parently unconscious when his han- 
dlers — Sharkey and* Johnnie Buck- 
ley — dragged him to the comer. 
They worked on him for several 
minutes unsuccessfully. 

A bunch of cops carried him out 
from the ring and he was then re- 
moved to the Polyclinic hospital 
where he was partially revived. X- 
rays were taken the next day to 
determine possible brain concussion. 
What caused the collapse was the 
thing that puzzled the sports writ- 
ers and the fans. Chances are that 
Schaaf took so many punches 
around the head that any tap to 
the button was enough to stop him. 

Schaaf was in a semi-coma over 
the week-end but was reported bet- 
ter Monday. 

There Is no question as to the 
beating Camera administered. 
Prlmo landed a zillion lefts and 
when in close he socked to the body 
and those are the blows which prob- 
ably did more to undo Ernie than 
the head wallops. Most of the 
Preem's high blows may be klckless 
but with the abnormal weight be- 
hind the body blows, something had 
to happen. 

Schaaf may bave won one round 
and at least 10 rounds went to Car- 



nera by wide margins. SchaaTs In- 
ability to get going was matched by 
his failure to get away from the 
man -mountain's gloves. Ernie Is 
Jcnown to be a slow thinking fellow 
In the ring. Sharkey constantly 
urged him to show something. 
When Schaaf did let a left hook fly. 
such blows were generally caught 
by Camera's arms. If the thing 
was not on the up and up there 
seemed to be no reason why Schaaf 
should have continued to take a 
lacing as long as he did. 

Semi-final had the crowd in an 
uproar. Adolph Heuser, the Ger- 
man lightweight champ, defeated 
Harry Ebbetts. Match went the 10 
rounds but it nearly ended in the 
second. Both men were knocked off 
their pins in the first. Ebbetts went 
down for an eight count In the sec- 
ond after taking a solid right smash. 
Both are two-flsted sluggers and 
the house liked the action much 
more than the main event. 

Papers carried advance squawks 
over the v/ay the tickets were 
priced. Although $3.30 was applied 
to ringside, that was also the price 
in most of the arena sections, mak- 
ing half the capacity at one price. 
Ticket specs rather cleaned up and 
it was reported the general selling 
price was $10 per ticket. 

Friday (17) King Levinsky, who 
at least knocked Camera off his 
pins out In Chicago, will top the 
card against Johnny Risko. The 
show looks better on paper than 
was last week's set of bouts. 



Hoflywood Stands 100% Behind 
Brandstatter s New Restaurant 



MADAME SORE 



Actor Named L. A.'s Notorious Lady 
in Bankruptcy List 



Hollywood, Feb. 13. 

Naming her as a creditor In a 
bankmptcy petition filed last week 
by an actor is said to have an- 
gered Hollywood's famous madame 
to the point where she Is again 
threatening to publish her much 
discussed memoirs. 

Fact that actor broadcast In print 
that she had given him credit will 
hurt her bush .ess she claims, others 
demanding the same thing. 

Actor listed her In a previous 
bankruptcy suit, but later withdrew 
the petition. 



PERCY ELKELES STUCK 
UP IN HOTEL SUITE 



CHI AUTO SHOW il% 
BEnER AT LOW SCALE 



Chicago, Feb. 13. 
Possibly containing a lesson In 
what price means In terms of at- 
tendance, was the record hung up 
at I the Coliseum last week by the 

annual Automobile Show. Despite 
hard times, gross from gate admis- 
sions was 41% better than 1932. 

Admission was 66 cents this year, 
the lowest to date. Last year It was 
76 cents. 



BILL LENDS A HAHD 

Bill Robinson, In a visit to Nl£,Iit 
Court In New York last week, 
handed $1 " to every vagrant who 
walked out with a suspended sen- 
tence. 

The charitable evening cost the 
colored dancer $94. 



A stick-up In a New York mid- 
town hotel happened at the Wel- 
lington Wednesday (8). Two burly 
tough uns knocked on the living- 
room door of the suite occupied by 
Percy Elkeles and his seriously ail- 
ing father. One carried a sawed-off 
shotgun and warned Elkeles to keep 
quiet. 

Elkeles, who conceived the mod- 
ern floor show for cabarets, was 
bound and his moulli taped. A vis- 
itor who was talking to his helpless 
father was called In and stripped of 
his Jewelry, also being tied up. The 
bandits got $220 cash from Elkeles. 
They were plainly disappointed In 
the haul and It was also evident 
that the men had been tipped off as 
to the conditions within the Elkeles 
suite, since they made no effort to 
taik to or molest the 111 Elkeles, sr. 
One of the first moves of the stick- 
ups was to cut the phone wires, and 
when they departed, one took an 
ovearcoat, leaving his own. Idea 
was to change his appearance. 

Elkeles believes that a former 
employe put the finger on him. 
Young Elkeles has been In constant 
attendance oh his father for the 
past eight months, rarely leaving 
the hotel and then only for a short 
while. 



Coast Fite Game in Doldrums 



Little More Than Peanut Now for a Shiner 
or Cauliflower Ear 



Los Angeles, Feb. 13. 

Prize fight racket has dropped to 
Its lowest ebb on the coast. Big 
clubs In both Los Angeles and San 
Francisco consider themselves lucky 
If they can draw $4,000 for a good 
card. Fighters are knocking each 
other silly for 'coffee' and money. 
Maln-eventers are Important guys 
when they can collect $200 for a 10- 
round battle. Preliminary boys are 
down to $6 and $10 a bout at most 
of the clubs. 

Hollywood Legion, one-time ace 
money-maker of American fight 
clubs. Is averaging a $1,600 weekly 
gate. Olympic club here, largest on 
the coast, hits tops of $4,600 for hit 
fortnightly shows. 

Last week the Pancho- Herman 
battle at the Olympic, with both 
popular here, drew $1,200. With 37% 
going to the main-eventers, prelims 
got what was left, with the house 
using gallons of red Ink to audit the 
fight. Jackie Fields and Babe Her- 
man at Dreamland, San Francisco, 
did a colossal $700 two weeks ago. 
At San Diego last week. Fields and 
Murdock drew $2,000. 

Natural Turns Pale 

Smaller clubs at Pasadena, Wilm- 
ington, Fresno, Bakersfleld and 
Stockton are starving to death, get- 
ting rarely over $200 for their 
weekly cards. Arizemendi and Bell, 
former pride of the Mexicans, got a 
two-week bally on their Frisco fight. 
It looked like a natural on paper, 
but the promoter, when he counted 
up, had Just $2,000 in the till. 

State Athletic Commission is con- 
sidering ways of cancelling the per- 
mits of some of the small clubs, 
hoping that fewer in the field will 
help the game generally. 

Locally, with the exception of 
Sunday, there la a fight within 30 



minutes' ride of the downtown sec- 
tion every night In the week. All 
play to black hunger. 



Hollywood, Feb. 13, 
That Hollywood has a heart wtuB 
demonstrated with the opening of 
Sardl's restaurant by Eddie Brand- 
statter last week. Former operator 
of the Montmortre and Embassy 
club, who bad experienced dlfilcul- 
tles, found that his old-time friends 
through helping finance the estab- 
lishment as well as getting him out 
of his legal entanglements had not 
forgotten him. 

To help matters along, owners of 
office buildings around the Vine 
street sector sent notices to their 
clients that it was not often that 
they endorsed any particular busi- 
ness, but they wanted their tenants 
to know that Brandstatter had made 
a brave comeback fight and should 
be supported in his new adventure. 
Broadway department store oppo- 
site the eatery announced to some 
300 women attending a fashion show 
in the establishment on the open- 
ing day that a better show was on 
across the street, where a special 
luncheon was being served at the 
Sardl plant. 

This Is the first tlnie that Hol- 
lywood has co-operated 100% plus 
on the opening of a feed emporium. 



Rugby Gets Stronghold 
With the Studio Mob^ 
Game Liked on Coast 



Los Angeles, Feb. IS. 
Same English picture crowd which 
tried' to put cricket over last sum- 
mer Is now attempting to revive 
amateur rugby, with somewhat more 
success than was shown the tea- 
time game. 

With two teams playing at West- 
wood Saturdays, the game, because 
of its similarity to American foot- 
ball, is getting a play from some 
of the film mob outside the English 
contingent. 

Since organizing the sport here 
teams have also been formed In 
Pasadena, Oakland and In San 
Francisco, while Stanford Univer- 
sity, the last college In the country 
to discard the English sport, has 
also revived the game. 

Hlnterlanders are also attracted 
to the games played here, realizing 
that for four bits they can get a 
lamp at a few celebs In the grand- 
stand seats. Even If there happens 
to be no film names In the spec- 
tators* seats that day they are sure 
of seeing Boris (Frankenstein) Kar- 
loff running up and down the field 
as a linesman. 

In the teams are some of the 
coast football favs and also some 
of the lesser film lights, but mainly 
they are composed of Britishers who; 
once played the game at school. 



NEW YORK THEATRES 



yiNi iY«\i .-/iY. rri\' rivr, frt<: M; ^?8^:?«^^l^?'*^x1l?l^r?•»^"?'*^'^?'*^^'^^ 



(TATE 




• On -tho -Bcroeo - 
Ronald COLMAH 
!■ "CVMARA". 
wHh Kty Framti 
On Stage 

COL. 8T0OPNAOLE * BUDD. REX 
WEBER. BRITTON BROS. 4 BAND 
Othert 



On Stag* 

ED WYNN ii 

" pfel 



_w .. . ... Person 

A Gait tl 60 In Compfeta MuiTeaT Revue 



llftuM "THE I.AVGH PABADE" 
_ KEATON and 

.In "WHAT 
I NO BEER? 



Ah 



lot' 



Cenlni: 

Barbara SUnwyek In "Ladlei TUey Talk Abeirt" 



BIRTHS 

Mr. and Mrs. George Brown, 
daughter, Jan. 20, In the New Tork 
Maternity hospital. Father is a 
song writer on the Shapiro, Bern- 
stein staff. Mother was DeDett" 
Lee in Icgit. 

To Mr. and Mrr. Geo. Cunning- 
ham, swn. Long Beach, Cal., Feb. 11. 
Father a dance director. Mother l.s 
professionally known as Doris 
Loomer. 

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fulco, at thciv 
home In New Orlean.s, a son. Father 
Is leader at Loew's Stat^ there. 



ALWAYl A 

BETTER SHOWf^tRKO! 




LiX^AVe 

Wed. to FrI., Feb. 15 to 17 
TWO FE A TUBES 

BORIS KARLOFF 

in "THE MUMMY" 

"HE LEARNED ABOUT 
WOMEN" 
with STUART BBWIN 




ON 
BROADWAY 



Wed. to FrI., Feb. 15 to 17 

The MUMMY' 

with BORIS KARLOFF 



52 



VARIETY 



TIMES SQUARE 



Tnesdaft Fel^ruarj 14, 1933 



Broadway 



Max Magnus looking the town 
over. 

Monte Proser back at work, and 
seriously. 

Herb Marks expects it to happen 
next month. 

Boshke Anthell off to Nice and 
hubby George. 

Albert Deane ffettlngr his manu- 
scripts around. 

Jimmy Cannon dropped 20 pounds 
of fat overboard. 

Julia Gwin anxious for another 
trip to Hollywood. 

The J. J. Murdocks, Sr., are In 
Miami for two weeks. 

Roxy well enough to stage poker 
get-togethers at his home.. 

James Hood MacFarland taking it 
easy at the estate out In Great Neck. 

Al Jolson's picture will be tagged 
•Hallelujah, I'm a Tramp' In Eng- 
land. 

Benjamin Sonnenberg, Park ave- 
nue oxplolteer, to Miami for winter 
vacnsh. 

Marty Herman has walked out on 
Broadway again. Aboard a world- 
cruise liner. 

Al Gottlieb and his brother have 
Joined forces for publicity purposes 
on their own. 

They threw a farewell party with 
pretzels and all at Hialto when Pub- 
lix closed It down. 

Criterion on Broadway is again a 
herald for the Paramount across the 
street. Crit is dark. 

Special matinee this afternoon of 
Toshe Kalb' at Yiddish Art the- 
atre for Actors Fund. 

Sign men had a tough time 
changing those cloth banners in the 
hish wind last Thui'sday. 
• Bob Howard, formerly at the 
Times Square, now in the box office 
at Madii^on Square Garden. 

Herman Shumlin attended the 
opera at Met first time Saturday, 
witnessing 'Emperor Jones.' 

Jack Linder is the first indie 
booker to muscle Into space in 
the Palace theatre building. 

Give 5 stars to Irene Thierer and 
her husband, Zack Freedman. They 
will shortly have the increase. 

Daniel Frohman sat through the 
mat of the Am. Academy of Dra- 
matic Art, but it was In his own 
theatre. 

' Jack Eerie, Milton's brother. Is 
with Kronheim Continental men's 
clothier. Which is bankrolled by 
Tony Cazonerl. 

Hurry up store In the Mayfclr 
building selling Victor and Colum- 
bia records for 8 cents each. New 
discs, but out of date. 

Ted Green, talent scout. Is giving 
auditions before attempting to sell 
film prospects, last of which was 
'Allan Livingston, taken by Fox. 
■ Almost every joint now forced to 
put in bars or liquid facilities. Sev- 
eral spots going closed door because 
. of the drinking restaurant vogue. 

Purely accidental that the May- 
fair theatre has a fight picture 
teamed up with 'They Just Had to 
Get Married' as an extra attraction. 

Al Boasberg opines 'Topaze' 
(toupees) is dedicated to Conrad 
Nagel, Blng Crosby and Georg« 
(Nat) Burns, whose thatches are 
notoriously thin. 

Dorothy De Perez, dancer, recov- 
ering in Glens Falls, N. T., hospital 
from Injuries during her act at the 
Rialto there when she fell through 
a glass box prop. 

Next Sat's Mayfalr will feature 
femme boxers, for which occasion 
the snooty Ritz supper club has 
been renamed the Mayfalr Social 
and Benevolent A. C. 

An angle of the Coward-Lunts 
opening that seems to have been 
overlooked is that there were as 
many prominent people sitting in 
the first balcony that night as down- 
stairs. 

All Broadway and points east and 
south, at the Charlie Morrison- 
Danny Winkler offices housewarm- 
Ing last week. Now ensconsed on 
the second floor of the Park Cen- 
tral hotel. 

Walter Wlnchell left yesterday 
(13) for Miami Beach, where his 
wife and daughter were hit by the 
flu shortly after arriving at the 
Roney Plaza Hotel there. Wlnchell 
expects to be back in New York by 
Sunday (19). 

A great error committed in re- 
porting that the several silver ser- 
vices In the dining room of the 
Roxy quarters in the Radio City 
Music Hall are sterling. Silver 
plated instead. You have to see the 
joint to get the idea. 

Central Park West has become the 
rendezvous of idle musicians. Saxo- 
phonists, banjoists, etc., constantly 
parade that side of the park singly, 
in pairs, or in groups, playing for 
throw money. Not forgetting the 
good old German bands. 

Sidney Skolsky, 'News' columnist, 
and Lorenz Hart, lyricist of the pic 
ture, both appear in a flash scene in 
'Hallelujah I'm a Bum!' the Jolson 
picture at the Rlvoll, and get snick 
ers on their own every performance 
from those who recognize the two 
diminutive Broadwayites. 

Grace Menken has assumed charge 
of the Peggy Fears shop on Madi 
son avenue. Lucinda Relchenbach 
formerly ran the shop, but Lucinda 
has gone to Majorca, off the coast 
of Spain, where people hear the 
living Is cheap, but other people say 
tlie island Is overrun by bargain 
*° hunters after cheap living. Wilda 
Bennett is also a partneress. 
Zrma Goldberg, Aube's headache, 



€ H A T T E 




gave a costume party for all girls 
at her New York home the other 
day. Rube Is in Florida. Irma in- 
vited 45 girls and 66 appeared. Four 
were dressed as the Marx Bros, and 
delivered to the 76th St. residence 
of the Goldbergs in an open truck 
on the coldest day of last week. All 
the gals agreed they had a time. 

In the Radio City Music Hall, 
where even the page boys as well 
as the ushers have their own little 
cards alongside Identiflcatlon the 
card for the operator of one of the 
elevators claimed the youth was Mr. 
Bamberger. Asked whether of the 
Newark Bambergers or the Syra- 
cuse Bambergers the boy' said he 
had never been that curious about 
his family history. 



The Hague 

By M. W. Etty-Leal 



London 



Dutch composer, L. Smit, married 
this week to Miss L. de Vrles. 

Dutch actor, Heln Harms, 70 years 
old this week; usual festivities. 

Fritz Hirscli Operetta Co. ended 
short visit in Holland, touring Ger- 
many now. 

Ill Amsterdam this week simulta- 
neous Holland premieres In Cinema 
Royal and Corso Cinema of M-G*s 
•Hell Divers.' 

Holland has now 550,000 radio 
fans with own receiving sets or 
with wired wireless. This means 1 
in 69 inhabitants. 

The Hague to get a new cinema 
In onto of the cheaper residential 
resorts. Another novelty for this 
city is a cemetery for animals. Am- 
sterdam has one already. 

All Holland on skates, for first 
time In three winters; cold spell 
now already lasting a fortnight and 
all places of entertainment empty. 
Even at the football match between 
Holland and Switzerland in Am- 
sterdam Stadium, which otherwise Is 
full up for such international 
matches. 

Mengelberg, conductor of Con- 
certgebouw orchestra, not yet re- 
covered from his attack of flu, which 
Is raging over Holland. Conse- 
quently he cannot conduct during 
Wagner Festival In Holland, and 
Erich Kleiber, conductor of State 
Opera in Berlin (who has also been 
successful in America), will take his 
baton up. 

Foreign talent here ' Includes this 
week: German star Moissl, with 
company, at Hague in Princess the- 
atre; 'Ghosts,' by Ibsen. French 
troupe headed by Jack Daroy pro- 
duced three French plays here, 
shorts, one by Sacha Gultry, 'Fran- 
coise.' German ensemble headed by 
Kurt Joos gave prenilere In Hague 
of dancing drama, 'Der gruene 
Tisch." Another German troupe In 
Amsterdam with Leopoldlne Kon- 
stantln in "Der Schatten.' In con- 
cert halls: French pianist, Robert 
Casadesus; Polish pianist, Henryk 
Sztompka; Swiss pianist, Walter 
Rehberg, and Hungarian violinist, 
Yelll d'Aranyl. Dajos Bel and his 
boys In Carlton Hotel Amsterdam, 
also broadcasting for Dutch AVRO 
for radio fans. 



Montreal 



Llewellyn T. Kellie improvlsario- 
ing. 

Loew's cut week-end prices dime 
to 65c. 

Four men arrested digging up 
municipal golf greens for hidden 
treasure. 

Tom Monahan, convalescing Ste 
Agathe, works up p.a.-lng for hotels. 
Austin Cross out of hosp. 

'Made In Canada' (8-18) with 
three orchestras and 360 admlsh 
diverting fans from movies supper 
shows. 

French Operetta Society applying 
for charter placing organization on 
non-commercial basis. Playing fif- 
teen week season at His Majesty's. 

For 12 months to June 30 last, 
$94,692.51 was paid in amusement 
tax on movies in this city, which 
is 75 per cent of money paid in 
whole province. 

Vaude bills In neighborhoods on 
Sundays, forbidden by judgment of 
lower court, resisted by theatre 
owners by writ of prohibition In 
Superior Court. Houses petitioning 
are Amherst and Granada. 

Outlook is that prohibition of 
minors under 16 from picture houses 
will be maintained in this province, 
despite intensive campaign by ex- 
hibitors. Premier Taschereau re- 
cently told anti-organization that 
he had not changed his mind in the 
matter. 

Total of 89 cases against cabarets 
for giving theatrical entertainments 
after midnite, and allowing dancing 
on Sundays thrown out of court 
and definitely ended, Tuesday (7), 
leaving nite life in this city in statu 
qvo. Establishments involved in- 
cluded Chez Maurice. Frolics. Grand 
Garden.Si Lion DOr, Klt-Kat, and 
Moonlight Gardens. Artlon l« re- 
garded as end of c.impnlffn initiated 
just before riirl.stmaH by dlrr-f.-tor 
Dufresne of the pollfo doparimfrit. 



Sir George Dance left £157,000. 
Sudden glut of trapeze acta over 
here. 

Bob Ripa off to Copenhagen for a 
month. 

Ernest Remnant down with kid 
ney trouble. 

The Ann Todd-Harold Warrender 
engagement off. 

'Cynara' goes to the Carlton after 
'Sign of the Cross.' 

Hilton Sisters (Siamese Twins) to 
tour their own unit. 

Anny Ahlers back in 'The Du- 
barry' following flu. 

Jame Bannister Howard going 
Ll trough bankruptcjr. 

London Pavilion cancelling return 
dates to several acts. 

Ralph Lynn's home raided with 
$3,000 valuables missing; 

Ernest Fredman no longer man- 
aging editor of the 'Referee.' 

Lee Donn off to Casino, Monte 
Carlo, at 1,000 francs per day. 

Not one act of the last Olympla 
circus bill received a return date. 

Muriel Angelus and John Stuart, 
film stars, wed in London, Feb. 1. 

Monselgn^ur Restaurant now has 
a snack bar, just to be In the fash- 
Ion. 

Hyams boys complaining about 
business, bo it must be in a bad 
way. 

Georgle Harris around again after 
eight weeks layoff with fractured 
knee. 

John Murray Anderson still con- 
fident he will produce 'Ballerina' 
soon. 

Teddy Brown ready to fight Gen- 
eral Theatres' intention to slice his 
salary. 

Cambridge public library banned 
Shaw's 'The Black Girl in Search 
of God.' 

Charles Withers likely to star in 
a British film; depends on test be- 
ing made. 

Press notices very mixed follow- 
ing 'Sign of the Cross' opening at 
the Carlton. 

Percy Athos likely to produce next 
continuous revue at the Prince of 
Wales' theatre. 

F. C. Lumley in for a few days to 
line up some novelties for the Pa- 
vilion, Glasgow. 

Cardlnl thrives on 72 cigarets on 
his 'Pavilion opening, doing without 
lunch or dinner. 

Ernest Theslger wants Somerset 
Maugham to write in a part for him 
in his new play. 

Lord Rothermere quietly visiting 
Caumont-Brltish studios to see a 
film being made. 

Louis Goldstein served with writ 
by Lucien Samett for claim of 
money advanced. 

Seymour Hicks to appear in a 
romantic farce, 'It's You I Want' 
at Daly's, Feb. 21. 

John Murray Anderson to stage 
one of the presentations at Leices- 
ter Square theatre. 

George Black not too pleased with 
Will Hays for using up printer's Ink 
in the trade papers. 

Lion M. Lion's lease of the Oar- 
rick theatre expires in April and Is 
not likely to be renewed. 

Screen Golfing society still benev- 
olent to the Kit-Cat to the advan- 
tage of Gaumont-British. 

Jack Slate (Slate Srothers) around 
with a cut eye, the Palladium stage 
door hitting back at him. 

Jimmy Bryson has withdrawn his 
portable hot-dog stands from the 
West End, after a short flop. 

George Grossmith just back from 
Paris after having finished London 
Film Company's 'Girl from Maxim.' 

Tom Walls starting work on 
Lonsdale's 'Never Come Back,' his 
first picture under new contract 
with G-B. 

Walter Bentley's new 2,000 deluxe 
seater at Elastbourne practically fin- 
ished, with Bentley now after a site 
In Brighton, 

Frances Dean and Gordon Wal- 
lace teamed in new act, produced by 
Fred Leslie and booked at Giro's 
for one month. 

Hilton Sisters create a sensation 
at the Ring, when spectators more 
concerned In watching the girls 
than the fights. 

Now that United Artists no longer 
connected with Dominion theatre, 
likely Gaumont-Brltlsh will become 
more amenable. 

Franz Steininger in hospital with 
stomach trouble, with Sonny Miller 
as regular caller, and both compos- 
ing songs there. 

George Black badly wants Ted 
Ray for next 'Crazy Season' at the 
Pavilion, but previous contracts 
likely to prevail. 

Sopa, the tortoise and oldest In- 
habitant at the London Zoo, suc- 
cumbed to flu; believed to be close 
on 200 years old. 

Anton Dolin complains the new 
Coliseum vaudeville show contains 
too much dancing. He should know, 
\><:\t\k in the show. 

Violet Mclnotte reading new com- 
p'Jy, which proved so funny she 



could not finish it, with her maid 
having to do so for her. 

Question worrying a number of 
film men Is: Who Is going to be the 
next president of the KInemato 
graph Renting society? 

Fay Compton engaged by Julian 
Wylle f6r stellar role in new must 
cal following the run of the 'Dick 
Whittlngton' pantomime. 

Despite mixed press, 'Sign of the 
Cross,' at Carlton doing turn-away 
business, with Earl St. John con 
fident of eight weeks' run. 

Martlnus Poulsen discussing his 
Intending trip to America with t^n 
Urry to discover talent for the Cafe 
de Paris and Cafe Anglais. 

Betty Davis deplores she lost a 
good act by the marriage of Betty 
Warren to Lawrence Wright. Feels 
it's a case of compensation. 

Blumenfeld, son of managing di- 
rector of the 'Dally Express,' be- 
hind Newsreel theatre being con- 
structed in Victoria Station. 

A. E. Abrahams' idea of an- 
nouncing Pavilion's forthcoming at- 
tractions on fireproof curtain ta- 
booed by the London County Coun- 
cil. 

Report from Brighton anent the 
opening of the Lloyd Family act is 
it's the best English combination 
ever, with special rave about Alice 
Lloyd. 

British International Pictures giv- 
ing test-out to 'Letting in the Sun- 
shine,' their latest, at hideaway pic- 
ture theatre, and everybody satisfied 
with the result. 

Dennis Noble to be operated for 
internal trouble, and will be out of 
'The One Girl,' Joe Sachs' musical, 
for eight weeks. Show opening 
Hippodrome, Feb. 22. 

Newsboys around Piccadilly Cir- 
cus complain about $40 is owing 
them from several American acts 
recently here, getting papers 'on the 
cuff.' A good bit of it for 'Variety.' 

Only one who profited by the re- 
cent Coliseum stage fight between 
Arthur Fear and Charles Mayhew 
was a chorus boy in the show who 
telephoned the story to the 'Daily 
Express' and got a check for 25 
guineas. 

John Ramsay Nicholl, professor 
of literature at London University, 
sailing In September to succeed Pro- 
fessor George Baker as head of 
drama department at Tale. The of- 
fer was the outcome of a recent lec- 
ture tour in the U. S. by Nicholl. 



Hollywood 



Pasadena 



Ralph Freud has added jig saw 
manufacturing as side line to stage 
duties. 

Harry Blllhelmer finds the burg 
quiet after stage managing Olsen 
and Johnson. 

Jean Harlow over with Jack Run- 
yon, advertising ma^n. Donald Cook 
at the same supper. 

Jean Inness, formerly of Broad- 
way and stock, directing and troup- 
ing with the Theatre League's sec- 
ond road show. 

Claudette Colbert nabbed by 82 
autograph scalpers as she went 
through. Tom Mix peeked through 
a car window and ducked. 

Victor Jory burned over local 
drama reviewer's cracks about him 
for his role in a play last year. It 
was printed months later when 
show was revived with another 
cast. 

Gilmor Brown* of the Pasadena 
Community Playhouse announces 
Sylvia Sidney in 'Lillom' and Is 
swamped with calls from name 
thespians who want to play In the 
show for nothing. 

Nell Hamilton pedalled his bike 
over two rows of foothills to get 
here to visit H. O. Comstock, man- 
ager of the Hotel Vista del Arroyo, 
sponsors of the city's newest and 
only hot-cha spot. 

Norman Krasna fell for a ruse 
and saw the second production of 
his foregoing satire on Hollywood 
press agentry. He failed to show 
up on the first night of last year's 
production, leaving a flock of guests 
high and wide with good seats. 



Miami 

By Ben Prout 



Lid still on. 

Joe McKee to Palm Beach. 

Grant Rice taking pictures. 

Roman Pools cuts admission. 
Business picking up. 

Martin J. Malone, owner of Roman 
Pools has gone North. 

Cantor- Jessel road show here for 
two days, Feb. 15-16. Complete sell 
out. 

The handle at the Hlaleah track 
Is 21 per cent greater this year than 
for the same period last. 

Embassy club giving buffet sup- 
per. Including water, ale and com- 
plete show Sundays for S3.60 each. 
Biz light. 

Golfers beginning to breeze in for 
the annual four ball tournament. 
Tom Kerrigan, Johnny Farrell and 
Walter Hagen among the early ar- 
rivals. 



Helen ShIpman here on spec. 
Edith Fitzgerald making a auioir 
trip to Europe. 

Moss Hart's brother, Bernar<L 
here for a visit. omara, 

Nate Dobson in from New Yoi^ 
for several weeks. 

Local daily critics getting bllUnr 
on Fox-West Coast trailers. 

Richard Bennett back at Par after 
a long siege with flu-pneumonia 

Moss Hart working on his new 
Music Box show nights and Sun- 
days. 

Believe it or not, Joan Blondell la 
assistant chief of poUce of Fresna 
Calif. *• 

Arthur Johnston has a collection 
of every song written by Irvine 
Berlin. 

Laurence Stalllngs bemoaning the 
fact that this Is a mild winter ia 
the eaf^t, 

Larry Hart back at his former 
Beverly Hills place and has sent 
for his mother. 

Reginald Mason, actor, bruised 
when struck by an automobile la 
front of. his home. 

Eve Green, 26, and Zelda SearsL- 
60, are one of Hollywood's youngest^ 
oldest writing team. 

Dubs at Lakeside feel pretty good 
these days. Bobby Jones took an 82 
on his flrst round there. 

Lowell Sherman planning to take 
a long vacation somewhere but 
can't decide on the spot. 

Larry Hart has leased Norman 
Kerry's home and figuring on some 
sort of a house warming. 

Henry Victor and wife have re- 
turned to Europe, where actor was 
formerly on contract with Ufa. 

Gary Grant went to the hospital 
for a minor operation. An ex- 
acrobat, he couldn't take those 
falls. 

'Buy American' campaign has hit 
local orchestras. One gagster claims 
they are now eliminating all French 
horns. 

Tubby Garron brought back a lot 
of orders for Famous Music and a 
swell case of flu from his north- 
ern trip. 

Elaine Wilmont, sec to Richard 
Dix, burned on her right arm while 
putting out a Are in the player's 
dressing room. 

Gene FoWler burning because the 
other writers at Paramount insist 
on calling him 'Eugene,' which aft^r 
all Is his right name. , 

David Hillman, local p.a., breaks 
Into 'Strike Me Pink,' new DeSylva- 
Brown show with a sketch, 'The 
Menken Suicide Case.' 

Dave Gould, N. Y. dance director, 
and Alf Gouldlng, Vitaphone shorts 
megger, In from the east. Gould 
on spec, Gouldlng on a vacash. 

Mrs. Ernest B. Schoedsack, wh^ 
accompanied her husband to Pal- 
estine, has returned. Schoedsacfc 
is remaining Aiming Arabian stutt 
for a Radio picture. 

Grover Jones threw a wild duck 
dinner last Monday. Pals present 
said the. ducks were tame, but that 
Jones told them a few scenario plots 
to make them wild. 

Manny Seff getting atmospher« 
for 'Police Surgeon' walked smack 
dab Into an autopsy at the morgue 
the other day. He quit writing for 
the remainder of the day. 

Special symphony concert by th« 
Philharmonic orchestra with Alfred 
Newman conducting, postponed un- 
til Feb. 16, because someone forgot 
the auditorium was rented on th« 
original date. 



Minneapolis 

By Lea Rees 



Biz picking up at Bainbrldge dra- 
matic stock house. 

'Ingenues' leaving Hotel Radlssoa 
night club after long engagement 

'Varmlannlngarna,' Swedish film, 
breaking records at World theatre^ 
foreign talkie house. 

New York attorneys, representing 
receivers, here to attempt to adjust 
circuit leases in St. Paul. 

Lo6 Breese and band out of St. 
Paul Paramount, again leaving towd 
sans stage entertainment. 

M-O-M product going into loop 
15c third-run, grind houses for first 
time, a surprise development. 

Randy Merrlman, former Minne- 
sota theatre assistant manager, and 
the Oakley Brothers opening a new 
night club, 'Ballyhoo.' 

Clarice Granville, 12-year old local 
youngster, recruited by Paul Ash 
to pad out running time, stopped 
every show at Orpheum last week. 

Aster theatre having 'revival 
week' with seven of 10 pictures 
chosen by Merle Potter, 'Journal' 
drama editor, as year's best for 
dally change. 

S^embers of University of Minne- 
sota dramatic organization, the 
Masquers, Impersonated movie stars 
as special stage feature at Publlx 
Uptown theatre. 

When Publix dismissed 'all' door- 
men as economy move, 'Big Bo/ 
Blake, considered ace of outfit be- 
cause of his 'spieling* ability, was 
retained at Lyric, 

Local critic, John Alden, in 'Tri- 
bune,' expressed peeve because 
Publix home office cancelled 'She 
Done Him Wrong.' booking at ro"- 
tuiy as 'too hot for towm* 



I^mdij, FdMry 14^ 1933 



VARIETY 53 




Texaa Gulnan indisposed. 
Boward Neumlller growing mue- 
tecbe. 

' Xfllce Cavanaugh managing *Cav- 
fttcade/ 

' FksnclS' ^ BuBliman bk town for 
fadio andltlon* 

Ed ViBhvr left "Radio GuldeP edi- 
torship Saturday. 

cniarYttirBttron Mn alieaA "Bal- 
leiujab» rm ft Bn»/ 
• B. W. <Sir»on of Topeka'* ehau- 
tauaua agency In town. 

Kd Levlh fff « pAonopblto. Spent 
S20 for,hIgli-l»row recorde. 

Leelle Atbuv. CTS Babob, back 
from asstabifnr In Florida. 

Four Kings start April 12 on an 
KBC BoieB for Thdmpson Frodtictr. 

diaries GsunbriU after a fortnight 
witfr Conaiolfdated agency (new) lo 
out. 

Tribune' sponsoring' Jigsaw puz- 
sle with its comic cartoon charae- 

IBdward Brice's contemplated 
dramatic etoclt for Sheboygan, "Wis., 
la cold. 

CokerSBiffers report that a the- 
atre m the loop wfll be named after 
Paul Ash. 

Jane Froman and Don Ross left 
io take np permanent sojourn in 
Manhattan, 

Schallman Bros, booking Atlantic 
and Midwest for Schoenstadt with 
Sunday viande. 

Al Kval^ back front a year in 
Sunfcal, noiw heading a dance combo 
at Terrace Cfardena. 

Great States second ran in Bloont- 
|ngtoh» the lAaJestlc; cut to 26 cents 
and soTved its deflclt 

Kay Davison back In town after 
two years in east singing from 
Granada over "WBBM. 

Will Lawo Players will lay oft in 
Memphis and reorganize for a sec- 
ond try «t the Lyceum, there. 

Wayne King's first recording for 
Brunswick was 'Blue Danube' and 
'Caprice Vlennols/ made locally. 

Icelandic feast at the Tavern club 
•nnouneed in Arctic vernacular, by 
Secretary Charles CoUlnsw TritJt'fr'' 
dramatic ed. 

ISmest Hemingway, the novelist, 
went to Oak Park High School and 
was considered a sissy, according to 
school mates.. 

Neal Schaftner opened a dramatic 
stock at CHnton, Iowa, while D. 
Perucchi was closing one at 
Charleston, 8. Or 

Harry Balaban's Windsor theatre 
boasts of having the very latest 
projection equipment and the only 
one of Its kind in town. 
' Christy Obrecht starts rehearsals 
for a February opening in Minne- 
apolis and wilt go under canvas for 
a summer rep season May 15. 

£ddl» Kranders and Harry Ross- 
iDagI<r handHng ducats until March 
• for annual Golden eiovte boaJotr 
tournament, big amateur event here. 

Ann Greenway, Donna aad' Dar- 
ren, Jean and Joan, FHeda SuHIvan 
on the Inaugural floor show at Bis- 
marck hotel with Art Kassel's re- 
turn. 

It . amuses the town that Mary 
Garden and Chic Sale will be com- 
peting headliners next week be- 
tween the Chicago agd Palace the- 
atres. 

While bound for the depot and 
Kew York Pegrgy Stanton, of Stan- 
ton and Dolores, was injured dur- 
ing the blizzard in a taxi accident. 
Several stitches. 

Bobbe Arnst told Jess Krueger, 
Hearst reporter, that Johnny Welss- 
muller couldn't tell sincerity from 
flattery. The movies got him — and 
he couldn't take it.' said Bobbe. 

After 27 years in the same build- 
ing, and probably the oldest estab- 
lished theatrical agency in Chicago, 
Mllo Bennett moved into new quar- 
ters at 32 W. Randolph last week. 

Barnstorming exploitation Junket 
on behalf of '42d Street' will arrive 
from Hollywood Feb, 28, Guy liom- 
bardo and Hal Kemp discs played 
on the special train at its various 
stops ties In Columbia phonograph 
co-operation here. 

Henry Voegeli contemptuously 
crossed Balaban & Katz off the pop 
- concert list at Orchestra hall be- 
cause there weren't enough high 
brows to guarantee at least 30 tick- 
etc. B&K music lovers, led by Dave 
lilpton, offered to take 12 tickets 
regularly, but Orchestra hall wasn't 
even Impressed. 

San Francisco 

By Harefd Bock 

John OTtfalley, vet Oakland mu- 
sician, passed away. 

Bill Zwlsslg and his appendix 
have parted company. 

Gordon Allen out as Bducatlonal 
salesman with Kd now under Fox 
banner. 

F&M sending up line of gals who 
will hoof at Warfleld and Oakland 
Orpheum for three weeks or longer. 

Glen Rico taking his Beverly Hill 
Billies back sonth after having 
played about everything in north- 
ern California. 

Vincent I<eahy, head of his own 
ad agency, hopped Hollwood-ward 
: in search of an outstanding comic 
i for possible radio programs, 
i E^die Peabody and wife have 
'; temporarily deserted their River-' 



€H ATT E 




aide ranch so Eddie can do his 
Wednesday night NBC programs 
here. 

lAst year BCA made thousand 
super-radios at 11.000 apiece; con- 
taotins all nation's wealthy for sales. 
Only set owned locally purchased by 
an apartment house Janitor. 

Janet Reade playing In Tattle 
TalesT at Curran, claimed surprise 
when Winchell said her husband, 
Walter Batchelor, N.T. theatrical 
manager, waa divorcing her. 

Strain of expectancy was too 
mucb tor Paul Spier, who almost 
collapsed after handing put cigars 
in honor of Junior born kist Tues- 
day and weighing eight pounds. 



Seatde 

By Dave Trepp 



Sarah Truax in readings on mod- 
em drama. 

'Cavalcade' penciled for Metro- 
politan. Feb. 24, road. show» setup. 

Eddie Peabody lands NBC con- 
tract from S. F. on Safeway Stores 
commercial. 

Several 'baUaT with ten-cent dane>- 
ing — tsur the whole evening— getting 
oke trade, youae and elderly, tpo* 

Rev. Father Hubbar^ the 'glacier 
priest' of ATa wka; here showing pi&- 
tures o£ northern, glacial wilds, at 
the Clvio aude. 

State (J. Danz) going burlesque 
next week, using Harris shows, 
similar' ta burlesque wheel of seven 
houses in CaTf£ 

John Hamrick spoke against the 
proposed state sales tax. at Olym 
pia before the legislative commit- 
tee^ and advocated a general I or 
2% sales- fax. 

F. J. McFarland, ex-circus agent, 
now with p. a. department of Pio- 
neer Athletic dCub, promoting week- 
ly wrestUng- card% Jolmny Kor 
then, p. a. boss. 

J. M. Hone, sec. and' mgr. of Al- 
lied Amusements of Northwest, de- 
clared to legislative committee that 
10% state tax on theatres would 
close many more housiss and be uo- 
fair. 



Kansas Cky 

By Wiir Huahes 



THs Speaker, now manager of the 
Kansas City Blues. 

27th annual motor show started 
Feb. II. AdlnlSstoh cut to 40 cents. 

Mary Wigman was • guest of 
the. University Women's Club this 
week. 

Red. Nichols and band, foottns •* 
the Mnehletach. Jane Rae^ doing 

the crooning. 

Pla-More Ballroom, Kanssi City's 
milUon. (dollar dance hall, now shoot- 
Ing^ for two-for-a-quarter, Tuesday, 
Wednesday and Thursday. 

Shubert will reopen Feb. 19 with 
The Cat and the Fiddle.' As an 
experiment, top' price will be |2, 
lowest price for a musical here in 
years. 

Buddy Rogers Kansas City's own, 
at the Mainsfre&t next week and 
manager Ijawrence Lehman arrang- 
ing numerous parties and special 
evenings for him. It will be one 
busy week for Buddy. 

Picture critics and picture mana- 
gers were all taet up this week 
when they were tipped oft that 
Greta Garbo was at one of the 
hotels, incog. A hasty tour of the 
hotels waa made only to find the 
'gal' in question was one of the 
Mary Wigman dancera She stire 
looked the part. 



Boston 

By Lan Libbey 



Leo Gaffney, dramatic editor for 
Sunday 'Advertiser,' expecting the 
blessed event. 

Paul Whlteman smilingly looking 
over a record crowd to greet him In 
Symphony Hall. 

Though State has banned the 
Stan Willis boxing girls act, two 
local houses showed them — in the 
newsreel. 

Francesca Braggiotti (Mrs. John 
Davis Lodge. Hollywood, Par ftlms) 
sponsored two-piano team' concert 
by Mario Braggiotti and Jacques 
Fray in Jordan Hall 9tb. 

Roland Fray's remembering bis 
theatre cashier with his $30,000 es- 
tate because she nursed him In his 
Illness, the talk of the night among 
the hopeful Cinderellas in local box 
offices. 

Prosperity Initialed S.R.O. for the 
musical events — first, Efrem Zlm- 
balist, then yesterday afternoon 
Paderewskl, and last night Paul 
Whiteman, each Jamming Sym- 
phony halL 

Ed Ryan hired AI Somerby to 
touch up the burleycues coming to 
the old Howard, which reopens next 
week after being shut by the cen- 
sors. First will be 'Scrambled Legs.' 
Four roadshows will be followed by 
burlesque stock. 



OeYdand 

By Glenn C. Puflen 



Charles Wagner here from New 
York to promote series of pop- 
priced concerts at Pnblic Halt. 

Eddie SIndelar bought Herble 
Miller and three other partners out 
of his Cotton dub and is now sole 
owner. 

Phil SelznJck, nitery owner, re- 
ported to be dickering for Marc 
Bemard'a Club, where btirley laid 
an egg. 

Bob McLaughlin going to New 
York to shag up cast for his new 
stock company at Ohio around 
March S. or 12. 

Sammy Kleinman. stage-hand, 
broke both legs, and ribs in 2S-foot 
fall back-stage while hoisting 
'Show Boat' scenery. 

George Fox, now company man- 
ager for F-M unit, Irene,' return- 
ing to become Robert McLaughlin's 
Eight-hand man again. 

William Kent walked out of 
'Show Boat.''' so James Swift, his 
under-study took over his role dur- 
ing run at Loew'a State. 

Bid SteLa opening new night spot 
at Colonial Hotel Feb. 20. Sammy. 
Levin also tiring out a nitery called 
the Dungeon In Hotel Sterling. ' 

'Cava.lcade.' opening at Ohio Feb. 
16, was first ballykooed as having 
a $1 top, but aAnertlsed scale now 
makes it $1.6S^ causing kick-backs. 

Lyman Gandee^ pianist in Kay 
Kyser's band back at Golden Pheas- 
ant, passins out traditional cigars. 
It's a girl. Bay Chrumney, fiddla 
with. Kyscr, also became father of 
son the same week. 



vamped and named The Play- 
house.' 

Report from Washington that Ed 
Wynn will head third national radio 
network partially confirmed by 
Wynn. here. Detroit tycoons btuik 
of plan. 

Herbert H. Howell, president ra- 
dio station WEBR, ordered by City 
Court to surrender household fur- 
nishings to his wife followine sep- 
aration and replevin action by her. 



New Ifoven 

By Harold M. Bone 



Wgg-t. 1- 

rHtSMirgn 

By Hat Cohen 



Jerry Leary Joibeft the benedicts 
last week. 

Latest Saturday ICTght Club fs at 
Hotel Schenley 'at tl per person. 

George Jaffa feavfngr for bla an- 
nual w&if er vacation In Hot Sprhiga 

The Joe Feldmans, fed up with 
apartment life, ecoutfne for a home. 

Christy Wilbert and Bill Zeilor 
home agaia after m motor trip to 
the coast. 

Bill Bishop mad Waddy Watson 
both in town beating the drums for 
'Raq;tutin.' 

Tony Govato, drummer «t Plaza- 
cafe, has dropped 54 ponndto, but not 
from dromndag. 

Don Stitt, former hanjbist, has 
torned theatre man ager, Victoria, 
McKeesport for WB, 

dare ace Ornitflfsh, farmer fBm 
crick for the 'SUn-Tete,' still trying 
to make a connection. 

Dave Brandy .picked up m. week's 
work wfth the aogmented: pit crew 
necessary far *Mdody.' 

Patsy Maloney, the Jehs Ifa- 
laaaywf vridt, will get her MJik. de- 
gree from Duquesne in June 

Friends here ticklea with news 
that Cbickie Moss landed first fn a 
recent Whitonan air aadHtion. 

Another 19% cut for 'Sttn-Tele,' 
Hearst ^ily, and WCAE; Hearst 
radio station, Vhb& in a year. 

Ben Serkowlch maJdng' the news- 
paper rounds ahead of The Big 
Drive,' booked for ran at Fulton. 

Bin. Banonfa knee still bounces 
out occasionally from a football In- 
Jury he had at Penn 10 years ago. 

Johnnqr Harris' European budget 
depleted somewhat by transatlantic 
phone calls .from Naples and Cairo. 

Olive and Amdur, Pittsburgh 
dancing couple, at the Rainbow 
Room of the Hotel Carter In Cleve- 
land. 

Variety Club tosseA a farewell 
party Satdee idle for Max Cohen, 
who's returning to Universal head- 
quarters In N. .Y. 

The Lew Josephs are moving from 
the Falrfks to the Schenliqr Arms, 
where Bill Fturen, former KDKA 
sports reeler, is house manager. 

Charlie Danver, 7ost-aazette' 
columnist, finds Tuesday the worst 
business day for local nite ^ubs. 
Owners say six other days are Just 
as bad. 



Mark Chestney to N. T. for con- 
cert. 

Channing Pollock in for lecture at 
Tale (8). 

WB exchange on a Sat. aft. a 
madhouse. 

Myra Hess into Sprague Hall 
Thurs. (16>. 

Club Germain sporting Sat. oilte 
floor show now. 

A packed Woolaey Hall gave Pa- 
derewaki a rosal welcome. 

Harry Grinnell opens Club Colon- 
nade witik m radio art' ' site. 

Tito Schipa Wools jiall iedtal 
postponed te Feb. 21, oue to tenor's 
recent ep^ 

Jack Sanraon and Wes Orlfflth 
worked an nfte to set knockout 
lobby display on '42d St.' 



Toronto 



Martinea dno to the Savarin. 

Jean Carr back tr the home-town 
with 'Sally.* 

Dour KcRae wflT wed the drawl 
ing- Mabel Best of Washington. 

Gord Sinclair clinked at Tta 
Juana as an 'aJien under observa' 
tion/ 

Jack (ImperlaO Arthur taking 
time off to produce the annual 
Junior League show. 

Mary Moeely back to the home- 
town fat that Jacques Cartler pro- 
gram. Shell be' his accompanist. 

Despite rumors, Roly ' ('Dally 
Star') Touiig will continue to con- 
duct that stage and screen column. 

Male sports writers fuming at 
appointment of Alexandrine ('Daily 
Star*) Oibb as only femme associate 
sports editor oi| any CanadfEin tag. 

In answer to WihcfaeU piracy 
claims, nrank ('Are Ton Listening') 
Chamber Iain says he was wrftlhg 
'Notes to m. Blonde Stenogiapher* 
nineteen years ago and liias a ccrap- 
boolE t« pnrve it He admits that 
he'is nercr had a blonde stenog- 
rapher; 



Worcester 

By Pmut W. Larkin 



Wmnqieg 

By Matt Corbett 



MaAame. Onegln gets Mg' welcome 
in the Celebrity Concert series^ 

Tlvolk and Oabome; whidi^ bow- 
ever, are ia. right distttcts^ ate 
deantns up on British, pictures; 
rarely nm anything else. 

Detinison Thornton,, cinema critic 
of the Mirror/ to start new -critical 
mag; A monthly. Will use N. B. 
Zimmerman on theatres. 

Bill Moore sending Wpg. vaude 
acts to Sasliatoon. Routes Jimmy 
Fisher ther^ and the Stacey Sis- 
ters, both high, lights of local vaude. 

Arthur Cohen, J. J. Fltzgibbons. 
of F. P., and Haskell Masters and 
Leo Devaney, of RKO, an here last 
week. H. M. Thomas takes them 

to COftSt^ 

On 'Variety' finding Hhe dialect's 
the thing* on radio^ CUff McNeill 
critidxed local dialcctlans^ and 
found only two good oa the air: 
Ernie Holden. aa 'Abie,' and Graham 
Rattray as 'Ebony,' hebe and black- 
face. 



Bnffalo 

By Sidney Burton 

Menuhln in flrst Bnflialo appear- 
ance at Consistory Monday to ex- 
ceHent takings. 

Proposed stock season at Court 
street by Rupert Labelle out due to 
lack of sponsorship. 

'Cavalcade' current at Erlanger 
at $1 top drew uniform raves from 
the critics. Getting fine high-hat 
trade. . 

With Lafayette and Hipp double 
featuring first runs at 2Sc, Century 
this week went to triple feature biU 
at same price, 

Morton Downey and Barbara 
Bennett In town over week end vis- 
iting Father Ferger, godfather of 
the new Downey heir. 

Studio Theatre Players present- 
ing 'ESscapeT this week at former 
Gayety (hnrlesqne bouse) now re- 



St Pari 

By Walt Raaehkk 

Bob Rydeen, Garrick manager, 
now a pappy to an S lb. • os. baby 
gaL 

Paul F. Saucr, tl. noember of Min- 
nesota State Band, dies after two 
weeks iUness^ 

Ed Enrni, manager, Duluth 
Lyceum, in town for three days 
gabbing with the bt^s. 

Fifl Dorsay takes a bow at the 
auto show, with City Commissioner 
Milt Rosen acting as gratis m. c 

Louis, Morris and George Gold- 
man, boothmen, receiving condol- 
ences upon the death of their father. 

Paul Specht and band plays one 
night (11> at the Radisson, Min- 
neapolisb foUowing his St. Paul auto 
show week. 

V, Smeader, former assistant 
manager at the Riviera, goes to Na- 
tional Screen Service, Mlnneaolls. 
H. W. Kadrie, ex-usher, in at 
Smeader's post. 

Publlx ousts switchboard, replaces- 
it with pay stations in sJl theatres, 
with Det McSherry and Lillian 
Walsh, 12 -year employees, reputedly 
Joining Jobless army. 



Capitol threw a party for Tele« 
gram -Gazette newsies with "Nagana' 
featured. 

Elmer R. Daniels of the Capitol 
spent last week in a hospital, a 
grippe victim. 

'Hits and Bits' from Fanchon & 
Marco unit going over big on WOR(3 
programs weekly. 

'Peg Leg" Bates left the Fanchon 
& Marco unit last week and hopped 
to Boston for an engagement. 

Though theatre managers are 
having- their troubles. Jack Mc- 
Grath. r38s.Iin* impresario, isn't hav- 
ing any difficulty in packing Me- 
chanics Han with his weekly shows. 

Censorship has been st> seivere re- 
cently that the Warner this week Is 
bUIlng '20,000 Tears in Sing Sing* as 
'uncensored.' And the words 'It's 
Uncensored' appear in type that 
can't be missed. 

Frequent reference to the dallies 
is needed to keep up with what's 
going on. The Capitol last week 
started its new show on Thursday, 
with a couple sticking^ to Friday, 
some opening on Saturday and 
others splitting the we^. 

Colored band from Hub played 
here week ago surrounded by ver» 
tible cordon of police. Muslciaia 
were witnesses to slaying of 'King' 
Solomon in Boston Cotton Clulr. 
Coppers had hunch there might be 
some action. False alarm. 

Chester (Saylord. whose vocalis- 
ing with Len Joy's orchestra won 
him quite a following, wilt be heard 
OR a New Bn^and network com* 
merdal beginninr Feb. 16. Rulqr 
Newman's orchestra wiU do the ac- 
companying. The program .wHl 
originate in B oston . Chet's still 
announcing- for WTAG. 

WTAG was granted an Increase 
in daily power from 260^ to EOO watts 
by the Federal commission last 
week. A few days later WORC, the 
city's only other station, was denied 
the facilities of three New Tork 
City and a New Jerpey station. The 
commission said Worcester and 
vicinity now received good services 
FaciUties of WCDA. WMSG, WBNX 
and WAWZ' were sought. 

Two additional complaints were 
sworn out against JoseplL S. Sheei; 
oyner of the Worcester theatre, last 
weelc The theatre closed recently 
after two weeks of stock, and sev- 
eral employees filed action for their 
, pay when Joseph refused to kew 
an engagement with them, Joseph 
has been among the mfssinjgr since 
:.the summons was issued.. The heilr 
complainants are Everett A. Bll* 
dreth, who- directed the advertising 
for the showB^ and Joha. Walsh^ a 
fireman. Stage hands were the first 
to hbHer. ' 

Kever in Its history has Worces- 
ter had such low-priced entertain- 
ment, yet ftfs been: many a day since 
there was a Uheni^ at the box oflSce 
that .caused undue excitement.- Of 
the four first-run houses, the 'War- 
ner alone has kept a top price of 
four bits. AH are down to 25^^ cent 
top mat inecfc The Capitol (Publlx) 
is getting AH cents at night, while 
the Poll Elm Street and Poll Palace 
are down to 3& cents at night. The 
first three offer double film features, 
while the Palace houses ia Fanchon. 
A Marco unit weekly, with one pic- 
ture. The Pl ym o u th, which appears 
to be gettfne; most of the. biz> gives 
the customers two Bceond runs^ ■ a 
comedy, news reel, organ recital, 
vocalist, and occasionally a short or 
two, for a top of two bits at night. 



WasHiHiloo 

By Don Crai0 



Pete Brandt Installed pres. Nat. 
Press club. 

Fred Shawn and Dan Russell new 
NBC announcera 

Alfredo Salmuggt staging 'Car- 
men' at Auditorium. 

Columbia switches to only Mon- 
day openings in town: 

Kddle Carrier in town for Loew 
part ia Inaugural parade. 

Ted Church t» N. T. and Fhilly 
for GBS press conferences. 

Congressional set swamping Na- 
tional for TaUulah Bankhead. Daddy 
Is Rep. 

National yanks ads out of 'News' 
following the printing of letters 
squawklnff about ticket speculation. 

Steve Cochran ballyhoolng open- 
ing nite of 'Counsdlor-at-Law' at 
National as testimonial to L. Stod- 
dard Taylor, manager for 28 years 
of BelsiBco, opposition Shubert 
house now dark. 



DenTor 



Wayne Ball luid Robt. Garland 
Col. mgr. and salesman, in N. M, 
selling. 

'Cavalvade' will roadshow at the 
Aladdin, uptown second-run. S6e 
to 11.60. 

'Post' is exploiting the two-hour 
visit Feb. 23 of the 'Forty- Second 
Street' speciaL 

Etirlesque out at the Empress, 
second run picture house. Vaude In 
with weekly changes. 

Jack Krum now salesman for the 
Race Night game for theatres, and 
(Continued on page S4) 



54 



VARIETY 



L E S Q a E 



taesdsy, Febrnaiy 14f 1933 



Hungry Hartford Troupe, Stranded 
When States Atty. Threatens Pinch 



Hartford, Conn., Feb. 18. 

Between non-payment of salaries 
and when the state's attorney who 
would not stand for obscenity 
stepped in, burlesque stepped out of 
Hartford. Burlesque, which has 
writhed across the footboards for 
fllx weeks at Parson's theatre, trod 
by the greatest legit stars for 36 
years, made Its exit when the state's 
attorney's ofllce threatened to arrest 
all those connected with the current 
production if any more perforin'- 
ances were given. 

Acting aft^r local police had Ig- 
nored complaints made by several 
'represenUitlye .^ItJzens,- State's At- 
itorhey Hugh; M. Alcorn sent County 
Detective E. J. Hlckey to the the- 
atre after issuing a warning of his 
Intentions' to close' the show. De- . 
tectlve prepared, to halt the .sched- 
uled matinee perfprniahce luid 
transport :th^ troupe to the county . 
court building, "but, when he ap-' 
peared' the ' 'matlne^ tbd'ay'^ sigh lia'd ; 
di^ppeared : aiid .patrons were< 
lurned'away.at the box office. . 

. Th^ troupe, which had appeared 
faere< under the auspices of George 
Katz pf- Neyi' Tork, who had rented < 
)the,hous'e from the receivers of Shii- 
bert Th totrieSjV leif fc toir ^ew.. Tork - by 
biis tiie tlEiy beforej it was said. He 
ha4.° riPfide ■ art^qgenients -when- it 
appealed that the entire' troupe, who 
had p&t bfMsn paid in'a wfeek, woiild 
'|be'/stmn3ed/fiere.° ,..•,.'..'.' ' 

^h^\ V^pV^s(eiitatiye .citi^^ms' had 
ieompIeL|hed..that the- show: was ob- 
frcehel-and uhdei: a local act the at- 
tonaey, took atstlbn. The girls . the 
pi^yilo'us' nlghi In -a group had vis- 
ited, thei lo^ police pr^inct com- 
piainlpgf that . 'saidrlea were hot 
fortb'comingj 

tio .Eate^ 

_:_<Eat^ had , betlter; coiue and take 
'care'6f,hisl^,^kitteqs/fohV the chO'; 
rtne's ave')rred back8tag:e before the 
matinee. Several of the girls ad- 
mitted they had e%ten nothing but 
sandwiches for days; biit they were 
tnot'o or less philosoiiph'ical. ' The 
cast ihcluded 6,0 bcld .meh wo- 
men,' spine 'of . whom,' cojpaplalned 
that salaries .ha4 not been paid in 
two weeks'.. 

' The troupe had played here for 
six ^eeks to faiitiy grood ifttbhdahce 
at the. beginning,' but biz fell off to- 
ward .thei^ end," AiinounPeinent was 
mai^6. that the. 9b<;iw^would close 1^ 
Saturday,-' but later augmented by 
the report that burlesque would re- 
turn to this city iCor three dalys a 
week. ' ' 

' Same group operating in Hartr 
ford placed , burlesque into ■ New 
Haven, but closed after a scant two 
weeks' in which complaints and lack 
of attendance was the cause. 



Chatter 



(Continued from page Br"" 

is in 'Wyo. and Neb., talking to ex- 
hlbs. 

A. M. Beatty, of the International 
Projector Corporation, made a so- 
cial and business visit with Jap 
Morgan- of the* Nat Theatre Supply. 

Harry iStearh, formerly a United 
Artists manager in Salt Lake, is 
selling for the Capitol Film ex- 
chahge here. 

The cold weather is keeping out- 
of-town exhlbs a:way from film row, 
and only' three Were seen the papi 
week: Sd. Anderson, Pueblo; Ever- 
ett Cole, Alamosa, and C. B. Ben- 
nett, Idaho Springs.. 

RbclKSte^ 

By Don Record 

.Rumor that.' RKO Palace wIU' 
cipse. ' - • • 

'Cavalcade' at ^1 in at the Regent 
liidefi>. ./ ,-. , . 

. .'.yanltles'i. playa . .three . day^ in- 
stead of two at the Lyceum. 
- RKO Teinple is :.only downtown 
house consistently - in the black. ■ 

' Manager'.Hattie Lutt of , the Ly- 
ceum riecbverlng. after flu eihd pneu- 
monia. 

Mrs. W. W, Rlsley; wife of the 
manager of the Temple, back from 
California. 

Manager Harold Ralves to remain 
at the Regent though given word to 
move to NewL'Tork,.-' . ■ • 

Manager Jay Golden of the. Palace 
back, at his desk after long sleise 
with arm infection in Genesee Hos- 
pital. 

Hqjrvey.Sbuthgate, editorial writer 
for the 'D'. & C.,' becomes father, of 
a, daughter, : making Editor A. C, 
Ross a granddad. . . 

PuMix shift sends Manager Irwin 
SolPn),pn of the Century to New Torjc 
Harry .'-Rby'ster will mariage the 
house with John J. O'Neill' as aid 



CaDahan's Try Has 
A Chance If tlean, 
But Not Too Clean 



Syracuse, Feb. 18. 
Rltz is under . a new burlesque 
policy installed by Emmett Calla- 
han of New York. Ann Corlo, who 
Callahan personally manages, is 
stripping this week. 

Despite a two-day slap from the 
weather, the new policy returned a 
profit for the first week. House Is 
scaled at 16-26 matinees, and 26-40 
at night. Three performances daily. 

Company includes a line of 16 and 
about the same number of princi- 
pals and specialty people. It the 
management can keep it clean 
enough for the masculine patronage, 
the policy has a chance. 

Callahan is in by an arrangement 
with Nathan L. Robbins, lessee. 
Latter tried films, vaude and vaud- 
fiim. ' 



Empire Wheel 

Week February 13 

Ha-Cha-^BmpIre, Newiftrk. 
Scrambled Legs — ^Irving Place, New 
Tork. 

Speed and Sparkle — Star, Brooklyn. 
Tempters— Trocadero. Philadelphia. 



RKO STATE-LARE 

CHICAGO 

'THE VAMPIRE BAT' 

With UONEL ATWILL 
Fay Wray— Melvyn Douglas 



WL BdOKlfet ON HOW 1 



Milwaukee 

By Frank J. Miller 

'Sign of the Cross' clicked at the 
Wisconsin. 

'Beggar on Horseback' next Wis- 
consin P'layers' show for five per- 
fprmiinces, starting^ Feb. 21. 
'..'Flrlday and Saturday Bookings' 
was the subject of talks '1>y A. A. 
Gutenbierg and George Fisher at a 
meeting of County Federation of 
Women's Clubs. 

Biggest Apiece of flrst-cUuss mall 
ever sent put of Milwaukee post- 
office, a five 'by seven .postcard, 
weighing 20 pounds and. requiring 
$9.63 postage, sent by Warner the- 
atre to James Cagney. Bore signa 
tures of several thousand Warner 
patrons. 

■ Directors of Wisconsin Associa' 
tlon of State Fdiirs are planning op 
position to Governor Schmedeman's 
plan for the elimination of Wiscon 
sin fairs during 1933. Governor 
holds that state cannot afford to 
make folr appropriations this year 

Cinchmati 

By Joe Kollino 

George P. Schott easing at Miami. 

Billy Croucher did advance on 
'Cavalcade.' 

Joe Staiidish was in with' 'Ras- 
putin and Empress.' 

Danny -McNatt has succeeded 
Clarence Bell as mgr. of the Strand, 

The 'Post' staging jigsaw tourna 
ment with ' 1100 merchandise order 
as first prize. 

Influential group of towners plan- 
ning to raise $40,000 guaranty fund 
for season of opera at Zoo next 
summer. 

Exactly a year after Bill Hastings 
underwent operation for hernia, his 
dad went on table for 'same thing, 
and is getting along oke. 

Cliff Boyd, Albee mgr., received 
his two- weeks'' notice; he'll "be re 
placed by Clem Pope, who will also 
carry on as city manaefer for RKO 



DOROTHEA ANTEI. 

tse W. m St.. New York ritr 
My New Aasortment of GREETING 
CARDS Is Now Ready. 21 Beaatltui 
CARDS and FOLDERS, Boxed, Post- 
paid, for 

One Dollar 



Oklahoma City 

By George Noble 



Adna Avery opening a new the 
aire in Blackwell, Okla. . 

'Sign of the Cross' booked by Cri 
terlon theatre for Feb. 10. 

John Shoeppel, manager Midwest 



INSTITUTION fj^ INTtRNATIONAL* 

Sboes for the S^^g^ S^^^^f 

5H0VF0LK'S SHOESHOPr-15S2 BROADWAY 



theatre, on sick list the past three 
weeks. . Russel Taylor ' officiating. 

Proposed Irlll Introduced In the 
Oklahoma legislature. If passed, 
wn^ t&x billboards (c a square foot 
T^d Mack and hte bitnd of 17 mu- 
sicians, from the- Pacific coast, 
opened an indefinite engagement at 
the Sklrvin hotel roof - garden Frl- 
iiay. 



By Henry Retonda 



Film, row is staging a dinner 
dance at. the PaUns March 8. . 

Harold Whisper, MGM shipper, 
and Helen Firllk were married re- 
cently. 

RKO Proctor, Troy house, drops 
vaudeville, operating only with diou- 
ble features. 

Warner Bros, has leased the en- 
tire building Ini which the Albany, 
second-run, is located. . 

Harmanus Bleecker Hall has re- 
duced . admission nights from 60 to 
40c and daily from 86 to 26c Le- 
lahd alsp reduced prices from 36 to 
26c nights and 26 to 20c dially, and 
rettuned to double features with 
weekly changes. 

Hartford 

By M. H. Hammer 



Franklin Winnie is a pappy. 
The Warner club rooms inaugu 
rated. 

Rena. Garrlty recovers from an 
attack of fiu. 

Ed KaplnskI looks forward to 
warmer weather. 

Henry Needles makes the tour of 
Warner theatres. 

Bert Prince given leave of ab' 
sence after death of father. - 

Warner, and Arthur Hartford the 
atres again swap courtesies. 

GreenwPod cuts 'Variety* clip- 
ping, and) now hopes to get the dally 
letter from Boston. 

Capitol theatre announces an- 
other admisslor. cut to 26 cents and 
36 cents for nirht. F. & M. presen- 
tations and first run feature. 



CALENDAR OF (mim RELEASES 



. (Continued from page SI) 

Maedchen In Uniform (Krimsky) (German). Poignant drama. Hertha Thlele, 
Dorothea Wleiske. Dir. Richard Froeh]lch. Ret. Jan. 10. Rev. Sept 27, 

Man Braueh Kein Qeld. (Capital) (Ger), Musical farce. Dir. Karl Boese. 
Rel. Nov. 10. 

Mein Leopold. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Ouatav Froellch. Max Adalbert. 
Dir. Hans Syeinoff. Time, 06 mins. ReL April 1; 

Men and Jobs (Russian) (AnikIno). An American engineer , looks at Russia. 
Dir. A. Macheret 70. mins. Ret. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan< 17. 

Menich Ohne Namen (German) (Protex). Poignant drama. Werner Krausi. 
Dir. Gustav Udcky. 96 mins. Rel, Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 15. 

Miche (Paramount) (French). Musical comedy. Suzy Vernon, Robert Burnler, 

Dranem. 80 mins. Rel, July 1. Rev; Deo, 6. 
Mend Uber Morokko (Protex) (Ger). See Clng. Gentlemen Mau.dlt 
Merits Macht 8eln Qlueck. -(German) (Capital). Farce, Siegfried Amo. 86 
mins. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Namenahelrat. (German) (FAF). Drama. Dir. Heins Paul. 90 mlna ReL 
Jan. 1. . Rev. Jan. 17. 

1014. (Capital) (GerO Prelude to the world war. Dir. Rich. Oawald. Time. 

73 mins. Rel. «ept 1. 
Oberat Redl. (Capital) (Ger). Spy thriller. lill Dagover. Theo. Liooa. Dir. 

Karl Anton., Time. 79 mins. Rel. Aug. 30. 
Paris- Beaiiln (Protex) (Fr)., Musical, jane Marnac. Dir. Augusta (}enlna. 
90 mins. Rel. Deo. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

PIrl MIndent Tud (Arkay) (Hung.). Farce. Dir. Stephen Szekely. 76 mlna 
Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Purpur und Waschbiau. (Capital) (Ger). Dramatic comedy. HansI NIese, 

Else Elster. Dir. Max' Neufleld. Time, 86 mfns. ReL July 80. 
Cuando te Sulbldaa (Paramount) (Spanish). MuelcaL Argentina. 90 mins. 
ReL March 16. 

Quand ie Tuei' Tu (Paramount) (Frenoh). Farce oomedy. Drean. Noel* 

Noel, Robert Brunler. 80 mliis. Rel. March 16. ' 
Reserve Hat Ruh. (New Era) <(3er); Military farfie. Frlta Kampers, Lucie 
Engllscbe. Time, 94 mlna ReL Aug. 11. . 

Rhapab'dy ''of Love. (Capital) (Polish)^ Hardships of an art career. Agnes 
Petersen. Mosjuklne. Time. 89 mins... Rel. Aug. 26. . 

Richthoferi, Red Ace of Qermiany. (Gould) (Qer). (Synchronized.) Self ex- 
planatory. Dir. Robt, Slezlchl Time, 80 mins. ReL Aug. 20. 

Ronny (Protex) (Ger). Operetta. Kaethe von Nagy, Willy Frltsch. Dir. 

Emerich Kalman; 86 mins. Rel. April 1. Rev. ^prll 19. 
Scampolo (A^R) (Ger). Cinderella romance. Dolly Haas. 80 mins. ReL 

Feb. 16. 

Schubert's Fruehllnoatraum. (Capital) (ber). Musical of Schubert's life. 
Carl Joeken, Siegfried Arno. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time, 71 mins. ReL 
June 28. , . 

Sein Scheldungaorund (Oermfin) (Protex). Comedy drama. Lien Deyers. 

Dir. Alfred^eisler. 80 mine. ReL March L Rev. March 8. 
Storm Over Zakopane. The. ((^pital)' (Polish). (Synchronized.) Danger In 

the mountains. Time, 89 mfna. Rel. Aug. 26. 
Taenzerin von Santoucl.' See 'Barberlna', 

Tempest (Giirman) (Protex). Drama. Emll Mannings, Anna Sten. Dir. Rob> 
ert Sledmak. 90 mins. ReL March 1. Rev. March 22. 

Tingle Tangle. (New Era) (Qer). Comedy. Ernest. Verebes,' Fritz Kampers, 
Elizabeth PlnaJefT. Dir. Japp Speyer. Time, 93 mins. ReL May 16. . 

Trapeze (German) (Protex). Circus drama. Aiina Sten. Dir. A. E Dupont 

80 miha Rel. May 1. Rev. May 10. 
Trenck (A-R) (Ger). Romantlo drama. Dorothea Wiecke. 90. mins. ReL 

Feb. 16. 

Ulica (C^apital) (Polish). Life of the newsboys. Dir. Alexander Ford. Time, 

J 73 mins. ReL Aug. 25. Rev. Jan. 31. 
nknown Heroes. .(Capital) (Polish). Polish police activity. Mary Bogda, 
Adam Brodzlcz. Time, 89 mins. ReL Aug. 25. 
Victoria und Ihr Huasar (A-R) (Ger.) Viennese operettcu 90 rains. ReL 
March 1. 

Voice of the Desert,. The. (Capital) (Polish). Algerian story In authentio 
locales. Adam Brodzlcz, Mary Bogda. Time. 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 26. 

Weekend In Paradise. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Otto Wallburg. Julius Felken« 
stein, Elsie Elster. Trude Berliner. Dir. Robt Liand. Time, 81° mins. 
ReL Nov. 1. 

Yorck (German) (Protex). Historical drama. Werner Krauss, Rudolf Forster. 

Dir. Gustav Ucicky. 90 mins: Rei. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 27. 
Zapfenatrelch Am Rheln. (Whitney) (Ger.). Musical . farce. Charlotte Susa. 

Siegfried Arno. Dir> Jaap Speyer. . 90 mins. ReL Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 7. 
ZIrkus Leben. (German) (FAF). Circus dranta. Llane Raid. Dir. Helna 

Paul. 70 mins. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Zwel Herzen und EIn Schlag (German) (Protex). Operetta. Lilian Harvey. 

Dir. Wllhelm Thlele. 90 mins. ReL Sept 1. Rev. Sept 13. 



Des Moines 

By R. W. Moorhead 

Wrestling matches still draw. 
Alice Joy tor auto show through 
KSO. 

Abe Plank into new offices in 
Capitol Theatre building. 

C. E. Lockhart from State, Cedar 
Rapids to manage Strand. 

Everybody remembering Lillian 
Miles when she was Lillian. 

K. A. Becker now managing the 
Garden, succeeding F. R. Peterson. 

Bob McGrew, Lola Lane's old 
heart, married just before Lola got 
her decree. 

Pathe boys ' shooting new secy, 
agriculture-to-be scooped farm fore- 
closure rioting. 

Emily Keller May home from four 
year engagement Hotel Geo. Wash- 
ington, Jacksonville. 



Lincoh, Neb. 

By Barney Oldfield 

Capitol starts doing westerns. 

Billy Shaw talks of his hit songs- 
three for IG. 

Increasing use of scrip and due- 
bills in trading. 

E. H. FItzglbbons dealing for a 
new stock company. 

Husk O'Hare and his band played 
the Inter-Frat Ball. 

State Fair board is pleading for 
lOOGs to allay the deficit 

Mercury got down to 23 below 
zero — quartered show biz. 

Jean Calloway packed 'em at the 
Marigold for the second time in a 
month. 

Land outstate which almost 
started a gold rush a year ago Is 
being sold for $10 an acre. 

Rlalto ran a full day without 
heat after boiler overflowed and the 
thermometer registering 14 below. 

Dog hospital is suing Don Monroe 
for a housing bill and he's counter- 



Key to address— Amklnp, 723 Seventh Ave. 

American-Roumanian Films, 1660 Broadway. 

Associated Cinema, 154 W. 55tb St 

Harold Auten, 1560 Broadway. 

Capital Film Exchange, 630 Ninth Ave. 

Foreign American films. 111 W. 67th St 

International Cinema, 1499 First Ave. 

John Krimsky, ?3 West 42d St 

J. H. Whitney, 350 East 72d St 

KInematrade, 723 Seventh Ave. 

New Era, 630 Ninth Ave. 

Protex Trading, 42 E. 68th St. 

Symon Gould, 261 W. 89th St. 

Tobls Forenfllms, 729 Seventh Ave. 



ing with a damage sUit because the 
dog died. 

Glenray company opened at the 
Liberty (7) and took up all press 
passes the day after the reviews 
came out 

Al Poska attempting to sidestep 
a panhandler told him he had noth- 
ing less than a dollar bill. The ac- 
coster cheerfully offered to make 
change from' his own pocket-. 



Spokane 

By Ray Budwin 



new manager at Rock Springs Park, 
Chester, W. Va, 

Stage shows out temporarily at 
Palace theatre. Doing only fair with 
straight pictures. 

Vincent Lopez booked for New 
Land o' Dance Mar. 2, Canton, after 
absence of several years. 

'Pop' Crawford lands his 'Ohio 
Northerners,' Ohio Northern Uni- 
versity band, two Weeks' contract 
at Crystal Slipper, Cleveland. 

Old Grand Opera house goes 
grind with scoclc, vaude, and sound 
movies at 10 and 16. Union stage 
hands sponsoring the shows. 



Fox doing better than fair with 
'Strange Interlude.' i 

.'The . Mummy' did capacity biz at 
State for four out of five days. 

More than 2,000 couples attended 
annual baker's union ball at Ma- 
sonic temple. 

Trianon ballroom staging Inland 
Empire Fox Trot contest as a biz 
stimulator. Entry list shows the 
draw in such exploitation. 

Plan to tax all electric signs in 
city being talked by city ; council. 
Theatres again will take the, hard- 
est rap if schedule goes through. 

Bootlegging in hospitals nipped 
by fed prohi men, claiming to have 
received liquor Intended for patients. 
Prosecution will be made in the 
case of several arrests growing out 
of the new racket. 



Canton 

By Rex McConnell 



Dick Bahl, formerly of Mansfield, 
new man at Canton 'Repository.' 

George White's 'Scandals,' first 
legit of the winter, due at Colonial 
Akron, Mar. 3. 

Harry A. Ackley, Baltimore, Md., 



Birmingham 

By Bob Brown 



Jack Langhorne has gone nup- 
tial. 

The auto show due to cold and a 
dime admish was an olive. 

Henry Holtam's name appears on 
paper as manager of Jefferson. 

Boots Mallory, Alabama gal, is 
after a divorce from Charles Ben- 
nett. 

'How I do hate being called a 
'movie censor,' pipes Mrs. Nell R. 
Wallace. 

Some hope Is seen now for de- 
feat of the theatre tax and gross 
sales tax. 

Leroy Sims has a Job with A.P., 
leaving the throwaway, 'This Week 
In Birmingham.' 

Being minus a trap drummer, 
Rudy Clark had to wave the wand 
and the sticks, too. 

E. M. Henderson Is managing 
editor of that new tab daily knoWn 
as 'Mirror,' which Is really a pr<i»hl 
mouthpiece. ^• 



Tuesday, February 14, 1933 



O U ¥ DO OR S 



VARIETY 



55 



OBITUARY 



THOMAS B. LOTHIAN . 

Q;<hoinas Buxton Lotblan, inanag«r 
of Colonlkl theatre, Boston, for 33 
years, dean of loca'l theatre man- 
agers, and one of the best known 
legit house executives in country, 
died Feb. 9 at his home, Brookline, 
Mass. He had been ill for six 
weeks. 

Known to all as Tom Lothian, he 
was son of Nupier Lothian, 40 years 
musical director of the Boston the- 
atre. His mother was Clara Rivers, 
premiere, danseuse and afterwards 
leading lady. 

He became ticket seller at Colum- 
bia theatre in 1890, under Harris & 
Atkinson, playing Charles Frohman 
Empire Stock productions. Lothian 
be($ame treasurer, with Henry "B". 
Harris, later famous as producer, as 
manager of house. 

In J.9Q0, when Isaac B. Bleb, Wil- 
liam Harris and Charles Frohman 
opened the Colonial, they, brought 



His wife, two brothers and a sister 
survive. 



CHARLES PERLEY 

Charles Perley, 47, an actor, died 
Feb. 10 of heart disease at his home 
in Santa Ana, Cal. 

Originally cn the stage, he turned 
to pictures in their early days and 
was a member of the old Biograph 
and Kinemacolor. He was a mem- 
ber of the Lambs and former mem- 
ber of Equity. 

Survived by his widow, the for- 
mer Louise Hall, and two sons. 



JOHN R. DAVIDSON 

John R. Davidson,.' 73, for many 
years a cofnetlst and leader of 
bands and orubestras, died Feb. 8 
at Fall River, Mass. 



GEORGE B. CONNOR 

George Bryant Connor, 54, died 
in the Knickerbocker hospital, New 




over Lothian as manager. In 1921 
A. L. Erlanger made Lothian gen- 
eral representative of K. & -E., con- 
trolling then the Colonial, Hollis 
and Tremont. 



PERCY HEATH 

Percy Heath, 48, associate pro- 
ducer at Paramount, ' died . at .his 
home In Hollywood/ Feb. 9, from a 
heart attack, following an extended 
Illness. 

He was born In Perry, Mo. After 
attending Baltimore college and the 
University of Maryland, Heath 
threw his lot with the newspaper 
game until 1906, when he joined 
David Belasco as press agent. Next 
in his career was the exploitation 
of Minnie Maddern Fiske, then to 
the Henry Savage forces. 

In 1918, he entered pictures as a 
writer on the Universal staff, later 
being promoted to scenario editor. 
Subsequently, he worked for Metro, 
Rcalart, FBO and Metropolitan. 

On rejoining Paramount in 1930, 
Heath did screen stories and adap- 
tations for Clara Bow and others 
of the studio's stars, with his ele- 



York, Feb. 5. He spent some 30 
years on the stage,, chiefly in stock, 
starting with T; Daniel Frawley's 
CO. in San Francisco. He had also 
done a vaudeville act with Grace 
Huff. 

Interment in the Actors' Fund 
plot, Kensico. 



LOUIS SEIDMAN 

Louis Seldman, 51, an old-time 
burlesque manager, died in New 
York Feb. 5. Services were held 
by the Jewish Theatrical Guild, of 
which he was a member. 



WM. F. HEFFRON 

William F. HefiCron, 8, died Feb, 
8 at Allston, Mass. He formerly was 
vice-president of Independent Films 



Mrs. Thomas H. Burke, wife of 
the manager of the Liberty theatre 
at Cumberland, Md;, and mother of 
Daniel P. Burke, manager of the 
Burke theatre in the same city, 
died Jan. 28. 



Fred Lapp, 60, died Feb. 6, in 
Buffalo, N. Y., from a heart attack. 



G. E. BRAT 

February 14, 1932 



vatlon to associate producer fol 
lowing. Before his death he had 
completed 'From Hell to Heaven'. 
( Widow and one son. Burton, sur 
Vive. 



W. W. GENTRY 

W. W. Gentry, 76, one of the 
founders of the Gentry Bros, dog 
|and pony circuses, died In Hot 
Springs, Ark., Feb. 7. 

Gentry, with his brothers, special- 
ized in small tent shows with a pro- 
gram consisting largely of trained 
ponies and dogs with a couple of 
!clowns. They worked on an inex- 
pensive hook-up, and were able to 
present shows at a smaller price 
than that charged by one-ring cir- 
cuses. They had half a dozen shows 
Covering various parts of the coun- 
try In the height of their success, 
and these were highly profitable for 
a long period. About 20 years ago 
they disbanded. The shows were 
subsequently revived by the brothers 
of the dead man, but he remained in 
retl. iment at Hot Springs, where he 
served as labor commissioner during 
the World War and in 1920-21 as 
bity manager. At the time of his 
fleath he was a county election com- 
missioner and director in a bank. 



WILLIAM S. SHAFER 

William S.. Shafer, 61, prominent 
upper Ohio Valley theatre executive, 
iied suddenly at his home In Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., Sunday, Feb. 4, follow - 
n a heart ratack. He had been In 
failing health for several years. 
With his brother, George Shafer, he 
was active In the management of 
the Court and Victoria theatres in 
(Vhcellng, until they were acquired 
ihree years ago by Warner Bros. 
So was manager of the Victoria the- 
^re here several years and also 
Managed houses in Steubenville, O. 



Lapp was a member of local 33, 
lATSE, Los Angeles. He is sur- 
vived by his wife. 



Brother, 27, of Adele Westing, 
secretary to J. J. Milsteln, MGM 
branch manager at Los Angeles, 
died Feb. 3, at Los Angeles, after 
a short illness. 



Father, 60, of Cliff Wlnehill, died 
In New Orleans last week. 



Music Trade 



(Continued from page 47) 
Paramount lot. Warners throws Its 
picture songs into the Witmark 
catalog. 

Remlck, WB subsld also, hasn't 
figured importantly. Ditto Donald- 
son, Douglas & Gumble, Ager, 
Yellen & Bernstein nor Mills Music 
although latter gets a moderate 
song every so often and perhaps 
does more with its orchestrations 
and mechanicals than the average 
because of the torrid style of com- 
positions by colored talent which it 
features. 

Miller Music, relatively new firm, 
is well backed financially and sticks 
over a waltz hit every so often, but 
how much it's cost to accomplish 
that is debatable. 

Morris' Hoke Ballads 

Joe Morris has a system all his 
own to push over hqke ballad hits. 
It's generally deprecated, but in the 
same breath all wouldn't mind get- 
ting hold of a 'Little Street Where 
Old Friends Meet' for themselves — 
nor to adopt the same subsidiza- 
tion system of which Morris is un- 
officially accused. 

These firms' names, taken off a 
Jobber's bulletin, also Includes the 



following lesser firms, some of 
whom have been prominent off and 
on, in direct ratio to their show- 
ings with hits: Olman, Mario, Keit- 
Engel, Santly, Kornhelser (now 
bankrupt and defunct), Irving 
Caesar, Inc., Villa Moret, Sherman 
Clay, Jenkins, Ted Browne, Vin- 
cent-Howard, Superior, Green & 
White, M. M. Cole, F. B. Haviland, 
Luz Bros., Mort Beck, Alfred Law- 
rence, Goodman, Chappell-Harms 
(standard). Sing Song, Dave Ringle, 
L. B. Curtis, Will Rosslter, Modern, 
Forster, Joe Davis, Alpha, Sunland, 
Southern, Belwln, Piedmont, Broad- 
way, Harry Von Tllzer, Bibo-Lang, 
Handy Bros., not to mention such 
Important standard publishers as 
Ditson, Chappell, Schirmer, Schu- 
berth, Carrie Jacobs-Bond, and 
others. 

All such firms cut in on one an- 
other. 

With a 6,000 copy sale dally 
necessary for the big firms to break 
even, some are lucky to see 2,000 
copies (at 18c average that figures 
$360 a day) move out of the place. 
Between all firms, doubtful if 300,- 
000 copies . a week move off the 
shelves. . 

June 1fit 

Survival of the fittest, and the 
hope that the unfit will be shaken 
out by June 1, Is now being deemed 
the sole salvation of the popular 
music publishers. With so many 
Indie firms cropping up, it merely 
cuts up the business just that much 
more. 

Every so often the sporadic 
moderate hits crop up and it rein- 
spires others anew for, unlike any 
other writing or publishing craft, 
the yen to be Your own publisher 
springs eternal in the hearts of the 
average songsmlth or plugger. 

When' Mario, for example, last 
year started off like a whirlwind 
and wound up with 'Home' and 
about $60,000 in the till. It made lots 
of others hot and bothered. That 
that 60 grand, with present condi 
tlons, couldn't last, especially if no 
more hits of the 'Home' calibre 
happened along, seems completely 
forgotten in the general fever. 

It's so easy to make a hit from a 
manuscript, providing It's 'there,' 
that this yen seems to be endless 
It's also the bane and pain of the 
other publishers, who realize that 
an expensive orjganlzatlon is extra 
neous when anybody with a few or 
chestrations can make the rounds 
of the plug spots and get about as 
much action as they do with their 
costly organizations. However, with 
sheet sales so low, and even a hit 
meaning little, the established firms 
3~ie some hope through the elimina- 
tion of these 8i>oradic sharpshoot- 
ing firms which; while they're going 
after that Initial help-a-little-fel- 
low-along 'co-operation,' cut in on 
the sales and revenue of the others. 



B, and O. Routes 



(Continued from page 48) 
U 

Ullrich, Fraxik, Ron«y PlMa H., UUiml. 



Valentz, Val., LakeBlde Casino, Denver. 

Valentine, JadB, Statler H., Boeton. 

Vallee, Rudy, 111 W. 67tb St., N. T. C. 

Van Cleef, Jimmy. «1 Pataraon Bt.. New 
Druniwlck, N. J. 

Van Steeden, Peter, Towera H., Brook- 
lyn. N. T. 

VenutI, Joe, Sert R, Waldorf-Astoria H, 
N. Y. C. 

Vlto, Klne. Rose Room D. B., L. A. 
Vo^el. Ralpb, 2Se2 Coral St.. Pbila. 
Voorhees, Don, NBC, N. T, C 

w 

Waring'* Penna, e-o J. O'Connor, Ham- 
merstein T. BIdg., N. T. C. 

Watters, Lod, 1907 104tb Ave.. Oakland. 

Walker, Ray. 201 ^t. Jamea PI., Brook- 
lyn, N. T. 

Way, Paul. Topsy'a Rooet, Southgate, Cal 
Wayne, Hal. New Yorker C, Hollywood. 
Weber, Thoa^. Breakfast C, L. A. 
Weeks. Anson. St. Regis H.. N. Y. C. 
Weems. Ted, Pennsylvania Hotel, N. Y. 
Weldner. Art. 44 Wawona St., 8. F. 
Welch. Roy, Pulton-Royal, B'hlyn. 
Wcmar. Ed.. Mlcblea^ T., Detroit. 
Wesley. Jos.. 817 12tb Ave., Ullwaukea. 
West, Ray, Pacific Coast C, Long Beach, 
Cal. 

Wetter, Jo*., C17 Adama Ave., Bcrantos, 
Pa. 

Whldden, EM, I2S DIkeman St., Brooklyn. 
Whedden, Jay, Mlramar H., Santa. Moni- 
ca, Cal. 

Whlteman. Paul. Btltmore H.. N. Y. C. 

Whltyre. Everett, New Hartford. N. Y. 

Williamson. Ted., tale of Palms H.. 
Charleston, S. C. 

Wilson. Billy. Du Pont H., Wilmington. 

Wilson, Clare, Madison Oardena, Toledo. 

Wilson. Meredith, NBC, S. F. 

Wlnebrenner. W. 8., 267 Frederick St.. 
Hanover, Pa. 

Wlttcnbrock, Al., 1808 T St, Sacramento. 
Cal. 

Wlttsteln, Eddie, New Haven. 
Wolf. Leo, Vanity Fair C, Chicago. 
Wolfe, Rube, c-o FancboB' * Marco. 
Hollywood. 
Wolohan, Johnny, Dl Patio B. R., B. F. 
Wray, Robby, KPOX, Long Beach, Cal. 
Wright. Joe. 410 Mills BIdg., B. F. 
Wunderllch, F., 1587 E. 19tb St.. Bklyn. 
Wylle, Alllater. Coronado H., Bt. L. 
Y 

Yaw Ralph. KERN, Bakersfleld. Cal. 
Young, Marty, 4300 Pemhlng Dr., El 
Paso. 



Ztller. Les, Virginia B. R., Long Deach. 
Cooper'a Arabia* Kai«kta, Kaego Barbae, 
Oua Lake, Ulak. 



Toronto Benefit for 

Crippled Girl Diver 

Toronto, Feb. 13. 

Promoted by a committee of 
locals, a benefit performance was 
staged at the Hollywood theatre to 
raise funds to enable Belle Llchman 
to go to Vienna for specialized 
surgical treatment, following an in- 
jury to her spine last August dur- 
ing a dive at the Canadian National 
Exhibition. The girl has been help- 
less since the accident and Is doom- 
ed to paralysis for life, say doctors 
here. Benefit receipts went to the 
girl in full. 

Since the accident, Mrs. Jules J. 
Allen, wife of an Ontario chain- 
theatre owner, has provided a nurce 
for the girl. With hope held ouf 
for recovery, Mrs. Allen staged the 
benefit in her husband's ace house. 



SCHENCKS LETTING GO 
OF PALISADES PARK 



TENN. FAIRMEN CONTENT 
WITH 50^ STATE AID 



Nashville, Feb. 13. 

Members of the Association of 
Tennessee Fairs, conducting their 
eleventh annual meeting Tuesday, 
February 7, in the Noel Hotel, re- 
solved to ask for a State appropria- 
tion for fair premiums of $30,000 a 
year for the next two years, repre- 
senting more than a 50%. slash from 
last year's figure. 

That O. E. Van Cleave,. State Com- 
missioner of Agriculture,, would 
favor such an appropriation was 
indicated by Frank D. Fuller of 
Meiriphls, who had just conferred 
with Van Cleave. 

The following officers were elected 
for the ensuing year: John K, Wade,' 
Trenton, president; A. A. Oliver, 
Paris, . ice-president for West Ten- 
nessee; Pat Kerr, LaFollette, vice- 
president for East Tennessee; A. W. 
McCartney, Lebanon, vice-president 
for Middle Tennessee, and W. F. 
Parry, Jackson, secretary and treas- 
urer. All were re-elected with the 
exception of Mr. Kerr, who suc- 
ceeded John A. Jones. 

President Wade suggested the 
$30,000 appropriation be divided as 
follows: Knoxville, $5,000; Nash- 
ville, $5,000; Memphis, $5,000; Jack- 
son, $2,000; beef cattle show, $1,- 
600; dairy cattle show, $1,500, and 
county fairs, $10,000. 



Joe and Nick Schenck are giving 
up their Interests In Palisades Park, 
Palisades, N. J., which they took 
over 23 years ago. In good times 
the amusement park overlooking the 
Hudson river, made high as $80,- 
000 profit a season. " Lately it hJia 
been a loser. 

The Schencks were generally be- 
lieved to be the owners of the park, 
but are now declared to have been 
operating lessees only. In 1910 the 
Schenck brothers gave up their 
Paradise Park in the Bronx to take 
over Palisades, built the year be- 
fore. At that time it amounted to 
a dance halji and a couple of con- 
cessions. Schencks' deal was with 
the Realty Tnist, v/hich had taken 
the park from the builder. 

The brothers went their separate 
ways, each becoming an individual 
factor In the picture and theatre 
business, but the one connection 
they maintained was their mutual 
interests in the' Jersey pa:rk. 

Palisades und^r the Schencks* 
opora.tlon through Loew's became 
the best -known outdoor amuaeinent 
park In the east outside of Coney 
Island. With 'Its lights apparent 
from across the'rfudson river, It has 
had a big draw trom upper New 
York. 



Regular Girls 



Chi Expo Chain Sales 
Ruled dlegal in Wis. 

Milwaukee, Feb. 13. 

A slightly different type of chain 
selling made Its appearance here 
the past week, but failed to click 
owing to the early Interference of 
the detective bureau. 
-J The stock In trade was a $1.60 
combination ticket to the Chicago 
Expo. Coupons for 20 drinks of 
orange juice at designated Chicago 
dispensaries v/ere included in the 
transaction. Buyers were told that 
they could sell tickets to others 
with a commission of 25 cents per 
ticket after the first three had been 
disposed of. 

Sponsors of the idea who had 
dropped In from Chicago had ad- 
vertised for local salespeople, but 
departed when Informed by local 
authorities that selling of that kind 
is illegal in Wisconsin. 



(Continued from page 23) 
man — cheer them on to renewed en- 
thusiasm for hiding their. dolHike 
faces beneath caricatured masks. 

Back of this longing to change 
their faces gnaws a secret Inferi- 
ority. Dialog has shattered the poise 
of the girls who crashed pictures 
with only a camera face to steady 
them. They could handle the early 
talker lines, but now that dialog has 
smartened up, now that it uses the 
current reverse English to make its 
points, they have no equipment with 
which to master it save self-con- 
scious giggles. They can't talk so- 
phisticated and feel comfortable, so 
they try to look it. 

The stage girls, with their ability 
to read a comedy line and let It 
fioat instead of crash like lead, have 
Inspired a leavening sense of humor 
into the work of a few qulck-to- 
catch-on others. Joan Blondell 
knows how to be pithy. Constance 
Bennett has learned how to laugh 
at herself. Jean Harlow doesn't 
take herself altogether seriously any 
more. Ann Dvorak, Joan Bennett, 
Karen Morley now pause occasion- 
ally In their dark emoting to let a 
beam of merriment In. Film ac- 
tresses are beginning to relax a 
little even though they are still 
pretty scared and taut. They're 
trying — they're observing. 

Cuties Tire 

The hoydens, who went out with 
Clara Bow and the Jazz Age, can 
come back with Clara. She's shown 
that the home folks keep a place in 
their hearts for a spitfire. Their 
allegiance to docile little kittens has 
begun to dwindle. Janet Gaynor 
adds a little grit ^o her milk and 
honey lately. Marian Nixon doesn't. 

Cute tricks and little Innocents 
began to bore with hard times. No- 
body has any patience for lisping 
helplessness what with their own 
troubles. Marie Dressier, Miriam 
Hopkins, Kay FrancLs, Wynne Gib- 
son, can talte care of themselvos. 
That's what the people like now— 
women who are down to earth, an 
Aline MacMahon, who knows wliat 
it's about. 

She doesn't have to be a beauty. 
Let her juat be regular, be natural, 
and she'd bettor mjt bo a c-ry baby, 
be herself. 



Tom Mix Abroad 



Tom Mix may go to Europe In the 
spring for three months of personal 
appearances In England and on the 
Continent. Tony would go" along. 

William Morris office is working 
on the dates, with William Morris, 
Jr., talking It over with Mix on the 
Hollywood end. 



*101' to Tour in *33 

Col. Zack Miller, who returned to 
his home after the Tom Mix trial 
at Erie, Pa., via Pittsburgh, told 
friends In the latter city that the 
'101 Ranch' wild west would go 
out next year, a 30-car show. 

The show, which Is held under 
the ownership of the Western Show 
company, has never been affected 
and the receivership of Fred 
Clark for the Miller Bros. '101 
Ranch' will be ended this month. 



LETTERS 



When !4endlns for Mail to 
VARIETY Addrees Mali Clerk. 
POSTCARDS, ADVERTISIWO or 
CIRCULAR LETTERS WILL NOT 
«E ADVERTISED 
LETTERS ADVERTItjED I}) 
ONE ISSUE ONIY 



Abbott George 

Budd Walter 
Crisman Neva 

DeHaven Charlea 
Dee Moyera Irene 
Uowling Paul H 

CHICAGO 

Adler Wm 

nedall .Safflc 
nnieaud .Tames L 
lialcom Cleo 

Dagmar Bert 

Slllott L.OUISC MlHii 

French MIssoa 3 

Kinney Mlas 



Fltcher S 
Fulgle J S 

Goldberg Mr 

Katz Frank 
Keeler Mrs Kate 

VIolln.iky Sol 
OFFICE 

Kane Co 

Lovett George 
nos.i Marjorle 
Sullivan & Mack 
Trigger Johnny 
WllllamB Herb 
Zuokor Dnvo 



SMART MANAGERS 

Oct the crowds by (drlni; 
a biR full Hash; pack of 
I chcwlnK gum (Spcnrmlnt 
and all O.-ivors) Fret to 
Fatrone. Street- Men and 
Conretilonalrea make 
100% Profit with n>thy 
packaRcs. Try Gum. 
HELMET GUM SHOPS, CINCINNATI, 0. 




56 



VARIETY 



TuescUf, FebnMiy 14, I933 




■ 



ILLUSION: 



On top of a table are seen the head and bodf of 
a woman from the waist up. She winks. She 
smiles. She talks. She answers ^our questions and 
even smokes a cigarette I 

EXPLANATION: 

It's all done with mirrors. The lower half of the 
woman is concealed by mirrors set in a V, which 
reflect the drapery on both sides of the stage, 
giving the illusion that nothing is beneath the 
table. The rear legs of the table are not visible. 
What is seen is a mirror reflection of the front 
legs. 

SowicE : "Magie Stage Illusions and StientifieDivertionif' 
by Albert A. Hopkins,„MunH & Co., New York. 



It's J^lZAT TO B£ 0£a 

. ..it's more TcnsTTO Ij\row 



Let*s look at cigarettes. 

There's a current illusion that by 
HEAT TREATMENT inferior, raw to- 
baccos can be made to equal choice 
tobaccos in mildness and flavor. 

THE EXPLANATION: All cigarette 
manufacturers use the heat-treating 
process. 

Inferior* low-cost tobaccos nat- 
urally require a more intense treat- 
ment than the choice, ripe tobaccos 
used in making Camels. 

But neither the heat treatment nor 
any other treatment can take the 




place of good tobacco and perfecC 
blending. 

Nature is the only real magician. 
Choice tobacco is the only way to get 
real mildness, and flavor. 

W^^^ It is o ia€i, well known by 
leaf tobacco experts, that 
Camels are made from finer, 
MORE EXPENSIVE tobaccos than 
any other popular brand. 

This is the secret of Camels' cool, 
rich flavor ...their delicate '^bouquet" 
and aroma... their non- irritating 
mildness,.. the satisfaction you get. 
It's the tobacco that counts. 

All the natural goodness of 
Camel's tobacco is kept fresh 
for you by the air-tight» 
welded Humidor Pack. 
Don't remove it. Its mois* 
ture- proof cellophane also 
protects your Camels from 
dust and germs. 



j\ro TRICKS 

\ . JCrST COSTLIER 
TOBACCOS 

I« A MATCHLESS BLEND 



RADIO 



SCREEN 



STAGE 




Publlahed Weeklr at '15« WMt 41th St., New Tork; V. t..' t>r Vartetr, loci. Annual subacrtptlon. ft. SIdbI* ooplea. It cnnta. 
Bntered aa second-olaaa matter December tt, 1906, at the Poat OBtce at New Tork, N. T., ander the act of March 3, 18Tt. 

COPTBIGHT, lOSk, BT VaBEBTT. ' WO. AU. BIGHTS BESBBVBD 



^OL, 109. No. 11 



NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1933 



64 PAGES 







Show Biz in Gold Rush, '33 Style, as 
Congress Steams Up Beer s Retina 



Passage yesterday (Monday) by 
the Bouse of the .prohibition repeal 
amendment; which now goes, to the 
Tarlous . states . for ratification, 
lirought Immediate optimism in 
show circles and among hotel own- 
ers, night club operators, brewers 
and othe;rs standing to benefit from 
Hegalized sale of brew. 

' Amusement caterers, performers, 
musicians and other talent are hope- 
ful that the required number of 
fltatea, 3<, ratify the Blaine repealer 
at aa early date. Sxpectant that 
this ratification will be speedy, 
preparations are going forward al- 
ready, but gangland isn't going to 
figure In any way, from Inside. Mob 
rule la believed broken, actually and 
financially. 

. On Broadway in New Tork and 
jother Broadways of America certain 
legitimate Interests have been pa- 
tiently waiting for the repealer to 
go through Congress. Speed with 
which the Blaine bill went through 
the Senate last week and through 
the House yesterday, with a vote of 
289 to 121 in the lower house, 
etlrred these factions to quick ac- 
tion. 

At least two big Broadway corners 
iare in mind as spots where the 
thirst can be quenched with some- 
thing beside Coca-Cola as soon as 
ratification arrives. One Is the 
CblldSs corner at- 46th and Broad- 
(Contlnued from page 4«) 



Use American' Order 
Issued on Warner Lot 



Hollywood, Feb. 20, 
Warners has gone 'Buy American* 
for its pictures. 

In a memo from Darryl Zanuck, 
writers, directors and heads of de- 
partments are Instructed not to use 
anything of a foreign nature as 
props or signs if possible to use 
American mades. 

Dialog writers have been told to 
eliminate mention of foreign ar- 
ticles in favor of American. They 
are asked particularly to f -^rget dia- 
log that might call for mention of 
ships under the German or French 
flags. 



YOUNG CHRYSLER'S BAND 



Going Into New York Nite Club- 
Edged Out Roger Kahn's 



Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. with a 
band of college kids, makes his 
debut as a Jazz maestro at Ramon 
and Rosita's class nitery, El Patio, 
shortly. 

Chrysler Is doing a Roger Wolfe 
Kahn for the first time, profession- 
ally. He previously dabbled In book 
publication of exclusive editions. 

Young Kalin wanted to spot a 
band Into the Patio, but Chrysler, 
Jr.'s ncwncs.s, and his Park Avenue 
following, clodded the son of the 
automolive tycoon for the spot. 



Big Business 



New Haven, Feb. 20. 

A kid approached the door- 
man (also owner) of a local 
nabe at a dime matinee. Of- 
fered his entire wealth of 8 
cents for admlsh. 

Owner haggled a little, then 
kid slipped in, as owner 
pocketed the eight with a sigh. 



MAE WEST GOT 
$5,500 MORE 
THANWYNN 



In spite of his strong air follow- 
ing, Ed Wynn on his first week at 
Capitol, New York, failed to draw 
as much into that theatre's box 
office as Mae West did at the Par- 
amount. Miss West, In person and 
in her picture, 'She Done Him 
Wrong' pulled $58,600 as against 
Cap's $53,100. Taking into consid- 
eration the $1.66 logo scale at the 
Cap, Par getting 99c. for its mezz 
seasts and the b.o. strength of the 
'Diamond Lll' girl as against Wynn 
with his 'Laugh Parade' and radio 
popularity. 

Capitol's 'What! No Beer,' was 
figured as an added asset for Wynn 
with its names of Jimmy Durante 
and Buster Keaton as against Par's 
single name of Mae West. Wynn 
was advertised as having 50 people 
from his show with him at the 
Capitol. 



$6 A NIGHT FINANCES 
A CABARET IN MPLS. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 
Local night clubs down to new low 
for entertainment. Majority offer 
three-piece dance orchestra and 
singer. Musicians receive $10 a week 
each and vocalist $15, making total 
costs for seven -day operation $45, 
or a 'nut' of little more than $6 per 
night. 

Good hot colored band of four or 
five pieces Is ^.vallable at $10 per 
musician. More elaborate clubs with 
'pretentious' floor shows splurge to 
the extent of $155 a week for their 
dance music and entertainment. 
They have a four-piece orchestra 
costing $40 per week, a singer who 
sets back the exchequer $15, an 
adagio dancing couple receiving $40 
a week and six line girls who get 
$10 each a week and who do special- 
ties as well as ensemble work. Com- 
pany thus comprises 13 to 14 people. 

One spot in loop here Is a cafe- 
teria by day and night club by night, 
thus cutting down overhead. 




U. S. BUT 
STIllH FANS 



Mexico Now Harboring 
Three Who Formerly 
Averaged $50^000 from 
Southern California Lis- 
teners 

SMALL STATIONS MOAN 



TeU Cidbertson About Bridge? 
Hollywood Tried-And Hoppo 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Those radio mystics estimated to 
liave itaken an average of $60,000 a 
month through their fortune telling 
1>rograms over local stations, until 
the Federal Radio Commission 
clamped down, are now almost all 
operating from stations below the 
border in Mexico. They're not find- 
ing the pickings so heavy, but re- 
port business is still okay from liift' 
eners on this side who continue to 
contribute $1 a throw for answers 
to three questions. Paradox is that 
for the most part Undle Sam's mails 
are used in shipping the dollars out 
of the counitry for these peeps into 
the future. 

One of the seers who formerly 
bought time in L. A. has taken over 
a station near Tia Juana and has 
found sucker-catching so successful 
there that he is talking of increas- 
ing his station's power so- that it 
will reach half way across the U. S. 
and up to Canada. 

This mystic now reaches but a 
few hundred miles from the border, 
but adds to his mall trade by star 
gazing for his customers, many of 
whom take periodic trips across the 
border to obtain answers to ques- 
tions they won't trust to a three 
cent stamp. 

One Femme 

Another former local guesser Is 
operating from Peidras Negras, Just 
across the line from Eagle Pass, 
Tex., and a third, a femme mystic 
who carries a 'Reverend' lo front of 
her name, is now catching her brood 
(Continued on page 12) 



Low Down Finale 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Charles Edward Bull, who 
did Abraham Lincoln in pic- 
tures, recited the Gettysburg 
address at the Chinese oh the 
Emancipator's a n n i v ersary. 
While he was talking someone 
copped a valuable camera 
which be had left back stage. 

After a heart - wringing 
speech to the prolog cast in the 
best Lincoln manner, 'Honest 
Abe' remarked: 

'The guy that did this oughta 
have the screws put on 'im.' 



ROCKEFELLERS 
CALL OFF RENT 
FORRKO 



Rockefellers are squarely behind 
RKO on the company's receivership 
dilemma, even offering an example 
for all industry at large and es- 
pecially to landlords in the film biz. 
The Rockefellers, according to ac- 
counts, may release RKO from pay- 
ing rent on the Radio City theatres 
until Sept. 1. ' If estimated correct- 
ly, this rent moratorium may 
amount to $900,000 which RKO 
saves and which the Rockefellers 
are willing to pass up in an effort 
to help the company clear the decks 
(Continued on page 5S> 



Hollywood! 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

As a wedding present to her hus- 
band, Mrs. Jack Cummlngs, wife of 
the Metro producer, purchased a 
star ruby from A, B. Cohn & Co. 
for $1,050 and had the jewelers put 
a $3,500 ta? on the stone. Her 
husband trio.d to have It Insured 
tx>r that amount and was told that 
it wns only worth $500. This was 
revealed in a suit filed In Superior 
court to hav; the deal called off. 

Mrs.' Cummins* attorney was 
Ralph Blum, husband of Carmcl 
Myers. A. B Cohn & Co. retained 
I. B. Kornblum, ex-husband of Mis.s 
Myers. This was the first time they 
had met. The verdict handed down 
from the bench was In favor of the 
Jewelers and the former hubby. 



COAST GETS HOME 
TELEVISION FOR $20 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Changing the home radio set Into 
a television receiver now costs only 
$20 here. A couple of radio supply 
stores are In the business of mak- 
ing scanning discs. 

Scanners, dependent on the mate- 
rial, range from $6 to $10. Plus $4 
for a plate light and around $10 to 
$20 for a synchronous motor, one 
can get the sight and hear stuff for 
as low as two sawbucks. 

Scanning discs are made to catch 
the Don Lee daily television broad- 
casts, which are the only see and 
hear broadcasts currently on the 
coast. 



3t Hours for 10c 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 
Smaller grinds in lower loop give 
3 '/4 -hour .show for 10c matinee and 
ni^ht. 

Two feature picturfs, twK-rcel 
comedy, cartoon comedy and nowH 
reel. 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Hollywood's first one-man show 
is Ely Culbertson, the contract 
bridge expert. He got into the Pooh 
Bah class, after sundry explosions, 

vitriolic outbursts and by proving 
to the picture colony that, while 
it might know the art of making , 
films it had a lot to learn about . 
contract bridge. 

He claims he almost got punch 
drunk taking abuse from the prop 
boys up, all trying to tell him how 
the game, on which he has made a 
fortune, should be played. To reach 
the one-man spot, he 6ld so figura- 
tively over the bodies of three di- 
rectors, two supervisors, six writers, 
two cameramen and two make-up 
men. This comprises the list who 
lost their Jobs in arguments with 
Culbertson on how his Radio shorts 
should be made And he's only on 
the third of a series of 12. 

The bridge wizard is on a Radio 
set daily in make-up, as he acts In 
the films, directs them, supervises 
them and writes them. He hasn't 
yet got the berth of the cliap who 
sweeps off ti^e stage, when filming 
is over for the day. Mrs. Culbert- 
son, too, is 'n grease paint, play- 
ing parts. 

He Tells the Front Office 

How did they pick the writers, 
directors, supervisors, and other 
help assigned to your unit, he was 
(Continued on page 66) 



DRAMAHSrS OLD PLOT 
NOW FITS THE GUITRYS 



Paris, Feb. 20. 
• Either Alfred Savolr, the play- 
wright, is more of a magician than 
a writer, or that gag about facts 
and fiction holds true. Because 'La 
Vole Lactee' ('The Milky Way') 
which Savolr wrote two years ago 
tells the'Ilfe of Saicha Guitry and 
Tvonne ■ Prlhtemps as It has hap- 
pened 111 the past couple months. 

Guitry's wife, Prlntemps, left him 
for a young actor named Pierre 
Fresnay; • with that well known all 
over Europe. The new Savolr play 
Just opened -at the Mathurlns the- 
atre, with- plenty of noise and ex- 
citement • because everyone In the 
audience -knew the main characters 
were facsimiles of Guitry and his 
wife and. with the facts as they ac- 
tually are. . During the opening 
night performance, Guitry's secre- 
tary Jumped up and protested 
against the piece because it was a 
transparent slam at the French 
actor- plw'wright. She was quieted 
and the . play proceeded. 

Now Savolr insists, and has proof, 
th.1t the play was written a couple 
years or more back, when Guitry 
and his wife were still going along 
ol<ay, so tliat it can't be about them.. 
The proof is in the fact that It'a 
been running around managers' of- 
: flfcs in manuscript form for qult^ 
I a while, unusual for a Savolr play# 



2 V. 



VARIETY 



Ta«iBday, February 21, 1933 



Ediirs Daughter Pens Lousy 
Yarn in 'Scenario' 



ise, 

But Those Chiselers Qaim It s Fine 



Hollywood. Feb. 20. 

Framing two 'scenario companies' 
by submitting the worst possible^ 
excuse for a film story, 'Author and 
Journalist' of Denver, published In 
its February Issue an expose of the 
methods of the Universal Scenario 
Co. of Hollywood and the Daniel 
O'Malley Co. Inc., of New York. 

The J9-year-old daughter Of Wll- 
lard E. Hawkins, editor of the mag, 
was commlssicned to turn out the 
worst yarn she could concoct. After 
two false starts, she came through 
with 'Her Terrible Mistake,' a 
senseless, plotless and Illiterate 
botch. ^ 

The Universal Scenario Co. said 
It was 'well suited to presentation 
from the talking picture angle,' and, 
•In our opinion, the basic plot treat- 
ment and characters contain suf- 
flclent possiblHties .for talking pic- 
ture adaptation to warrant your 
placing it on the market.' This in 
a mlmcogi'aphed letter asking for 
$10 to have a synopsis and copy- 
right made. 

Substitute Title Offered 

The O'Malley Co., by Daniel S. 
Margalies, general manager and 
treasurer, advised: 

Tour manuscript. In our opinion. 
Is original, dramatic, colorful and 
lends itself t(» talkie dialog adapta- 
tion.' 

This concern asked for |21.50 for 
a synopsis and copyright, and' of- 
fered a substitute title, "When 
Women Err' and the following 
thumbnail synopsis of the story:. 
*What a young girl's gullibility may 
lead her to 1; told with conviction 
and sincerity in this appealing 
drama.' 

The authoress replied she had 
depended on her chicken money to 
have the Btoi-y- copyrighted, but as 
the chickens had stopped laying, 
she was short of cash. Universal 
offered, -in- another mimeographed 
letter, to accept $6 now for the syn- 
opsis It would make, and the re- 
maining $5 later for the copyright, 
or give a 10% discount for the to- 
tal in cash. O'Malley cut its price 
to $16. 

Both Publish Mags 

Both concerns publish magazines, 
the Hollywood Arm issuing 'Scenario 
Bulletin Review' and 'The Author 
and Composer,' formerly known as 
'The Plotweaver.' Itv also has the 
Universal Song Service and Univer- 
sal Radio Service, whereby embryo 
songwriters may have their efforts 
published and supposedly sung 
over the air. The O'Malley Co. pub- 
lishes 'Talking Picture Magazine,' 
which, according to its offlcers. Is 
forwarded to producers and clients, 
but has no public sale. 

'Her Terrible Mistake/ as printed, 
errors and all, follow?:-, 

HER TERRIBLE MISTAKE 
By Lottie Perkinb 
Mary Jane Smith, the heroine of 
my story, is a very pretty girl of 
seventeen. She has big blue eyes, 
blonde hair, i-ed cheeks, long curls, 
and Is very attractive to men. 

Mary Jane lived with her mother 
and father and brother. Her mother 
started sewing on Mary Janes hope 
(Continued on page 25) 



Cut Out the Heat 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
An actor, defending his bad 
performance in a picture to a 
friend remarked: 'I guess I 
wasn't so hot in that picture — 
but you should have caught me 
in the trailer.' 



finrante's Salary 



Jimmy Durante started to re- 
hearse for 'Strike Me Pink' without 
having a salary .set for his part in 
the show. Durante thinks he 'Will be 
with it for about 10 weeks. The 
show started Monday (20) at 
Newark. 

Durante attempted to slip lii his 
former stage partners, L>ou Clayton 
and Eddie Jackson, for a' number or' 
two during the performance with 
him. Management nixed it. 




WILL MAHONEY 

This week, ^loee theatre, Cincin- 
nati. 

' The Boston 'American' said:>-^ 
'rBach feat of Will Mahoney's'lei b 
signal for handclapping,. : loud , find 
long. ' If Mahoney were alone oh 
the. ^program at . Keith's Ibis week 
it would be well worth while, for 
Will Mahoney- hasn't a peer in bis 
line." 

' Direction 

RALPH G. FARNUM 

1560 Broadway 



(TSOr-iii Six Years 



liOs Angeles, Feb. 20. 
Fox has given a term ' contract 
with options, to William A. Henry, 
18, whope -stage- name is 'William 
Lawrence'. 

Contract, which is up for court 
approval, 'start's at $100 a week and 
goes to $760 in six years. 



$110,000 P A IP 
BY U. A FOR 
DINNER' 



Harcin, Asso. Prod, at Par 



Hollywood, ^eb. 20. 

Max Marcln has been made an as- 
sociate producer at Paramount with 
his flrst assignment 'Gambling Ship*, 
on which the dramatist will also act 
as co-director. 

Joseph Steele will be his produc- 
tion. 



NOT MARRIED YET 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
IDinner at Eight,' .the Sam H. 
Harris smash no'w running at the 
Music Box, New York, has been 
sold for pictures to Jos. M. Schehck 
for United iCrflsts. Although final 
papers have not been signed, the 
sale-price of |110,000 is the highest 
pa4d for a Broadway play this sea- 
son. Harris is .how. out here. 

Schenck's line up for the U. A. 
feature is to 'Grand Hotel' in names. 
Jean Harlow and Wallace Beery 
may be borrowed frtnn Metro. Ed- 
mund Goulding, Just back from Eu- 
rope, zhay get the directing Job. It 
looks like a production start in' 
June. 

Play was authored by George S. 
Kaufman and Edna Ferber. Kauf- 
man is expected here to aid in the 
adaptation. He is said to have 
agreed to do so. 



*remature Reporil on Balfour-.Camp- 
bell— Overlook Divorce Item 



Betty Balfour, English picture ac- 
tress, and Jimmy Campbell of 
Campbell - Connelly, British ;and 
American music publishers, aren't 
married as yet, despite reports, but 
will be when Campbell's decree be- 
comes final. 

Miss Balfour has gone to Holly- 
wood on a vacation where Campbell 
and Jack Bobbins are sitting in on 
the Metro studio's musical talker 
plans. She returns to England 
shortly for some scheduled produc 
tlon work. 



INDEX 



Bills 48 

Burlesque 62 

Chatter 60-01 

Editorial 49 

Exploitation 17 

Film House Reviews 15 

Film Reviews 14 

Foreign Film News 13 

Foreign Show News 52 

Inside— Legit i... 60 

Inside — Music 56 

Inside — Pictures 49 

Inside— Radio 42 

Inside — Vaude 46 

Legitimate 60-53 

Letter List 62 

Literati 64 

Music 65-67 

New Acts 47 

News from the Dailies ... 68 

Nlte Clubs 67 

Obituary 63 

Outdoors 63 

Pictures 2-30 

Radio 37-43 

Radio Reports 40 

Talking Shorts 14 

Times Square. 69-61 

Vaudeville 44-47 

Vttlide House Reviews. ... 47 



Helen Hayes' Coolness 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Metro have ofEered Helen Hayes 
another one-picture contract. Fol- 
lowing completion of 'White Sister.' 
She is cool to the proposition, want 
ing to go to New Tork to do new 
Phillip Barry play, co-starring with 
Leslie Howard. 



Boles, Vaude Single 

Hollywood, Jan. 20 
John Boles, recently through at 
Universal, is returning to the stage 
via vaude. He opens March 26 at 
the RKO Palace, Chicago, set by 
Max Richards. 

Boles will do a singing single with 
a piano player. 



SAILINGS 

Feb. 22 (New York to London) 
The Cllmas. Giovanni (Manhattan) 

Feb. 18 (New York to Switzer 
land), Mary Plckford, Mildred 
Zukor-Loew (Rex). 

Feb. 17 (London to New York) 
Gloria Swanson and husband (Bre- 
men). 

Feb. 17 (Berlin to New York) 
Eric Pommer, Andre Daven, Paul 
Martin, Harold Lloyd, Edmund 
Goulding, Toscanini (Bremen). 

Feb. I'T (New York to London) 
Patsy Ruth Miller, Constance Cum 
mings (Europa). 

t'cb. 17 (Lob "Angeles to Honolulu) 
Curtis Nagel, Palmer Miller (Malo- 
lo). 



misdingV CaUed Lesson 
In Mnnder by Censors 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
After being held up for about a 
month Metro's 'Whistling in the 
Dark' got through but with a num- 
ber of sharp cuts. It opens at the 
local Roosevelt Feb. 22. 

Adapted from the Ernest Truex 
play of the same name which played 
the Erlanger theatre early this sea- 
son, the censors claimed the pic- 
ture was a lesson In how to commit 
a murder and get away with it. 



Dave Blum Marries 



Dave Blum, head of Metro's In 
ternational publicity and legal de 
partment, pulled a fast one Friday 
(17), by running down to City Hall 
with Evelyn Ferdeber for a mar 
riage license. He confessed to the 
boys next day. 

Miss Ferderber is not In the show 
biz. 



Court Recognizes Priority of 
Jime KMt Name li^'l^^ 



Choir Singer's OK 



Hays pfflc^, Monday jCSO) was - 
In a tunnoil -when Gloria King, 
soloist of an uptown Protestant 
choir on Sundayis and secre- 
tary to Frank Wilstach, war^ 
den of film publicists, on week 
days, reported that she had 
seen the Mae West picture and-' 
that she found the theme song 
'very amusing.' 



t Aipcideitts otf l^catia^ 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

jColuiiibla tiM encountered hard 
luck oh making 'llkfurder' of the Cit- 
cus Q^een', having had tWp' atcl- 
d^nts, ' one Peh'. ■ 17j when Jitney, 
Wjright ■was' thrown from- his horse 
aifd his legs badly injured; diid Sat- 
urday, Fred ' Valle suffered severe 
InJuriiBS to his back. 

Both are in the Hollywood hos- 
pital. Company was oh location at 
Fat Jones' ranch in North Holly- 
wood. " . 



Farrow's Sentence Delay 



■ Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
John Farrow, who comes up late 
today for serltehce before Judge 
Holzer in Ignited States District 
Court on a perjury charge, will have 
an order stayed another week, due 
to the court not having all the data 
to enable a decision being made 
until Feb. 27. 



Laying Off Declasse' 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
After borrowing Nils Asther from 
Metro on a four-week loan ^or male 
lead opj'posite . Anne Harding in 
Declasse', Radio is trying to call the 
deal off, saying it does not want to 
make the picture. 

FRANCES MARION S DEAL 

Metro Extends High-Priced Con- 
tract — Stromberg Gets One, Too 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

During the past week Metro ex- 
tended the contracts of Frances 
Marlon, its top-salaried scenarist, 
and Hunt Stromberg, director. 

Extension for Miss Marion dates 
from today (20), and is for 12 
weeks and one day, to May 5. 
Stromberg's term is pulled out to 
Sept. 3. 



'Firebird' Miller's First 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

First picture for Gilbert Miller 
as a Columbia producer will be 'The 
Firebird,' Hungarian play which he 
produced In New York and London 
earlier this year, 

Jo Swerllng Is writing the adap- 
tation and will assist In the filming. 



Kay Francis' Starrer 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Kay Francis will be starred by 
Warners in a medical picture, 'Emll 
Q. Stevens, M. D.' 

It will start March S. 



Esther Ralston and English Fihns 

American Girl in 'Rome Express' — British- 
Made Goingr to Radio City 



Unlversal's booking of 'Rome Ex- 
press' (Gaumont-British) into Radio 
City has spurred a rush on all sides 
in London to get American names 
or faces. Esther Ralston Is in 'Ex- 
press' and the British feeling is that 
it takes Just that much to make a 
difference between shelving the 
English pictures in the U. S, or get- 
ting them a break over here. 

Olive Borden and Constance Cum- 
mlngs have been engaged for two 
pictures each by British Interna- 
tional and British & Dominion has 
Jeannette MacDonald for two. New 
term or other contracts are- being 



talked in New York and on the 
coast to half & dozen picture play- 
ers of note, with Pitsy Ruth Miller 
wanted among others. 

Previously British fllmers avoided 
Americans on the theory they 
needed stars — whom they couldn't 
afford — or it wasn't worth while. 
Now they say any sort of American 
name that will give showmen on 
this side something to stick on the 
marauees , will do the trick. They 
have found Americans are willing 
to go abroad for one or two pictures, 
at lees than their usual salaries, for 
the trip and experience when an 
Idle period on this side is in sight. 



Legal adoption of a stage name 
gives the owner 'priority, ai^ pro- 
'iectlon, accoM'inf: to decision by 
Justice Hatting In New York Su- 
preme Court. The court battle of 
the Junes Knigbts resulted from the 

'Take a Chance' June Knight suing 
Jack Holland, her former partner, 
and June Hart, sometimes known as 
June Lloyd and June Knight. Hol> 
land's changing his second pa:'t« 
ner's pame tjtn . June . Knight pre- 
cipitated the; actipn by thj^. musical 
comedy actreps .through Jy^Ciee Hy- 
ihian ; Bushel's Ifiw firm, / Bushel . & 
Gottlieb^; V.-, J f •'. ■ ,'. 

June Knli?lit , of ;Take a Chance/ 
legit musical cprrent on Broadway, 
admits tha^c. that's not .her own 
n&me; that she, was bqrn Marie 
Valllkette and- had assumed trie- pro- 
fessional nomenclature of ..Mario 
Valli untU partnering with £tolland 
\vho changed, it; to iJune -Knight. 
Plaintiff, but 19, is a technical minor 
and is suing through her mother 
ahd legal guardian, Beryl Vallikette. 
Eventually, Mies Knight legally' 
adopted her stage name. 
' After a partnership with Holland 
of a couple of seasons, starting in 
Hollywood, Miss Knight sets forth 
that when going into Ziegf eld's 
'Hotcha' she continued splitting sal- 
ary with Holland 60-6-0 until un 
April 4 last she .paid Holland $800 
in general release , to herself and the 
late Florcnz Zlegfeld. 

Unfair Competition 

With Holland Taking on June 
Hart-LloydrKnlght as his new part- 
ner, the musical comedy Mise 
Knight, while admitting that both 
June Knighls are noms-de-stage, 
appends affidavits from George 
White, Laurence. Schwab, Ed Sulli- 
van ('News' Broadway columnist)* 
Lupe "Velez, Abe Lyman, Ethel Mer- 
man, Sid Silvers, Jack Haley, Bobby 
Connolly, Bert Lahr, Jpsctihine 
Dunn, Bltz Bros., George E. Stone, 
Samuel Shlpman, Johnny Walker, 
Billy LaHlff, Sam Ledner and Ar- 
thur Frankll.i, In support of her 
claim that urifalr professional com- 
petition arose through the . second 
June. Knight (In partnership with 
Holland) creating public and pro- 
fessional confusion as to their 
identity. 

Holland and Knight's professional 
supporters wpre Marco, Moris, Pet- 
rofC, !Leon Leonidoff and Abe Last- 
fogef, who filed aflldavits. 

Holland hiincrelf claimed that June 
Hart V!a.a the flrst June Knight, but 
that she had to leave the stage 
through her husband, Marvin Hart's 
insistence, in Los Angeles, and also 
because of a baby born Dec. 14, 
1931, and '.ts father dying eight days 
later. Th<3 plaintiff June Knight 
points out tl'at the reason for Mar- 
vin Hart's death was that he was 
i3hot. (Hart figured In a Los 'An- 
geles rackeur^v melee). 

Having legally adopted the June 
Knight professional iiame, and be- 
cause of her established professional 
attainments. Justice Hatting ap- 
proved a temporary Injunction 
against the Holland and Knight 
billing. 



Victor Jory at Par? 



Hollywood, Feb. 204 

Paramount is testing Victor Jory, 
Fox contiact player, for the Gary 
Cooper part in 'Eagle and the ilawk'. 

Cooper balked at going into the 
picture immediately following his 
finishing 'Today .We Live' at Metro. 
Par picture is set to get started this 
week. 



Geo. Weiss Marries 



San Francisco, Feb. 20. 

George Weiss, Warner theatre 
chief, came into town last Tuesday 
(14) for a secret vveddlng to Mrs. 
Carmel Cofer, it was performed at 
the bride's home. 

Up until now Weiss has kept it 
from his associates and friends. 
Couple left for Agua Caliente on a 
honeymoon. 



Young Faversham's Test 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Phillip Faversham, son of Wil- 
liam, appearing here at the Bolasco 
In 'Another Language,' was given 
test by Metro, 

'Likelihood he will get contract. 



Tileflday, February 21, 1999 



ES 



VARIETY 



BOARD OF STUDIO CONTROL 



Actor Pests, Scribe Headaches 

Writers Shun Players Who Demand Build- 
ups in Dialosr, Action 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Finally wise to what dialog does 
and does not make of a scene, play- 
ers,' after five years of talking plc^ 
tures are making pests of them- 
selves with writers. Bach leading 
man, woman and comic has some- 
thing to contribute to every pic- 
ture they are assigned, something 
which usually means a headache to 
the writers. 

Although cognizant of the faci 
that after all the cutter has the 
final say, the players with. reputa- 
tion want to make entrances and 
exits in every scene wherein they 
■work, knowing that they won't be 
cut. If they are on when the scene 
begins or ends, chances are that 
even some of the dialog ^111 be cut, 
particularly their tag gags. 

Writers, knowing this, duck play- 
er_3 whenever possible so they will 
be able to continue their writing 
without continual Interruptions 
from the actors which, in every 
case, proves to be a build-up of the 
actor's part. 

Advance Reading Yells 

A tough break for the scriveners 
Is when the players get a chance to 
read the script before it is com- 
pleted. Yells come from all cor- 
ners. Each featured player In the 
cast wants to know what the otner 
player is doing when he or she Is 
not in the scene. 

Worst pest Is usually the comic 
who always wants to do an old 
piece of business which at some 
time or other got him a laugh In 
another picture. Some comics have 
been dragging out their particular 
gags for the past five years with no 
success in getting it Included In a 
Btory. Persistent lads keep it up 
figuring that sooner or later they're 
due. Every comic wants to enter 
and exit on a laugh and that's 
tough to do. 

Girls are more particular about 
What the other femme players have 
to do than the men. Seems as If 
the gals chew their finger nails 
every time another femme player 
gets a good line or good bit of 
business. 

It's the part of the business that 
gives writers heavy headaches. 
This, and getting the supervisor's 
Ideas when they have one. 



Too Inquisitive 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Mervyn Leroy, at a nlte 
spot, sat next to a damsel of 
little consequence In the cine- 
matic field; She felt im- 
portant though arid when ah 
exec or director danced by her 
table the young lady declared, 
1 h^ve him right In the palm 
of my hand.' 

Finally Leroy turned to the 
femme and requested to. see 
the palm of her hand. He 
looked at it for a moment, 
then remarked: 'Aren't you 
afraid that the load you are 
carrying Is too much for your 
wrist." 

The gal scrammed. 





FOn M MUORS 



Hays* Member - Directorate 
Taking Up New Produo- 
tion Scheme --^Distribu- 
tion Cut Down Included 



Jimmy Durante s Latest Styles 

As the Playboy of California 



A SINGLE ROOF 



Wanderers Back Home 



Gloria Swanson and hubby, Mike 
Parmer, with their baby, Bridget, 
are due in New York today (21) on 
the 'Bremen.' 

Miss Swanson will make a per- 
eoiial appearance at the Rivoli to- 
morrow (22) In connection with the 
opening of her British-made film, 
'Perfect Understanding,' leaving for 
the coast at the end of the week. 

Harold Lloyd and family are also 
due back in Nfivf Tprk this morning 
on the 'Broihe^i' after a couple of 
months in Europe. . 

Bremen* Is bringing in a sizable 
lot of other picture people, among 
them being Edmund r;ou!<1ing and 
Eric Pommer. 



RADIO LOANS $90,000 
LEAD, ANN HARDING 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
With abandonment of 'Declasse,' 
P^adlo Is loaning Ann Harding to 
Metro for a seven-week period as 
he lead in 'When Ladles Meet.' 

At Radio Miss Harding Is paid 
$90,000 per picture. 



Thalbergs, Joe Schenck 
Say for Germany Feb. 27 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Irving G. Tnalberg leaves Feb. 27 
on the Panama Pacific Line for New 
York, from where he will sail for 
Europe. He will be accompanied by 
Joseph M. Schenck, Norma Shearer 
(Mrs. Thalberg) and the Thalberg 
child. 

Schenck will accompany Thalberg 
to Baad Nauhelm, where the latter 
will remain about four months. 
Schenck while on the continent will 
visit his various distribution agen- 
cies. 



Cooper as Temperament 
Soother for Garbo, Plan 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Metro is dickering with Gary 
Cooper to play opposite Greta 
Garbo In 'Son of St. Moritz,' upon 
her contemplated return to the 
studio. Garbo at one time reciuested 
Cooper as her lead for a picture. 
Studio feels that if the Paramount 
player Is cast in ■."=:t. Moritz,' it will 
get Garbo off to a irnrxl start 
tempera men tally. 

Jules Furthman will ^c-l tlic slory 
in shape?, switcliinp over to it as 
soon as he finishes liis nirrent as- 
signment, 'Soviet.' 

Joan Bennett Unavailable 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Madfio Evans will play femme 
lead in *.\Iald On Broadway.' 

Metro was unable to borrow To.tti 
Bennett from Fox for it. 



L Barrymore in P. P. 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Lionel Barrymore, upon comple- 
tion of 'Christopher Bean' for Metro, 
will go to a personal appearance 
tour of Loew houses. He will open 
at the Capitol, New York. 

Upon Barrymore's return he will 
Ije loaned to Radio Pictures in ex- 
change for George Cukor to appear 
In 'The Doctor' from an 'American 
Magazine' story, 'Failure', by Cath- 
erine Havalend Taylor. 



U UNLOADS '30r 



After It Had Qon* to $100,000 for It 
— Metris -<C|9ta Story 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Universal has unloaded 'Laughing 
Doy' onto Metro. 'Had planned the 
production with Kamon Novarro, 
and when unable to obtain his ser 
vices passed the story along to the 
studio having Novarro under Con 
tract. 

Universal bought the Oliver La 
Farge play done from the Chatfield 
story about a year ago, and Is on 
the nut for about $100,000. Of this, 
$20,000 was used for advertising. 
Studio al.so paid Zita Johan $1,700 
a week for seven weeks when it 
signed lier for the production. 



J. Barrymore for 2 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Radio has a deal on with John 
Barrymore for two pl^'turos on its 
next program. 

J. Barrymore for his more re 
cent pictures has received $50,000 
each. With Warners at one time 
this Barrymore's price was SI 25, 
000 each film. 



A single roof for Hollywood and 
not more than two national distri- 
bution channela for ths east, major 
in an industry unification plan^, al- 
ready under high executive discus- 
sion on both coasts. Thesei are 
slated for formal sifting and debate 
at probably the next meeting of the 
Hays directorate. 

Certain members of the board 
have signified they . will approve 
central studio operation. In New 
York E. W;. Hammons is now out 
lining his envisionment to brother 
Haysites, while the West Coast re 
ports S. R. Kent took time to sow 
the seeds on his last visit. 

Receiverships, depression and 
mergers are all regarded as ele- 
ments which will eventually bring 
about consolidation of the studios 
In a natural way. But neutral over 
seers of the Industry familiar with 
the plan, while pointing this out, at 
the same time note that competition 
In healthy business more often than 
not overrides economies of this kind. 

The general reactions, as sounded 
on both coasts. Is that the unlflca 
tlon formula, as so far explained. Is 
too fanciful and radical for practi 
cabllity. This Is regarded as strictly 
preliminary and in no way a cri- 
terion of Haysian action, following 
investigation and presentation of 
facts. 

Name W. E. 

Where Kent is credited with be- 
ing the originator of the plan on the 
West Coast, the outline there asso- 
ciated with him dlfters in some re 
spects from that which Hammons 
openly made to "Variety.* Certain 
Hays directors who cannot see the 
plan at all credit It neither to Kent 
nor Hammons but directly to West 
ern Electric. 

Kgo and financial Independence 
are believed by Educatlonal's presl 
dent to be the main reasons why 
every company has adhered to the 
policy of private studios and ex 
changes. The time l3 here, he de 
Clares, when pride will have to be 
set aside and when changes un- 
dreamed of will become practical 
realities. 

With a central studio. In which 
all companies could participate as 
owners, no company would have to 
turn out 50 features when It felt 
that only 25 were needed. Idea un 
der the existent solo studio system 
which has always prevailed. Ham 
mens states. Is that the plant must 
be kept working and quantity prod 
uct is the only medium to equalize 
present overheads. 

Conceding that the plan as out- 
lined by Hammons Is legal, since it 
would represent strictly a manufac- 
turer's saving and have nothing to 
do with the retailer or consumer, 
eastern representatives question 
whether the saving under one roof 
would be sufficient to warrant the 
move. 

Questions 

They also ask these questions; 

If studios are centralized what 
provision will be made to handle 
production during the peak season? 

What about the ability to make 
retakes? How long will a cen- 
tralized government permit sets to 
stand? 

Finally, they remind that Holly- 
wood's biggest items are not the 
carpenters and electricians, but 
stories, directors and casts, not to 
mention stars. 

The plan which the Coast credits 
Kent with unfolding takes care of 
these items. It differs from the 
Hammons formula in that under it 
actual production would be more or 
less grouped. The story Is that this 
would be under the guidance of a 
single dictator or a committee com- 



Taking 2 Ways 



Instead of tossing In a copy 
of 'What the Well Dressed 
Man Will Wear' In Its Invita- 
tion to buy a $10 ticket for its 
ball, Motion Picture club Is 
permitting a 6th Ave, store to 
circularize Its membership with 
a letter suggesting that they 
drop in and find out what to 
wear at a $10 ball away from 
B'way. 

With times what they are 
and tickets at $l6, plenty of 
the members are more Inter- 
ested In the question as to 
where the ten will come from 
than being passionately ab- 
sorbed in how much new stuff 
they should buy for one eve- 
ning. 

It's a brand new idea to soak 
a mugg for a ball ticket and 
then try to sell him an outfit 
so he'll look okay. 



MARIE DRESSIER EAST 
FOR MINOR OPERATION 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Marie Dressier, dissatisfied It Is 
understood with the opinion of her 
local physicians as to her condltloni 
is In New Vork to consult her doc- 
tor there. 

She will remain east several 
weeks. 



Miss Dressier was operated upon 
in her hotel suite yesterday (Mon- 
day) morning by Dr. J. Willis Amey. 
The surgery was not of a serious 
nature and she will be confined only 
a few days. 

Plans to return to the coast in a 
couple of weeks. 



Dietrich with Chevalier 
As Sal?e for Actress 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Paramount Intends to co-star 
Marlene Dietrich and Maurice Che- 
valier as soon as they finish In 'Song 
of Songs' and 'Bedtime Story' re- 
spectively. 

Studio is striving to keep Miss 
Dietrich undsr the Par banner and 
figures that the co-star bid Is suf- 
ficient Inducement, to make her 
stick. Studio' is seeking a suitable 
story. 



Brent-Bard Act 



Jimmy Durante, once the aflourge 
of Broadway, and now the playboy 
of California, Is back haunting his 
old haunts, hiding in a massive polo 
coat with the belt tied, not buckled. 
It's James' own Idea, tlelng the 
belt. He got the hunch while In 
a hurry one day. 

'Boys,' he said, somewhat taken 
aback when leaving the train in New 
York, 'the wife done this to me. 
She bought It and I got to wear it. 
She says to me, 'Sweets,' she says, 
'Don't let any bum put you to 
shame.' 

The boys were reporters, at the 
depot to see the Queen of the Ba- 
hamas, who arrived on the same 
train without speaking to the Du- 
rantes. 

From the station Durante hot- 
footed it to the theatre, where they 
were waiting for him to rehearse In 
the musical 'Strike Me Pink.' 

At the stage-door Jimmy left his 
coat with the doorman, as he 
grabbed it. 

Lew Brown looked at him. 
'Aren't you Durante?' Brown re- 
marked kindly. 'Poot mutt,' we 
open In four days.' 

'And a hot cha cha, chacha,' 
hissed Jimmy. 'That's my at- 
mosphere. One-take Jimmy's home. 
Durante wants tumult. It sends 
the red blood a-curslng through the 
veins. Durante treats everything 
with brevity.' He flung his hat on 
the floor, then slowly a smile 
worked Its way around his nose. 
He was trying to think. 

His S. A. 

'Confidentially,' James exploded, 
'this sex appeal of mine. There It 
Is. I'm helpless. What can I do? 
I accept It I tell you nty life ain't 
my own. When my secret baffles 
them, every chance they get they 
keep putting knocks In for me in 
the front office — but it comes back 
to me. I get IL Then underground 
channels. I'm surrounded with 
treachery.' 

'Every morning my dressing room 
is a vegetable bower. Orchids 
from Crawford, violets from Shear- 
er. They stifle me. The other day 
a cable from Sweden. Never fear— 
Durante won't sacrifice his Iden- 
tity.' 

^' Fan Mail 

Durante's fan mall is terrific, he 
says, but somehow they put Gable's 
name on It. At the Brown Derby 
In Hollywood they've named a spe- 
cial dish after him, Jimmy claim»— 
hash Durante. 

Alive to his responsibility as 
Jimmy the Well Dressed Man, Mr. 
Durante came back with a new idea 
In smart rehearsal garb: two days' 
growth of beard, collar open at the 
throat, and pants without pleats 
that fiap like wings for filtting from 
gag to gag, besides a flowing neck- 
tie he stole from the Poter. 



Evelyn Brent and Ben Bard are 
being teamed for vaude by the Curtis 
& Allen Coast office. They open 
March 3 for RKO at the Palace, 
Chicago, after a break-In around 
here, but without having seen by 
RKO. 

It's the first stage try for Miss 
Brent, but not for Bard who came 
from vaude. 



Break with MG Sought 
By Idle Polly Moran 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Having been u.scd In a single pic 
ture In a year, Polly Moran is at 
tempting to break her contract with 
Metro so that she can accept a 
vaude tour in Rngland and several 
r.adio offers. 

Miss Moran's contract is up to 
morrow (21) but studio can keep 
her for another three years if op- 
tions are taken up. She has bron 
with Mptro six years. 



po.sed of representatives of all oom- 
panlra. 

The Kent plan is now regarded 
a.s the more Impracticable of the 
two which are shortly to be do- 
batPd. 



Cohnan on Long World 
Tonr, Then Domg Phy 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Washed up with his Goldywn 
contract, Ronald' Colman plans a 
two years round-the-world tour be- 
fore returning to pictures, if ever. 

Colman, much of a mystery as 
far as Hollywood is concerned, due 
to his reticence and aversion to 
publicity, has been planning a pro- 
longed vacation for some time. 

Before returning to the screen 
Colman will likely do a play In New 
York or London. He has wanted 
to appear on the stage for .some 
time, but WIS unwilling to -lo so 
while undr>r contract to Coldwyn. 



Par Cutter on B-G Pit 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Merill White, Paramount cutter, 
who was film editor on the Maurice 
Chevalier- Jcanette MacDonald films, 
left here for England. 

Ho KOPS to cut Miss MacDonald's 
picture bein? made in England for 
British Gaumont. 



VAKOTT 



r ICTVHES 



upd-Panunoiint Pool Apt to Go 
(her, wMi Par Phyitag Only Stage 
Shows-Deciskm During lliis Wk. 



Loew and the Paramount-Publiz 
receivers have reached a, tentative 
agreement on their Capitol and 
Paramount theatres on Broadway, 
by which the former may go 
straight pictures and Par gets the 
stage shows. Final okay awaits the 
return from Florida of Louis K. 
Sidney of Loew's. He's due in New 
York late this week. 

Both deluxers staged bozofflce 
comebacks last week, but It was 
done with stage names. Capitol 
with Ed Wynn and his Tiaugh Pa- 
rade' with a weak Metro picture, 
'What, No Beer?' grossed |65,000. 
Paramount with Mae West on the 
sta?e on a studio booking and also 
starring in the picture 'She Done 
Him Wrong' (Par) topped the Cap- 
itol at $68,800. 

With the Wynn show getting $20,- 
000, highest straight salary ever 
paid in a pop priced theatre book- 
ing, the Capitol made a little profit. 
Paramount with a not bo high- 
salaried name in Miss West at $6,- 
600 made money. 

Always the Show 

Last week's business was en- 
couraging to the Capitol and Par to 
the extent that It showed it'a pos- 
sible to penetrate Rsidlo City's 
stranglehold on the downtown, pic- 
ture house trade just at present, U 
Broadway can offer attractive at- 
tractions. They see little or no as- 
surance of a sufflclent number of 
stage attraction to bring consistent 
business, other than through a get- 
together In which one house re- 
ceives what's available without 
competitive bidding t^nd a costly 
salary fight With still the chance 
either or both of the .Kadio City 
houses - may continue to bid for 
stage names. 

If and when the pooling takes, 
place, Loew will book the . Para- 
mount stage shows. Both houses 
have some future bookings set and 
these will be merged on the one 
stage. At the Par Ben . Bemle's 
band follows Miss West's holdover 
next week (24), with likelihood PbU 
Baker will be on the same bill In 
a revival of the old Bernie and 
Baker two-act. Cieorge Gershwin at 
$5,000, the 1931 'Vanities' tab at $6.- 
600, and AI Jolson at $16,000 and 
percentage are also due, with the 
Jolson date doubtful, fie Is said to 
have canceled It. 

Capitol will embellish its pit or- 
chestra, with shows to comprise the 
overture and films only. Par's pol- 
icy will remain practically as now, 
except that the best of Its present 
films, mostly Paramount, would go 
to the Capitol. Par would get the 
second choice of Par and Metro 
product on Broadway. 

At the same time a change at 
the Brooklyn Paramount will lower 
the stage budget to around $1,600 
and give the house its own stage 
producer and booker, both to ope 
rate locally. 

The Publlx stage producing and 
booking staff in New York has been 
working under a week-to-week no- 
tice for the past two weeks and Is 
expected to be dissolved upon final 
disposition of the Broadway policy. 
Among those affected are the Pub- 
lix production head, Borros Morros, 
and Harry Kalcheim, booker. Un- 
less the receivers decide otherwise, 
continuation of stage show In the 
other four Publlx stage weeks out 
of town may necessitate mainte- 
nance of a stage staff, but probably 
on a reduced basis. 



20 Sbows for A&A 



Richmond, Va., is the home 
town of Amos and Andy, both 
of them. 

To accommodate the villag- 
ers and clean up the b.t. ob- 
ligation without too much loss 
of time, Amos and Andy have 
arranged to shortly appear In 
person in Richmond for one 
day only. 

During that day, however, 
the ace-aur comics will give 20 
shows. 



Mae's Cits for Pa. 



m WALK-OUTS 
ON SALARY 



Paramount la re-editlng Mae 
West's flicker, 'She Done Him 
Wrong,' for Pennsylvania following 
first submission to state's censors. 
After cuts necessary are made, pic- 
ture will be again shown to the 
scissor brigade, with passage as- 
sured. 

Reports that Pennsylvania had 
banned the West picture entirely 
created some furore In Paramount 
as well as confusion among ac- 
counts In Pennsylvania which had 
or Intended to book it. 



PAR'S COURTESY 
ON PALMING! 




ARTHUR OPERATING FOR 
FOX-POU RECEIVERS 



Hartford, Feb. 20. 
Harry Arthur will continue to 
operate the Poll chain. That's un- 
der a new agreement reached with 
the receivers for Fox New England, 
under the terms of which Arthur 
becomes the receivers' agent. 

Receivers engagement of Arthtu- 
as their agent followed the serving 
of notice by Fox New England on 
Arthur that his sublease of the Foil 
Circuit waa cancelled as of today. 
Arthur accepted the cancellation. 

A. Z. Poll, owner of the circuit 
end principal bondholder with 
Halse'y, Stuart, bankers, are stated 
to be pressing their action for fore- 
closure on the Poll chain. 



Westwood, Feb. 20. 
Dropping about 200 people off the 
pay roll. Fox studio baa put 
through personnel and salary cuts 
that .wUl 6fCect a saving of around 
$10,000 a week, effective today 
(Mon.). 

Reduction in wages was made in 
cases when It was felt the present 
salaries are too high In comparison 
with duties. Average salary cut Is 
from 10 to 1B%. 

Employees dropped were mostly 
those added to the pay roll In June 
whtn production went above nor- 
mal with sometimes as many as 11 
pictures In work at the same time. 

Reading department was one of 
the first to feel the cut, being left 
with only two persons. Story read- 
ing Is now being almost entirely 
done In New York. Depaitment 
heads trimmed their staffs so that 
each worker has a maxlmtim of 
duties, with many employees dou- 
bling up for those dropped. 

Studios already meeting with 
general opposition from contract 
people who object to having their 
salaries cut from. 10% to 20%. While 
all have not been approached, sev- 
eral writers and directors have gone 
thumbs down on any tampering 
with their contractual agreements. 

Dudley Nichols, Howard Green, 
Arthur Kober, Philip Klein and 
William Conselman have refused 
to take the cut. Sam Mlntz, on a 
week-to-week basis, walked when 
asked to pare hiis salary. 

William K. Howard, John Ford, 
Henry King, Frank Lloyd and 
Raoul Walsh, directors, have taken 
a stand against a salary reduction, 
as has Rufus Le Malre, associate 
producer. 

Lesser employees have taken the 
reduction with a minimum of mur 
muring. Hardest hit are the secre 
tarles who have been reduced from 
$36 weekly to $24. 

Walked 

Arthur Kober, scenarist, refused 
to take the cut and asked for his 
release, which was given him. Mar 
guerlte Roberts and Charlotte Mil- 
ler are also out of the scenario de 
partment. 

Howard Green, having only a 
week remaining on his contract, 
also obtained his release and has 
gone over to Radio to work on the 
script of 'Stag Line,' to be produced 
by H. N. Swanson. 

Script stenographers have been 
reduced in nuinber from 30 to 24 
with those remaining taking salary 
cuts. 

In the publicity department the 
salary cuts ranged as high as 25%, 
with some of the minor executives 
taking even larger cuts. 

Cut order has seven people 
dropped from the publicity depart 
ment Outs are Bell Rice, Milt 
Watt, Cllft Lewis, Oliver Garver, 
Harry Nelmeyer, Jr., and two secre- 
taries. Garver, who was handling 
trailers, returns to National Screen 
Service. 



General Electrlo la using the 
Pariimount, New York, as testing 
ground for an automatic ticket 
chopper, primary feature of which 
is elimination of chances under 
which ducat takers can palm tickets. 
Customer drops ticket Into macl^lne 
and it automatically chopa It In 
half, ejecting stub for the patron. 
Ticket taker merely atands by to 
see that patrons deposit their ad- 
mission paper. 

Faramotint's agreement to try out 
new-fangled machine does not come 
as a result of suspicion that house's 
attendanta have been palming duc- 
ats, but merely aa a courtesy to G.E. 
whlcli furnishes gadget free of 
charge, along with Bigns. etc. 

Question sc far la whether ma- 
chine can work fast enough to han- 
dle big rush crowds. 



ANITA LOUISE'S VISIT 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Anita Louise leaves Wednesday 
(22) for four weeks in New York. 

Radio contract player wants to 
rest and look over the' new shows. 



Studio's Unkm Men 
Threaten Walk Too 
Over Fox's M Cut 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Soi^hd men's, laboratories' and 
editors' unions have filed a com- 
plaint with the Producer^ associa- 
tion protesting against an arbitrary 
cut ordered at Fox studios, running 
to 30% of their salary. (Slaim It Is 
a violation of an agreement with 
producers, who ordered Universal 
and RKO, also considering cuts, to 
hold them In abeyance until a- meet- 
,^ng on the matter with William El- 
liott, president of the unlona^ Inter- 
national, takes place Feb. 26, with 
Pat Casey representing producers. 

first pasrroU due under cut at 
Fox la Feb. 28. Men claim that if 
officially notified that cut must atand 
prior to meeting they will walk. 



STILL BUILDING 



Frank in Northwest Opens 1,000-8eat 
Naberhooder March 3— 26c Scale 



Minneapolis, Feb. 30. 
Franklin Amusement Co., local In- 
dependent exhibitor, will open 
March 3 a new $100,000 1,000-seat 
neighborhood house. Boulevard, 26c 
scale. 

A year ago the same company 
built and opened the 700 -scat 
Chateau, another local neighbor 
hooder, costing $110,000. It operates 
nine theatres in all, seven here and 
two at Willmar, Mln. W. R. Frank, 
Its head, was recently elected presi- 
dent of Northwest Allied States. 



UA Not In with Kab, Says Gofah^ 
Speaking Mosdy for Joe Schenck 



Useless 



Loa Angeles, Feb. 10. 
Hollywood press agent got 
the account of one of the Bou- 
levard cafes, paid In part with 
carte blanche on the menu. 
His first story to the papers 
was that he had the publicity 
job. 

Next day he got ptomaine 
poisoning and the papers 
printed the story. He waa .im- 
mediately fir.e4 by the resta- 
rant, the operators figuring 
that If he couldn't keep the 
poisoning y^n out of the 
papers he had no value as a 
p. a. 



NO CONVENnON 
FOR MPTOA 
IN 1933 



Motion Picture Theatre Owners of 
America la dispensing with its con- 
vention this year. Main reason Is 
the depression. It will be the first 

year indie exhlbs haven't sat at the 
annual board since the war. 

Election of officers will take place 
aa usual. Its board of directors, un- 
der the set-up adopted a year ago, 
is empowered. 

Attending conventions Is held up 
as too costly an item for the aver- 
age indie these days. Other reasons 
for the Indie remaining at. home. 
Legislatures are busier than ever 
and indie unit heads. It Is said, must 
be on hand to meet whatever emer- 
gency arises. 



Shanghai Mhias Squawks, 
Thinks SmaH to Hays 



Despite previous Hay's office bans 
on 'Shanghai Gesture,' E>ldle Small 
Is contemplating rushing the film 
into production for Reliance Art 
Cinema and United Artists release. 
Small got the rights from Jos. 
Schenck, who has owned them sev- 
eral years. 

Small's answer ' to the Hays, of- 
fice ban Is that he thinks he can 
fix the picture so that, when it's 
finished, there'll be no kicks from 
censors or anyone. 



Brooghton on His Own 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Cliff Broughton, vice-president of 
Mayfalr Pictures In charge of pro- 
duction, has turned In his resig- 
nation. He intends to engage In 
the production of his own exploita- 
tion type of Independent features. 

Indications are that George W. 
Weelcs, prez of Mayfalr, will 
concentrate on four productions 
starring Reginald Denny for un- 
signed major release!, turning over 
the remainder of the Mayfalr pro- 
gram to Fanchon Royer. 



Poblix Chain Netted $200,000 for 
Candy, Gum and Gimcracks in '32 



So far as the Publlx chain Is con- 
cerned, it has remained for candy, 
gum, lipstick and weighing scales 
to find a buying public. For 1932, 
when figures are compiled, it Is said 
the net from this branch of activity 
for Paramount Publlx will be around 
$200,000. 

Department Is operated from New 
York by Max Schossberg, personal 
friend of Adolph Zukor's, and Jack 
Mill, with a ihlnlmum of overhead. 
In the theatres all the managers do 
Is accept shipments aa made and re- 
stock machines- 

So far receiverships have not 
affected the continued operation of 
the candy and scale department. As 



long as this function shows a profit, 
It Is believed at the h. o. no receiver 
would cause its elimination. 

Around 300 theatres have the 
candy machines, weighing scales 
and sale of cosmetics, cold cream, 
etc., in ladies' rooms. This was 
about the number of services a year 
ago. 

Recently Publlx tried out clgarets 
in a few spois, but found It difficult 
to handle thlc article due to vacilla- 
tion of prices. In many of the the- 
atres smoking Isn't permitted, which 
eliminated the feature of 'con- 
venience' having much to do with 
selling such things ais gum and cos- 
metics. 



Sam Katz Is raiding for talent on 
the coast on representation that he 
will releaHe tbroush United Artists, 
Sam Ooldwyn aaya. Unauthorized to 
do this, most of the United Artists 
organization from Joe Schenck down 
fs fretting. 

After a phone conversation Sat- 
urday (18) between Schenck and 
Goldwyn, in which Schenck Is said 
to have assured that there is no deal 
of any kind with Katz underway, 
Ooldwyn yesterday (20) called in' 
some of the trade men for a general 
discussion. Schenck la said to have 
authorized Ooldwyn to make a 
statement on the situation for pub- 
lication. 

After Indicating that there will be 
no change In the owner-member and 
distributing structure of UA, Oold- 
wyn said he bad not been approach- 
ed by Katz nor to his knowledge had 
any other owner-partner. It was 
also Indicated that If UA should re- 
liease pictures produced by Katz, 
UA win want to see those pictures 
before making a deal. 

Want Schenck 

Goldwyn said that while Schenck 
had outside Interests such as the 
Callente Jockey Club, of which he's 
chairman,. Schenck had no intention 
of quitting UA. Nor do any of the 
owner-members, according to Gold- 
wyn, want him to leave. It makes no 
dIfCerence to any of the UA owners 
whether he expands in the sports 
field or not. 

'Speaking for Joe Schenck and 
every partner', Goldwyn said, 'our 
company is not interested In promo- 
tion schemes and stock, manlpula- 
tlona nor will we ever permit any- 
one in our organization to manipu- 
late or use United Artists in any 
way to raise money for the making 
of pictures. . 

'After 21 yeatis of experience in 
Hollywood, I've found that at least 
60% of the people In production are 
Incompetent and shouldn't be there, 
said Goldwyn. Writers come out to 
make money and not to make great 
pictures. There Is only a handful of 
good', directors, writers and stars 
and every studio is fighting to get 
them.' 

Schenck's Statement 
In Hollywood last week Joe 
Schenck told a •Variety* reporter If 
the Katz group turned out satis- 
factory pictures. United Artists 
would distribute them. 



CREDIT 0. K. 
FOR RECEIVERS 



Warner Bros., first of the dis- 
tributors to throw Publlx Into a 
comer by demanding cash In ad- 
vance on its pictures, has made 
credit arrangements where receivers 
exist. These arrangements are di- 
rect with the receivers of various 
Publlx subsidiaries, where ap- 
pointed. 

Theatres of the Publlx chain 
operated directly by Publlx are con- 
tinuing on a C. O. D. basis as a mat- 
ter of protection to WB. 

Distributors, as admitted In WB, 
were placed m a precarious position 
when the parent P-P company and 
Publlx Enterprises were suddenly 
tossed over. Most dlstribs were 
owed sums by Publlx Theatres 
Corp. for back rental and If film 
were continued on the old credit 
basis, the indebtedness might pile 
up. 

When a receivership over any 
particular group of theatres is de- 
clared, whatever arrangements for 
film are made direct with receiver, 
it Is felt, can be relied upon, since 
the contract or word of a receiver is 
the act of a court. 

None of the dlstribs are reluctant 
to make contracts with the receiv- 
ers, allowing credit. 

Should a receiver. In approving a > 
contract for film with say a three 
weeks' credit, fall to pay off the ■ 
law would dictate that the receiver i 
had to liquidate somewhere, to ful- 
fill the contract. 



Advance Buy 

Metro has purchased the screen 
rights to an original, prior to inr 
tended publication. 

It's 'Half Married,' a tentative 
title. Author is Delmar Daves. 



Taesdaj, February 21, 1935 



PICTORES 



VARIETY 



FIGURING ON ADMISSIONS 



Roxy sidea for 3J00-Seat RKO Roxy 
Is Straight Vaude Only at 40-55-75c 



, During convalescent period at his 
home In New Tork, Roxy is report- 
ed to h&ve worked out a straight 
vaudeville scheme for the RKO 
Roxy stage in Radio City. He has 
fiet the scale for the new policy ac- 
6ording to report as 40-56-76 In the 
morning, afternoon and evening, 
with one price all over the house at 
all times. No other entertainment 
other \)n&n vaudeville is intended. 
; The story says Roxy has not de- 
cided to operate the smaller Radio 
City theatre, choosing to give his 
entire time upon returning to the 
Radio City direction to the Music 
Hall, the larger house. Roxy is re- 
ported to believe that the Music 
Hall with its set picture-presenta- 
tion policy will, demand all his at- 
tention. The RKO Roxy has only 8,- 
700 as against the 6,200 seats in the 
Music Hall. In accordance with his 
opinion Roxy is said to have de- 
cided to turn the RKO Roxy over 
to the RKO theatre operating de- 
partnieilt, headed by Harold B. 
Franklin. 

' Outsiders approaching the Radio 
City end of RKO for terms under 
which they might experiment with 
the RKO Roxy have been frightened 
off by the fixed overhead of that 
house starting with the rent. None 
of the promoters who might have 
liked to gamble on the theatre has 
returned with a counter proposition. 

Roxy's Line Up 

' When Roxy concluded to turn the 
BKO Roxy to Franklin, he is said 
io have decided not to do so without 
simultaneously presenting a work- 
able policy not In conflictlon with 
the larger Music Hall next door. 
Boxy outline of straight vaudeville 
for the RKO Roxy is said to con- 
template a bill of acts with two or 
three headllners and costing between 
$15,000 and $18,000 weekly in salary. 
Four performances a day will be the 
playing policy. With the var.devllle 
program on the stage reaching 
Roxy's estimate, the overhead of 
the RKO Roxy will approximate 
from accounts between' $33,000 and 
$35,000 a week. At the proposed 
Roxy scale the RKO Roxy could 
gross about $45,000 weekly. 

Capitol and Paramount on Broad- 
way have played expensive variety 
stag^. shows with the Capitol run- 
ning as high as $20,000 a week, $15,- 
000 stage shows in the Capitol have 
been common, with the Paramount 
having had several such shows with 
a featured name that sent the 
ahow's cost beyond that figure. In 
the $15,000 or $18,000 stage show at 
the Capitol as a rule a saving was 
effected through a stage band being 
on the bill and replacing the pit or- 
chestra for the week, saving per- 
haps $3,000 to $4,000 or making the 
actual cost of the stage show that 
much less as against the ordinary 
week. 

Roxy is said to have had confer- 
ences with RKO theatre operating 
heads. If his straight vaudeville 
plan should be adopted it could be 
Installed at any time before Roxy 
returns to Radio City, If Roxy per- 
sists in his detei'mlnatlon not, to 
operate both houses. 

At present Roxy hopes his health 
will permit him to return to Radio 
City by April 1. 



Court Orders Roanoke 
Houses, 4, Turned Back 

Lynchburg, Va., Feb. 20. 

Roanoke's four Publlx-Natlonal 
theatres were turned back to the 
old National Theatre Corp. last 
week by order of Judge Beverley 
Berkley of law and chancery court. 

Unlawful retainer proceedings 
were instituted In the court by the 
National, which charged that rents 
were unpaid. The Publlx-National 
group acquired the theatres about 
a year ago from National. 

The court gave no award for al- 
leged overdue rents, but preserved 
the right of the plaintiff to recover 
on attachment. Theatres affected 
are the American, Roanoke, Park 
and Rlalto. 

First proceedingp of the sort in 
this section oC Virginia. 



Pettijohn Says — 



Charlie Pettijohn finally feels 
it necessary to go on record 
about his boss. 

'I'm Will Hays* lawyer and 
I'm 100% for Will Hays. It's 
a lot of bunk — those reports 
that ni become the industry 
czar after March 4. 



75c ON SUNDAY 
AT BTO PAR, 
WEEK'S SCALE 



Elimination of added admission 
on Sundays, it is believed in ope- 
rating circles, may be forced for 

other New Tork houses as a result 
of the step taken by the Paramount 
Sunday (19) in bringing scale down 
from 99c to 76c. Top on Sundays at 
the Par henceforth will be the SEune 
as weekdays. 

Sunday scale now is 55c to 1 p. m. 
and' 75c to closing. AH other prices 
remain the same. 

Publix put through the Sunday 
slash following the gross, of $58,000 
for the first seven days of Mae 
West and a recapitulation which 
showed that 25% more people at- 
tended Par last week than when 
Eddie Cantor and George Jessel 
played the house New Tear's week 
at the oid prices. 



Par May CaU Off 
Sales CoDTention, 
Saving it $75,000 



Because sales conventions cost on 
an average of $75,000, Paramount 
will probably drop the Idea of a 
conclave this yiear. 

Regional meets, although describ- 
ed as not so satisfactory, can be 
held at a fraction of that figure, 
sales heads declare. 



No Freelance Phyers at 
Par if Own Are Available 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

As a further economy move. Par- 
amount Is endeavoring to halt the 
practice of engaging freelance 
players, while contract talent re- 
mains idle, but still drawing the 
weekly pay check. 

Move In this direction is the ap- 
pointment of Oscar Serlln as a spe- 
cial casting assistant to Albert A. 
Kaufman, wht will watch every 
script In a scheme to keep all con- 
tract playerg busy, even though in 
some cases it might mean doing 
two or more films simultaneously. 



WB Board Meeting 



An important meeting of the War- 
ners' board of directors Is slated 
for today (21). The meeting will 
decide, It is reported, on the matter 
of Interest, due March 1, of around 
$1,000,000, on Warner bonds. 

Whatever decision is arrived at by 
the board Is expected to be an- 
nounced this afternoon. 



Selznick Aide Transfers 

Culver City, Feb. 20. 
Phillip Slff, who came on the 
Radio lot as a banker cont.act when 
Davd O. Selznick was appointed 
studio head, has gone to Metro and 
will be attached to the Selznick 
unit there. 





LOW comi; up? 



Readjustment of AH Picture 
Theatre Scales Thought 
Necessary During 1933 — 
Too Wide Difference at 
Present 



BUT 10c OUT! 



Re-adjustment of the entire box 
office admission scale in the coun- 
try, as not only a pre- prosperity 
measure but a permanent one for 
economic soundness, will have to 
come. Announcing this after a se- 
ries of discussions during the past 
two weeks, spokesmen, admitting 
the pill is the bitterest yet sub- 
mitted to the business, flatly state 
that the industry's major trouble 
rests today in the wide differential 
between house class admissions — 
that the top runs will have to cut 
still more and that the lesser runs 
will be forced to increase their 
scale. 

Under the proposed ticket chart 
50 cents will be top in all of the key 
first runs, with the exception of de- 
luxers using stage shows. This 
means a drop for top houses of 16 
cents since the standard price for 
them today is in the neighborhood 
of 66 cents. 

Where the average for the so- 
called deluxe second run today Is 
36 cents It will be moved up an- 
other nickel under the plan. 

Other inins including the neigh- 
borhoods will be required to go 
from the present 10-16-26 to 20-26 
and 30 cents. 

The dime admission is doomed 
under the chart which figures 
that 10 cents should have no 
place in the film industry; that the 
dime has caused more grief than 
anything else and that unless it Is 
eradicated a good portion of the 
lesser subsequent runs will easily 
tumble back to the nickelodeon in- 
ception of the business. 

Raising admissions during '33 Is 
not regarded a suicidal move for 
the box ofllces in the subsequent 
class. Proponents of the plan have 
a number of reasons , why it is the 
only way back to the theatre nor- 
malcy. 

But, they are stating, the admis- 
sions scale throughout the country 
is so out of proportion today that 
It is like a bad tooth which sooner 
or later, but finally, will have to be 
pulled. 

Saving Carfare 

The simple point of saving in 
carfare is one of the biggest ar- 
guments advanced to the neighbor- 
hood exhibitor for his patronage. 
New Tork Is the only town where 
a dime takes and returns the fan. 
In the average city and community 
main street represents an additional 
20 cents per person so that while 
the top run downtown may be down 
(Continued on page 25) 



Badly Mixed Situation Is That 
Of Fox Theatres With Politics, 
Angles. Receivers, Bonds or Others 



Them Bankers' Sons 



Sons of bankers tangled up 
with picture companies are re- 
ported around in New Tork 
seeking screen tests. 

And getting them. 



HAYS SAYS LOW 
EXHIB SCALE 
CANT WIN 



Hays Office figures that at least 
2,500 theatres, or 20% of the total 
lighted in the U. S. today, are so 
blinded by competition that they 
don't realize they can't win because 
they are selling at less than cost 
to their public. 



HARRIS AND GORDON 
HOOKED WITH KAH 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Sam Harris and Max Gordon 
make the direct statement they are 
associated with Sam Katz for Katz' 
picture production. Harris and 
Gordon are the legit producers from 
New Tork. 

Gordon expects to be here for an- 
other four weeks. 

Plans of the Katz group, it is un- 
derstood, are to turn out six pic- 
tures for the present season. 

Gordon and Harris, claim several 
Important names will be signed 
within a few days.. Group is talking 
to anyone willing to listen to its 
proposition, not having to abide by 
the 'hands oflE' policy of the pro- 
ducers' association of which it is 
not a member. 

Expected announcements on t>ro- 
duction plans were not forthcoming 
last week from a group. 



Roxy in Texas 



His condition being sufficiently 
improved S. L. Rothafel (Roxy), 
has decided upon a trip prior to 
resuming directorship of the Radio 
City theatres. He will accompany 
his physician, J. F. McCarthy, to 
Texas, where both men will try to 
talk each other out of those short 
putts. The doctor will also attend 
a medical convention. 

Scheduled departure is Feb. 28. 
Rothafel names his New Tork re^ 
turn by April 1. * 



Distribs Demand Advance Payments 
For Percentage Fihns in Receivership 



Some of the distributors feeding 
Publlx pictures under percentage 
contracts, in lieu of C.O.D.'ing on 
flat deals, are demanding checks In 

advance based on an estimate of 
what the picture will do. With re- 
ceivers Issuing checks on estimates 
of percentage engagements, this Is 
resulting In a lot of bookkeeping 
back and forth. 

Many of the estimates are re- 
ported considerably over what the 
pictures are doing, apparently by 
virtue of a desire by the distrlb not 
to underguage what his picture's 
possibilities are. 

When this occurs, the distributors 



refund money to the receivers. All 
deals of this kind apply only to one 
picture, with none of the distribs 
daring to apply the difference to 
sums owed that distrlb by the same 
company on previous engagements. 

So far the receivers over theatre 
properties have displayed no ap- 
parent reluctance In approving 
checks to cover estimates on per- 
centage dates. 

One of the distribs refunding to 
receivers on such engagemoncs 
after getting checks In advanfc is 
said to owe the theatre chain more 
than tho chain owes it in rentals 
accrued up to the time of if'CPivtT- 
ships. 



Fox Theatres In the east pres- 
ently presents the worst muddled 
situation in filmdom. This is in 
the wake of the receivers for Fox 
Theatres through Attorney Brill, of 
the Fox film company legal staff 
having thrown Fox New England 
Ipto receivership. 

It seems that A. C. Blumenthal 
a couple of weeks back got an at- 
tachment against Fox Theatres in 
Boston for something like |386,000. 
Bfesiides which the multiplicity of re- 
ceivers for Fox Theatres and Fox 
N. E. will only add fee costs to the 
expense of operations. 

Such an attachment against a 
firm which is In receivership, ac- 
cording to certaia legal definition, 
may constitute an ac£ of bank- 
ruptcy against that firm. 

The whole situation is full of 
politics and presents a sorry state. 
Blumenthal, who is said to be away 
at present, is stated to have had 
the reputed sponsorship of John 
Sherman, one of the receivers for 
Fox Theatres, for Blumey's en- 
trance into the Poll picture which 
was controlled by Fox New Eng- 
land and which is a subsid of Fox 
Theatres. W. W. Atkinson Is the' 
other co-receiver for Fox Theatres. 

Nobody seems to be able to figure 
out the thing. The Poll people 
themselves and Halsey Stuart, fi- 
nancial house, are stated to be 
much aggrieved over what has hap- 
pened. Seems that the Fox New 
England receivership was some- 
thing they did not expect. Fact 
that a Fox film attorney was mixed 
up in it works another angle. 

The Halsey Stuart people are 
(Continued on page 13) 



INDIES AFTER 
SHORT TITLES 



Tipped off by big circuit book- 
ers that their pictures will have a 
better chance during '33 if the titles 
read with a little more logic and fit 
better into marquee bulbs, the more 
important indie film producers are 
resorting to all sorts of measures 
to meet these requirements. 

Several of the small companies, 
not depending altogether on their 
own indie staffs, are getting out 
lengthy questionnaires. These con- 
tain virtually all of the tentative 
titles for the new season. They are 
being submitted to office workers in 
and out of the industry with the 
request that reactions of readers be 
submitted by the side of each name. 

One company which Is submitting 
36 of its own titles so far has been 
able to obtain a unanimous vote 
of approval In any single office on 
but a single title. 



Radio Prod. Staff Set; 
White Studio Manager 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

With Sam Jaffee elevated to as- 
sociate producer, and S. D. White 
replacing him as studio manager, 
Merlan C. Cooper, In charge of Ra- 
dio Pictures production, states that 
no further changes will 'ie made in 
the studio pprsonnel. i 

Cooper says the studio will con- I 
tinue to m.ike the same type of 
product as under the David O. Selz- . 
nick regime. Two early Radio pro- 
ductions will be 'The Sun Also 
rtlses,' and 'Two Came Unarmed,* 
which were taken off the schedule 
several months ago. Cooper has also 
optioned Somerset Maugham's '0( 
Human Bondiige.* as a possible film 
for Katharine Hepburn. 

Cooper also plans a sequel or sim- 
ilar i)i-o(iiirtio-i to 'Bird o£ Paradise' 
(liiiini; the summer. 



s 



VARIETY 



P I C T 



ES 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



10^ Carton Aihiissidii Giyeaways at 
Old Roxy and Fox Bidyn This Week 



That Roxy' name Is due for 
plenty air stuff whether on behalf 
of Radio City or the old Roxy the- 
atre on 7th avenue, as the latter 
citadel has made a hookup with a 
CBS advertiser, the Jo Cur Waveset 
people to shift the name of Its broad- 
cast hour from the Air Theatre of 
the Stars to the Roxy Theatre of the 
Air. That way the old Roxy gets 
ofBcial broadcasting status. 

The old Roxy hour through Jo Cur 
h^ads in over a national CBS hook 
up every Sunday from 2:30 to - 3 
p. m., an hour after the Roxy-Radio 
City broadcast goes over the NBC 
chain the same day. 

It's a new tie-up for the old Roxy 
and with it the management ha;s 
connected a giveaway stunt for the 
current week. Buyers of the full 
sized carton of Jq Cur Waveset can 
see the old Roxy show free, .the car-, 
ton being the admission fee. In re- 
turn Jo Cur kicks back to the old 
Roxy management 10c on each car- 
ton admission. 

Additionally. Harry Rose and 
Jimmy Lyons, perforihiers for Jo Cur 
on the CBS broadcast aire making a 
personal appearance oti the old Roxy 
stage. 

This Is.theiold Roxy's second 
giveaway tie>up: ' None was bad last 
week. The two previous weeks tbe 
theatre used "Kolynos with a air 
hookin over CBS. 

Additionally, for the current week, 
the old Roxy management gets dally 
ai.* plugs at midnight over Station 
WMCA through %he Hollywood 
restaurant broadcast where Harry 
Rose is doubling over from tl^e 
Roxy. 

Giveaways No Panic Here 

After a week's layoff, the Kolynos 
carton givea^i^ay . Idea has moved 
over to the Fox Brooklyn with Just 
Plain Bill, from Radio, doing a. per- 
sonal appearance on that stage, as 
it was done by him at the old Roxy 
for two successive weeks previous. 
Usual basis whereby the toothpaste 
people kick back to the theatre 10 
. 4:ents for each carton admission. In 
connection with the ^lan Itolynos 
broadcasts the theatre tie-up over 
WABC on the toothpaste company's 
daily air hour. 

Giveaway Isn't so strong at the 
Fox, Brooklyn^ as it was at the old 
Roxy.. First week. when it wais tried 
at the 7th avenue place, somiething 
like 74,000 air listeners took advan 
tage of the offer. Number dwindled 
the second week. There's no edtl 
mate of how the tierup will work at 
the Fox, Brooklyn, but it may aver 
age around 1,000 daily. 



Readin' Reading 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Assistant to a major pro- 
ducer was engaging a reader 
for the story department. 

'What have you been read- 
ing?' he asked the girl. 

'Lately, I've been reading 
George Eliot; she replied. 

'Tou mean Dr. Elliott's Five 
Foot Shelf, don't you?' he 
questioned. 



33% SAURY COT FOR 
RKO MIDWEST GROUP 



Chicago, Feb 20. 
Following Nate Blumberg*s return 
to Chicago as i>epresentative of the 
Irving Trust Company o^n top -of his 
title as division director for RKO, 
a general pay slash of 33% -went 
into effect for hla group oC 12 the^ 
atres. A number of clerical em- 
ployees were dtsinlssMJn Chicago. 

R^CO'^s prteent exteiislv^ oKlces on 
the , fifth floor of the State-Lake 
building' will' be" vacated March 1 
when the remaining, employees will 
be moved back to the quarters oc- 
cupied in previous years by the 
then Iteith Western (Tink Hum- 
phries) office. \ A ihonthly slash in 
rent will be effected. 

Practically all the managers of 
individual 'houses in Blumberg's di- 
vision came into Chicago during the 
week and were instructed that they 
were on their own. In Springfield, 
111., BKO withdrew from the Or- 
; >heuin in favor of Its partner, Puti- 
liz-t>reat States, which will operate 
aloiie. 



2D RUNS AT SSc TOP 
FOR LOEW'S ZIEGFELD 



The Ziegfeld, first renamed the 
Warwick by Loew's will probably 
open with 'Kit* from Spain' about 
March 15. Picture Is to be available 
to Loew's around that date and will 
day-and-date all over Greater New 
Tork for the circuit. 

Scale will probably be SSc top, as 
at Loew's Lexington for 2d runs 
following State. Policy as a 'class' 
nabe, catering to better classes, 
will be modeled after Lex and the 
72nd Street. At latter scale has 
been brought down to a 40c top. 

Radio City Music Hall, fpur 
blocks down on the same 6th ave 
nue, Is playing first runs at 7Sc top 



CTapitol, New York, which for first 
time in memory has recently been 
forced to go outside for pictures due 
to shortage of own, has nothing set 
beyond March 3, when 'Clear All 
Wires' (Metro) Is dated. 
Ahead of that (24) house plays 
Warner item, liadies They Talk 
About.' 

For week of Feb. 10, 'Today We 
Live' <Metro) ihay be the attraction, 
but it is not set. 

Right along in the past,' even 
through depression and' film short- 
age. Cap schedule has usually been 
made up of six weeks in advance or 
further, with many Metro pi(itures 
having had to wait to get in. 



Outside Financing for 
Morosco's One at Radio 

Hollywood, Feb. 20, 
In building up Its unit production 
system. Radio is negotiating with 
Harry Sherman, as an independent 
on the lot, following an agreement 
last week, with Oliver Morosco, 
Former owns the picture rights to 
•Ann Boyd,' a Will N. Harben story 
which Merlan C. Cooper is Interest 
ed in as screen material. 

Morosco is financed outside 
Radio, with a spilt arrangement on 
distribution, He will produce 
'Waffles,' starting in two weeks. 



CAPITOL RUNNING SHORT 

Looks Like More Outside Pictures 
Gomg In — Chahfle in Conditions 



METRO HITS PEAK 

NIn« Films in Work this Week^ 
Season's Tail>End Hustle 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Metro hits a production peak this 
week with nine features in work 
and two more to go in next week. 
Program shortage of several fea- 
tures is reason for season's tail- 
end activity. 

Pictures in production are 'Ga- 
briel Over the Whitehouse,' Walter 
Huston starred and Gregory La 
Cava directing; 'Service,' Lionel 
Barrymore starred and Clarence 
Brown directing; 'Reunion In Vi- 
enna,' Sidney Franklin directing 
with John Barrymore and Diana 
Wynward starred; 'Peg . C My 
Heart,' the Marlon Davie's feature, 
Robert Leonard directing; 'Man On 
the Nile,' Ramon Nayarro starred, 
Sam Woods directing; ' 'Maid'e' On 
Broadway,' Harry Beaumont direct- 
ing, Robert Montgobery starred; 
'Today We Live,' Howard Hawkes 
directing,. Joan Crawford and Gary 
Cooper co-starred, and 'White Sis- 
ter,' Victor Fleming directing, 
Helen Hayes starred. 
, Pair starting next week are !Sp- 
viet.' the long in preparation. Wal- 
lace, iteery picture, which- Frap^ 
Capra will direct, and 'The Late 
Christopher ..Bean.' 



Writing Delays Tih 
Ballet on 'Soviet' 
Possible $750,000 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

'Soviet,' due to go into produc- 
tion at Metro within the next two 
weeks, will set the studio back 
close to $760,000 before it is shipped. 
Story has been in the writing proc- 
ess for the past year with around 
12 scribes working on the various 
treatments. 

Originally, George Hill was 
scheduled to direct but later was 
replaced by Frank dapra, borrowed 
from Columbia 14 weeks ago. Orig- 
inal screen story was written by 
John Monk. Saunders. - Latest to go 
on the story was Howard Emmett 
Rogers and Jules Furthman, with 
the latter still on the yam. 

Report around the lot is that the 
story still needs considerable 
cleansing of Soviet propaganda and 
will possibly have another rewrite 
before camera work starts. 



Spitz in Johns Hopkins 



Leo Spitz, of Publix, Is reported 
to have gone to Johns Hopkins 
Hospital, Baltimore, for observa- 
tion. 

Spitz is the Chicago attorney, 
looking after the Publix Theatre 
end In New Tork. 



Millstone Subsids, Few Leasehold 
Problems May Bring F-WC Receiver 



Hollywood 



Briefly rewritten extracts froni fViirletyV Hollywood Bulletin, printed 
each Friday iti Hollywood, and added to the regular weekly 'Varletydl 

The Bulletin does not ciroulate other thancOn the Pacific 8lopo. 

News from the Dailies in Los Angeles will be found in that cuttomaqC' 
department. 



Lese Majesty 



Ely Culbertson's sole com- 
ment on Mxirray Roth's walk- 
out on the Radio bridge shorts 

was: 

'The only trouble between 
Roth and me is that we dis- 
agree about the Culbertson 
system.' 

From 'Tariety^s* 
HoUvtoood 'Buljetin. 



NO OBJECTIONS MADE, 
RKO RECEIVER All SET 



Not a dissenting voice' Friday 
(17) when Federal Judge William 
Bondy asked for any objection to 
the Irving Trust as permanent re- 
ceiver Qf RKO.^ Not TOai^y . were 
thero. . Thfi . igroiup . vraa- jfeprei<^i^tfa,r 
tlve mdstiy of lawyisrs' aiid reporters 
with a sprinkling dfjcompah^y'-jexecB. 

it was a quick Jobi liidlca^tlhg: the 
RKO receivership thing is pretty 
well organized, with a report., al- 
ready handed Ini hardly itbree "weeks 
after the Arm went into receiver- 
ship. That's credit to the RKO ex- 
ecs, especially the. real .estate di- 
vision where most of the grief lies, 
under the direction of liouia Cohen, 
besides the receivers' . agents them- 
selves, McCausland and Christian- 
sen. ■ 



AL GREY BANKRUPT 



Owes 



$79,000 With No Aaseta 
D. W.'e Brother 



Albert Griffith Grey, brother of 
D. W. Griffith and gen. mgr. of D. 
W. Griffith Productions, filed a per- 
sonal petition in bankruptcy with 
the U. S. Court in New York, givr 
ing his liabillUes as $7.9,284. In his 
schedule Grey declared there ei,Te no 
assets other than stock he held in 
film companies and realty subject 
to mortgages and liens. 

Grey listed as his principal 
creditors Crosby Galge, Edgar Sel- 
wyn and Arch Sclwyn, $6,00.0; Fox 
Publishing Co., $7,312; North River 
Savings Bank. $21,000; Northeast- 
ern Real Estate Securities Corp., 
$6,600; Edward WItmer, $6,600, and 
J. A. Manning, $9,088. 



Xnisoe' As Is 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Universal is to make 'Robinson 
Crusoe' to fbllow the Defoe story 
and i^ot to include mocternlzation. 

To be aimed purely at the Ju- 
venile trade. Ted Flthian is . mak- 
ing the adaptation. 



Walker on World Tour 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

H. M. WaBcer, former Roach edi- 
torial supervisor, leaves here Feb. 
27 for a six months' trip around the 
^orld. 

He will ba Ac/<.ompanied by Mrs. 



Inability of Fox West Coast to 
unload several of its 100 odd sub- 
side, and to rid itself of several 
Paramount houses In Northern Cali- 
fornia, may lead F-WC into re- 
ceivership. This matter has been 
discussed. In the event that it 
should happen, the Skouras opera- 
tion isn't likely to be affected. The 
receivership, if it comes, will be 
friendly. 

Such a receivership will have no 
effect on Pox film. 

Financial and legal representa- 
tives of Fox are working on the 
matter both in the East and on the 
Coast. This was among the sub- 
jects discussed In New Tork on 
Charles Skouras' recent visit. 

The Paramount spots concerned 
Include Oakland and two of the 
three Frisco houses, the Paramount, 
California and the St. Francis. 

With Paciflc Northwest divorced 
through bankruptcy, and Midwesco 
and the Midland houses turned over 
to former owners, the remainder of 
F-WC, namely In California and 
Arizona, is In stable condition. The 
only exceptions are the Paramount 
lemons which F-WC has on its 
hands. 

Rent reductions would help ma- 
terially. The general feeling, how- 
ever, is that with the Par deadwopd 
eliminated, the balance of F-WC 
can weather the storm and pull out. 



GriswoM Let Oot by Par 



Glenn Grlswold, brought Into Par- 
amount by John Hertz, dropped out 
last week. He had been handling 
financial publicity for Paramount 
Publix but had no contract. 

Grlswold nwltcbed to Par when 
passed up by FCx as that com- 
pany's director of public relations. 
He was brought into Fox by Harley 
Clarke and without previous show 
experience. 



EXTRAS PROTEST W6 
HIRINC SCHOOl BOYS 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Employment bt high school boys 
at $18 a week as atmosphere in the 
reform school sequence of 'Mayor of 
Hell,' has been protested by recog- 
nized extras, who claim they have 
been deprived of work rightfully 
theirs. 

Several hundred youngsters will 
be used In the James Cagney pic- 
ture. 

In reply to the protests, Warners 
asserts It has been unable to get 
the proper types and ages from th$ 
extra ranks. 



PAB BUYS TWO BT 6BET 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Paramount has bought talker 
rights to two more Zane Grey 
stories, 'Sunset Pass' and 'Stairs of 
Sand.* 

They are for the studio's western 
series, and will have' either Ran- 
dolph Scottt or Kent Taylor in the 
leads. ' 



New Commercial Film Co, 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Commercial film compi^ny has 
been formed here. Morris Epstein 
heads the enterprise to be known 
as Progress Film Co. 

J. Manley Phelps, John A. Ma- 
loney, Ira Reieves, Mary Hutton, and 
Catherine Denny are named as 'film 
counselors.' 



Stuart Palmer will write an migm 
inal titled 'Bluebeard' for UniTersal* 
Robert Donaldson is doing the sain0 
for the title, 'Man Who Cheated 
Death.' 



Contract of Muriel Klrkland, no^ 
optioned two weeks ago, has been 
extended by Metro and she goes 
Into 'The Late Christopher Bean.*' 
Jtihn Lynch, writer, also dropped*. 
Is back doing an original. 



Completing work on 'Supernat* 
ural' at Paramount, Garnett Wes« 
ton, writer, is off the payroll. 



Leslie Pea^ce, whose term con* 
tract at Sennett ran out. Is back' 
to direct on a picture-to-plcture 
basis. 



John Huston has left Metro for 
UriiviBrsal, where he is Writing an 
origin);!.!. 

Stuart Erwin's influenza has 
halted Psiramount's 'Under thq 
Tonto' Rln^' until the actor recovers* 
Erwin's illness will keep him out ot 
International i House,' which starts 
today. (Mon). 



Frank .Coaroy, in 'Criminal at 
Large' In New York, will leave im-i 
iriedlately after . show's closing for 
Hqllywood to work lb retakes of 
Metro's 'Possessed.' 



Metro's 'Today We Live' is being 
held up several days until studio 
can obtain permission from the War 
Department for use of a Martin 
bomber. 



Claude Binyon and Frank Butle^ 
will write the next Mae West pic^ 
ture at Paramount. 



Harvey Thew has left Paramount) 
for the Universal writing staff. 

Not looking enough like Carols 
Lombard's twin brother In the plci 
ture, Kent Taylor is out of Para«i 
mount's 'Supernatural.' Lyman Wil^ 
liams replaced. 

William Crouch, trade paper ro'^ 
porter and p.a, is having two reelai 
ot silent footage made of the col-* 
Guy's celebs and will roadshow it In 
theatres plus his own lecture 
'Celebrities I Have Known.' 



L. A. to N. Y. 

Carl Laemmle, Sr. 
Jack Ross. 
Sigmund Woos. 
William Pine. 
Merill White. 
Ned Depinet. 
Ambrose Dowling. 
Ben Markson. 
Robert Florey. 
Katharine Hepburn. 
Anita Louise. 



N. Y. to L. A. 

Max Magnus. 
Gloria Swanson. 
Michael Farmer. 
Jeane Cohen. 



Barney Hutchinson, Paramount 
press agent, came out second best 
in an auto accident, losing three 
teeth and suffering a ibadly cut lip. 

More Polo 

Giving ' more Warner Bros. peo« 
pie a chance to play polo, the Loa 
Indies club has organized two new; 
second teams. Sub players are Ml-: 
chael Curtiz, Ray Enright, Lloyd 
Bacon, Robert Presnell, Henry, 
Blanke, Jack Warner, Jr., and^ec^ 
tor Dodds. 



United Artists considering the 
Ben Hecht-Rowland Brown-Gene 
Fowler trio for a contract to pro- 
duce four pictures yearly. Colum^i 
bla had the same deal on the Are 
for several days. Hecht and Fowler 
would write the stories and Brown 
direct. 



Back at Paramount, Max Marcin 
with Seton I. Miller will script 
'Gambling Ship' with Ge9rge Raft. 
Louis Gaanler will direct. 



Continuing to loan out its players 
during the shutdown, Universal has 
placed Gloria Stuart with Para- 
mount for 'Police Surgeon' and Paul 
Lukas at Warners for 'Fellow 
Prisoners.' 



Secondary option on Phyllis 
Barry has been taken by Radio so 
that if Metro, does not exercise its 
option, she will go to Radio. Lat- 
ter studio wants her for 'Delcassd' 
and the Wheeler and Woolsey pi<J« 
ture. 



"Waffles' will be produced by 
Oliver Morosco under his independ- 
ent unit agreement at Radio. Harry 
Sherman is also negotiating for a 
tleup thsre. 



Alleging that her ex-husband, 
Charles VIdor, has not met his 
weekly payments under a pre- 
dlvorce agreement for 19 weeks, 
Frances Vidor is suing him for $476. 



Samuel HofCenstein Js doctoring 
the 'script of 'Song of Songs,' nest 
Marlene Dietrich pic for Par. 



'The Vortex' Is being considered 
by Paramount as a picture for Jane 
Cowl. 



Can't Brrow Harding 

Unable to borrow Ann Harding 
from Radio for 'When Ladles Meet,' 
Metro has temporarily shelved the 

(Continued on page 32) 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



PICTQ RES 



VARIETY 



Stock Market Drifts Down Further, 
Ignoring House Victory of Repeal; 
Amusements Ignored; Hold at Lows 



By Al GreaBon 

The stock market slid further to 
a new bottom on the reaction yes- 
terday (Mon.), Ignorlner all btillish 
deveilopments. which Included vic- 
tory for the repeal resolution In the 
House by an unexpectedly large 
margin. 

The amusement shares were 
mostly Ignored and continued to 
drag along on the bottom, wjth 
transactions on a minimum scale 
and price changes narrow. Only 
significant change in the lineup was 
a pair of trades in Loew preferred 
at 48. 

The Michigan bank holiday ends 
With the close of business today 
(Tues.) and apparently the uncer- 
tainty in this direction outweighed 
favorable developments in Wash- 
ington. 

To this fp.ctor was added distinct 
-weakness in Government bonds, 
-which carried last week's reaction 
further, weakness being communi- 
cated to other parts of the bond de- 
partment. The amusement liens 
were extremely Inactive and price 
changes were without signlflcance 
except in the particular that the 
theatre obligations appeared able 
to resist the general downward drift 
around them. 

Bonds Hold Steady 

A good measure of support for 
the amusement bonds last week was 
the most cheerful Incident in a 
gloomy picture generally. The the- 
atre liens, despite a none too happy 
situation in the industry, main- 
tained a price course relatively bet- 
ter than most other bond groups 
when selling pressure came Into the 
list and disturbed values all 
around. 

The active obligations lost only 
fractionally ' in most cases, com- 
pared to sharp breaks in even high 
grade Issues and a decline in the 
bond averages running as high as 
3 points in the case of the utilities. 
(Continued on page 27) 



New Yorkers Foreclosing 
On Fox N. E. Houses 



Boston, Feb. 20. 

New York Trust and Boyd G. 
Curtis, of New Tork city, as trus- 
tees, filed suit (16) in Federal 
court here looking to a foreclosure 
on mortgage they say they have on 
Fox New England Theatres, Inc., 
now in receivership. Plaintiff claims 
defendants failed to meet interest 
due Feb. 1, amounting to $346,372, 
and. have permitted taxes to remain 
unpaid totaling $75,000. Say mort- 
gage Is dated Aug. 1, 1928, and was 
to cover bond issue of $14,600,000, 
of which $13,852,600 still is. out- 
standing. Further state that de- 
fendants have theatres in Worces- 
ter, Springfield, New Haven and 
Hartford. 

Briefs, etc., submitted in two 
volumes, for a total of about 660 
pages. 

Counsel states similar suit will 
be filed in Connecticut federal dis- 
trict. 



Conn. Foreclosure 

Hartford, Feb. 20. 

Judge E. S. Thomas in the U. S. 
District court has granted the N. T. 
Trust Co. and Boyd G. Curtis of 
New Tork, as trustees for the bond- 
holders of the Fox Theatre Corp. of 
N. Y., the right to foreclose on prop- 
erties of the Fox New England the- 
atres in Connecticut. 

A bill of complaint stated that the 
Fox N. Y. interests have failed to 
pay heavy interest charges and one 
more than $4,000,000 on the prlneljml 
amount. This is In step with a sim- 
ilar suit In Massachusetts to fore- 
close on a debt of $13,000,000 due on 
first mortgages in that state. 

Defendant co. has properties in 
Springfield, Worcester, Hartford, 
New Haven, Bridgeport and other 
.cities. These are now held by Thos. 
J. Spellacy, of Hartford, Samuel 
Spring, of New Rochelle, N. T. and 
•BenJ. Slade, of New Haven, as re- 
ceivers. 



Depinet East With 'Kong' 

Hollywood, 'Feb. 20. 
Taking with him a print of 'King 
Kong,' Ned Depinet, Radio's distri- 
bution V, p. left for New York Feb. 
16. 

Ambrose Dowling, European spec- 
ial sales rep, went with him. 



Yesterday's Prices 



Net 

^les. Hlgh.L^w.Lnst.cbRe. 

100 Col. Plot.. 0 9 9 — ^ 

800 Con. P. I. 3% SVi 3% + % 

000 Do pf... 9'A m 0%—% 

1.700 East. K... C4 52% 62%— i% 

000 Fox 114 VAi 1% 

1,400 Loew's ... 14% 14% UM 

200 Do pf.... 48 48 48 — % 

800 M-G-M pf. 14% 14 14 — % 

1,000 Par-P .... % % % 

200 Pathe .... % % % 

BOO Do A 2% 2 2 + H 

18,500 RCA. 4 3% 3% — % 

800 RKO 1% 1% 1% - % 

800 W. B 114 1% 114 + H 

Bonds 

|2,000 Gen. Thra. 2 2 2 + % 

e.000 Loew's . . . ee effn 06 

17.000 Par-P ... 1014 10 10—14 

2,000 Pathe 64H 54V& 6414 +1% 

4,000 W. B 1014 16 16 —1 

Curb 

200 Technl ... 2% 2% 2% — H 



Cost $300,000 or More 
To Distribute RCA Stock 

Wilmington, Del., Feb. 20. 

Distribution of the RCA common 
stook started today In accordance 
with the consent - decree which 
ended the government's anti-mo- 
nopoly action. 

Stock issued Is valued at $25,000,- 
000 and was mailed to 234^000 Gen- 
eral Electric and Westinghotise 
owners. 

Mailing and revenue stamps on 
the matter alone ran up to $300,000. 



PAR MAY SELL SOME PK 
AWAY FROM B'WAY PAR 



Paramount may have a few pic- 
tures to sell this spring to Broad- 
way first runs other than the Para- 
mount, N. Y., as a result of excess 
product. 'Crime of the Century' be- 
came the first Par feature in '33 
that company has tried to peddle 
anywhere else. 

It was offered to the Capitol 
(lioew) and to RKO for Radio City 
after withdrawn from the schedule 
for the Broadway Paramount due 
to holdover of Mae West and 'She 
Done Him Wrong.' Picture had 
been dated for Feb. 24. 

In the sudden shifting of book- 
ings last week following decision to 
hold over Mae West, the Par, 
Brooklyn, took 'Crime* for Friday 
(17), which is likely to mean sacri- 
fice of feature for Par as major run 
on Broadway Is concerned. Neither 
R. C. nor Capitol Is expected to play 
'Crime' following Brooklyn, though 
RKO may take it for Mayfalr or 
Palace (New York) first run. l<oss 
to Par is In first run rental possi- 
bilities on B'way of Its own house. 

In March it is expected additional 
Pars will be available away from 
the square's Paramount house. This 
may be due to schedule of six Pars 
for national release during that 
month. 

Publlx's ended operation of the 
Rlalto, plus r.o need on part of RI- 
voli for product for. some time. Is 
likely to result In the 'selling away.' 



Early Picture Days Form 
"Memories of Hollywood' 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Historical film similar to J. Stuart 
Blaekton's 'Parade of Motion Pic- 
tures' is being assembled by George 
Merrick that will revive glimpses 
of early players. Picture will be 
titled 'Memories of Hollywood 
Stars.' 

Unlike the comic shorts made 
from old clips, the Merrick film will 
be In a serious vein. Most of it Is 
being made from pictures produced 
by Tom Ince around 1918. 

Gardner Bradford, former scenario 
writer and now a contributor to the 
Los Angeles 'Times' magazine. Is 
writing the tie- In titles and dialog. 
Work is being done on the Republic 
lot. 



Ziedman Cutter Slated 
By Ranee to Meg Indie 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Louis Ranee, production manager 
for Bennie ZSeidman on 'Trailing the 
Killer,' is forming a company to 
make a feature titled 'Hollywood 
Masquerade.' Richard J. Pearl, 
with Republic studio where film is 
to be made, is with Ranee. 

Picture, which has no release. Is to 
cost around $25,000, with Ranee put- 
ting up the $12,000 necessary to get 
production started. Charles Hunt, 
cutter for Zeldman, will direct. 
Zeldman has no Interest In the com- 
pany. 



Garrett and Thew Move 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
O H. P. Garrett started work at 
Metro today on a loan from Para- 
mount. 

Harvey Thew, who completed 
'Supernatural' at Paramount, is off 
its lot. 



Showman Guide 
Forced on Bank 
As P. L Receiver 



S. A. Lynch has been named 
chairman of a creditors' meeting of 
Publix Winter prises, together with 
two attorneys, Harold Blrnbaum, of 
New York, and David Stoneman, of 
Boston. The creditors' committee 
was formed Monday (20) following 
opposition to the Appointment of 
the Irving Trust as trustee In bank 
ruptcy for P.E., which opposition 
was led by Lynch. 

Following a conference of the 
parties concerned, this opposition 
was removed, but on certain con 
ditions, and Irving Trust was 
elected trustee of the bankrupt the 
atre firm. 

Lynch was represented by coun 
sel, A. C. Reldell, at the hearing 
which was held before Referee 
Henry K. Davis. 

It was the contention of the 
Lynch adherents that, owing to the 
nature of the film biz, Irving Trust's 
qualifications to act as trustee for a 
film concern was debatable and that 
only experts trained in show bust 
ness knew how and what to do. 

The agreement of the parties fol- 
lowed the Irving Trust's consent to 
the appointment of an expert to 
guide it and the bank's acquiescence 
that such an expert may be outside 
the Paramount or Publix fold. Ad- 
ditionally Irving Trust agreed to 
submit such appointments to the 
creditors' committee, allowing this 
committee to have a voice on such 
matters. 

Also it was agreed that the Irving 
Trust in accepting the election as 
Trustee in Bankruptcy for Publix 
Enterprises would consult with the 
creditors' committee from time to 
time on policies and other matters 
such as the sale of assets and the 
disafllrmance of leases. 

Lynch Is a creditor of Publix En- 
terprises to the extent of around 
$500,000, according to accounts. He 
is a pioneer of the film biz and 
formerly headed Southern Enter- 
prise from which was bom the pres- 
ent Publix Enterprises. 

A meeting of the creditors' com- 
mittee is slated tentatively for Fri- 
day. There is to be a general 
creditors' hearing on March 7, at 
2 p.m. before Referee Henry Davis. 

David Stoneman is a creditor for 
$45,000, while Harold Blrnbaum 
represents claims of around $460,000. 



Morale Held Up for Michigan Houses \ 
During Bank Crisis by Decisive 
Attitude of Distributors in N.Y.C. 



Sweet's Personal Shorts 

Hollywood, Feb, 20. 
Harry Sweet given new contract 
by Radio Pictures to make three 
shorts. He will write, direct and 
act in them with Ed Kennedy play- 
ing lead opposite. 



A Pickford Bust 



Curious series of circum- 
stances broke up a proposed 
party Mary Pickford was tak- 
ing to Europe. First Donald 
Ogden Stewart had a nervous 
breakdown and went to Palm 
Spring, Cal., with the missus 
to recuperate. Joel McCrea, 
Gary Cooper and Elsa Maxwell 
were given last minute picture 
assignments and couldn't leave 
the coast. 

Then the Countess di Fraso 
got a wire on the train east 
that her father had suffered a 
heart attack, so she got oft at 
Kansas City and fiew back to 
Beverly Hills. 

No one was left for the party 
so Miss Pickford made a last 
minute addition of Mildred 
Zukor-Loew and the two went 
together. 



RKO STARTS 1933 WITH 
CONTINUED LOSSES 



Aggregate losses sustained from 
operation by RKO for the first five 
weeks in 1933 ending Feb. 4, are 
placed at $676,386. Of this amount, 
$166,385 is chargeable against the 
theatre end. 

For the year ending Dec. 31, 1932, 
the company's aggregate losses 
reached $7,744, 839. Around $3,669,- 
604 of this total is laid to the the- 
atre end. A share of the latter 
figure is stated to be losses sus- 
tained in the operation of Orpheum 
circuit. 

Company has around $26,802 In 
cash in banks. This is slightly un- 
der the $32,056.62 which RKO had 
when going into receivership. 

In the report, filed by the Irving 
Trust as receiver, RKO is stated to 
have provided for contingencies, 
abandonment of necessary proper- 
ties and rehabilitation of theatres 
and revaluation of capital assets by 
creating reserves amounting to $26,- 
744,242.38. 

All. the figures are 'unaudited.' 



Jolson Film Off Today 
At Riroli, $16,600 Ist Wk. 



Grossing but $16,600 on its first 
week at the RIvoll, New York, the 
Al Jolson picture, 'Hallelujah, I'm 
A Bum,' goes out tonight CTues- 
day), after two weeks. 

'Perfect Understanding,' the Gloria 
Swanson picture from England goes 
In tomorrow (22). 



Dembow's 0. 0. 



Sam Dembow, Jr., left yesterday 
(Monday) on a tour of various the- 
atre territories. 

It may be a rather extensive 
swing to look over situation gener- 
ally and to confer with receivers of 
various subsidiaries in the field. 



Inviolate Publix Contracts 



Leases to U of Rochester and Agreement 
with Spitz Receiver-Proof 



One key In which Publix theatre 
leases are said to be inviolate la 
Rochester, N. Y. 

Two houses operated in that up- 
state New York spot by the chain 
have their leases guaranteed by 
Paramount Publix and Adolph Zu- 
kor. This, from inside, was de- 
manded by tl-e University of Roch- 
ester at the time the leases were 
drawn. 

No receivership applies over any 
part of the New York state terri- 
tory of the Publix interests. 

The contract held by Leo Spitz, 
h. o. executive, is also said to be 



Irrevocable. Reports are that it is 
guaranteed not only by Paramount 
Publix but by most of the subsid- 
iaries of the parent company. It is 
said to call for $100,000 a year for 
a two-year torm. As legal advisor 
Spitz is an Important factor In 
Publix on receiverships, rent ad- 
justments, et?. He was brought Into 
New York last spring from Chicago 
to attempt wholesale rent reduc- 
tions and moratoriums among 
PubUx landlords. Prior to the re- 
ceivership he had made deals of one 
kind or another In nearly 50% of 
the Publix houses which had tho 
effect of reducing overhead. • 



In times of emergency, such as In 
Michigan, over which the box office 
as a whole has no control, only the 
exhibitor must decide whether or 
not he will keep open his theatre. 

This mandate was reached by a 
general meeting of distributors at 
the Hays ofllce who Went on record 
that under such unforeseen and un- 
manageable circumstances, formal 
relations of the Industry shall be 
suspended and no theatre will be 
allowed to darken its marquee 
through lack of co-operation from 
major exchanges in the afflicted 
area. 

The formula adopted by distribu- 
tors with exhibitors under such con- 
eitlons contains, among others, these 
highlight points. 

(1) Distributors will ride along 
with all exhibitors with whom they 
have percentage contracts. Ther* 
will be no switch from percentage to 
flat rental. Distrib vcU\ take his 
medicine with the exhib. 

(2) In dealing with exhibitors on 
a contract specifying flat rental dis- 
tribs, where cases merit it, will sus- 
pend demand of payment three days 
in advance. 

(3) Where exhibs on flat renta 
take in less than their overhead dur» 
ing the period of emergency thera 
wilt be individual investigations and, 
also, where cases warrant it, as 
proven by the b.o. figures, readjust* 
ments will be made. 

. (4) Every effort, including many 
other respects, will be made to keep 
the house of the worthy, exhib 
lighted. 'Worthy' is used in con- 
nection with exhibs whose credit is 
good and who are in proper stand- 
ing with exchanges at the time of 
trouble. 

(5) Exhibs who have long been 
known by distribs as 'chiselers' will 
have to make the best of the situa- 
tion that they can. 

No House Closed 

In Michigan not a single theatre 
was reported closed to the Hays 
olfice during the bank holiday crisis. 
Immediately following the gover- 
nor's announcement, attendances 
throughout the state was reported 
to have averaged an attendance 
drop of approximately 50%. The 
record night pf the closure this flgr 
ure was said to have declined to 
30%, and toward the end of the 
week, when the banks were letting 
up and automobile factories were 
paying theli* employees In cash, 
especially around Detroit, box office 
matters were reported still better. 

Of the 526 houses i.i Michigan, 
which represent 4%% of the In- 
dustry's gross theatres In the U. S. 
and Canada, not over 12 are classi- 
fied by distributor representatives 
as In the 'chiseling' class. 

Automatic Losses 

In Michigan distribs declare only 
10% of the state's theatres play 
pictures on an all -percentage policy. 
This means that rental adjustments, 
if as many claims are presented, 
will, have to be investigated and 
made with fully 400 theatres. There 
will probably be no adjustments on 
percentage arrangements because 
the distrib automatically loses with 
the exhib. 

Exhibitor organizations which 
seek to get the edge in such situa- 
tions, or to take advantage of them, 
will be the losers. Hays office 
flatly turned down demands of H. M, 
Ivlchey, head of the Detroit indie 
unit, that rentals immediately be 
cut in half. 

At their meeting sales heads 
named J. Flynn, Metro division 
manager, and E. C. Beatty, general 
manager of the Butterfleld circuit, 
as their representatives during the 
emergency period. Both men were 
Instructed by the Hayalan group 
that no theatre should be allowed 
to go dark becau.se of any difficulty 
in its dealings with major ex- 
changes. 

Hays Office, thoroughly covering 
the Michigan theatre situation, 
stated MonfL-ay afternoon (20) that 
no serious difficulties at the box- 
offiooH there have so far been. re- 
potted to It. At that time Haysites 
said not a single house had been 
forced to shut because of the bank 
sUuiition. 



VARIETY 



PICTURE CROSSES 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



Double Bills. Stage Names Help L A. 
Against Wann Weather; Arliss Film 
In Both WB Houses Good for $22 jOO 



Lob Angreles, Feb. 20. 

With the subsequent run houses 
cutting prices to the thin dime 
measurement, the Initial runners 
sort of found a stimulant In trade 
this week. Chinese, encouraged by 
pickup on the advertised last week, 
held over 'Cavalcade,' which on the 
Initial day of Its sixth week got 
close to $2,300. Mme. Schumann- 
Helnk, at the State, also proving 
good stage balance for 'Mme. 
Blanche.' Warm weather over the 
week-end threw business oft a little 
generally. 

RKO nas gone douole bill, with 
indications that trade can be jacked 
up. 'King's Vacation' at the War- 
ner Downtown and Hollywood 
proved excellent screen fodder for 
the shoppers, which should bring 
both houses into the five figure 
grosses on the week. 

Estimates for This Week 

Chinese (Fox) (2,028; B6-$1.6B)— 
'Cavalcade' (Fox) and stage show 
(6tfa, final week). Final week 
started off with a bang and should 
reach a good $16,000. Last week 
better than anticipated, $14,500. 

Downtown (WB) (1,800; 2B-70)— 
•King's Vacation' (WB) and vaude- 
ville. Arliss Is a natural In this 
house, and seems aa though the pic 
will get around $12,600. Last week 
'Mystery of the Wax Museum'. (WB) 
Just little better than $10,000. 

Hollywood (WB) (2,766; 26-65)— 
■King's Vacation' (WB). Better than 
previous attraction and looks like 
$10,000. Last we ek 'M ystery of the 
Wax Museum' (WB) no cheering 
necessary $7,300. 

Los Angeles (Wm. Fox) (2,800; 
16-25) — 'Self Defense' (Mono), and 
'Midnight Warning* (Mayfalr). 
Trade still strong at the bargain 
tariff, that makes an even $6,600 
possible. Last week 'Obey the Law* 
(Col), and 'Tangled Destinies' (May- 
fair) good at $6,400. 

Pantages (Fox) (2,700; 26-40)— 
'Face In the Sky' (Fox), and 'Goldle 
Gets Along* (RKO). Slough double 
bin attractions - seem no go here as 
$3,600 puts plenty of red on the 
books. Last week 'Vampire Bat' 
(MaJ) and 'DevU's Playground' 
(Prln) had no seductive trade- 
bringing powers, so just too bad 
$2,800. 

Paramount (Publix) (3,696; 26-66) 
—'Woman Accused' (Par). Off to 
better than regular clip and will hit 
around $7,000. Last week 'Crime 
of the Century* (Par) no fodder at 
ell, $6,600. 

RKO (2,960; 26-66)— "Lucky Dev 
lis' (RKO), and 'Follow the Leader* 
(Par). Tariff even too high for this 
calibre product on double bills so 
new Innovation not looked for to get 
over $4,000. Last week 'Child of 
Manhattan' (Col) though pleasing, 
pic had hard struggle to hit $4,000 

State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 25-40)— 
'Secret of Madame Blanche' (MG) 
and stage show. Mme. Schumann 
Heink is quite strong on draw end 
but business broke badly after good 
opening; will do $13,000, okay. Last 
week 'State Fair" (Fox) for second 
and holdover week of this one $16, 
000. great. 



South Not So Sniiny; B'ham 
Feels It, Xpt 'State Fair' 



Birmingham, Feb. 20. 
Anyone desiring to make a crack 
these days says something about 
this being the Sunny South. Rain, 
cold, clouds and sunshine mixed up 
together result in alck box office re- 
ports. 

However, 'State Fair' will gross 
nicely as the town's best bet. 

Estimates for This Week 
Alabama (WllbyJ (2,800; 25-40) 
•State Fair" (Fox). Off right smart 
despite weather, $8,000. Last week 
'Sign of Cross (Par) looped a neat 
$10,000. 

Ritz (RKO) (1,600; 25-40) 'Nag- 
ana' (U). Weak sister not suited 
for a deluxe house. RKO's short 
musical comedy 'So This is Harris* 
got good play, fair ?3,000. Last week 
'No Other Woman' (RKO) and 
'Laughter in Hell' (U) about same. 

Strand (Wilby) (800; 25) 'What! 
No Beer' (MG). Clicking off a nice 
$2,000. Last week 'Luxury Liner' 
(Par) not much, $1,500. 

Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 25) 'One 
Way Passage (WB). Another prison 
picture, around $1,800. Last week 
'Three on a Match' (FN) ditto. 

Galax (Wilby) (600; 15-20) 'Jungle 
Bride (Mono) and 'Heart Punch' 
(Ifayfalr) split. Mild $900. Last 
week 'Mysterious Rider* (Par) with 
Oall Patrick, local 'Panther Woman' 
cfontest gal, held over for full week, 
irlth eood exploitation got $1,300. 



Auto Show in Columbus 
Booming All Downtown 

Columbus, Feb. 20. 
All houses' in town in a merry bat- 
tle this week, with attractions at all 
points far above the average and 
publicity and advertising both bit- 
ting the highest notches. Annual 
Auto Show now under way, bring- 
ing plenty of folks downtown and 
a help to the major theatres. 

Weather normal again and all 
looks better. No records expected, 
and it's a toss-up who will come out 
on top. 

'Sign of Cross' at Palace last week 
did plenty hot, despite fact that It 
previously played two weeks here at 
roadshow prices. Film Is now at the 
Majestic for its third downtown run. 

Hartmah's odd vaude and shorts 
policy (no full-length, feature film) 
on a grind stopped abruptly this 
(Monday) morning. Its gross last 
week was under $2,000. 

Estimates for This Week 
Palace (RKO) (3,074; 26-40)— 
'Half Naked Truth* (RKO). Looks 
good for $7,600. Last week 'Sign 
of Cross' (Par) okay at $8,100. 

Ohio (Loew-UA) (3,000; 26-40)-^ 
•Madame Blanche' (MG). Bxpecta- 
ttons way over actual here, but just 
fair $7,000 In sight. Last week 'I'm 
a Bum' just cleared the $8,500 
hurdle. 

Broad (Loew-UA) (2,600; 25-40)— 
•Tonight Is Ours' (Par). Looks 
strong enough to gather in nice $8,- 
000. Last week 'Face in the Sky' 
(Fox) dove toward close and took 
light $5,800. 

Grand (Neth) (1,100; 26-40)— 
•King's Vacation* (WB). Packed 
openings and should continue 
strong enough to hit mighty nice 
$6,000. 

Majestic (RKO) (1,100; 20-35)— 
Sign of the Cross' (Par). Here 

after week at the Palace, and should 

get good enough $2,800. Last week 
They Just Had to Get Married' (U) 

kept strong all week and hit merry 

$3,500. 



Z;?^eS'*:S^iMpk Coming Out of Sob-Zero doom; 



PTSBG'S. THAWING OUT 
AND SO ARE THE B. 0.'S 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 20, 

Let-up in sub-zero weather and a 
deluge of b. o. attractions giving 
town a better outlook this week, 
with every indication of main stem 
pulling out of the rut temporarily 
before the advent of Lent. 

Hitting high is 'Sign of the Cross' 
at Warner at popular prices just 
three weeks after picture's $1.66 en 
gagement at Ntxon, Big opening, 
best since 'Bring 'Em Back Alive,' 
and In for seven days, which should 
account for an all right $8,000. 
That's money here. "King's Vaca- 
tion* should have no trouble gather- 
ing $11,500 at Stanley, where Dick 
Powell, long a Pittsburgh fav, who 
is getting equal billing with Arliss, 
should help bring 'em in. 

'What! No Beer?' despite some 
first-rate exploitation,' and Keaton 
and Durante not being exactly b. o 
anathema themselves. Is only so-so. 
'Death Kiss' at the Fulton stays 
only five days, due to early opening 
of 'Big Drive.' Brief session should 
gross around $3,200 for mystery 
meller, with 'No Other Woman' 
and 'Dangerously Tours' at Davis 
heading for all right $3,700. 

Variety, with 'Red-Haired Alibi* 
and vaude, around $4,200, but that's 
slightly profitable, due to reduced 
film rental this new site Is getting, 
At Nixon, 'Cavalcade* wound up two 
week's engagement with around 
$G,000 in second session, giving the 
Fox special about $16,000 for the 
fortnight. 'Rasputin' opens there 
today (20) for one week only at 
$1.66. 

Estimates for This Weel< 
Davis (WB) (1,700; 25-30-40)— "No 
Other Woman' (RKO) and 'Dan 
gerously Yours' (Fox). House 
switching to a Friday opening with 
current bill, which should improve 
week end takings generally; $3,700, 
not bad, in prospect. Last week 
'Laughter in Hell' (U) and 'Wild 
Girl' (Fox) around $3,450. 

Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,750; 15-26- 
40)— 'Death Kiss' (WW). Five days 
for this one to give 'Big Drive' a 
Washington's Birthday opening. 
Brief session looks like $3,000, all 
right, everything considered. iMit 



Seattle, Feb. 20. 
FWC back in the fold on Its own 
again with Paramount its lone spot. 
Frank Newman, Jr., continues as 
manager here, with Senior both the 
PNW operation manager and FWC. 
Latter's interest In the declining 
PNW circuit Is now just that of a 
creditor and a big one at that, too. 

PNW has closed its Interests and 
operation of Fox Spokane, that 
house also now going FWC. Terry 
McDaniel holds management for 
this Spokane house. 

Mount Baker in Belllngham, Rex 
In Bremerton, and Majestic In Tak- 
ima, closed, but leases not disaf- 
firmed by PNW. Houses being 
darkened in line with policy of re- 
ducing operations, so houses re- 
maining can hold to the black Ink. 
Trustee E. W. Scott keeping close 
watch on income and outgo. 

Paramount . is the town's big 
house, built by Rosenbaum interests, 
and leased to Paramount Publix, 
with Adolph Zukor in person on the 
lease so th at's a good lease; then 
PNW with FWC on the lease, took 
over operation on "b ooking agree- 
ment, and with FWC solvent that 
lease is oke, too. Rental caid to be 
$2,600 per we^k. Thus If the house 
can be operated at a loss not iii 
excess of this amount — ^wlth the 
chance that it will even wipe out all 
red any one week and show profit — 
the big ones figure it better policy 
to keep open, rather than dark. 
There is coin, then, for the film 
rentals, staff salaries, etc. 

Fifth Ave. stepping to Its best in 
a long while with major attraction 
for a change, 'Sign of the (Tross.' 
Admish tnted a little to four bits 
and tax from reg. 40c. price. 

Estimates for This Week 
Paramount (FWC) (3,106; 26-40) 
— 'She Done Him Wrong* (Par). 
Good going at $7,600. Last week 
•State Fair* (Fox) held for nice fig- 
ure, doing $8,400. 

Fifth Ave. (PNW) (2,300; 26-60) 
—'Sign of the Cross' (Par). With 
tremendous bally back of It, bring- 
ing out 'special arrangements with 
producers' to show In Seattle, at 
these -low prices, with plx running 
now at $1.60 in N.. T. and L. A. It 
helps bring 'em to b. o. for antiC' 
ipated $9,000. It started strong but 
sagged some, falling to attract the 
young bunch. Last week 'Son- 
Daughter* (MO) and 'Devil Is Driv- 
ing* (Par) double bill, quiet, around 
$6,000. 

Liberty (Jensen-von Herberg) (2,- 
000; 10-16-26) — 'Man Against Wom- 
an* (Col) in for entire week and 
$6,000 pace is excellent. Last week 
'Trailing the Killer* (WW), and 
'Strange Adventure* (Shef) went for 
dandy $4,700. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (1,000; 26- 
8 6) — 'Mystery of Wax Museum* 
(WB). Played up big, and going 
big for $4,000. Last week 'Kid From 
Spain' (UA) third week, okay at 
$3,500, bringing three weeks of this 
one In Seattle, to dandy erross of 
$16,600. 

Music Box (Hamrlck) (950; 26- 
36)— 'King's Vacation* (WB). Ar- 
liss gets the lights and Ink. Looks 
$6,000, big. Last week Ijadies They 
Talk About* (WB) dropped off. bad- 
ly for poor $2,600. 

Coliseum (PNW) (1,800; 16-25)— 
'Conquerors* (RKO) and 'Me and 
My Gal' (Fox). Double header. Fair 
for $3,400. Last week 'Call Her 
Savage' (Fox), and 'Sherlock 
Holmes' (Fox) nicely at $3,600. 



week 'Madame Butterfiy* (Par), a 
surprise click at $4,600, town's lead- 
er as far as comparative trade goes. 

Nixon (Eh-langer) (2,100; 65-83- 
$1.10-$1.65)— 'Rasputin' (MG). Opens 
this afternoon (20) for one week 
only, house going back to legit next 
Monday. Second week of 'Caval- 
cade' at $1.10 top fair at around 
$6,000, giving picture about $15,000 
for the fortnight, first week having 
been overestimated. 

Penn (Loew's-UA) (8,300; 26-36- 
50)— 'What! No Beer?' (MG). De- 
spite stunt exploitation, together 
with Keaton-Durante, only $8,500 in 
view, ho wow. Last week 'Tonight 
Is Ours' (Par), better at $11,500. 

Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-50)— 
'King's Vacation' (WB). Dick Pow- 
ell, long a local fav, getting equal 
billing with Arliss and should help 
the star along by bringing in plenty 
of cash on his own account. Maybe 
$11,600, best here in some weeks. 
Last week 'Mystery of the Wax Mu- 
seum' (WB) ordinary at $7,000. 

Variety (Jaffe) (2,100; 26-40)— 
'Red-Haired Alibi' (indie) and 
vaude. Down to $4,200, sizable drop 
for this site on surface, but reduced 
film rentals taking care of this. Last 
week 'Secrets of Wu Sin' (indie) 
about $4,000. 

Warner (WB) (2,000; 26-35-50)— 
•Sign of the Cross' (Par). Road- 
showed only three weeks' ago at 
Nlxonj and customers haven't had 
time to forget it yet. That'll help 
plenty, and seven days should ac- 
count for excellent $8,000, If opening 
is any indication. L ast week 'Ladies 
They Talk About' (WB) pretty bad 
at $4,000. 



Topaze' at Vamfless Orpheum $4,500 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 
More moderate temperatures and 
stronger screen product are bring- 
ing back some of the customers who 
strayed from the fold during the 
protracted and extreme sub-zero 
wave. So once again there's a spark 
of life along the rialto and the 
gloom has lifted a little. 

Minus vaudeville or any other 
stage shows for the first time within 
memory (excepting dramatic and 
burlesque stock), the loop doesn't 
seem the same theatrically. Vaude- 
ville departed with sudden abrupt- 
ness from the Orpheum following 
an eleventh hour decision. That 
house was the last stand of stage 



New Haven Tinking* Mae 
West Pic; Big for $10,000 

New Haven, Feb. 20. 
College opens *Cavalc.ade' road- 
show at $1.10 top, a high figure un- 
der present local conditions, and the 
advance sale Is light. 

Paramount is stressing 'She Done 
Him Wrong' in the ads as 'not rec- 
ommended for children.' 

Art Cinema, formerly town's only 
exclusive foreign filmer, shifts to 
American film policy under new 
name of Howe St. Playhouse, offer- 
ing three changes weekly. 

Estimates for Thiis Week 
Paramount (Publix) (2,348; 36-50) 
—'She Done Him Wrong' (Par) and 
'Luxury Liner* (Par) Mae West a 
draw. Maybe $10,000. Last week 
'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) and 'Herit- 
age of Desert,' $7,000. 

Palace (Arthur) (3,040; 86-60) — 
■Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
'What! No Beer?' (MG). Well-bal- 
anced bill should bring in a good 
$7,000. Last week 'State Fair' (Fox) 
was nice at $7|700. 

Roger Sherman (WB) (2,800; 85- 
60)— 'King's Vacation' (WB) and 
'Williamson Beneath Sea' (Prln.). 
Arliss draw limited to upper crust 
fans and, with second feature a 
weak sister, gross will probably rest 
at a fair $6,000. Last week 'Wax 
Museum' (WB) and 'Lawyer Man' 
(WB) did better for $6,200. 

College (Arthur) (1,665; 66-88- 
$1.10) — 'Cavalcade' (Fox). May pos- 
sibly build to $10,000, depending 
largely on word-of-mouth. Last 
week 'Maedchen in Uniform,* at $8,- 
600. registered top gross for this 
house in months. 



'STATE FAOl' WELL IN 
THE MONEY, 25G, ST. L 



St. Louis, Feb. 20. 

The Fox with' 'State Fair' is away 
out in front in the box office handi- 
cap this week and is coming right 
down to stretch, despite competi- 
tion from two film road shows. 
Picture opened a day ahead of 
schedule and will run eight days 
instead of two weeks suggested by 
the producers. House manager says 
says he'd rather have a big eight 
days than one week and one bust. 

Roadshows are 'Cavalcade' in sec- 
ond week at Grand Central and 
'Rasputin,' which opened at Ameri- 
can Saturday (18) night. Former 
off considerably from first week. 
Latter likely to do well for the sin- 
gle week it is scheduled. Business 
up considerably on the whole. 
Estimates for This Week 

Ambassador (WB) (3,000; 25-36- 
66)— 'Devil Is Driving' (Par) and 
stage show. Looks like a little bet- 
ter than fair at around $10,000. Last 
week 'Frisco Jenny' (WB) $13,000, 
good. 

Fox (Pox) (6,000; 26-36-50)— 
'State Fair* (Fox) and stage show. 
House getting back in big money 
class with this one, maybe $25,000 in 
eight days. Last week 'The Mum- 
my' (U) $9,000, fair. 

Loew's State (3,000; 26-36-60)— 
'Madame Blanche' (MG). Also 
bringing some results at the box 
ofllce, around $11,000. -Last week 
'The Big Drive' (FD) $9,900. 

Missouri (RKO) (3,500; 26-35-60) 
—'Topaze' (RKO). Only pic on bill, 
but doing better than two usually 
have, about $8,000, fair. Last week 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
'Penguin' Pool Murder' (RKO) 
oke $10,000. 

Grand Central (Ind) (2,000; 56-85- 
$1.10) — 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Second 
week of roadshow engagement 
somewhat off; first week oke $10,000. 



Tapper's Monogram Four 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Four originals wil be written dur- 
ing 1933- by Tristam Tupper for 
Monogram, his deal with Trem Carr 
calling for a story to be- submitted 
each three month.s. 

He authored 'False Fronts,' now 
in work. 



shows In the Twin Cities and its 
adoption of a straight film, grind 
policy means that entertainment 
seekers henceforth must be content 
solely with an unvaried picture diet. 
The demise of vaudeville, after an 
uninterrupted 80 years' life, has 
caused plenty of sadness among the 
public. 

Elimination of vaudeville opposi- 
tion at the Orpheum should make 
the going easier for the four Pub. 
llx loop first-run houses. While 
the Orpheum has acquired three 
United Artists' pictures. Its film 
line-up for a straight picture pol- 
icy, aside from 'Kid From Spain,* 
is not regarded in local theatrical 
circles as sufficiently strong to 
make much of a screen dent. Suc- 
cess of the Orph's straight film pol- 
icy at its present scale and under 
current conditions is regarded hero 
as extremely problematical. House 
this week plays 'Topaze' of weak 
boxofflce value. Film previously 
had been advertised as a part of a 
show with the usual five vaudeville 
acts. Including Ray Bolger, the 
change in operating plans not hav- 
ing been made until the Wednes- 
day before the Friday opening. 

Moreover, the lower fioor night 
scale for the straight film policy 
and two-hour show is 60c, or only 
a nickel less than formerly charged 
for films and five vaudeville acts. 
However, the 86c balcony may help. 

The Orpheum grossed nearly 
$16,000 for its last two weeks of 
vaudeville, $8,000 with Paul Ash 
during a stretch of 20-below zero 
weather and $7,800 the final seven 
days when Fifi D'Orsay headed the 
bill and extreme cold prevailed a 
part of the time, both really very 
good under the circumstances. Witli 
favorable weather, the Orph will be 
lucky to get $4,600 this week. 

With 'Strange Interlude' last 
week and 'Sign of the Cross* cur- 
rently at 66c, the State has made 
a grand comeback after sinking to 
the lowest of boxofflce depths with 
'Hello Everybody' during the frigid 
wave. 'Strange Interlude' got 
nearly $16,000 for eight days and 
'Sign of the Cross' helped by Man- 
ager Frank Steffy's sensational ad- 
vertising Is going along nicely and 
should finish with a respectable 
gross. 

Other big guns among loop at- 
tractions are 'Frisco Jenny' and 
'What! No Beer?' at the Century 
and Lyric, respectively. Ruth 
Chatterton is making a surprise 
boxofflce comeback in the former 
picture after everybody here had 
thought her through as a' magnet. 
Like 'Sign of the Cross,* 'Frisco 
Jenny' had its sex angle emphasized 
in its newspaper advertising. 'What! 
No Beer?' is running for nine days 
at the Lyric and Durante and Kea- 
ton are proving a real draw, the 
former In particular being a dough- 
getter here. 

Estimates for This Week 

State (Publix) (2,200; 66), 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par).. Sensational 
newspaper advertising stressed love 
orgies,' etc.; called attention that 
other cities have paid roadshow 
prices to see the picture, and bally- 
hooed March and Colbert. May hit 
a good $12,000. Last week 'Strange 
Interlude' (MG), $14,600, very good. 

Orpheum (RKO) <2,890; 36-50), 
'Topaze' (RKO). First week of 
straight picture grind policy with 
the -change made at the last minute 
after five vaudeville acts had been 
advertised with picture, and only a 
nickel less for lower floor seats, but 
76 minutes less of show and nothing 
on stage. Manager Marvin C. Park 
cleverly stressing 'reduced prices' 
and 'finest pictures* in first-rate ex- 
ploitation and advertising cam- 
paign. Film praised by critics but 
lacking in popular appeal and 
Barrymore no big shot here, but 
$4,600 fair. Last week 'No Other 
Woman' (RKO) and vaudeville* 
$7,800, light, with bad weather 

Century (Publix) (1,600; 40), 
'Frisco Jenny' (FN), Amazing 
comeback for Chatterton who has 
been b.o. poison the past two years. 
Manager Ayres in advertising sex 
angle warned parents to keep chil- 
dren away. Getting heavy mat play, 
looks like good $4,000. Last week 
■Fu Manchu* (MG), $3,500, light. 

Uptown (Publix) (1,200; 40), 'Sil- 
ver Dollar' (FN). About $2,500 in- 
dicated, fair. Last week 'No Man 
of Her Own' (Par) and Gertrude 
Lutzl, singer, $3,000, pretty good. 

Lyric (Publix) (1,300; 35), 'What! 
No Beer?' (MG). In for nine days 
and going along at fast clip. Dur- 
ante a draw here, fans like picture 
and should reach fine $4,200. Last 
week 'Luxury Liner' (Par) pulled 
after bad five days, $1,800. 

Grand (Publix) (1,100; 36), 'No 
Man of Her Own' (Par), second 
loop run, and 'Parachute Jumper* 
(WB), first run, split. Maybe $2,- 
500, pretty good. Last week 'Fare- 
well to Arms' (MG), second loop 
run and full week, $2,200, fair. 

Aster (Publix) (900; 25), 'Con- 
querors' (RKO), 'Tiger Shark' (FN) 
and 'You Said a Mouthful' (FN), 
loop second runs, split. Looks like 
about $1,200, iair. Last week; re- 
vivals of 'best pictures,' with change 
of show daily, $2,000, very big. 



Tuesfla7« Febniarj 21, 1933 



PICTURE GROSSES 



VARIETY 



Pbilly Cant Complain; Arliss 
And ^Soids Both 13G; Earle n^^^^ 



Philadelphia. Feb. 20. 

Generally satisfactory buslneaa 
with few or no smash grosses fore- 
cast for this week. 

'Son-Daugrhter* at the Stanton 

didn't impress the critics and Isn't 
flared good for anywhere near the 
grosses turned in by the previous 
Helen Hayes pictures. However, it 
should beat recent averages here by 
a sound margin and figures for at 
least $10,600. Stanton has been 
setting plenty of 7-grands lately 
and few over eight. 

Kate Smith in person should 
prove quite a draw at the Earle, 
but business won't begin to touch 
that of the 'Vanities' and 'Rio Rita' 
weeks. Current bill with 'Ladies 
They Talk About' on the screen 
(and panned by the critics) should 
get $17,600 or $18,000 — above house 
average. 

George Arliss' very mild pace at 
the Boyd in 'King's Vacation* will 
be lucky to get $13,000. 'Island of 
Lost Souls' at the Stanley, though 
highly praised, shows nothing star- 
tling and will probably get about 
the same as the Arliss fllm. Nary 
a holdover , seen in the Stanton- 
Stanley-Boyd trio of S-W houses. 

With the Aldine closed, the Lo- 
cust has the roadshow field to itself. 
•Cavalcade' is getting plenty of spe- 
cial exploitation and campalgmlng 
and-should hold to its present pace 
of $10,000 for a little while. 

The Fox is faring very well in- 
deed with 'State Fair* which got 
$28,600 in its first week and prom- 
ises to beat $20,000 this week. Stage 
show, headed by Dave Apollon, holds 
over. 

Something well above the ordi- 
taary is expected at the Karlton 
where 'Animal Kingdom' moved 
after a week at the Boyd. This one 
Started slowly at the latter house 
but was hitting capacity figures at 
the end. Should get a neat $6,600 
and may break $6,000 at the little 
Karlton. 

Keith's vaudfllm and a 36c. top 
figures tor usual weekly gross of 
$7,000 — ^hous9 varies very little — and 
has no big names in stage show. 
Picture is 'Officer 13,'. first run. The 
Arcadia won't do much with "Fast 
Life.' which is not its type of pic- 
ture. 

The Walnut has reopened as indie 
house with 26c. top to fair trade. 
Estimates for This Week 

Boyd (2,400; 40-66)— 'King's Vaca- 
tion' (VTB). Arliss picture got 
mixed notices and only fair start. 
Lucky to get $13,000. Last week 
•Animal Kingdom' (RKO) started 
■lowly but gained steadily and hit 
114.600. 

Earle (2,000; 40-66)— 'Ladies They 
Talk About' (WB) and vaude. Kate 
Smith the attraction and should 
grosj better than $17,600. Last week 
•Madame Butterfly' (Far) and vaude 
poor with $14,000. 

Fox (3,000; 86-60-76)— 'State Pair* 
(Fox) and stage show. Held for 
eecond week, should beat $20,000. 
Last week, $28,600, fine showing. 

Karlton (1,000; 30-40-60)— 'Ani- 
mal Kingdom' (RKO). Moved from 
Boyd and expected to get a fine $5,- 
600. Last week 'Parachute Jumper' 
(FN) poor $2,700 in five days. 

Keith's (2,000; 16-25-35)— 'Offlcer 
13" (Allied) and vaude. Usual $7, 
000 figured. Last week 'Secrets of 
Wu Sin' (Indie) and vaude. Shad 
Ing average, $7,500. 

Locust (1,300; 55-$1.65)— 'Caval- 
cade' (Fox). Figures for $9,600 or 
$10,000 in third week and ought to 
hold that pace a while. Lost week, 
$11,600. good. 

Stanley (3,700; 40-55)— 'Island of 
Lost Souls' (Par). Fine notices 
may help but trade nothing unusual, 
$13,000 figured. Last week 'Sign of 
the Cross' (Par), after roadshow- 
Ing at Aldlne six weeks previous 
and expected to click In grind pol- 
icy, disappointed, however, at $12,- 
000. 

Stanton (1,700; 30-40-65)— 'Son- 
Daughter' (MO). Notices lukewarm 
and pace not so hot; ought to get 
$10,500, which la better than house 
has been doing of late, but second 
week unlikely. 

Arcadia (600; 25-40-50)— 'Fast 
Life' (M-G). Not type of film for 
this house; $2,400. no more. Last 
week 'Hot Saturday' (Par) flopped 
badly, $1,500 in four days. 

Coast Title Changes 

First three Culbertson bridge 
shorts at Radio titled 'Forcing Bid,' 
•What Not to Do In Bridge' and 
•Murder at the Bridge Table.' 

'Bobby's Vacation' to 'Visiting 
Uncle Jake,' and 'Drug Store' to 'The 
Druggist,' both Sennett. 

'Legal Crime' to 'Beer Baron' and 
■• 'StoiT of Temple Drake' to 'Shame 
of Temple Drake,' Par. 

'In the Bag.' Walter Catlett short 
at Sennett, changed to "Dream 
Stuff.' 



It's Quiet on the Bidyn 
Front; Par Tab No Draw 

Brooklyn, Feb. 20. 

Mild week with unexciting stage 
and flicker attractions. Fox is 
splurging, 'We pay the tax' and ad- 
mission is only four bits at night. 
Estimates for This Weok 

Paramount (4,200; 25-36-60-75-85) 
— 'Crime of the Century' (Par) and 
stage show featuring 'Sally.' Tab 
with Mary Eaton means little at the 
b. o. Around $20,000, weak. Last 
week 'Sign of the Cross' (Par) did a 
dandy $36,000. 

Fox (4,000; 25-35-50) — 'Vampire 
Bat' (Maj) and vaude. House front 
has perked up and business is fig- 
ured around $16,000, good. I^t 
week 'Death Kiss- (WW) a weak 
$8,000. 

, Albee (3,000; 25-35-65-85) — 'To- 
paze' (RKO) and vaude. Looks like 
a nice $26,000. Last week 'State 
Fair* (Fox) produced $22,000, okay. 

Metropolitan (2,800; 25-35-56-65- 
75)— 'What! No Beer?' (MG) and 
vaude. Mebbe $18,000, unexciting. 
I^ast week 'Cynara' (UA), floppo at 
$16,000. 

Strand (2,000; 26-36-66-65)— 'Hard 
to Handle' (FN). Not bad at pos- 
sible $12,000. Last week 'King's 
Vacation' (WB) got $9,800, mild. 



BOSTON'S B. 0.'S HOLD 
IIP; TOPAZE,' $17,000 



Boston, Feb. 20. 

Scollay Square Olympla takes Its 
place in the sun currently by dint of 
trsrlng the appeal of old-time vaude 
to prop the fllm slump in pop favor. 
Manager Elliston Vinson, believer 
in the strength of old-fashioned va- 
riety acts, staged eight acts for a 
smacker bill. Big biz resulting, puts 
house in the black and lifts Scollay 
to importance on basis of success 
and ace advertising. 

Other highspot of week was sud- 
den crumpling of 'Rasputin' at the 
Tremont. Draw was good only to 
extent of the Barrymores' getting 
them in, which gave two weeks of 
good revenue. Back broke a week 
ago, so picture folded 18th, Tremont 
returning to second runs yesterday 
But 'Cavalcade' goes on its way re- 
joicing. In its fourth week and 
likely to remain for a while. 

Paramount keenly disappointed by 
failure of 'Sign of the Cross' to go 
over at low house prices. Same 
doleful outcome when the fllm road- 
showed here. 

Estimates for This Week 

Majestic (Shubert) (1,600; 66- 
$1.65)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox) (4th 
week). Still In high. Last week 
$12,600. Looks good for $14,000 this 

Tremont (Indie) (1,533; 66-$1.66) 
'Rasputin' (MG) Went into low and 
succumbed, ending its run 18th. 
Stayed three weeks; last grossed 
$6,000. 

Keith's (RKO) 4,000; 25-40-56)— 
'Topaze' (RKO) and vaude; ought 
to hit big $17,000. Last week, 'Devil 
Commands' and vaude, $12,600. 

Boston (RKO) (4,000; 25-40-55)— 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
vaude. Hopes high for $12,000. Last 
week 'Nagana' (U) and vaude re- 
vue, with a thud to $8,400. 

Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-50)— 
'What! No Beer?' (MG). Reaching 
up for $13,500; possibly even better 
may happen. Last week 'Madame 
Blanche' (MG) pretty good $11,000. 

State (Loew) (3,000; 30-60)— 
'What! No Beer?' (MG). Should hit 
$12,000. Last week 'Madame 
Blanche' (MG) better than usual for 
$10,000. 

Met (Publlx) (4,330; 35-50-66)— 
'Woman Accused' (Par) and good 
stage show. Promising for $18,000. 
Last week '20,000 Tears' (FN) and 
stage show, under estimates, get- 
ting but $14,000. 

Paramount (Publlx) (1.800; 26-35- 
50) — 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox)and 
'Deception' (Col). See silver lining 
in $9,500, flne for the house. Last 
week 'Sign of the Cross' cost house 
lots of dough, with befogged $5,500 
and pulled before its expected sec- 
ond week. 

Scollay (Publlx) (2,800; 26-35-40- 
55) — 'Employees' Entrance" (WB) 
and eight act vaude bill. Out of the 
worries to extremely Joyous $12,000. 



'State Fair* in Lincoln, a 
St. Fr. Town, a Natural 

Lincoln, Feb. 20. 
The State Fair picture in a state 
fair town should be a swell tieup 
this week. However, If It doesn't 
enjoy a more successful showing 
than did the 120G-in-the-r9d State 
Exposition, there'll be a sick bunch 
of showmen at the Stuart. Nothing 
in town will come close to its draw- 
ing power, though, as the rest of the 
bookings are weak and the Stuart 
sits on the main stem with the top 
b. o. demand. 

Last week, despite the annual 
celebration of Dollar day and the 
Farmer's Holiday march on the 
capltol causing dollars to be at a 
pr,emlum and depresh talk plenty, 
the grosses didn't suffer so much 
after all. 

This week "Hot Pepper* at the 
Lincoln will run easily second with 
most people wondering inhere the 
State found a picture as obscure as 
'Magl<i Night.' 

Estimates for This Week 
Colonial (LTC) (650; 10-15-20)— 
'Infernal Machine' (Fox). Probably 
won't hold the full six days. Likely 
slow $660. Last week 'You Said a 
Mouthful' (WB) did the best biz 
at this house for months, okay $1,- 
200. 

Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-25-40^— 
'Hot Pepper' (Fox), Prospects of a 
fair week at $2,100. Last week 'Ani- 
mal Kingdom' (RKO) had a nice 
run to $2,500. 

Orpheum (LTC) (1,200; 10-15-25) 
— 'The Crash' (WB). Due for a 
moderate $800. Last week 'Para- 
chute Jumper' (FN), flrst half, and 
'Past of Mary Holmes' (RKO) sec- 
ond half, gathered $850. 

State (Monroe) (600; 15-26-35)— 
'Magic Night* (UA). Will limp 
along to a $900. Last week, 'Nagana' 
(U) made a fajU: run to $1,160. 

Stuart (LTC) (1.900; 10-26-36-60- 
60)— 'State Fair* (Fox). Should hit 
this town right at the money bags 
Probable okfi $3,200. Last week 
'Sign of the Cross* (Par) clicked 
well to a nice $3,000. 



Morgan Balto, P. A. 

Baltimore, Feb. 20. 

Switch in publicity directors 
brings Herb Morgan in as p. a. for 
the four Loew houses locally. Mor- 
gan was previously with RKO as 
theatre manager. 

Lou Brown, Morgan's predecessor 
here, moves down to his home burg 
of Washington to take care of Loow 
publicity in the nation's head- 
quarters. 



Detroit's Bank 
Moratorium Is 
Ditto for B.O.S 



No Outstanders, but B way's H.O.S 
Denting R.C.; Mae West's 
Exceeds 1st Wk.; Jasper,' 




Detroit, Feb. 20. 
Bank holiday was a holiday but 
not the kind theatre managers 
raise prices for. This one means 
panic of' no small proportions. No 
money available except actual cash 
earnings by employes and those 
only the larger plants who can get 
the dough out of town. Local busi- 
ness men pay oft In check prin- 
cipally and that's just another piece 
of paper until the holiday ends in 
eight days. Worst sufferers are the 
theatres. Stores accept checks, etc., 
but the theatres are left holding the 
bag. 

Banks reopen next Thursday with 
one day left in town for theatres to 
get enough in to pay off. But 
even with the situation there is 
some business but what there Is 
amounts to about 80% normal 
under present normal conditions. 

The Michigan with Joe E. Brown 
in person contracted for and the 
Downtown with a five-act vaude 
show slated had to play or pay and 
couldn't sluff to help themselves. 
The Fox was able to cancel 'Girl 
Trouble,' F&M unit, and substituted 
locally built show. 

The Michigan looked to get the 
best break in town with "Employes' 
Entrance' and Joe E. Brown in per- 
son, but while $16,600 is disappoint- 
ing. It's very good considering. 

Fox with 'Dangerously Yours' is 
just going along. The United Ar- 
tists' third week of 'Kid From 
Spain,' stop-gapping until condi- 
tions steady themselves, really is 
getting the edge on the situation. 

Last week all houses were slated 
for a break after a week of zero 
weather but just then the bank 
holiday broke. 

Estimates for This Week 

Michigan (Publlx) (4,045; 16-25- 
36-40-55). 'Employes' Entrance' 
(FN) and Joe E. Brown In person. 
Mild at $15,600, but oke consider- 
ing the financial jam. Last week 
'Hard to Handle' (WB) and 'Whoo- 
pee' on stage, $13,000. 

Fox (Fox) (6,100; 16-25-36-40- 
55), 'Dangerously Tours' (Fox) and 
stage show. Suffering with all the 
rest, $11,000. Last week 'State 
Fair' and stage show weak at $14,- 
000. 

Downtown (RKO) (2,750; 16-25- 
35-40-56), 'Topaze' (RKO) and 
vaude. Same as last week's 'Child 
of Manhattan' (Col), $7,500. 

United Artists (Publlx) (2,018; 
15-25-35-40-65), 'Kid From Spain' 
(3d I week). At $5,000, could be 
worse everything considered. Last 
week fair at $8,000. 

Fisher (Publlx) (2,665; 16-26-35- 
40-55), 'Whistling in the Dark' 
(MG). Not bad either at $6,000. 
under the circumstances. Last week 
'Parachute Jumper' (FN) fair at 
$5,000. 



Although a few houses, notably 
through lack of attractions, are suf- 
fering in the low brackets, there is 
better distribution of business 
among the town's box-offlcea than 
has existed since Radio City came 
into existence. 

The R. C. Music Hall will not 
come within $15,000 of the previous 
week's momentous $106,700, but 
RKO Roxy will be about the same 
at $36,000. At former, attraction is 
Great Jasper"; smaller house holds 
Face in the Sky,' as against previ- 
ous week's 'Amos 'n' Andy draw at 
the Hall. 

Against these grosses over on 
Sixth avenue, Broadway's firmness 
rests mainly with Paramount and 
Capitol, where holdover shows are 
competing for show spenders, but 
also extends to c couple other houses, 
notably the Strand and old Roxy. 

With the Washington's Birthday 
holiday tomorrow (Wednesday) to 
help with its increased admission 
scales, there is a possibility esti- 
mated figures may be exceeded. 
This will depend somewhat on an- 
tics of the weather, if any. 

Falling within the week, fewer 
folks will go out of town than on 
such holidays as the previous week's 
Lincoln's Birthday, on a Monday. 

Most significant feature of the 
gross situation is that Mae West, on 
her second (current) week at Para- 
mount, will beat herself the flrst 
seven days. She and her picture, 
'Shie Done Him Wrong,' looks to get 
better tban $60,000, as against $68,- 
600 the flrst week. 

Holdover week for Miss West and 
flicker started Thursday (16). On 
that day the take was close to $1,000 
more than on the previous Thurs 
day (opening day), with week-end 
business also better. Miss- West has 
been expertly sold on this engage 
ment by Publlx. Prom the time she 
arrived at the Grand Centrtjil to All 
engagement. Jack Maclnerney has 
kept her in a publicity and exploita- 
tion whirl. 

On her flrst week the West show 
beat the Capitol with its Ed Wynn 
'Laugh Parade' production and 
'What! No Beer,' Cap getting $63,- 
100. Possibilities for the Cap this 
week are under $60,000. 

By comparison, despite Wynn's 
accredited radio following plus the 
names of Jimmy Durante and Bus- 
ter Keaton, Miss West at the Par 
seems more a natural for New 
York's mass trade when pitted 
against the Cap. The West pic- 
ture's reviews eclipsed the Cap's 
•Beer.' 

Miss West with her picture goes 
into the Brooklyn Par Friday (24). 



Irene Dunne's Surprise 
$8,500 Draw in Uville 

Louisville, Feb. 20. 

At last minute Vladimir Bakale- 
Inlkoff, assistant director of the 
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, 
had to take the baton for Feb. 17's 
two concerts at the Memorial Audi- 
torium. Eugene Goosens, director, 
was stricken ill at his home in Cin- 
cinnati. Fair crowds supported the 
performances. 

YehudI Menuhin, boy violin prodi- 
gy, drew rather small attendance to 
Memorial Auditorium Monday night. 

Nadja, Russian burlesque star, 
held over for second week at 
Gayety. 

Gene and Glenn, NBC radio stars, 
radiocast regularly over WHAS, 
CBS station, during their week at 
Rlalto which was record week for 
theatre In 12 months. 

Estimates for This Week 

Loew's (3.400; 25-35-60)— 'Mme. 
Blanche' (MG). Irene Dunne's big 
draw a pleasant surprise, $8,500. 
Last week 'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum* 
(UA) disappointed, Jolson only pull- 
ing $6,000. 

Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,700; 25- 
30-55)— 'Hard to Handle' (WB) and 
five acts RKO vaude. Fair $7,000, 
exactly 60% of last week's 'Just 
Had to Get Married' (U) and Gene 
and Glenn for record pull of $14,000. 

Strahd (Fourth Ave.) (1,70G; 26- 
35-50)— 'Sign of Cross' (Par). Good 
for $6,500. Last week 'Hello Every- 
body' (Par) a brutal $2,600. 

Brown (2,000; 26-35-40) — 'Devil 
Commands' (Col). Weak $1,700. 
Two weeks' protection notice re- 
ported up. Last week 'Child of 
Manhattan' (Col), $2,600. 

Alamo (Fourth Ave.) (900; 15- 
25-40)— 'Smoke Lightning' (Fox). 
Good at $2,400. Last week 'Lux- 
ury Liner' (Par) panned by review- 
ers, fared poorly, $1,700. 



New York Par will get Earl Car- 
roll's condensed 'Vanities' on stage 
and, if print is ready, 'King of the 
Jungle.' Otherwise Par's fllm at- 
traction will be 'Woman Accused.' 

Old Roxy, which dipped into red 
last week, will swim in black cur- 
rently at $24,000. Picture is a Brit- 
ish-made, 'The Ghost Train.' 

Strand is gauged to get $20,000 
from 'Wax Museum' and may hold 
a second week. 

Instead of continuing with Strand 
alone, as expected Friday (17), 
when WB closed down the Winter 
Garden, circuit is reopening Shubert 
house today (Tuesday) with 'Grand 
Slam.' It will be operated by WB 
for the Shuberta on a percentage 
basis, but It is understood, will be 
available to the Shuberts, when and 
if wanted for a musical show. 

Rlvoli, Mayfalr and Palace are 
tailing the street, all In the red. 

Al Jolson's 'I'm a Bum,' going 
out of Riv tonight (Tuesday) after 
13^ days, is a dlsappointer. Get- 
ting $16,600 its flrst week, its flnal 
days will show under $12,000. 
Gloria Swanson'a 'Perfect Under- 
standing,' made in England, takes 
possession tomorrow a. m. (Wednes- 
day). 

Mayfalr is. being given up by 
RKO March 3, with another attiac- 
tlon, as yet not set, to come in be- 
fore RKO calls it quits. Rent ad- 
justment with Walter Reade, own- 
er, couldn't be made. Current pic- 
ture, 'Nagana* (U) won't get $7,000 
on the week. 

Palace, which will become RKo s 
main Broadway show window on 
giveup of Mayfalr, is in worse 
shape. It will be under $6,000 on 
flrst run of 'Lucky Devils.' 

Estimates for This Week 

Astor (1,012; $1.10-$1.65-$2.20) — 
'Rasputin' (MG) (9th week). Set to 
blow in a couple weeks, with 'Hell 
Below,' release title of 'PIgboats,' 
as successor. Probable premiere 
date March 7. 

Capitol (6,400; 86-76-99-$1.65)— 
'What! No Beerr (MG) (2nd week) 
and stage show. . Ed Wynn's 'Laugh 
Parade' show and the Durante- 
Keaton comedy paced for under 
$60,000 In contrast to flrst week's 
take of $53,100. Stiff opposition. In- 
cluding from R. C. and Paramount 
down the street, keeping, dap's 
chances down. 

Gaiety (811; 55-$1.10-$1.66) -~ 
'Cavalcade* (Fox) (7th week). 
Starting to loosen up a trifle under 
absolute capacity. Last week (sixth) 
intake stood at $12,900, while flrst 
four days of current week have 
brought in $7,600. 

Mayfair (2.200; 86-65-76)— -Na- 
gana' (U). Weak draw; looks In- 
capable of getting $7,000, brutaL 
Last week, 'Just Had to Get Mar- 
ried' (U) a lltUe better, but still 
bad, $9,000 on six days. House closes 
as RKO operation March 3. 

Palace (1,700; 26-40-55-76) — 
'Lucky Devils' (RKO). Straight fllm 
grind isn't the policy, either. 
'Devils,* on flrst run showing won't 
get house $6,000, very bad. Last 
week 'State Fair' $8,500, n.s.g. 

Paramount (3,664; 36-56-75) — 
'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) and 
Mae West in person (2nd week). 
Reversing custom by beating flrst 
week's gross on holdover possibili- 
ties are for better than $60,000, Miss 
West proving an unusual draw. 
She's also well sold on this en- 
gagement. First week $58,600. 
Miss West is in at $5,600 weekly and 
a percentage over $66,000. She'll col- 
lect overage both weeks. 

Radio City Music Hall (6,945; 35- 
55-76), 'Great Jasper' (RKO) and 
stage show. Richard Dix item 
ploughing for $90,000. Last week 
'Topaze' (RKO) on screen, with 
good reviews, and aided by Amos 
'n* Andy on stage, ran gross up to 
$106,700, a new high. And some 
high! 

Rivoli (2,200; 40-55-75-85), Tm a 
Bum' (UA) (2d week). On flnal 6% 
days under $12,000, disappointing. 
First week brought only $16,600 for 
the Al Jolson feature, first he's 
made in several years. 'Perfect 
Understanding' (UA) opens tomor- 
row morning (Wednesday). 

RKO Roxy (3,525; 35-65-75). 
'Face in Sky' (Fox) and stage show. 
Doubted that this one will avoid 
new low of $36,000 or under for 
smaller of R.C. playhouses. Last 
week fresh bottom of $36,300 was 
established by 'Child of Manhattan' 
(Col). This Is crimson. 

Roxy (6,200; 25-35), 'Ghost Train' 
(OH} and stage show. Low-priced 
policy this week will bring house 
somo velvet at $24,000. Previous 
.sempster of seven days red showed 
up at $16,000 on 'Terror Trail' (U), 
a Tom Mix western. 

Strand (2.900; 35-55-75-85), -Wax 
Mu.seum" (WB). Hitting okay and 
win get around $20,000, possibly 
holding over a second week. Last 
week, second of 'Hard to HandltT 
(WB), around $15,000. 



VARIETY 



P I C T 



E CROSSES 



Tuesday, Fcbrnary 21, 1933 



Mary Garden N.S.G. in Home Town; 
Topaze/ 22G; 'Cavalcade,' 9G, Binlding 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
'Topaze' plus a nice vaudeville 
line-up at the Palace promises to 
make the last of the RKOere the 
leader In the local scramble. That, 
of course, means proportionately, 
as the Chicago's larger capacity and 
better location must be borne In 
mind. Mary Garden In her home 
town isn't drawing much of any- 
thing except her salary from Elmer 
Upton. 

State-Lake landlord found out 



RKO wasn't kidding when the house 
went dark Friday night. It's get- 
ting to be a habit with the State- 
Lake which has closed three times 
In less than a year and twice In less 
than two months. When It will re- 
open. If It will, and under whoso 
auspices, Is a matter that nobody 
knows, or If they do know they 
aren't telling. 

Number of large neighborhood 
houses under. Balaban & Katz man- 
date are on a week to week basis 
and one at least, the Granada, Is 
closing. MoVIcker's In the loop Is 
ehakv with diminishing returns. It 
will be Lent with a vengeance this 
year In the opinion of trade observ- 
ers. Nothing Is certain In Chicago 
right now except uncertainty. That 
can be counted on as at least semi- 
permanent. 

Majestic theatre with 2,000 seats 
•will be thrown Into the loop com- 
petition about March 16 as a 25c. 
grind. Nobody today would think 
of despising the opposition of 2,000 
two-bit pews; 

Estimates for This Week 
Apollo (U!B0) (1.500^ 60-$l)— 
•Rasputin' (MG). Opened Sunday 
(19) with distressingly little ad- 
vance sale, prophecy enough that 
the maximum of three weeks ex- 
pected is a shrewd intra-organlza- 
tlonal guess. 

Chicago (B&K) (3,940; 85-55-76) 
—'Woman Accused' (Par) and stage 
show. Mary Garden doing poorly 
and house won't top $32,000 by In- 
dications. Nancy Carroll-Cary Grant 
not the type of timber to hold the 
weight of this responsibility. Last 
week 'Secret of Mme. Blanche' 
(MG) produced $27,300. 

Erlanger (UBO, (1^18; 65-$1.65) 
—'Cavalcade' (Fox) (2d week). 
After opening pight, first half of 
getaway week was slow but from 
Thursday onward word-of -mouth 
seemed to be setting a sturdier 
pulse-beat. : First week at $9,000 
not altogether encouraging but ad 
vance sale picking up and attrac- 
tion conceded a chance. 

McVicker's (B&K) (2.284; 35-56) 
—'Parachute Jumper* (WB). House 
on weck-to-week basis with over 
head way down but receipts like- 
wise. By recent pacing Doug Fair- 
banks, Jr., opus will be mild at $6,- 
000. Last week 'Hard to Handle) 
(WB) collected $6,500. 

Orienjal (B&K) (3,200; 35-55-75) 
—'20,000 Years In Sing Sing' (WB) 
(2d week). Didn't live up to bright 
start so will bow out with skimpy 
$7,500, or less. First week got 
$15,000, big. 

Palace (RKO) (2,533; 40-65-83)— 
•Topaze' (RKO) and vaude. Likely 
to be the loop leader with a nifty 
$22,000 anticipated. Last week the 
same figure was eminently oke for 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col). 

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 65- 
75)— 'Hallelujah I'm a Bum' (UA). 
Goes out Tuesday with 'Sign of the 
Cross' (Par) following. 'Hallelujah' 
distinct dlsjappointment, staying 
only 10 days in all; $13,000, poor. 



Local Operation's Good 
Effects Seen in Tacoma 

Tacoma, Feb. 20. 
The 'Kid' surely did its share of 
making the first week of the old 
Broadway, now the Music Box, a 
standout. But other things helped, 
too. Giving the folks waht they 
^•unt (try and do it!), brightening 
the place up a bit, giving that touch 
of indie ownership, combined with 
the fact that the name John Ham- 
rlck Is favorably known In the burg, 
where he has operated the Blue 
Mouse for many years, can also be 
given some credit. Remaining weeks 
will tell the story, but the start off 
was auspicious. There was a dan.'.y 
click of $4,500, with lines the rule 
first two days following opening 
under new ownership. 

Good grosses continue to be re- 
ported by the Jensen-von Herberg 
house, the Roxy. Just three first- 
run major houses now for Tacoma 
finds more patrons for the fewer 
seats. Ria:ito dark and back on 
owner's hands. 

Estimates for This Week 
Music Box (Hamrick) (1,400; 26) 
—'Animal Kingdom' (RKO), four 
days, then 'King's Vacation* (WB) 
four days. Looks $5,000 for the 
eight days; plenty oke. Last week 
Kid from Spain* (UA) caught on 
for big $4,600. 

Roxy (Jensen-von Herberg) (1,- 
300; 15-20)— 'State Trooper* (Col) 
and ['Vanity Street' (Col), with 
Lucky Xiarrlgan* (Mono), double 
bill, last half. Good for $4,500. Last 
week 'False Faces' (WW), 'So This 
Is Harris* (RKO), double header, 
and 'Bitter Tea* (Col) last half, for 
solid $4,200. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (660; 16- 
25) — 'Employees* Entrance* (FN) 
first half. This house going to split 
weeks. Indicated $1,700 Is fair. Last 
week ^Ladles They Talk About' 
(WB) fair gate of $1,600. 



N. O.'s Early Mardi Gras 
Revelers of Little Help 

New Orleans, Feb. 20. 

Advent of Mardl Gras occurring 
next Tuesday (28) has already 
brought In a sprinkling of visitors 
who, however, are not helping much 
for current week. 

Saenger with the Liberty serial 
'Woman Accused' to profitable ad- 
vantage, but the Orpheum's showing 
little In sponsoring John Barrymore 
in 'Topaze.' Loew's State is being 
walloped by "Wax Museum.' Others 
so-so. 

Estimates for This Week 
Saengsr (3,668; 40)— 'Woman Ac- 
cused' (Par) and stage show. Safe 
for good $10,000. Last week 'Ma- 
dame Blanche' (MG), ditto, nic6, 

Loew's State (3,218; 60)— 'Mys- 
tery of Wax Museum* (WB). and 
F & M unit Very light and will 
only gross $8,000. Last week 'Em- 
ployees Entrance* (WB) got profit- 
able $11,000. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,400; 60)— 'To- 
paze' (RKO) and vaude headed by 
Alice Joy. Pair $9,000 in prospect. 
Last week 'Penguin Pool* (RKO) 
was secondary to Olsen and John- 
son and their troupe who sent gross 
to big $13,000. 

Tudop (800; 86)— 'She Done Him 
Wrong* (Par). Mae West vehicle 
moved over from Saenger In Its 
third week will top $2,000, profiUble. 
Last week here In its second week 
went above fine $3,000. 

St. Charles <1,800; 26)— 'Decep- 
tion.' Safe for splendid $2,200. I^st 
week double bill 'Stranger In Town' 
at maUnees and 'Virtue* (Col) at 
night; got fine $2,000. 

DENVER BOASTS 
SOME NICE BIZ 



'CROSS; TAIR.' STAND 
OUT SMARTLY IN PROV. 



MAE WEST'S 16G PROVES 
A HIT'S A HIT IN NEFK 



Biz So Good in Indpls 
At Least 2 Holdovers 

Indianapolis, Feb. 20. 
niz Is much better. Apollo Is 
holding over 'State Fair' for second 
week. Circle .innounces that 'Sign 
of tho Cross,' at Indiana last week 
win pl.iy return at Circle next week. 

Palace seems In for good week 
with 'What! No Beer'." 

Estimates for This Week 
Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1.100; 25 
40)— 'State Fair" (Fox). Will get 
around $4,000 on its second week. 
Last week It cra.shed for $6,000 

Circle (2,600; 2.-)-35)— 'Wax Mu- 
seum' (FN). Not so hot at $3,800 
Last week "Employees' Entrance' 
(WB) got around $4,000. 

Indiana (Circle) (3,300; 25-40)— 
•King's Vacation' (WB) and Fats 
Waller (of WLW) on stage. Around 
$7,000, fair. Last week 'Sign of the 
Cross' (Par) around $9,000, best In 
town for weeks. 

Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,600; 75- 
40)— 'What! No Beer?' (MG) 
Should get around $10,000. Last 
week 'Madame Blanche* (MG) 
around $6,500. 

Lyric (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25-40) 
—'Smoke Lightning* (Fox), Raynor 
Lehr unit on stage and vaude. 
Around $9,600. Last we6k 'Unwrit- 
ten Law' (MaJ) and 'stage show got 
$9,000. 



Newark, Feb. 20 
Business naturally off here, with 
some lean weeks, but a hit is still a 
hit. Adam A. Adams says, 'Jigsaw 
and other puzzles may hurt some, 
but when you have what they w^ant 
to see they take a night off and 
come downtown.* 

Newark had a smash opening with 
'She Done Him Wrong,' and should 
run to $16,000. The Terminal pro 
portionately was even bigger and 
ought to top $8,000, with 'State 
Fair.' 

The Rlalto opened with dramatic 
stock ('In Love With Love') yester 
day. This venture could safely be 
ticketed a flop, but good old prices 
of 10-20-30 may mean something. 
Estimates for This Week 

Branford (WB) (2.966; 15-65)— 
'Mystery of Wax Museum* (WB) 
Looks strong, and in nine days 
should be nice with $13,000. Last 
week 'King's Vacation' (WB) pulled 
after five days with a weak $6,200 

Capitol (WB) (1,200: 15-25-35-60) 
— 'Farewell to Arms' (Par) and 
'Vampire Eat' (Maj). Should reach 
a great $6,000. Last week '20,000 
years' fFN) and 'Second Hand 
Wife' (Fox), good at $5,500. 

Little (Cinema) (299: 25-40-50)— 
'Kameradschad' (Nero). Playing 
to radicals who did not respond at 
opening, but nice notices may pull 
it up to ,';ood $1,400. Last week 
'Zwei Herzen,' bad on revival, to 
little, over $800. 

Loew's State (2.780; 15-75)— 
'Secret of Madame Blanche' (MG) 
and vaude. Should pick up to $12,- 
000. Last week 'Whl.stling in the 
Darlt' (MG) died with under $8,000. 

Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 16- 
99)— 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par) 
and vaude. Great $16,000 in sight. 
Last week 'Hollo Everybody' (I'ar) 
poor at $10,200. 

Proctor's (RKO) (2,300: 15-75)— 
'No Other Woman' (RKO) and 
vaudeville. Very popular local ra- 
dio star, 'Voice of Experience' on 
stage counted for big gross. Draw- 
ing strongly on mats (mostly 
women), but not so big nites. Good 
with $15,000 or better. Last week 
'Goldie Gets Along' (RKO) with 
help of stage 'Rio Rita' okay with 
over $13,000. 

Tormina! (Skouras) (1,900; 16- 
50) — 'State Fair' (Fox) and Car- 
nera-Schaaf fight. May break sea- 
son's record with over $8,000. Lasi 
week 'Hot Pepper* (Fox) good on 
eight days for $6,000. 



Denverl Feb. 20. 
With perfect weather for this 
time of year all first runners and 
Tabor Grand Jiouse with stage show 
are doing better than previous week 
and most of them building better 
than last. Denver going okay for 
Sign of the Cross.' Film is caus- 
ing lot of argument around town 
and doing the house a world of 
good. Crowds steady. 

Fred Schmltt and orchestra hold- 
ing even with opening week at Or- 
pheum and 'King's Vacation' Is at- 
tracting from both ends. Sunday 
half hour broadcast of orchestra Is 
good advertising for house and pro 
ducing results. 

Denham is down considerably 
from last week, but still they have 
nothing to complain about in face of 
competition; 25c top has kept this 
house fairly steady to strong since 
opening. 

Rialto and Paramount on spilt 
weeks, but are up some from last, 
but crowds are building nicely and 
difference may be more than now 
apparent. 'Cavalcade' being road- 
showed at Aladdin is doing fairly 
this first week; film scheduled to 
stick two weeks. Critics took 
opposite viewpoints. Louden Kelly, 
'News* critic, was lukewarm. Fred 
Speers of 'Post* raved. The 'Post' 
carried most of the advertising. 

The Tabor Grand with 25c top for 
hour stage show and feature con- 
tinues to pack house on second 
week, and policy will continue in- 
definitely. Looks to better last 
week, doing $6,600 for the week. 

Estimates for This Week 
Denham (Hellborn) (1,700; 15-25), 
'Unholy Love' (Allied). Off but 
could be worse at $3,100. Last week 
'Crooner* (FN) did a fine $4,200. 
The 25c top is proving popular and 
holding crowds. 

Denver (Publlx) (2.500: 25-35-40- 
50). 'Sign of the Cross' (Par), and 
Katherine Kaderly at the organ. A 
pleasing $8,000 in view. Last week 
'Son-Daughter' (MG) finished with 
a poor $3,600. 

Orpheum (RKO-Huffman) (2,600; 
25-30-35-40), 'King's Vacation' 
(WB), Fred Schmltt and orchestra. 
Mantainlng the strong pace, same 
as last week's 'Mystery of the Wax 
Museum' (WB), together with first 
week of Fred Schmltt and his 18- 
piece orchestra, more than $13,500. 

Paramount (Publlx) (2,000; 25-40), 
'Frisco Jenny' (FN) ond '20.000 
Years In Sing Sing'. (FN), split 
week. Up a bit to $4,800, okay. 
Last week 'Mysterious Rider' (Par) 
and 'Frisco Jenny' (FN) $3,500 on 
split. • . ' 

Rialto (RKO-Huffman) (900; 20- 
25-40), 'Laughter in Hell' (U) and 
'Nagana* (U), split week. Nice at 
$2,600. Last week 'Robbers' Roo.st' 
(Fox) and 'Parachute Jumper' 
(WB) finished with $2,600. 

Aladdin (RKO-HuflTman) (1,500; 
66-$1.10-$1.66), 'Cavalcade' (Fox) 
and Viola K. Lee at the organ. Go- 
ing nicely for about $10,000. House, 
usually a second run, was rented by 
Fox for 'Cavalcade' roadshow. 



Providence, Feb. 20. 
Picture houses are out front this 
week with swell product packing 
terrific wallop. This stanza will be 
the first In many weeks that picture 
houses are not playing second fiddle 
to the spots with vaudeville and 
pictures. 

Stage tare is exceptionally good 
but 'Sign of the Cross' and 'State 
Fair' are proving too much for live 
entertainment, and there Is a no- 
ticeable reaction at the three vaudo 
houses. 

Tallulah Bankhead's here for 
three days at the Carlton in her 
new play, 'Forsaking All Others,' 
and while star has a following here, 
picture houses expect to smother 
this opposlsh, too. 

Thursday night 'Cavaloade' moves 
Into the Carlton for 10 days, but 
there Is little likelihood that open- 
ing win do much harm as Thurs- 
day is last day of the week for pic- 
ture spots, and the stands will h^ve 
most of the coin In by that time. 

'Sign of the Cross' is putting the 
Paramount back in the big money 
this week, and house anticipates a 
sensational grOss of at least $10,000 
at 40c top. 'State Fair' on double 
bill will be close behind. 

Loew's State, the only other big 
picture spot In town, looks to be in 
the tail end of things this week with 
What! No Beer?' even though 
Jlmmle Durante means something 
here. 

Biz Is pretty well distributed be- 
tween the town's two major combo 
houses. Fay's and the RKO Albee. 
Both have fine stage fare, but the 
threat Isn't sufficient for the the- 
atregoers here this week. The new 
Metropolitan Is entering its third 
week a bit weakened after some 
terrific body blows from union men 
who are fighting the spot because 
stand will not employ organized 
labor. The Met, however, is hope- 
ful of an upbeat this week to keep 
things going. 

Estimates for This Week 
RKO Albee (2,300; 16-66), 'They 
Just Had to Get Married' (U) and 
vaude. Nice bill all-around but 
bait not strong enough to entice 
fans away from the picture houses 
this week. House will second fiddle 
for the first time in weeks, and 
anticipated gross of $7,600 will be 
just fair. Last week 'Child of Man- 
hattan' (Col) sprinted on strength 
of stage show and oke at $7,800. 

Fay's (1,600; 15-65), 'Oflicer 13* 
(Allied) and vaude. This one is 
depending a great deal upon the 
live entertainment to pull through. 
House is down a peg and will be 
lucky to garner $6,200, so-so. Last 
week 'Midnight Warning* managed 
to come through with a nice $7,000 
with vaude doing most of the pull- 
ing. 

Loew's State (3,700; 10-26)— 'No 
Beer' (MG). Durante always liked 
here, but not likely this week will 
see more than, fair $6,600. Last 
week 'Mme. Blanche* (M(3) was a 
lot better than anticipated at $6,800 
with Irene Dunne's popularity In 
Providence largely responsible for 
build-up. 

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 16-65)— 
'State Fair' (Fox) and 'Strange 
People' (Chest). Nice bill with 
plenty of takers. Pacing close be- 
hind leader with fair chance of cop- 
ping first -honors If there is a con- 
tinuation of the brisk biz. Assured 
of at least $9,000, swell. Last week 
'Hot Pepper' (Fox) and 'Danger- 
ously Yours* (Fox) oke at $7,100. 

Paramount (2.200; 15-40)— 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par). Should keep 
up the good pace for at least $10 
000, about the swellest gross this 
spot has had In a year. Because of 
the religious angle in picture the 
atre is gettln? many around the box 
office who seldom go for pictures 
Last week 'Billion Dollar Scandal' 
(Par) and 'Luxury Liner* (Par) 
well liked and came through with 
$6,800 quite easily, oke. 

RKO Victory (1,600; 10-25)— 'Man 
of ActiolT (Col) and 'No Other 
Woman' (RKO). Okay despite last 
minute switch In program when 
Laughter in Hell' hauled out, 
which had been plugged heavily. At 
least $2,200 expected, oke. Last 
week 'Men Are Such Fools' (RKO) 
and 'Bitter Tea' (Col), also oke at 
$2,400. 

Metropolitan (3.400; 10-25)— 
'Trailing the Killer' and seven acts 
of vaude. Picketing of house since 
opening couple of weeks ago has 
hurt b. o., but house hopes to come 
throufrh this week with the help of 
a court order restraining picketing 
temporarily at least. Monday as 
an added attraction house threw in 
feature 'Wild Party' (Par), a Clara 
Bow revival, to jazz things up. 
House is figuring on $3,200 to pull 
through. Last week 'Uptown New 
York' (WW) off at $2,300. 

Carlton (Fay) (1,400; 56-$1.10)— 
'Cavalcade' (Fox). Opens 10-day 
run Thursday night. Being heavily 
plugged and with little opposlsh in 
prospect should give town some- 
thing to talk about. 



BALTO BOOMS 
EXCEPTOT 



Baltimore, Feb. 20. 
Weather is all right again and in 
most spots along the white light 
sector that means business is all 
right again. Some outstanding 
socks are in order this week, and 
there is one outstanding disap- 
pointment. I 

That's the biggest news of the 
current session, as local showmen 
are trying to figure out Al Jolson's 
'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum' taking such 
a terrific brodie at the mammoth 
Stanley. At a house which has 
been running along into fine grosses 
lately, this picture is nosediving 
currently to something like $9,000, a 
brutal figure. Opening day was a 
horrible disappointment because the 
Loew group here really went out 
and exploited this one, apparently 
excepting ripe returns. Other fiick- 
ers, not so well ballyhooed, clicked 
off on the start of a heigh-ho week. 

For Instance, [there's 'Topaze' at 
the Hlppodromq, which drew ravo 
notices from the press boys and 
which is pounding away to a great 
mark, once more killing the axiom 
among local show folks that the 
Hippodrome caters to a cheap moo. 
The house has cleaned up consist- 
ently with high classers, such as 
'Bill of Divorcement,' 'Animal King- 
dom' and Is going to repeat this 
week. 

On the other side, 'What! No 
Beer?' is a distinctly hearty and 
happy surprise at the Ceatury, 
where it is galloping away to a 
steadily building gross. Will put 
one of the biggest figures yet Into 
that cash register. 

'State Fair' is holding over at the 
New and is doing almost as well 
this second week as it did the first, 
and M. Mechanic is putting on the 
big smile again after having been 
wearing that worried look for some 
time. Even 'Hello Everybody' is 
doing oke because of the nifty way 
Laurence Schanberger tackled the 
idea at the Keith's. Getting behind 
that radio Idea, Schanberger booked 
every radio short he could, get — an 
Eddie Cantor short. Burns and Al- 
len, Morton Downey and Graham 
McNamee, billing It all as a 'radio 
festival.' It's getting just that 
crowd and turning into a winaer 
what's been called a boxofflce loser 
elsewhere. 

Estimates for This Week 
Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 26-36- 
45-66-65)— 'What! No Beer?' (MG) 
and vaude. Good vaude bill, blend- 
Ing excellently with the picture, but 
It's not a box-ofllce factor when 
compared with the filck, which ia 
doing a mop-up almost to freak pro- 
portions. Unexpected for the most 
part, the great $18,000 that is piling 
into this cash box is a tip-off on the 
type of comedy that this town 
wants. The Keaton -Durante combo 
Is established solidly locally. Last 
week 'Employees' Entrance' (WB) 
was off a bit at $13,800. 

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,600; 
25-36-46-65-65) — 'Topaze' (RKO) 
and vaude. Jones and Hare, of radio 
note, on the stage, but the fiJck'a 
bringing in the customers. That 
people in this town read the revlewa 
is borne out by the turnout t;ils 
show is getting after the whipped 
cream and peaches from the critics. 
Boosting the box-offi-ie mi.u'htlly at 
$15,000. Previous session off badly 
at $10,900 for 'Parachute Jumper* 
(WB) and the Duncan Sisters on 
the stage. 

Keith's (Schanberger I (2.400: 30- 
40-50)— 'Hello Everybody' (Par). 
Heightening the radio .'dea, this 
house is reversing the trend on this 
picture by making this week a ,T:ila 
•adio-on-the-screen session, and 
cashing In on the .notion to gi od 
$5,500 on that account. Last M-eek 
Ladies They Talk About' (WB) held 
nicely at $4,500. 

New (Mechlnic) (1,800; 30-10-:0) 
-'State Fair' (Fox) (2d wk). Noth- 
ing could dim the sock powei of this 
one, and it bucked the weather of 
the previous week to tack a bright 
shiny mark of $6,800 to the me.st- 
head, a welter of profit. Holds over 
second week and, wllli the woid-of- 
mouth buildup, will hold to ex- 
tremely good $5,000 indication. 
House is on the right side asain, 
and what, with 'Cavalcade' a-if.ni- 
ing. It looks like prosperity Is here 
already. 

Stanley (Loew-UA) (3,400; 25-35- 
45-55-65)— 'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum' 
(UA). The great wall and weep of 
the loop. A bust from the opening 
gong, and no mistake about it. Title 
Is admitted as heavily igainst it, 
and the lack of qualified box oillce 
elements is an obvious deterrent at 
the front gate. Goes down Into a 
terrific slide at estimated $9,000, 
which Is no pace at all at this house, 
and especially for Jolson. Last week 
'Sign of the Cross' (Par) was re- 
tarded by the weather, but still 
managed good $16,700. 



Tuesday, Febrmrj 21, 1933 



PICT 



E CJtOSSES 



VARIETY 



Frisco s Sure 
Knocldng^l^ 
For Nifty Biz 



BUDDY ROGERS IN HOME Oncy in GeneraTs 
TOWN, $14,000, K. C.| Doing Nicely; Big 



Sctn Francisco, Feb. 20. 

Thirty-two thousand gobs of the 
U.S. Fleet are abroad In the town 
with a fresh payroll to spend, and 
every theatre is ogling those tars 
and their money belts. Sailors will 
make It a bigger week than New 
Year's if their dough holds out. 
Holiday also figures. 

Warfldid stands to pull bulk of 
the navy trade with a special show 
that's as near navy -perfection as 
It can get Jimmy Cagmey'^ 'Hard 
to Handle,' a cinch draw anyway, 
:al6o has Mickey Walker doing three 
jTOunds on stage each sl^ow, Monte 
Blue lii person, and only girl show 
on the street. Looks like a hangup 
$26,000 w6ek. 

Paramount going after the navy, 
too, even though' t>lcture, 'State 
Fair,' is holding over for a deuce 
stanza. Fleet is recipient of 36,000 
l^eralds with the . punch, line: 'Did 
you ever hear* the story of the 
farmer's daughter?' Jack Demp- 
eey in a WB comedy 'The World's 
Champ' booked in as an added draw 
for second week and helping. 'State 
Fair, will do total of 15 days, Arst 
eight of which copt)ed a nifty 
$21,4()0 &nd final six looks like near 
$1-6,000. Pic has been building In 
great stylo. 

'Midst all this hustle and bystle 
for salloi* trade 'Cavalcade' is going 
strongly' at St. Francis converted 
from grind to roadshow policy for 
this special at $1.10 top. First night 
was nearly Bell-<out, second even 
t>etter than the first and it's, evi- 
dently bound for a good $16,000 

.'Child of Manhattan' at RKO's 
Golden Gate and new m.c, lice 
Fleming, doing fairly well, getting 
many who don't care for Warfleld's 
show or who have seen 'State Fair' 
and Jolson's film at UA. 'Hallelujah 
I'm a Bum' entering second week 
but biz isn't up to par. With no 
United Artists celluloid ready, house 
ha^ be^n forced into open market 
and picked up Par's 'Madame But- 
terfly.' 

Embassy (nee Warners) not so 
hot with 'Explorers of World' and 
house still being picketed. Film was 
roadshow.ed at Columbia last fall 
at 86c top and didn't do anything. 
Embassy's 26 and 36 admlsh help- 
ing it somewhat, however. 

Estimates for This Week' 

Embassy (Markowltz) (1,700; 26- 
35), 'Explorers of World.' Low 
prices a help but pickets and sev- 
eral stink- bombings hurting. Mebbe 
$3,000. Last week 'Crooked Circle' 
(WW) drew poor $3,200. 

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 30-40- 
65). 'Child of Manhattan' (Col) and 
vaude, Lee Fleming new m.o. Going 
to pet a big $17,600, topping surprise 
$15,300 taken on 'They Had to Get 
Married' (U) last week. 

Paramount (Fox) (2,700; 30-40 
65), 'State Fair' (Fox) (2d, final 
week). Holding over after neat 
buildup on first week. Final six 
days may hit $16,000. which with 
$21,400 of first eight days will give 
a nice total. 'Sign of Cross' (Par) 
at pop prices next. 

St. Francis (Fox) (1,600; 65-83- 
$1.10), 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Pic's 
been packing 'cm and $10,000 la 
figure. Critics handed It raves and 
public giving it a good play. 

United Artists (1,400; 25-35-50), 
'I'm a Bum' (UA) (2d, final week). 
Second week is mild $7,000. as was 
$10,000 for first seven days. 

Warfield (Fox) (2,700; 35-66-65), 
'Hard to Handle' (WB) and stage 
show. Cagney a draw, ditto Mickey 
Walker, the pug, and Monte. Blue 
of plx, both in person, along with 
only girl show on the street. Sailors 
going for it. Result: $25,000, mighty. 
Last week 'Dangerously Yours' 
(Fox) got $16,500. 

Portland^Can't Go $1.10 
For 2-a-Day 'Cavalcade' 

Portland, Ore., Feb. 20. 

Biggest exploitation campalgrn for 
any picture in months put on by 
Fox-Parker for roadshowring 'Caval- 
cade' at the Fox-Rlalto. But that 
$1.10 top is too high locally and pace 
oke but no wow. 

This is third picture to click here 
this month, breaking the dull biz 
jinx at three spots, all Fox-Parker 
houses. Other two pictures were 
'Kid from Spain' (UA), which closed 
two good weeks at the United Art- 
Ist.s. and 'Sign of the Cross' (Par) 
held at the Broadway for two weeks, 
although that house has a strict 
one-week policy. 

Dull reports from the b. o. ticker 
• at all other houses, with exception 
of 'King's Vacation* (WB) getting 
extra attention at Hamrick's 
Oriental, and will close for good 
' winning week. 

Estimates for This Week 

Broadway (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 
25--10)— "Sign of the Cross' (Par). 
Going for okay second week and 
should get $4,500. First week big 
$9,000. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,000; 2B-55)— 



Kansas City, Feb. 20. 
Temperate weather, after the near 
blizzard, over the week-end brought 
customers to the theatres, and 
smiles to the faces of the managers. 
The entertainment by the downtown 
first runs is nicely diversified and to 
general liking. 

Malnstreet splurged with the per- 
sonal appearance of Buddy Rogers, 
and Manager Lawrence Lehman ar- 
ranged a number of special nights 
for the local favorite. Kansas Uni- 
versity night, Olathe night and De 
Molay night, were some of the spe- 
cial events. 'Penguin Pool Murder' 
was the picture and the $14,000 pace 
reflects the general favorable reac- 
tion. • 

The Midland's 'What! No Beer?' 
gave this timely comedy a bunch of 
nice publicity and the opening was 



$-Getter HHusemn' 

Cincinnati. Feb. 20. 
Keitli's is only ace cinema whose 
current take Is ahead of last week, 
the product of other top-priced 
houses being Just fair box ofllce for 
Cincy. 'Cavalcade,' with reduced 
roadshow scale, is drawing well. 
Favorable week-end weather until 
Sunday night helped, but rain 
skidded all traffic. 

Estimates for This Week 
Albee (RKO) (3,300; 35-65)— 
'Secret of Madame Blanche' (MG) 
and vaude. Will Mahoney headlin- 
ing. Dunne and Holmes bigged over 
screen title. Heading for $10,000, 



mild. . Last week 'Just Had to Get 
rsur^prisr OnTof The aTmos» I ^'^^"^ 



novelties is a bar in the lobby, com- 
plete in every detail, in a tieup with 
the Anheuser - Busch brewery. 
Ushers and floormen wear white 
vests and bprohs for atmosphere. 
Display got a lot of attention. 



stage, $1S',000, good. 

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 30-56)— 
'Hallelujah, Tm a Bum' (UA). Jol- 
son mob swinging gates to tune of 
$12,000. fair. Last week 'Sign of 
Cross' $13,000. fine. 

Lyric (RKO) (1,2851 — 'Son 



«f^J.«^rn«i.^thi"M<.wi.»7h« ^Q^r Daughter' (MG). Helen Hayes and 
Of the Cross the Newman has She Ramon Novarro drawing $9,000, not 
Done Him Wrong.' A pink ticket ^ad. Last week 'Child of Manhat 
was placed on it and the adv.ertis- tan' (Col), $10,000, oke. 
Ing reads 'This picture will not In- Capitol (RKO) (2,000, 56-85 
tereat nor amuse children.' Notice $i.io)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). This the 
seemed to work as desired, as the ^tre, dark for past two months, re 
grownups went for it in a big way. opened only for initial run of 
'Cavalcade' roadshow opened ca- coward's flicker, offered at 50o un 
paclty at the Apollo Friday evening. I ^er the former top figure for screen- 
Premiere was i;nade an event wlthljngs here on a reserved-seat basis, 
floodlights, loudspeakers, etc. Will Advance campaign ran 10 days with 
likely stay several weeks. ' . adv. bill of about $2,000. rather stiff 

Last week was a disappointment for Cincy. Upper floor weU filled, 
to some and happiness to others, but not the orchestra for first couple 
The Newman's 'Sign of the Cross* of days, yet rave press notices and 
broke Its record for a year the first work-of -mouth pl^if^gihg ' should 
Saturday, .and held strong for the build for $tO,000, very nice 
entire nine days. The Uptown, I Keith's (Libson) (1,600; 25-40)— 
which had 'State Fair" for the sec- I 'Mystery of Wax Museum' (WB) 
ond week, also, held up better than Creeps fans, and dial' t\i;lsters. the 
average. latter catered to with radio short 

Loew's Midland with 'Big Drive' i^ubjects, patronizing at $8,600 gait, 
took it on . the chin the last four dandy. Last week 'Employees' En 
days. Newspapers razzed it and the trance' (FN), $6,700, good, 
women were not interested. Grand (RKO) (1,026; 16-30)— 'Air 

The Malnstreet also suffered with Hostess' (Col). In for four days 
'Past of Mary Holmes,' although following six-day second run of 'Kid 
Russ Columbo drew many who did From Spain' (UA)< which ended 
not care for the picture. Sunday (19). should hit $2,600 or 

Estimates for This Week }^ti^'-I^L7''^J^^f ^mi^nriw 

• •■ ^ „„„ „- ture and three days of 'Big Drive 

Apollo (Fox) (UOO; 60-75-$l) (igt Diyj combined for $3,200. above 
'Cavalcade' (Fox). Roadshow with ^ygp^ge 

Saturday and Sunday mats only. Family (RKO) (1,000; 16-26)— 
House is three miles from the down- 'gmoke Lightning' (Fox) and 'Secret 
town district. Opened to" capacity] of Wu Sin' (1st Div). Split week, 
Friday evening with Hollywood j2,800, oke. Last week 'Fargo Ex- 
fiash and ballyhoo. Looks good for press' (WW) and 'As the Devil 
under $4,600. Commands' (Col), $1,900, under 

Liberty (Dublnsky) (860; 10-16- average. 
20) 'Three on a Match' (FN) first Strand (1,160; 16-25)— 'Shock 
half and 'Last Man' (Col) second Angel' and 'Penal Code,' split Pull- 
half. Nicely and will hold to an ing from sidewalk trade at rate of 
average $2,200. Last week "That's $1,500. Last week 'Jungle Bride' 
My Boy' (Col) and 'Man Against (Mono) and 'Once in a Lifetime' 
Woman' (Col); customers did not (u). $1,400. 

want the first one but gave the sec- Ufa (400; 30-40) — 'Ronny' For- 
ond picture a nice play, $2,000. | eign). All-German product ge^Jting 



if 



Comparative Grosses for Felniia^ 



Total of urossaa during February for towns and housea listed «s pre* 
yloutly reported weekly. Dates given are the closing day of the week. 

NEW YORK 



Malnstreet (RKO) (3,200; 26-36 
60) 'Penguin Pool Murder' (RKO) 
and vaude. Buddy Rogers tops the 
stage end and the publicity. Home 
town boy who made good drawing 
the customers. As picture is of sec 
ond consideration. Numerous spe- 
cial nights arranged; business best 
f jr weeks, $14,000, good. Last week 
'Past of Mary Holmes' (RKO) and 
vaudeville, fair at $10,000 

Midland (Loew) (4,000; 25) 'What! 
No Beer?' (MG) 



$900, fair. Last week 'City" of 
Songs' (German) $800, so-so, 



MONTREAL'S PIC BIZ 
STILL Sm HOTCHA 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


CAPITOL 

(6,400; SS-76-90- 

'"*$1.C5) 
High .$110,400 
Low. . 16,000 


Interlude 

. $39,000 
(2d week) 
Stage Show 


Employees 
Entrance 

$36,000 


Whistling 
Dark 

$24,000 


Mme. Blanche 

$26,000 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

(3,064; 35-C5-7B- 

m 

High. $95,000 
Low.. 15,000 


Farewell to 
Arms 

$52,500 
Stage Show 


Tonight la 
Ours 

$43,100 


Hello 
Everybody 
$15,000 
(6 days) 
(New Low) 


Luxury Liner 
$24,800 


RKO ROXY 

•(8,020; 35-55-76) 
Hiah S71 000 
Low. . 


Animal 
Kingdom 

(3d week) 
Stage Show 


Hot Pepper 

$50,000 


No Woman 
$40,000 


State Fair 
$41,800 


ROXY 

•(0,200 ; 25-35) 

High. $173,600 
Low.. 7,000 


Second Hand 
Wife 

$16,000 
Stage Show 


Air Hostess 
$7,000 
(6 days) 
(New Low) 


Death Kiss 
$28,800 


Iron Master 

$22,600 


MAYFAIR 

•(2,200: SS-36-5S- 
75) 

High. $53,800 
Low.. 7,200 


Mummy 

$7,800 
(2d week) 


Big. Drive 
$18,000 


Big Drive 

$10,300 
(2d week) 


Hot Pepper 

$11,300 ■ 


STRAND 

•(2,000.; 23-35-65- 

05-75) 
High. $76,800 
Low.. 8,000 
•Reduced scali 


20,000 Years 

$16,000 
(2d week) 


20.000 Years 

■ $19,300 
(3d week) 


Parachute 
Jumper 
$10,000 


Hard. to 
Handle 

$26,000 


CHICAGO 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb: 18 


CHICAGO 

(8.M0; d5-56«75) 

High. $54,500 
Low.. 22.106 


Son Daughter' 

$39,700 
Stage Show 

» ^ 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$39,200 


Frisco. Jenny 
$32,300 


Second Hand 
Wife 

$34.eo» 

'Show Boat* 
on stage 


ORIENTAL 

.(3,200; 35-65-75) 

High. $30,000 
Low. . 5,600 


Farewell 
to Arms 

$6,600 
. (6 days) 
(4th. final 
week) 


Interlude 

$22,000 


interlude 

$14,100 
(2d week) 


Interlude 

$9,60»'- 
(3d week) 


STATE- 
LAKE 

(2,766; 36-65) 

High. $18,000 
Low. . 4,300 


Man Against 
Woman 
$4,300 
(6 days) 


Laughter in 
Hell 

$6,000 


Death Kiss 
$».00» 


Nagana 

$4,600 


LOS ANGELES 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


STATE 

*(2,024 ; 26>10) 

High. $48,000 
Low. . 7300 


Second Hand 
Wife 

$10,000 ' 
Stage SIiow 


Hot Pepper 

$12,000 


Whistling in 
the Dark 
$7,800 
(New Low) 


State Fail* 

$21,009 
(Pictures 
only) 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

•(8,695 ; 25-05) 

High. $57300 
Low.. 7,500 


Billion' Dotlar 
Scandal 

$9,000 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$10,100 


No Man 

$13,1001 


Luxury Liner 
$7300 

• 


HOLLY- 
WOOD 

(2,756; 23-05) 

High. $37300 
Low.. 6,000 


Hard to 
Handte 

$6,700 


20300 Years 
$8,900 


Lawyer Man 
$7,000 


Employees 
Entrance 
$8,000 


DOWN- 
TOWN 

(1.800; 25-70) 
High. $38,000 
Low.. 5.900 
•Reduced aca 


Hard to 
Handle 
$8,800 
Vaude 

le. 


20,000 Years 
$11,000 


Lawyer Man 
$9,900 


Employee* 
Entrance 
$11,000 



Montreal. Feb. 20. 
. Second week repeats will pull 
Timely publicity ^own grosses in two big houses cur- 
and the two-bit price gave this rently, but the other main stems 
Keaton-Durante comedy a great .^ni get the benefit, and Capitol, 
sem'-off and will turn in close to princess and Loew's have another 
$12,000, good. Last week 'Big Drive' bunch of good shows that should 
(FD) not so good, with $7,400. hdji up general average. 'Made In 

Newman (Par) (1,860; 26-35-60) Canada' exhibition, which closed 
'She Done Him Wrong' (Par). Man- Saturday (18), is another helpful 
agement turned on the heat in the factor, but heavy snow gives out- 
publicity and the customers and | ^oor fans another chance at ski- 



curious bit. Opened better than ex- 
pected and will likely hit $10,000,1 
good. Last week 'Sign of the Cross' 
(Par) $16,000 for nine days, big. 
Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40) 



ing, and that holds down receipts 

'Cavalacade,' at His Majesty's, 
bettered hopes, attracting good 
crowds of evening dress fans at 
$1.50 top and made excellent $15,000 



'Dangerously Yours (Fox). This big gross last week, with holdover cur 
first-run suburban getting a fairly rently promising another $12,000. 
steady play and this one will hit 'sign of Cross,' at Palace, topped 



around $4,000, average. Last week 
'State Fair* (Fox) second week, 
$6,000, big. 



everything in town with best for 
months at $18,000 and a further 
$14,000 currently. 

Loew's comes back to normal five 
act vaude bill, with 'Undercover 
'Child of Manhattan' (Col) with I Man' as feature, with a good chance 
vaude and stage band. Fairly for for $14,000. Capitol grossed a nice 
about $5,000. Last week 'Lucky $12,000 last week, but is liable to 
Devils' (RKO) and Horace Heidt in hold at that figure on Animal King- 
person connected for good enough I dom' and 'Penguin Pool Murder. 



$6,000. 

United Artists (Fox-Parker) (1, 
000; 25-55)— 'Hallelujah I'm a Bum' 
(UA). Jolson going over In this 
house at $4,500. Last week 'Kid 
from Spain" (UA) okay in its second 



Princess should jump to $11,000 on 
the Jolson's 'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum. 
Nabos showing very little and not 
apt to Improve currently. 

Estimates for This Week 
His Majesty's (Ind) (1,600; 75 



week with $4,000; first week 1 Ig $1.50)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox) (2d week), 

$7,500. Should gro.ss at least $11,000, after 

Oriental (Hamrick) (2.500; 25-35) excellent $15,000 last week. 

-•King's Vacation' (WU). Connect- Palace (FP) (2,700; 60)— 'Sign of 

ing nicely and should close for Cross' (Par) (2d week). $14,000 is 

.strong $5,000. Last week 'Hard to estimate currently after $18,000, best 

Handlo* (WB) fair $3,000. for many months, last week. 

Liberty (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 15- Capitol (FP) (2,700; 50)— 'Animal 

25)— 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par). Kingdom' (RKO) and 'Penguin Pool 



BROOKLYN 



PARA- 
MOUNT 

(4,200; 25-85-55- 

76-85) 
High. $80,000 
Low.. 18,500 



FOX 

•(4.000; 25-35-60- 
05) 

Low. . 

High, 



METRO- 
POLITAN 

(3.000 ; 23-35-Sa- 

05-73) 
High. 
Low. . 



ALBEE 

(3,000; 23-35-66- 

73-36) 
High. $40,500 
Low.. 10,000 



STRAND 

(2,000; 25-35-66) 

High. $28,500 
Low.. 4,000 

♦Reduced scale, 



Jan. 28 t Feb. 4 



Farewell to 
Arms 

$40,000 
Stage Show 



Maedchen in 
Uniform 

$17,600 
Stage Show 



Interlude 

$30,000 
Vaude 



No Orchids 

$16,0(>0 
Vaude 



Lawyer Man 

$10,000 



Tonight le 
Ours 

$28,000 



Second Hand 
Wife 
$12,000 



Employees 
Entrance 

$21,100 



Animal 
Kingdom 
$22,000 



Frisoo Jenny 
$14,000 



Feb. 11 



BUIion Dollar 
Scandal 

$25,600 



Air Hostess 

$8,000 



, Whistling 
in the Dark 

$16,000 



Bitter Tea 

$17,300 



20.000 Years 

$10,000 



Feb. 18 



1.ost Soule 

$22,400 



Hot Pepper 

$20,000 



Mme. Blanche 

$15,000 



No Woman 

■ $13,300 



Parachute 
Jumper 
$4,000 

(5 days) 



SEATTLE 



looks average at $3,000. La.<;t week 
'Match King' (FN) connected for 
ok.ay $3,400 

Rialto (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 65 
$1.10)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Road- 
showed two a day with biggest ex 



Murder' (KKO). This house piol 
Ing up o'f late weeks and apt tu 
gross $11,000. Last week on 'The 
Mummy' (U) and 'Had to Get Mar- 
ried' (U), $12,000. 

Loew's (FP) (3,200; 65)— 'Under 



ploltation campaign In the burg for cover Man' (Par) and vaudeville, 
months, but $8,000 is disappointing; Should get $14,000. Last week 
scale too high for the locals. (Sontinued on page 12) 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

(3.108; 20-40) 

High. $21,000 
Low . . 4,000 


Silver Dollar 
$6,300 


Frisco Jenny 

$6,000 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$4,000 
(New Low) 


Interlude 

$7,200 


FIFTH AVE. 

(2,300 : 25-40) 

High. $26,000 
Low.. 3.800 


Life Begins 
and 
About 
Women 

$4,500 


Butterfly 

and 
Under Sea 

$4,300 


Hot Pepper 

$0,100 


Lost Souls 

and 
Employees 
Entrance 

$.0,000 


MUSIC BOX 

(9.-.f); 2.';-3.'ii 

High. $17,000 
Low.. 2,000 


Match King 

$3,100 


Animal 
Kingdom 
$7,000 


Animal 
Kingdom 

$3,300 
(2d week) 


Pool Murder 

$3,300 


LIBERTY 

(2.000; 10-15-2.-)! 
High. $12,000 
Low.. 3.800 


Unwritten 
Law 

$4,300 


Spirit West 

and 
Not Guilty 

$3,900 


Phantom 
Express 
$4,800 


French Police 
and 
Hell Fire 
Austin 
£4,600 



(Continued on page 25) 



12 



VARIETY 



PICT 



Tuesday, Fehniary 21,^-1933 



200 Film. Radio Delaware Charters 
Wpd Out for Trivial Tax Lapse; 
Trick Promotioiis Melt in Slomp 



Wilmingtor., Del., Feb. 20 
Panorama of how amusement 
ventures of all kinds have crumbled 
under the depression Is given In a 
wholesale housecleanln^ of de- 
faulted cliarters, ordered suddenly 
by Pierre . duPont, tax commis- 
Bioner, and C. Douglass Buck, govr 
ernor. 

Delaware, as notorious among 
promoters for Its easy Incorporation 
papers as Nevada is generally for 
easy divorce papers, has been espe- 
cially attractive to picture com- 
panies and other au usement proj- 
ects. Concentration of such char- 
ters here Is so great, corporation 
attorneys- regard the list In the of- 
fice of the Secretary of State at 
Dover as representing the bulk of 
amusement enterprises in the last 
decade or so. Most of the Impor- 
tant enterprises and about all the 
visionary ventures and trick pro- 
motions. The latter are hardest 
hit. 

In the last couple of years, appli- 
cations for new charters filed by 
amusements have fallen to prac- 
tically nothing. 

7,00Q Slouahed 

Firms listed here were Included 
In a total of about 7,000 whose 
charters were rescinded , at one 
stroke by proclamation of the gov- 
ernor after they had been reported 
by Pierre S. duPont as not having 
paid the small annual fee, which Is 
used to run the state's schgols. Du- 
Pont is tax commissioner through 
his Interest In schools. Small num- 
ber of the repealed charters were of 
companies which have combined or 
changed product. Estimated by at- 
torneys more than 90% were out- 
fight failures. The wholesale ac- 
tion Is the only one of Its kind on 
record here. 

The 200 or more picture and radio 
firms and companies in or related to 
the amusement field, which were in- 
cluded are listed alphabetically: 
' — A— 

Acoustic Products Manufacturing 
Corp., Acme Radio and Slectrlc, 
Advertisers' Broadcasting Corp., 
Aero Radio Corp., Alabama Associ- 
ated Newspapers, Amusements Op- 
erating Corp., American National 
Games, American Opera Co., Ameri- 
can Phototure, American Play 
Group, American Players of Shang- 
hai, China, Inc.; American Radio 
Products, American Radio Stores, 
American Radio and Television 
Stores, American Sound Pictures, 
American Sound Recording Corp., 
American Sound Studios, Anti-Blue 
Law Association of Pennsylvania, 
Anti-Blue Law League of America, 
Ansophone Corp. of America, Angus 
Radio Corp. for America, Artkino 
Famous Pictui-es, Ardea Labora 
torles, Arden Publishing, Associated 
Musical Bureaus of America, Asso- 
ciated Radio Corp., Associated Ra- 
dio and Music Shops, Automatic 
Electric Golf, Audio Pictures, Auto- 
matic Radio Corp., Radio Vision 
Equipment Co. 

— B— 

B-L-I-T Corp.. Beverly Hills Land 
Co., Beverly KJills Investment and 
Loan Corp., Blue Flame Publishing, 
Boston Heights Amusement Co, 
Brooklyn Radio Stores, Buckingham 
Radio Corp. 

— C— 

Calhoun Beach Club Holding Co 
Central ' Magazine Co., Chester 
Amusement Co., Cinema Transform- 
ing Screen Co., Cleartron Radio 
Coin Radio, Color Cinema, Columbia 
Grand Opera, Colorart Pictures, Co 
lumbia Theatres, Consolidated 
Amusement and Steamboat Corp 
Continental Broadcasting, Convlviai 
Club, Crescent Club, Current Publi 
cations. 

— D— 

D'Annunzio Theatre, Inc., Dane 
Publishing and Printing, DeLuxe 
Music, Delaware Amusement Co 
Delaware Beach Corp., Delaware 
County Amusement Co., Detroit 
Photo-type Corp., Dickson-Wieland 
Noyes Newspapers, District Pub 
llshlng, Dixie Radio, Dramagraph 
Motion Pictures Vending. 

— E— 

East Coast Theatres, Eagles Pub 
llshlng, Editorial Features, Embas 
sy Amusement Enterprise, Equitable 
Pictures, Equity Pictures, Etolle 
Theatre Operating', Exhibitor's 
Film-Sound Service, Expo Film, 
Excellent Radio, Everbest Radio. 
. — F-^ 

Famous jSonnd Btudio, F<pderal 
JRadlo. .BrOadcastlner, Fllmograph 
(Continued OA page 33) 



MONTREAL 

(Continued from page 11) 

'Blessed Event' (WB) and Georgia 
Minstrels did $12,000. 

Princess (CT) (1,900; 60)— 'Halle- 
lujah, I'm a Bum' (UA) and 'Breach 
of Promise' (WW). Jolson will Jump 
this house to $11,000. Last week, 
with 'Man Against Woman' (Col) 
and 'Air Hostess' (Col) $7,500. 

Imperial (Franco-Film) (1,900; 
60) — 'Les Trois Mousquetaires' 
(French). Might get a reaction to 
$2,500. Last week 'FIls a Papa' 
(French) and 'Quand To Tues-Tu?' 
(French) $1,800. 

Cinema de Paris (Franco-Film) 
(600; 25)— 'Bnlevez-Mol' and 'Coif- 
feur des Dames,' $800. Last week 
'Roi des Palaces,' $700. 



Oken-Shutta Phs 
'Souls' Zowie 24iG, 
Wask Very Chipper 



2 SniMO COMPLAINTS 
FILED BY WRITERS 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Two complaints were filed today 
with the Writers' Committee of 
Academy, against studios. 

John Barclay charged that War- 
ners and Charles F. Beldon plag- 
iarized his story 'Devil Himself in 
making of *MysterIeB of Wax Mu- 
seum.' Ralph Cedar alleges Uni- 
versal, engaged him to write a story, 
do continuity and adaptation, but 
when he submitted story, company 
refused to permit him to do the 
adaptation and continuity. 

Both complaints come up this 
week and If acceptable go to con- 
ciliation committee. 



Washington, Feb. 20. • 
Good shows, good weather and 
everybody happy. Straight pic 
houses have the shows this week 
and have edge on the vaudes. Earle 
is only house not In the money. 
'Blondle Johnson' Is kind . which 
would get 'em If there wasn't any 
particular oppo)9ltIon. But there is. 

Keith's rolling up nice $10,000 on 
'Topaze,' critics hailing It as first 
time John Barry more has sub- 
merged bis profile In a real char- 
acter In months. 

Arliss Is always sure bet for Met 
and 'King's Vacation' should get 
house better than lOG for first time 
this year. Big night trade Is what 
counts at b. o. 

Loew's experiment with putting 
Columbia on only Monday opening 
in town hasn't affected gross one 
way or another. Mondays a.ren't any 
bigger than former Friday openings 
and house Is losing heavily on Sat- 
urday and Sunday. 

Rialto startled town with o. k. 
! 14,000 -on repeat run of 'Back 
Street' (U). Pic had played WB 
neighborhood spots between first 
run last year at Rialto. . 

Estimates for This Week 
Fox (Loew) (3,434; 15-25-35-60) 
Island of Lost Souls' (Par) and 
vaude. George Olsen, Ethel Shutta 
and holiday big factors in putting 
this one over to o. k. $24,500. Last 
week 'Dangerously Tours' (Fox) and 
Ted Lewis turned in same. 

Earle (WB) (2,424; 25-30-35-50- 
60-70) 'Blondle Johnson' (FN) and 
vaude. Too much opposition. May- 
be $16,000. Last week "Wax Mu- 
seum' (WB) didn't get the women; 
slipped to weak $13,500. 

Palace (Loew) (2,363; 15-25-35- 
60) 'State Fair' (Fox). Plenty of 
ballyhoo helping to nice $15,500. 
Last week 'Mme. Blanche' (MG) 
should have made more than $13,000, 
but is being swamped with Irene 
Dunne. 

Met (WB) •(1;583; 25-35-50-60) 
'King's Vacation' (WB). Arliss get- 
ting usual $10,000. Last week 'Hello 
Everybody' (Par) died in second 
week with $3,000. 

Rialto (U) (1,853; 25-35-50-60) 
'Private Jones' (U). Lee Tracey co- 
billed with Winchell short will get 
average $6,500. Last week repeat 
run on 'Back Street' (U) got nice 
$4,000. 

Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 15-25-35- 
60) 'Topaze' (RKO). Getting nice 
$10,000. Last week 'Child of Man- 
hattan' (Col) wound up with av- 
erage $7,500. 

Columbia (Loew) (1,232; 15-25- 
35-40) 'Whistling in the Dark 
(MGM); o. k. $3,200. Last week 
'Trailing the Killer' (WW) inaugu 
rated Monday opening but didn't 
budge old average, $3,000. 



BufiTs Too Nice Weather 
Is Now the B.O. Handicap 

Buffalo, Feb. 20. 
Pre -spring weather Is holding 
grosses on this front back a little. 
'State Fair,' at Buffalo, will be over 
recent averages at $17,000, while 
'Sign of the Cross' at Great Lakes 
should reach $11,600, but In both 
cases better increases are deserved. 
Estimates for This We«k 
Buffalo (Shea) (8,600; 80-40-65), 
State Fair* (Fox) and stage show. 
Bringing axerage up a little to $17,- 
000 ajfter some recent slough we^cs. 
Last week 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) 
$1^.800. 

Qreat Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 26.- 
40), 'Sign of the Cross' .(Par). Get- 
ting; Into profit this week at $11,000, 
holiday helping. ' LsMt week 'Mum- 
my* (U) a poor $6,900. 

Century (Sh^a) (8,400; 26). 'Face 
In the Sky* (Fox) and 'Kongo' 
(ItfG). Double bin augurs $6,000, 
average. XAst week 'Follow the 
Leader* (Par), 'Payment Deferred' 
(MG), and 'Daiigei'ous Females' 
(Par). In triple threait, $6,100. 

Hipp (Shea) (2,400; 26), 'Son- 
Daughter* (MG). Falling to excite, 
$5,600. Last week "Luxury Liner" 
(Par) downed house to $4,600. 

Lafayette (Ihd) (3,400; 26), 
'Death Kiss' (WW) and 'The Cru- 
sader' (MaJ). Looks good for over 
$6,600. Lajst week 'No More Orch- 
ids' (Col) and 'Speed Demon' (Col) 
oke at $6,000. 



Placements Again Slip 

^Holly^ood, Feb. 20. 
Another 1,000 drop In studio 
placements during the past week to 
4,086, the worst In 10 weeks. Slow- 
ing up of production at several lots 
and the closing of United Artists 
and Universal' are responsible. 

For the second week, Columbia's 
'Murder of the Circus Queen' pro- 
vided the biggest set This time 
with 300 people, mainly at $3 a 
piece. 



Mystics and Suckers 

(Continued from page 1) 

from Reyrtosa, Mexico. When in 
California she used to average bet 
ter than 20,000 letters a month, all 
containing a dollar or more for 
answers to those burning questions 
on love, s. a. and where is my wan 
dering husband tonight. 

This femme rev promises over the 
air 'three answers for a dollar and 
one question free If we can find a 
place for it on the broadcast.' Some- 
how or other she never finds a place. 

Meanwhile, the small stations here 
are moaning about poor business, 
for when the seers went so did a 
big percentage of the gravy for 
these minor outlets. 



Rogers Wants Jannings 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Emll Jannings is expected to come 
here for 'Hock Shop,' to be made by 
Charles R. Rogers for Paramount. 

Elliott Nugent will direct the film, 
cast on the Rogers-Par contract. 



Going Places 

By Cecelia Ager 



No Incentive to Virtue 

•The Great Jasper' Is plain two- 
faced. It pretends to be on the side 
of good Christian conduct, and then 
sees to It that Florence Eldrldge, 
whose frigid righteousness would 
challenge a saint, fades and withers, 
while Wera Engels, a lady with ele- 
mental Impulses toward all, grows 
steadily lovelier and has a pro- 
gressively more pleasant time as the 
years roll by. The only reward Miss 
Eldrldge garners for her militant 
virtue Is a characterization mOre 
convincing, for It Is more readily 
recognizable than that of the ami- 
able, live-and-let-llve Miss Engels. 

Miss Eldrldige has to worry abbiit 
make-up changes to Indicate th^ 
passage of time, she must bide her 
prettlness In the frumpy, frocks of 
purity, she must stick to her prin- 
ciples when the audience Is most 
anxious for her to unbend, she must 
work hard and live . amid.st the 
ugliness of uninspired' frugality. 
Miss Engels, oh the other hand, 
wears smart clothes, fragile, fem- 
inine clothes, whether the period be 
the early nineteen hundreds or the 
present. She travels, shO tiedces her 
fun where she finds It, and her spn 
Is a charming rogue .who steals the 
fiancee of Miss Eldrldge's earnest 
prig of a iBon without even ^trying 
very hard. Miss El^ldgb gets .no 
mdre of the audience sympathy for 
the hardships she insisted 'upon than 
easy-going Miss Engels; she must 
be content with their admiration for 
her fine, sincere acting. 

Miss Engels, in her first picture, 
acquits herself agreeably if not 
spectacularly. She has warmth and 
charm, wears smart clothes smartly, 
and her acccint Is pleasant. ' The real 
belle of the picture Is Edna May 
Oliver In a richly amusing charac- 
terization eoonomlcally achieved and 
thereby doubly effective. 



But Her Hair's Okay 

Marian Nixon In 'Face In the Sky' 
shows what happens to a girl when 
she understudies Janet Gaynor too 
long. It simply turns her Into a 
descendant of the Jukes family. 
One Janet Gaynor Is enough. Miss 
Nixon quite deserves the mental col' 
lapse she's suffering In this, her 
latest attempt to be another. 

Never was a girl more put upon, 
more bullied, more ragged, more 
helpless, more glad to be helpless. 
Miss Nixon Is now sweeping out the 
stables and swilling the pigs, she's 
BO determined to be abject. Her 
poor little body Is bent In dreary 
calico. She's thin; she winces at 
the sound of a voice. The last dying 
flicker of her Intelligence was Just 
sufllclent to remind her always to 
keep her blonde hair shiny and to 
run away from the farm with 
Spencer Tracy. It didn't last, quite 
long enough to suggest to her that 
if the sleeves of his pyjamas are too 
long for<' her short little arms, she 
might try rolling them up Instead of 
flapping them about. 

Miss Nixon loses Mr. Tracy, 



At 20 Below, a $50,000 Loss 



And with New Receiver in at Minneapolis — 
All Houses Socked 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 

Breaking up of the Northwest 
Publlx Theatre Corporation Into 
four separate corporations the past 
year will simplify the eventual re- 
organization of the circuit, it is be- 
lieved here. All of the best situa- 
tions were grouped Into a corpora- 
tion called the Minnesota Amuse- 
ment Co., which Just went Into re- 
ceivership. 

Approximately 20 of the sick 
houses were retained in the North- 
west Publlx corporation, Into which 
also were thrown four ground leases 
that are a drag on the company and 
regarded as liabilities rather than 
assets. The other two corporations 
are the Fairmont Theatre Co., hav- 
ing three bad" houses In Fairmont, 
Minn., and the Zelda Amusement 
Co., with several Duluth houses and 
ground leases which the circuit 
would like to toss overboard. 

Efforts are now being made to got 
rid of the holdings of the North- 
west Publlz, Fairmont Theatre and 
Zelda corporations. If these fall, It 
is believed the corporations will be 
thrown Into bankruptcy. 

During the first two weeks of the 
Minnesota Amusement Go. receiver- 



ship, with the temperature hovering 
in the neighborhood of 20 below zero 
and show and all other business en- 
tirely shot, it Is estimated that the 
circuit suffered a $50,000 operating 
loss. Unless there is a decided turn 
for the better soon, it is feared that 
the circuit may have to go Into 
bankruptcy. 

Under the present friendly re 
ceivership, William Hamm, the 
largest creditor, is the receiver, 
while J. J. Frledl and L. J. Ludwlg, 
representing Publlx, continue as op- 
erating heads. Another 20% cut on 
all salaries has Just been made and 
other economies are being instituted 
in an effort to keep the outgo from 
exceeding the Income. 

The total receipts of all Mlnne 
apolis theatres In operation, num 
berlng more than 60, was estimated 
at less than $26,000, or around $400 
per house, for the entire week when 
the extreme cold wave was at Its 
height. 

Minnesota theatre, 4,200-seat dark 
house which Is costing $6,300 a 
week to carry, Is not Included among 
the holdings of any of the North 
west corporations, It having been 
leased directly to the parent - com 
pany, Faramount-Fublix. • . \ 



which is to be expected, so quite 
alone she comes to New Tork to find 
him. There's a sudden spark of 
Irony in 'Face In the Sky,' for sure 
enough, with her scant mental 
equipment, she does find him. What 
a fine kettlei of fish that makes out ot 
the local Missing Persons Bureau. 
Miss Nixon even goes so far as to 
find him the first night she's here. 
Just by looking through a telescope^ 
too. At that, the same kind Provi- 
dence that looks out for the hum« 
blest of souls shines on the more 
rugged, too, for Miss Nixon's finding 
Mr. Tracy spares the audience 
further watching of her bewildered, 
dodging through the great big city, 
trafflo in her white embroidered 
lawn wedding dress and so quaint 
straw hat. 



Miss Wray's Derriere 

Glenda Farrell gdts her first big 
chance, the feminine lead, in 'The 
Mystery of the Wax Museum.'- She 
Is cast as a hard-strldliig, hard 
drinking girl reporter, not so com- 
pletely hard, howevier, that she 
doesn't find tears useful when the 
mean old managing editor doesn't 
like the way she's handling a story. 

Miss FarrOll. talking and acting 
in the pretty darned tough manner 
Warner Brothers pictures admires 
in Its femme players, does a gen- 
erous hit of dfishlng' about stalking 
clues and so on. She's kept so 
physically active that .there's a lit- 
tle time left for the cerebral proc- 
esses df developing a sound char- 
acterization OniB moment' she's re* 
sourceful as all get out, next min- 
ute she's scared to death. Her big 
chance is not such a good chance 
after all; It won't let her, be con- 
sistent, when Just by being con- 
sistent in secondary roles gave Miss 
Farrell her chance at a big chance. 
Horror films never were very 
thoughtful about their heroines. 
This one worried so much over the 
maze of its tangled plot, pays Miss 
Farrell scant attention, lets her 
shift for herself when it ought to 
be helping her- along. She has a 
definite personality, she can talk) 
back fast, but unless her pictures 
take the time to think about her a 
little, she's apt to turn out bad- 
mannered Instead of llkeably fresh. 

Essential to mysterious menacing 
pictures Is the almost, but not quite, 
victim. This time It's Fay Wray, 
unsuspecting, Innocent, dumb In the 
best chiller tradition. Miss Wray 
has a couple of qualities that put 
her above her predecessors, though. 
She has a personal style, an Indi-i 
vidual chic In the way she simpli- 
fies her clothes and makes their 
youthful line Important, and in her 
introductory shot she was discov- 
ered In her room earnestly engaged 
In derriere reducing exercises, 
which proves she has a certain in- 
itiative. 



The Roxeyettes in Bad 

In the fulsomeness of Its Wash- 
ington's Birthday spirit, the New 
Roxy presents along with its Hun- 
garian Rhapsody offering, a . full 
stage number entitled 'The Modiste 
Shop.' Here, according to the pan- 
tomime, come folkses to buy pretty- 
pretties, to look at models In all^ 
over black or gold sequins, to be 
surprised at the Cardell Twins, who 
dance face to face before and be- 
hind a make-believe mirror, and to 
leave quickly when the Roxyettea 
are pulled out of closets on clothea 
poles, from which they instantly 
disengage themselves and strike 
out in a dance. 

The folkses don't leave because 
they don't like the Roxyettes;' 
everybody likes the Roxyettes. They 
go away because they don't like to 
look at twenty-four edltons of the 
same bad costume. It's a one-piece 
pajama costume in the first place, 
and next, it's made of one of four 
shades of satin. Ftted one-piece 
pajamas just won't fit smoothly 
over the torso no matter how art- 
fully the trousers are Joined on, 
and their stubborness about sleek 
fitting shows up especially in satin. 
Their brief black sequin bodices 
glitter impressively, but the cos- 
tume's compositon offers no reason 
for one sleeye's being black sequins 
and the other satin. It's an Idea 
that's not tied to anything. 

Hilda Eckler, in 'Rhapsody' 
dances spiritedly in a Hungarian 
version of Alice In Wonderland's 
frock. The young woman of Karre, 
Noyes and Le Baron wears pal§ blue 
georgette with little flowers ai-ound 
its modest decolletage, and the 
- ACootlnued on i>age 13) . 



•VAMETI'S' . IX>NDON OFFIOS 



FOREIGN FILM NEWS 



Cable AddMMt fJaOBTTt IMVDOn 
TeleptaoMi Temple Bar aMl-B048 



13 



Pommer in N. Y. for Fox Conference. 
May Become Foreign Chief for Fox 



Eric Pommer Is due to arrive In 
Kew York today (22) for a confer- 
ence with Sidney Kent on foreign 
production. With him on the boat 
are his wife, Claire Dux, Andre 
Daven, Fox's French producer, and 
Paul Martin, Oerman director for 
lilUan Harvey. Still some mystery 
about Just what the Fox-Pommer 
status Is but no longer denied that 
the German will Join Fox In the 
fall when his Ufa paper Is worked 
out. 

Taken pretty much for granted In 
Inside circles that Pommer will be- 
come the Fox production cLlef in 
Europe, - rather than going to the 
coast. Fact that Andre Daven is 
with him for this conference would 
seem to strengthen, this theory, al- 
though Clayton Sheehan, Fox's 
forelgrn head. Is not here currently, 
being In Europe on a trip. 

Pommer has a leave of absence 
from Ufa for the purpose of the 
present conference, with Fox at- 
tempting to keep his visit here se- 
cret insofar as possible. 

Martin will not linger in New 
Tork, going right to ' the coast to 
begin work on the Harvey picture. 
He directed her films in Germany 
for Ufa. 



Going Places 

(Continued from page 12) 

house is quite pleased by her pre- 
cise adagio fearlessness. 



'M' Sold for U. S. 

.Joe Plynkett and Walter Reade 
have bought 'M,' the German mur- 
der thriller for the United States. 

.J^nglish dialog version, made In 
liondon, not likely to be used' over 
here. 



Watch Your Pyjamas 

Dorothy Wilson is the second 
young woman this- week to go 
frightfully fetching In borrowed 
men's pyjamas. The larger the 
pyjamas the rule Is, the more utter- 
ly ' devastating their effect. Men's 
pyjamas', big ones, are taking the 
place of cunning little back kicks 
for indicating sheer winsomeness in 
picture ingenues. It's beginning to 
look bad for the supply of mascu- 
line pyjamas in any household that 
harbors a girl who learns her tricks 
from pictures. 'Lucky Devils' isn't 
doing the nightgown industry a bit 
of good. 

Miss Wilson looks like a thor- 
oughly sensible girl, yet here she is 
furthering this selfish raid on male 
preserves. From her general level- 
headed style, no one would suspect 
that she would bo a party to any 
such qualntness. When young ladles 
like Miss Wilson go cute, the situ- 
ation becomes serious indeed. She 
is so calm in every other respect 
She is so brave about the baby, so 
uncomplaining when her husband, a 
picture stunt man, can't find a job. 
She's so likeable otherwise. 



CZECH IMPORTS DROP 



Entries From U. 8. Off From 472 to 
286— French Worst Hit 



Prague, Feb. 7. 

The annual report of film releases 
in Czechoslovakia for the year 1932 
shows entry into the country of only 
286 American Alms, as compared to 
472 In the year 1931. 

From Germany 363 were Imported, 
compared to 460 in 1931. France 
sent 44 mras (112 in 1»31). 

Czechoslovalila in 1932 produced 
274 native Alms of which number, 
however, only 26 were of feature 
length. 



CZECHS WANT 
FRIENDSHIP 



Ufa to Rule Fdms Under Hider 
With Hi^enberg in New Cabmet; 
See Relaxed Quota, Break for U. S. 



PAY BY THE FOOT 



Belgian Theatre Charges Children 
According to Height 



Fox Situation 



(Continued from page 6) 

stated to have been favorable to- 
ward Harry Arthur continuing to 
operate the Poll chain. The re- 
ceivership that followed for Fox 
New England looks to have been 
an idea to forestall this. Sam 
Spring, New Tork attorney, was 
proposed as receiver through Attor- 
ney Brill acting for the petition- 
ers. Fox Theatres, It is claimed. 
Lou Sagell, formerly affiliated with 
Poll also is in the affair from re- 
port. 

Curious Over* Spring 

The court, however, selected At- 
torney Splllacy, of New Haven, and 
a local political factor to be co-re- 
ceiver with Spring. Presently at- 
torneys for the bondholders are 
looking into the whole matter. The 
big query is how come Spring into 
It. 

All of which throws interest back 
as to where Si Fabian and Sam 
Katz stand in this sittiation with 
the possibility Harry Arthur may 
become disgusted and flag the 
whole thing. Spring as a lawyer 
has been mentioned in reports con- 
necting him with Katz, and also 
Fabian. Katz and Fabian inquired 
about the Poll thing and a deal 
was almost set with Fabian. 
Fabian and Skouras 

Fabian is presently sitting in on 
the regular Fox Theatre receiver- 
ship with reports about him being 
that he might figure in any kind of 
reorganization which may come of 
Fox Theatres, most of whose the- 
atres are being operated by Skouras 
Brothers who are affiliated with 
Fox Film. The parties have never 
been over friendly. 

Meantime another figure to enter 
the Poll picture is A. H. Schwartz, 
owner of the Century circuit of 
nabe houses around Brooklyn and 
on Long Island. None know his 
exact connection. Apparently none 
has considered S. Z. Poll may have 
a substantial Interest as owner of 
first lien bonds on the Poll circuit 
amounting to $10,000,000. Around 
$3,000,000 is held by Halsey, Stuart 
through various connections. These 
two Interests are stated to be com 
munally concerned In the entire 
matter. 

A petition to foreclose on the Poll 
circuit is pending, being pushed by 
Poll himself. Poll's lien on the cir 
cult Is subject to prior payment of 
something like $300,000 in taxes. 
Rest of his interests is clear. 

It is the claim of Fox Theatres 
that it has a $4,000,000 Interest in 
Fox New England. Contention of 
opposing Interests is that this In 
terest is only theoretical. 

Brill, the attorney for Fox The 
atres in the Fox New England re 
ceivership, formerly acted for 
Harry Arthur, when the latter was 
general manager of Fox Theatres. 



Too Much Tossing 

The famous Roxyette gondola 
creeps out on the Music Hall stage 
this week, and for the very best 
of reasons. The stage show says of 
itself In Old Venice'; that's all the 
Roxyettes need to hear. 

The gondola, or a shimmering 
green and gold caterpillar if you 
haven't read the program. Is made 
of shiny shaded green satin. Only 
when it comes apart is is apparent 
that it's a line of gold taffeta leo- 
tards biding behind green wing 
sleeves. Straightway then the 
Roxyettes dash into a smart, whole- 
hearted routine. They're feeling 
mighty proud of themselves, and 
quite right, for earlier in the show 
they'd glorified the deathless Rose 
Marie Totem Pole dance with a per- 
formance of such magnitude yet 
perfect preclson that they're apt to 
start it up all over again. 

In Old "Venice* has, beside the 
Roxyette gondola, Patricia Bowman, 
and a pink and pale grey dove bal- 
let, six pairs of adagio dancers all 
at once. Six pairs of adagio dancers, 
no matter how gifted, are Just five 
pairs too many. It takes every 
ounce of audience concentration to 
watch one pair on the full Music 
Hall stage. Six pairs, not quite 
doing the same thing at the same 
time because adagio posing is so 
chancy at best, can make an audi- 
ence just give up. Each of the six 
pairs is so good, It takes too much 
out of an audience yearning to be 
fair and appreciative to all. 



Too Sane English Clothes 
•The Ghost Train's' English ac- 
tresses work hard, speak in pleas- 
antly modulated voices, read their 
lines in accents charming to Ameri- 
can ears. They have nice profiles 
and they act most sincerely. 

They also wear meaningless little 
necklaces, stodgy hats and stuffy 
clothes. The one night in an Eng- 
lish railroad station exigencies of 
the plot limit them to one costume 
apiece, costumes that do nothing 
to dispell the legend of the British 
girl's ineptitude with style. They are 
all in travelling clothes, but that 
does not excuse their timid lines, 
their strictly utilitarian coats. 
Travelling clothes provide a mag- 
niflclent opportunity for dash, flair, 
a bit of smart madness. Ann Todd, 
Carol Coombe, Angela Baddeley, 
however, don't think so. 

Cicely Courtneldge, playing a 
stock comedy old maid, quite prop- 
erly swoons in detailed dowdlness, 
but the others, bright young things 
who ride in first class carriages, are 
meant to be heroines. To American 
audiences, heroines not only act and 
talk like heroines, most important, 
they dress like heroines. 



Wising Up on Recording 

Hollywood. Feb. 20. 

Gerald Sanger, head of British 
Movietone News, is at the Fox stu- 
dio to look over the new recording 
equipment and technique. 

He will be here for two weeks. 



Berlin. Feb. 20. 
A deputation of Czechoslovak ex- 
hibitors visited the American ex- 
change managers in Berlin this 
week to discuss a compromise of 
the differences between the Amer- 
ican and Czebh film-men. U. S. 
filmers walked out of Czecho- 
slovakia some months back, when 
the contingent there became too 
tough and have consistently refused 
to give . in on the matter, with the 
Hays office and the U. S. govern- 
ment holding the Americans <)retty 
solidly together on the subject. 

"Wblle the Czechs are here, 
George Canty, U. S. film trade com- 
missioner here, supposedly on or- 
ders from Washington, ran over to 
Prague to look the situation over 
on the home ground. 

They've been many attempts 
since about Dec 16 on the part of 
the Czechs to force American 
friendship again, but with the ex- 
ception of Radio the Americans 
have presented a aolld front, lead- 
ing to what is believed full capit- 
ulation now. Canty's not being 
here when the Czechs called, in- 
dicates there'll be no immediate 
deal, because he's pretty generally 
contacted by Americans before any- 
thing is done. 



Brussels, Feb. 10. 

The Scala theatre has Introduced 
a system used on the trams in Italy 
where children are charged half or 
full fare according to height. 

At the theatre entrance is a 
metre measuring stick and the 
young folk have to stand up along- 
side. 

If they are less than a metre, 
papa smiles and pays half, but if 
the youngster has grown since last 
time he was tested, its full rate. 



Ch. Sosa for WB 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Charlotte Susa, German actress 
who was let go at Metro last week 
after being on the lot six months 
without doing a picture, has been 
grabbed by Warners and given a 
termer. 

It will not be effective until 
after the shutdown, meaning Miss 
Susa will be off a payroll about two 
months. 



D. A. AFTER ADELPHI 
AS LONDON SHOWCASE 



Liondon, Feb. 20. 
United Artists is talking terms 
for a term lease on the Adelphi 
theatre. U.A. was using the Do- 
minion for awhile but gave it up 
and now has no house of its own. 

First U.A. for the Adelphi prob- 
ably 'Kid From Spain,' though not 
set. Deal understood to be at the 
closing stage today (20). 



Magnus Headed West 



Max Magnus, former Berlin cor- 
respondent for •Variety,' is headed 
for Hollywood to engage in film 
production. Magnus is in America 
to remain permanently and become 
an American citizen. 

He was slated as assistant to E. 
A. Dupont, but since the latter's un- 
certain assignments with Universal 
on the coast, and the likelihood that 
Dupont will have to return to Ger- 
many shortly, Magnus will make 
another connection. 



Two Deals Pending for 
Multicolor Operation 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Multicolor receivers have tenta- 
tive deals on with Sol Lesser and 
Phil Goldstone for the possible tak- 
ing over of the Howard Hughes' 
laboratory. 

If Lesser goes In It would be to 
operate on a percentage' arrange- 
ment. Goldstone deal would be for 
this producer to take the plant out- 
right for operation as a lab, almost 
entirely for work of Indies. 

It latter proposition goes through 
It would halt the proposed erec- 
tion of a new plant for indie work, 
proposed by a group allied with 
Goldstone, and financed by eastern 
capital. 



Pine East on Ads 

Hollywood, Feb. 20, 
William Pine, in charge of the 
Par, studio advertising dep.irtmcnt, 
left here Friday (17) for New York. 

He goes for conferences at the 
home office on advertising for the 
new product. Expects to be away 
several weeks. 



U Rejects 'Blue Army' 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

'The Blue Army,' Italian talker, 
made by Italy's sponsored studio in 
Rome, has been rejected by Univer- 
sal, as a possibility for American 
release after a remaking, following 
a screening here. 

Studio figured the air scenes, for 
which the picture was considered, 
dwelt too much on the Italian air 
corps. 



Metro's Czech Profits 

Prague, Feb. 7. 

The Czech branch of the Metro- 
Goldwyn company, Prague, in its 
annual report showed a profit of 
43,592 crowns and declared a divi- 
dend of 1% — 10 crowns. 

Unit paid 4% or 40 crowns In 
1932. 



South Africa 

By H. Hanson 

Capetown, Jan. 21. 
Ktnemas, Ltd., held fifth annual 
general meeting in Johannesburg to 
receive and consider balance sheet 
and accounts for the nine months 
ended June 30, 1932, together with 
reports of directors. No report or 
information of the meeting was 
allowed to the press. 



Berlin, Feb. 11. 
New Hitler government Is liable 
to present some strange anomalies 
for the film Industry, with consid- 
erable speculation on all sides here 
as to exactly what will occur. Two 
things are certain, those being that 
American filmers will get a break— 
at least temporarily — and that Ufa 
will be allowed practically to run 
things. Despite that, it's a bit hard 
to realize that those two things 
can jibe. 

Ufa's condition gets a definite up- 
move through the fact that Alfred 
Hugenberg, chief stockholder in the 
picture company, is Minister of 
Economics in the Hitler cabinet. 
Naturally means that no other local 
company can get near the things 
that Ufa wants for itself. 
■ Ufa currently owns 115 theatres 
and has a first run release arrange- 
ment In about 185 others. No other 
theatre bhain to amount to any- 
thing exists in Germany at the mo- 
ment. Emelka having turnedt all 
the theatre properties back, and not 
likely for any chain to come up aa 
Ufa opposition. 

Product Shortage 

On the other hand Ufa is badly 
in need of product. Ufa's produc- 
tion program calls for 26 pictures 
for the coming year. Company has 
also contracted en bloc all of Unl- 
versal's German productions, pro- 
posed at 16. That, plus a few in- 
dies that the company may pick 
up would nowhere near satisfy its 
theatre needs, which Is the reason 
for more courtesy to thft Amer- 
icans. 

Also, Hitler's policy definitely 
calls for friendliness to America. 
Hitler has always been careful to 
play politics In a way to keep pleas- 
ant official relations with the 
United States and his program as 
outlined calls for a continuation and 
extension of this policy. 

All these angles are taken here 
to mean almost certainly that the 
Kontingent law, which is up in 
June again, will definitely be toned 
down. George Canty, U. S. gov- 
ernment representative here, has 
been working hard on the German 
government with the Kontingent 
softening in mind, and local poli- 
ticians figure that the new Hitler 
regime wlll^ prove bis best ally in 
that cause.* 



Julius Schlesinger Returns 
Julius, nephew of I. W. Schlesing- 
er, has returned after a visit to the 
States and Europe on business for 
his uncle. 



Silver Out 

January IB saw the last day for 
British silver as legal tender in 
South Africa, with every silver coin 
being carefully scrutinized by the 
public after that date, and the same 
treatment by stores, etc. 



Metro Leads 

M-G-M's palatial cinema in 
Johannesburg is easily doing the 
business, due to screening good pro- 
grams. The latest Is 'Hell Divers,' 
with Wallace Beery and Clarke 
Gable. 



Music Dealer Dies 

W. Ivan H. Haarburger, head of 
the leading music and piano stores 
in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, 
died January 18. He was a previous 
mayor of the town. 



Rock's U Unit 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Under a deal signed with Univer- 
sal, Joe Rock will have his own 
producing unit at the studio, with 
U financing. Production on his first 
starts on the reopening of the plant. 

Other unit negotiations at U still 
pending. 



WB's Coast Foreign Titles 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Warners Is superimposing titles 
here for the Spanl.sh and Portuguese 
releases of 'Wax Museum'. . 

Ordinarily this is done In New 
York, but 'Museum' is being han- 
dled here because of the Tociinl- 
color features. 



$5 Charity Premiere 



London, Feb. 20. 

•Cavalcade* opens here tonight at 
the Tivoli.at $5 (one guinea) top. 
It's for charity but about the high- 
est nick for a film in years. Only 
two prices on the tickets, the 
cheaper ones being half a guinea. 

•Cavalcade' will continue at the 
Tlvoll on a two-a-day basis for a 
run. 



Hague Cafe-Cinema 

The Hague, Feb. 8. 

The Astoria Cafe in Amsterdam 
Is going to be transformed Into a 
cafe-cinema, on lines of Cineac in 
Brussels. At the latter place though, 
fllmfans can only watch newsreels 
at this grindhouse open from morn- 
ing till night. Fans in Amsterdam 
can get drinks during the screening. 
Old cafe to stay intact and get a 
new tearoom as well with new 
cinema adjoining. 

Scheme is a novelty for Holland, 
though it had been tried out before 
in The Hague just during morning 
hours in one of the picture places. 
It did not catch on. The Amster- 
dam venture Is to be started In the 
spring, plans are ready and build- 
ing starting shortly. 



Spring by Plane 

Morton Spring, Arthur Loew's aa- 
Hl.stant, will emulate his chief on a 
trip through Mexico, Central Amer- ' 
lea and the West Indies, by using 
an airplane for the entire journey. 

He left New York Friday (17) for 
Brownsville, Texas, where he'll pick 
up the plane. 

It's a survey that Spring is mak- 
ini; for Metro and he'll be gone until 
about March 16. 



VARIETY 



FliLM REVIEWS 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



Talking Shx)rts 



<GREEN HEART OF GERMANY' 
Travelog 
20 Mine. 
Projection Room 

Gorman- mado 

One of a group of ehorta made by 
R.V.D. on behalf of the German 
travel bureau and sent to this side 
In the Interest of the tourist trade. 
Subjects, of which It Is typical, are 
expertly made, covering a wide 
range of scenic features, picturesque 
shots of points of Interest and in- 
cidental human interest angles. 

Footage covers Thurlngia, with 
Its medieval towns, lovely muun 
tain landscapes, castle ruins and 
palaces, not to speak of the various 
spas. Attractions of these resorts 
are played up, with emphasis on 
their beer gardens and the line 
music furnished by Its concerts. 
Photography, especially of the sce- 
nic views, is splendid, but the sub- 
jects do not disguise their main 
purpose of selling Germany to tour- 
ists. 

Value Is doubtful for American 
theatres for this reason except those 
catering to German communities. 

Rush. 



'SPEAKING OF OPERATIONS' 
Minstrel Revue 
15 Mins. 

Strand, New York 

Vitaphone No. 1506-7 

Minstrel revue Idea that becomes 
Bomewhat boresome despite the ob- 
vious struggle to present the variety 
talent; clilefly ml^6r radio people. In 
a new manner. Not too t)£Cd, biit far 
from a wow. Strictly a one-to-fUl. 

The talent Includes Pick and Pat, 
Three X Sisters, the Bolllckers, Al 
Bernard, Grade Barrie, Lou Lubln, 
Joseph Pope Jones and Dick Lane. 
One Is the pseudo-theatrical man- 
ager, who, speaking of his operation 
(hence the title), visualizes how, 
while under the ether, he conjured 
up a minstrel revue idea. 

The colored Jones with his war- 
bling Impressed the best. Grade 
Barrie was a sort oi straight. Roy 
Mack directed; CllfC Hess, .special 
music. Altel. 



THE FLYING CAD0NA8 
'Swing High' 
Trapeze Novelty 
10 Mint. 

Loew's Nsw York, N. Y. 

Metro 

A w.k. drcua act. Flying Codonas 
form the subject matter of this one. 
Short Is released in the Metro 
sports series which has the Pete 
Smith voice offscreen for buildup. 
Well photographed aiyl as Interest- 
ing to those who've seen the Co- 
donas under the big top as to those 
who haven't. Okay for the average 
house. 

After Smith tells of the Codonas 
through four generations of flying 
trapeze pursuits, action shifts to a 
practice tent where the present 
three Codonas are trylhg new tricks. 
Shows 'em with safety belts there. 

Later the flying tra'peze family 
goes through a regular circus rou- 
tine, effectively seen from various 
angles and a lot of it In slow mo- 
tion. Exactitude of timing, skill 
required and the dangers Inherent 
in performing high in the air are 
brought out more sharply by the 
slow-motion camera. Triple somer 
sault In air and a blindfold feat 
close. No circus crowds or any- 
thing like that for atmosphere. 

Smith's prattle on the Codona 
short less on laughs than In some 
of his narrated briefs in this series. 

Char. 



'MOUNTAIN THAT WAS GOD' 

Scenic 

11 Mins. 

Winter Garden, New York 
Fox-Movietone 

BaiTlng some poor color, this is a 
scenic on Mt. Banler, In Washing- 
ton, that rates as medium-gauge. 
Okay for secondary houses but not 
the. kind of filler that will be 
strongly sought. 

A. nice plug for the Northern Pa- 
ci.flc R.R. Is wrapped In this reel. 
Oiffscreen voice even in.entions it. 
Plain .advertising. 

Length a little long for a scenic 
and nothing particularly exciting 
has come within camera focus. Title 
Is explained by legend of Indians 
who remembered Rainier when It 
was, an angry god as a former vol- 
cano. Color appears about the 
middle and Is so dull photography 
appears out of focus. Qhar. 



CARNERA-SCHAAF 
20 Mins. ,v 
Translux, New York' 
Madison 

All 13 rounds of the Ill-fated bout 
between the Italian giant and the 
former Boston sailor are covered in 
detail. It Is a monotonous subject, 
holding its only suspense by way of 
the now famous 13th round. Thea- 
tres in states which permit boxing 
films can capitalize on the recent 
publicity if they are able to project 
the film within the next few weeks, 

Pictures do not show any tiring 
tendencies on the part of Schaaf 
He just keels over In the final round 
Picture does much to emphasize the 
difference In bulk and the Indifter 
ence of the rlngsiders when Schaaf 
was carried out. Waly, 



^YELLOWSTONE ON PARADE' 
Travelog 
15 Mins. 

Strand, New York 

Industrial 
Discreet North Coast Limited ad 
reel by the railroad service glorify 
ing picturesque Yellowstone Park as 
a vacation lure into the Pacific 
coast's national reservation. 

For 16 minutes Sam Macauley, 
•who is credited for the editing, and 
probably does the spieling also, does 
it In somewhat academic manner. 

It's a type of reel that, coming 
gratis to an exhlb, Isn't a liability. 
It toigrht also rate a service fee from 
th^ Industrial releasers to the exhlb 
for alVordlner the screen sp£ce for 
the pluerging of the transit system. 

Abel. , 



EDGAR BERGREN 
'Africa Speaks English' 
Ventriloquism Skit 
11 Mins. 

Winter Garden, New York 
Vita. No. 1482 

Edgar Bergren and his dummy 
are in darkest Africa this time, with 
the gas In their plane gone and 
danger on all sides. Material writer 
hasn't had much to work on and 
what he's written is mostly around 
nothing In particular, but It's well 
done. A novelty reel that deserves 
preferential spotting and playing 
time. 

The surprise in 'Africa Speaks 
English' comes toward the finish 
when cannibals crowd In around 
them with an appetite and sharp 
knives. Leader finally reveals he 
can talk flawless English with a 
British accent. He wears a derby 
and Is otherwise travestied but ap- 
pears serious enough In detaining 
his two white friends because he 
and his pals are plenty hungry. 
After Bergren has discovered a gas 
tank nearby and refuels the plane 
for a takeoff, natives express dis- 
appointment they won't stay for 
dinner. 

Provides a novelty finish to about 
three-fourths of materi.-xl written 
mostly for Bergren's ventriloqulstlc 
uses. Char. 



Hiniatnre Rem 



SCREEN SNAPSHOTS 
Novelty Reel 
8 Mins. 

Loew'a New York - 

Columbia 

Here is probably the best subject 
on the technical side of Hollywood 
ever released. 

It. traces a production from the 
time a story is selected to the fin- 
ished state. No department is over- 
looked — even the labs come in for 
their share — and it Is exceptionally 
well edited. Waly. 



THE GREAT JASPER 

Radio production and releaae. Dli^cted 
by J. Walter Ruben. Starring Richard DIx. 
Featuring Wera Ekigels and Edna May 
Oliver. Prom novel by Fulton Oursler. 
Screen play by Samuel Omltz and H. W. 
Hanemann. Photographer, Lem Tover. At 
Radio City Music Hall, one week, begin- 
ning Feb. 10. Running time, 83 mlnutea. 

Jasper - Horn Richani Dix 

Norma McGowd Wera Engels 

Madame Talma Edna May Oliver 

.Tenny Horn Florence Jindrcdgc 

Mr. McQowd Walter Walker 

Andrew Horn (boyt David Durand 

Roger . McGowd (boy) Bruce lAne 

Andrew Horn (adult) James Bush 

RoRCr McGowd (adult) Bruce Cabot 

Sylvia (adult) Hetty Furness 

Sylvia (girl) Dorothy Gray 



Okay as a critics' film but looks 
like an In-and-outer. Should strike 
in tlie met spots where sophisticates 
will like, but whether there's actu- 
ally that femmc appeal In this story 
of a promiscuous Irish lover is ques- 
tionable. Unintelligible mo.stly as 
entertainment for kids. 

This story of a naturally careless 
Irishman whose specialty is making 
love to women, while basically loyal 
to his wife and child isn't the real 
cinema stuff because It lacks the 
punch that could have come from 
some action angle. Strictly a chat- 
ter picture that must depend most- 
ly on what it suggests rather than 
what it actually projects. 

The careless abandon with which 
the hero has another child with an- 
other woman while still married to 
his first wife isn't going to be an 
easy thing for any audience to take 
with comfort. Besides, that the 
man stick to calling his paramour 
by her married name of Mrs. Mc 
Gowd even after she has had his 
child is another tough thing to get 
across. Jasper is an Irish motor- 
man in the old horse car days who 
makes the wife of hie rich and 
powerful employer on the first try. 
Maybe the general customers won't 
take this for granted a(f the film 
appears to do. 

Finish of the picture has every 
body grown up and living In At 
lantlc City In the present era or 
nearly. Here Jasper dies but be- 
fore his death the good that's in 
him rises to the surface as a clash 
appears between his two offsprings 
ov«r a. glrL He savejs the girl osten- 
sibly for the good one of the two 
boys and then kicks off. 
By this time Jasper Is no longet 



'The Great Jasper* (RKO), 
HiEird to gauge but looks like 
an In-and-outer which will fare 
okay in sophisticated and big 
keys generally because It's es- 
sentially a critics' picture. 
General public may not take to 
it very hearty in the inland. 
Mostly a chatter piece with 
walking backgrounds. Not so 
hot for kids. Story of a stumb- 
ling Irish motorman who takes 
women for granted. 

'Mystery of the Wax Museum'. 
(WB). Technicolor mystery- 
horror film with Atwlll. Wray, 
Farrell and McHugh featured 
but weak marquee names. The 
HoiTor addicts mag support this 
'un moderately, particularly 
from the B graders on. 

The Crime of the Century' 
(Par.) Neatly planned crime 
story that will fool most of the 
expert guessers. List program 
but good entertainment. Jean 
Hersholt outstanding. 

'Nagana' (U). Combination 
animal and story theme that 
doesn't pan out. 

'Face in the Sky' (Fox). 
Story, despite two nice per- 
formances by Spencer Tracy 
and Stuart Irwin, holds picture 
down to 'B' stand rating. 

'The Ghost Train' (British 
Made), English meller that may 
go in the hinterland spots and 
very subsequent nabes on this 
spot. N. g. for general Amer- 
ican patronage. Some action 
but the' dialog Is cold. Not par- 
ticularly appealing yarn, either. 

'Western Code* (Col). Tim 
McCoy in typical cowboy role. 
Sustained action ajid story with 
novel angles, , but heroics ab- 
surdly overdone. Below the 
McCoy - Columbia average. 
Usual western appeal. 

'My - Mother' (Monogram). 
Good class B production of a 
lightly plotted story, with Paul- 
ine Frederick starring. 

'Bachelor Mother' (Gold- 
sniith). Sexy title on a heart 
interest play which suffers 
from an obvtpus development. 
Better for the second ' flight, 
but should single there. 



a motorman. He Is a fortune teller 
and known aa The Great Jasper, 
who reads paltiis only for women. 
A grand' opportunity for clever fllm 
work ' which isn't done. Also for 
comedy. 

Most of the comedy relief is left 
to Edna May Oliver who knows how 
and for the brief appearance in the 
film does her usually okay job. She's 
the original fortune teller who, upon 
death, leaves the business to Jasper, 
her friend in A. C. 

Wera Bngels, playing the em- 
ployer's wife and Jasper's principal 
paramour and the mother of his 
illicit son, is Radio's recent German 
Importation. Sh&'s the girl who 
was snubbed by Constance Bennett 
on the latter's trip to New York 
some months a^o. Miss Bennett 
wouldn't pose with Miss Engels in 
a newspaper photo attempt at the 
Grand Central. Connie Bennett, yes 
or no, shouldn't worry Miss Engels, 
who has loolis and enough ability in 
her own right and with proper han- 
dling can get somewhere. This pic- 
ture doesn't give her enough chance 
outside her looks. Florence Eldredge 
as the gentle but outspoken wife of 
Jasper Is okay. Photography Is 
okay, too. Shan. 



WAX MUSEUM 

(In Technicolor) 

Warner production and release. Directed 
by Michael Curtlz. Story by Charles S. 
Relden; screen play, Don Mullally and 
Carl Erlckson. Photography in Techni- 
color by Ray Rennahan; fllm editor, George 
Amy; art, Anton Grot. Running time, 75 
mins.. at the Strand, Kew York, week 
Feb. 16. 

Ivan Igor Lionel Atwlll 

Charlotte Fay Wray 

Florence Glenda Farrell 

Editor Frank McHugh 

Ralph Burton Allen Vincent 

Dr. Rasmuascn Holmes Herbert 

Joan Gale Monica Bannister 

Joe Worth Eklwln Maxwell 

Harold Wlnton Gavin Gordon 

Sparrow Arthur Edmund Carewe 

Detective DeWltt Jennings 

Plain Clothes Man Pat O'Mnllcy 

Detective Thomas Jackson 



Technicolor horror-mystery pro- 
duction co-featuring Lionel Atwlll, 
Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell and 
Frank McHugh (no wow marquee 
strength}, wno struggle about as 
effectively as did Mike Curtlz, the 
director, with a loose and uncon- 
vincing story, to manage a fairly 
decent job along the 'Frankenstein' 
and 'Dracula' lines. Loose ends 
never quite Jell but it's one of those 
artificial things whose sole retro- 
spection will inspire an uncomfort- 
able feeling of the physically mis- 
shapen and little else. But it 
doesn't bore and should go well 
with the B-gr4de houses and nabes. 

Makeups are about the last word 
in gruesotnieneBi^. 'Wax Museum' 
would have been certain of better 
gate support a year ago. Recogniz- 



ing this, the Technicolor and the 
hyper-wierdness apparently were 
mandatory studio precautions td 
offset the element of belated arrival. 

Lionel Atwlll Is the maniacal cus- 
todian bf the Lohd<)n wax museum 
whose fanatic enterprise with his 
transplanted museum on American 
soil leads Glenda Farrell,, as the , sob 
sister, to unearth this weird yarn, 
McHugh will probably never get 
away from newspaper . assign- 
ments — this time he's the city od. 
Fay Wray and Allen Vincent are 
almost negligible in minor roman- 
tic background although Miss Wray 
is featured. Arthur Edmund Ca- 
rcwe as the dopey Sparrow is prom- 
inent when confessing. 

Like most newspaper stuff, the 
flippant, cynical and hardboilcd 
manifestations In the role essayed 
by Miss Farrell rarely convince. 
The studious cynicism of the char- 
actor creates a theatrical artificial- 
ity that harks back to the Richard 
Harding Davis and Jesse Lynch 
Williams newspaper stuff fiction. 
This time It's in sobble form. 

Not so many months ago War- 
hers' 'Dr. X' with Atwlll, Miss 
Wray, Carewe and Tommy Jackson, 
of this same cast, likewise had to 
do with moulton wax masks, al- 
though the premise was different. 
'Dr. X' was also In Technicolor, If 
memory serves, hence there may 
arise some vague recollections and 
comparisons among the observant 
fans. 

Suggesting, but not too strongly, 
that this yarn was Inspired by the 
famous Mme, Tussaud's Wax Mus- 
eum in London, which is more of an 
historical exhibit, only the gruesome 
aspects are stressed in this filcker. 

Abel. 



Ich Will Nicht Wissen 
Wer Du Bist 

CI Care Not Who You Are') 
(GERMAN MADE) 
(With Music) 

Superfllm production; Interword release In 
U. S. Stars .Qustave Frochllch and Ltane 
Hald. Direction, Geza von Bolvary; music, 
Robert Stol^; story, Ernest Marlschka and 
Qustav Holm; camera, Willy Qoldberger. 
At Globe. New York, on grind. Running 
time, 89 minutes, 

AMce Lambercr Lianc Hald 

Bobby Llndt Gustavo Frohlich 

Jttokar Szoke Sziknll 

Herr Puehrlng Max Pulstorff 

Fritz von Schroeder Fritz Odemnr 

Alvarez Zambesi Leonard Stekol 

Carmen Vera Spohr 

Kathe Betty Bird 



It may seem captious to point out 
that this is still another in the 
growing list of good pictures ruined 
by an extra bad titling job, but ex- 
hibitors are more and more being 
cheated out of possible grosses 
through this kind of poor laboratory 
work. 'Ich Will Nicht .Wissen' was 
a good German musical In Germany 
and It's still good. But, as treated, 
nowhere gbod enough for over here, 
with its best grosses to come from 
a straight showing In German spots 
of the original German print. 

It's a typical Geza Von Bolyary 
bit of swell light entertainment, 
though too long. A great team, this 
von Bolvary and Robert Stolz, the 
lad that writes music to all his pic- 
tures, and they've clicked in sufil- 
clent succession of films to prove 
there's no freak attachment on that. 

Subject matter is never important 
in a von Bolvary picture. This time 
It's simply a brokendown count who 
takes a chauffeur's job for eating 
purposes. Niece of his boss falls 
for him. That's all there is to It, 
but so sheerly spun and well han- 
dled that it's practically bound to 
please. Especially with the extra 
good cast that is another thing al- 
ways to be found in von Bolvary 
pictures. 

Film should be cut about 10 min- 
utes, the titles either removed or 
made in such a way as not to give 
the effect of bad photography and 
sound. In that way It can be sold. 
Or just as a plain, unadorned Ger- 
man musical by von Bolvary and 
Stolz, with Froehlich and Haid. 
'Zwel Herzcn,' handled just that 
way, did well enough by Itself with- 
out bothering to resort to titles or 
tricks, after all. Kauf. 



LUCKY DEVILS 

Radio production ' and release.' Producer, 
David Selznlck; associate, Morrlom c. 
Cooper; director, Ralph Incc; • authors, 
Casey Robinson and. Bob Rose: adapted by 
Ben MarkBon and Agnca C. John.°on: 
camera, J. R6y Hunt. At the Palace, New 
York, on irrlnd, .week Fob. 18. Running 
time, 70 minutes. 

Skipper : Bill Dovd 

Bob WUUum Unrg^iii 

Happy Bruro Cubot 

Slugger. . ; ;.. William Bokvwcll 

Crankle Crolghton Chnney 

Rusty Bob RoHe 

Fran Dorothy AVIlspn 

Toots Sylvia Picker 

Doris Julie Hnydon 

Neville Gladden James 

Spence Edwin Stanley 

Rabby Rosen Ales 

Mldgo PhylU.s Fnisor 

Ginger Betty FurncAs 

Director Alan Roacoe 

Camnr.tman Charles Gillette 



Good programmer that lends itself 
easily to exploitation. Leaves plenty 
to be desired from several studio 
standpoints, but ought to be a cinch 
for any under 13 houses to sell. 

It's the life of tho Hollywood stunt 
men, the dangers they face and 
overcome. A hoke story Is built 
around that. It's pretty thin and 
terribly obvious, but the material 
has punch onough on Its own. First 
three reels might have been consid- 
erably speeded up, but when they 
actually get into tho swing of per- 
forming a couple actually daring- 
looking stunts. It's over. 

Bill Boyd is the toughest of all 
stunters, who falls for a gal, mar- 
ries, and — as he had always 
preached about others — loses his 
nerve. Then the wife Is about to 
have a baby; Bill Is broke and des- 
perate, so goes back for one ultra- 
desperate stunt, makes it and all's 
well. 

Boyd gets top billing, though most 
of the action Is stolen by Bill Gar- 
gan, who's more likeable than ever 
before. This boy Is headed for the 
top heights . if. properly groomed. 
Alan Roscoe, old-timer, instills a 
gleam of satire Into the director 
who doesn't care how many young 
necks he breaks. Couple of good- 
looking girls wandering back and 
forth, though none of them with any 
kind of importance. Kauf. 



CRIME OF CENTURY 

Schulberg production; Paramount re'onse. 
Featuring Jean Hersholt. Wynne Gibson. 
Stuart Erwin, Frances Dee. Directed by 
Wm. Beaudlnc. Screen play by Florrnce 
RyerEon and Brian Marlow from 'Tlie 
Grootman Case,' drama by Walter Maria 
Espe. Camera, David Abel. At Para- 
mount. Brooklyn, Week Feb. 17. Running 
time, 74 mins. 

Dr. Emll Drandt Jean Hersholt 

Mrs. Freda Brandt., Wynne Glb.son 

Dan McKee Stuart Erwln 

Doris Brandt Frances Dee 

Lieut. Frank Martin David Landau 

Gilbert Reid Gordon Westcott 

Capt. Tim Riley.. Robert Elliott 

Eric Erlcson Torben Meyer 

Hilda Ericeon Bodll Rosing 

PMIIp Ames Samuel S. Hinds 

James Brandt William Janney 



Here's one murder mystery story 
which will fool even the expert 
guessers since the real criminal is 
the investigator. That's not new 
but It is seldom done and less often 
with a skill that fools. Several 
clear clues in retrospect, but even 
the best guessers are balked. Story 
is not logical at times and never 
plausible, but it Is saved by good 
action and Intelligent direction. Will 
give satisfaction and can be built 
up with exploitation into a better 
than average below the deluxe the- 
atres. 

Story offers some novelties. In- 
cluding a newspaper reporter who 
solves the problem without either 
getting drunk or abnormally fresh. 
Something to talk about is an in- 
termission during which a speaker 
tells that In crime stories the ac- 
tion comes too fast to be property 
tabbed and announces one minute 
out for reflection and reconstruc- 
tion. A clock is shown, cutting 
down to the dial and then the sec- 
onds are ticked off in visible num- 
bers, while characters and clues 
are fiashcd in rapid superimposition 
upon the pictured swing of the pen- 
dulum. Serves to whet curiosity 
afresh Just before the solution of 
(Continued on page 21) 



The Woman Angle 



'Nagana' (U). The Jungle, tom-toms, wild animals amuck, disease and 
a siren all getting In the way of each other's phonlpess. The girls won't 
believe a bit of it. 



•The Great Jasper' (Radio). Matrons will enjoy following the life story 
of Richard Dix as an engaging rogue, dominating a cast of likeable, con- 
vincing characters — including the new Bruce Cabot, destined for flap 
pash attention. 



'The Mystery of the Wax Museum' (WB). Well-produced thriller' 
with properly hideous Idea, much of whose power to terrify the girls 
leaks away In the scattered treatment of its denouement. 



'Face in the Sky' (Fox). Spencer Tracy the lone mitigating feature 
for the femmes In this disorganized, Inane fairy tale padded with Inept 
whimsy. 



'The Ghost Train' (Gainsborough). American femmes are accustomed 
to sturdier, more clearly defined mysteries than this overplayed British, 
picture. Its male lead is not the boy to set their hearts aflutter. 

'Luoky Devils' (Radio). Glorifies picture stunt men, fearless lads who 
may be heroes to small boys, but the girls won't find the mottvs for their 
daring romantic enouiQit. 



Tuesday*. Fetiruary 21, 1933 



FILM HOUSE REVIEWS 



VARIETY 



MUSIC HALL 

New York, Feb. 17. 

Eighth week of the Music Hall, 
and the sixth of Its presentation 
policy. It h&B played to nearly 
1,000,000 customers in. the first seven 
weeks, but the theatre is still in the 
red from operating aogle. That's 
something to consider when a the- 
atre plays to an estimated average 
pf more than 140,000 customers 
weekly and still falls to pay. 

So far the house has fulfilled 
ibvery expectation of being a pre- 
destined draw of itself by the very 
magnificence of its construction, 
both outside and in. The 1,000,000 
customers prove this. The question 
Is. when will this self-attraction 
wane? When that happens, and it 
may happen within the next four 
weeks, the Mus'c. Hall: will have 
reached' Its second .crlsid since It 
opened. 

Warning of this fact is at hand 
the current week, as the house dips 
to $30,000 net. Big figure for any 
b.o., but for the M. H. it's n.g., be 
cause it doesn't leave any profit. AH 
of which indicates again that just 
color and atmosphere isn't salable 
as amusement vafue. 

Current stage b^ll is an example. 
It has color but not' iamusement 
The show is mostly scenic. If the 
scenic policy is to contipue, the 
M. H. must immediately get under 
way on a vast exploitation cam- 
paign to make that color a contin- 
ued lure. Broadcasting may be the 
best instrument for this, and what 
■ NBC is hoping to do on this point 
may be the answer. 

All this Is beside th6 very appar 
ent fact that the Music Hall other 
wise depends on its fullest b.o. story 
from the screen fare. Here 'are 
other extreme hazards, principally 
through a shortage of proper film 
product which the house faces. 

Maybe $10,000 or more of the $35,- 
Btage budget at the Music HaJl< la 
spent currently on two scenes. 
These are the 'Bastille' setting from 
the 'March of the Musketeers,' the 
closing number of the first half, and 
the 'Gragd Canal' scene from 'In 
Old Veiilce' in the final half. That 
first scenic piece is a corking ex;- 
ample of stagecraft. The Venetian 
scene is expensively beautiful with 
» bridge and gondola effect.' In both, 
the revolving stage is used to good 
effect. But, on the whole, the Vener 
tlan scene has only its color. No 
entertainment punch. 

'March of the Musketeers' has a 
punch. This la efCei2ted through the 
vsQ. of the revolving stage that Im- 
presses a picture of mc^ny march- 
.lt>g nien on foot as the M. H. choru$ 
ensembles work behind- a scrim', 
while "John Macauley and Natalie 
Bodansky sing a duet from 'The 
Vagabond King,' musical. 

Only modern note in the entire 
show are the Roxyette dances to- 
ward the close. Otherwise this 
simulation of Frlml music from 
'Rose Marie' and 'The Vagabond 
Kin^;' can be classed as classical or 
ceml. 

One specialty act on the bill is an 
adagio quartet which works ' in 
phosphorous. Unprogramed, but 
looks .familiar. Apparently the same 
team which previously showed at 
the old Roxy and the Capitol. This 
act managed the only titter interest 
In the show. 

Otherwise the only outside talent 
used arc three singers, Natalie Bo- 
dansky, John Macauley and John 
Pierce. Costly and capable as this 
trio of singers are, their vocalizing 
is only incidental to the extravagant 
scenic ba.ckground in which they 
appear. So their talent Is mostly 
wasted. Pierce stumbles for re- 
action, being compelled as he is to 
sing 'O Sole Mio' from the pit. 

Kxcept for that revolving stage 
effect and the broad expanse of the 
presentation as a whole and the 
greater number of people employed 
on the stage, the style of the show 
continues to be formulatlc. In 
every vein the show runs to the fa- 
miliar Roxy pattern. It reached its 
helphts more than two years back, 
under Roxy himself at his Seventh 
avenue citadel. 

If Ibis show stylo draws, there's 
an rxiilanation due to how come the 
M. H. should drop to around $80,000 
or thereabouts currently with 'The 
Great Jasper' (RKO), as compared 
to $07,000 net with 'Topaze' (RKO) 
on the screen the week before. 

Lincoln's Birthday Intervening 
last week no doubt helped the gross, 
but there also was Amos 'n' Andy 
on tlie stage, to prove talent really 
matters to the b.o. 

Keeping In mind the picture end, 
looks as if the M. H. has deoided to 
depend on Us film product almost 
wholly. With a shortapre of product 
loomlnF, that's not ao hot. 

Seven numbers In the show to 
prove that scenic stuff Isn't amuse- 
ment but museum fare, from a the- 
atre standpoint. That means there's 
little variety In ihe stuff and It's 
tough to sell for the b.o. 

Looks like the show took the 
wrong " scene for the finish and, 
maybe owing to technical difficul- 
ties In stage equipment, may have 
had to, but the 'Musketeer' march 
jls a: preferable closing to the Vene- 
tian scene Just the same. Shan. 



FOX, BROOKLYN 

Brooklyn, Feb. 17. 
A new policy paralleling the ex- 
periment at the old Roxy and 
brought in under the same auspices, 
looks like repeating its sensational 
fan response. The Idea was evolved 
by Harry Arthur as consultant to 
the Roxy receiver for that house; in 
Brooklyn the set-up is slightly dif- 
ferent, Arthur taking the house on 
as an operation of his own on a 
rental basis from the receiver and 
moving the twp leading elements of 
the same show across the bridge. 

These are Dave Schooler and 
'Just Plain Bill,' former presiding 
oyer the presenatlon as band leader 
and m.c, and the latter present un- 
der the tie-up with the same tooth 
paste for which he broadcasts on a 
commercial .Columbia perlpd. Five 
acts are. booked. . in as supporting 
entertainment' and blended into a 
neat .stage ban.d .arrangement backed 
by the 24 Gae Foster girls. 

House was. closed suddenly Tues- 
day (14). stage arrangement was 
revamped by covering over the or 
chestra pit with an apron, and re 
opened. Friday, these details du- 
plicating the introduction of the 
set-up at the Roxy three weeks or 
so before. . 

. Early returns on the Brooklyn 
experiment indicated a. repetition of 
the -Roxy up-swlng in attendance. 
Gross on Friday, start of the new 
scheme, about three times that of 
the same house on the Friday be 
fore, wheh a straight vaudfilm show 
was the draw; but it was said .the 
total of tooth-paste cartons, which 
are good for an admission (with a 
10c kickback from the manufacturer 
to the house), was less than at the 
start of the Roxy week. Saturday's 
returns evinced a more active inter^ 
est by the local youngsters, but the 
Friday ' night audience, when .the 
show, was caught, was largely adult, 

House was not capacity at this 
second evening show, but down 
stairs was better than three-quar 
ters filled, mezzanine not quite half, 
and balcony light, latter the result 
of a flat rate of 50c for the house, 

Idea is for Scho.oler to play the 
house a single week for the Intro 
duotioh of the new type show, re- 
turning then to the Roxy. Future 
arrangement Is not definitely set, 
though a rotating plan may be used. 
At the Roxy the new policy brought 
results, house jumping immediately 
fr^m the red to two w.^eks of $7,500 
net . each. Thereafter , the tooth- 
paste , give-away ' 'was ' suspended, 
but resumed after one week without. 

ResiiUs in ..Manhattan probably 
Will not Tie. followed closely in the 
.Baby Borpugh, but, the phan.ces are 
.that returns will be re.lattively bet- 
ter, Brooklyn being 'va$tly more lo- 
ciil In its reactions, so that word-of- 
mouth win operate more strongly 
Uian in Manhattan. 

This layout ought to bring results 
from • fan discussion, for the re- 
sponse of this night crowd was en- 
thusiastic. On audience reaction, 
this layout ought to get plenty of 
fan advertising. And it deserves it. 
No doubt about the strength of the 
radio angle in attracting people, 
especially in Brooklyn, where they're 
home dwellers and habitual dial 
twlrlers. 

On its specialty side the layout is 
probably better for Ipcal purposes 
than was the initial Roxy program, 
principally because it has stronger 
comedy values, but it lacks the 
flash given to the New York enter- 
tainment by a better trained group 
of girls, especially their aerial ballet 
finale. 

But in the blending of material 
into a smoothly running stage band 
unit, the Brooklyn Fox layout gets 
full value plus, and toward this re- 
sult Schooler contributes much with 
an agreeable knack of clowning 
with the acts, helping to knit^he 
show together, joshing with his 
bandsmen and, of course, contribut- 
ing his own piano specialty, an ap- 
plause highlight of the pefformance 
witnessed. 

Stage show runs about 50 min- 
utes, to which Is added about an 
hour for the feature, 'Vampire Bat' 
(KBS), a Mickey Mouse cartoon 
('Klondike Kid'), and a two-reeler, 
'Isle of Desire." Shorts, with the 
newsreel (Ro_osevelt attempted as- 
sassination made a good bally), 
carry the whole show well beyond 
two hours, and tlie afternoon scale 
is two bits for a bargain Brooklyn 
is galted to appreciate. 

Show opens with stage band In a 
flashy platform bower for good ef- 
fect of brightly colored setting. 
Girls are on for plain parade, lead- 
ing up to Schooler's entrance and 
brief spiel which brings on Paul 
Remos and his midgets for their al- 
ways interesting comedy acrobatics, 
an especially attractive number for 
the youngsters; 

'Plain Bill' Is on for a short bit of 
talk Into the miUe, too brief and 
unpretentious to be called an act, 
but secving to clinch the air hook- 
up. 

M.c. works In his comedy bit with 
the band here and then paves the 
way for Gene Sheldon, dead-pan 
comic working with a girl and mak- 
ing a capital grotesque dance flnhh. 
Schooler working along with him 



throughout and far good laugh ef- 
fect. 

Girls are back stripped down to 
very little and doing a 'wild woman' 
tom-tom number. Martha Ray does 
a couple of blues numbers, working 
alone out on the ^.pron, but deliver- 
ing her lyrics with scat angles that 
uot to this crowd hard and made 
her another standout Schooler's 
Pederewskl bit here, and then the 
Three Radio Rogues, whose imper- 
sonations of air personalities and 
frequent use of tamillar bits from 
the standard routines were right 
down the Brooklyn alley. Work on 
a dim instead of dark stage here, 
with the band faintly discernible 
behind them, %nd the girls grouped 
around to the sides and back. 

Girls have a brief drill leading up 
to the adagio specialty of Marcelle 
Williams and Her Three Boy 
Friends, and everybody (they make 
a group of about 50) on for the 
finale. Rtish. 




PARAMOUNT, B'KLYN 

Brooklyn, Feb. 17. 
Fanchon & Marco's curtailed ver- 
sion of 'Sally' Is the attraction at 
the Brooklyn Paramount, with Mary 
Eaton in to play the name part 
originally done by Marilyn Miller. 
Others in the cast are Jack Wal- 
dron, T. Roy Barnes, Hal Young, 
Jack Duffy and Miss Harriet. 
. Just before the production this 
Information, is presumably flashed 
on the closed curtains, .but it is im- 
possible to read the elide against 
the fabric. Newspaper ads give 
only Miss Eaton's name, and the 
cast appears nowhere in the lobby 
but there is one poster frame out- 
side which carries the namea» but 
without connecting them with their 
roles. House offers no programs, 
so the average patron never gets to 
know; not that he probably cares 
much. 

Performance runs S3 minutes 
with the first act taking 2St, the sec- 
ond 17, and the Ust 7. Other 14 
minutes are given to a quartet of 
girl hoofers after the first curtain, 
and Fritz and Jean Hubert In their 
drunk . dance and acfo specialty. 
Former are unbilled, but the latter 
come just under Miss Eaton's name 
i' and above the play cast. 

With dialog serving merely as a 
vocal glue to paste the songs and 
dances together, the plot la skele- 
tonized, with about half of the talk 
going to the now> somewhat archaic 
humor. There was not a laugh in 
the entire first act at the seven 
o'clock showing, and the curtains 
clQsed in cold, the' hoofers getting 
pleijty of appla^se,^ ; which showed 
what. the. audience could do with 
its }tand;3 when It wanted. A few 
chuckles in the second -act, but no 
bursts of laughter, and the third act 
was clipped to dances and the finale. 
Players merely gabbled their lines, 
with little effort to count them, and 
Miss Eaton was listless and per- 
functory, little more than walking 
through. Others made an effort, 
though It was a losing flghit 

Most of the audience Interest 
centered in the chorus, the usual 
good-looking line of Sunkist beau- 
ties and a dozen chorus boys who 
knew what to do with their feet. 
All songs except 'Silver Lining' 
were down to one verse, and even 
'Lining* was not encored. Nothing 
was Impressively sold, which 
seemed to be the real answer to the 
coldness. Quite possible the chill 
of the audience affected the show 
as much aa the latter chilled the 
audience, but the net result was 
apathy. 

Film was 'Crime of the Century' 
(Par), with a 'Screen Souvenirs' and 
the newsreel. Lower floor about 
80%, with a corporal's guard in the 
loges, and the gallery looking like 
a Scotch kirk just before the collec- 
tion plate Is passed. Chic. 

STATE, L. A. 

Los Angeles. Feb, 17. 
Initial attraction on this house's 
new policy of occasional stage book- 
lUgs is Mme. Schumann-Helnk, a 
wise choice in connection with the 
picture, 'Secret of Madame Blanche' 
(MG). Combination makes a dou- 
ble-barreled bid for the femme 
trade, with draw first two days al- 
most as good as similar period for 
'State Fair," the last bill, which was 
a clean-up. 

The venerable contralto does 
three or four numbers each show, 
mixing her selections to suit tlie 
audience, and graciously obliging 
with requests and encores. Her por- 
tion of the program ran about 14 
mins. 

No doubt from the opening re- 
ception and the ovations the Mme, 
received that she la responsible for 
a majority of the bill's draw and 
well worth her $1,800 salary. 

In her between-number remarks, 
she su.ccced3 In getting plenty of 
laughs with her use of English, fol- 
lowed by Gorman asides. She also 
kids about the State's low top, and 
in many other ways demonstrates 
that she has lost none of the tricl(s 
of either showmanstlc or vocalizing. 

With a universal appeal, a name 
known internationally and the abil- 
ity to entertain any type of audi- 
ence, Mme, .Schumann -Iff ink i.s a 
l)et for any theatre,. 



EMBASSY 

Luxer evidently deliberately let 
Itself be scooped by the Embassy 
on the big highlight of the week be- 
cause Paramount was reported Sat- 
urday to have had about the same 
coverage of the attempted assassina- 
tion of Roosevelt as Fox. If this is 
true then the Luxer program man- 
ager made what will go down as the 
worst blunder at the two houses. 

The Florida material was confined 
to Pathe. .Where the Embassy led 
off with dark but nevertheless 
breath-taking views of the crowd 
before, during and after the shoot- 
ing, the Luxer passed this up com- 
pletely. 

While shots were heard and the 
picture was too black to identify 
very much, the Pi-esldent-elect 
nevertheless was discernible, as 
were various individuals in the 
crowd, including Mrs. Gills. 

Embassy also got closer and bet- 
ter coverage of the sheriff's inter- 
view with Zangara. 

Pathe centered on the aftermath. 
It got in the hospital and showed 
two of the victims, as well as Roose- 
velt leaving the institution and 
boarding his train, but It was the 
kind of work that any reel could 
have covered. 

The Zangara interview, during 
which he said that he would shoot 
a p'resideht again if he has the op- 
portunity, is actually a classic that 
will always live In the newsreels. 

Other than that the greater por- 
tion of the Embassy's program was 
dedicated to snow and Ice. 

Clips on skating represented Mad 
Sq. Garden, Holland, Norway and 
Germany. The Holland setting 
against windmills was decidedly 
picturesque. There was more 'ice 
on Lake Michigan and a Chicago 
fire, as ■well as in Central Park. 
Skiing . and Coney Island bathers 
completed the frigid part of the 
program. 

Jimmy Walker looks like a new 
man physically during an interview 
after he has been shown reviewing 
French police. The forfacr mi^yor 
dldn^t rate a hand or a bird s^t the 
^Imbassy. . 
Both houses have Hoover's Lin- 



TRANSLUX 



in addition to the terrible showing 
It made on the Florida story the 
Luxer Is a weelt late on the Pacific 
fleet and the SIno-Japanese .situa- 
tion. It is over a month behind on 
the new army bomber. 

Fact that Saturday was one of 
the few times the expanded theatre 
has been standing them up may be 
attributed largely to a full-length 
coverage in a special subject, inde- 
pendently produced, of the Carnera- 
Schaaf fight. None of tl.e newsreels, 
however, paid any attention to the 
fatality, it being held by some of 
them that the wiser policy was to 
pass up the entire situation. 

One of the oddest freak audience 
reactions to a serious news clip was 
that of Pathe's recording of a talk 
on economlds by William Hard, 
Washington newspaperman. This 
just goes to prove that not all peo- 
ple can stand before the camera.. 
At least men who grimace like Hard 
can't be taken seriously. The clip 
is the big laugh of the week. 

Enlightening America on the 
plight of the farmer by letting the 
agriculturist tell his own story is 
a series started by Pathe. Thio can 
be developed into excellent propa- 
ganda if the speakers do a -little 
more than just identify. themselves 
as they do in the initial episode. 

Some bad smash-ups are pictured 
in a Los Angeles auto race. Luxer 
program has some interesting od- 
dities. Universal's covei-age of 
Bermuda fishermen using suckers as 
hooks, Paramount's lion dentist and 
Pathe's expert pickpocket ''^nllven 
the program. WaJy. 



coin speech, Londos in L. A., Camp- 
bell- trying the Florida course, Ger- 
many's Nazi funeral, Bernard Ba- 
ruch. 

Embassy lets a talk on sculpture 
run until the audience squirms. It 
also carries a bromidio warning 
from a district attorney about girls 
taking lifts with .unknown male 
drivers. Marriage of 16 couples at 
one time in Florida is exploits tloa 
for a state fair. Waly. 



RKO ROXY 

New York, Feb. 17, 
There's a little more variety on 
view this week, but the stage sec- 
tion doesn't covter up the scree^i' de- 
flctency.' 'Facia- in the Sky' Is the, 
picture and second rate, and because 
the' stage end Isn't quite stVong 
ehougli the bill as a whole is unsat- 
isfactory. 

And the theatre is still the draw 
over and above the entertainment It 
offers. That has been said every 
week since the double Radio City 
opeplng. It still goes, but not with 
aa much optimism. ' 'With the thea- 
tre still the only draw, the theatre 
wasn't drawing much here Friday 
night. Considerable empties on the 
lower floor at nine p.m. looked like 
the pink warning on the RKO 
Roxy's toothbrush. 

Presentation is split Into three 
sections, each a different stage pic- 
ture ' with distinct content. The 
George Washington patriotic com- 
bination overture and tableau opens, 
but it would be a better closer than 
'Rhapsody.' But for some extraor- 
dinary trick staging, which is pos- 
sible here and nowhere else, the 
patriotic interlude follows the rou- 
tine known so well in high school 
auditorium Washington's birthday 
festivals and in any picture house 
In a more professional way. As 
long as the house declined to de- 
part from the customary theme It 
might as well have stuck to the 
regulation formula at the finish in- 
stead of the beginning. 

'Rhapsody,' closer. Is in the gypsy 
motif, and 'Modiste Shop,' which 
falls In the middle, is what the title 
implies. Former depends on scenic 
flash, costume color and a stage full 
of people, while latter leans to a 
more simple and less confusing 
form of production. 

In 'Modiste Shop' the Roxy stager 
used his imagination more effec- 
tively than in the other scenes. A 
brief manikin parade is followed by 
the Roxyettes, strikingly costumed, 
who enter In the guise of dresses 
drawn out of a back drop on clothes 
racks. Cardcll Twins, girls, break 
up the costume stuff with a mirror 
dance, cleverly done. 

Four Step Bros., colored hoofing 
quartet, In the usual break-a-leg 
and challenge routines are out In 
'one' ahead of 'Modiste Shop,' look- 
ing out of place in the surround- 
ings. As page boys in the en.sulng 
full stage sequence they fit, but 
their abrupt appearance on their 
own In front of the drapes indlcate.s 
the Roxy staff Is better versed in 
.scenery than talent. When a nuot] 
act does come along the hou.s-^ 
doesn't know what to do with It. 

In 'Rhapsody' Maria Klmp.son. 
.vtaff soprano, who had been a Co- 
lonial dame In the flrst part, n-ap- 
pears as a gyp.sy maid. Othrr spf;- 
' i.'illRts are Karro, Noyc.'? .-in t I>" 
IJaion, adagio trio, and Jlild i !■;< ' 



and Nicholas Daks, borrowed .from 
the Music Hall ballet. Morton 
Gould and Bert Shefter, piahlstis, 
play the rhapsody on a pair of grands 
as Xh& Intirftdiiction. They're "beliind 
a sct'fan On a delrk ro^frum. When 
they're througl^ thi^ turntable takes 
them Off ahd brliigs on the house 
orchestra, which goes, .up .on the 
stage thjs week. Charles Prevln, 
who conducts the Washington over- 
ture, retains the, stick for the gypsy 
sequence and seems to overdo the 
acrobatics. 

Karre, , Noyes and Le Baron are 
two men and a girl in a routine oC 
lifts and tosses that's just ducky. 
Miss Eckler and Mr. Daks do a 
gypsy now-yourchase-me. 

Two shorts and the newsreel pad 
out. Bige. 

CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 18. 

Prophets, especially operatic ones, 
appear to be. In the Immortal 
maxim, without honor at home. At 
any rate the lady who Chicago likes 
to call 'our Mary' was being ne- 
glected Friday. Neglected In the 
sense that there were great depopu- 
lated areas to the left and to the 
right of the centre sectlojn. 

Of course, Mary Garden has been 
detached from the colorful publicity 
of her local career by a matter of 
some years. In the Interim, when 
her doings and vivid personality no 
longer were regularly reported, Chi- 
cago ha^ been preoccupied by such 
bright personages as Al Caponeand 
such mind-filling facts "as the de- 
pression. Moreover, grand opera is 
extinct in Chicago, its greatness 
forgotten, Its practitioners scattered, 
and its former devotees probably 
not regular Balaban & Katz cus- 
tomers. 

Mary Garden, the artist, can and 
of course did give a good account of 
herself when late in a long and not 
too-briskly-paced stage presenta- 
tion she was finally Introduced by 
Ed Lowry. Opinions can and did 
differ as to how much 'normal sup- 
port' the feature picture was giving 
Miss Garden. 'The Woman Ac- 
cu.sed* (Par), %vith Nancy Carroll 
and Cary Grant of .slight allurement 
locally, la obviously the type of pic- 
ture that under the former ,sct-up 
would have gone Into the Oriental. 

Mr, and Mrs, Jesse Crawfnrd were 
Included In the heart of the stage 
show as a part tl;oreof. T.hls "n- 
orthodox spot • for organists was, 
however, fully deserved on a basis 
of p(;rfi)rmanco and popularity. It 
l.s a long time .since Chicago has 
been reminded of what can be done 
wltii an (frg.in, and especl.Tlly two 
organs. It was a re-dlscovery 
(lir(;»-uuh tho (hike and duchess oC 
the ron.sole that the patrons were 
obviously pleased to make. Lowry 
:-.in-Tiilv stressed the personal equa- 
(•'.■nlimiod on page C3) 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, Februarj 21, 1933 





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Tuesday, February ^1, 1933 



PICTVRES 



VARIETY 



in 




Incense for 'Son-Banghter' 

Walter MacDowell, of Loew'a 
State, Louisville, arranged with the 
local representative of a New York 
importer of oriental goods for 4,000 
sample envelopes of various odors 
of incense handled by the -flnn. 
These were handed to women pa- 
trons in advance of the showing. 

Possibly the stunt cannot be re- 
peated elsewhere, but if any local 
etore has a special batch of Incense 
burners and powder, it might be 
possible to get an interesting show- 
case display of burners in the lobby, 
with a limited number of packages 
of the smoke producer for prizes for 
any pimple contest. 

Independent of the incense ,Ma!c- 
DoweU hooked a local pai>er' to a 
Jlgsa,w contest by chopping a cut of; 
Helen Hayes. Necessarily this 
means straight cuts, but the puzzle 
can be made Interesting. MacDow- 
ell won plenty of space with 76 
tickets for prizes. 



All Indncements 

It used to be that an auto show 
was an auto show, They ran the 
cars into the exhibition hall, opened 
the box office, gave the highball and 
the show started. People came to 
see the cars and were satisfied. 

Recent auto show at St Paul was 
worked in typical modern fashion 
In competition with the theatres. 
■Dispatch-Pioneer Press' tied in for 
special stunts, band leader brought 
in and ballyhooed and all of the 
local merchants were urged to con- 
tribute advertising on the plea that 
it would help to draw people to 
town. 

Department stores were Induced 
to put on fashion shows, every 
night was a special of some sort 
and the band played in the show 
afternoon and evening and shitted 
to the ballroom at 10, p. m. for 
dancing until midnight. Not to 
mention an auto giveaway each 
night as a door prize. 



Plugging Mickey 

Hal Home, of United Artists, has 
gone for the Mickey Mouse clubs in 
a large way. It means a lot of wQjrk, 
but it also means money to the 
exhibs who carry the cartoons. 

As a sample of the idea. Home 
sends along the listing for the New 
Tork exchange territory, which has 
67 Mickey Mouse clubs, all in Fox 
theatres. On subsequent sheets are 
listed in order the newspapers car- 
rying the cartoon strip, the manu- 
facturers who are licensed to use 
the Mickey Mouse designation, 
naming the product of each and 
all stores within the territory han- 
dling such product. There are eight 
such producers, with nearly 1,000 
stores scattered through the area. 
Any exhibitor seeking a tleup knows 
exactly where to go. 

Fonnd a New One 

Allen Benn« of the Benson, West 
Philadelphia, seems to have found 
a new hookup useful in some sec- 
tions. Instead of asking the news- 
boys or the Institutional children to 
come to his theatre as guests, he 
sent tickets to all sisters of local 
Catholic orders, selecting 'Pros- 
perity' as the picture most likely to 
interest them. 

Most of the sisters are employed 
in parochial school work and char- 
ity, and they form countless con- 
tacts, so it was good word-of-mouth 
advertising, not only for the house, 
but the picture. The arrangements 
should be made through some mem- 
ber of that faith to avoid mistakes 
which might prove embarrassing, 
but this should be a simple matter. 



Something to Keep 

Pei'haps the most compact and 
useful book on exploitation ever 
done was not gotten up for sale. It's 
an exhibitor help Just put out under 
the title of Loew's Ballyhoo, with 
the word forming the excuse for a 
snappy cover design in the form of 

the humor magazine. Oscar Doob 

is given the credit. 

With side index tabs for lobby 
work, street stuff and similar heads. 

it lists photographically most of the 
basic stunts. Any manager who had 
to pay a five spot for the book would 

be able to get his money back the 

first week, but there's no price tag 

on the volume and it's not a plug; 

it's a public service. 

Bridge Angles 

Warners fort'icomlng 'Grand 
Slam' was made for exploitation, 
and offers as many angles as a por- 
cupine has quills. Even the throw- 
away can carry a score sheet on the 
back, tournaments can be arranged 
for advance exploitation, lessons 
given by local experts, fancy decks 
of cards can be promoted for special 
prizes and stores can be hooked in 
to special -window displays of 
bridge outfits, with cards for the 
picture. 

One manaper is even considering 
runnlnpr off his tournament in a 
store wMulow, sinoc he has no thea- 
tre sp..co and opens the house too 



early to permit the use of the stage. 
Idea is that contestants will play in 
the window at specified times with 
a plate of glass separating the 
kibitzers from the players. Plays 
will be called by means of a loud 
speaker, with a local expert dissect- 
ing each game as it Is played. 

Only care to be exercised is not to 
let the Impression arise that the 
picture is for bridge players only. 
That might restrict the sale, since 
there are still a few who are not 
Infected with the craze. 



Hartford Gags 

Hartford. 
George Landers tries a new one 
for the Loew theatre. When air 
transportation company announced 
cut in rates for trip to New York 
Manager Landers ties in by giving 
free rides from this city to the 
metropolis for guests who give best 
nickname for 'Air Hostess.' Brought 
good results and award included 
two tickets to New York and re- 
turn, the winning title being 'Air- 
ess.' 

Allyn-Publix ties in with depart- 
ment store distributing 10,000 kisses 
from Kate Smith to the public. The 
kisses were handy and enclosed in 
an envelope plugged the picture 
'Hello Everybody.' The stunt 
created by Manager Louis Schaefer. 

Capitol theatre gets an excellent 
break when price slashing works 
in fine with general sales announce- 
ments by most stores in town 
preaching economy. It may have 
been a coincidence but sounds like 
good exploitation with the advocat- 
ing of saving on amusements. 



Teaser Book Again 

Grood use of the 'what I know' 
style of four-page booklet has been 
prepared for 'The Secret of Mme. 
Blanche' by a second -run house. 
The usual four pages with an .id on 
the back and the title on the front 
with 'See Inside' in smaller type. 

Instead of blank pages inside 
there Is a nicely set 'We're too 
ethical to ten on a lady. Come to 
the Strand and maybe she'll tell 
you herself.' The dates followed. 

Books were not only read, but 
they were passed from hand to 
hand In an effort to sting the other 
fellow, too. Got three and four 
readers for each piece, which is 
good advertising. 

Makes Ushers Act 

Theatre unable to use vaudeville 
and yet desiring to cater to the 
demand for something besides the 
picture has been trying to use the 
community sing idea» with the or- 
ganist for a leader. He's a good 
organist but not so hot on the coax 
thing. 

Film salesman gave him a tip that 
has put the idea over In quite a 
nice way. Salesman explained that 
people were afraid to sing out loud 
because they might be all alone In 
a bunch of hummers. He suggest- 
ed spotting the ushers In the aisles 
to help sing and to carry the crowd 
along. 

Now It's announced as the Sing- 
ing Ushers and given a regular 
space in all advertising. More peo- 
ple sing, and sing louder. 



L. A. State-Metro Tieup 

Los Angeles. 

Metro studio has tied up with 
Loew's State (Fox-West Coast) on 
a question-answering contest that 
runs to March 8, with a wide va- 
riety of prizes, including a week-end 
trip to California, a trip through 
the Metro studio, free portrait sit- 
ting by the studio photographer, one 
six months' and one three months' 
pass to the State, plus 100 Individual 
courtesies, and other prizes. 

First three questions apply to 
namto of stars In forthcoming M-G 
productions. Fourth covers a new 
slogan to rei^ace 'More stars than 
there are in Heave n.' It's a strictly 
M-G studio-theatre proposition, and 
the first tieup the deluxe State has 
gone for in the past eight or nine 
years. 

The Italian Idea 

Milan. 

There is hardly a shop or store 
In Milan where coupons are not 
given which entitle the purchaser 
to reductions at the theatre and 
cinemas. One series issued by the 
Carcano theatre, allows the holders 
to enter with a payment of only 
five cents in the gallery and ten 
cents in the pit Another group Is 
good for the entrance if a box is 
taken, which means . If six people 
decide to take a box, they save al- 
most two dollars. 

Another stunt adopted by one of 
the cinemas Is that the first hun- 
dred coupons presented will enter 
free, the house paying the amuse 
ment tax. In order to give all a 
chance, however, the boxofflce is 
open all the morning and the first 
hundred receive a ticket allowing 
the holder to enter at any time of 
the same day. Both the theatres 
and cinemas have had full houses 
since the institution of this method. 



Fall the String 

New lobby device appeals to the 
innate desire to work a novelty 
oneself. It's an endless belt on two 
rollers carrying eight stills. Motive 
power is supplied, by the observer, 
a sign inviting him to 'Pull the 
string and see another picture.' 
Cord operates a pawl, which moves 
a rachet on the top roller, not unlike 
the typewriter roller, cord being just 
long enough to permit one full space 
to be traveled, wjth the square 
opening in the front of the box just 
large enough to show one still and 
Its accompanying copy. 

Probably it will not be good for 
more than two or three weeks at a 
time, but It works well while It Is 
current and It's well to remember 
that a stunt that goes stale in the 
lobby might be new If you can find 
some other location. 



Copies Oranman 

Small towner has taken Sid Grau- 
man'a idea of the cement autograph 
for his theatre lobby. Had to have 
the Inner passage replastered be- 
cause of breaks, and in advance 
arranged to have most of his regular 
patrons press their hands against 
the still soft plaster and then trace 
their autograph in the palm. 

Finds that it Is not only a perma- 
nent object of curiosity, but all who 
signed the unique album bring their 
out-of-town friends to see. 



Paraded Anyhow 

Washington. 
Local Loew house managers cooked 
up own publicity gags during 
week without <ezpIolt man. Best 
stunt was staging parade for 'State 
Fair* in town where such is hot 
permitted. 

Boys got letter from mayor of 
suburb on one side of town to mayor 
of town across river. Loaded Fox 
theatre kids' band in truck and 
drove through streets with banners 
-flying. It wasn't parade — just going 
from HyattsvlUe to Alexandria. AnA 
if city's main thoroughfares were 
in itinerary that was just coinci- 
dence. 

Other stunt broke Fox traditional 



rule against merchandise displays 
in lobby. New Ford was placed 
there and local auto company tossed 
in newspaper ads and six spot an- 
nouncements on air daily for week 
ballyhooing 'Island of Lost Souls' 
and new Ford as biggest hits of 
season. 



Beat the Cold 

Duluth. 

Despite a record cold wave, the 
Granada theatre has proved that 
newspaper advertising, low prices 
and good exploitation can beat the 
depression. In presenting 'The 
Bitter Tea of General Yen' Manager 
Roy Prytz started heavy newspaper 
advertising almost a week in ad- 
vance. Ushers and all other mem- 
bers of the house staff donned at- 
tractive Chinese costumes as teas- 
ers. An artistic lobby display, a 
big window display opposite the 
theatre, advance trailer, and various 
hook-ups made the picture the talk 
of the town. The picture did just 
about capacity business during its 
run at 26 cents for the entire house, 
making a tidy profit 

Artillery for a Local 

Mexico. City. 
Lobby of Teatro Regis here. 
Par's new Mexican show window, 
presents a most martial aspect 
li^Ued with pieces of field artillery, 
rifles, pistols, and other war-mak- 
ing material of a decade or so ago. 
Explanation: Ballyhoo for 'Revolu- 
cion' <'Revolutlon'), made-ln-Mex- 
Ico talker* produced by Aztlan 
Films and depicting the high spots 
of the stirring times that prevailed 
in this land until a few years ago, 
now currently at the Regis. 



Kidded the Crisis 

Birmingham, Ala. 
Bill Wolfson, pj^ for the southern 
division RKO. brought out 'A Re- 
ceiver Edition' of 'Southern Topics,' 
house organ with many a crack gag. 
It was this last edition of the paper» 
which Is being discontinued as an 
economy move. It contained bur- 
lesque of .future pictures, publicity 
stunts and economy cased by rei- 
I celvershlp. 



BEHIND the KEYS 



Los Angeles. 
Two former Fox West Cosuit dis- 
trict managers have been appointed 
theatre operators. Bruce Fowler 
becomes manager of Boulevard here, 
replacing Joe Freeman, and Terry 
McDaniels replaces H. D. McBride 
in Spokane. 



Los Angeles. 
tJ. C. theatre (F-WC), at Berke- 
ley, reopened after being dark one 
week. E. C. Gates Is the new mgr., 
replacing W. J. Abercrombie. 



Burlington, Vt. 
E. R. Hutchinson, pioneer Ver- 
mont film theatre man, has taken 
over the management of the Strong 
theatre, succeeding John J. Whalen, 
recently deceased. 

Bronx, N. Y. 
Melrose theatre closed by Moe 
Goldman 'for repairs,' or until such 
time as business picks up. 



Toledo. 

Bud Silverman, manager of the 
Vita Temple razed by fire last week, 
has taken over the Granada, where 
second run double features will be 
continued. Howard Felgley will be 
house manager. 

Ken Benson, formerly assistant to 
Jack O'Connell at Vita Temple and 
Avalon, has taken over the Holly- 
wood (nabe) house.. Benson will 
change the name to the Alan. 



Washington. 

Lou Brown, local lad who lost out 
when Loew took over Fox, is back 
again as local Loew exploiter. 

Replaces Eddie Gllmore, who will 
manage new Loew's Grand, Atlanta. 



Dows, la. 
Harry Huddleston has closed the 
Amuzu and will make his home In 
Des Moines. 



Anita, la. 
RIalto, owned and operated by W. 
F. Budd, closed by fire. Will re- 
build. 



Hartford, Conn. 
Al Trainer on road with 'Caval- 
cade.' George Capewell replaced by 
Edward Fogarty at Capitol art de- 
partment. Bobby Hart now man- 
ager of Palace. Victor Pajonls as- 
sistant at Allyn. Nat Greenwood 
new addition for State, Manchester, 



Los Angele.s. 
Managerial shifts in Fox-West 
Coast Midwest division include: H. 
E. Ulrlch replaces John W. Creamer 
at Fox, Sallna, Kans. Creamer re- 
places T. S. Wilson at the Waldo, 
Kansas City, with Wilson going to 



the Beyer, Excelsior Springs, Mo., 
relieving Philip T. Hill, who is as- 
signed to the Whiteway at Fredonia, 
Kans., vice A. L. Lasalle. William 
Wagner replaces L. M. Garman at 
the Plaza, Kansas City, and Allan 
Karf succeeds Howard E. White at 
the Auditorium, Marshall, Mo. 



Minneapolis. 
When a neatly dressed man 
handed a note demanding money to 
Lucille Kessell, cashier of the Sev- 
enth Street theatre here, threaten- 
ing to harm her if she didn't re- 
spond. Miss Kessell forked over all 
the currency that she nervously 
could put her hands on. The holdup 
occurred Saturday night In the 
heart of the loop. 



Denver. 

Closed: Trail, Bridgeport, Neb., 
and Paramount, North Platte, Neb. 
(both Fox). 

Reopened: Eads, Eads, Colo.; 
Princess, Crested Butte, Colo.; Val- 
ley, Manassa, Colo. 

Fox has taken back the America 
at Sterling from Chas. Mclntyre. 



Reading, Pa. 
Capitol, 2,200-seat, Wilmer & Vin- 
cent, closed. Operating at 25c for 
time. 



Birmingham. 
Two Wllby houses. Diamond at 
Tuscaloosa, and Walton, Selma, 
have closed temporarily. Tusca- 
loo.sa house is operating two days 
a week, however. 

Cleveland. 
Frank Hines, formerly at Hipp, 
made RKO Palace's manager, How- 
ard Rigley as assistant-treasurer, 
and Bert Hansen p. a. 



Auctions Pull 

Cleveland. 

Auction theatrical nights are old 
stuff, but Bill Smith of the Garden 
has revamped the stunt with sell- 
out results by having auction money 
printed as a giveaway for mer- 
chants co-operating with him. 

It's a two-way break, for store 
owners wlio contribute merchandise 
to theatre's auction get juicy exploi- 
tation through artificial green-backs 
they give away with every purchase 
over 60 cents. Grown-ups as well 
as kids going strong in race for 
largest collection of 'Auction Bucks' 
used in pay-ofC after auctioning. 
Merchandise sold on theatre's stage 
Saturday night, with Manager 
Smith as auctioneer, ran up to some 
unusual high bidding on opening 
night before a record large crowd. 
Coal, hats, suits, shoes and even 
marcels on auction list made stunt 
worth while to customers. 



Fond du Lac. 
Carl Nlesse has resigned as city 
manager of Fox Mldwesco theatres 
In Fond du Lac, Wis., to return to 
the Circle Theatre Co. In Indianap- 
olis. 



Pittsburgh. 

Warner club, composed of all 
Warner theatre eipployees . in this 
territory, has been reorganized and 
a new set of officers installed. 
Present officers are: 

President, 'C. - J. Latta; vice- 
presidents, BUI Scott, Ben Kalmen- 
son, Dick England, of Charlerol, and 
Mike Boyle, of John.«to\vn; secre- 
tary, Harriet Pettlt: as."slstant secre- 
tary, Dorothy Phillip.?; and treas- 
urer, Al Ream. 



Helping Drive' 

Ben Serkowitz, who is handling 
the war picture 'Thg Big Drive,' re- 
ports a number of instances In- 
which local men have spotted them- 
selves in the picture, which always 
has helped toward a big clean-up. 
Where personal identification is im- 
possible, location of the regiment 
or the locallte Is generally sufficient 
to heat iip the town, 

Down In Nashville Edwin Adler, 
of the Vendome, sent 2,200 letters to . 
Legion men and 300 to women's 
clubs on the anti-war angle. A spe- 
cial pre-view was held for officials 
and others of Importance and a 
good angle was a tie-up with a 
local taxi CO. for the transportation 
of 86 gold star mothers to the the- 
atre: General exploitation was a 
bombing squadron dropping throw- 
aways. 

Biggest Jig 

J. D. Prouxl, of the Strand, New 
Amsterdam, N. matfe a cleanup 
on 'Animal Kingdom' with a home, 
made -jigsaw puzzle -ftxlO feet, made 
from one ot the 24-sheet8. iislng 
only the portion' containing the 
heads of the stars. . 

After cutting this was reassembled 
and set Into the window of a local 
store, v;lth prizes for the closest es- 
timate^ of the number of pieces 
used, prizes being awarded the 
opening night of the feature. 

Only cost was for the '24-8heet, 
old compo board being used for 
mounting. Labor was not counted 
In as those employed had to be do- 
ing something, and the compo board 
was all previously used "material. It 
drew like a circus, and It's good— > 
once — ^for any picture. 

' Joe Weil's Hote 

Joe Well, ot Universal, has dug 
out a honey for "Private Jones.' It's 
a manlla envelope In war time style 
with a large 'Censored' across the 
face. Inside Is a note, ostensibly 
from Lee Tracy, which also Is pretty 
well censored . with big black 
blotches which make for an attrac- 
tive eye-catcher. 

Gag Is BO simple that Well Is not 
planning to Issue It as an accessory 
but to supply mats and let the ex- 
hibits giet them out locally. It's 
sure-fire for the type of patron 
who'll appreciate the picture^ and 
even the little fellow can afford to 
get them out 



N<-\vrii k. N. J. 
Clayton Corum .su< c(-(-fli-(l C'li.'irlcs 
Mlchelson as manij;;('r of local Ter- 
minal. 



Campaigning 'Maedohen' 
Practically the first adequate 
American-style press book ever got- 
ten out for a foreign language film 
comes from Krimsky & Cochran for 
'Maedchen In Uniform,' prepared by 
Jean Dalrymple. 

It follows closely the American 
idea, but is a little shy on variety 
of art for the prepared ads. Outside 
of this it is foursquare with the 
product of the major companies. 

Probably It will be some time be- 
fore another similar book Is pre- 
pared, but anyhow it's a starter. 

Cooking School Again 

Cedar Rapids. 
The Paramount theatre made 
what was a new gesture in com- 
munity s.ervlce here by sponsoring 
a free cooking school idea, dates 
for four days starting Feb. 21. Free 
admission with the grhool to be held 
each mornlnj; from 9 to 11 In charge 
of Dorothy Coolcy, Iowa state grad, 
and well known In this section. 
Merchants co-opeiallnp with the 
theatre managennent with nationally 
advertl.«ed brands to be plugged. 



Going South 

Chariot of Marcu<j Superbus used 
in the production of DeMIlle's 'Sign 
of the Cross,' has been sent to Au- 
stralia and will be used to bally 
the picture down under. Idea is to 
drive the buggy overland, from 
.Sydney to Melbourne, about 500 
miles, with an escort of Roman 
.sold ids. Costumes are from a 
shipment of the originals. 

Otlifi- c'l'i' "'if^nt h.is been sent 
(Continued on page 10) 



19f 



VARIETY 




> > ^ 




WITH V 



CAIV/ GRANT 

OWEN MOORE 
NOAH BEER.V" 
CILBEKT ROLAND 

Q. Qkiramount Qicture 



held Otfer a siecbnd u;eekT--buildinq dailq 
—W7iU equal febomlime gtossesl 



LOS ANGELES 

without a stage shou? doubled average 
U7eeklij gross with stage shows! 



HOUSTON 
ROCHESTER 

nomal week's business in three daqsl 

BOSTON— DETROIT 
SPRINGFIELD 

in uproar. Doubling and tripling normal 
grosses! 




THE WHOLE COUNTRY 
IS GOING "WEST!" 



TuesJay, February 21, 1933 



P I C T 



E S 



Variety 



i»2 



RKO Receiver s Report Sets Out 
Several Financial Transactions 



It Is Indicated In the receivers' 
repbjrt filed tor RKO with Federal 
Juderei Bondy at a hearing: held Fri- 
day- (17) that f7 0,516,497.36, or 92%, 
of the company's total assets 
amounting to $76,124,794 is pledged 
to RCA and Chemical. The latter, 
through Its subsidiary the Com- 
mercial Investment Trust. 

The unpledged assets amount to 
$5,688,805. Of this amount, |125,- 
702 Is in notes and accounts re- 
ceivable. 

RCA also owns approximately 
60% of the total issued common 
stock of RKO, or around 1,530,000 
of the 2,556,765 shares of common 
outstanding. The remainder is held 
t>y around 30,000 stockholders. 

The assets of the company con- 
sist principally of accounts, notes 
and mortgages receivable from and 
Investments in capital stocks of 
subsidiary and afflliated companies. 
The aggregate book value of same 
is placed at $72,946,644. Remaining 
assets amounting to $3,179,250 con- 
sist of cash, unpaid subscriptions 
of debentures, improvements and 
equipment on leased properties, 
good will and contracts besides de- 
posits on leases and deferred 
charges. 

The Issues for which RCA and 
Chemical hold pledges and for which 
92% of the company's assets are 
written over as security, comprise 
RKO's 6% gold notes; 6% secured 
gold; and 10-year 6% sinking fund 
gold debentures. These three issues 
amounting to $16,239,009.76 Comprise 
the total funded debt of RKO and 
the principal amount of each issue 
as outstanding on January 27. 

The 6% gold notes, aggregating 
$2,814,600 was due in Instalments 
maturing January 1, and also was 
to have been due July 1, 1933, and 
Januarv 1, of each succeeding year 
until 1936. 

An extension was had on $1,118,- 
EOO, principal amount of these notes, 
and which was secured equally with 
the 10-year gold debentures through 
a second lien on the collateral held 
by Chemical Bank as trustee. The 
6% secured gold notes, likewise ex- 
tended, is due July 1, 1934, and 
monthly thereafter, to and Including 
January 1, 1935, in the amount of 
$1,826,208.76. These notes are s: ;ured 
by collateral held by Chemical Bank, 
on which these notes are a first lien. 

The extensions on these secured 
notes to July 1, 1934, were obtained 
by the payment of $2,465,122.25 on 
January 26. This was in addition 
to $200,000 paid on January 6. 

The 10-year 6% sinking fund gold 
debentures amount to $11,600,000 and 
are due December 1, 1941. These 
are the debentures which are 
secured by a second Hen on the col- 
lateral which are pledged to Chem- 
ical who holds the first lien for the 
payment of the 6% secured gold 
notes. 

RCA owns approximately 85% of 
the sinking fund debentures. 
In Default 

The company is in default on the 
Sinking fund debentures and the 0% 
gold notes for nonpayment of in- 
stallment of principal and Interest 
as was due January 1. 

The extension on the 6% secured 
gold notes was made available to 
RKO by Chemical In consideration 
of the payment of $2,465,122 by RCA 
to CIT, and Chemical Bank, holders 
of these notes. This was under an 
agreement reached on January 26 
between all the parties. 

This payment Is one which RKO 
applied on behalf of Itself on the 
6% secured gold notes representing 
Chemical's original loan to RKO. 
On RCA's behalf the payment rep- 
resented the balance of the amount 
due from RCA to RKO under its 
subscriptions to stock and deben- 
tures of the $11,600,000 issue of 10,- 
year 6% sinking fund scold deben- 
tures, In accordance with RCA's un- 
derwriting agreement on this Issue 
entered Into November 6, 1931. 

By this agreement of Nov., 1931. 
RCA agreed to purchase so much of 
RKO's Issue of 1,740,000 sh.ires of 
common stock and $11,600,000 prin- 
cipal amount of the 10-year gold 
debentures, as should not be sub- 
scribed for by RKO stockholders, 
other than RCA. or their assignees. 
It was stipulated that the amounts 
received by RKO in excess of $5.- 
600,000 should be applied only to 
the payment of RKO's 6% secured 
gold noto.«!. Thl.s was unless RCA 
consented to some other applica- 
tion thereof. 

Under the Indenture securing 
these gold notes. Chemical, ,is trus- 
tee, holds the rlfiht to m.aturc all 
notes unpaid in tlic cvont of de- 
fault. The .-ipropmcnt of Janufiry 
26 by wliich Clicmi< al ci antod RKO 
an extension precluded such forced 
maturity. 

This .xgreement provided for an 
extension of the m.iturities until 
July 1-, 1!)3-1, or approximately 18 
months l;Ucr. with nuMitlily niatu- 
rllics tliorcaftcr ending July 1, 
1935. 



Halving History 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Two scenario writers were 
discussing the writing of a 
story built around Napoleon's 
escape from Elba and the re- 
sultant 100 days' war. 

'What's the use,' lamented 
one. 'The supervisor would 
only cut the shooting sched- 
ule and call it '60 Days.' 



conducted a tie-up with the Daily 
'Times,' the culmination of which 
will .be the selection of the 'best 
doubles' of I>oretta Toung, Bebe 
Daniels, Ginger Rogers, Ruby Keeler 
and Bette Davis. 

Five winners will get trips to 
Washington, D. C, on the special 
train to attend the Inauguration. 



bdiistry Relents, 
But Bgures Pic 
Will Pacify Chi 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Although cold at first in the mat- 
ter of contributing anything to the 
Chicago World's Fair, picture in- 
dustry, at the behest of the Hays 
organization, will hold a meeting 
here next week to formulate plans 
for the production of a feature 
showing the inside workings of the 
studios. Feature will be exhibited 
at the fair. 

Each major studio will contribute 
stars and directors for its individual 
share in the picture, although all 
studios will have some sort of rep- 
resentation in the feature. 

Idea will be to show enough of the 
mechanical workings of picture pro- 
duction to satisfy the fair visitors 
without tipping off too much. 

Hays organization will take the 
responsibility of the picture's pro- 
duction. 

With the feature completed, pic- 
ture Industry will forget the fair, 
figuring that the film should take 
care of Hollywood's contribution. 
Originally, fair asked the various 
production companies to equip ex- 
hibits of their own and send stars 
to Chicago to make personal appear- 
ances during the display. 



Jigged 'Conqneron' 

Easton, Pa, 
The Rlalto theatre In .Allentown 
and the Allentown 'Morning Call,' 
largest dally In that city, jointly 
conducted a jig-saw puzzle con- 
test, with the finals being held on 
the court house plaza. A large 
crowd saw the finals and the pic- 
ture when assembled showed a 
scene from 'The Conquerors,' the 
attraction being shown at the time 
at the Rlalto. Passes were given 
the winners and considerable in- 
terest was . created in the picture, 
which received a lot of free pub- 
licity. 



Phoenix. 

Wayne Dailard, manager of the 
Fox Phoenix, exploited 'State Fair' 
by unusually heavy ad copy, ban- 
ners strung across the two main 
streets and the installation of three 
carnival booths in front of house. 

Booths, same as used at state 
fair here, offered would-be theatre- 
goers opportunity to try their luck 
on games. Winners got theatre 
tickets as prize. 

Callope mounted on truck and 
driven ' through city streets amidst 
a Jumble of circus or state fair 
music also attracted attention to 
the Fox picture. 

Jones and Undies 

Columbia has effected a tie-up 
with an underwear company to in- 
sert small cards in all articles of 
underwear which are on sale in the 
10c stores. Elach card offers a 
maverick membership in the Buck 
Jones Rangers with an additional 
appeal that there are 10 pictures 
of Jones In the series, with kids 
anxious to get the full set. 

Just what arrangements have been 
made to turn these youngsters over 
to the theatre clubs is not known, 
but it is to be presumed this angle 
has not been overlooked. 



Exploitation 

(Continued from page 17) 

for use in Australia, New Zealand 
and the far east. Somewhat similar 
to the distribution of props follow- 
ing the completion of 'The Ten 
Commandments.' 



Accessory Bnild-np 

Los Angeles. 
Current jigsaw craze is helping 
Radio ejcchange here to build up 
accessory sales through a puzzle 
framed for Its forthcoming release, 
'King Kong.' Jigsaw, In 150 pieces, 
is approximately two feet high by 
one foot wide and retails at a dime. 
Dozens of exhlbs have already 
bought, in anticipation of early play 
dates, and figure to distribute the 
puzzles as door prizes. Also, numer- 
ous persons noting the window dis- 
play of the puzzles have been in- 
duced to buy, saving a nickel or a 
dime on the regular jigsaws on sale 
locally. 

More Frames 

Those neon tubed window frames 
for theatres are getting promiscu- 
ous. Those put out for the old Roxy 
and many which were converted to 
private use when the theatre went 
pop price, now have a rival in 
Brooklyn in a set put out for the 
Fox Brooklyn. 

Latter are less ornamental and 
lack the electric clock feature. Made 
of wood Instead of metal, but the 
same Idea of the weekly change of 
card (with tickets) for a weekly 
rental. 

One more set and the frames will 
become so common they will pos- 
sess no advertising value at all. 

Didn't Save It 

Minneapolis. 
Lyric theatre newspaper nds for 
'Luxury Liner' played up ZIta Jo- 
hann as 'Zlta Johnson,' probably 
making bid for Swedish patronage 
in this Sr.indiiiavlan borp. Film, 
however, flopped and wa.s piillod 
two davs ;ihcad of srlipdulo. 



Bandom Photo Flag 

Los Angeles. 
First picture house- newspaper 
tieup here in years, whereby paper 
runs daily photos, snapped at ran- 
dom on the downtown streets, with 
the person so picked being entitled 
to theatre admissions, is running 
currently in the 'Record,' with 
Loew's State (Fox West Coast) on 
the receiving end of the front page 
publicity. Daily run half a dozen 
photos, and persons photographed 
are required to call at the newspa- 
per ofilce and identify themselves. 



For Sural Trade 

House catering to small trade is 
getting good results from a mall 
time table sent out each week. It is 
headed 'For our surburban patrons.' 
Time table is different from most. 
In that it does not confine itself to 
giving the time of the full shows 
only, but indicates each break. Over 
the top is 'If you come' and 'you 
can leave.' Starts at six o'clock 
and runs to the last complete show. 

Goes out on postcard, with every 
Item of the show listed. 



From Backstage 

Albany, N. T. 

An upstate air feature attracting 
attention is the 'Back Stage With 
Harry Black' program Thursday 
nights from the RKO Palace the- 
atre, Albany, over WGT. It Is given 
15 minutes with Black, manager of 
the house, acting as announcer. 

Selections for the broadcast come 
from the current acts on the vaude 
bill at the Palace. 



Warning on Competitive Bidding 
Up of Studio Salaries Is Sounded 
As Edwin Loeb Resigns on Coast 



And V.P.! 



Hollywood, Feb. 26. 

Motion picture infiuence has 
hit the brewing business. 

In a circular distributed by 
the Sierra Brewing Co., Will- 
lam Stelneman, brewmaster, is 
listed as 'in charge of produc- 
tion,' 



Asso. Prods.. 
Unhampered 
On Metro Lot 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Lucien Hubbard, an associate 
producer at Metro, following his 
resignation from Warners, has one 
of the strongest executive contracts 
on the lot. Under its provisions no 
one at the studio is permitted to 
tamper with his stories or film until 
after the first preview. No one is 
allowed to see the scripts excepting 
the writers and directors involved 
until production starts. 

This giving of autocratic powers 
to Hubbard is in line with Louis B. 
Mayer's stated intention to make 
Warner Brothers' type .of picture, 
quickly and without the previous 
rewritings ustially in Metro's prepa- 
ration. Hubbard's first films, 'Made 
on Broadway,' reached the cameras 
16 days after it was bought from 
Courtenay Terrett, also a former 
Warner writer. 

Several Warner writers have been 
put on the pay roll since that studio 
let go some of its staff in view of an 
early closing. Peculiarly Hubbard, 
Terrett, Charles Kenyon and Geiie 
Markey, going over there in the last 
few weeks, were formerly on the 
M-G pay roll and let go. 



AU GOLDWYN CREW 
TAKING REST TRIPS 



Entire Sam Goldwyn organization 
is leaving Hollywood flat but only 
Hank Arnold out by request. He 
was dropped last week. 

Goldwyn reached New York Sat- 
urday (18) for an Indefinte stay, 
during which he and Arthur Horn- 
blow, Jr., will seek material .and 
talent for the coming production 
year. Richard Day, Goldwyrt's art 
director, gets In Feb. 27 by boat, 
while Richard Wallace, director of 
'Masquerader,' arrives In the east 
Wednesday (22). 

Goldwyn's musical director, Al- 
fred Newman, Is en route from Los 
Angeles to Liverpool by boat for 
a three or four weeks' vacation. 



Utde Inlerest in Orpheim's Plight 

Few Attend Bkptcy Hearing — Owes $13,700,- 
000; Paper Assets, $22,500,000 



Worthwhile Prize 

Warner Urulhoi-.s' jiinkot in ron- : 
ncction with '42na yirr-cf will st<jp j 
over in Chicago to in;,l<o a pcr.son;il I 
appc.irance at llio Avuion ilu-atrc , 
I'VI). 28. WorkinK up tn th;it fvcni I 
Warncra" Chicago puhlicily suff has ' 



Apparently there will be no liqui- 
dation of Orpheum circuit. Although 
Irving Trust Is now trustee In bank- 
ruptcy for that circuit, reorganiza- 
tion will be mostly along the lines, 
of re^^djustlng existing leases. 
Where readjustment of theatre sit- 
uations can not be had, houses will 
go back to former owners. 

Little Interest Is shown by cred- 
itors generally in the Orpheum 
banl<ruptcy matter. At the hearing- 
Friday (17) before Referee Oscar 
Khrhorn, only around 13,500,000 in 
claims are stated to have been rep- 
resented in attendance. Of this 
amount, Kclth-Albee-Orpheum has 
a claim for $3,001,239, and is prob- 
ably the biggest creditor of Or- 
phfum. 

Toi.il unpaid claini.s against ac- 
fi.ijiits of (Ji-plioiim iriay amount to 
? 13.7 1 4,707. As.sets are around $22,- 
500,000 on paper 



TWO REJOIN METRO 

Hollywood, Feb, 20. 
John Lynch, writer, and Murlal 
KIrkland, player, dropped by Metro 
recently, are both back on the pay 
roll. 

Miss KIrkland, who's option 
lapsed two weeks ago, has had the 
paper extended and Is assigned to 
The Late Christopher Bean.' Lynch 
is working on an original. 



FLOREY, MARKSON EAST 

Hollywood, .J''eb. 2<K 
Having purchased 'Goodbye 
Again,' Warners has .sent Robort 
Florcy and Ben Markson, who will 
(liroct and adapt respectively, to 
Xcw Vork to glom the Broadway 
produft ion. 

.I^iaii IJIondoll or Hollo Davl.s will 
split top hotioPH Willi WriiTfi) Wil- 
liam. I'iciuie starts in Maixh. 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
If major companies are unsuc- 
cessful in persuading Edwin Loeb 
to remain as studio arbiter and his 
resignation yesterday (20) had 
been offlcially accepted, then a suc- 
cessor will be immediately named. 
Simultaneous with this statement 
was a declaration and a warning. 

The declaration from producer 
representatives is that major com- 
panies cannot expect to survive and 
meet salaries Inspired by competi- 
tive bidding. The warning is to 
'outsiders' — that if they do succeed 
in tempting certain stars they will 
find every avenue of major distribu- 
tion shut to them. 

Even Sam Katz, who is mentioned 
by the representatives as the strong- 
est potential raider to date, is cred- 
ited with being cognizant of the 
fact that permanent enemies will be 
incurred if he attempts to execute 
plans now associated with him. 

Katz Is not a member of the Hays 
Office, It is pointed out with the 
observation that no Haysians are 
directly connected with the new 
raid threatenings. 

It has long been known by In- 
dustry representatives, including 
several who were directly respon- 
sible for his appointment, that Loeb 
has been desirous of resigning his 
studio post. Main reason heard is 
that Loeb resents cuts. His original 
remuneration was in the neighbor- 
hood of $50,000 yearly. What amount 
this has been reduced is not men- 
tioned ofllcially exce^.t in the terms 
of 'substantial reduction.' 

In over the year that Loeb has 
been arbiter, raiding has been re- 
duced to such a minimum that it 
had np occasion to pop up until the 
appearance of Katz on the| coast as 
an Independent. Long prior Loeb 
indicated his desire to resign in 
order to concentrate on his own 
law business in L. A. His law firm 
Is Loeb, Walker & Loeb. 



m SCRIPTS 
IN BO OK FORM 



Scripts of motion pictures. In 
spite of the technical matter that 
goes into the preparation of a scen- 
ario, may be offered on the market 
in published form. The idea has 
been broached in some producer 
quarters;, but with opinion pro and 
con just yet as to whether the stu- 
dios should release picture stories 
as books for the reading nubile. 

The first UiOtlcn picture to have 
brought up the possibilities of the 
publishing market as an offshot for 
the picture business is 'Topaze', 
made by RKO-Radio. Script, read 
by many producers, has been de- 
clared as excellent reading, even to 
the stage business written into U 
by Ben Hecht for the director. 

It was recommended that Radio 
arrange to publish the script of 
•Topaze' as written but whether 
that producer -distributor will make 
such arrangements or not is uncer- 
tain. 'Topaze' was adapted from a 
play produced on Broadway three 
seasons back and published in play 
form. 



UNING UP STAFF FOR 
WB'S B'laYN STUDIOS 



Casting job and one director's 
spot are still open at Warners' 
shorts studio In Brooklyn, which 
reopens April 3. Studio, under Sam 
Saxe, is lining up its staff. 

Script department will have two 
new names, Cyrus Wood and Cliff 
Hess, to specialize on musicals. 
Holding over are Jack Henley, 
Glenn Jjambert and Dorian OtvuS. 
Herman Ruby remains as .scenario 
head. 

Op"ning directorial Job Is that 
hold down last year by Alf Gould- 
ing, who handled the comedies. 
Roy Mack* and Joseph Hancbury 
will repeat as meggers. 

WB will lease this studio to a 
rommorclal firm for a week prior to 
own rooi)onlnt^. I^ossec will make 
a fofiture length Industrial for sales 
purposes. 



VARIETY 



TMtdaj, February 21, 19SS 



HOW TO ADVERTISE THIS 
GREAT AUDIENCE PICTURE! 



On the basis of our experience with ''Sin of 
Madelon Claudet" we have prepared these 
copy ads for "The Secret of Madame Blanche/' 
They have proved their value in pre-release test 
engagements. We recommend them to showmen! 



ic THE lA-O-f^ 

CO V V W ^ ■ ,w,newe»tn.otionpichK« 
H.v.ouiate«youobo«th.inewe^^^ j^. 

finedtov^-mflreotfomea 
He wouia te« you ♦'^Xte you "The Sin of 

powerful cppeaU p^c- 

He wouW »t Tovt you^»*^ ^^T^^ 
hire-go»ng We ^^^^ J°,„ne Dunne wi«l 

experienced •J^^^^io^le appearonces .n 
glorious *on her . memo^^^^^^^^ 
''Cimprron ' ond BocK ^^^^^ ^^^^ 

,he MeUo-GoWv^n^oye^^^ 

VO« *>;j-ce^rd see .hU p-.c^^^^^ 
sincere advio 

JreneVume 



TO THE MOTION 

WaORCiOVERS* 
OF THIS CITY: 



'o rtofherhoodi from girlhood 

-Jrn^red .•„ her face, her /'^"^'"'-'^e-ot.on 
ehonge, wi,h the year, ah * V 
♦hebeaotyofhersouf M.„ ''"'"9«»~excep> 

""WnV reacMhofl 



floor, thh pic. 
'«"•• '» ono you 
.... 



from »h. 
«"»»dy, towed t„ o Hofe." 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



PIC T H R E S 



VARIETY 



CRIME OF CENTURY 

(Continued from page 14) 

the mystery and of deflnlte dra- 
matic value. 

Basic premise Is rather Impoe- 
elble. A physician driven to dis- 
traction by the dem'ands of a young 
second wife, hypnotizes a bank of- 
ficial and commands him to take 
9100,000 from the bank, planning to 
rob and murder hlra. In a revulsion 
of feeliner he appeals to the police 
to keep him from the crime. 

Meantime the wife has planned 
with her lover to steal the money 
and decamp. Physician promises 
the detective to compel his' victim 
to return the stealings. On that 
promise the officer leaves. But the 
victim is killed and the money taken 
while the physician is rendered un- 
conscious with chloroform. Later 
the wife Is killed as she is about 
to give a clue. The young police 
reporter finally pins the crime on 
the detective himself, which means 
time out while the policeman's 
partner puts in a plea for the cops, 
as a sop to possible police objec- 
tion, but It Is worked in plausibly 
and does not greatly interfere with 
the action. Probably Important 
where .the police aid in censoring. 

The story is implausible, but the 
development Is logical with the flrst 
clue planted in the opening se- 
quence, but not maturing until the 
close. Similar motivation through- 
out but masked by the introduction 
of the usual mysterious character. 

Jean Hersholt's physician does 
more than the author to make the 
yarn palatable. Stuart Erwin con- 
tributes a neat bit as the reporter 
and Robert Elliott Is capital as the 
guilty cop. The story lies chiefly 
with these three. 

Soynd is very good, production 
capital and direction above the or- 
dinary for this kind of story. Chic. 



FACE IN THE SKY 

Fox production and release. Directed by 
Harry Iiachman. Soencer Trncy, Marion 
Mlxon, Stuart ErwIn featured. Story by 
Myles Connolly, adapted by Humphrey 
■Pearson. DInlotr directed by William Col- 
lier. Sr. Lee Oarmes, photoR. At RKO 
Koxy, 'New Tork, week Feb. 17. Running 
time. 03 minutes. 

7oe Buck Spencer Tracy 

MadKe Marian Nixon 

Ijucky Stuart Brwln 

Trlplett the Great Sam Hardy 

Sharon Hndley LI la Lee 

Ma Brown .Sarah Fadden 

Jim Brown ...Frank McGlynn. Jr. 

Pa Brown Russell SImnson 

Mldnet Billy Plait 

Albert Preston Guy Usher 



Couple of neat light comedy per- 
formances by Spencer Tracy and 
Stuart Erwin, plus about as much 
directorial help a director could 
possibly contribute, are up against 
a basic literary handicap here that 
nothing can o^vercome. Why 'Face 
In the Sky' w'as considered feature 
length picture material is hard to 
understand. 

Outside of the laughs that Erwin 
snatches the only recommendation 
Is a love match between Tracy and 
Marian Nixon". It's entertaining in 
a simple way at first but commences 
to fade after 20 minutes or so. 
I^othlng left but Erwln's Infrequent 
laughs. Tracy loses his effective- 
ness, too, because after starting out 
as a likeable guy he gradually dis- 
solves into a nlt-wit. 

Tracy and Erwin are a couple of 
outdoor sign painters who swab 
beauty preparation displays on 
farmer's barns. Miss Nixon enters as 
the abused stepdaughter of a hard- 
boiled farmer and the boys are her 
protectors. After Tracy goes to 
New York to get famous and Madge 
Is kept home to go through a shot- 
gun marrlr.ge with the farmer's son, 
the girl escapes and follows Tracy 
to New York. Without knowing his 
address she finds him the first night 
In the big city. 

Madge finds Tracy with a tele- 
scope. Tracy's boss had told him 
to paint the most beautiful face in 
the world high up on an office 
building as a publicity stunt, and 
.Tr.icy paints the face of Madge. 

Despite production at a major 
studio. 'Face in the Sky' on merit 
doesn't rate above the double fea- 
ture program class. Bige. 



THE GHOST TRAIN 

(ENGLISH MADE) 

Galn.sborouKh production. British-Gau- 
mont iclerfse. ~ PtarrinK .Inrk H»II)prt nnd 
Cicely CourlnPldBC. Dlrei.-tod by Walter 
Porde. From the piny by Arnold Ridley. 
Sccnniio by .\ngus Marrhnll. I'iiolocrapher, 
Leslie Rowson. At old Roxy. New York, 
week Feb. 17. Runnlnf lime. TO mins. 

Teduie Deakln Jack Hulbort 

Miss IJournc Cicely Courtneldtre 

PeKi?y .Murdock Ann Todd 

Rlclmid Wintlip>p Cyril Itaymond 

Doctor Pterllne Ali.Tn Jeaycs 

Saul llodt^kln Donnid Cultbrop 

Julin I'rire .Angela Boddeley 

Hcrl)ert Price Henry Calne 

Chnries IJry.Tnt Tracy Homes 

Elslie llryunt Carol Coombe 

One of those things that make 
better reading thnn picture because 
of it.H utter hiiki' melodramatic 
aitiKitlon.s. Rallior fari.shly done 
but hai'd to aci at momont.s a.s the 
dinlctf,' l.«n't for Amcric'in audiences 
although the action pi.uns are okay. 
As the m.\st(M-y typo whif^h Brit- 
ifiliciH p:ciu"i;illy like, lliis film looUs 
Ulco :i I'liiiiiM- ii'i the r); iier side, al- 
th'i'.iuh jii.-i aii')'liiM- picture Cor the 
r..'-:..\. 

Ti- ::< \ :\'-\\ :\nil iii 111 rv i.-i> i; l>o- 
Inii.i;.'- 111 - itilM'M' t.v jie. <.';ifl't 



Stand up alone over here e.s^ept 
where the show clianges are mul- 
tiple in character. 

It's of British smugglers who 
have possession of a train which 
they use to transport whatever they 
have tp transport. Not made clear 
In the picture. For this they have 
an out-of-the-way station point 
and change over centre. The day 
of the film's action is one where 
passengers are trooped off after 
connections have been made un- 
available for further travel. 

Cast doesn't mean a thing to 
Americans. While some of the com- 
edy stuff is understood, the hero 
speaks mostly under his lips or 
something. Might be his accent but 
he's mostly not heard intelligibly. 
But this might have been due to 
reproduction at the old Roxy when 
caught. Action photography is 
okay. On the chatter situation, 
doesn't matter. Shan. 



The Little Damozel 

(PRITISH MADE) 

London, Feb. 6. 
A British & Dominions production re- 
leased .throuRh Gaumont British, directed 
by Herbert Wilcox. In cast: Anna NeaRle, 
Benlta Hume. James Rennle. Athole Stew- 
art, Alfred Drayton. Length, 0.000 feet 
approx. ; running time. 75 mlns. Previewed 
Phoenix theatre, tiondon. Feb. S. 



Picture is an adaptation from 
a successful play by Monckton 
Hoffe, with music by Noel Coward 
and Ray Noble, lyrics by Anona 
Winn, dances arranged by Buddy 
Bradley. An excellent production 
for British release, but lacks the 
Impresslveness and expansiveness 
of production characteristic of 
Hollywood. 

We have the love story of a cab- 
aret performer, apparently hard as 
nails, but in ° reality sweet and 
tender. A frequenter of the night 
club inherits a fortune and asks 
her to marry him. She has always 
loved him and is delighted. They 
are living In a bungalow and shown 
to be happy. 

It Is soon revealed the hubsand's 
inheritance was a fake. Instead, he 
had received a sum of money from 
a man who was engaged to marry 
the girl the husband really loves. 
Meanwhile, he has learned to love 
his wife and appreciate her at her 
true value, but she casts him off 
and returns to her role of night 
club queen. Hubby takes out half 
a dozen heavy policies on his life 
and inteiids to bump himself off, but 
there is (strange as it may seem) 
a sentimental cabaret proprietor 
who brings the couple together. 

The star is Anna Neagle, an at- 
tractive blonde, unheard of a couple 
of years ago, but put in by Jack 
Buchanan as his leading woman in 
a musical show at the Hippodrome, 
where she was acclaimed. Since 
then she hats done well in other 
shows and in the films. She is not 
a great artist, but has a personality 
that makes for stardom. Properly 
exploited she could be taken to 
Hollywood and put over. Jolo. 



BACHELOR MOTHER 

Goldsmith production; Hollywood Produc- 
tions release. Directed by Chas. Hutchi- 
son and featuring Evalyn Knapp and Jas. 
Murra. Orlslpal story by Al Boasberg. 
Screen play by Paul Gancelln and Luther 
Reed. Contlnu'lty by Jack Natteford and 
Jack Townley. Cast: Margaret Seddon, 
Paul Page. Astrld Allwyn, Harry Holman, 
Vli-glnla Sale, Eddie Kane. Jas. Aubrey, J. 
Paul Jones, Henry Hal, Margaret Mann, 
Rcss Stafford, Stella Adams. At Loew's 
New York one day, Feb. 14, on double bill. 
Running time, 00 minutes. 



Another Indle which almost clicks 
through but unable to escape the 
handicap of an obvious development 
and uninspired direction. As is, it 
is at least a departure from the 
more hackneyed type and in the 
smaller houses will not need the 
bolstering of a doubleheader. More 
adroit treatment might have pushed 
this into greater prominence. It 
probably can be used In the lower A 
houses in a product pinch. 

Basis is the young blade who 
adopts a mother as a fender from a 
prison term for reckless driving. 
He takes her out of an old ladies' 
home, but she puts him in jail to 
save him from the vamp and later 
shoots the vamp. That's where the 
story goes second division. If she 
had adroitly rescued the boy with- 
out the intervention of a gun, it 
would have made a better story and 
at the same time would have avoid- 
ed the tiresome courtroom stuff, 
which Isn't any newer than It used 
to be nor any more accurate. All 
through the script there are similar 
evidences of a lack of Imaginative 
quality and hack writing. 

Evalyn Knapp has gone a long 
way from her Pathe shorts days. 
Still much travel ahead, but she's 
on the road. Margaret Seddon 
could do little as the adopted moth- 
er. Opportunity wasn't there. 
James Murray and Astrld Allwyn 
are similarly handicapped. Rest 
performance.^ turned in by the play- 
er.s In the old ladies' home. Chic. 



MG Buys Baldwin Story 

Hollywood. Feb. 20. 

'llenuty,' inside .story of the beauty 
liarlor hiisines.'?. by F;iith Baldwyn, 
has hc^n ptirrh.T^ed tiy Mdrn. 

C'linrlef! Keii\ oil h:>'^ ln'cn i -isii; n(>il 
to ,T,d:il>t ami dialog. 



WESTERN CODE 

Columbia western production and release. 
Tim McCoy starred; directed by J. P. Mc- 
Carthy. Story, William Colt MacDonald: 
adaptation iind dialog. MlUon Krima. Cam- 
eraman, Benjamin Kline. Film editor. Otto 
Meyer. At the Stanley, N. T., on dally 
change. Running time, 68 mins. 

Tim Carroll Tim McCoy 

Polly l.oomis Nora Lane 

Dick Loomis Dwight Freye 

Nick Grlndell Wheeler Oakman 

Chapman Mlscha Auer 

Sheriff Purdy Douglas Demalne 

Warden Matthew Betz 

Hair Breed Gmtllo Fernandez 

Well sustained hoke western 
melodrama with a world of action 
and much expert plot manipulation, 
but injured at the end by a clumsy 
epilog done in slipshod style. 

Story is a better bit of work than 
the execution, carrying on the Ran- 
ger-vs.-Bad-Man feud formula with 
new angles, among them a murder 
mystery involving the heroine. Mys- 
tery angle is neatly led up to and 
is the basis for surprise twists. 

Tim McCoy plays these prairie 
heroes with admirable restraint, 
somewhat in the W. S. Hart man- 
ner. When western fans laugh at 
him, it's the director's fault rather 
than his over-playing. The heavier 
the heroics, the more judgment Is 
required in getting them over. Here 
super-heroism steps over the plaus- 
ible line. 

Lola Lane is the typical heroine 
with a good deal of Judgment, con- 
tent to foil and specializing in un- 
obstrusiveness. Girl is'not a beauty, 
but her quiet grace gives her char- 
acter. 

Moderately good product for serv- 
ice along lines to which westerns 
are dedicated, but not equal to the 
McCoy average. Rush. 



NAGANA 



Universal - production and release. Tala 
DIrell nnd Mclvyn Douglas featured. Di- 
rected by Ernst L. Frank. Story by Lester 
Cohen; adapted by Dale Van Every and 
Don Ryan. Dialog by James Light. George 
Robinson, photoic. At Hayfair, New Tork, 
week Feb. 15. Running time, 73 minutes. 

Countess Sandra Lubeska Tala Blrell 

Dr. Walter Radnor Melvyn Douglas 

Dr. KabayochI M. Horlta 

Dr. Roy Stark Onslow Stevens 

Nogu Everett Brown 

The King Dr. Blllle McCladn 

Mukovo William H. Dunn 

Ivory Trader Frank Ijacketeen 

Head Boatman Noble Johnson 



Sidestep Receivers in Chicago as Too 
Expensive-Fire Would Be Ciieaper 



lage to carry on Stark's work, and 
the Countess follows. Just missing 
the alligators herself, she gets Rad- 
nor all jammed up with the natives, 
and both must run for their lives. 
But he loves her, anyway, and at tlie 
finish the Countess is just an obe- 
dient little nurse who admits that 
science supersedes love. Film 
doesn't go far enough for her to 
prove it. 

Interpolated with studio .atmos- 
phere scenes are some silent legiti- 
mate shots of Jungle and native 
rites. But as inserted, the real stuff 
looks phony and the phony stuff 
real. Fault is on the sound track, 
where the added sound does not 
mate with the action. 

Audiences won't fall at all for the 
crudely cast son of the African Jun- 
gle Itlng. Despite his appearance in 
trunks only, like a Minsky stripper, 
he talks perfect Lenox avenue. Even 
the fjict that he's described In the 
dialog as having had an European 
education, doesn't atone for the ac- 
cent. It makes the picture look 
silly, on top of a story that's also 
not far from silly. 

Most of the animals are on view 
In the doctor's laboratory. This doc 
uses lions, tigers and such in place 
of guinea pigs. A few of tlie cats 
escape once and there's quite a 
fight. Pictures is interesting then, 
and then only. Bige. 



MY MOTHER 

Monogram production; First Division re- 
lease. Starring Pauline Frederick. Super- 
vised by Trem Carr and directed by Phil 
Rosen. Adapted by Trietram Tupper from 
a story, 'The Just Judge,' by Peter B. 
Kyne. Archie Stout, camera. Cast: Claire 
Windsor, Theo. Von Eltz, Robt. Elliott, 
Barbara Kent, Henry B. Walthall, Jamison 
Thomas, Geo. Hackathome. Willie Fong, 
T.iafe McKee, SI Jenks. Geo. Hayes. At 
Loew's New Tork, one day, Feb. 10. Run- 
ning time, 07 mlns. 



Nagana is African for sleeping 
sickness. Men of this story go 
through the unpleasant business of 
attempting to cure the stricken na- 
tives. It's a little bit of "Arrow- 
smith* and a dash of each of the 
flock of big game films. Intent was 
to present the wild animal stuff 
through a story medium. Result Is 
not successful. Story is bad. After 
that the animal section lacks the 
customary thrills. Thus, in seeking 
to cover both phases, 'Nagana' has 
succeeded only in covering them 
none too well. 

Tala Blrell, Unlversal's German 
import, gets nowhere in this one, 
outside of looking okay when neces- 
sary. Leaves poor impression, 
chiefly because of her role. As 
Countess Lubeska (the name 
squares the dialect), a woman who 
can make crusading scientists for- 
get their humanitarian ideas, she's 
about the most irritating heroine 
that ever went to seed in the 
tropics. 

Drs. Radnor (Melvyn Douglas) 
and Stark (Onslow Stevens) have a 
tough enough time overcoming na- 
tive superstitions without having 
the Countess butting in. Stark com- 
mits suicide, and it's her fault. 
Radnor goes to stricken Jungle vil- 



Another mammy meller for Pau- 
line Frederick, not badly done but 
falling to measure up to the lower 
edge of the flrst flight fllms. Can 
single In some A houses and get 
along without help In the upper B 
division. Not quite up to the mark 
on photography, though not badly 
done. It fails to lift to the requisite 
point of suspense and in short lacks 
the air of Irnportance which a top 
rater fllm should have. Should get 
over where they are not too exact- 
ing. 

Done from Peter B. Kyne's 'The 
Just Judge.' First called 'Self De- 
fense' but changed with Miss Fred- 
erick in mother role. It is an in- 
genious, if not convincing story, but 
the plot lacks the necessary weight 
to carry the footage. It has to be 
stretched out a bit too thin, so such 
appeal as there is has to be carried 
more by the players than their 
script. 

Miss Frederick Is a brisk and 
composed proprietor of a gambling 
house whose daughter has no idea 
of her mother's calling. A dis- 
gruntled patron gets the girl to Join 
her mother, and the dive is turned 
into the hotel the daughter has sup- 
posed it to be, the evil Influence 
rubbed out by the hero and his life 
is saved by the crooked dice which 
caused all the trouble. 

Intelligent support from Theo. 
Von Eltz, Robt. Elliott and Barbara 
Kent, with good work turned in by 
the others, though Walthall is in 
only for a bit. Chic. 



Co-operation of Foreip Embassies 
In Barring Alien Actors Urged 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

In its drive on alien talent in films 
the U. S. Labor department has re- 
quested the State department to 
seek cooperation of embassies and 
ministries of the European countries 
from issuing passports to artists and 
writers who come here under the 
subterfuge of studying studio condi- 
tions for their governments. 

First case to be brought to the 
attention of the State department 
will be that of Catallna de La Cetera 
Paris Barcena, who is now employed 
by Fox as an actress. She arrived 
here in August, 1932, on a passport 
asserting she was attached to the 
Spanish government for the purpose 
of studying the Industry. 

There were 151 warrant arrests 
made by the Immigration and Labor 
department men under Special As- 
.sislant Secretary of Labor Murray 
\V. Garsson, during the past month. 
Of that number 41 gave their oc- 
cupation as picture players or 
writers. 

One under in veslii»ation l.s .lames 
I Whale, I'niveisal director. Com- 



plaint was made that Whale, a 
foreigner, was attempting to use ex- 
clusive English casts, writers and 
technicians on ail pictures he di- 
rects. 

About 40 foreigners who were 
here prior to the Garsson clean-up 
drive, working as actors, writers, 
directors and technicians, have de- 
parted for Mexican, Just over the 
border, during the past two weeks. 
They Intend to remain there and 
try to sneak back when the present 
vigilance of the government lets up. 

S. S. Millard, picture producer, 
wa.s picked up In the drive for hav- 
ing failed to appear for trial in Mil- 
waukee, on a charge of bavin;,' re- 
turned to this country after hasitvs 
^'een deported. Tie was out on 
$1,000 ball and was jd- ki'd up In 
New York and returned id Mii- 
watikee. 

fiars.'ion left here Thur.sd.iy flOj 
for I{eno. He then goes tij K';i ii.<-;i« 
f'ilv l.i-'rnri' i-(<tiirning lu-i-c e.'irlv in 
.\I.ir. Ii lf> <■ fiiiiplcte hi.- )-iimiilii|i wiili 
''i'i'l' Iiriin ■• i;i I i'ln Ft. |.' l: 1". 
r i ll i;<-. 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Prohrilily in no city in the coun- 
try is the number of bankruptcies 
as small as that obtaining in Chi- 
cago in proportion to the number 
and importance of houses involved. 
For this exhibitors have to thank 
other local conditions, chiefly that 
receivership in Chicago is primarily 
a racket with the receivers of hotels 
and otiier enterprises eating up the 
assets without regard for economy 
or conservation. Given a choice be- 
tween a fire and a receivership, 
most landlords would prefer the 
fire, since that at least would in- 
volve a return from the insurance. 
After the average receiver gets 
through witli administering a prop- 
erty there isn't even a core left. 
It's all gone. 

Largely owing to this condition 
there have been few receiverships 
or Involuntary bankruptcies. Some 
of' the houses are merely closed. 
Others are transferred to other 
operators. 

About the only large theatre for 
which a receivership or banltruptcy 
proceeding may be invoked is the 
State-Lake, operated by RKO or 
Orpheum circuit, who owe the prop- 
erty owners some $30,000 in back 
rent. Here some sort of legal ac- 
tion may be required to dissolve 
dlfllcult financial problems. 

Only house actually in bankruptcy 
is the Academy, small picture thea- 
tre owned by Mrs. Caroline Kohl. 
It was leased to Kathan Barger and 
by him sub-leased to Harry Nepo. 
It was thrown Into T.»anktuptcy by 
the Foreman Trust and Savings 
bank, with George A. Paddock as 
receiver. Balaban & Katz have re- 
cently taken over two ho.ses. 

B&K turned back recently one 
theatre, the Alamo, to the original 
lessee A. J. Lynch. House is open 
and operating. 

McVickers Open 

B&K have the Mc'Vickers, once an 
ace drama house, whibh it leased 
from Jones, Linick & Shaefer. Lease 
was not renewed at its recent ex- 
piration, but is still open and oper'* 
ated by Beeandkay. They also are 
operating the Terminal, which re- 
verted to the bondholders' commit- 
tee. Latter passed it along to Bee- 
andkay. House had been Fox-oper- 
ated. Another Fox oferatlon is the 
Sheridan, supposed to be headed for 
B&K management, though it Is now 
dark and with no opening date bet. 
A third former Fox house, Midwest, 
was disposed of to the Schoenstadts, 
who are operating it. 

Jones, Linick & Shaefer reclaimed 
the Randolph, loop house, dispos- 
sessing Chas. Levy, lessee, through 
litigation. Running it on a 15-25 
cent scale. 

Commercial recently went to 
Harry Balaban, who is operating it 
as a part of a small chain backed 
by the Balaban family trust, which 
is not a part of the B&K setup. 

Pondholders' committee of Port- 
age Park gave the house to the 
charge of Mort Goldberg, who a'.so 
operates the Admiral and Drake 
theatre.?. 



Studio Placements 



Phyllis Barry, Louis Calhern, 
Wheeler and Woolsey, untitled, 
Radio. 

Laura Hope Crews, 'Silver Cord,' 
Radio. 

Ben Lyon, Dorothy Jordan, Charles 
Ruggles, untitled musical to be di- 
rected by Mark Sandrich, Radio. 

Arthur Ripley, director, "The 
Druggist,' Sennett. 

Josephine Lovett, Joseph Monl- 
cure Marsh, adaptation, 'Great Ma- 
goo.' Par. 

Alan DInehart, '.Supernatural,' 
Ilalporln-Par. 

David Landau. 'Gabriel Over the 
^\'hitellouse,' Metro. 

Muriel Evans, Charlie Chase com- 
edy, Ro.ifh. 

Smart Anihoiiy. writer on 'Fight- 
I'nt^ Willi Kit Carson,' Nat Lcvino 
scri.-il. 

.M.'nirice Murphy, 'I'ilgrimage,' 
F...\-. 

Turn M.iore. Mnck Sennett short. 
.•\nd.\- Slujroid, 'Iteform School,' 

.Mav neatty. .Tudith Vo.selll, Nor- 
man Ilhodes, Tjove Is Like That,' 
< lii sHTfield. 

"reiTfn- .\ii(.:ird' new title for 
iii-itl li'cK'iiiin",'" at Par.atnoiint. 

l^ii'i I.'". 'Int'-iti.'ii i<inal Hou.'<o,* 
l':.r. 



John Krimsky and 
Gifford Cochran 



Present 




The 
Talked - Of 






mwm 





The CRITICS 

'Maedchen in Uniform* is the year's ten best pictures rolled 



and The BOX-OFFICE 



into one. 



William Boehnel Nei» York IVorld-Telegram. 



**If you haven't seen 'Maedchen* you've missed -the greatest 
film of the year." 

— Richard Watts, Jr., New York Herald Tribune. 

"It's the first entirely original talkie ever made." 

— John S. Cohen, Jr., Nert> York Sun. 

"The film must meet unqualified approval. It is vastly differ- 
ent from the run-of-cargo Hollywood diet." 

— Regina Cren>e, New York American. 

"See it! It's the best picture I ever saw!" 

— Walter Winchell, New York Daih Mirror. 

And Chosen as 

The BEST Picture of the Year by 

New York Times New York Herald Tribune 

New York Sun New York World-Telegram 



Reprinted from "Variety" 



January 10, 1933 



PhOly Feeling Chipper; 'Maedchen 22G 

Fox (3,000; 36-40-76), 'Maedchen In Uniform' (Krimsky) and stage 
Bhow. Started briskly and should click to $22,000. Picture recently road- 
showed at Chestnut and got plenty of attention. 



New York, September 27, 1932 

Criterion (878; 26-40-83-$1.10-$l.ee), 'Maedchen in Uniform' (Krimsky). 
Opened run at $1.60 top Wednesday (21), doing good business. Around 
$10,000 run up flr.st Ave days. 



I 



Brooklyn, January 17, 1933 

Fox (4,000; 26-36-50-66), 'Maedchen in Uniform' (Krimsky) and unit. 
Proving to be a smart booking and should get around $18,000, great lor 
this houB'd these days. 



Newark, January 31, 1933 
Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 16-50), 'Maedchen in Uniform' (Krimsky). 
Swell opening should lead to great $8,000. Picture may hold over. 

(It DID Hold Over) 



20 RECORD-BREAKING WEEKS IN NEW YORK 



BOOKED SOLID RKO METROPOLITAN CIRCUIT 



NOW BOOKING NATIONALLY 



Distributed by 
FILMCHOICE, Inc 



33 WEST 42nd STREET 
NEW YORK 



T.ues'ay, February 21, 1933 



PICT 



E S 



VARIETY 



23 



Hollywood Production 



Week of Feb. 20 

(Pictures now filming, or about to start, are listed below alphabetically 
by studies. Symbols are D— Director. A— Author, C — Cameraman.) 



COLUMBIA 

'Murder of the Circus 
Queen' 
(Srd week) 
D — Roy Wm. Nelll 
A — Jo Swerling 
C — Joe August 
Cast: 

Ailolphe Menjou 
Greta NiBsen 
Donald Cook 
Geo. Rosener 
Dwieht Frye 
Ruthelma Stevens 
Harry Holmnn 
. 'Tniupico' 
{tut week) 
D — Irvlns Cummlngs 
A — Joseph I-lorKeshelmer 

Jo Swerling 
C — Ben Kline 
Cast; 

Jack Holt 
Fay Wrny 
Raquel Torres 
FOX 
'Zoo in Budapest' 

(Otii week) 
D — Roland V. I^e 
A— Melville Itaker 

Jack Klrkland 

I>an Totheroh 

I'Oulse X..onR 

Roland V. Lee 
C — Lee Garmes 
Cast: 

LorettA Young 

Gene Raymond 

O. P. HegKle 

Wallle Albright 

Paul Fix 

Murray KInnell 

Frances Rich 

Ruth Warren 

Roy Stewart 

Nlles Welch 

Lucille Ward 

Russ Powell 

Dorothy Lalialre 

Dora Marende 

'Warrior's HuRband' 
(Lasky) 
(4tli week) 
i> — Walter Lang 
A — Julian S. Thompson 

Ralph Spence 
C — Hal Mohr 
Cast : 

lillssa Landl 

Erne.it Truex 

Ferdinand Gottschalk 

Helen Ware 

Marjorle Rambeau 

Helen Madison 

David Manners 

Maude Eburne 

John Sheehan 

Bobble McLeod 

Janet McLeod 

'PlesHure Cruise' 

(4th week) 
D — Frank Tuttle 
A — Austen Allen 

Guy Bolton 
C — Ernest Palmer 
Cast: 

Roland Young 

Genevieve Tobln 

Ralph Forbes 

Herbert Mundin 

Una O'Connor 

Minna Gombell 

Theodore Von Eltz 

Frank Atkinson 

Robert Greig 

Arthur Hoyt 

Fred Hlllson 

Robert Corey 

George Kirby 

'Man Kuter' 

(14th week) 

D — Clyde Elliott 

A — James C. Spearing 

C — Corl Beyer 

Cast: 

Marlon Tlurns 
Kane Richmond 
Harry Wood 

TIlRrlmnge' 

(Srd week) 
D — John Ford 
A— I. A. R. Wylle 

Barry Connors 

Philip Klein 

Dudley Nichols 

Henry Johnson 
Cast: 

Henrietta Crosman 

Marian Nixon 

Norman Foster 

Heather Angel 

Minna Gombell 

Frank Craven 

Wm. Collier. Sr. 

'Bondage' 
(Srd week) 

D — Alfred Sanlell 

A — Grace S. Leake 
Arthur Knber 
Doris Malloy 

C — I.uceln Andrlot 

Cast: 

Dorothy Jordan 
Alexander Klrkland 
Merle Tottenham 
Nydia AVestinan 
Edwiird Woods 
Isabel Jewell 
Herta LInd 
Catherine Navarro 
Jane Darwell 
Dorothy Labaire 
Rafaola Ottlano 
Miirlan Hall 
'Trick for Trick' 

(Srd week) 
il — Hamilton MncFadden 
A — Harry WaestalT Grlbble 

Howard Green 
C — L. W. O'Connell 
Cast: 

Kalph Morgan 

Victor Jory 

Tom Dugan 

Sally Dugan 

Sally Blane 

Wlllard Robertson 

Luis Albcrnl 

Hdward Vnn Sloan 

James Burtis 

Adrain Morris 

John George 

Herbert Uunston 

Jimmy Leong 

iJorothy Appleby 

Booth Howard 

ClllTcird Jonc.H 
'Adorable' 
(iHt we«'k) 
D — Wm. DIotTio 
A — Paul Frank 

Illlllc Wilder 

Gen, Marlon, Jr. 

Jane Storm 
C — John Seltz 
Cast : 

Janet Ciynor 

llcnrv t;;iiiit 

C. AiiiTi'v .'^mlth 

Herbert Mundin 



Edward McWade 
James Marcus 

'My Lips Betray' 

(Ist week) 

D — John Blystone 
A — Atllla von Orbok 

Hans Kraly 
C — TJnasRlgned 
Cast: 

Lilian Harvey 

John Boles 

El Brendel 

Una O'Connor 

'The Power and tiie Glory' 

(Ist week) 
D — Wm. K. Howard 
A — Preston Sturgos 
Cast : 

Spencer Tracey 

METRO 
'Peg of My Heart' 
(2nd week) 
D — Robert Z. Leonard 
A — J. Hartley Manners 
C — George Barnes 
Cast: 

Marlon Davles 
Onslow Stevens 
J. Farrell MacDonald 
Alan Mowbray 
Juliette Compton 
'Hervice' 

(2nd week) 
D — Clarence Brown 
A — C. L. Anthony 
C — Oliver P. Marsh 
Cast: 

Lionel Barrymore 

Lewis Stone 

Phillips Homes 

Benita Hume 

Douglas Walton 

Elizabeth Allen 

Doris Lloyd 

Colin Cllve 
'Onbripl Over tiie Wblt« 
House' 
(Srd week) 
D — Gregory La Cava 
A — Carey Wilson 

Bertram Bloch 
C — Bert Glcnnon 
Cast: 

Walter Huston 

Karen Morley 

Otto Kr'uger 

Franchot Tone 

C. Henry Gordon 

Dickie Moore 

David Landnu 

'The White Bister' 

(10th week) 
D — Victor Fleming 
A — F. Marlon Crawford 

Donald X>gden Stewart 

Leonard Prasklns 
C — Wm. Daniels 
Cast: 

Helen Hayes 

Clark Gable 

Lewis Stune 

Louise Closser Hale 

May Robson 

Edward Arnold 

Alan Edwards 

'Beonlon in Vienna' 
(Srd week) 

D — Sidney Franklin 
A — Robt. E. Sherwood 

Ernest Vajda 

Claudinc West 
C — George Folsey 
Cast: 

John Barrymore 

DIan.i Wynyard 

Frank Morgan 

Henry Travcrs 

(.Charles Giblyn 

May Robson 

Una Merkel 

Bodll Rosing 

'Man on the Nile' 
(4th week) 

D — Sam Wood 

C — I.ien ^mlth 

Cast: 

Uamon Novarro 
Myrna Loy 
Reginald Denny 
C. Aubrey Smith 
Edward Arnold 
Louise Closser Hale 
Marcelle Corday 
'Rivets' 

(Stii week) 

D — Tod Browning 

A — John McDermott 
Carl Brow 
Ralph Wheelwright 

C — Peveral Marley 

Cast: 

Jack Gilbert 
Mac CInrkc 
Robert Armstrong 
Sterling Holloway 
VInce Barnett 
Warner Richmond 
Robert Burns 
Muriel Klrkland 
Reginald Barlow 
Herman Blng 
Harry Shultz 
'Made on Broadway* 
(1st week) 

D — Harry Beaumont 

A — Courtney Terrett 

Cast: 

Robert Montgomery 
Mae Clarke 

910N00RAM 
'Fnlne Front' 
(1st week) 
D — Phil Rosen 
A — Tristram Tupper 
Cast: 

Ralph Forbes 
VIvlenne Osborne 
Paul Page 
Gall Patrick 
Big Boy Williams 
Carl Miller 
Arnold Grey 
Pauline Oaron 
'Black Beauty* 
(1st week) 
D — Wm. Cowen 
A — Anno Sewell 
Charlie Logue 
PARAMOUNT 
'Legal Crime' 

(Iflt week) 

D — Ralph Murphy 
A— Wlllnrd Mark 

dene Towne 

Graham Baker 
Cast : 

Chns. nicktord 

Kk'hard Arlen 

Jean Hcrsholt 

Jjoulse Dresser 

Allen Jenkins 

Andy Dcvine 
'Dead Reckoning' 
(ith week) 
D — Paul Sloon 
A — Robt. rronnell 

■Harvey Thew 



Manuel Seft 
C — Harry Fiachbeck 
Cast: 

Charlie Ruggles 

Nell Hamilton 

Verree Teasdale 

Shirley Grey 

Morgan Wallace 

Paul Hurst 

Thomas C. Jackson 

John Halllday 

Wm. Janney 

Jack Laltue 
'The Story of Temple 
Drake' 
(4tli week) 

D — Stephen Roberts 

A — Wm. Faulkner 
Maurlne Watklns 
Oliver H. P. Garrett 

C — Ernest Laszlo 

Cast: 

Miriam Hopkins 
Jack LcRue 
Wm. Gargan 
Wm. Collier, Jr. 
Irving PIchel 
Sir Guy Standing 
Elizabeth Patterson 
Kent Taylor 
•A Bedtime Stoiy* 

(5th week) 

D — Norman Taurog 
A — Waldemar Young 

Nunnally Johnson 
C — Charles LAng 
Cast : 

Maurice Chevalier 

Helen Twelvetrees 

Charlie Ruggles . 
, Ed. Everett Horton 

Gertrude Michael 

Ernest Wood 

Adrlenne Ames 

Minor Watson 

Leah Hay 

Baby LeKay 

•rick Up' 

(5tli week) 
D — Marlon Uering 
A — Vina Delmar 

S. K. Lauren 
Cast: 

Sylvia Sidney 

George Haft 

Wm. Harrlgan 

Lillian Bond 

Clarence Wilson 

Louise Beaver 
'Under the Tonto Rim' 
(Srd week) 
D — Henry Hathaway 
A — Zane Grey 
C — Arcni^ Stout 
Cast: 

Stuart Erwln 

Verna Hlllle 

Raymond Hntton 

Fred Kohler 

Fuzzy Knight 

'Song of Songs' 

(Srd week) 
D — Reuben Mamoullan 
A — Herman Sudormann 
C— Victor Mllner 
Cast: 

Marlene Dietrich 

Brian Aherne 

Helen Freeman 

Hardle Albright 

Allison Sklpworth 

'I Love That Man' 
(Ist week) 
D — Harry Joe Brown 
A — Gene Towne 

Graham Baker 
Cast: 

Edmund Lowe 

Nancy Carroll 

Lew Cody 

'The Bagle and the Hawk' 

(Ist week) 
D — Stephen Roberts 
A — John Monk Saunders 

Bogart Rogers 

Seton I. Miller 
Cast : 

Fredric March 

Gary Cooper 

Jack Oakle 

Sir Guy Standing 

'International House' 
(Ist week) 
D — Edward Sutherland 
A — Lou Helfetz 
Nell Brant 
Francis Martin 
Walter Delcon 
Cast: 

Peggie Hopkins Joyce 
W. C. Fields 
Sari Marltza 
Burns & Allen 
Rudy Vallee 
Col. Stoopnagle & Budd 
'Cracked Ice' 

(iRt week) 
D — Norman McLeod 
A — Bert Kalmar 

Harry Ruby 

Grover Jones 

RIchy Craig, Jr. 

Lou Breslow 

Keene Thompson 

Henry Myers 
Cast : 

Four Marx Brothers 
Margaret Dumont 
PATIIE 
'Dnde Ranch' 
(Allied) 
(2nd week) 
D — George Melford 
A— Jack Natteford 
C — Harry Newman 
Cast: 

Hoot Gibson 
Gloria Shea 
Gordon DeMalne 
RADIO 
■Silver Cord' 
(Ist weeW) 
D — John Cromwell 
Cast: 

Irene Dunne 
'Decloiwee' 

(Iwt week) 
D — E. H. Griffith 
A — John Balderson 

Jane Murfln 
Cast: 

Ann Harding 
Mary Duncan 
Henry Stephenson 
Untitled 
(Ist week) 
n — Wm. Seller 
A — Joe Manklewicz 

Glen Tryon 
Cast: 

Wheeler & Wooleey 
Marjorlft White 
Hugh Herbert 
Phyllis Harry 
ROACH 
'Frn DInvolo' 
(Srd week) 



Col. Hunting Stories 

But Has the Titles 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Columbia la huntlner yarns for 
seven pictures all scheduled for re- 
lease within the next 12 weeks. 

Stories are needed for 'Mike,' 
'Pearls and Emeralds/ 'Fury of the 
Jungle,' East of Fifth Avenue,' one 
Jack Holt feature and two action 
productions. 



Unknown Outfits 
Have Some Hopes 
At Sugar Per Hope 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
Two outfits holding out hopes — 
at so much per hope — for those who 
are screen struck, but none too 
wise, are now operating in Holly- 
wood. 

One. the American Pictures Co., 
which has Amos Stlllman and 
Joseph G. Beckmann in the saddle, 
informs applicants that eight six- 
reel melodramas will be produced. 
To those wishing to play In the 
pictures, the outfit, it is charged, 
slaps on a tax of $100 for publicity 
expenses, with the provision that 
the applicant must work in the first 
film without pay. In subsequent 
pictures, a wage commensurate with 
the hopeful's ability is promised. 

Producers' association, which has 
no record of American, was given 
as a reference. Better Business 
Bureau is investigating. 

Second is being operated by Van 
S. Trefon, also unknown to the 
Producers' body. Claisslfled ad in 
the Los Angeles 'Examiner' (Hearst) 
was the come-on for this proposi- 
tion. 

Trefon, according to reports made 
to the BBB, had an idea of raising 
a bank roll by obtaining loans from 
applicants, who would be given a 
mortgage on the picture. 

Promoter Is alleged to have had 
no set figure for his take from the 
gullible. From one applicant he is 
reported to have a loan of $300; 
from another, $260. Latter appar- 
ently appealed to Trefon aa likely 
material for a $26 a week salary 
went with the loan. Third appli- 
cant was asked for only a $176 in- 
vestment, BBD complaint charges. 

Trefon also operates under the 
name. Van Ness Newsreel Co. 



When Tie Corner' Was Hanunerstein's 



By Epes W. Sargent 



No Strand Deal 

Warners does pot Intend to give 
up the Strand, Albany. Report had 
the house as likely going to RKO. 

Joe Bernhard, g. m. of Warner 
Theatres, nixes the thing, stating 
there have been no negotiations 
with RKO. 



Temporary closing of the Rialto 
theatre, which promises to become 
chronic, revives memories of its 
predecessor, the Victoria theatre, 
affectionately known as 'The Corner.' 
It was the last New York music 
hall with a personality, and in Its 
heyday was even better known than 
tlie old Koster & Dial's. 

The story already has been told of 
how the late Oscar Hammerstein 
nailed the flag to the staff when he 
was ousted from his Olympia music 
hall, now the New York and Cri- 
terion theatres. He bragged he 
would have another house before the 
ensign was blown to rags, and he 
made good his boast with plenty to 
spare. 

Originally, Hammerstein's was de- 
voted to musicals, and it was here 
that Eva Tanguay dawned on the 
metropolis as that end girl in the 
chorus line. Some years before a 
syndicate had spent $10,000 trying 
to put her over as a vaudeville star, 
but failed. She went into the chorus 
and literally wriggled her way out 
to stardom. Marie Dressier was 
there in 'Miss Print,' a short-lived 
musical not helped much by a pre- 
liminary tour which Jumped her all 
over the country. Hammerstein 
produced a couple of his own shows, 
and if memory serves, the first 
Rogers Bros, musical show was 
launched here, the subsequents be- 
ing taken over to K. & E. houses 
when the Victoria went vaudeville. 

Pleasure and Business 

Management of the house as a 
music hall was turned over to the 
late William Hammerstein, who had 
studied the business with the late 
William Morris. Both loved to tell 
how after a long day in the Geo. 
Liman agency, Morris, then but a 
clerk, would meet Hammerstein, 
they would buy a package of all- 
tobacco cigarettes and shoot pool in 
the billiard parlor above the Dewey 
theatre, talking shop all the time. 

Hammerstein was born with a 
strain of P. T. Barnum in his veins. 
He brought Flossie Crane, a strident 
voiced singer in the Coney Island 
beer resorts, into temporary stardom 
for four wftftks. during the silly sum- 
mer season; booked Ethel Conrad, a 
show girl, whose chief claim to fame 
was that she had shot her millionaire 
landlord in the leg; gave Ann 
O'Della DlsDebar, high priestess of 
spookdom, a week to tell how she 
fooled the credulous with her spirit 
paintings, and brought John and 
Eva Fay In for an entire summer 
season on the roof with their spirit- 
ualistic fake. He gave Horace Gol- 
dln his chance to show his new act 
In his own country. Goldin had gone 
abroad a clever but Impossibly crude 
magician. He returned a veritable 
sensation. Hammerstein created 
other novelties, but he never got up 
the nerve to launch his pet idea, a 
masked dancer to be known as 
'Countess X,' and who was to be 
brought from London wearing a 
mask at all times. - He was afraid 
that the newspapers might find out 



I Picture Possibilities || 



'Four o'clock' — Unfavorable 

•FOUR O'CLOCK* (Melodrama, Charles Henderson, Blltmore). Story 
based on sensational murder of a blackmailer and on vice cop methods, 
not well done. Jbec. 



'One Sunday Afternoon' — Favorable 

•ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON' * (Comedy-drama, Peters and Splller, 



Little). 

Will probably make more entertaining fllm than play. 



Ibee. 



'Conquest'— Favorable 

'CONQUEST' (Drama, Arthur Hopkins, Plymouth). Finely written 
with plenty of dramatic possibilities. Should make excellent feature 
Hamlet theme with timely application and atmosphere. Ibee. 



D — Hal ' Roach 

A — Jeannle Macpherson 

C — Art Lloyd 

Cast; 

Laurel & Hardy 

Dennis King 

Thelma Todd 

Henry Armetta 

Donald Reed 

Lucille Brown 

James FInlayson 

WABNEBS 
'Karrow Coroer' 
(3nd week) 

D — Alfred E. Green 
A — Somerset Maugham 

Robt. I'resnell 
Cast : 

Doug Fairbanks, Jr. 
Patricia Ellis 
Dudley DIgges 
Ralph Bellamy 
Arthur Hohl 
Henry KolUcr 
Willie Fung 
'I'he .Mnyor of Hell' 
(Srd week) 
D — Archie Mayo 



A — Islln Auster 
Ed. Chodorov 

C — Barney McGill 

Cast: 

James Cagney 
Madge Evans 
Allen Jenkins 
Arthur Byron 
Dudley DIgges 
Frankio Darro 
Farina 

Robert Barrat 
Geo. Pat Collins 
Mickey Bennett 
Sidney Miller 
Charina Cane 
Dorothy Peterson 
Raymond Borzage 
'Lilly Turner' 
(3rd week) 

D — Wm. A. Weilman 

A — Philip Dunning 
Ctfo. Abhntt 
Gi.-nc .Markoy 
Knthryn .Scola 

C — Sid Hl' kox 

Cast : 

Ruth f'h.-ittfrldfi 
George Breni 



Frank McHugh 
Guy KIbbee 
Ruth Donnelly 
Lyle Talbot 
Marjorle Gateaon 
Robert Barrat 
Gordon Wesfott 
Grant Mitchell 
Hobart Cavanaugh 
.Margaret Seddon 
Mayon Methot 
Claudia Coleman 
Ethel Wales 
'Gold Diggers of 1033' 

(2nd week) 
D — Mervyn Lclloy 
A — Avery Hopwood 

D.TvId Doehm 

James .Seymour 
Cast : 

Warren William 

Joan Illondcll 

Ruliy K-r-lcr 

I)i<-k rowcll 

Aline M:ii-.Mahon 

<;uy KIM. en 

(Jlngcr KociTM 

Allen .Tf'nU'n..f 

.\cd .'-'jisiikH 



and ride him, though the stunt haa 
been since done. 

Loose Management 
The management was loose, but 
seemingly adequate. Aaron Jones, 
the box ofnce head, wa^ an im- 
possible crab, yet no one seemed 
to resent his churlishness, and 
there was extremely lax discipline. 
Willie stared in amazement one 
afternoon when a newspaper man 
requested permission to go back 
stage to see a friend. 'The door's 
open,' was his only comment, and 
once past the open door no one 
gave heed to the stranger, who spent 
10 minutes locating Mike Simon, the 
stage manager. 'Miss Blank,' Mike 
repeated. 'She's in room 7. Go right 
up.' Usually on Monday the stage 
would be ankle deep in agents, for 
every booker was on hand for the 
Monday matinee. 

The gallery had been built with a 
steep pitch, and this left a huge loft 
under the rear portion. Oscar 
Hammerstein had a floor laid, walt^ 
board tacked on and made it his 
home. No effort was made to divide 
the space. It remained one apart- 
ment some 60 feet long with a kit- 
Chen, bath tub and other accessories 
at one end and a bed at the other. 
In between were his piano and an 
automatic cigar making machine of 
his own invention. If he ran short 
of smokes he would start up the ma- 
chine and run off a couple of dozen. 
One afternoon a soprano called by 
appointment for an audition. She 
took with her a chorus girl friend. 
The latter asked permission to take 
a bath, and splashed in the tub while 
the aspirant ran the scales and sang 
her show pieces. She didn't get the 
Job. 

Originally, the theatre carried an 
open air roof garden, known as 
Paradise Roof, with a square stage, 
in the center suggesting a prize 
ring, the performers entering 
through the audience. It was here 
that Louise Dresser made her New 
York debut singing with a bunch of 
Negro boys. After Hammerstein 
built the Republic, next door, he 
added that roof, put in a stage at 
the Broadway end of the Victoria's 
roof and put in a half roof over the 
seats. The Republic was about 19 
feet higher than the Victoria, and 
was approached by a wide flight ot 
steps. It was known as The Farm, 
and was dressed up as a Dutch 
scene, with real ducks in a real pool. 
It was a great place from which to 
listen to Creatore and his band, 
which also made Its debut here. 

After Willie Hammerstein took 
hold the house was a gold mine, and 
with the tobacco machinery patents 
permitted the elder to play with 
grand opera over at his second 
Manhattan Opera house. When 
Willie died, Loney Haskell took his 
place, but the music hall idea was 
already headed for the chutes, and 
no one could have held it back, 
though Haskell retarded its speed. 

The glory that was the music hall 
passed with the razing of the Vic- 
toria. There has never been its 
like. 



JACK HESS GOES BROKE; 
OWES $4,275; BANKRUPT 



Jacques Julius Hess, better known 
as Jack Hess, 70 West 55th street. 
New York, who left the Paranriount- 
Publix organization in last week's 
shakeup, admits to $4,215 in debts 
and 1130 worth of assets in a volun- 
tary bankruptcy petition filed 
through Julius Kendler. Bills are 
chiefly for medical services, mer- 
chandise and obligations on a lease 
at 55 Central Park West. 

The Motion Picture Club took a 
judgment for $002 against Hess 
Dec. 9, last, against which he paid 
$160, leaving a $742 balance. E. M. 
(Emo) Orowltz. formerly associated 
with Hess in the RKO publicity or- 
ganization, is mentioned for $200, 
along with others in New York and 
Chicago. Hess hails from Chi. 

Hess gives his business as adver- 
tl.slng. 



New Orleans Scenes 

Hollywood, Feb. 29. 
Wanda Tuchork and Leonard 
i'ra.skin.s l*>ave here for New Orleans 
tonight for final work on the script 
(if 'No Bod of Roses,' Constance 
lJ<nn(-tl's next feature for Radio. 
Thoy expect to be gone about two 

A cTmeruman will go along, mak- 
ing iitnioBplu lie shots for the film. 



2A 

— 



VARIETY 



YOU 



if 



CANT FREEZE THEM 

AWAY FROM THIS ONE 



\«1 



CP. 



Ta 




ISow wartntm up: 

CHICAGO: SwcUest roadshow 

'^sit% leap- 



them in 



— itlut Of atutse . . . 



**LIBERTY» gave U 



People stop being sensible when **Cavalcac{e" 
comes to town. Instead of hugging the fire- 
place, they brave the cold and go to the theatre. 
Merrily the grosses roll Up . . . crowds throng 
to main streets formerly deserted ... and 
"Givalcade" is credited with another miracle. 

More FOX pictures with the "Cavalcade** 
showmanship stamp are on the way . . . your 
way, if you're smart. 




Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



PICYURES 



VARIETY 



Comparative Grosses for February 



(Continued from page 11) 

NEW HAVEN 



PARA- 
MOUNT 

• (2,348: 85-00) 

High. $21,000 
Low. . 5,000 



PALACE 

(3.040; 36-60) 
High. $20,000 
Low.. 4,000 



SHERMAN 

(2.200; 35-60) 

High. $16,000 
Low.. 1,600 



Jan. 28 



Billion Dollar 
Seandal 

$7,800 

Staere Show 



Animal 
Kingdom 
and 
Get Married 

$8,600 



Frisco Jenny 
and 
Parachute 
$6,600 



Feb. 4 



Lost Souls 

$8,100 



Son Daughter 

and 
Second Hand 

Wife 

$4,700 



Cynara 
and 
Death Kiss 

$6,800 



Feb. 11 



Sign of the 
Cross 

$9,200 
(Plcts. only) 



Mummy 
and 
Hot Pepper 
$7,100 



Employees 
and 
Hard Handle 
$6,500 



Feb. 18 



Hello, 
Everybody 

and 
Crusader 
$5,000 
(New Low) 



Mme. Blanche 

and 
State Trooper 

$6,200 



'Reduced scale. 



20,000 Years 
and 
Breach of 
Promise 
$6,900 



DETROIT 



MICHIGAN 

•(4,045: 16-26-86- 

High. $53,100 
Low.. 8,800 



FOX 

•(6,100: lS-26-85- 
40-5n) 

High. $50,000 
Low.. 8,000 



FISHER 

•(S.0G5; 1R-2S-86- 
40) 

High. $29,000 
Low.. 0.600 

♦Reduced acale 



Jan. 28 



Tonight Is 
Ours 

$18,200 
Stage Show 



Second Hand 
Wife 

$19,000 
Stage Show 



Billion Dollar 
Scandal 

$7,100 
(6 days) 



Feb. 4 



Frisco Jenny 
$15,100 



Hot Pepper 

$25,000 



Silver Dollar 
$10,000 



Feb. 11 



Hello, 
Everybody 

$8,800 
(5 days) 



Uptown N. Y. 
$24,000 



Farewell 
Arms 

$7,800 



to 



Feb. 18 



Done Wrong 
$24,400 



Face in the 
Sky 
$10,000 



Lost Souls 
$8,600 



PITTSBURGH 



STANLEY 

(3,e00; 2S-35-60) 

High. $48,000 
Low. . 3,750 



FULTON 

(1.700; 16-23-40) 

High. $12,000 
Low. . 1,900 



PENN 

(3,300; 25-36-30) 

High. $41,000 
Low. . 7.50 0 



Jan. 28 



Frisco Jenny 

$12,000 



False Faces 

$3,300 



No Man 

$9,000 



Feb. 4 



20,000 Years 
$9,000 



Hynotized 

$2,600 



Kid Spain 
$18,500 



Feb. 11 



Hard to 
Handle 
$7,000 



Face Sky 

$4,400 



Son Daughter 

$10,000 



Feb. 18 



Hello, 
Everybody 

$3,750 
(New Low) 



Uptown N. Y. 
$4,100 



Lost Souls 

$10,500 



PHILADELPHIA 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


EARLE 

•(2,000; 80-66) 

High. $27,000 
Low.. 11.500 


Fast Lite 

$17,000 
Vaude 


Devil's 
Driving 
$16,000 


No Orchids 

$24,500 
•Vanities' 


Get Married 

$22,000 


FOX 

(8,000 ; 86-40-75) 

High. $41,000 
Low.. 10.500 


Second Hand 
Wife 
$17,600 
Stage Show 


Hot Pepper 

$20,000 


Face Sky 

$20,000 


Dangerously 

$19,000 


STANLEY 

(8.700; 86-40-65) 

High. $37,000 
Low.. 4,000 

* Reduced sea 


Kid Spain 
$18,500 

(2d week) 

le. 


20,000 Years 
$16,000 


Bitter Tea 

$4,000 
(3 days) 


Interlude 
$14,500 


BUFFALO 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


' BUFFALO 

(8,600; 80-40-50) 

High. $42,000 
Low.. 11.100 


Animal 
Kingdom 

$17,300 
Stage Show 


Lawyer Man 

$13,300 


Kid from 
Spain 
$21,700 


Frisco Jenny 
$11,100 
(New Low) 


HIPPO- 
DROME 

(2.400; SO) 

High. $22,000 
Low.. 3,900 


Billion Dollar 
Scandal 

$4,400 


Silver Dollar 
$6,700 


Maedchen in 
Uniform 
$5,100 


Butterfly 

and 
Once in a 
Lifetime 

$6,100 


CENTURY 

(3,400 : 25) 

High. $21,000 
Low.. 3,800 


Handle Care 

and 
Men America 

$4,900 


Evenings for 
Sale 

and 
Dangerous 
Game 

$6,300 


Slightly 
Married 

and 
Robber's 
Roost 
$11,400 


King Murder 

and 
Get Marriofl 

$6,800 


LAFAYETTE 

(3,400; 25) 

High. $16,000 
Low.. 6,000 


Vanity Street 
and 
Deoeption 
$6,500 


Bitter Tea 

$8,000 


Uptown N. Y. 
and 
Paradise 

$7,300 


Trailing 
Killer 
and 
Hypnotized 
$6,700 


BIRMINGHAM 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


ALABAMA 

(2.800; 23-35-40) 

High. $29,000 
Low.. 3,500 


Savage 

$6,000 


Interlude 

$7,500 


Tonight Ours 

and 
Silver Dollar 

$6,700 
(Split week) 


Hot Pepper 

$6,000 


RITZ 

(1.60O; 23-40) 

High. $15,000 
Low.. 2,000 


Goona Goona 
and 
Slightly 
Married 

$3,000 


Mummy 
and 
Unwritten 
Law 

$3,700 


No Orchids 
and 
Flames 

$3,000 


Afraid Talk 

and 
Get Married 
$3,400 


EMPIRE 

•(1,100; 25) 

High. $12,000 
Low.. 1,000 


Match King 
$1,800 


Crash 
$1,800 


False Faces 

$1,100 


Blessed 
Event 

$1,800 


STRAND 

(800 ; 2S> 

High.. $6,000 
Low... 1.000 


Million 
$2,000 

e. 


Flesh 

$1,900 


Butterfly 
$2,100 


My Gal 
$1,800 



WASHINGTON 





Jan. 28 


EARLE 

(2,424; 25-30-40- 

60-60-70) 
High. $25,000 
Low.. 6,000 


Billion 
Scandal 
$14,600 
Vaude 


PALACE 

*(2,303; 13-25-85- 

60) 

High. $29,300 
Low.. 6,500 


No Man 
$14,500 


COLUMBIA 

(1,232; eO-|l- 
»1.60) 
High. $19,000 
Low.. 1,100 


Red- Haired 
Alibi 
$2,000 


FOX 

(8,484; 15-23-35- 

00) 

High. $41300 
Low.. 11,000 


Flesh 

$24,000 
Vaude 


KEITH'S 

a,330: 16-2S-8S- 
OO) 

High. $20,000 
Low.. 4,600 


Bitter Tea 
$10,000 



Feb. 4 



Employees' 
Entrance 
$17,000 



Hot Pepper 
$12,000 



Robbers' 
Roost 
$3,100 



Tonight 
Ours 

$26,000 



Is 



Pool Murder 
$9,000 



Feb. 11 



Hard to 
Handle 

$18,000 



Kid from 
Spain 

$20,600 



Rasputin 

$11,000 
(2-a-day) 



Son- 
Daughter 
$24,000 



Big Drive 

$9,000 



Feb. 18 



Ladies Talk 
About 
$15,500 



Kid from 
Spain 
$12,000 

(2d week) 



Rasputin 

$8,500 
(10 days) 



Face Sky 

$20,000 



No Orchids 

$6,500 



MONTREAL 



Editor *s Daughter 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


LOEW'S 

(8,200: 05) 

High. $18,000 
Low.. 7,500 


Fu Manchu 
$15,000 
Vaude 


Silver Dollar 
$12,500 


Lawyer Man 

$14,000 


Fast Life 
$12,000 


PALACE 

(2,700; 60) 

High. $32,000 
Low.. 7,000 


Interlude 
$10,000 

(2d week) 


Fugitive 
$10,600 


No Man 

$11,500 


Lost Souls 
$10,000 


CAPITOL 

•(2,700 : 60) 

High. $30,000 
Low. . 7,000 


Rockabye 

and 
Trailing 
Killer 
$10,500 


Dark House 
and 
Maid Mt. 

$10,600 


Butterfly 
and 
Devil's 
Driving 

$11,000 


Match King 

and 
Flesh 
$10,600 


PRINCESS 

(1,900; 33-60) 

High. $25,000 
Low.. 4,500 


Kid from 
Spain 
$6,000 

(3d week) 


Bitter Tea 

and 
Deception 

$8,000 


Leap Year 

and 
Love 
Contrast 

$7,000 
(British) 


No Orchids 

and 
Last Man 

$6,500 


IMPERIAL 

(1.000; SO) 

High.. $6,000 
Low... 1,200 

• Reduced sea 


Fleur 
D'Orancer 

and 
Le Dernier 
Choo 
$2,000 
(French) 

le. 


L'Atlantide 

$2,200 


L'Anfant 
Martyr 
and 
Avec 
L'Assurance 
$1,800 


Mater 
Dolorosa 

$1,500 


BOSTON 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


METRO- 
POLITAN 

(4,830; 35-30-06) 

High. $66,000 
Low.. 1630 


Frisco Jenny 
$24,500 
Stage Show 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$31,000 


Hello, 
Everybody 
$17,200 


Dene Wrong 
$16,000 


RKO 
MEMORIAL 

(4,000; 30-40-56) 
High. $41,200 
Low.. 6.140 


No Woman 
$16,000 
Vaude 


Mummy 
$16,100 


Mary Holmes 

116,100 


Child tof 
Manhattan 

$17,600 


BOSTON 

(4,000; 25-40^6) 
High. $23,000 
Low. . 4.000 


Death Kiss 

$8,200 
Vaude 


Laughter 
in Hell 

$9,700 


Air Hostess 

$9,400 


Lucky Devils 
$8,600 


MINNEAPOLIS 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


ORPHEUM 

(2,880; S6) 
High. $26,000 
Low. . 6,000 


Goona Goona 
and 
Falsa Faces 

$8,600 

Stage Show 


No Orchids 

$12,000 


Mummy 
$7,600 


Child of 
Manhattan 

16.000 


STATE 

(2,200 ; 66) 
High. $28,000 
Low. . 3,800 


Silver Dollar 

$7,600 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$8,000 


Lost Souls 

$8,000 


Hallo, 
Everybody 
$3,800 
(6 days) 


LYRIC 

(1,300; 35) 

High. $17,000 
Low.. 1,200 


My Gal 

IMoo 


Holmes 

$3,200 


Fast Life 
$4,000 


3 on a Match 

12,600 


PORTLAND, ORE. 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


B'WAY 

•(2,000 ; 25-40) 

High. $21,000 
Low.. 6,000 


Son* 
Daughter 
$8,000 


Tonight Is 
Ours 
$6,000 


Hot Pepper. 
$6,000 


20,000 Years 
16.600 


ORIENTAL 

(2.C00; 26-85) 

High. $24,000 
Low.. 2,000 


13 Women 

$3,700 


Law>er Man 

$3,300 


Get Married 
$4,000 


Ladies Talk 
About 
$3,300 


UNITED 
ARTISTS 

(1.000; 25-55) 

High. $13,000 
Low.. 2,500 

• Reduced sci 


Interlude 
$4,000 

(2d week) 

le. 


Silver Dollar 
$4,000 


Cynara 

$4,600 


Kid from 
Spain 
$7,000 


DENVER 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


DENVER 

(2,600 : 23-35-40- 
50) 

High. $27,700 
Low.. 5,200 


Tonight Is 
Oura 

$6,800 


Kid from 
Spain 
$11,600 


Interlude 

$9,600 


Hello, 
Everybody 

$6,200 
(6 days) 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

(2,000 ; 26-40) 

High. $22,000 
Low.. 2.200 


Match King 
and 
Flesh 

$4,200 
(Split week) 


Flesh 

and 
Billion 
Scandal 

$2,400 


Evenings 
For Sate 

and 
Big Drive 
$3,600 


Luxury .Liner 
and 
Employees' 
Entrance 

$2,600 


ORPHEUM 

•(2,600 ; 28-30- 
40) 

High. $20,000 
Low. . 8,500 


Rockabye 
$10,500 


Mummy 
$10,600 


Hot Pepper 

$10,600 


Hard to 
Handle 

$12,500 


RIALTO 

(000; 20-^5-40) 

High.. $4,500 
Low. . . 1,900 

• Reduced acs 


Deception 
and 
Dark House 
$3,600 

lie. 


My Gal 
and 
Naked Truth 

$2,800 


Lawyer Man 

$2,760 


2d-Hand 
Wife 

$2,750 


KANSAS CITY 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


MIDLAND 

•(4,000 ; 25) 

High. $35,000 
Low. . 6,700 


Kid from 
Spain 

$29,000 
(Played to 
60c top) 


Son- 
Daughter 

$8,900 
(25c top In 
effect this 

week) 


Whistling 
in the Dark 

$12,000 


Mme. 
Blanche 
$9,800 


NEWMAN 

(1,800; 2S-3S-00) 

High. $33,000 
Low.. 4,400 


Lost Souls 

$7,000 


Lawyer Man 
$7,800 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$9,000 


Hello, 
Everybody 

$6,000 
(5 days) 


LIBERTY 

•(800; 10-13-20) 

High. $13,400 
Low.. 2,000 

• ItC'ilii'-' d .irt 


Vanity Street 
$2,800 

tip. 


Afraid Talk 
and 
Men of 
America 

$2,r,oo 


Fugitive 

and 
Passage 

$2,000 


Conquerors 

and 
Obey Law 

$2,000 
(New Low) 



(Continued from page 2) 

chest when she was only eight years 
old. Mary Jnin tell devlnely In love 
with a very nice fellow who was a 
machlnic by the name of Jack 
Berry. Her family was very much 
against lier mtirrying Jack because 
he was not of her equal in social 
station. But her love for Jack was 
enough to over come this obstlcal. 

The marriage date was set for the 
day foUowlnK her birthday two 
weeks oway. She was thrilled to 
death. 

The day before her marriage was 
to be Mary Jane went down to the 
post office for the mail. 

AS she pasted the grocery store 
a man saw her and asked about her. 
Mr. Jackson, the man who owned 
the store, was always ready to give 
out Information. He told this man 
that she was the daughter of the 
sheriff and that she was going to be 
married the next day. 

Now this man was a vllllan in 
sheeps clothing. He was tall and 
dark. His hair was parted In the 
middle of his head and slicked back. 
He was very good looking. He was 
a traveling salesman and had been 
around quite a lot. 

The minute he found out who 
Mary Jane was he went over to see 
her old man. He told sherlf Smith 
that he wis a private detective who 
was sent by the government to In- 
spect the police department. Mr. 
Smith envlted him over to dine with 
his family because he wanted the 
man to take back a good report with 
him. 

Mary Jane had seen him as she 
passed the stcre that morning and 
was very much faclnated by his 
good manners. Of course she was 
terribly surprised to see him walk 
up to the door with her father. She 
flew into her bed room to primp. 

At supper when no one was watch- 
ing he winked at her. Mary Jane 
was thrilled to death. She was not 
on to the ways of the world. 

After supper Mary Jane started to 
help her mother with the dishes but 
her fother said he would do it if 
she would go In and entertain the 
gentleman In the living room. Mary 
Jane was tickled to death to do this 
and It was bard for her to keep from 
showing it. 

In the front room when they were 
alone he told her that she might as 
well call him by his first name. She 
didn't know what it was so she 
asked him. He told her it was Bob 
but he was'nt telling the truth but 
she dld'nt know that. 

Bob asked her to meet him on the 
comer of the street two blocks 
away. She promised that she would 
after her father and mother went to 
bed about nlnethirty. 

Sh^ pretended to go to bed when 
her family did and then she sneaked 
out of the house and walked down 
the street. On the way to the corner 
she met her flonce who happened 
to be out for a walk. He stopped 
her and asked her whare she was 
going. 

'O Jack', she said. 1 am going to 
meet Bob Jenkins.' 

'But you can't do that Mary Jane* 
he said 'Bobb Jenkins is a vllllan 
in sheeps clothing. Ha isn't a fit 
companion for a pig. He has a wife 
and five children. He is a t<-a"ellng 
salesman. 

Mary Jane had heard about trav« 
ellng saleman so then she saw what 
a terrible mlsstake she had been 
about to make. She threw her arms 
around Jack and cryed, 'O Jack my 
Hero, I am so glad rou saved me 
from him.' 

This is how Mary Jane was saved 
from a terrible mlsstake. 

The sequal of this storle is that 
they were mairled the next day and 
a few months later a beautiful baby 
girl came to bless their happy union. 
They namsd the baby Friday be- 
cause it was OR a Friday that Jack 
saved Mary Jane from making ther 
terrible mistake 

THE END 



Admissions 



(Continued from page 6) 
to. a half dollar it is still 70 cents 
compared to the 30 -cent top of his 
own neighborhood house. And then 
the auto has to be parked down- 
town. 

How the plan can be enforced is 
also under consideration. 

The revised b.o. can get under- 
way this year, it is held. Dis- 
tribution in the long run will be 
a big factor in bringing about the 
change In exhibition, proponents 
declare. 

Attorneys are not in general agree- 
ment on the ncces.sary part wlilch 
distrlbs would have to play as 'price 
nxers.' .Some que.sllon the legality 
of such a move. Others, more fa- 
miliar with the Washington routine 
are positive that there would be no 
governmental Interference — that 
price fixing laws do not apply to 
copyrighted or patented articles. 



Stromberg's Extension 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Hunt Stromberg receives a two- 
year contract by Metro as producer. 

With the company for seven 
years. 



26 



VARIETY 



. praise can be heaped without blushing . . . 

it doesn't need much courage for a plunge into super- 

latives about a picture like "The Great Jasper". . . Not since the new season began has there 
been a film so refreshingly off the beaten paths. And if this takes us only ankle-deep into 
superlatives, let's wade onward and declare it as skillful and delightful a character study as 
one has yet been able to fashion . . fTilliam Boehnel—fF 9rld^Telegram 

"Dix is supremely fine in ^Jasper.' This is a simply 

delightful movie, in which Richard Dix gives the best performance of his career. He never 
has hacf a more engaging role, or one he played with greater relish and conviction. , . All 
the characters are clear and true, exquisitely played by polished performers. The direction is 
finished. The dialogue is splendid. The production has life, sparkle and tenderness ... It 
is the epic of fun-lovers . . . Dix gives the story such loving treatment he is magnificent. 
Don't miss "The Great Jasper." It is an exhilarating screen play." 

Bland Johaneson Daily Mirror 




"In "The Great Jasper" at the 

Radio City Music Hall this week, Richard Dix has 
the best role of his career . . ."The Great Jasper" is 
far and refreshingly removed from the conventional in 
movie plots... the picture is decidedly superior enter- 
tainment ..." Rose Pelswick—N, Y. Eve, Journal 



"Credit Richard Dix with one 

more spendid performance. We found his Jasper Horn 
irresistible . . . The picture has a strong punchy fade- 
out— a fitting climax for an all-through absorbing pro- 
duction which should certainly please movie audiences. 
It's decidedly worth while seeing and hearing." — Daily News 

"Dix is excellent in the role, the 

best he has had since "Cimarron," and, in the part of 
Madame Talma, Miss Edna May Oliver is, as usual, en- 
tirely grand." Richard fTatts, Jn—N, Y, Herald Tribune 

RICHARD 





THE CREAT JASPER 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ with 



33 




WERA ENGELS.. EDNA MAY OLIVER 



FROM THE NOVEL BY FULTON OURSLER 
DIRECTED BY J. WALTER RUBEN 
DAVID O. SELZNICK, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER 

. . a»d look what's coming right aivay ... 

JOHN BARRYMORE in "Topaze". .. LIONEL BARRYMORE in 
"Sweepings". . ."Christopher Strong" with KATHARINE HEPBURN 
...CONSTANCE BENNETT in "Our Betters" AND THE BOX OFFICE 
GIANT "KING KONG' 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



Pie¥URES 



VARIETY 



27 



Comparative Grosses for February 



(Continued from page 26) 

LOUISVILLE 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


" LOEWS 
50.400; 25-85-50) 

High. $25,000 
Low.. 3,000 


Son- 
Daughter 

$7,600 


Kid from 
Spain 
$11,000 


Whistling 
in the Dark 
$6,600 


Big Drive 

$6,000 


STRAND 

■<1,780; 25-35-60) 

High. $12,500 
Low.. 1.400 


Fugitive 
$5,800 


Hot Pepper 
$6,000 


Tognight Is 
Oura 
$4,600 


Frisco Jenny 
$3,800 


RIALTO 

(2,700; 28-80-56) 
High. $16,000 
Low.. 1.900 


' Billion 
Scandal 

$7,700 
Vaude 


Match King 

$6,600 


Lawyer Man 
$7,800 


Dangerously 

$7,500 


BROWN 

<2,000 ; 25-86-40) 

High. $14,000 
Low.. 1.200 


Man Against 
Woman 

$2,200 


Animal 
Kingdom 

$3,000 


Bitter Tea 

$2,000 


Pool Murder 

$1,600 


ALAMO 

(000; 16-26-40) 

High. $11,600 
Low.. 1,300 


Butterfly 
$1,700 


Trailing 
Killer 
and 
Face Sky 

$2,400 


Mysterious 
$2,400 


Parachute 
Jumper 

$2,200 


SAN FRANCISCO 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


WARFIELD 

■<2,700; .,86-53-85) 
High. $48,000 
I.OW.. 8,200 


Fu Manchu 

$16,600 
Stage Show 


Hot Pepper 

$22,500 . 


Lawyer Man 
$14,000 


2d -Hand 
Wife 

$17,000 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

'<2,7O0; aO-40-55)- 

High. $36,000 
Low.. 5,000 


Frisco Jenny 

$18,000 


Son- 
Daughter 

$13,600 


Lost Souls 
$16,000 


Done Wrong 

$14,300 


GOLDEN 
GATE 

(2,844; SO-40-05) 

High. $19,000 
Low.. 7.000 


20,000 Years 
$14,500 
Vaude 


No Wpman 

$13,000 


■Match King 
$13,800 


Mummy 

$16,500 


TACOMA 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


RIALTO 

11,300; 15-25-86) 

High.. $5,000 
Low... 1,000 


Devil's 
Driving 
and 
Pool Murder 
2d -Hand 

Wife 
Mummy 
$2,000 
(Split week) 


Lost Souls 
Men of 
America 

and 
Laughter 
in Hell 
Face Sky 
$2,000 


No Woman 
Man of 
Action 

and 
Goldie 
Air Hostess 
$1,700 


(Dark) 


BLUE 
MOUSE 

•(030; 15-25) 

fligh.. $8,000 
Low... 1,200 


Frisco Jenny 

$2,100 


Match King 

and 
Parachute 
Jumper 
$1,200 
(New Low) 


20,000 Years 

$2,000 


Lawyer Man 
$1,600 


BROADWAY 

•(1,400; 26) 

High... $7,500 
Low... 1,000 

• Reduced sc 


No Orchids 
and 
Farewell 
to Arms 

$3,000 
(Split week) 

lie. 


No Man 

and 
Billion 
Scandal 

$2,200 


Butterfly 

and 
Interlude 

$4,200 


Son- 
Daughter 

and 
Animal 
Kingdom 
$3,600 


CINCINNATI 




Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 18 


ALBEE 

(8,300; 35-05) 

>ligh. $33,500 
Low. . 8,000 


Naked Truth 

$28,000 
(Gene-Glenn 
on stage) 
Vaude 


Hot Pepper 

$11,300 


Billion 
Scandal 
$10,600 
(Pola Negri 
on stage) 


Hello, 
Everybody 
$10,500 


PALACE 

(2,000; 30-55) 

IHigh. $28,100 
Low . . 6,800 


Interlude 

$14,400 


Kid from 
Spain 

$23,800 


Kid from 
Spain 

$14,700 
(2d week) 


Lost Souls 
$11,300 


KEITH'S 

(I.-IUO; 23-10) 

High. $22,000 
Low . . 4,000 


Frisco Jenny 

$7,800 


Parachute 
Jumper 
$4,000 
(New Low) 


Ladies 
Talk About 

$6,300 


Hard to 
Handle 

$4,700 


LYRIC 

(l.l.'><3; 30-35) 

IHigh. $23,900 
Low.. 4.100 


20,000 Years 

$6,800 


No Woman 
$6,400 


Butterfly 

$7,500 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

$8,800 



PROVIDENCE 





Jan. 28 


Feb. 4 


Feb. 11 


Feb. 16 


STATE 

•(3,700; 10-26) 

High. $28,(KI0 
Low . . 2,500 


Kid from 
Spain 
$17,400 

(60c top) 


Son- 
Daughter 

$6,000 
(26c starts) 


Whistling 
in the Dark 

$6,500 


Big Drive 

$6,200 


ALBEE 

(2,;!()0; 16-80) 

>1igh. $20,000 
Low . . 3,000 


No Woman 

$7,900 
Vaude 


Not Guilty 
$10,500 


Mummy 

$7,400 


Mary Holmes 

$8,000 


FAY'S 

(l.GOO; IS-SS) 

High. $15,000 
Low.. 3,000 


Trailing 
Killer • 

$6,000 
Vaude 


Daring 
Daughters 

$7,000 


Face Sky 

$6,000 


Ladies 
Talk About 
$6,800 


PARA- 
MOUNT 

•(2,200; 10-40) 

High. $18,000 
Low.. 3,200 


Lost Souls 

and 
Follow the 

Leader 

$5,800 


Tonight Is 
Ours 

and 
Horse Mesa 
$7,200 


Done Wrong 

and 
Vampire Bat 

$6,600 


Hello, 
Evelrybody 

and 
Penal Code 

$5,100 


VICTORY 

n (1(10; 15-25) 

High.. $4,500 
Low... 1,400 


Pool Murder 

and 
Deception 

$2,300 


Men of 
America 

and 
Pride Legion 

$2,500 


Cornered 
and 
Naked Truth 

$2,300 


Animal 
Kingdom 

and 
Self - Defense - 

$2,400 


• llpfliir-pti qnnle. 










3 for 10c 


'State Fair' Is Going in 
Downtown L. A. Day-Date 



Tacoma, Feb. 20. 

Waller Fcnney, local J&VH nnan- 
ager of Roxy, caused other local 
managers a dizzy spell again with 
the announcement of three features 
for a dime In the morning, 15 mats 
and 20 at night. 

All first runs in this deluxer and 
ehorts go in the bill of fare. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

First downtown day-and-date 
screen showing In several years will 
be on 'State Fair" at the President 
and Rialto, half a block away from 
each other, for week starting March 
16. Both houses are operated by 
Principal Theatres. 

Third run for the Fox pic will fol- 
low at the Palace, also Principal. 



Road Show Handicap 



Quick retnnis oC roadshow 
films and the attendant box- 
office comment and reaction 
when reaching the pop runs,, 
evidence how future road show 
attempts may be killed off, 
through the public's recogni- 
zance that it's only a matter of 
a few weeks before it'll reach 
their pocketbook tastes. 

Variously, 'Sign of the Cross,* 
Ifaedchen in Uniform,' 'Strange 
Interlude' and others Have re- 
turned as shortly as two or 
three weeks after road showing 
at $1.10 to $1.66 in the same 
localities, at 40c. and 660. 



Picket Injunction 



Providence, Feb. 20, 
Long - expected clash between 
allied theatrical union organizations 
here and operators of the new 
Metropolitan theatre broke out last 
Friday (17), when the Met man- 
agement obtained from the Superior 
Court, a temporary injunction re- 
straining union men from picketing 
the theatre. 

Court indicated that the case 
will be heard on its merit sometime 
this week to determine whether a 
permanent order should be granted 
the theatre operators. Two otjier 
Providence theatres were success- 
ful last year in restraining union 
men from picketing their houses. 

The Met. reopened Feb. 6 and 
picketing was started two days 
afterwards when there was a notice- 
able drop in the box-office. 



Stock Market 



Aaron Jones' State-Lake? 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

State Lake theatre, an Orpheum 
circuit red spot, may be turned over 
to Jones, Llnick and SchaefCer. Deal 
is hot but not closed. 

Immediate tenancy will be given 
if going through. 

Policy not set but possibly 26c. 
grind, similar to the firm's Woods. 

Writers' Assignments 

Hollywood; Feb, 20. 
Ritchie Craig, Jr., has been given 
one picture writing assignment by 
Warners with options. It starts 
June 10. 

Ernest Pascal receives a 26 -week 
straight writing agreement with op- 
tions, from the same studio. 



hcorporations 



New Yo(k 

Albany, Fob. 20. 

Alfred I,7inaa Frodnctlwis, Inc., New 
Tork; theatrical bUslneM; |2E0. 

Hilda Cassldy, Ine., Manhatten ; the- 
atrical; 150 aharea no par. 

East Side 111m Itollvery CompanleB, 
New Tork; picture business; 60 shares 
no par. 

Nattonal Theatrecoen* ABSodatlon, 
Inc., Manhattan; theatrical; |18,000; 
3,000 shares A |6; 1,000 B $1. 

Allied ProdactfOBB, Ine., Manhattan; 
radio broadcasting;: 1,000 share no par. 

Screen Attracttona Corp., Manhattan; 
picture business; 100 shares no par. . 

The CUfrow Corp., Rochester; picture 
business; $2,000. 

Before Morning Corp., New Tork; the- 
atrical; $20,000. 

Artco Theatres Corp., New Tork; the- 
atrical: four shares no par. 

Coart Theatres Corp., New Tork; the- 
atrical; four shares no par. 

MorrlMn- Winkler Corp., Manhattan ; 
theatrical; 100 shares no par. 

Latona HoldloK Corp., Manhattan; 
theatrical: $10,000. 

Adoo Theatre Corp., Manhattan; the- 
atrical; 110,000. 

Alcha Amusemeat Corp., New Tork: 
theatrical; $10,000. 

Chestnot Studio Corp., New Tork; the- 
atrical; $26,000. 

Warner Bros. Oironlt Hana^einent 
Corp., New Tork; picture business; 
$10,000. 

The Globe Export Corp., New Tork: 
theatrical and picture business; $10,000. 

Theatre MaDacemeot Corp., New Tork; 
Ecneral theatrical; $1,000. 

Fllmcholce, Inc., New Tork; sound or 
silent films; $100. 

Chanice of Name 

From Moot Radio Cofp., to Music 
Muter Corp. 

Dissolutions 
The Borooch Theatre Company, Kings. 
California 

Sacramento, Feb. 20. 

Iiatlii-Amerloaii Plctnrea, Ine. Capital 
stock, COO shares, none subscribed. Frank 
Clemente, B. H. Qruis, Ix>uise M. White. 

Certified copy of Peninsula Theatres 
CorporaUon, City of San Mateo, Calif, 

CertiBed copy of Palo Alto Theatre 
Co., City of Palo Alto, Calif. 

Permits to sell stock Issued to: 

Theatres Boidlnf Co. Theatre operat- 
Ine. Charles P. Skouras, Albert W. 
Leeds, J. M. Toung, Frank A. Grant, 
Charles A. Buckley, To issue 200 of total 
of 300 shares, no ■pejr. 

liAtln Amerlran Flctares, Inc. To is- 
sue all 200 shares preferred, par $100, 
and 400 nhnres common, no par. 

Santa Paula Theatres. Theatre operat- 
ing. To issue all 100 shares, no par. 



(Continued from page 7) 

This is a reversal of the trend the 
picture securities have been fol- 
lowing for the last month, starting 
just before the Paramount and 
RICO receivership and taking on 
added momentum immediately 
thereafter. 

During these periods the bond 
list generally was firm to strong, 
so that the decline in the theatre 
group was against an upwai^ trend 
elsewhere. Fact that the amuse- 
ments maintained a steady position 
under stress of last week's bad 
news would suggest that the urgent 
selling in this group has run Its 
course and there is even some cau- 
tious buying going on. Wise buy- 
ing for portfolios not uncommonly 
have this characteristic — that is, it 
takes place during times of general 
stress. 

Performance of speculative the- 
atre bonds is significant, for with- 
out an Improvement in this direc- 
tion there can scarcely be any bet- 
terment in the Industry itself and 
certainly not In the fortunes of its 
equity shares. Suggestion was 
failrly clear in last week's trading 
that with a clearing up of the out- 
look there might be a distinctly 
spirited move in amus.ement liens. 
With the start of the week there 
was new activity in the Paramount 
issues which showed a disposition 
to extend their recoveries from the 
bottom. Warners' liens held their 
gains of the week before almost 
intact and Loew's displayed a firm 
tone. The old Keith bonds were 
quiet with fractional gains. 

Week of New Sbbok* . 

Declaration of a banking', holiday 
for the whole state of I»(lchlgan for 
eight days ehditiig totoy . <Tues.) 
changed the maVl^et picture over- 
night, giving WaSW Street a bad case 
of nerves, ,;^hich' manifested Itself 
cspecialljr lit the bond section. The 
attempt against .the life of the 
Presldent-ele^t did nothing to im- 
prove the financial state of mind 
Toward the middle of the week 
there developed on the Continent a 
concerted drive against the dollar, 
with .several of the European cur- 
rencies moving up against the dollar 
to the gold export point. Added to 
these uncertainties, a new series of 
dividend omlsBlons or reductions 
came into the picture. One of the 
reductions — Texas Gulf Sulphurs 
was totally unexpected and brought 
on a nasty local break. American. 
Tel. & Tel., dividend policy of which 
was not certain, voted to pay the 
regular quarterly $2.25, but accom- 
panied the action with an income 
statement which showed the rate 
not earned In its entirety and the 
difference paid out of surplus. So 
that particular item of good news 
did little good. 

Effect of such dividend actlonsiure 
hard to predict. If the big corpora- 
tions pay dividends by drawing on 
their funds, action Is regarded as 
bearish. If they pMS dividends and 
conserve cash, that 'is bearish In an 
even larger way. In its present mood 
the Street's first Impulse seems to 
be to Interpret anything not ob- 
viously favorable as a new discour- 
agement. 

The Senate rather unexpectedly 
passed a straight repeal resolution, 
with assurances from the House 
leaders that that body would do the 
same thing early, as It did yester- 
day. Marketwlse the elfect was 
negligible except for the help the 
news gave to a few stocks regarded 
as 'repeal Issues.' 

Outlook for the coming week Is 
rather better. The Michigan mora- 
torium will expire with the close of 



Judgments 



Gtilld Film Corp. I Madison Sq. -Briefer 
Press Corp.; $109. 

Craft Film lAboratories, Inc.; Agfa 
Raw Film Corn.; $31,237. 



business today (Tues.). Wall Street 
looks for quiet resumption of busi- 
ness and relaxing of the strain. The 
passage of another week brings the 
Inauguration of a new administra- 
tion In Washington that much 
nearer, with all that that implies in 
a renewal of hope for constructive 
action by a new governmental re- 
gime. Make-up of the new cabinet 
will become clearer day by day. fur- 
nishing a clue as to the policies of 
the new government in the charac- 
ter and record of its leaders. So far 
the program of Roosevelt leadership 
have been cloaked in deepest si- 
lence. 

Almost any kind of encourage- 
ment to the financial community 
from the capital could be made the 
basis of a sharp recovery just now. 
Security prices have established a 
definite resistance level close to the 
present line, which the market has 
four or five times defended despite 
succeeding waves of adverse news. 
With anything to give it aid and 
comfort the bull sponsors probably 
could organize a really convincing 
demonstration. 

Film Stocks Give Way 

Such .heartening, as could be 
gleaned from last week's stability 
in the amusement bonds. was about 
all there was to be had in the way 
of cheerful outlook. Stocks did 
poorly as a general rule. With the 
majority of the group already at 
prices which couldn't sink much 
further without wiping values out 
altogether. It wasn't to be expected 
that they would give much ground. 
But it was in the disposition of the 
few Issues still commanding some 
sort of price to break ground on 
moderate offerings that the group 
took on its gloomy aspect. 

Notably, Loew's slipped almost 
dally into a new fractional low on 
the movement, finally establishing 
its present resistance point at 14^ 
which- Is ' lead .. than a point away 
from Its low Quotation of recent 
years. ^htLt is to say, since its re- 
covery from 10 years ago, when it 
paid dearly for over-expansion. At 
that price, of course, the market 
questions the continuance of its 
present $3 dividend, stock being on 
a' preposterous yield of more than 
20%.- 

Net for the November quarter 
was less th^n 40 cents a share and 
it is freely conceded that the com- 
pany is not earning Its dividend in 
the present quarter, with the 
spring and summer Just ahead. 
Preferred stock also slipped, break- 
ing through 60 again and closing 
the week at %l new low on the 
movement at .48%, where, by the 
way, it Is paying more than 13%. 

Eastman Kodak had a rather se- 
vere sinking spell when, it broke 
more than 5 points to around 51, 
but displayed a certain snap in the 
rebound to better than 64. Con- 
solidated Film campaign ran into 
opposition with an extreme relapse 
of 2 points, half of which it recov- 
ered before the end. Columbia Pic- 
tures showed signs of breaking 
through its old critical level of 9, 
but held above that pointy appar- 
ently in the absence of heavy offer- 
ings. 

RKO held unchanged while RCA 
broke 'through 4 for a new bottom 
on the movement while Fox was 
inclined to weakness although on 
minor volume that robbed price 
movement of much significance. 
The RKO receiver's report was noi 
generally available until lato Sat- 
urday, and had no effect upon 
prices. Orpheum preferred got a 
fractional gain, presumably on a 
gamble for a return if there is 
prompt liquidation, having certain 
priority of claim on assets under 
such circumstances. 



Summary for week ending Saturday, Feb. 18: 

STOCK EXCHANGE 



. 1032-*33 » 




HiBh. 


Low. 


Sales. 


3% 


% 




W/i, 


4% 


i.ioo 


■"■>% 


1 


1,800 




2% 


0,200 


87% 


36H 


18.100 


5% 


1 


4,000 


2av6 




40,800 


30 


7 


37% 


1844 


ie',666 


80 


89 


700 


4% 






2ZVi 




"wb 


15 


1% 


110 


UK 


% 


9,200 


IK 


% 


1,000 


5% 




400 


13H 




48,800 


7% 


114 


2,100 


50 


10% 




i% 


4^ 


iiooo 


20 




300 


48Vi 


15% 


M,200 



Issue and rate. 

American Seat 

Columbia P. vtc , 

Consol. Film 

Consol. Film pfd 

Eastman Kodak (3) 

Fox, Class A , 

Gen. EHec. (40c.) 

Keith pfd 

Loew <3) 

Do pref. COH)... 

Madison Square Qarden 
Met-Q-M pref. (1.8»).., 

Orpheum pfd 

Paramount . . 

Pathe Exchange... . 

Pathe, Class A 

Radio Corp 

RKO 

Universal pref 

Warner Bros 

Do pfd 

Westlnghouse 



.......... 







Net chff. 


Hieh. 


L«W. 


Last for wk. 
1<4 bid 


0% 


0% 


OVi -% 


m 


3% 


3% - % 


10% 


8% 


10 - % 


68)4 


51% 


WM -a% 


1% 


m 


1% - % 


18% 


12% 


13% - % 
8 bid 


16% 


14% 


14<4 -Hi 


60% 


48% 


48% -1% 
1% hid 


is 


14% 


14% -1% 


2% 


2K 


2'-4 -1- % 


% 


% 


% 


1% 




1% + % 


5% 




6% — ',4 


iVt 




4 - % 


1% 




1% 

12 bid 


1% 


'i% 
r. 


1% - 'A 


.1 


r. + V, 


27 


24% 


25% -1% 



IS 

1% 

2% 
2% 
4% 



% 
% 

1 

% 
% 



7% 


1 


03 


24 


iH) 


04 


80 


40 


m\ 

S.0 


8% 


6% 


19 


8H 


n 


•A 


40 


0'/* 



CURB 

000 Columbia PIcts 9^ 

100 De Forest Radio '4 

400 Gen. Thea. E. pfd % 

100 Unlv PIcts 1 

1,500 Technicolor 3'4 

Trans Lux 

BONOS 



0'4 

'A 
% 

I 

2% 



0'{ 

v. 

I 



— \i. 



- % 



Eq. 
•40 



40.. 



$11,000 Oen. Then 

•7,000 Keith O's, 

47,000 Loew O'b. ■«! 

0,000 Pathe 7'B. '37 

8,000 Par-Fam-Lasky O'fi 

70,000 Par-Pub 0'/4'8. 'Oil. 

3,000 RKO debs O's 

19,000 Rhubert Os 



'47. 





I'-i 


I'A 


- '■; 


3-'% 


;iL'>a 


.'!L'?i, 


-H '.1. 


07^1 


lifi 


OH 


-i\ 


r.UH 


51'^ 


(» 


— ■'-A 


lO'i 


■1 




IPA 


10 




- % 


10 


8Vi 


10 




\ 






- % 


17 


15-4 


17 


- % 



Over the Counter, N. Y. 



Bid. Anked. 

',i 2 R'jxy. Cl-i.-if .\ 1-1 ■■'D 

c;<'n Thfjlre cfs. soM tT.'iiHj uU at l',4. uft 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 21^ 1933 









'•^^^''^•^•■■XxV:A::;^;>x*:':v:-."i 







Toesday, Feliruary 21, 1939 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



Coininuiusts Recruit 200 on Lots; 
Plan Control of Extra Placements 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

In aa effort to get control of the 
employment of extras In the motion 
picture studios, a Communistic out- 
fit la now organizing the day work- 
ing group, with more than 200 men 
and women already subscribing to 
the Red membership card, according 
to reports. 

Flan, it is understood, la to de- 
mand that ail extra talent be re- 
cruited from the Red group, Instead 

iof the Central Casting Corporation, 
when a membership of 1,500 has 
been reached to lend strength to 
the organization. 

Organization activities are being 
isonducted by a man named Vaughn, 
<who is secretary of the Industrial 
Workers of the World, Inactive here 
elnce 1922, but now being revived. 

Group of stationary delegates for 
the I.W.W. Is In charge of recruit- 
ing the extras in the hope of re- 
organizing the old Theatrical In- 
duE^trlal union, which was known as 
the 'stiff collar union,' and which 
has also been Inactive for some 
years. 

Although field workers are now 
concentrating on extras, efforts will 
be made later to recruit the me- 
chanical and technical crafts Into 
membership. Those In these groups 
who have no union affiliations are 
novfr being approached. 

Chicago group Is understood to 
be working with Vt ughn. 



N.Y.-B'KL¥N PAR RENT 
DEALS ARE DISCUSSED 



Satisfactory progress In direction 
of rent deals on percentage with 
landlords for New York and Brook- 
lyn Faramounts Is reported, but be- 
fore closing It may be necessary to 
secure bondholder approval. If deals 
are made, rent on percentage may 
become retroactive to Jan. 1. Period 
would take In some of the poorest 
weeks for both houses, notably New 
York's Par. 

Deaf In New York la with the 
Paramount-Broadway & 43rd Street 
Corporation, landlord of the entire 
Par building, while In Brooklyn the 
landlord Is the Prudence Bond Co. 

Bonds In each case are secured by 
the buildings and leases. 

In New York present rental Is 
112,000 weekly; In Brooklyn under 
last summer's reduction It's |8,000. 

A split of gross over $36,000 or 
J40,000 In New York with landlord 
on a 60-50 basis, and same for 
Brooklyn on gross over $20,000, Is 
being discussed presently. 

In the event that receivers decide 
to disaffirm the lease on the Para- 
mount building. New York, holders 
of the first mortgage 6%% certifi- 
cates of the Paramount Broadway 
Corporation have formed a protec- 
tive committee headed by Peter 
Grimm. It Is composed of J. Rus- 
sell Porgan, Robert Goelet, Harold 
V. Smith and Elisha Walker. Chem- 
ical Bank and Trust Co. Is receiving 
deposits, of these certificates. 



Voluntary Bankruptcy 
Taken by Publix Sub 

Denver, Feb. 20. 

Petition for voluntary bankruptcy 
has been filed by Mountain States 
Theatre corporation, Publix sub- 
sidiary, a'nd operator of 10 Colorado 
theatres. Petition Is for the pur- 
pose of adjusting contracts on prop- 
erties and films. Ten theatres In- 
volved, Including two In Denver, 
Denver and Paramount; Colorado 
Springs, Paramount, Rialto and 
America; Pueblo, the Colorado, 
Sterling and Rex, and In Grand 
Junction, the Mesa and Avalon, the 
latter being closed. 

All houses now open will be kept 
on opertlon and with same per- 
sonnel. 

Wilbur Newton of Boettcher, 
Newton St Co., has been appointed 
receiver. The Boettcher interests 
own the Paramount and Denver 
theatre buildings In Denver, and 
recently sued the Mountain States 
Theatre corporation for $26,026 for 
two months' back rent. Federal 
court authorized the payment of $9,- 
000 on rent but refused to Impound 
the theatres' money and denied a 
petition asking the corporation be 
enjoined from disposing of their 
property if they wished. 



Ideas Only Assets, So 
Merges with Newcomer 

Hollywood, Feb, 20, 
I. A- Allen, formerly in the invest- 
ment business, has formed Allen 
Productions to make a feature on 
the Metropolitan lot. He is financed 
by private capital and has no re- 
lease. 

With only Ideas as aasets, another 
Independent group started by Slg 
Schlager and Leon d'Usseau Is ne- 
gotiating to 'merge" with Allen and 
cut down on the ofllce overhead. 



Mcuiy Reasons 



Vancouver, Feb. 20. 

An exhlb trying for an ad- 
justment on film rental from 
Jos. Plottel, Warner rep here, 
pleaded as one cause: 

'My dog gave birth to a Ut- 
ter of pups.' 



Hell BeW at Astor 



"Hell Below,' , release tlUe for the 
•Pigboats' story recently completed 
by Metro, la next for the Astor, 
New York, at $2 top. Ita tentative 
opening date Is March 7, succeeding 
'Rasputin,' another Metro special on 
a forced run. 

Print of 'HeU Below* Is scheduled 
to be In New Yovk som« tlm* this 
week. 



Albany Notice to Unions 
For Cut or Darkness 

Albany, N. Y., Feb. 20. 

Albany is threatened with dark- 
ened theatres unless a settlement 
is reached soon between the stage 
hands and operators and theatre 
owners and managers over' wages 
and reductions in the union ranks. 
A two weeks' notice, without any 
explanation, was posted In all the 
houses several days ago. 

A cut of from 10 to 15% Is de- 
manded from the unions with the 
alternative of accepting it or forc- 
ing the houses to close. Another 
demand is that the stage hands in 
the first-run houses be cut from 
two men to one. 

This Is the first time all local 
first-run and neighborhood houses 
have gotten together for a common 
cause. 

Two-week! notice ends this week. 



SEVERALB&KHOUSES ON 
WEEK-TO-WEEK BASIS 



Chicago, Feb. 20, 
Balaban and Katz closed the 
Granada, former northside deluxe, 
today for an Indefinite period. 
House has been straight pictures 
for several years. It was built by 
Marks Bros, and under their pug- 
nacious policy was the only serious 

opposition In the neighborhoods 
B&K ever had, A buy-out was in- 
evitably arranged. 

Several other 'B&K. houses are 
candidates for closing during a 'pre- 
easter slump,' Notice is up at Mc- 
Vlckers, Norshore, Tower and Regal 
but the houses are temporarily oper- 
ating on a week-to-week basis with 
no decision as to actual closing. 




AS DIVISION MANAGEIl oT lO BROOKLYN k-K'O , 
THEATRES A OAINST TOUG H OPPOSITION/ 

WHEN TAKING OVER THE ABOVE THEATRES 
1929 THE NET LOSS WAS $300,498.71 



FIGURES QUOTED BELOW ARE FROM THE mO 
AUDITINd AND STATISTICAL DlPARTMlNf » 



1930 



1931 



mm wmnm 



NET PROFIT 



NET PROFIT 



308/22.05 

NET PROFIT 



If uoWL theatMA ot dMaUU hme ^Fallinq. of- the 
BOX O^ice dlecei/fti* ot oth0i cUmqeium aUimnti, 
' RimntM Building Scum which fmdmewonde/iA 
To RKO mocnlm Imatm, id mwtwaUabU to att/ 




|(NO<U OPEN TO OFFERS FROM THEATRE CIRCUITS I 

\ INDtPENDENT- CHAIN - PICTURCS -or ATTRACTION/" jl 



ilCKTHEA' 
. . PHYSIQ 




Di:JOE LEE 



i////r/niiiiiiiiiH. 



;m'.\v\\\\\\v\\\\\\ 



WEST46TH 



YORK CITY 



fARNING/: 

lEWARE 01 
QUACKS^ 



//////if/iiimm 1 1 1 1 1 1 . 1 1 Awwww \> 



FALSE economy™ NEVER MADE a/zy VENTURE SUCCESSFUL] 



to 



YARIETY 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



THEY'RE 




on the 
ing the 



greatest ride 
of a 



II 



m 



all America 
Inaugural Day' 



^^^^^^ 



Paul Revere 



. . . . spread- 
Art! ... .The 



II 



bt^ng Hollywood t| 
^M^ at Wa^^ 
li^iilners f 



NEVER A TRAIN LIKE THIS! 
Equipped with STARS and CHORUS GIRLS by 
>Wamer Bros. ELECTRIC HEALTH KITCHEN 
PORTABLE BROADCAST STATION MINIA. 
TURE »LU.IBU BEACH by Gene^nec^^ 
CHEF by Ambassador Hotel, l^s Angeles. 



•JTucsday, Fjjferuary 21, 193S 



M C T H RES 



VARIETY »1 



Sound Print Good for 280 Tnnes 
Through Machines, States Expert 



Although nearly twice aa many 
prints of features ar« being: made 
compared to silent days, the life of 
the sound jprint is cut In half, so 
that now the average print is Junked 
when its physical condlticin is still 
good. 

A number of things, principally 
the delicate nature of the sound 
track and speedier distribution are 
held - responsible for this condition 
by Arthur Dickinson, film and ex- 
change authority in the Hays of- 
fice. 

The average number of bookings 
per print total 3^, Each booking 
averages two days of exhibition and' 
each exhibition runA lnto four pro- 
jections, so that ' the sound print 
goes through the projection ma- 
chine Just 280 times before It . is 
thrown into discard Iby the industry. 
More a« Silent 

In the silent days, according to 
Dickinson, the average print trav- 
eled 400 times through the booth 
machine before it was figured near- 
Ing retirement. 

Instead of the comparatively short 
life of the sound print being rated 
poor, Dickinson considers it as ex- 
cellent, saying that were it not for 
careful handling in exchanges and 
the average bootli, the talker track 
would void the use of the print long 
before its current explra,tion. 

No one yet has discovered a 
process for toughening the sound 
track whereby the print could be 
restored to its silent durability, 
Dickinson states the brass strip on 
the side of film, containing the track 
and sproclcet holes, as well, has not 
only been proven unsatisfactory, but 
too expensive. 



REDWOOD DEAL CLOSED 

11 National Houses Turned Over 
in San Francisco 



San Francisco, Feb. 20. 
Deal has been completed where- 
by Redwood Theatres takes over the 
National Theatre Syndicate's 11 
houses. 

George Mann and Morgan Walsh, 
heading Redwood circuit, and L. S. 
Hamm, Redwood lawyer, elected 
president, v.p. and secretary, re- 
spectively, of the new organization, 
with Homer LeBalllster, National 
g.m., and Ben Davis, treasurer, on 
the board of directors. 

Houses going vnder the Redwood 
banner are Liberty and National, 
Marysville; Jose and National, San 
Jose; National, Madera; Modesto, 
National and Strand, Modesto; Na 
tional, Stockton; National, Wood- 
land. Changes in operation and 
personnel are being made. 



Vaud Dropped from 
Warners L A. Despite 
Its Consistent Profit 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Warners Downtown, last of the 
deluxers pl^yinffVaude, goes to a 
straight picture policy March 2. 
The move was greeted with sur- 
prise in local theatre circles, as the 
house has been turning in a' small 
but consistent profit recently. 

Abandonment of the combo policy 
has the locals conjecturing as to the 
reaton. One angle is that Warners' 
decision to drop vaude may be 
linked with an agreement .with Fox 
West' Coast and Paramount, where- 
by all first run houses downtown 
will operate on a straight picture 
policy Another may be interpreted 
aa a slap at the stagehands, while 
a third is that Warners may be pre- 
paring to turn back the Downtown 
to Alexander Pantages, from whom 
It acquired the house. 



Sheridan Goes Essaness 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Baiaban & Kat^ turned the Sheri- 
dan over to Cssaness to operate. 
House closed for several weeks since 
bondholders awarded it to B&K, 
opened Sunday (19) on 30c straight 
picture grind. 

Former Fox house is managed by 
Max Slott. 



Salt Lake Corp. Figrhts 
Marcus' Court Action 

Salt Lake, Feb. 20. 
Mayor Louis Marcus is trying to 
throw the PubUx-Salt Lake Corp. 
into receivership in an effort to re- 
trieve part of his equity in the three 
local houses he sold Publlx three 
years ago; Cipltol, Parnnionnt and 
Victory. 

Marcus for years was in tlie tljc- 
atre business in Salt Lake City. 
He went into politics two years 
ago. 

Local corporation is keeping Its 
head above water by fruRal man- 
agement and is fighting the receiv- 
ership proceedings. 

Marcus still has appro.Kiinatoly 
$60,000 coming on the .sale of the 
theatres. 

The Publix-Salt Lake Corpora- 
tion, besides the three Salt Lake 
houses, operates the Orpheum in 
Ogden, and until recently the P.ar- 
amount, that city; Idaho and Or- 
pheum in Twin Falls; P.nramount in 
Provo; Granada, Fox Egypti.an and 
t>lnny in Boise. 



PAR IN L A. MAY GO 
TO F. & M. OR aOSE 



Hollywood, Feb. 20, 
The Paramount, downtown L. A„ 
and the Warner, Hollywood, would 
be taken off the bands of Publlx 
and WB, respectively, by Fanchon 
& Marco under deals which have 
been begun with the two circuits 
Theatres would be sub-leased to 
F. & M. under negotiations which 
have been started, with F&M units 
likely for both theatres if and when 
closed. 

Prior to present negotiations with 
F. & M., Publlx discussed a possible 
deal With the Lazarus Bros., who 
for some years have been operating 
the Million Dollar, one of the Publix 
properties. 

Report locally is that the Par may 
close Friday (24). This may be in 
line with a deal with Iiouse to start 
afresh under hew ot>era,tion if F&M 
takes possessibn. Par, L. A., has 
been sadly sloughe'd. of late, espe- 
cially since it dropped stage shows. 



Indie Receiverships 



Any number of Independent 
theatres throughout the coun- 
try are now in the hands of 
receivers, it la officially esti- 
mated. 

Regular indie policy is not 
to go into receivership, it is 
declared. Fully as many exhibs 
are figured to have met their 
troubles by simply letting their 
lease revert to the landlord, 
and declaring a total absence 
of assets. . 



Balto. Group Agrees 
To Irving Trust as 
RKO Co-Receiver 



Chains Not Giving Away Any Melons 
In Theatres-If Good, They Keep 'Em 



Numerous hopefuls, who hoped to 
land a theatre of their own out of 
the circuits' receivership troubles 
and decentralization projects, are 
being disillusioned. It is and has 
been for more than a year the aim 
of many individuals in show busi- 
ness to obtain a theatre in some 
small town and make a comfortable 
living until the depresh blows over. 

Circuits, in and out of receiver- 
ship, have not shown any willing- 
ness to part with anything but the 
bad boys among theatres, those that 



Baltimore, Feb. 20. 
Local receivers. Morris A. Rome 
and Samuel J. Fisher, in the RKO 
situation, last week offered no ob 
jection to the Irving Trust Company 
of New York entering the case as 
co-receiver. Deadline for the pro 
test agalrfst the entrance of the 
Irving Trust was Feb. 17 (Friday). 

Instead of objecting, the local or 
domiciliary receivers, according to 
one of them, Morris A. Rome, will 
work and have been working hand 
in hand with the Irving Trust at- 
torneys in treating the matter 
Jointly and trying to come to an ar- 
rangement. It is understood that 
the receivers are considering a re- 
organization of the stock setup. 
Figured that the amount of out- 
standing stock may be largely re- 
duced, so that the stock, which in 
current numbers, cannot pay any 
dividends, may be able to disburse 
certain amount of earning if the 
amount of stock were reduced. 

In making their plea for receiver- 
ship, the local group made cer- 
tain allegations of .mismanagement 
against the company, referring par- 
ticularly to the take-over of the 
Pathe stock, claimed to i>e prac- 
tically worthless, for some $4.- 
000,000. 



rti'd Orph StiU Open 



Portland, Feb. 20. 

Local RKO Orpheum will not 
close as was indicated^ - 

It is to continue on a week-to- 
week basis under Floyd Maxwell, 
house manager. 

ISventually this theatre may be 
turned baCk by the Orpheum re- 
ceivers. 



offer little chance at all immediate 
profit under any kind of operation. 

It was figured by the ambitious 
would-be exhibs that under their 
indie mana§:ement and with the 
home office and other circuit oper- 
ation expenses eliminated, theatres 
that had been losers for chains, 
could be turned into winners for 
them. 

On theatres about which there 
was any question as to profit pos- 
sibilities, the circuit theatre heads 
have been doing some figuring. If, 
after finding that with deductions, 
the house are still impossible to run 
profitably, the circuits state they 
are willing to give them up. 

Among those fishing for stray 
houses . are numerous vaudeville 
men, who are looking around for 
other things with tiieir own field 
washed up. They saw two others 
from their own business, Sammy 
Tishman and Billy Elson, make a 
success of the indie exhib thing. 
Tishman and Eison are former RKO 
execs. 



Dark House Foreclosed 



Wheeling, W, Va., Feb. 20. 

Notice of an application for a 
receivership for the Virginia the- 
atre has been filed by the Con- 
servative Life Ins.. Co. of this city. 
Application is on a first mortgage, 
but the company also holds a sec- 
ond mortgage. Interest has not been 
paid in several years by the owner, 
Chas. Geinler, 

Theatre has been idle for several 
years. Recently an effort was made 
to turn it into a community the- 
atre. Several plays and concerts 
have been given thero lately under 
local auspices. 



Smith with Majestic 

Turning down an offer to attach 
to the Paramount publicity and ad- 
vertising department, John Smith 
left New York Thursday (16) to 
operate the Majestic, Dallas, for 
Karl Hoblltzelle. He is going down 
by car. 

Smith has been with Publix, in 
the east, on the coast, and in the 
south for many years, mostly in op- 
orating capacities. 



Stagehand Sues Loiial 
For $40,000 Damages 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Claiming wrongful expulsion, from 
the stagehands union, Fred Bradley 
has sued local 33, lATSE, in Su- 
perior court. He asks $40,000 in 
damages, 166.60 for each ^veek since 
being expelled more than a year 
ago and reinstatement. 

In his action, Bradley asserts that 
section 30 of the union's by-laws 
were violated * when non-members 
were called in as. witnesses at his 
trial for accepting wages under the 
scale while working at the Music 
Box. He alleges also, that he re- 
ceived no notice of the trial. 



Peiui. Bill for 2 Booth 
Men Ready to Come Up 

Pittsburgti. Feb. 20. 

Exhibitors here and all over the 
state getting ready to battle bill pro- 
moted by motion picture operators 
No. 317. It's expected to be intro- 
duced in the state legislature within 
a week or tvro. 

At present, two operators are used 
in the big deluxe houses, but in the 
majority of cases, only one is em- 
ployed on each shift. 



How Beck s Dislike Went Wrong 

Worked Against ClifF Work— RKO Houses 
Running Wild on Coast 



Loa Angeles, Feb. 20. 

It looks likely that a home oftlce 
survey of the RKO theatre situation 
on the coast is at hand as this sec- 
tion has been- virtually without di- 
visional bupervision since Cliff 
Work, folowlng Martin Beck's visit 
here some weeks ago, was taken off 
RKO divisional operation, Houses 
are running under local managers 
and reporting direct to New Jfork. 
Work is in charge only of the 
Golden Gate, Frisco, since J. J. 
Franklin moved to Cleveland. 

Harold Franklin, liimfielf. may 



come west to look over things, from 
current acounts. 

Since receivership of RKO and the 
bankruptcy of the Orpheum circuit, 
to which latter branch the coast 
houses belong, none know what may 
happen out here to RKO's house.s. 
The complaint against Work seems 
to have been a personal dislike or 
something which Beck took back 
oa.st, according to reports. • 

Usually Heck's di-sllko for a sooU 
showman is the showman's best 
recommendation, and It seems to 
work out that way with Work, wIid 
ranks with the best theatre opera- 
tors out here. 



Advertisements Free of Charge, 
for show people, 

'Variety' believes that in view of conditions 
there is need for a medium whereby compe- 
tent showmen not at present in employment 
may be broughi to the attention of employ- 

-.■'/if 

ers who were never in greater need of man- 
power than now. 



These advertisements may not exceed 100 
lines single column or 50 lines double, in 
display or solid reading. They will not be 
run as a department. Each ad will carry a 
'Variety/ New York, box number. No name 
is to be mentioned in the copy. 

'Variety' will hold the advertisers* names 
confidential. Announcements will only go 
in this space for the services of those known 
to be qualified. Copy may be forwarded at 
once, with proper identification in letter ac- 
companying, if advertiser not known to any 
member of 'Variety's' staffs. 

No obligation to the advertisers or prospec- 
tive employers. Department is designed as a 
means of bringing together those who want 
trained aides and those who can supply this 
need. It is in no sense a charity. Those who 
may prefer to place their copy on an indefi- 
nite term of credit can do so and will be 
accordingly billed. 



32 



VARIETY 



F ICT 



ES 



Tuesday, February 21» 1933 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



studios: 



Allied 



Offices: 729 Seventh Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Pathe Studios, 

Culver City, Cal. 

Cowboy Counsellor, The. Hoot Gibson post-s as a lawyer. Dir. Ocorge Mel- 
ford. 66 mlns. Rel. Oct. 10. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Iron Master. The. Success and romance In a steel mill. Reelnald Denny, Llla 
Lee. J. Farrell MacDonald. Vlrslnla Sale. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 66 
min. Rel. Nov. 16. Rev. Feb 7. 

Man's Land. A. Western, with Hoot Gibson winning Marion Schilling. Dir. 
Plill Rosen. 68 mlns. Rel. June 11. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Officer 13. Motorcycle offloer exposes racketeers. Monte Blue. Llla Lee, Sefna 
Owen. Mickey ilcGuIre, Jackie Searle. I31r. George Melfoid. 63 mlns. 
Rel. Deo. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Parisian Romance, A. Famous stage play. Lew Cody, Marian Shilling. Gil- 
bert Roland. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. Kev. 
Oct. 18. 



Chesterfield 



Offlcea: 1540 Broadway, 
New York. N. Y. 

Forgotten. Original. Story of a fortjotten man. June Clyde. Wm._ Collier, 
Jr., Natalie Mooriiead. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mlns. Rel. Feb. lo. 

KIna Murder. The. From the novel. Conway Tearle. Natalie Moocehmd. Robt. 
rving ^"^^^^^ Dorithy Revler. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 
26. Rev. Nov 1. 

Slightly Married. Comjdy drama. Evalyn Knapp, Walter B.vron. Marie Pre- 

vost. Dir. Richard Thorpe. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Nov. 15. Rev. Jan. 8. 
Strange People. Mystery melodrama. John Darrow, Gloria Shea, Hale 

Hamilton. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mlns. Rel. Jan. lo. 
Thrill of Youth, The. Modern society June Clyde, Allan Vincent. Matty 

Kemit Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time. 63 mlns. Rei. Aug. 16. 
Women Won't Tell. Romantic drama. Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan. Dir. 

Rich. Thorpe. Time. 67 mlns. Rel. Dec; 1. 



Studio: 



Columbia 



Offlcea: 



729 Seventh Ave.. 
Nev» Voric, IVK V. 



Gower at Sunset, 
Hollywood, Cal 

Air Hostess. Thrilling story of the adventiire and romance of a 1933 girl who 
fearlessly flics across the continent In passenger ships. Evalyn Knapp, 
James Murray. Dir. Al RogelL Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan, 211. 

American Madness. Melodrama cf a run on the bank and ho^ It was checked. 
Walter Huston, Pat O'Brien. Kay JohnsQnf, Constance Cummlnge. Frank 
Capra. dir Time. 76 mlna Rel. Au^. 15. Rev. Aug. 9. 

Bitter Tea of General Yen. Romance and adventures of an American girl 
caught In the maelstrom of Shanghai Barbara Stanwyck. Nils Aether, 
Walter Connolly. Dir. Frank Capra. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Child of Manhattan. Stage play by Preston Sturges. Romance of the dime-' 
a-dance. Nancy Carroll, John Bole's. Dir. Eddie Buzzell. 73 mine. 
Rel. Feb. 4. Rev. Feb. 14. 
Deception. Story of the wrestling game and Its frameiips. Leo CarrLlo, 
Thelma Todd, Dickie Moore, Dir. Ljew. Seller. 67 mlns. Rel. Nov. 4. 
Rev. Jan. 17. 

End of the Trail. The. A U. S. cavalry officer, who is court martlaled, and 
redeems himself. Tim McCoy. Luana Walters. D.lr. D. Ross Lederman. 

65 mlns. Rel. Dec. 9, 

Httllo Trouble. Buck Jones quits the rangers— but he goes back. Buck Jones, 
Llna Basguette. Dir. Lambert Hillyer. Time, 61 mlns. Rel. July 16. 
Rev. Oct. 18. 

Laat Man, The. Drama of outlawry on the high seas. Chas. Blckford, Con- 
stance Cummingq. Dlr: Howard Hlgglns. Time. 65 mlns. Rel. Aug. 31. 
Rev. Sept. 20. 

Man Against Woman. Man's strength against woman's wlle». Jack Holt, 
Lillian Miles. Dir. Irving Cummlngs. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Nov. 16. 
Rev. Dec. 20. 

Man ot Action. Original outdoor drama. Tim McCoy. Dir. Geo. Melford. 

67 mlns. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Mark It Paid. Original story tif motorboat .racing. Wm. Collier, Jr., Joan 

March. Dir. D. RoSs Lederman. 69 mlns..". Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Jan. 24. 

McKenna ot the IMounted. Cahadlan policeman drops beIo« the I'order. Buck 
Jones, Greta Groinsted. Dir. Ross Lederman. Time, 67 mina Rel. Aug. 
.26". Rev. Nov S. 

Murder of the Night Club Lady. See 'Night Club Lady.' 

Night Club Lady. Unique murder mystery,, done from a novel. -Adolphe 
Menjou, Mayo Methot, Skeets' Gallagher. Dir. Irvliig Gummings. Time. 

66 mins Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Aug. 30. , 
Night Mayor. Political story based on .Tas. J. Walkor. Lee Tracy, Evalyn 

Knapp. Eugene Palette Dlr Ben Stoloff.' Time. 66 mins, RcL Aug; 19. 

Rev. Nov. 29. ■ ' 
No More Orchids. A millionairess who Is Regenerated by the new American 

spirit. Carole Lombard, Lyre Talbot,. Walter Connedy, Louise Closser 

JJale. Dir. Walter Lang. 70 wins. pel. JJov. 26. Rev. Jan. 3, 
Obey the Law. Original of an easy mark who turned firebrand. I^eo Carlllo, 

Lois Wilson. Dir, BenJ. Stoloff. 09 mins. Rel. Jan. 20; 
Silent Men. Tim ilcCoy western original. Florence Brltton. Dir. D. Ross 

Lederman, Rel, Mar. 3. 
8o This la Africa. Original. Wheeler and Wolsey go to Africa with some 

tame lions. Racquel Torres. Dir. Eddie Kline. 67 mins. Rel. Feb. 24. 
State Trooper. Original. Story of a war between two gas companies. Regis 

Toomey, Evalyn Knapp, Barbara Weeks, Ray Hatton, Dlr, D. Ross 

Lederman. 68 mjps. Rel. Feb. 10. 

That's My Boy. Football story off the usual lines. Rich. Cromwell, Dorothy 
Jordan, Mae Marsh. Dir. R. W. Nlel. Time, 71 mins. Rel. Oct. 6. Rev 
Nov. 22. 



These tabulations are compiled 
from information supplied by the 
various production com».*anie8 and 
checked up as soon :4s possible after 
release. Listing (s B'ven when re- 
lease dates are definitely set. Titles 
are retained foi six months. Man- 
agers who «^ceive service subse- 
quent to that period should pre- 
serve a copy of the calendar for 
reference. 

The running time s given here 
Is presumably that of the projection 
room showings and can only approx- 
imate the actual release length in 
those states or communities where 
local or state censorship may result 
in deletions. Running time in the 
reviews as given in 'Variety' carry 
the actual time clocked in the . the- 
atre after passage ey the New York 
state censorshipi since pictures are 
reviewed only on actual theatre 
showings. 

While every effort is made to hold 
this list accMrata, the information 
supplied may not always be correct, 
even though official. To obtain the 
fullest tiejrree of exactness 'Variety' 
will appreciate the co-operation of 
II managers who may note discrep- 
ancies. 



(Continued frgm page 6) 

story and replaced It on the pro- 
gram with 'Made On Broadway.' 
Harry Beaumont will direct, with 
Robert Montgomery. Joan Bennett 
and Mae Claris in the leads. 



'Rings on Her Fingers' has been 
selected as the title of the next Mae 
West film. 



Reliance, Small-Goetz producing 
outfit, will make 'Shanghai Gesture,' 
previously disproved by the Hays 
office. UA will release. 



'Lancer* Now a Habit 

Doing an on-and-off stunt for two 
years, 'Liives of a Benga) Lancer* is 
getting a new treatment at Par by 
Keene Thompson. 



Art -Jerrett, N. T. radio enter- 
tainer, and Robert Gleckler, who 
left the caat Take a Chance,' are 
here for screen tests. 



Authors Ijeagne of America has 
declared a moratorium of several 
months for the Screen Writers' 
Guild, which Is m arrears on dues. 



Powell- Radio Dicker 

Radio and William Powell are in 
a huddle on a deal whereby Powell 
and William Dieterle. director, will 
make one pic for the studio. Pow- 
ell's finished at Waroers March 16. 



iig_Age. Revenge on the polo field. Jack Holt. Evalyn Knapp. 
. W. Bennlson. Time, 71 mins. Rel. Sept. 15. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Bbck Jones. Shirley Grey, 



Thie Sportlni 
Dir. A 

Treason. Original. I{jinsas after the civil, war. 
Dir. Geo. B. Seitz. 62 mlns. Rel. Feb. 10. 

Vanity Street. Girt breaks a window to get Into Jail, but lands In the 'Fol 
lies.' Helen Chandler, Chas. Blckford. Dir. Nick Grinde. Time, 67 
mlns. Rel. Oct. 15. Rev. Oct. 11. ' 

Virtue. A street walker who goes straight. Carole Lombard, Pat O'Brien. 
Dir. Edw. Buzzell. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Oct. 26. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Washington Merry-Go-Round. Political satire. Lee Tracy, Constance Cum 
mlngs. Dlr, Jas. Cruze. Time. 76 mins. Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. Oct. 25. 

White Eagle. Buck Jones as an Indian pony express rider. Jones, Barbara 
Weeks. Dir. Lambert filllyenr. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Oct. 7. Rev, 
Sept. 27. 



First National ffi.^^-; y. 



studios: Burbank, 

Calif. 

Cabin In the Cotton. A social study of the poor whites. Rich. Barthelmess, 

Dorothy Jordan, Bctte Davis. Dir. Michael Curtiz. Time, 76 mins, Rel 

Oct. 15. Rev. Oct. 4. 
Central Park. Western cowboy hunts bandits In a New York park. Joan 

Blondell. Wallace Ford, Guy Klbbee. Dir. John Adolfl. Time, 66 mlns, 

Rel. Dec. 10. 

Crash, The. How one couple reacted to the panic Ruth Chatterton, Geo. 

Brent. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Oct. 8. Rev. Sept. 13 
Crooner, The. Comedy drania of a radio singer. David Manners, Ann Dvorak, 

Dir. Lloyd Bacon. Time. 68 mins. Rel. Aug. CO. Rev. Aug. -23. 
Doctor X. Mystery thriller in color. Lionel AtwIII, Fay Wray, Liee Tracy 

Dlr Michael Curtiz. Time. 77 mins. Re). Aug. 27. Rev. Aug. 9, 
Employee's Entrance. Original Xove in a Dept. Store.' Warren William 

Lorttta Young,- Alice White. Dir. Roy Del Ruth. 74 mlns. Rel. Feb. 11 

Rev. Jan. 24. 

Frisco Jenny, "Madame X' in San Francisco locale. Ruth Chatterton, Donald 
Cook, Jas. Murray. Dir. Gtrard Beaumont. 70 mlns. Rel. Jan. 14. Rev 
Jan. 10. 

Life Begins. Tactfully handled maternity story from a stage play. Loretta 
Young, Eric Linden. Dir. Jas. Flood and Elliott Nugent. Time. 72 
mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Match King. Fictitious romance ot the Swedl.sh financier. Warren William 
Llll Danjita. Dir. Howard Bretherton-Wm. Kelghley. 79 mlns. Rel 
Dec. 31, Rev. Dec. 13. 

Silver Dollar, Silver boom days In Col Edw. G. Robinson. Dir. Alfred E, 
Green, 84 mins. Rel. Dec. 24, Rev. Dec, 27. 

They Call It Sin. Kansas girl breaks Into N. Y. show life. Loretta Young 

Geo. Brent, David Manners. Dir. Thornton Freeland. Time, 70 mlns 

Rel. Nov. o. Rev, Oct, 25. 
Three on a Match. Three schoolgirls have .adventures. Joan Blondell. War 

ren William, Ann Dvorak, Bette Davl«. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 63 

mlns. Rel. Oct. 29. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Tiger Shark. Life and tragedy with the tuna fishers. Edw. G. Robinson 

Zlta Johan, Rich. Arlen. Dir. Howard Hawks, 79 mlns. Rcl. Sept. 24 

Rev. Sept. 21. 

Vou Said a Mouthful. Joe Brown swims to Catalina. Joe E. Brown. Ginger 
Rogers. Dir. Uoyd Bacon. Time, 70 mlna, Rel. Nov. 20, Rev. Nov. 22. 



Rolywooil 



Studio: Fox Hills, 

Hollywood. Cal. 



Fox 



OfRces: S60 Tenth Ave., 
New York. N Y, 



Broadway Bad. Story by Wm. R. LIpman and W. W. Fezet. Modern drama, 
Joan Blondell, Ginger Rogers, RIcardo Cortes, Margaret Seddeit. Dir. 
Sidney lAnfleld. Rel. Feb. 24. 

Call Her Savage. Tiffany Thayer's story of a half breed rirl. Clara Bow. 
Monroe Owsley. Gilbert Roland, Dir. John Francis Dillon. Time, ti 
mlns. Rel. Noy. 27. Rev, Nov. 29. 

Cavalcade. Noel Coward's pageant of British society. Diana Wynyard, Cllve 
Brook. Herbert Mundin,- Ursula Jeans. Dir. Frank Lloyd. Roadshow 
length 110 mlns. No release date set, Rev. Jan. 10. 

Chandu the Magician. Dramatized radio broadcast. Edmund Lowe, Beta 
Lugosl, Irene Ware. Dir. Marcel Vamel. Time. 72 mins. Rel. Sept 18 
Rev. Oct. 4. 

Dangerously Yours. Society thief and girl detective. Warner Baxter, Miriam 
Jordan. Herbert Mundin. Dir. Frank Tuttle. 74 mins. Rel. Feb. 3. 

Face In the Sky. Romantic adventures of a billboard sign painter. Spencer 
Tracy, Marian Nixon, Stuart Erwln. Dir. Harry Lachman. Rel. Jan. 15. 

First Year. .The. Domestic drama from a stage play. Janet Gajmor, Chas, 
Farrell. Dir. William K. Howard. Time. .. mlns. Rel. July 81. Rev. 
Aug. 23. 



Handle with Care. 
David Butler. 



Comedy. Jas. Dunn. Boots Mallory. BH Brendel. 
Rel. Dec 26. Rev. Dec 27. 



Dir. 



Hat Check GIrU Murder and mystery In a nite club. Sally Ellers, Ben Lyon, 
Ginger Rogers. Dir. Sidney Landfleld. Time. 63 mlns. Rel. Sept, 26. 
Rev. Oct. 11. 

Hot Pepper. Flagg and QuIrt — ^wlth Lupe. Edmund t,owe. Vic McLaglen. 
Lupe Velez. Dir. John Blystone. 74 mlns. Rel. Jan. 22. Rev. Jan, 24. 

I Am Guilty of Love. Original. Phyalclan who seeks to save his son from a 
woman's Influence. Boots Mallory. Alex, KIrkland, Irene Ware. Dir. 
John Francis Dillon. ReL Mar. 3, 

Infernal Machine. From the novel by Carl Sloboda. Drama. Genevieve To- 
bln, Chester Mortis. Dir. Marcel Vamel. es mlns. Rel. Feb. 10. 

Me and My OaL Comedy mama. Joan Bennett. Spencer Tracy. Dir. Raoul 

Walsh. Time. 78 mlns. Rel, Dec. 4. 
Painted Woman. Drama of the East Indies, with Spencer Tracy and Peggy 

Shannon. Dir. John Blystone. Rel. Aug. H-. Rev. Sept. 
Passport to Hell, A. Drama of African jungle, Ellsaa Landi, Alex. KIrkland, 

Warner Oland. Dir. Frank Lloyd. Rel. Aug. 7. Rev. Aug. 80. 

Rackew^ Rax. Football satire. Victor McLaglen, Greta Nlsaen. Dir. Alfred 
Worker. Time. 65 mlns. ReL Oct. 23. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Robbers' Roost. Rustler discovers that love Interferee with cattle stealing. 

George O'Brien. Dir. Louis King. ft3 mlns. Rel. Jan. 8- 
Sailor's Luck. Original. Romance of a U. S. Navy gob. Jas. Dunn, Sally 

Eilers. Victor Jory. Dir. Raoul Walsh. Rel. Mar. 10. 

Second Hand Wife. Banker's secretary steps from bis office Into his heart. 
Sally Ellers. Ralph Bellamy. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 64 mlna Rel, 
Jan. ]. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Sherlock Holmes. The Conan Doyle story with a new gangster twist. Cllva 

Brook, Miriam Jordan, Ernest Torrence. Dir. w. K. Howard. Time, 

68 mins. ReL Nov. 6. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Six Hours to Live. Murdered diplomat Is revived to avenge his murder. 

Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan. Dir, Wm. Dieterle. Time. 78 mlns. 

Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. OcL 26. 
Smoke Lightning. From Zane Gray's 'Canyon Walla' Geo. O'Brien. Nell 

O'Day. Dir. David Howard. Rel. Feb. 17. 
State Fair. From the novel by Fhll Strog. I^ove and triumph at the state 

fair. Janet Gaynor. Lew Ayres, Will Rogers, Louise Dresser. Din 

Henry King. 60 mina ReL Feb. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Tess of the Storm Country. Talk version of an old silent. Janet Gaynor, 
Chaa Farrell. Din AL Santell. Time, 76 mins. Rel. Nov. 20. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

Too Busy to Work. Talking version of 'Jubllo.' WiU Rogers, Marian Nixon. 
Dir. Jas. Blystone. Time, 7« mlns. ReL Nov. U. Rev. Dec 6. 

Freuler Associates """^"eTYo "k. n."^: 

Deadwood Pas*. Original. Western. Hidden treasure and government agents. 

Tom Tyler, Alice Dahl, Wally Wales. Dir. J. P. MoGowan. Rel. Mar. 16. 
Fighting Gentleman, The. A fighter who goes to the top and back again. 
Wm. Collier, Jr., Josephine Dimn. Pat O'Malley. Dir. Burton King. 
Time. 69 mine. Rel. Oct. 7. Rev, Nov. 16. 

Tom Tyler. 



Dir. J. P. 



Doris Malloy off the Fox lot. 



Fox executives still unable to find 
a suitable yarn for Warner Baxter, 
who waa to ^ave started In a pic- 
ture PeJ>. 1. 



Another 'Declasse' Delay 

Production on Radio's 'Declasse' 
postponed due to Joel McCrea's be- 
ing withdrawn from cast, leaving no 
male lead, and more story difiicul 
ties. Several writers are now work 
Ing on the yam. 



Forty- Nlners. The overland trek in pioneer days. 

McCarthy. 49 mlna ReL Oct. 28. Rev. Dec 20. 
Gambling Sex, The. Racing story with a society slant. RSth Hall, Grant 
Wltbora Dir. Fred Newmeyer. Time. 64 mlns. ReL Nov. 21. Rev. 
Dec. "27. 

Klas of Araby. Original. Sahara story of British army and Riff, with love 
interest. Marie Alba^ Walter Byron, Claire Windsor. Dir. Phil Rosen. 
Rel. Feb. 23. 

Penal Code. Story of a boy's regeneration surmounting complications. Regis 
Toomey, Helen Cohan, Robert Bills. Dir. George Melford. 62 mlns. 
Rel. Jan. 16. 

Savage Girl, The. Big game hunters find a white Jungle beauty. Rochelle 
Hudson, Walter Byron, Harry Myers. Adolph Mllar. Dir. Harry 1* 
Eraser. Rel. Dec, 6. 
When a Man Rides Alone. Robin Hood of the West and some daring stage 
coach holdups and fast riding. Tom Tyler, Adele Lacey, Duke Lee. 
Dir. J. P. McGowan. Rel. Jan. 29. 



George Stevens, former Roach di- 
rector, to meg Radio's next Head 
liner two-reeler, featuring Joe Caw 
thorne. 



Ben Qoetz, vice-president of Con 
solldated Film Laboratories, here 
for a visit, announces that no im 
portani ghanges In the policy of the 
local lab will be made. 



Victor . Scbertzinger will direct 

Col's 'Cocktail Hour,' original by 

James K. MacGuiness. Latter will 
also produce. 



Maurlne Watklns writing an orlg 
inal story based on a lecture tour 
for Par, which may feature Alison 
Sklpworth. Vincent Lawrence is 
adapting 'A Man I Know' on the 
same lot. 



Marshall for 'Declasse' 

E. H. Grifllth is negotiating with 
Herbert Marehall, now in New York, 
to get the actor for a lead in 'Be 
classe,' at Radio. 



Warners wants to borrow Carole 
Lombard from Paramount for 'Nar- 
row Corner,' opposite Douglas Fair 
banks, Jr. 



Majestic 



III for the past three months, 
Harry Wilson is again at his post 
as press agent for M. C. Levee and 
the lattep's clients. 



Cagney Gets Rough 

Alice White had several teeth 
loosened by James Gagney while 
making one of thos e he- man scenes 
In retakes for WB's 'Picture 
Snatcher.' 



Offices: 1619 Broadway, 
New York City 

Crusader, The. Drama of a crusading district attorney. Evelyn Bren., H. H, 
Warner, Ned- Sparks, Lew Cody, Walter Byron, Marceline Day. Dir. 
Frank Strayer. 72 mlna Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. OcL 11, 
Gold. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Alice Day, Matthew Betz, Dynamite- 
horse. Dir. Otto Brower. Time, 66 mins. ReL Sept 16. Rev. Oct. IL 
Gun Law. Western. Jack Hoxle, Betty Boyd. ReL Mar. 1, 

Hearts of Humanity. Drama of New York's East SldeJ Jean Hersbolt, Jackie 
Searl, J, Farrell MacDonald, Claudia Dell, Charles Delaney. Dir. Christy 
Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Sept 1. Rev. Sept 27. 
Law and Lawless. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Hilda Moreno. Taklma Can- 
utt, Wally Wales, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, 61 
mlns, Rcl. Nov. 30. 

Outlaw Justice. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Dorothy Gulliver. Donald 
Keith, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, 61 mlns. Rel. 
Oct 1. 

Phantom Express, The. Railroad melodramatic mystery, J. Farrell Maa> 
Donald, William Collier, Jr., Sally Blane, Hobart Bosworth, Eddie Phil- 
lips. Dir, Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. ReL Sept 16. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Public Be Darned, The. Story behind present-day conditions. Evelyn Brent, 
Fat O'Brien. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Rel. Mar, 1, 

Sing, You Sinner. Dramatio life of a torch-singer. From the play by Wilson 
Colllson, Leila Hyams, Paul Lucas. Rel, Mar. 1, 

Unwritten Law, The. A drama of betrayal and vengeance, Greta Nlssen, 
Skeets Gallagher, Mary Brian, Lew Cody, Louise Fazenda, Hedda Hop- 
per. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. ReL Nov. 16. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Vampire Bat, The. A thriller. Lionel AtwlU, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas, 
George E, Stone, Maude Eburne. Dir. Frank Strayer. Rel. Jan. 21. 
Rev. Jan, 24, 

Via Pony Express, Jack Hoxle western. Marceline Day, Dir. Lew Collin. 
Rel. Feb. 8. 

Studios: 4376 Sunset Drive, 

Hollywood, Cal. 

Alias Mary Smith. Events follow a chance meeting. Seml-detectlve. John 

Darrow, Gwen Lec, Ray Hatton, Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 61 mine. 

Rel. July 16, Rev. Aug. 30. 
Heart Punch. Murder story with a prize ring angle. Lloyd Hughes, Marion 

Shilling. Dir. Breezy Eason. Time, 64 mins. Rel. Oct 16. Rev, Dec. 13. 
Her Mad Night. Mother assumes guilt for a daughter's crime. Irene Rich, 

Conway Tearle. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 67 mlns. Rel. Oct. L 

Rev. Nov, 29. 

Malay Nights. Original. Mother love In the tropics. Johnny Mack Brown, 
Dorothy Burgess. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. 59 mins. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. 
Feb. 7. 

No Living Witness. Novelty crime story. Gilbert Roland, Noah Bcory, Bar- 
bara Kent. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept 15. Rev. 
Oct. 11. 

Tangled Destinies. Mystery in a deserted desert home. Lloyd Whltiock. 

Doris Hill, Glen Tryon, Vera Reynolds. Dir. Frank Strayer. Time, 69 

mins, ReL Sept. 1. Rev. Oct, 26. 
Trapped in TIa Juana. Army life on the Mex. border. Edwlna Booth, Duncan 

Rcnaldo. Dir. Wallace W. Fox. Time, 66 mlna. ReL Aug. 16. 



Mayfair 



Offices: 1600 Broadway, 

New York, N. Y. 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 33 



•tudloi: Culver Cl^n^^ 



Metro 



Ofllcat; 1640 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 



Blondle of the Folllea. Self expianotory uae. Marlon Davles. Robt Mont- 
gdmery, Billy Dove. Dir. B, Goufdlns. Time, »1 mlna. Rel. Auk 18 
Kev. Bept 13. 

Clear AM Wlrea. PicturlMitlon of the recent Broadway bit about a foreign 
correapondent. Lee Tracy, Benlta Hume. Dir. George Hin. Rel. Feb. 17. 

Divorce In the Family. Jackie C«>oper aavea the family taapplnesa. Jackie 
Cooper. Conrad Nagel Lewis Stone, Lola Wilson. Dir. Chas. F. Rlesner! 
Time, 78 mine Rel, Aug. 27. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Downatalra. Llle below atalrs In a titled family. John Gilbert, Virginia 
Bruce, Paul Lukas. Dir. Monta Bell. Time, 77 mlna. Rel. Aug. 8 
Rev. Oct. 11. 

Fast Life. Typical Halnee story with a thrilling apeed boat race. WllUam 

Halnea, Cliff Edwards, Conrad Nagel, Madge Ehrans. Dir. Harry Pollard. 

82 mlna. Rel. Deo. 16. Rev. Deo. 87. 
Flesh. Wallace Beery aa a wreatler. Karen Morley, Rlccardo Cortez. Jean 

HershoU. Dir. John Ford. 96 mlns. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Faithless. Rich girl learns the lesson of the depression. Tallulah Bankhead. 

Robt. Montgomery. Dir. Barry Beaumont. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Oct IB 

Rev. Nov. 22. 

Hell Below. The submarine heroes of the World War. Robert Montgomery, 
Jimmy Durante. Madge Evans, Walter Huston. Dir. Jack Conway. 
Rel. March 17. 

Kongo. Remake of the silent of the same title. Sorcery In central Africa 

Walter Huston, Lupe Velez, Conrad Nagel, Virginia Bruce. Dir. Wm. 

Cowen. Time. 86 mlns. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Nov. 22, 
Lady Deceived, The. Based on the Broadway atage hit by Martin Brown. 

Irene Dunne, Philips Holmes. Dir. Charles Brabln. Rel. Jan. 13. 
Mask of Fu Manchu. Chinese plotter seeka the sword of Ghengis Kahn. 

Boris Karloff. Lewis Stone, Karen Morley. Dir. Chaa. Brabln. Time. 

68 mine. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Deo. 6. . 



Outsider, The, An unlicensed surgeon performs seeming miracles. 
Huth, Jo \n Barry, Frank Lawton. PO -nins. Rel. Jan. 20. 



Harold 



Pack Up Your Troubles. Laurel and Hardy full length military comedy. Dir. 
Geo. Ma shall and Raymond Carey. Time. 70 mlns. Rel. Sept. 17. Rev. 
Opt 4. " 

Payment Def«rred. Murder story from the play of th&t title with Chaa. 

latighto.t 'n his original role, Maureen O'SulIlvan. Dorothy Peterson. 

Dir. L«tl 9 r Mendez. Time, 80 mlns. ReL Oct 8. Revw Nov. 16. 
Prosperity. P «t depression comedy with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. 

Dir. San Wood. Time, 87 mlns. Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 29. 
Rasputin and the Empress. The Russian overthrow and Its cause. John, 

Ethel an I Lionel Barrymore. Dir.. Rich. Boleslavsky. Roadshow time, 

133 mlna No release set Rev. Dec. 27. 

Red Dust. Jci n Harlow rjid Clark Gable as a new team In a story of Indo- 
china. ) <lr. Victor Fleming. Time, 83 mlna. Rel. Oct 22. Rev. Nov. 8; 

Rivets. John Gilbert as a lOcyscraper worker. Robert Armstrong, Mae Clarke, 
Muriel Kirkland. Dir. Tod Browning. R«U Marob 24. 

Secret of Madame Blanche, The. Baaed on Martin Brown'a play 'The Lady.' 
Irene Dunne, Phillips Holmes. Dir. Chas.. Brabln.- 83 mlns. Rel. Feb. 8. 
H,ev. Feb. 7. 

Smilin' Throufa'^. Remake of the Norma Talmadge silent and Jane Cowl play. 
Norma Shearer, Leslie Howard, Frederic March, O. P. Heggle. Dir. Sid- 
ney Frai kiln. Time, 96 mlns. ReL Sept 18. Rev. Oct 18. 

8on> Daughter, The. From tbe play by David Belasco. Helen Hayes, Ramon 
Novarro, Lewis Stone, Warner Oland. Dir. Clarence Brown. 81 mine. 
Rel. Dec 23. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Strange Interlude. The famous O'Neill play. Norma Shearer, Clark Gable. 
Dir. Robert Z. Leonard. Time, 110 mlns. Deo. 80. Rev. Sept. 6. 

Today We L'ive. An EngUsb edrl ambulance-driver during the war. Joan 
Crawford, Gary Cooper. Dir. Howard Hawks. Rel. March 3. 

Washington Masquerade. Political satire. Lionel Barrymore, Karen Morley, 
Nils Asther. Dir. Chas. Brabln. Time, 91 mlns. Rel. July 8. Rev. 
July 26. 

WhatI No Beer? Buster .Keaton and Jimmy Durante In the beer racket. 
Phyllis Barry, Roscoe Ates, John Mlljan. Dir. EMward Sedgwick. Rel. 
Feb. 10. Rev. Feb. 14. 

What Women Give. Flcturlzatlon of the Broadway play, 'Men Must FIgtat,' 
The war problem In 1940.. Diana Wynyard, Phillips Holmes. Lewis 
- Stone. Dir. Edgar Selwyn. Rel. Marsh 10. 

White Slater The.. Based on tbe famous F. Miarlon Crawford novel. Helen 
Hayes, Clark Gable. Dir. Victor Fleming. Rel. Feb. 24. 

Whistling In the Dark. Adapted from tbe Broadway stage success, In which 
a famous mystery writer Is kidnapped and forced to plan a murder 
himself. Ernest Truex, Una Merkel, Jean Hersholt Dir. Elliot Nugent, 
Rel. Jan. 27. Rev. Jan. 81. 

Studio: 6048 Sunset Blvd., K/l nrr^m m Office: 723 Seventh Ave., 
Hollywood, Gal. WlOnOgTam New Yerk, N. Y. 

Diamond Trail. Western. Rex Bell. Dir. Harry Fraser. Rel. Dec 80. 
Fighting Champ, The. Western. Bob Steele, Arietta Duncan. Dir. J. P, 

McCarthy. Time, 84 mlns. ReU Dea 16. 
From Broadway to Cheyanne N. T. gangster meets tbe shooting West Rex 

Bell, Marcellne Day. Dir. Barry Frazer. Time, 62 mlna ReL Aug. 16. 

Rev. Sept 27. 

Girl from Calgary, The. Girl cowboy oomea east to stage triumphs. FIfl 
D'Orsay, Paul KeUy. Dir. PhU Whitman. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 24. 
Rev. Nov. 22. 

Quilty or Not Gulltyf Betty Compson, Claudia DeD. Dir. Albert Ray. 67 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 16. 

Klondike. Physician who falls In a major operation makes a comeback. Frank 

Hawks, Thelma Todd. H. B. WalthaL Dir. Lyle Talbot Time, 66 mlns. 

Hel. Aufe. 80. Rev. Sept 27. 
Lucky Larrigan. Weatern. Rex Bell, Helen Foster. Dir. J. P. McCarthy. 

Rel. Dec. 10. ^ 
Self. Defense. Story by Peter B. Kyne. Pauline Frederick. Theodore Von 

roitz, Barbara Kent, Robert Elliott, Claire Windsor. Dir. Phil Rosen. 

ReL Dec. 16. 

Strange Adventure. Regis Toomey, June Clyde. Dir. Phil Whitman and 

Hampton Del Ruth. 60 mlns. ReL Feb. 14. Rev. Feb. 14. 
Thirteenth Guest, The. Mystery play by author of 'Scarfaoe.' Ginger Rogers, 

Lyle Talbot, J. Farrell McDonald. Dir. Alfred Ray. Time, 65 mlns, 

ReL Aug. 26. Rev. Sept 6. (Chadwick.) 
Western Limited, The. Mystery aboard a transcontinental train. Estelle 

Taylor. Edmund Bums, Gertrude Astor, Crauford Kent- Dir. Christy 

Cabanne. Time, mlns. Rel. Aug. 10. Rev. Oct 19. 
Young Blood. Western. Bob Steele. Story by Wellyn Totman. Dir. Phil 

Rosen.' Time, 62 mlns. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Jan. 24. 



Paramount 



Offices: 1601 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 



Studios: 5851 Marathon St., • 
Hollywood, Calif 

Big Broadcast, The. Broadcasting story with many air stars. Stuart Erwln, 
Blng Crosby, Leila Hyams. Dir. Frank Tuttle. Time, 80 mine. Rel. 
Oct Rev. Oct, 18. 

Billion Dollar Scandal. Based on the Teapot Dome investigation. Robt. Arm- 
strong, Constance Cummlngs, Olga Baclanova. Dir. Harry Joe Brown. 

76 mlns. ReL Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 10. 
Blonde Venus. Story of a stage woman's efforts to retain her child. Marlene 

Dietrich. Herbert Marshall, Dickey Moore. Dir. .os. Von Sternberg. 

Time, 86 mlns. Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Sept 27. 
Crime of the Century, The. From the European stage play of same tlUe. 

Jean Hersholt, Frances, Dee, Wynne Gibson, David Landau, Dir. Wm. 

Beaudine. Rel. Feb. 24. 
Dead Reckoning. Original sea story by Robt, Presnell of a Flying Dutchman 

of today, Shirley Gray, Chas. Ruggles, John Halliday, Verree Teasdale. 

Dir. Paul Sloane. Rel. Mar. 24. 
Devil and the Deep. Jealousy In a submerged submarine. Tallulah Bankhead, 

Gary Cooper, Chas. Laughton, Dir. Marlon Gerlng. Time, 72 mlns. 

Rel. Aug, 12. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Devil Is Driving, The. Wynne Gibson, Edmund Lowe, Dickie Moore. Dir. 

Stoloff. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Evenings for Sale. Viennese nobleman becomes a gigolo. Herbert Marshall, 

San Marltza, Chas, Ruggles, Dir. Stuart Walker. Time, 61 mlns. ReL 

Nov. 11, llev. Nov. ID. 
Farewell to Arms, Heminingway's rove) of war on the Italian front. Helen 

Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Mcnjou. Dir, Frank Borzage, 90 mlns. 

Rel, Jan. 6. Ucv. Dec, 13. 
From Hell to Heaven, Romance story based on play by Lawrence Haz.ird, 

with a race-track slant. Not a racing drama, Carole Lombard, J.ick 

Oakic. Dir. Erie Kenton. Rel. Feb. 24. 
Guilty as Hell. Murder mystery with Quirt and Flapg comedy angle. Edmund 

Lowe, Victor McLat'len. Richard Arien. Dir. ISrie Kenton, lime, 82 

mlns. Kei. Aug. 6. Rev. Aug. 9. 
He Learned About Women. Comedy drama, Stunrt Erwln, Alli.";on Skip- 
worth. Dir. Lloyd Corrlgan. Time, 67 mlns. Uel. Nov. i. 
Hello, Everybody. Oil.i^in.il radio story by Fannie Ilurst. Kate Smith, Ran- 

dolf Scott, Sally LJinne. I'lr. Seitcr. Rel, l'"eb. 17. Rev. Jan. 31, 
Horee Feathers, Marx Drothers go collegiate. Dir. Norman McLeod. Time, 

70 mlns. Rel. Aug. 19. Kev. Aug. 16. 
Hot Saturday, Go.ssip In .i small town. Nancy Carroll. Dir. W. Stittr. Time, 

72 mins. Uel. Oct. 28, Kcv Nov. S. 
If I Had a Million. How varIou.s persons would react to an inheritance. Gary 

Cooper. Geo. Itaft, Wynne Gibson. Chas. Lnughton, Jack Oakle and many 
others, each in a .sincle sequence. Directional sequences by various di- 
rectors. Time. 85 mlns. Rel. Nov. Rev. Dec. 6. 



Island of Lost Souls. Novelty story. Chas. Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila 
Hyams, Dir. Chas. Kenton. December special. Rev. Jan. 17. 

King of the Jungle. Novelty story. Buster Crabbe, Frances Dee. Dirs. Hum- 
berstone-Marcin. Jan. special release, 

L.ady's Profession, A. Story by Nina Wilcox Putnam. Speakeasy prop, mas- 
querading as riding master. Geo. Barbler, Sari Marltza. Dir. Norman 
MacLeod. ReL Mar. 3. 

Lily Christine. British made. Corinne Griffith, Colin Clive. Time, 69 mlns. 
Rel. July. Rev. Sept 20. 

Love Me Tonight. Chevalier as a tailor In masquerade. Jeanette MacDonald, 
Chas. Ruggles, Chas. Butterworth, Mema Loy. Dir. Rouben MamouUan. 
Time, 90 mins. ReL Aug. 26. Rev. Aug. 23. 

Luxury Liner. From the novel by Glna ICaus. Grand Hotel on shipboard. 
Geo. Brent, Zlta Johann, Alice White, Verree Teasdale, Dir. by Lothar 
Mendez under B. P. Bchulberg. 70 mlns. Rel, Feb. 3. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Madame Butterfly. From the opera. Sylvia Sidney. Cary Grant. Chas. Ruggles. 

Dir. Gearing. ReL Deo. SO. Rev. Dec 27. 
Madison Square. Sporting story. Jack Oakle, Marian Nixon, Thos. Meighan. 

Dir. Harry J. Brown. Time. 70 mlns. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. Oct. IS. 
Make Me a Star Dialog version of Merton of the Movies. Stuart Erwln, Joan 

Blondell, Zasu Fltt& Dir. Wm. Beaudine. Time, 86 mlns. Rel. July 1. 

Rev. July 6. 

Merrily We Go to Hell. From a stage comedy drama. Sylvia Sidney, Frederic 
March. Dir. Dorothy Arzner. Time, 82 mlns. ReL July 10. Rev. 
June 14. 

Movie Crazy. Harold Lloyd breaks Into pictures. Constance Cummlnga Dir. 

Clarence Bruckman. Time, 96 mins. ReL Sept. 23. Rev. Sept 20. 
Murders In the Zoo. Original by Philip Wylle and Seton I, MUler. Drama 

largely held to a zoological garden. Chas. Ruggles, Lionel Atwlll, Gall 

Patrick, Dir. Edw. Sutherland. ReL Mar. 17. 

Mysterious Rider. Western. Kent Taylor. Dir. Allen. Rel. Jan. 27. 

Night After Night. Humor In tlie night clubs. Mae West, Geo. Raft Con- 
stance Cummlngs, Allison SKlpworth. Dir. Archie Mayo. Time, 70 mlns. 
Rel. Oct 14. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Night of June 13, The. The neighbors react to a murder suspicion. Cllve 

Brook, Llla Lee, Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stephen Roberts. Time, 76 mlns. 

Rel. Sept. 23. Rev. Sept. 20. 
No Man of Her Own. From the novel "No Bed x>t Her Own.' Clark Gable, 

Carole Lombard, Dorothy MackallL Dir. Wesley Ruggles. December 

speciaL Rev. Jan. 3. 
Phantom President Political story of a presidential double. George M, Cohan, 

Jimmy Durante, Claudette Colbert. Time, 77 mln& ReL Oct 7. Rev. 

Oct 4. 

Pick Up. (Schulberg.) A girl of the people and a service station sheik, Sylvia 
Sidney, Geo, Raft Dir. Marlon Gerlng. Rel. Mar. 31. 

70,000 Witnesses. Murder on the football field. Phillips Holmes, Dorothy 
Jordan, Cbas. Buggies, Johnny Mack Brown, Lew Cody. Dir. Ralph 
Murphy. Time, U mlns. ReL Sept 2. Rev. Se'pt 6. 

She Done Him Wrong. Paraphrase of 'Diamond LIL' Mae West. Cary Grant, 
Noah Beery, Owen Moore. Dir. >Lowell Sherman. ReL Jan. 27. Rev. 
Feb. 14. 

Sign of the Cross, The. Spectacular version of Wilson Barrett's play of 
Roman persecution of the Christians. Claudette Colbert, Fredrlc March, 
Ellssa Landl, Cbas. Laughton. Dir. Cecil B. De MUle. 99 mlns. Regu- 
lar release Feb. 10. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Strictly Personal. (Rogers.) Original by Wilson Mlzner and Robt. T, Shan- 
non on the matrimonial agency racket, Marjorle Rambeau, Eddie Quil- 
lan, Dorothy Jordan. Dir. Ralph Murphy. Rel. Mar. 19. 

Tonight Is Ours. Noel Coward's The Queen Was in the Parlor.' Claudette 
Colbert, Frederic March, Allison Sklpworth. Dir. Stuart Walker. Rel. 
Jan. 13. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Trouble In Paradise. Cheating oheaters In Paris and Venice.' *Mlrlani Hop- 
kins, Kay Francis, Herbert MarshalL Dir.' Ernst Lubltsob. Time, U 
mlns. ReL Oct 21. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Undercover Man. Secret service bests tbe gangsters. Geo. Raft, Nancy Car- 
roll. Dir. Jas. Flood. Time, 74 mlns. ReL Dec. 2. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Under the Tonto Rim. From the Zane Grey story. Stuart Erwln, Vema 
Hiuie, Ray HattQn. Dir. Henry Hathaway. ReL Mar. 24. 

Vanishing Frontier. Western drama. John Mack Brown, Evalyn Knapp, 
Zasu Pitts. Dir. PbU Rosen. Time. 66 mlns. ReL July 29. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Wild Horse Mesa. Zane Qrey's story. Rudolph Scott, Sally Blane, Fred 
Kohler. Dir. Henry Hathaway. Time, 60 mlns; ReL Nov. 26. Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

Woman Accused, The. From the story in TJberty* by ten well-known authors. 
Girl accused of murder with action chiefly on a pleasure criilse. Nancy 
CarroH, Cary Grant, John Halliday. Dir. Paul Sloan. ■ ReL Feb. 17. 



Powers 



Offices: 723 Seventh Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Lucky Girl. Musical comedy farce. Gene Gerrard, Molly Lament Dir. Eu- 
gene O'SulIlvan. Time. 69 mlns. Rel. Sept 1. 

Man Who Won, The. Story of a wastrel who makes good. Henry Kendall, 
Heather Angel. Time, 70 mlns. Dir. Norman Walker. ReL Sept. 16. 

Woman Decides, The. From a stage play of Labor vs. Capital. Adrlenne 
Allen, Owen Nare. Dir. MUes Mander. Time, 68 mine. ReL Aug. 16. 



Principal 



Offlces: i1 West 42d St., 
Nevt York. N. Y. 

Blame the Woman. British made with Adolphe Menjou and Claude Allister 
as a pair of orooka. Dir. Fred Nlblo. Time. 74 mlns. Rek Got t. 

Devil's Playground, The. George Vanderbilt's expeditionary film. 64 mlns. 
Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Jungle GIgllo. TraveL Humorous treatment of Sumatran customs. 66 mlns. 
Rel. Feb. 16. 

Virgins of Ball. Travelogue of the Island of Ball. Time, 43 mlns. Rel. 
Sept 16. Rev. Deo. 13. 

Voodoo. TraveL Voodoo ceremonies In Haiti produced by Sergeant Wlrkus, 
'White King of IjaGonave.' 4 reels. Rel. Feb. 16. 

With Williamson Beneath the Sea. Underwater exploration. 60 mlns. Rel. 
Jan. 1. Rev, Nov. 29. 



Studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 



ItK.O. Pathe 



1560 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 



Come On, Danger. Western, Tom Keene, J. Hayden, Roscoe Ates. Dir. Robt 
HllL Time. 64 mlns. ReL Sept 23. 



Constance Bennett, 
Rev. July 19. 



Lowell 



Rir f\ Pa«|:- Offices: 1560 Broadway, 
ivaaiO New York, N. Y. 



What Price Hollywood. Hollywood lowdown. 
Sherman. -Dir. Gea Cukor. ReL June 24. 

Studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

Age of Consent, The. Love and trouble for a co-ed. Dorothy Wilson. P' ' 
ard CromwelL Dir. Gregory La Cava. Time, 63 mlns. ReL Aug. 6. 
Rev. Sept 6. 

Animal Kingdom, The. The man who could not distinguish between his wife 
and mistress. Leslie Howard. Ann Harding, Myrna Loy. Dir. Edw, B. 
Griffith. 90 mlns. Rel. Dea 23. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Bill of Divorcement, A. Story of a shell-shocked war vet By Clemence Dane. 
John Barrymore, Blllle Burke, Katherlne Hepburn. Dir. Geo. Cukor. 
Time, 69 mins, ReL Sept. 30. Rev, Oct. 4. 

Bird of Paradise, A. Famous stage play of the South Seas. Dolores De) Rio, 
Joel McCrea. Dlr, King Vldor. Time, 82 mlns. ReL Aug. 12. Rev. 
Sept 13. 

Bring 'Em Back Alive. Frank Buck's animal thriller. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. 

Aug. 19. Rev. Jfuue 21. 
Cheyenne Kid, The. Tom Keene Western. Dlr, Robert Hill. 66 mins. ReL 
Jan. 20. 

Conquerors, The. A story of American depressions and their surmounting, 
Rlcl», DIx, Ann Harding, Edna May Oliver. Dir. AVm. Wellman. Time, 
84 mins. ReL Nov. 18. Rev. Nov, 22. 
Goldie Gets Along. Movie-struck girl who works the beauty contest racket. 
LIll Damlta, Chas. Morton, Sam Hardy. 88 mine. ReL Jan. 27. 

Half- Naked Truth, The. From Harry Relchenbach's memoirs of a press 
agent. Lee Tracy, Lupe Velez. Eugene Palette, Dir. Gregory Le Cava, 
76 mlns, Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Hell's Highway. The horrors of a convict camp. Richard Dlx, Tom Brown. 

Dir. Rowland Brown. Time, 62 mlns. Uel, Sept. 21. Rev. Sept. 27, 
Hold 'Em Jail. Wheeler and Woolsey play football on the convict eleven. 
Dir. Norman Taurog. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Sept. 2. Rev. Aug. 23, 

Little Orphan Annie. Based on the cartoon. Mltzl Green. Ed. Kernnedy. 
Dir. John Robertson. Time, 61 mlns, Rel. Nov. 4. Rev. Dec. 27, 

Men Are Such Fools. Leo Carlllo, Dir. Wm. Nigh. Time, 6C mlns. Rel. Nov. 18. 
Men of America, Bill Boyd, Dorothy Wilson, Chic Sale. Dlr, Ralph Ince. 

Time 67 mine. ReL Dec. 9. 
Monkey's Paw. The. W, W, Jacobs mystery story of a hoodooed cliarni. C. 
Aubrey Smith, Ivan Simpson, Louise Carter, Dir. Wesley HuKglo.s. 66 
mlns, Rel, Jan, 13. 

Most Dangerous Game, The. Island recluse who hunts human belnRs for 
sport. Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Le.<3lle Banks. Dir. E. Schoedsaclt 
Time, 63 mlns. Rel. Sept 9. Rev. Nov. 22. 
No Other Woman, Steel worker who rises to affluence and drags )ils wife Into 
the mire. Irene Dunn, Chas, Blckford. Dir, J. Walter Ruben. o!t inin.H. 
KeL Jan. 6. Rev. Jan, 31. 

(Continued on page 36) 



200 Charters 



(Continued from pa^e 12) 

Corp, of America, Fine Arts Plo« 
tures, Ltd.; First Eastern Film 
Corp., Fox Bros., Internatlonal-j 
Fi'anklin .'Amusement Corp., Frank- 
lin Amusement Co. 

General Audiophone, General 
Amusements, General Amusement 
Enterprisers, General Broadcasting, 
General Equipment, General Radio. 
— H— 

Hanover Publishing, Harmony 
Amusement Enterprises, High. 
Twelve Club, Hollywood Dry Corp. 

Indestructible Phonograph Record 
Corp., Inter-allied Theatre Indus- 
tries, International Cinevox, Ltd.t 
International Editorial Association, 
International Mutual Broadcastlnir 
Association, International Motion 
Picture Distributors, Intercity Radio 
Telegi-aph, International Sports and 
Amusement Co., International Talk- 
ing Films, International Talking 
Pictures, Intercity Telegraph and 
Radio. 

— J— 

James Cruze Corp., J. L. Gorrbi 
Amu.sement Co, 

— K— 

Kentucky Klub, Kline Amusement 
Kolortone Productions, Kuth Pub- 
llshinar. 

— L— ' 

L'Esperance Amusement Corp., 
Lafayette White City Amusement 
EUiterprlses, Latlip Attractions, 
Light Wines and Beer League of 
America, Little Theatre Ass'n, 
Longhook Country Club, Long Is^ 
land Theatres. 

— M— 

Manhattan Beach Development, 
Marcus Hook Amusement, Marshall 
Hall Park Toboggan Co., Marvin 
Radio Tube, Mayflower Pictures, 
Mayflower PubUshlngr. Mld-Cpntl- 
nent Theatre Corp., Michigan Muslo 
Co., Motion Picture "Congress of 
America, Motion- Picture Research 
Laboratory, Motlo|i Picture Posters^ 
Motion Picture Theatre Supply Co.t- 
Motlon Picture Finance Corp., Mo- 
tion Picture Theatre Guild, Movi- 
graphs, Multl-Selecto Phonc^raplif 
Musical Discs, Mc^rlde Studios. 

— N— 

National Amusement Park, Na- 
tional Chain Theatres, National 
Electric, NatlonaJ FUm, National 
Magazine Distributors, National 
Sesqul Centennial Committee, Inc., 
National Theatres, National Vision*: 
Tone Distrlbutlncr, Neon Sign Tube, 
News Reel Laboratories, Northwest 
Amusements, Notes Amusement. 



Ohio Amusement, Ohio Theatres^ 
Olney News, Oldtralls Photodramas; 
101 RancK Show .Co., Outing Pl)on<Hi 
graph and Radio, O^ord Theatre. 
— P— 

Paclflo Far West Pictures, Pea^ 
cock Motion Picture Corp., Pep-Gli^ 
Inc.; Photocolor. Corp,, Phono- 
Klnenia, Phono-Klnema (Foreign)'. 
Syndicate, Inc.; Photo-Sound Hold'^ 
ing , and. Operating Co., Flcart Stu- 
dios, Plcturetone Theatres, Play of 
the Month Guild, Pleasure Park De* 
velopment. Popular Games, Power 
Tubes, Premier Radio Appliance Co, 
— R-. 

Radlo Allied Industries, Radio 
Advertlslner Service, Radlocoln 
Corp., Radio Construction, Radio 
Products, Radio Vending, Reelsound 
Pictures, Reading Tribune, Rltner 
Amusement, Riviera Hotel, Royal 
Family, Inc. 

— »— 

Schlckerling Radio Tube, Show 
Boat, Inc.; Skee Ball, Society of 
Pictorial Education, Bono-Art Pic- 
tures, Souderton Amusement, Sound 
Equipment, Sound Pictures Acces- 
sories, Spanish Arts Co., Steuben 
Publishing, Studio Service, Studio 
Products, Symphony Corp,, Byn- 
crasy Development, Symphonio 
Manufacturing, Bylvanla Radio, 
Symphonic Radio Corp. of America. 
— T— 

Talk-A-Pbone Co., Talking Pic- 
ture Advertising Corp., Theatre Ad 
Mat Service, Theatrical Mechanical 
Association No. 95 of Wilmington, 
DeL; Theatres Bales, Theatre Sound 
Equipment, Tone-O-Graph, Trans- 
mission Corp., Translaphone Corp., 
Trl-State Publishers, TrI-Way Pub- 
licity, Tru-Color Pictures, Two Pub- 
lishers. 

— U— 

U. S. Photo Products, Universal 
Loud Speaker Screen Co., Unbreak- 
able Record Corp., Universal Sound ^ 
Pictures, Universal Wireless Com- 
munication, T'nlted Motion Picture 
\'onding M.if hine Corp. of America, 
Unitod St.itoo Radio Kqulpment, 
TJnitcd .Staff's Tn Iking Film, United 
.States Tflcvl.sJon. 

— V— 

\'l.sionola Mf;?., Voxart Comedies, 
— W— 

AVulbert Radio, Wayside Golf 
f.inks, Wrlland Theatres, West's 
W'oiid's ANOndfp Shows, Wireless 
'rclcprraph and Communication, 
\V<.lff-ITc idr- I'hoto-Chemlcal, World 
Cinmc't, AVoi lfl News Syndicate. 
— Y— 

Yellow.slonc Corp., Yodoa Publish- 
ing, Yo.seri)iie .Securities, York The- 
atre Co. 



34 VARIETY . TuMfcy. gybrawy 81, 1933 




Tuesday^ February 21, 1935 



FICT 



E S 



VARIETY 



8& 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



(Continued from page 33) 

Pact of Mary^Holmea.JThe. ,pestltute oPera slng«r unwittingly accuses her 
Harlan 



eon of murder. Helen MacKellap. Brlo Linden, Skeets Gallacher Dlr 
Thompson, Slavo Vorkaplc\i. Rol. Jan. 20. "»"«bner. uir. 



Ponguln Pool Murder, The. Stuart Palmer's novel; murder mystery. Mae 
Clark, Robt. ArmstronB, Edna Mae Oliver. James Gleason. Dlr Geo 
Archalnbaud. 69 mine. Rel. Dec. 9, Rev. Dec. 27. 

Phantom of Crestwood, The. Mystery at a week-end party. Rlcardo Cortez, 
Katherlne Morley. Dir. J. W. Ruben. Time, 77 mins. Rel. Oct. 14 
Rev. Oct. 18. 

Rockabye. Sentimental mother-love story. Constance Bennett, Joel McCrea 
Dir. Geo. Cukor. Time. 70 mlhs. Rel. Nov. 25. Rev. Dec. 6. 

t«creta of the French Police. Foreign mystery. GwlH Andre, Frank Morgan, 
Gregory Ratoff. Dir. Ed. Sutherland. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Dec. 2 
Rev. Dec. 13. 

•port Parade. Novelty story. Joel McCrea. Marian Marsh, Wm. Gardan. 
Dir. Dudley Murphy. Time. 05 mlns. Rel. Nov. 11. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Strange Justice. Oddities of the criminal code. Mae Marsh, Norman Foster, 
Reginald Denny. Dir. V. C. Schertzlnger. Time, 64 mlna Uel. Oct. 7. 

Theft of the Mona Lisa, The. Porelgn made. WUly Forst, Trude von Molo 
Dir. G. Von Bolvary. Time. 83 mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. Sept. 15. 

Thirteen Women. From Tiffany Thayer's story of the power of suggestion. 
Rlcardo Cortez, Irene Dunne. Dir. G. Archalnbaud. Time, 60 mlns. 
Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Oct. IS. 

Topaze. From the stage play of that title by Marcel Prevost. French story 
of an Innocent who gets wise to the way of municipal graft. John Barry- 
more, Myrna Loy, Albert Contl. Dir. Harry D'Arrast. 80 mins. Rel. 
Feb. 17. Rev. Feb. 14. 

I Inif A#l Ai^isf a Offlcea: 729 Seventh Ave., 
Uniiea /\niSI8 ^ew York, N. Y. 

Cynara. Philip Mcrlvale stage hit Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis 
Barry. Dir. King Vldor. Time, 79 mlns. Rel. Deo. 28. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum. Al .Tolson Introduces the new 'rhythmic dialogue.' 
Jolson, Madge Evans, Harry Langdon, Frank Morgan, Chester Conk- 
lin. Dir. Lewis Milestone. 80 mlns. Rel. Feb. 3. Rev. Feb. 14. 

Kid from Spain, The. Eddie Cantor masquerades as a bull fighter down In 
Mexico. Cantor. Lyda Robertl. Dir. Leo. McCarcy. Time (roadshow). 
> 118 mlns. Rel. Jan. 21. Rev. Nov. 22. 

Maflic Night. Viennese operetta. Jack Buchanan. Dir. Herbert Wilcox. 

Time. 79 mlns. Rel. Nov. 2. Rev. Nov, 8.. 
Mr. Robinson Crusoe. Adventures In the South Seas. Douglas Fairbanks, 

Maria Alba. Dir. Edw. Sutherland. Time. 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 21. Rev. 

Sept. 27. 

Perfect Understanding. Swanson original laid In England. Gloria Swanson, 

Laurence Olivier, Genevieve Tobln, Sir Nigel Playfalr, John Halliday. 

Dir. Cyril Gardner. 84 mlns. 
Rain. Jeanne Eagles' famous stage hit. Joan Crawford. Walter Huston. Dlr 

Wm. Gargan. Time, 93 mlns. Rel. Oct. 12. Rev. Oct. 18. 
White Zombie, The. Haytian sorcery.' Bela Lugosl, Madge Bellamy. Dir. 

Victor Halperln. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. July 28. Rev. Aug. 2. 



World Wide ^^N^w^Y^'r^'N. Y. 

Auction In Souls. From Eugene O'NeiU's play 'Recklessness.' Conrad Nagel, 

Lieila Hyams. Dir. Victor Schertzlnger. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Between Fighting Men. Conflict between the sheep men and cattU raisers. 
Ken Maynard, Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time, 62 mlns. Rel. 
, Oct. 16. Rev. Feb. 14. 

Breach of Promise. The ruin of a man's career. Chester Morris, May Clarke, 
Mary Doran. Dir. Paul Stein. Time, 67 mlns. Rel. Oct. 23. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

Come On, Tarzan. Ranch owner saves his horse from a gang. Ken Maynard, 
Myrna-Kennedy. Dir. Alan James. Time, 64 mins. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. 
Jan. 17, 

Crooked Circle, The. Mystery story with ample comedy. Ben Lyon, ZaSu 
Pitts, James Gleaaon, Irene Purcell. Dr. H. Bruce Humberstone. Time, 
70 mins. Rel. Sept. 25. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Death Kiss, The. A murder mystery with a motion picture studio back- 
ground. David Manners, Adrlenne Ames, John Wray, Bela Lugosl. Dir. 
Edwin L. Marin. Rel. Dec. 25. Ucv. Jan. 31, 

Drum Taps. A Boy Scout troup to the rescue of Ken Maynard. Ken May- 
nard, Junior Coughlln, Scout Troop 107 of Hollywood. Dir. J. P. Mc- 
Gowan. 61 mins. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Dynamite Ranch. Ranch manager falls to vanquish the hero. Ken Maynard, 
Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time. 59 mlns. Rel. July 31, Rev. 
Dec. 27. 

False Faces. Doctor makes a racket of his profession. Lowell Sherman, Lila 
Lee, Peggy Shannon. Dir. Sherman. Time,. 83 mins. Rel. Oct. 13. Rev. 
Nov. 29. 

Fargo Express. Straight-shooting sacrince in the career of a cow country 
hero. Ken Maynard, Helen Mack. Dir. Alan James. Time, 62 mins. 
Uel. Nov. 20. 

Hypnotized. Jam following a big sweepstakes win. Moran and Mack. Dir. 

Mack Sennett. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Jan. 17. 
Last Mile. The. Drama In the death house, from the stage play. Howard 

Phillips, Preston Foster, Geo. Stone, Noel Madison. Dir. Sam. BIschoK. 

Time. 84 mlns. Rel. Aug. 21. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Sign of Four, The. Sherlock Holmes story. British cast. Arthur Wontner, 

Isia Bevan. Ian Munter. Dir. Graham Cutts. Time, 74 mins. Rel. Aug. 

14. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Texas Buddies. Cowboy, vetcrati of the AEF, turns aviator to balk the vil- 
lains. Bob Steele, Nancy Drexel. Dir. R. N. Bradbury. Time, 57 mins. 
Rel. Aug. 28. Rev. Nov. 15. 

Those We Love. A woman's understanding averts domestic tragedy. Mary 
Astor, Lilyan Tashman, Kenneth McKenna. Dir. Robt. Florey. Time. 
77 mlns. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Tombstone Canyon. Western, In which the hero tries to solve the mystery of 
his birth. Ken Maynard, Cecilia Parker. Dir. Alan James. Rel. Dec. 26. 

Trailing the Killer. Epic of the North Woods. Dir. Herman C. Raymaker. 
Time, 64 mins. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 6, 

Uptown New York. Married happiness 'and a past. Jack Oakle, Shirley Grey. 
Dir. Victor Schertzlnger. Time, 74 mins. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 13. 



WEEK-END VAUD 
MONEY-MAKER 



While the same results may not 
apply elsewhere, what a small sub- 
sequent run in Jamaica, L. I., is do- 
ing with vaude Saturdays and Sun- 
days invites speculation, Alden, In 
the Long Island town, getting pic- 
tures so late as a' sub that they 
don't count, a month ago put in 
vaude for week ends. 

Same picture service continued, 
with most of the towns around 
Jamaica getting product ahead, first 
runs having protection of 70 to 80 
days, yet on month's intake Satur- 
days and Sundays has averaged 
more than double. 

From the vaude alone, exhib first 
two weeks paid up accumulated 
bills of over $2,000, and Is now so 
hopped over vaude he wants to ex- 
tend It to other days of the week 
If he can readjust on picture ser- 
vice. 



Miscellaneous Releases 



etudloi Universal City, 
Calif. 



Universal 



Offices: 730 Fifth Ave.. 

New York, N. Y, 



Afraid to Talk. From the stage play 'Merry-Qc'Round' about crooked politics. 

Eric Linden, Sidney Fox, Tully Marshall, Louis Calheru. Dir. Edw. L. 

Cahn. 74 mins. Rel. Nov. 17. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Air Mall, The. Commercial flying thrill story. Pat O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy. 
- Gloria Stuart, Slim Summerviile. Dir. John Ford. Time, 85 mlns. Rel. 

Nov 3. Rev. Nov. 8. 
All American, The. Football story. Rich. Arjen, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Russell 

Mack. Time, 73 mlns. Rel. Oct. 13. Rev. Oct. 14. 
Back Street. A one-man girl whose love defied convention. From a Fanny 

Hurst novel. Irene Dunn, John Boles, Dir. John Stahl. Time, 91 mlns. 

Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Destination Unknown. Adventure on a rum runner adrift In the Paciflc. Pat 

O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, Betty Compson. Dir. Ray Garnett. Rel. Mar. 2. 

Fourth Horseman, The. Original story. Western with the ghost town basis. 

Tom Mix. Margaret Lindsay. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 67 mlns. Rel. 

Sept. 29. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Igloo. Life struggle In the Arctic. Eskimo players. Dir. Ewing Scott. Time, 

60 mlns. Bel. July 14. Rev. July 26. 
Laughter In Hell. Chain gang story. Pat O'Brien, Merna Kennedy. Dir. 

Edw. Cahn. 72 mlns. Rel. Jan. 12. Rev. Jan. 17. 
Mummy, The. Mystery thriller. Boris Karloff, Zita Johann, David Manners. 

Dir. Karl Freund. Rel. Dec. 22. Rev. Jan. 10. 
My Pal, the King. A wild west show in a Balkan kingdom. Tom Mix. Dir. 

Kurt Neumann. Time, 75 mins. Rel. Aug. 4. Rev. Oct, 11. 
Nagana. Tropical drama. Tala BIrell, Melvyn Douglas. Dir. E. L. Franft. 

Rel. Jan. 26. 

Okay America!. Columnist story. Lew Ayres, Maureen O'Sulllvan, Louis Cal- 
hern. Dir. Tay Garnett, Time, 60 mins. Rel. Sept 8. Rev. Sept. 13. 

Old Dark House. A night of terror in an English country home. Boris Kar- 
loff, Melvyn Douglas, Chas. Laughton, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Jas. Whale. 
Time. 70 mins. Rel. Oct. 20. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Once In a Lifetime. Hollywood satire from the stage play.- Jack Oakle, 
Sidney Fox, Alice MacMahon. Dir. Russell Mack. Time. 90 mlns. Rel. 
Sept. 22. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Terror Tfall. Original. Tom Mix western. Naomi Judge, Arthur Rankin, 
Ray Hatton. Dir. Armand Schaefter. 56 mlns. Rel. Feb. 2. Rev. 
Feb. 14. 

They Just Had to Get Married. Matrimonial adventures of a newlyrlch 
couple. Slim Summerviile, Zasu Pitts. Dir. Edw. Ludwlg. 71 mins. 
Rel. Jan. 5. Rev. Fob. 14. 



Studios:' Burbank. 

Calif. 



Warner Brothers '^.Zy'^^l^.^'yr. 

Big City Blues. Country boy comes to New York for thrilling experiences. 
Joan Blondell, lOrIc Linden. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 68 mins. Rel. 
Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. IS. 
Blessed Event. Columnist story. Lee Tracy, Mary Hrian. Allen Jenkins. Dir. 

Roy Del Ruth. Time, 84 mlns. Rel, Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 6. 
Hard to Handle. Cagney as a high powered promoter. Cagney, Mary Brian. 

Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. 81 mlns. Rel. Jan. 28. Rev. Feb. 7. 
Haunted Gold. Search for gold In a haunted mine. John Wayne. Dir. Mack 

Wright 00 mins. Rel. Dec. 17. Rev. Jan. 17. 
I Am a Fugitive. From the story 'I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang.' Paul 
Muni, Gienda Farrell. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time. 93 mins. Rel. Nov. 
19. Rev. Nov. 15. 



Illegal. British made story of a night club. British cast and director. Time 
- ~ - ' - Oct. 4 

omed 

. ell. 

Aug. 13. Rev. July 20. 



61 mins. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. 
Jewel Robbery. Romantic comedy drama from an Hungarian source. Kay 
Francis, William Powell. Dir. Wm. DIeterle. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. 



King's Vacation, The. From a story by Ernest Pascal. The king takes time 
out to visit his first wife. Geo. Arliss. Dir. John Adolfl. 62 mins. Rel. 
Feb. 28. Rev. Jan. 24. 
Lawyer Man. Inside story of the profession. William Powell, Joan Blondell. 

Dir. Wm. Dietcrle. 08 mlns. Rel. Jan, 7. Rev. Jan. 3. 
One Way Passage. Love develops for a prisoner. Kay Francis, William Pow- 
ell. Dir. Tay Garnett. Time. 69 mlns. Rel. Oct. 22. Rev. Oct. 18. 
Parachute Jumper, The. Two ex-marlnes and a girl who go aloft. Doug. 
Fairbanks; Jr., Bette Davis. Dir. Alfred E. Green. 72 mins. Rcl. 
Jan. 28. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Purchase Price, The. Night club singer with a past. Barbara Stanwyck. Dir. 

Wm. A. Wellman. Time, 68 mins. Rel. July 23. Rev. July 19. 
Bide Him, Cowboy. Western cowljoy story. John Wayne. Dir. Fred Allen. 

Time, 66 mins. Rcl. Aug. 27. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Scarlet Dawn. Russian refugees In Con.stantlnopIe.,J-Doug F.-ilrbanks. Jr., 
Nancy Carroll, Lilyan Tashman. Dir. Wm. DIeterle. Time. 58 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 12. Rov. Nov. 8. 
Stranger in Town, Comedy drama of real people. Chic Sale, Ann Dvorak. 

Dir. Earle C. Kenton. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. July 12. 
Suocflsaful Calamity, A. Merchant pretends poverty to check family's ex- 
travagance. George Arliss, Mary Astor, Hvalyn Knapp. Dir. John u. 
Adolfl. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 17. Rev. Sept. 27. 
Twenty Thousand Yean In Sing Sing. Visualization of Warden Lawes' book. 
Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis. Dir. Michael Curtiz. i% mins. Kel. Jan. 31. 
Rev. Jan. 17. 

Two Against the World. Constance Bennett In a murder Jam. Dir. Archie 

Mayo. Time, 71 min.-J. Rel. Sept. 3. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Winner Take All. Smashing flght comedy. James cagney. Dir. Roy Del 

Ruth. Time.. 67 mlns. Rel. July 16. Rev. June 21. 



Big Payoff, The. (Capital.) From a Peter B. Kyne story. Barbara Kent, 
J. Farrell MacDonald, Glen Tryon, Matt Moore. 71 mlns. Rel. Jan. 16. 
Rev. Jan. 24. 

Big Town, The. (Invincible.) Vice crusade story. Lester Vail, Frances 
Dade. Dir. Arthur Hoerle. 67 mins. Rev, Dec. 27. 

Face on the Bar Room Floor. The. (Invincible.) Temperance discussion. 
Dulcle Cooper, Bramwell Fletcher. Dir. Bert Bracken. Tlmei 65 mlns. 
Rel. Oct. Rev. Oct. 18. 

Footsteps In the Night. (Auten.) Mystery drama. Benlta Hume. Dir. Mau- 
rice Elvery. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. 

Goon^ Goona. (First Dlv.) LK>ve charms on the Island of Ball. Dir. Andree 
Roosevelt, Armand Denis. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Hotel Variety. (Capital.) Grand Hotel in an actors boarding house. Hal 
Skelly, Olive Borden. Dir. Raymond Canncn. 71 mlns. Rev. Jan. 10. 

Jungle Killer. (Century.) Expose of wild game hunting In Africa, With lec- 
ture. Rel. Nov. 25. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Manhattan Tower. (Remington.) Suggestive of 'Skyscraper Souls.' Romance 
In an office building. Mary Brian, Irene Rich, Jas. Hall. Dir. Frank 
Strayer. 62 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec. 20. 

Racing Strain, The. (Irving-Maxim.) Original of the auto races with air 
stuff. Wally Reld, Jr. Dir. Jerome Storm. 68 mlns. 

Red-Haired Alibi, The. (Tower.) Gangster story. Merna Kennedy, Theo. 
Von Eltz. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. 
Oct. 25. 

Scarlet 'Week End. (Irving.) Murder at a house party. Dorothy Revler, 
Theo. Von Eltz. Dir. Willis Kent Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Oct Rev. 
Nov. 1. 

Speed Madnesa. (Capital.) Speedboat racing with acrobatic trimmings. 

Rich. Talmadge, Nancy Drexel. Dir. Geo. Crone. Time, 61 mlns. Rel. 

Aug. 27. Rev. Oct 11. 
Tex Takes a Holiday. (Argosy). All multi-color western of a mysterious 

stranger. Wallace MacDonald, Virginia Brown Falre. Dir. Alvin J. 

Nletz. 69 mlns. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Unholy Love. (First Dlv.) The classic. 'Mme. Bovary,' transplanted to 

Rye, N. Y. H. B. Warner, Llla Lee. Dir. Albert Ray. Time, 75 mins. 

Rel. Aug. Rev. Aug. 30. 

Woman In Chains. (Auten.) Tragedy of a woman tied to an hypochondriac. 
Eng. cast. Dir. Basil Dean. Time, 68 mins. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev. Nov. 22. 



Boston Attachments 
On Publix Properties 
Before Suits Filed 



Foreign Language Films 



(Note: Because of the slow movement of foreign Alms, this list covers one 

year of releases.) ' 

(Most of these available with English titles.) 

A Nous la Liberie. (Auten) (French). Comedy drama. Henri Marchand, 

Raymond Cordy. Dir. Rene Clair. 93 mins. Rel. May. . 

Alone (Russ.) (Amkino). Dir. Trauborg. 68 mlns. Rel. May 24. 

Barberlna, die Taenzerin von Sansoucl. (Capital) (German). Rococco musical 
comedy. LU Dagover, Otto Gebilehr. Dir. Carl Froellch. 83 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Brand In der Oper. (Capital) (German). Musical drama. Gustav Froellch. 
Dir. Carl Froellch. Rel. July 19. 

Broken Vow, The. (Capital) (Polish). From a novel. Krystyna Ankwlcz, 
M. Cybulskl. 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 25. 

Cinq Gentleman Maudit (Protex) (French). Mystery drama. Rene Lefevre, 

Harry Baur. Dir. Julien Duvivler. 78 mins. Rel. Jan. Rev.. Jan. 24. 
Clown George (Russ.) (Atnkino). A clown saves the nation. Dir. Solovlev. 
68 mlns. Rel. Aug. 21. Rev. Sept 13. 

Coiffeur Pour Oamea (Paramount) (French). Musical farce. Fernand Gravey. 

80 mins. Rel. July 1. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Das Nachtlgall Madel (Capital) (Ger). Love In Hawaii. Dir. Leo Lasky. 

80 mlns. Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Das Schoene Abenteuer (German) (Protex). Romantic comedy. Kaethe 
von Nagy. Dir. Relnhold Schunzel. 83 mlns. Rcl. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec. 13. 
David Colder (French) (Protex). Drama. Harry Baur. Dir. Julien Duvivler. 

90 mlns. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Oct 25. 
Der Ball (German) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dolly Haas. Dir. Wllhelm 

Thiele. 83 mlns. Rel. Oct. 9. 
Der Falsche Ehemann (German) (Protex). Farce. Dir. Johannes Guter. 

85 mlns. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Oct. 23. 
Der Falsche Feldmarschal. (Capital) (German). Military musical. Vlasta 
Burian. Dir. Carl Lamac. Time, 81 mins. Rel. July 12. 

Der Hauptmann von Kopenlck (A-R) (Ger). Comedy. Max Adalbert. Dir. 
Richard Oswald. 96 mlns. Rel. Jan. 15. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Der Herr Burovoreteher. (Capital) (Ger). Felix Bressart, Herman Thimlg. 

Dir. Hans Behrcndt. Time, 86 mlns. Rel. June 10. 
Der Schwartze Hussar (Protex) (Ger.). Co.stumo romance. Conrad Veldt, 

Dir. Gerhard Lamprecht. 90 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Diary of a Revolutionist (Russ.) (Amkino). Dir. Urinov. 80 mins. Rel. June 
8. Rev. June 14. 

Die Blumenfrau von Llndenau (German) H'rotex). Comedy. Renate Muel- 
ler, Hansi Niese. Dir. Georg Jacoby. 70 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. July 12. 
Die Cslkos Baroness. (Capital) (Ger. Hung). Musical comedy. Gretl Thelmer, 

Paul VIncenti. Dir. Ernst Verebes. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. April 1. 
Die Grosse Attraktlon CA-R) (Ger). Musical romance. Richard Taubcr. 80 

mlns. Rel. Feb. 15. 
Die Grosse Llebe. (German) (FAF). Drama of mother love. HansI Nlese. 

80 mins. Rel. March 1. Rev. Feb. 23. 
Die Lustigen Welber von WIen. 'Capital) (Ger). Willy Forst Irene Elsinger. 

Dir. Geza von Bolvary. Time, 97 n.'ns. Rel. July 1. 
Dienst Is Dienst. (New Era) (Ger). Musical. Ralph Roberts, Lucie Eng- 

llsche. Dir. Carl Bosse. Time. 84 mlns. Rel. June 8. 
EIne Nacht In Paradiet (A-R) (Ger). Musical comedy. Anny Ondra. 90 

mlns. Rcl. Feb. 15. , , 

EIne Tuer Geht Auf. (Protex) (Ger). Mystery thriller. Dir. Alfred Zclsler. 

68 mlns. Rel. Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 7. 
EIn Prinz Verllebt SIch. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Lien Deyers. Dir. 
Conrad Wlene. 75 mlns. Rel. May. 

(Continued on page 56) 



Boston, Feb. 18. 
Spurt of legal activity this week 
putting spot on theatre biz drew at- 
tention of interests here. Because 
of local issues headline item was 
filing in U. S. ° court here of writs 
of attachment in advance of suits 
for a total of $2,000,000 by certain 
independents against various Para- 
mount-Publlx subsidiaries. George' 
W. Ryan is couh6el for plaintiffs, 
Blias M. Loew, Boston; S. M. Loew 
Theatres, Inc., Boston; Capitol 
Amusement Co., Lynn; B. M. Loew 
Enterprises, Inc., New England 
Theatre Corp.; Casco Amusement 
Co., Sanford, Me.; Hutchins Amuse- 
ment Co., Fall Hiver; E. M. Loew 
Pawtucket Theatre, Pawtucket, R. 
I.; E. M. Loew, Inc., Boston, and the 
Dorchester Theatre Co., Boston, tea 
in all. 

Six defendants are Publix Theatre 
Corp., Olympla Operating Company, 
Olympla The&tres, Inc.; Olympla 
Realty Company, Fubllx-Netoco 
Theatres Corporation, and Codman 
Square Theatre Company, all of 
Boston. 

Suits are to be filed next montlu 
Attachments were laid on local the- 
atres and all properties, including 
realty. 

Suits, counsel states, allege com- 
bination in restraint of trade, con- 
spiracy, and monopoly. 

By action of Judge Qua in Massa- 
chusetts State Court, Samuel Pin- 
anskl, one of two chief executives 
of Paramount-Publix in New Eng- 
land, and Harry LeBaron Sampson, 
local attorney, are reappointed re- 
ceivers for Olympla Theatres, Inc., 
and Oiympla Operating Co., Publix 
subsidiaries. 



May Tie in Three Publix 
Houses with Fox Midland 



Publix houses in Kansas City, 
Kans., and Joplin and Sprlngfleld, 
Mo., may be taken over by Pox and 
tied into the Midland division. 
Houses number three, one in each 
town. 

Formerly a part of the now dis- 
solved Publlk-Dubinsky set-up, the 
trio Is now operated by Louis 
Finske from Denver as l>art of the 
Colorado-Missouri (Publix) divi- 
sion. 

Newman and Royal, in Kansas 
City, Mo., will continue under Pub- 
lix as at present. 



USHER'S EXPENSIVE PUNCH - 



Jury Gives Aggrieved Patron Ver- 
dict of $100 Damages 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 

It cost a local theatre usher the 
equivalent of 12 weeks' wages and 
his Job to punch a patron. Attack 
occurred in the Bijou, large loop In- 
dependent grind. 

Patron, K. J. Ryan, brought a 
damage suit against the usher and 
showhouso, Ryan said that while 
rushing down an aisle he was 
punched and pummelled by the 
u.shcr and then struck In the face. 

Di.strict court jury awarded talm 
(100 damages. 



1^ 



96 



VARIETY 



PICTHIIES 



XutaAvft Febraarj 21, 193$ 



Oppressive Tax ad Ceniw^ 
Legislation IVevalent Over U. 
Keep Trade s Lobbyists on Edge 



with 48 states out to raise over 
tl,000,0(iO In their own territories 
and with 46 already drafting or set 
to consider tax measures directly 
affecting the film Industry, picture 
lobbyists are priming themselves for 
what they predict will be the busiest 
session with lawmakers on record. 

What are called 'trick measures' 
are making themselves known for 
the first time this year. A few days 
ago Missouri introduced what at 
first seemed the most inslgniflclant 
bin, just one-tenth of a mill per foot 
of film. Analyzed, this would mean 
every exhib would pay that state |1 
per day as house tax. 

American Federation of Labor is 
also giving the Industry, nationally, 
more than its usual quota of worry. 
Just 21 state now will listen to union 
appeal for two men in each booth. 
Industry's main argrument against 
this is that the inflated payroll 
would only throw more men out of 
work by necessitating more houses 
to darken. 

Another evidence of a difCerence In 
legislative slants on the boxofflce, 
over previous years, popped up over 
the week end In Michigan. Where 
that state woald pass up all theatres 
now paying tribute to the Federal 
Government it would demand 10% 
tribute from all the others. This, it 
la declared, Is the first bill aimed 
directly at the: small houses. 
Censoring 

Not only In the matter of- money, 
but censoriously, as well, la the color 
■"of the latest variety of bills. Lob- 
bylsto figure they will have quttei a 
fight on their hands in convincing 
Albany, N. T., that the Industry la 
not out to hold up politlolans to 
ridicule on the screen. 

Censor bills In Massachusetts and 
Connecticut are attributed directly 
to a recently rel^eased picture of po- 
litical flavor and some advertising 
matter which was deemed poorly 
seasoned. ■ — 

Exhibitor leaders are being 
counted upon strongly in the flght 
against Industry bills. In several of 
the states the battle wlU be waged 
entirely by exblbs. 

Aa the result of this many of the 
exhib-dlstrib flghts which usually 
are winged just before and after the 
selling season are being dispensed 
with this year. It Is known that 
some of the moe^ Insurgent indie 
leaders are willingly recognizing the 
armistice and taking instructions 
from sources ordinarily considered 
enemy quarters. 



Giving it Campaign In Split Week 
Houaea — Opens in N. Y. in March 

On strength of showing made in 
Newark "an-1 Jersey City, best in 
latter, on test runs, Loew's has 
booked 'Big Drive,' indie war pic- 
ture, for all itp Greater New York 
neighborhoods. It will play short 
half of week in houses, making two 
changes weekly and given an exten- 
sive campaign. 

The campaign worked out oy J. C. 
Furman on the recent Jersey City 
engagement, declared to be one of 
the most comprehensive on any such 
feature. Is being used by Loew's on 
the New Tork dates. 

'Big Drive' went into Cameo for 
RKO Friday (17) prior to playing 
for Loew during March. 



INVOLVED RKO 

surr IN OHIO 



No Daal BiB Demaiid 
By L A. House Patrons, 
So Back to One Pic 



libs Angeles, Feb. 20. 
Forced into double features at 
their Sunbeam (nabe) several 
weeks ago, through stiff competl 
tion by circuit and indie houses in 
the vicinity, Berinsteln and Lustlg, 
who operate two houses here and 
one in Pasadena, are yanking the 
extra feature, and will stick to siU' 
gle bills. Firm is the only circuit 
(major or Indie) in the Southern 
California territory which has con- 
sistently refused to adopt the dual 
policy. 

Brief trial at the Sunbeam con- 
vinced the owners that not only 
was the b.o. grosses not bettered 
by the duals, but it was also de 
termlned that there was no demand 
among patrons of the house for the 
added attraction. 

Firm also operates the Tivoli 
here and the Tower in Pasadena. 



UNION 50% CUT OR ELSE 



Publix in Detroit So Informs Crafts 
—Answers Will Be Made 



Detroit. Feb. 20, 
Publix have told all crafts here 
for a 60% cut in scale, or else, 
Operators are first la line to an- 
swer with that expected Monday, 
At that time the rest of the crafts 
win act In a similar manner. 

It is the claim of the Publix of- 
ficials that busines does not war- 
rant the payment of salaries set In 
the union scales. Also that payment 
of such salaries precludes the pos- 
sibility of keying bouse* open 
profitablj. 



LOEW'S TAKES 'BIG DRIVE' 



Olpolnnatl, Ffib< 20. 
It looks as If the receivership suit 
in which Ike Ubson and Blmer 
Raugh were named ancillary re- 
ceivers for RKO by the local Fed- 
eral Court, Is sotnewhat mixed up. 
Llbson and Baugh were appointed 
on the petition brought by Jack 
Silberman, . RKO debenture holdeh 
The petition, originally named only 
RKO, although the court directed 
Llbson and Raugh to take charge 
of the assets of the RKO Midwest 
Corp.. and the RKO Distribution 
Corp., subslds of RKO. Looks like 
politics has entered the picture, as 
in other receiverships. 

Seems as if Silberman had to 
amend his petition so It should ex- 
tend to subslds also, w,hich is why 
the receivership was held up after 
RKO protested. This Silberman did 
and filed such amended petition Feb. 
10, to Include RKO Midwest and the 
RKO Distribution Corp. 

So far no date has been set for the 
hearing on this amended petition, 
but RKO win strongly oppose the 
action. 

So tax as known, none of the RKO 
Midwest funds, which comprises b.o. 
income from RKO's Ohio theatres' 
has been sent to New York, under 
constraint of court, until the matter 
is settled. 

It Is RKO's contention that the 
RKO Midwest, outfit is solvent and 
that receivership is out of order on 
that company. Besides which It Is 
known that RKO intends to hold on 
to its Ohio spots mostly because 
they are okay not to mention the 
fact that the company has already 
paid something like $4,000,000 on its 
purchase agreement for the Ohio 
houses and has no intention of for- 
feiting such an investment now. 

The Ohio case is also the first in- 
stance of any action against the 
RKO Distributing Corp., said to be 
fully solvent. 



Blasting Hop^ 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
District theatre manager on 
the coast was publicized as 
drawing down 1600 for win- 
ning first place In a recent biz 
drive. 

Imagine his embarrassment 
when a middle west banker 
sent him congratulations and 
then suggested: 'Tou might 
take up that note now.' 

Catch was that the dist. mgr 
missed out on the $600 because 
his final standing was .6 point 
below the goal set. 



RECEIVER SPUTS 
OPEN MPLS. 
SITUASH 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 
Receivership developments have 
split the picture product situation 
wide open here and threaten to 
break up the Publix circuit In this 
territory (formerly Flnkelsteln & 
Rubin). Witb the JPubllx receiver 
failing to hang on to the product 
hitherto tied up and squabbling 
with local exchanges over prices 
and terms, and with the RKO Or- 
pheum- and Ljroeum, the latter a 
large independent loop house, stand- 
ing by, ready to grab off all the film 
cream available, Publix already has 
lost its stranglehold on picture 
product in Minneapolis. 

Heavy operating losses during the 
initial weeks of the Publix receiver- 
ship, due mainly to a terrible 
weather break, and what theatre 
lessors brand as the receiver's 
Yidiciilously exorbitant rental re- 
adjustment demands* also loom as 
factors which may cause the North- 
west circuit's dissolution. 

Orpheum, adopting a new straight 
film policy,; has copped the ITnited 
Artists* product away from Publix 
for Minneapolis. Lyceum has grabbed 
Fox's 'Cavalcade.' Latter house is a 
S.OOO-seat'loop theatre, dark the past 
two seasons. 

Reports current the Publix re- 
ceiver, William Hamm, also the cir- 
cuit's largest creditor, ' but lacking 
in practical theatre experience, has 
thrown out the Metro contract be- 
cause of what he regards as ex- 
orbitant terms. Unless a compro- 
mise agreement is reached and a 
settlement effected on this contract, 
Publix would be left in Minneapolis, 
for its four loop first-fun houses, 
with only Paramount and some Fox 
and Warner product. A dispute over 
terms also Is reported to have arisen 
in connection with the Warner pic- 
tures. 



With Joe Lee Out, RKO 
Div. Mgrs. Switch Around 

Resignation of Joe Lee from RKO 
has shifted the divisional setup of 
that circuit ih New York. Lee for- 
merly was in charge of the Brook- 
lyn Junior division. This section 
now goes under supervision of 
Louis Goldberg, who also is han- 
dling the upstate division. The 
New Jersey junior division remains 
under the supervision of J. M. 
Brennan. 

Charles McDonald continues in 
charge of the downtown RKO New 
York houses with H. R. Emde hold- 
ing on to supervision of the uptown 
spots. 



Greenberg Buying 

Harold Greenberg Is doing all the 
film buying for the Publtx houses 
in New York state, which has be- 
come one division under operation 
of George Walsh. 

For many years with Publix, 
Greenberg recently was film booker 
for the Hudson River div. 



Crouch Turns Spieler 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
William Crouch, erstwhile p.a. and 
trade paper man, is going to invade 
the middle west tn a film- lecture 
tour. 

He Is having two reels of intimate 
silent stuff made of some of the 
colony's celebs and will take this 
into theatres as atmosphere for a 
lecture, 'Celebrities I have known.' 

He has several tentative dates set 
on a small guarantee plus a split 
over the house nut. 



Fox-WC Taldi^ Over MraUes of 
Pacific NW Houses-M N. Y.-Made 



2D BOMBING OF NABE 



Falls at Minneapolis Loses Front 
At a A. M. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 
Falls theatre, Independent neigh- 
borhood house here, wcus partially 
wrecked Saturday (Feb. 18) by a 
bomb apparently tossed from a 
passing automobile at 3 a. nu Front 
was completely demolished and 
considerable damage done to the in- 
terior. 

It was the second time within 
six months that the showhouse bad 
been bombed. Other mysterious 
bombing occurred Sept 21, 1932, 
and tore a hole in the wall and 
damaged the Interior. Perpetrator 
never was apprehended. 

A. H.^ Gels, owner, says he does 
not know what prompted either of 
the bombings. Theatre employs a 
booth oi>erator from an independent 
operators' union here, instead of the 
union affiliated with the American 
Federation of Labor. 



PAN TRYING TO 
FIX LANDLORDS 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
Pantages here set to close March 
1, with Fox-W. C. making over- 
tures to Alexander Pantages to take 
the house back. 

Pantages is working with the 
landlords of the houses taken over 
from him by the Orpheum circuit 
(RKO) with the hope that rental 
reductions will enable Orpheum to 
continue operation and not throw 
the houses back on his hands. Pan. 
does not want to have them come 
bouncing back to him. 



HAYFAIR GOES BACK 
TO READE MARCH 3 



As things stand, the RKO May- 
fair, Broadway, shoves back to 
Walter Reade on March S. Next 
week will be the final week of RKO 
operation of the theatre. 

House has been under RKO op- 
eration around two and a half 
yters, opening Aug. 10, 1930. 

Recently, and after receivership, 
Reade offered to cut down to 
$100,000 rent, but even that figure 
lookeil too high for RKO, as the in- 
tention to abdicate the Mayfair in- 
dicates. 

The theatre formerly was a bur- 
lesque house on the Columbia wheel 
and was renovated at an estimated 
expense of $600,000 for the RKO 
takeover. It has been one of the 
major headaches of the company 
since. 



VL Turns Sunday 



Burlington, Vt., Feb. 20. 
The bill to liberalize the state 
Sunday laws has been killed by the 
legislature. Third reading of the 
measure refused 160 to 67. 



No Expense for Publix Partners 

Charge for Service Sooner or Later — Mike 
Shea on His Own 



Agreement on some fixed charge 
to the Publix home office from part- 
nerships regularly receiving cer- 
tain service from New York, notably 
on film bookings, is expected to be 
reached at an early date. 

Arrangements would be made 
with such partnerships as Comer- 
ford, Kincey St Wilby, TSL J. Sparks, 
Robb & Rowley, and others which 
have full Jurisdiction over theatres 
in their territories but tie In with 
the Publix h.o. in various ways. 
While service has been tendered 
these partnerships steadily in the 
past, it has been given mostly as a 
result of Publix's desire to aid part- 
ners wherever possible In protecting 
Publix interest involved. 



Theatres which are in the hands 
of receivers are no longer receiving 
the h.o. service except when local 
receivers call for it. All other houses 
operated by Publix itself and un- 
affected by receiverships are con- 
tinuing to receive h.o. attention on 
film booking and other matters. 

Sam Dcmbow, Jr., Is In charge of 
executive operating matters, while 
Leon Netter remains on executive 
film buying. 

One partner who isn't expected to 
be involved in any fixed charge ar- 
rangements is M. A. Shea. He op- 
erates his Publlx-Shea set-up en- 
tirely aside and apart from Publix, 
and, so far as Publix is concerned, 
does very well all by himself. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Charles Skouras is on his way 
from the ^ast bringing a new plan 
stated to have been arranged via 
Fox Films through Chase bank, 
whereby Fox West Coast will be 
enabled to take over certain houses 
of the Pacific Northwest company, 
now In bankruptcy. This plan, from 
all accounts, has Chase furnishing 
the means where F-WC, largest 
creditor of Pacific Northwest, can 
bid in the. desired spots from Pa- 
cific Northwest after the letter's 
liquidation. 

When this is done, the houses 
which will have been taken over 
may be decentralized under the spe< 
olal supervision of Mike Rosenberg, 
Sol Lesser and Frank Newman. 
Newman Is now co-receiver on Pa« 
clflo Northwest. The trio are part- 
ners with P-WC in Principal The- 
atres, a subsid of the Fox West 
Coast chain, and Pacific Northwest. 

This plan was prepared in the 
east during, the visit of Charles 
Skouras, Rosenberg and Lesser in 
New York recently. It has to get 
the O.O. of the P.N. receivers ad- 
ditionally before going into effect.' 

It Is expected that with the ar- 
rival In Seattle today of Charles 
Skouras, rehablltation of the Fox 
West Coast . circuit In the Paclflo 
Northwest .will get under way. 
Skouras expects to remain in Seat- 
tle four or five days, returning here 
the end of the week. 

First house to bf taken back by 
P-WC, following the bankruptcy 
and receivership Into which the en- 
tire northwest division was 
plunged around the first of the year. 
Is the Fox, Spokane, with Terry 
McDanlel, a former district manager 
in the Seattle territory, in charge. 
Skouras' Plan 

Skouras Bros.' plan, it Is under- 
stood here, is to take over a few of 
the class A houses in the territory, 
including possibly two in Seattle, 
one or two in Portland and a few 
profit winners in the other key 
towns in Washington and Oregon. 
LitUe likelihood, It is believed, of 
the. circuit resuming operations in 
Montana. 

J. J. Sullivan, F-WC vice-presl« 
dent, in charge of film buying, is 
understood to be staying on In New 
York until some decision Is reached 
regarding product that will be re- 
quired for the northwest acquisi- 
tions. 

Fox West Coast now controls 118 
houses In the Southern California 
territory (including Arizona), of 
which 24 are dark and two under 
sublease to outside concerns. Of 
the -87 houses operating, seven re- 
port direct to Charles Skouras. Al 
Hanson supervises 21 houses in Los 
Angeles (city); Qeorge Bowser a 
similar number In the beach and 
outlying districts; Dick Dickson has 
IB inland towns under his super- 
vision; nine are supervised by B. 
V. Sturdlvant; four by Milton Ar- 
thur; the seven Arizona houses by 
Tom Sorlero, and three L. A. de- 
luxers are In charge of Reeves Espy. 

Towns that report direct to 
Charles Skouras are Bakersfleld, 
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, 
Santa Paula and Taft, all In Cali- 
fornia. 



Hope to Filt Coast Seats 
By Chain Selling Plan 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Chain-selling gag which has 
every Tom, Dick and Harry selling 
fountain pens, stockings and other 
merchandise, has spread to show, 
business. Fred Miller, former de- 
luxe house operator here, and Henry 
Charles, former coast manager for 
the Morton Organ Co., have evolved 
a plan whereby the scheme can be 
applied to theatre ticket selling. 

They call their scheme the pros- 
perity theatre scrip book plan,' and 
have already tied in with 26 local 
Independent picture houses to ac- 
cept the scrip. 

Here's how the chain system 
works, as applied to theatre admis- 
sions: Scrip books contain $2 worth 
of tickets, redeemable by the pro- 
moters at 60 cents on the dollar. 
Salesmen selling them get- 10% of 
the sales of the first two books they 
sell and 40c per on each additional 
book, plus 10% for each book sold 
by buyers from, them who in turn 
become salesmen. 



Tuesday*. February 21, 1933 



R A III 



VARIETY 



17 



NETWORKS MUFFING PIMIY 



Bureau of Information 



FOR 



Advertising Agencies 



Advertising agencies and others in the field of radio, against 
any prohlem pertaining to the show business or broadcasting from 
a show angle, are invited to consult 'Variety' for information> This 
service is gratis. Mail communications will be answered promptly. 

Any show angles unfamiliar to the radio program directors of 
advertising agencies, and all others in the raaio-show business, will 
be clarified. 

Information particularly niay be desired by radio talent buyers on 
the estimation of acts' salary values. These will be forthcoming as 
part of the Information published in 'Variety' In the past as to the 
value of standard attractions for the stage, screen or radio. 
. This entire free service is confldential. 'Variety' pledges none of 
the requests will be given publicity in print or otherwise; 





am on 
ams 





le.e 




With but few exceptions the sys- 
tem that once constituted a sus- 
taining buildup no long obtains on 
NBC. Of the mass of acts Intro- 
<luced on the chain the past three 
months not more than one out of 
10 has been maintained on a regu- 
lar- schedule over four weeks. Even 
before an act has had a chance to 
get some sort of reaction from the 
fans It's eithei' been replaced by 
another candidate or coupled up on 
the same program with other turns. 

Act Jockeying seems to have be- 
come a major pastime with the 
«xecs In the program department. 
No sooner Is a candidate for build- 
up honors set for two or three spots 
a week than another exec in the 
same department starts reshuffling 
the schedule so that room can be 
made for his or her own imme- 
diate candidate. For an act to be 
able to hold on to three spots a 
week has become unusual and for 
It to maintain the same hours the 
three days a week Is regarded 
among those concerned as a rarity. 
Result here has been that NBC 
hasn't had a new name in months 
to audition for advertisers or for its 
artists service to offer to theatres. 
Nothing Positive 

Four different sets of auditions 
are going on around the studios 
every week. Candidates keep piling 
up out of this four-source mill, but 
rare is the act tapped for a buildup 
that actually gets to an alrlane mike 
more than once. There's Ernest 
Cutting holdln? his own auditions 
every day in the week, there's the 
artists service giving the daily ear' 
to prospects of its own finding, 
there's the program board, made up 
of reps from each division of the 
program department, pursuing its 
own searches, and then finally 
Monday night gleaning when reps 
from the various network depart- 
ments sit in for the loudspeaker 
parade of the assorted hopefuls. 

Even after that Monday night 
conclave puts its stamp of approval 
on an act It's an exceptional case 
that's allotted a spot on the net- 
work schedule. The program board 
may have just the past few days 
segregated a batch of Its own 
choosing and to these go precedence 
or the first crack at available open- 
ings. The Monday night cotorie oc- 
casionally gets a candidate to the 
scheduling point, but that's no as- 
eurance of a hearing on the air. 

John Royal or Bertha Brainard 
may have that very afternoon been 
Impressed with somebody he or she 
had just given a private hearing. 
The lad In charge of the sohodulos 
is called on the phone. 

'Put Mona Louyde in the 7:45 
spot on the blue network tonicht,' 
he's told. 

'But,' expcstulatos the kroptr of 
the progran-. tabs, 'wo liave .V.Tiuly 
Waters already set for that spot 



Too Long a Line 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
NBC paymaster henceforth 
will distribute checks to em- 
ployees early pn pay day. This 
follows a request made by the 
Merchandise Trust and Savings 
Bank. 

The bank has been staying 
open on pay day to take care of 
NBCites who get their checks 
after the regular banking hours. 
Whole NBC organization would 
then move down en masse to 
liquidate their paper. 

As a result of the unusual 
crowd and long lines at the 
windows, the public, not aware 
of what was happening, be- 
came uneasy and rumors started 
spreading. Bank offlcials Im- 
mediately stopped the dispen- 
sation to NBC upon realizing 
the public's reaction. 



L&T NBCS TOP 
AGENCY FOR '32 



Of the ad agencies Lord & Thomas 
wound up 1932 far in the lead on 
total expenditures for time on NBC. 
But with Lucky Strike cutting down 
appreciably on its time and a couple 
of last year's major accounts (Qua- 
ker Oats and Elgin Watch) out of 
the network picture, indications now 
are that in '33 J. Walter Thompson 
may replace L & T at the head of 
the NBC list. 

Following list reveals how the 
first 10 agencies stood on the NBC 
summary for '32. Figures are the 
net Income from time sales obtained 
from each agency source: 

Lord & Thomas, $5,461,866. 

J. Walter Thompson, $3,080,941. 

Batten, Barton, Durstlne & Os- 
borne. $2,005,102._ — 

Erwln, Wasey & Co., $1,345,245. 
» Blackett-Sample-Hummert, $1,- 
329.308. 

McCann-Erickson. $1,154,640. 
N. W. Ayer, $1,021,529. 
Benton & Bowles, $879,186. 
Campbell-Ewald, $659,067. 
"Simpson Co. (A. & P. Stores), 
$000,438. 



with the listing sent out to the 
papers.' ' 

'Never mind," comes the order, 
'put her on.' 

And on Mona goes, and Sandy 
Waters was most liltely another 
case of Gypsy Nina, for instance, 
who got the palms of the Monday 
night cotorie, a' spot on the sched- 
ule and listing In the newspapers, 
but nothing that evenlnp that came 
under the heading of a broadcast. 



PROVE IT BY NO 
H 193! STAR 



Chains Permit Agencies to 
Usurp Act-Booking Pre- 
rogatives — Chains' Greed 
for Commish Seems Re- 
sponsible 



LOSES OUT ON AGENTS 



By Joe Bigdow 

NBC and CBS, or any other net 
work, will never be exclusive or 
even important bookers of talent 
on their own commercial programs 
as long as they are In the business 
of selling acts on the side.. This is 
the opinion of show business and 
showmen whos9 experience goes 
back considerably beyond the aver- 
age radio executive's. 
: It is amazing to the rest of show 
business that NBC and CBS should 
have ao little to say about wh&t 
talent shall appear on their net- 
Work broadcasts. There is no 
parallel for it in any other amuse- 
ment branch. 

Seeking immediate financial re- 
turns through their artist bureaus 
by high commission charges for 
their own contract artists, the net- 
works appear to prefer to be agents 
at 16% commission rather than 
bookers. By going Into the open 
field in direct competition with 
other agents, the networks are be- 
lieved by show business to be cut- 
ting oit their surest source of new 
talent. Agents In other entertain- 
ment lines have always been the 
invaluable and Important discov- 
erers and developers of talent, while 
the theatres and studios, and their 
booking and casting offices have 
been content with the Important 
enough work of weeding out the 
agents' discoveries and worrying 
about the merit of their own amuse- 
ment products. In the eyes of show- 
men outside of radio, there may be 
more Important things In radio than 
commish to bother about. 

It is regarded as most significant 
by onlookers that radio, with the 
world of talent at its feet, was un- 
able to develop out of its own ranks 
a single new star In the entire year 
of 1932. Every star of the stage and 
most every ambitious youth in the 
counti-y would now prefer a radio 
career to any other theatrical as- 
signment yet radio was not cap- 
able of picking one light in 12 
months. 

Limited Booking 

Of equal significance to those who 
see further than radio Is apparently 

(Continued on page 46) 



NBCs Income According to Industry 



„ Year 1931 , 

No. of 

Class Clients Total 

Foods 61 $7,486,768 

Drugs & Toilet Goods. . 40 4,417.029 

Cigars & Cigarets 7 2,535,160 

Automotive 13 1,028,905 

Gas & Oils 17 1,016,269 

Financial 7 1,188,353 

Soaps & Cleansers .... 9 1,122,211 

♦Miscellaneous 9 658,283 

Confecfy & Soft Drinks 10 921,198 

Machinery 1 610,303 

Stationery & Books ... 6 793,935 

Shoes 7 731,750 

Paints & Hardware ... 8 668,379 

House Furnishings .... 14 647,436 

Sporting Goods 1 100,176 

Jewelry & Silverware .. 2 31,947 

Garden Accessories ... 3 87,380 

Travel & Hotels 4 170,821 

Building Materials .... 4 387,749 

Office Equipment 0 

Radios & Musical In- 
struments ; 6 680,123 

Clothing & Dry Goods. . 7 325,867 

Total 234 $26,607,041 

* Chain stores, dog food. 



-Year 1932- 



No. of 
Clients 

57 
35 

9 

8 
16 

8 

4 
10 

8 

1 

5 

6 
10 

6 

0 

3 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 
2 

1»4 



Total 

$9,160,711 
5.244:968 
2,849,025 
1,769,111 
1,723,536 
1,120,000 
773,830 
942,399 
825.281 
611.768 
492,215 
311,011 
256^20 

82.472 
60.690 
16,591 
12,600 
11,914 

11,470 
11,313 

$:o,504,891 



4 Sources Give Radio 70% hcoijie 
With Same 4 Paying for 90% Air 
52-Week-Run Accounts Last Year 



Radio and Tobacco 



Radio's first real taste of the 
national economic handicap- 
may be the clgaret price war. 
Reported that this will consid- 
erably curtail radio advertis- 
ing budgets. 

One major tobacco account 
already is mentioned as com- 
ing off the air shortly. 



OLSEN ON NEW ACCOUNT 
ETHE SHUnA SOLOING 



George Olsen and Ethel Shutta 
cancelled several weeks for Loew's 
out-of-town at $6,600 to start March 
8 for Royal Gelatine at the same 
time when Fannie Brice starts for 
the same NBC account. Ken Mur- 
ray and the R Russell Bennett or- 
chestra leave that radio connection 
Mtarch 1. 

Olsen is committed exclusively to 
Royal Gelatine as soon as his Olds- 
mobile contract expires. Gus Van 
is on the Olds account, but has 
been doing a single independently, 
and not with Olsen-Shutta. In some 
spot.s such as Baltimore last week. 
Van at the indie Hipp opposed 
Olsen-Shutta at the LOew stand. 

Miss Shutta, who will not be on 
the Gelatine program with the Ol- 
sen orchestra, is slated for a Loew 
tour on her own at $1,500. 



CERMAK SCOOP 
PEPS UP C BS 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Columbia's Chicago offices were 

jubilant Thursday (16) as the re- 
sult of CBS, scoop the night before 
on the Miami shooting. It was here, 
during the Democratic convention 
last June, that NBC scooped CBS 
In a way that rankled and irked the 
latter attaches for a long time, but 
the CBS local office now feels that 
the difference has been squared with 
compound interest. 

Columbia was on the air hours 
ahead of NBC with an eye witness 
description of the attempted assas- 
sination of President-elect Roose- 
velt. Scoop was engineered by Eddie 
Cohan, Columbia's chief technician, 
who happened to be in Miami, and 
Ted Husing. 

Dozens of programs, commercial 
and sustaining, were broken in upon 
locally all through the latter part 
of the evening. Both the CBS and 
NBC studios here stayed open until 
around 2:30 a.m. keeping tabs on 
the condition of Mayor Cermak. 



Caldwell — Tyler Expand 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

nro.ndcast Checking Bureau here 
has opened a New York branch in 
charge of Ed F. Wright. 

Nato Caldwell and Haan J. Tyler, 
owners of BCB, returned from M.in- 
hattan la.st week. 



Federal Trial Over 

Upstate Station Due 

Am.sterdani, N. T., Feb. 20. 

Case of Raymond Donaldson, 
whose alleged illegal operation of a 
radio station near here caused inter- 
ruptions to programs sent out by 
licensed tran.smitters, will come to 
trial during the present term of the 
U. R. Court for the northern district 
of New York. . 

Federal authorities acruse Don- 
aldson of not only operating a sta- 
tion illegally but also of using 'un- 
pcnilemanly' lancna^'e over its wave 
length?. 



Foods, cosmetics, drugs and to- 
bacco have established themselves 
as the financial backbone, of the 
broadcasting Industry. From these 
four sources radio now derives 
around 70% of Its Income, with the 
expenditures of each group showing 
an increase from year to year while 
the trend among almost all other 
classes of national merchandisers 
has been in the opposite direction. 

Not only do these four classes 
constitute radio's staple, all the year 
around customers, but they are col- 
lectively responsible for close to 90% 
of last year's 52-week-run accounts 
on the chains. 

Despite the fact that the network 
Income from the car makers and the 
refiners upped last year as compared 
to 1931, the chains still rate these 
two groups as broadcasting's In- 
and-outers and not of the stablllizod 
classification. With either group the 
splurges In radio have been spasmo- 
dic and seasonal. 

General Motors may have five dif- 
ferent programs running at one time 
and suddenly reduce them all to a 
single stanza, as it now looks likely 
when April rolls around. AI Jolson's 
contract with Chevrolet expires 
April 8, the Oldsmobile show on 
NBC winds up April 1 and G. M. has 
no intention of renewing for the 
Pontlac affair on Columbia. As for 
the petroleums, the rush for the 
either bandwagon, after a half-year 
of comparatively minor support 
from It started when Ed Wynn de- 
veloped Into a hit for Texaco. 
Dependables 

But when it comes to the solid 
dependables, chain sales execs agree, 
radio can now peg the chow distri- 
butors, the drug and cosmetic con- 
fectors and the tobacco faction. 
Even here network marketing ex- 
perls are inclined to make an excep- 
tion of the clgaret purveyor.s, which 
with the exception of Lucky Strike 
and Chesterfield, have been of the 
in-and^outer category. If the cur- 
rent ciggie prire war i.s carried on 
over a period of three or four 
months,' radio, it Is anticipated 
among network sales execs, will get 
the rub along with other media 
when the latter two brands .start the 
retrenchment on advertising. 



KYW'8 Deb 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Betty Moseley, described as a 
Gold Cdast debutante and socially 
registerrcl, Is singing over KYW. 

Honorarium not reported. She's 
.sustaining. 



S8 



VARIETY 



R A D I 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



39 Prain Int^t Jhmi CM 



With Ed 'V^rynn said to have In 
vested between |50,0l)0' and $75,000 
In a third chain idea, with little 
progresa, and with Eddie Dowlingr, 
the actor-songwriter having given 
up the same hunch, despite his po 
lltlcal affiliations, the third chain 
thing loolts cold. There are some 
600 stations in the U. S. only 178 
ot which are chain affiliated. But 
those 178 blanket the country. 

Dowling, one of President-elect 
Roosevelt's staunchest campaign- 
ers and who is mentioned for a 
Federal Radio Commission or sim- 
ilar legislative berth, discovered 
among others likewise interested 
that there aren't enough good sta- 
tions left for another chain. With 
WHN having cleared the channels 
through its WRNY purchase to give 
Lioew's an all-day representation in 
New Tork, that station is now be- 
ing talked of as a possible key In 
a minor third chain. Loew's now 
haa WHN, WPAP . (Palisades 
Amusement Park, an afllllated en- 
terprise) and WRNT, which it Just 
purchased, to avoid any time-split- 
!tlng. 

Limited By Clock 
WMCA for years haa been bat- 
tling against splitting- Its time with . 
WNTC, the city-owned station by 
the New Tork municipality, but 
hasn't , been able to, .effect a pur- 
chase or a full day schedule. 

But apart fro'm these -rtunifloa- 
tlons which have variously men- 
tioned WOR as a possible key in 
any third chain, the time clock 
^ems to be the greatest physical 
handicap along with the wave- 
lengths. Since commercial radio 
can only really thrive on the rev- 
enue taken in between 6 and 10 
p. m., that's an element which noth- 
ing can overcome. The morning or 
Ifiaytime commercial revenue is 
relatively negligible compared to 
the night income. 

Suit Against Wynn 
Wynn's project of a networic of 
his own Is now in a state of litiga- 
tion. T. W. Richardson, who held 
the title of v.p. In Wynn's Amal- 
gamated Broadcasting System, Inc., 
has filed suit in the New Tork Su- 
preme Court asking that the comic 
and Ota Gygi be restrained from 
disposal of the company and also 
for an accounting of the salary that 
Wynn, he says, agreed to pay him. 

Richardson, who a couple of years 
iago tried to promote a cross-coun 
try chain with George A, Coates, 
claims in his complaint that he was 
the originator ot the idea on which 
Amalgamated had hoped to operate. 
His plan had been to 'operate' sev- 
eral regional networks and then tie 
them into a national web. Richard 
son says he got Gygl interested In 
the promotion and that Gygl, in 
turn, induced Wynn to come in as 
president and to put up the coin 
for preliminary operations. 

Shortly after the firm was organ 
Ized, Gygl and Wynn, contrary to 
the original agreement, avers 
Richardson, pooled their stock 
thereby giving them control of the 
paper network and making Rich- 
ardson and his 25% ownership a 
mere silent partner. Wynn t .id 
Gygi, declares the suing partner, 
then set out to obtain a $1,000,000 
capitalization and when this failed 
they notified him that they found 
it necessary to turn what they had 
started over to a group of 'out-of- 
town business men who would 
test out their theories of chain 
broadcasting over a few stations 
connected by wire between New 
Tork .and Baltimore.' 

What Gygi Got? 
Richardson complains to the 
court that he doesn't like the dis- 
posal of his stock Interest in this 
manner and the abandonment by 
Wynn oC the chain system plan. 
Accounting he's seeking has to do 
with the allegation that "Wynn had 
promised to pay him a salary 
equivalent to that of Gygi aiW he 
now wants to know what Gygi got 
• What prompted Wynn's unload 
Ing, outside of the fact that the 
comic lost interest in pouring forth 
his own coin without seeing any 
possibility of immedite returns, was 
Arthur Hopldns' warning that he 
would sue if his name were used 
In any further promotional work of 
the Amalgamated. Hopkins at the 
time denied that despite his name 
being on the ABS' office door and 
stationery that he was in any way 
connected with the project. 



GROWS 'NAME' CONSCIOUS 



Coast Decides Maybe It's Time to 
Try Change of Pace 



San Francisco, Feb. 20. 
Coast radio and ad chiefs are just 
becoming name conscious. They've 
consistently overlooked well-known 
singles and doubles, going in for 
variety shows and serials. 

Within > the past two weeks the 
ice has been broken by the signing 
of Eddie Peabody and Peter B. 
Kyne. Peabody is plunking his banjo 
once weekly for Safeway stores, 
grocery unit, leaving him plenty of 
time for theatre dates. Kyne takes 
to the air tonight (Monday) for the 
first time as feature of the MJB 
(coffee) Demi-Tasse Revue spinning 
yarns in two three minute periods. 

Signing of Peabody and Kyne has 
given the Idea to other ad 'chief tains 
several of whom are currently ftdout- 
ing Hollywood for w.k. people who 
have' something on the ball. 

Kolb and Dill are preparing new 
material for a radio comebabk fol- 
lowing their cancellation last year 
by Gllmore Oil Co. 



M MG COPY 

IN 

HINTERLAND 




Despite the fact that plug copy 
on network programs has been re- 
duced to the minimum, the tendency 
among the majority ot local sta- 
tions in the smaller spots to overdo 
the selling of the product has shown 
little Improvement for the better 
the past year. Old cry of 'over 
commercialization' of programs has 
cropped up In greater volume than 
ever in various sections of the 
country, with listeners generally 
also giving voice to peeves In let- 
ters to the press and the Federal 
Radio Commission. 

Networks had hoped to set an ex- 
ample for the broadcast trade In 
general by charting a limit to blurb 
lengtha, but the strides made In 
that direction by the chains seems 
to have little lasting effect upon 
their Indle aflllates. 

Chains' viewpoint here is that 
what these local stations do con- 
cerns the future of broadcasting as 
much, If not more, than the methods 
applied by the networks themselves. 
And unless these outlets use their 
own initiative toward curbing the 
amount of commercial spiel the re- 
sulting reaction from the loud- 
speaker element will In due time 
reflect itself seriously upon the en- 
tire business of broadcasting. 

At the last two conventions of 
their national organization far-see- 
ing broadcasters brought the over- 
commercializing topic up for dis- 
cussion with a view of developing 
some official pronouncement on the 
evil, but the thing on neither oc- 
casion ever got beyond the dis- 
cussion stage. 



Ad Agencies' 

Radio Execs (ABi<;clat«d With 
ths Show or Perforrnancs 
End of :R«dio) 

Hi W. Ayer A .Son, I no,, 

500 Fifth Avei;, N.T.C. 
Douglas Coulter. 
Batten, Barton, Durstine A 
Osborne, Inc. 
883 Madison Ave., N.T.C. 
Roy Durstine. 
Arthur Pryor, Jr. 
Emille L. Haley. 
Benton & Bowles, I no, 
444 Madison Ave., N.T%. 
E. M. Ruffner. 

Blow Co., Inc. 
521 Fifth Ave., N.T.C. 
Milton Biow. 
Blackett-Sample-Hum- 

mert, inc. 
230 tark Ave., N.T.C. 
Frank Hummert. 
George Tormey. 

Blackman Co. 
122 E. 42d St., N.T.C. 
Douglas Stoerr. 

Campbell- Ewald Co. 
292 Madison Ave., N.T.C. 
C. Halstead Cottlngton. 
(General Motors Bldg., DC" 
trolt). 

George T. Ewald. 
Cecil, Warwick & Cecil, Inc. 
230 Park Ave., N.T.C. 
J. H. McKee. 

Erwin, Wasey A Co., Inc. 

420 Liexlngton Ave., N.T.C. 

Charles Gannon. 

William Esty & Co., Inc. 

6 E. 46th St» N.T.C. 
William Esty. 
• Albert Frank- Guenthsr 
Law, Inc. 
70 Pine St., N.T.C. 
Albert Frank. 

Hanff • Metzger, ine. 
Paramount Bldg., N.T.C. 
l.ouls A. WItten. 
Lennen & Mitchell, Ine. 
17 E. 45th St., N.T.C. 
Charles A. Schenck. 
Ray Virden. 

Lord A Thomas 

247 Park Ave., N.T.C. 
Montague Hackett. 
Jack Nelson. 

McCann-Erickson, Inc. 
285 Madison Ave., N.T.C. 
Dorothy Brlstow. 

J. Walter Thompson Co. 
420 Liexingrton Ave., N.T.C. 
John U. Reber. 
Robert Colwell. 
Gordon Thompson. 



AIR LINE NEWS 

By I^lli^ iein^ll 



Today I9 my aecond anniversary on the alib Finding my^self Iq the 
middle of> dea^ open and shut (open this weeic .and shut', th^ next) 
theatrical season, I became a verbal aerlallst. There's Gtoldbergs la 
them thar hlllsl Radio, the erstwhile Infant terrible of entertainment, 
beckoned me and I had to do something. 

I've been on the air ever since, excepting, of course, I have been 

shoved off by the president of the Oyster Openers' tJtiioh-^or something 
of national importance. So now, I know all ahout it. (I heard that 'Oh 
yeah?'.) ' 

Also Imagined that a first fan letter was something that a girl always 
preserves. The day I got mine I fondled It^ looked at It and had visions 
of passing it on to my grandchildren. Finally opened It and it was a 
slam at the way I had pronounced tho word monologlst. 

People who write anonymous letters always checking some one up 
on their pronunciation ought to troupe with Will Rogers. Once, in a 
hotel dining room, Will came in and someone asked him to dine. Will 
replied he had Just et. 'That's wrong,' corrected his friend, "Tou should 
say 'have eatenV . 'Well,* laughed Will, '1 know a lot of people who say 
'have eaten' who ain't et.' 



Whiteman and Bailey . 
Paul Whiteman leaves the Blltmore hotel Feb. 28. 
Mildred Bailey and Paul were In conference last week, so the singer's 
return to the band is predicted. 



Dick Powell East 

JDlck Powell, former film house m.c. and now a picture actor, is com- 
ing east and will remain here for an NBC build-up, preparatory to going 
inte a hotel spot with a band. 



Three Saxless Boys 

Three famous sax players — ^Andy Sanella, Arnold BrlUhart and Laddy 
Ladd — are la Louis Kat&man's Bath Club orchestra, but none of them 
toots that Instrument. ' 

Katzman, a sax hater, has them playing clarinot, flute and piccolo. 



On the Run 

Cheerio takes his breakfast In relays. Before rehearsal for his 8:30 
a. m. show he stops at the drug store and has orange Juice and coffee, 
does his broadcast and returns for his. poached, eggs, toast and coffee. 
He's been seen argrulng with the owner of the store, that altogether he's 
really had a No. 3, or 45c. breakfast. 



From Show to Audition 

CBS executives took the Plymouth Motor Car clients to the opening 
of Romberg's new operetta, 'Melody,' and then piescnted them, with an 
audition the next morning with music from the show. ' 

Mary Eastman and Evan Evans were soloists with a large ensemble 

of mixed vofces. 

Sustainers' Complaint 

Sustaining artists are complaining that the networks are asking them 
to work' without salary in exchange for a build-up that would enhance 
their value for commercials or personal appearances. * 

June Pursell refused and left her sustaining spot. She retains her 

commercial. 

Dillingham Tries Out 

C. B. Dillingham was auditioned with a Victor Herbert presentation 
at NBC. 

View is a series of that composer's numbers. 



dies May Go Off 
CBS and L S. Cat 
To 1 NBC Stanza 



Surprise 

The next time George Hall lends his hotel room to a radio editor, and 
then goes calling on him at 3 a. m., he will be very.si^re that the r.e. 
has not brought his wife along. 



G-M Dropping Both 

Olds-Olsen from Air 

General Motors has no Intention 
of replacing George Olsen's organi- 
zation and Gus Van In the Oldsmo- 
bile niche (NBC) when that com- 
bination goes oft the air April 1. 
G-M is not renewing this contract. 

Auto combine, however, is cogi- 
tating whether to renew for the 
Pontiac session on CBS. This pe- 
riod has Stoopnagle and Budd, Wil- 
liam O'Xeal, Jcanle Lang and a 
studio orchestra under Andre Kos- 
telanez. 



Chesterfield's present Intention 
is to withdraw Its six nightly pro- 
grams from Columbia at the end of 
March. Move will deprive CBS of 
its top money customer. 

Cig maker Is reported figuring 
on handing in its four week can- 
cellation notice within the next two 
weeks despite that the agency on 
the account, Newell-Emmett, has 
recently been auditioning talent to 
replace the present program set- 
up the first of April. 

Bing Crosby steps out of the ac- 
count the end of March to fill a pic- 
ture contract on the Coast but 
among those given a hearing by the 
agency preliminary to submitting a 
replacement name to Liggett & My- 
ers have been Harry Richman. Of 
the femme contingent auditioned 
have been Mildred Bailey and Jane 
Froman. All hearings have been 
held in a studio outside of Colum- 
bia. 

With the Lucky Strike periods 
reduced to two a week, and with a 
possibility of American Tobaco also 
cutting out its Tuesday night pro 
gram, NBC now feels Itself free 
to take on another cigaret account. 
Objective has become Chesterfleld 



SARTOKY WWSW'S MGK. 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 20. 

Joo Sartory is new station man- 
ager of WWSW here succeeding 
Francis Owen, resigned. He has 
been promotional chief. 

Sartory also continues with his 
promotion Job but with Helen Solo- 
mon relieving him of publicity 
duties. 



Portland 500-Watter 

Portland, Me., Feb. 20. 

The Portland, Maine, Publishing 
Company, owners of the 'Press 
Herald,' 'Evening Express' and 
'Sunday Telegram,' have applied to 
the Radio Commission for a 500 watt 
station to be located at the Press 
Herald building in Portland to 
broadcast on 1340 kilocycles. 

The only station in this City at 
present is WCSH, having 1000 watt 
power at night and 2500 watts In 
the daytime. The new station would 
be the first newspaper owned sta 
tlon in Northern New England. 



Waring's Follow 

Immediately following each Old Gold broadcast, Fred Waring and his 
boys sit around and listen to the recording of the program. Last week 
a visitor, seeking one of the officials, heard the music, thought the pro- 
gram was still on the air and waited a half hour before announcing 

himself. 

Short Shots 

Capt. Wood, of WMCA, operated on for appendicitis, getting along 
nicely at Tarry town Hospital. . .After April 1 Ethel Shutta will be up in 
but not on the air. - Oldsmobile goes off the air following that date . . . 
Barbara Blair, in a dumb dame character called 'Snonny,' will be built 
up by NBC... John B. Kennedy, Norman Hapgood, Deems Taylor, Helen 
Wills, Carl Von Hoffman and Louis Ausbacher signed by Harold Peat 
last week for lecture tours next season... Ray Sullivan, NBC page, wrote 
the scripts for the pages' annual air frolic. Called 'The Brass Button 
Revue'... Gay Ellis, who sings on Clicquot Club i>rogram Monday nights, 
is really Annette Henshaw of the Maxwell Showboat Thursdays . . . B. A, 
Rolfe, a 30-plece band and 'The Men About Town,' presented a confiden- 
tial audition last week at NBC... Phil Lord, 'the country doctor,' may 
undergo an operation. . .Despite rumors, there will be no shakeup among 
Columbia employees ... Nan Halperln auditioned for a commercial last 
week... Jane Vance, until recently with Paul WhUeman's outfit, is now 
plowing the clouds as stewardess on a transcontinental airplane. . .The 
Garden Club of the Air, WRNT, is conducted by Bill Hutchinson... 
Carolyn Grey and Wayne Randall are ailing. . .Vaughn de Leath, 11 
years a radio headiiner, is being let out within a few days by Columbia 
. . . Roscoe Ates, stuttering picture star, arrives in New Tork March 9 
to be auditioned by NBC... Jean Sargent, Little Jack Little and Mort 
Downey are auditioning for an oil program at V/ABC . . . Sara Haydon, 
radio actress, is a daughter of Charlotte Walker, stage star. . .Kathryn 
Parsons, The Girl of Testerday, was okayed by NBC program depart- 
ment last week for sale on a commercial. . .Bob White, Columbia con- 
tinuity writer, plays Dr. Petrie in 'Fu Manchu'. . .Otto Fawsell, who was 
on the opening bill at Radio City, is set to go back on the air. . .Franklo 
Basch (it's a girl) who 'Razzes the News' for WMCA Sunday nights, is 
the daughter of Dr. Berthold A. Baer, prominent advertising man of a 
decade ago... William S. Paley, recently returned frpm Nassau, leaves 
soon for California. . .The father of Katherlne Seymour, NBC continuity 
department, was killed last week by a hit-and-run motorist. . .John 
Bolton, author of 'Lazy Tune', is the youngest arncuncer on the WOR 
staff... When Bing Crosby ad libbed on the 'Meet the Artist' program: 
'And I play a hell-of-a-game of pool,' squawks were I'ecelved from 'holier 
than thou' listeners. . .Anthony Frome is the new tenor on WOR's Vclo- 
gen program. . .Enrlc Madrlguera is in Bermuda on his first vacation in 
years. . .Ramona, of Whiteman's orchestra, is the tallest woman on r.adio 
...Paul Kavell, cowboy baritone, will be soloist with the WOR Little 
Symphony Orchestra. . .That 'John Henry' show, with an all-Negro oast 
on CBS, Ik becoming popular opposite Eddie Cantor, but listeners opine 
it should be brought together in a solid half hour. . .Tom Probert. director 
of WMCA'a 'Portraits of Great Characters', is studying at Columbia U 

for a Ph. D Amster Splro, c.e. of New York 'Evening Journal', has 

Joined the air journalists. He tells WINS listeners 'The Inside Story of 
the News' Sunday evenings. . .Vera Brodsky and Harold Trlggs, WOR's 
piano team, will be heard hereafter on Sundays at 6:30 p. m — Art 
Jarrett is the son of May Powers, well known actress of a generation 
ago... Pat Binford, of the Corn Cob Pipe Club, Is assistant superinten- 
dent of parks at Richmond, Va Hal Raynor Is NBC's 'King Kill Karc' 

...John Medbury's wife is driving in from 'the Coast next week...Al 
and Pete go off th« air next week and return to Chicago. . .Bill Hall 'ins 
been let out of Columbia. 



^ ■' 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



A D I H 



TARIETY 



RADIO ITS OWN 

Radio Influence Making Public Expect 
Amusement From All Advertising 




Chicago, Feb. 20. 

The radio Influence Is radically 
altering the character of all adver- 
tising. Advertising experts point 
out that a new generation is being 
trained to accept advertising as a 
regular part of their entertainment. 
This, with a slight variation of em- 
phasis, carries the companion and 
correlated idea that if entertain- 
ment delivers a sales message, all 
sales messages should deliver enter- 
tainment. 

In other words the public, or a 
large part of It, will accept adver- 
tising without resentment when tied 
to a radio program. They are now 
educated to it and deem it the es- 
tablished order of logic and events 
and are even prepared to vouchsafe 
a certain amount of gratitude to 
advertisers that bring them enjoy- 
ment. But this relationship be- 
tween merchant and shopper has 
now gone beyond radio and is re- 
flected in the copy used in rews- 
paperis and magazines. 

Current copy devised by Bill 
Esty for Camel clgarets is a vivid 
illustration of' the up-to-the-second 
attitude on newsprint and glazed 
paper copy. In this there Is first of 
all an effort to entertain the reader 
— entertainment In pictures and 
highlighted by explanations of 
magic tricks. This, In effect, is the 
radio technique of diverting the po- 
tential customer by arousing his in- 
terest and then cleverly insinuating 
the commercial plug as a tag line. 

Comedy cartoon strips, telling a 
regular story as In the comic sup- 
plements, have become well estab- 
lished as advertising copy. Again 
using an entertainment approach to 
put over merchandise propaganda. 

More and more Is the old fear of 
appearing •undlgnifled' in copy be- 
ing overcome and the 'light touch' 
Is now increasingly prized. 



Webs Agree to Snub 
Local Fan Sheets !f 
Dailies Give Listings 

NBC and Columbia have agreed 
upon a policy of refusing program 
and publicity service to local radio 
fan ■ tabloids or shoppers throw- 
aways In towns where the dally 
newspaper are carrying the station 
listings. Case In point occurred last 
week when NBC advised George C. 
Webb, who had announced the pub- 
lication of a weekly called 'The 
Radio Broadcast,' for distribution in 
Albany. N. Y., that the network had 
decided not to place him on the 
mailing list. 

Chain took the attitude that Al- 
bany dallies were furnishing ade- 
quate program listings and that it 
wasn't going tc be placed in a po- 
sition of supporting advertising 
competition to the dallies. Inserted 
In the letter to Webb was an anal- 
ysis of the space given to radio Vy 
the Albany papers. 



Film Names in KMTR's 
Weekly Vaude Period 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

KMTR is instituting a vaude hour 
to chiefly comprise names from films. 
Period will compete with other local 
Jamborees relying on vaude acts. 

KMTR's show is to be built 
around Sam Hardy, Benny Rubin, 
Ginger Rogers and Sammy Cohen. 
Idea is to sell the program as a 
weekly 'banquet,' with Hardy acting 
as toastmaster. Material Is being 
written by Walter Weoms, Michael 
Kane and Billy Cliftord. 



MRS. REID'S AIR SERIAL 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Mrs. Wallace Rcid has the femme 
lead in the aii serial, 'Log of the 
Hell Ship," which started over 
KMTR Feb. 18. 

Yarn, by Norton S. Parker, is a 
sequel to his story filmed by Colum- 



Scare Minutes 



Schenectady, Feb. 20. 

Since the first outbreak of 
flu this winter there has been a 
corresponding epidemic of one 
minute advertising shots fired 
over the air by concerns manu- 
facturing cold-cure remedies. 
WGY, for Instance, Is loading 
the barrel for half a dozen or 
more cold treatments, and an- 
nouncers pull the trigger at all 
hours of the dry and night. It 
is not unusual to hear three or 
four different cold-curing prod- 
ucts plugged within an hour. 

Most of the spiels tee off with 
a reference to the weather and 
the prevalence of colds, fol- 
lowed by a warning of what 
may happen if they are neg- 
lected. 

Station managements, ap- 
parently, give no consideration 
to the effect the repetition of 
such 'scare' propaganda is likely 
to have on listeners seeking 
entertainment. 



CBS BUNCH GONE 
l-'AT SOCIAL 
ARTISTS SAY 



Sustaining element among the 
performers at Columbia are com- 
plaining that It's getting tougher 
than ever for them to get a listing 
on a commercial auditioning unless 
they're In socially with the clique 
responsible. Since It takes money 
to do the mixing they feel they're 
doubly on the outside. 

Formerly noted for Its open so- 
ciability and clubbiness, the CBS 
program department, aver these 
artists, has gone strictly "haut 
monde.' The Oxford accent has 
become deeply intrenched and the 
workaday conversation of the high- 
hat coterie Is thickly studded with 
references to their previous eve- 
ning's association with personages 
of social register import. 

Some of the complaining network 
artists claim that outsiders are 
given preference over them when 
It comes to commercial hearings 
because of their refusal to appear 
gratis at social functions in which 
the clique Insiders were Interested. 
Couple of months ago Lawrence 
Lowman, one of the v.p.'s, posted 
instructions to the effect that the 
personnel refrain from soliciting the 
artists for benefits or private func- 
tions. 



Marlboro's Femme Appeal 
Thru Toice of Romance' 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Marlboro, latest of the cigarct 
companies to hit the air. will aim 
its programs as a special appeal to 
women smokers. Even the title of 
the quarter-hour, 'The Voice of Ro- 
mance,' win be for the femmcs. 
Sam Coslow, who was engaged for 
a 30-day coast trial, has been 
broadcasting under that moniker as 
a Don Lee-CBS coast feature. 

Cigarct company figures that Cos- 
low's voice has the proper s.a. and 
sent Mrs. Arthur Blow, wife of the 
head of the Blow agency, handling 
Marlboro, to the coast to close the 
deal. If coast try elicits, program 
goes national In a month. 



KMTR Adds Sustainers 

Hollywood, Pel). 20. 
Original Hanjo Boys, Oscar 
Young and Little Chester, recently 
closing with I'anchon .ind Marco, 
have been added to K.MTR as sus- 
tainers. 

Also added U Edna Gunnar Peter- 





Emmi; stace 



Bums Everything So Fast 
Pace Can't Last — Air 
Show Biz' Main Alibi- 
Performers Learn Mike 
Kills Like It Makes 



A RACKET TO TALENT 



The aeourge of the amusement 
field is radio. It alao remains the 
theatre's chief alibi. 

Tentaclea of the electrics have 
spread out and embraced almost 
every branch of the theatre and, in 
retrospection today, ahow people 
bewail the effects and reaults of 
radio's entrance in the field of the 
theatre. Particularly since the big 
lull arrived. 

Showmen argue the pace can't 
last. Radio is devouring too much 
music, eating iip the stage too can- 
nibalistioally and burning out all 
talent too fast, so that tt may undo 
itself about as rapidly as it made 
itself prominent in its relatiori to 
the masses. 

Radio (1) has dealt the theatre a 
national blow. (2) It's ruined Tin 
Pan Alley. (3) It has mechanlcal- 
ized a silent art — the cinema — ^wlth 
dubious ultimate results, despite the 
initial resuscitation In the days of 
the novelty of sound. (4) It's killed 
off more performers than it has 
made. (6) It has discouraged the- 
atre attendance through encourag- 
ing a stay-at-home habit and has 
created competition for Itself and 
within Itself through the electrics' 
soundfllm affiliations meeting too 
great a competition via the ether. 
Music's Retreat 

In the field of Tin Pan Alley it's 
made the songwriter and the music 
publisher a stooge and slave for the 
mike. It's forced them to create 15' 
times as much song material and 
work so much harder than former 
years when 1,000,000-copy song hits 
were no novelty. A 200,000 seller 
today Is sensational, 100,000 copies 
are deemed nice and 60,000 'hits' are 
mostly prophesied by the publishers 
themselves, who can't see any rea- 
son for anybody wanting to pur- 
(Contlnued on page 48) 



Jolson Demands Air Release After 
IS Wks.-Mraid of N.Y.-Back to Coast 



No 'Public Enemies' 



NBC has had Its way in 
changing the billing of the 
Three Public Enemies on. the 
Williams Shaving Cream pro- 
gram which starts this Sunday 
(26). Comedy and harmony 
team, despite building up 
something of a western air rep 
under the other title, will be 
known as the Three California 
Nuts. 

Network had Insisted that 
the Three Public Enemies 
moniker was not a nice one for 
radio as It smacked of the 
crime situation. It advised 
Williams that the title would 
have to be revised or else. 



LAWYER - AGENT 
GIVEN GATE 
BY ACTORS 



Radio acts dropping their former 
stage agents, switching to lawyers 
or other non-showmen for repre- 
sentation, are now flocking back to 
the old reps. It has taken the per- 
formers about two years to find out 
that what the lawyers and others 
know about agenting is how to col- 
lect commish or fees only. 

Among acts to have recently re- 
turned to their original agents are 
Jack Benny, George Jessel, Georgia 
Price, Sylvia Froos and Phil Baker. 
Others are following, or talking 
about It. 

It seems the lawyers and others, 
on top of lacking talent-selling ex- 
perience, were too busy taking 
commish to earn it. In radio, where 
it's all grab or no can play, the 
lawyers looked satisfactorory as 
business managers at first, but 
eventually the .acts found out that 
lawyers know more about law than 
show business. 



The Advertising Angle 



{.Commentary on the negative aspects of radio merchandising and 
ballyhoo for sales. Where the ad end is well handled it requires 
no affirmative commendation or comment. It's only when advertis- 
ing aspects of commercial broadcasts seem to lack that showmanly 
manner tJuit 'Variety' will call it to attention.) 



Jergen's must be boresome even to the fcmmes who might eat 
up the WInchell chatter stuff. Its Intro ad spiel is longish and 
banal, and the tag-end repetitions for the free samples probably 
Inspire a good percentage of tuner-outers. 

Ex-Lax 

Ex-Lax's digestive candy ball is of a brand which, like the 'Sat- 
evepost's' anti-tobacco stand in former days, wouldn't have received 
an airing on a major link until recently. Dubfous sales arguments 
to propagate a corrective product of this nature, when sending 
them over the air waves into the hearth and home, are fraught with 
too many dangers along the lines of federal radio censorship. It's 
little satisfaction when the advertiser overrules any conservative 
attitude of squeamishness, for it's not a matter of temerity or lib- 
erality of thought, as it is the reflex which may result from the 
Bible belt or the corn belt in their barrage of letters to the nation's 
law-makers in Washington. Besides the curiosity angle to bring 
questions from children. Ex-Lax's ad text just about touches the 
limits in handling a product of this character. The physiologicnl 
demands of nature cannot be used as an aifirniatlve plea for cash- 
ing in via ether time leases when an advertiser of such remedies, 
with that type of sales' argument approaches the big networks. 

Tangee 

Tangee's 15 minutes is too short to permit that somewhat longish 
percentage of ad bally in the sequence of Ross and Sargent and 
fJrota Keller's songaloglng. The boys' occa.^^ional glib reference:-; 
to Miss Keller's comeliness, with a plug for the Tangre lipKliclc, 
arc quite In order, but 'my miracle kit,' which she b.nllyhoofi towai'l 
llie end, In exchange for 10c in coin or stamps, is not apt to keep 
the folks on the dial. Unlike some who sandwich their ad stuff in 
the body of a compelling air entertainment, to th(! degree that the 
audience is forced to listen to the midriff It what follows is to be 
enjoyed, Tangee brooks twirllng-out disaster by putting everytlilnc 
at the end. 



Indications are that Chevrolet, 
acting on the advice of its ad 
agency, Campbell-Ewald, will be- 
fore the end of the current week 
agree to reloase Al Jolson from the 
remaining six weeks on his air con- 
tract. Action will mean that Jol- 
son's broadcast from New York this 
Friday (24) will be the last for 
Jolson for the car mal'.cr. ?,rer.ntlme 
NBC has submitted a substitute 
variety program with Jack Benny 
as m. c. and Frank Bln-^''.: directing 

a studio combo. 

It's been a scries of clashes be- 
tween Jolson and the agency execs 
on the account for the past several- 
weeks, with the tense state between 
them reaching a climax at the re- 
hearsal of his last Friday's (17) 
show when Jolson threatened to 
walk. Majority of the arguments 
have been over Jolson' s resentment 
against the agency's Interference 
with his selection of song numbers 
and gag material. 

On several occasions the past two 
weeks Jolson Informed the agency 
execs he did not want to stay in the 
changeable New York's dampness"*;^!, 
and he was anxious to get out oC 
his radio contract to return to Cali- 
fornia, where Mrs. Jolson (Ruby 
Keeler) Is now working In a War- 
ner picture. Jolson finally, over the 
week-end, made his decisive request 
for a release of his Chevrolet con- 
tract for press release to this effect 
at the same time. 

, Jolson will have been on the air 
for about 16 weeks for the auto firm 
at $5,000 a week (single appearance 
on Friday plght). . His first two 
broadcasts were from- San Fran- 
cisco and Los Angeles. Jolson then 
came east with his wife and con- 
tinued his weekly radioing with a 
visible audience in front of him at ■ 
the NBC studio In New York. 

Jolson wanted to return west 
with his wife but the advertiser 
objected saying he didn't come over 
well from the coast, Jolson quoted 
the Marx Bros, as coming through 
from L.A. without trouble but tho 
advertiser wouldn't agree, although 
Jolson at that time offered to pay 
his own wire charges on the coast, 
which might have amounted to 
$1,500 a ^*reek for the remainder of 
his contract. 

Got Flu 

When this was declined Jolson 
left for Miami for a couple of weeks 
and made his broadcasts from there. 
Previou.sly when in New York and 
during the opening of the Radio 
City Music Hall Jolson had been 
attacked by fiu and was held In his 
hotel suite with two nurses almost 
for two weeks. Despite this he did 
his broadcast weekly, and by spe- 
cal request left his bed to attend the 
Music Hall opening. During that 
occasion Miss Keeler noticing her 
husband's temperature seemed quite 
high, forced him to leave the 
theatre and return to his hotel. 

Since then Jolson has been oc- 
cupied with the thought the vary- 
ing weather in the city where the 
temperature drops 35 degrees in 24 
hours mlrrht bring on another at- 
tack of the flu. He probably v/ould 
have quit before but he old not 
want the impression to spread 
througliout the sliow business he 
had flojipcd on tho air. The adver- 
tising a.';onr?y taking up his option 
w.as proof against this in Itself and ^ 
the agency men handling the Chev- 
rolet account, after 15 weeks, de- 
clared they have been thoroiirrhly 
satisfied with the Jol!if>n period. 



Taiiiiea's Programs 



Chicago, Keb. :;o. 
JiiIliiH Tiiiiii'^n gets annlhof four 
weeks' run on Arniour'.s Fri<lay night 
f)i"ou'i:im. 11" previously did tv/o pe- 
rlip'ls fdf ilie firm. I'rograms orig- 
imte at Xllf,' here. 

Meanwhile, Royal Gelatin has 
auditioned Tannen with a view to 
using him on the same program 



40 



VARIETT 



n AD I 



E P O R ¥ S 



Tuesday, Febrnoiy 21, I933 



*VOICE OF EXPERIENCE' 
COMMERCIAL 
WOR, Newark 

A male Beatrice Fairfax, an orgy 
of moroniclsm and probably pod' 
sesses as many listeners within Its 
area as anything: else on the air. 
It's the old hoke of proffering ad- 
vice on social problems written In 
over initials or disguised signatures. 
And, as always in these things, it 
steps just this side of legality on 
the dirt which undoubtedly Is the 
audience procurer. 

Behind it all seem to be two 
Berles of 20 pamphlets each. You 
can get either group by mailing 60c 
In stamps or a money order. For 
$1.20 both barrels. In the old series 
is explained the secret vice of chil- 
dren, feminine hygiene, should one 
confess indiscretions before mar- 
riage, honeymoon hazards, how to 
avoid colds, and why not to be a 
quitter. If you find this reading 
sufficiently broadening the second 
series will further tear the wool 
from your eyes on acidosis and how 
to overcome it, also perspiring feet; 
then there's the childless home 
with reasons and remedies, plus 
what to do about suppressed de- 
sires. An education for 60c, or a 
double dose for $1.20, and your 
money back If you read and find It 
all a bore. 

Meanwhile 'Voice of Experience' 
Is on the air daily, principally 
around the noon hour, with the 
exception of Saturdays, offering ad- 
vice and analyzing 'the vital facts 
of life* with references to charitable 
and social work every so often to 
apparently square the suggestive 
items. Among the latter on last 
Saturday's (26) half hour was a 
situation of a girl, a minor, who's 
morals had been Impaired plus the 
Inference that the child had been 
assaulted. A woman wrote In about 
it because the problem threatened 
to break up her family, both the 
girl and the boy in the case being 
Bome relation. There was, too, a 
woman who had married a second 
time, but was still acceptiner money 
from her first husband, the second 
mate being auspicious that the re- 
9nationshlp was not entirely financial. 
In addition to which was the familiar 
algnature of 'Just a Bride' iat the 
end of a wall tha,t somebody had 
caught her master kissing another 
girl at a party and could this be 
true love. 

The answers and solutions pro- 
pounded are stereotyped, and the 
same as those culled by the lads 
who have been pinch-hitting for 
similar sob columns on the dailies' 
tor years. It's anybody's guess, but 
the innuendos are the attraction. 

'Experience,* who possesses a re- 
Bonant voice and handles it capably, 
more or less tossed discretion out- 
side the studio in answering 'Just 
a Bride' and springing to the de- 
fense of the husband. In making 
bis point, that a man can frolic but 
atlll love his wife, the ether oracle 
stressed that women can also stray 
from the path and that 'a woman 
can kiss another woman (man)' 
without it being important. A slip 
of the tongue, no doubt, and in the 
case of the listeners llxperience' 
draws probably of no importance, 
But it demonstrates the necessity 
tor minute care. 

This program is well known In 
New York radio circles. The plight 
of program and ad agency attachees 
worrying themselves into trick dl 
gestlons over ideas, material, treat 
ment « and propriety seems some- 
what ludicrous when a guy can 
walk to a microphone, relate that 
Lizzie Gulch is in trouble and thou- 
sands start to worry with Liz. Of 
course, 'Experience' Is one of those 
programs where j'ou can believe 
the letters or not as they are read. 
If the epistles stop coming in and 
he in charge wants to keep every 
thing oh record there's nothing to 
halt the ether patriarch from writ 
ing himself a couple of problems 
and then beating it to the station 
with the answers. But apparently 
this is not that kind of a period. 
Unofllclal reports are that "Voice of 
Experience' is drawing somewhere 
in the neighborhood of 7,000 letters' 
a week. 

Old stuff, but evidently still good. 
However, if radio has any Ideas on 
educating its public the amount of 
Interest in this program ought to 
give a fair Idea of the Job alioad. 

Sid. 



'THE TOWNSEND MURDER 
MYSTERY' 

With Thurston Hall. Frank MoCor- 
mack, Ernest Whitman, Frank 
Wilson and John Hamilton 

Serial Drama 

COMMERCIAL 

WJZ, New York 

Octavus Rjjy Cohen has trans- 
posed his sleuth, Jim Hanvey, to the 
airlanes. Westlnghouse has both 
author and the story figment booked 
for 18 weeks to inveigle mystery 
fans into tuning In on 64 broadcasts 
to find out who killed John Prosser. 
Judging from the first three epi- 
sodes, It will take more than the 
$10,000 the commercial is offering In 
prizes to sustain the interest In this 
mystery marathon. 

As a piece of mystery script writ- 
ing the Cohen work is not up to the 
level of the better samples radio has 
grown accustomed to. It doesn't 
even pack one punch to the episode. 
Padded out over 64 broadcast, the 
thing Is bound to be slow-moving 
and repetitious, covering the same 
ground over and over again and, to 
even the most patient listener, ap- 
parently getting nowhere. 

For comedy relief, and to help 
along the padding, Cohen has In- 
troduced a couple of dusky charac- 
ters. The lines he has given them 
is the hackneyed stuff usually as- 
signed such characters in mystery 
plays, and in this particular case 
the material is quite stilted besides 
unfunny. If the cross-fire in the 



JULIUS TANNEN 
'Armour** Star Ham* 

Monoioa 
COMMERCIAL 
WENR, Chioaao 

Thla was Tannen's third guest 
engagement with the Friday night 
half-hour which formerly sponsored 
East and Dumke. Tannen is ap- 
parently set for three more weeks 
with the advertiser, notorious for 
vacillation and indecision as regards 
its radio program. In its customary 
befuddlement at the cross-roads. 
That is to say, they like Tannen 
well enough to use him rather ex- 
tensively as a pinch-hitter, but they 
can't make up their minds to legally 
adopt him. 

Tannen has been a lot funnier m 
the past. He was in fact only oc- 
casionally himself. The crackling 
wit was heard intermittently sur- 
rounded by a good deal of excess 
conversational cargo. Conjecture 
natuarlly surmises that the adver- 
tiser has been getting in some more 
of Its fine work with the blue pen- 
cils and sheara On the stage Tan- 
nen was the apex of glibness. 
Seemingly he has only to do a little 
editing of his stock of gags to have 
an amplitude of materiaL His best 
funny saying Yfas, 'Appendicitis is 
what you have Just before the doc- 
tor gets a new automobile.' 

Tannen uses 'Armour's Star Ham' 
as his billing, a smart identification 
of advertiser and actor in the sugar 
of humor. He introduces the mis- 
cellaneous talent which varies more 
or less and ryns the gamut of the 



Radio Protective Material DepL 



Similar to 'Variety's* Protective 'Material DcpL for vaudeville, 
and for long an institution in the stage shew business, 'Vareity' 
again offers its facilities, gratis, for the protection of radio mate- 
riaL 

Radio scripts, ideas and all material for broadcasting purposes, 
may be registered free with 'Variety' at its main office iii New 
York. Registration carries no charge or obligation whatsoever. 
Receipt of such material for registration establishes a means for 
priority claims In the event of future disputes over gags, continui- 
ties, etc. It operated that way for vaudeville and was considered 
by this paper as a free service. 

Radio manuscripts, placed in sealed envelopes, are thus regis- 
tered. 'Variety' reserves the right to open any envelopes at any 
time to establish any phase of the legltimacj of the contents, al- 
though it is otherwise not concerned with the contents or outcome 
of any disputes. Likewise, the right, if the sender is not known In 
the show business, to at once open the envelope to ascertain if con- 
tents are sent in good faith or to act as a pseudo claim latier on, 
if a depulicatlon should appear on the air or elsewhere. If deciding 
material has not been sent in good faith, it win not be accepted by 
•Variety* for registration. 

The advantage of this registration of material is to expedite dif- 
ferences and argruments over ideas, gags tfliU material. In the 
vaudeville field these arbitrations with the aid of "Variety* meant 
that many cases were kept out of the courts and more speedily 
adjudicated by an intra-trade board. 

Unperformed, like unpublished manuscripts, can't be copyright- 
protected. Thus, this registration affordSian author with a num- 
ber of ideas to register these with 'Variety' as a means for the 
establishment of some premise of priority. 



EDDIE PEABOOY 
COMMERCIAL 
KGQ, 8mn Francisco 

Out here, where sponsors are 
caught In an endless circle of va- 
riety shows, thrillers and serials, 
securance of Eddie Peabody by 
Safeway Stores, grocery chain, is an 
Innovation. Banjo plunker may 
prove to potential advertisers that 
they don't need to buy big orches- 
tras, singers, character players, 
sound effects and what-not to sell 
their products. Pcabody's once 
weekly 30-mlnute period Is on five 
stations of NBC's- basic orange net- 
work. 

Peabody is the newest of vaude 
players to be recruited for radio. 
His salary is around the $400 mark 
per program, about the highest fig- 
ure yet paid in the west. There's 
an option for two programs weekly 
If this'n clicks. 

Banjolst is the sole star of the 
half hour. Initial nl^t he played 
banjo, violin, guitar, banjollne and 
mandecello, receiving instrumental 
support from a group of five — 
piano, guitar, bass viol and two 
fiddles. Peabody generously diverted 
a slice of his applause to, the boys, 
mentioning each by namei, and also 
dealt out breaks to Donald Cope, 
producer, who fashioned the period, 
and Dick Ellers, who announced. 
Given plenty of latitude in 'his an- 
nouncements, talking without a 
script. Sang opening and closing 
songs, as well. 

Peabody worked before a studio 
audience which on this opening 
night was limited to 60 guests in- 
cluding ad and grocery men. 
Donned his regular stage outfit- 
baggy pants and jacket — while mu- 
sicians and announcer wore orange 
smocks that are a mark of Safeway 
employees. 

Though this first broadcast moved 
fast enough a half hour is a lot of 
minutes for customers to listen to 
stringed music Better to break it 
up into quarter hours, moving it 
faster yet and eliminating what 
might easily develop into boredom. 
Commercial announcements are held 
to a minimum. Bock 



passages given the Negro duo get 
anything of a favorable reaction, it 
will be strictly due to the talents of 
Ernest Whitman as Quintus Jones. 
Matched with Whitman is Frank 
Wilson, who played the lead in the 
Broadway production of 'Porgy' and 
has been featured in several legit 
hits. 

Serial's enactment and staging, 
considering the stodginess of the 
scripts, is fairly well doQe. Thurs- 
ton Hall In the Jim Hanvey part, 
like the rest of the cast, is from 
legit. With three episodes chalked 
up. Hall as yet hadn't established a 
rounded ear picture of his charac- 
ter's personality, though the easy- 
going manner and drawing speech 
quickly associated itself with the 
print imagery of the sleuth;s type. 

Responsible tor the direction is 
Praiik McCormack, who has filled 
Important meg jobs In both legit 
and pictures. McCormack has yet 
to learn the value of sound effects 
In radio production and how their 
deft use can heighten and suggest 
dramatic moments. Odec. 



NBC Chicago Artists Bureau roster. 
Mary Steele's arresting contralto 
and some male threesome harmoniz 
ing was Included. Program as a 
whole was passably diverting, but 
minus any claim to aecumiilative 
enthusiasm. Land. 



THE CHANSONETTES 
Vocal 
Sustaining 
-*.WGY, Schnectady 

Under this title, a trio of Albany 
women recently went on the air for 
a vocal 15-minute period one after- 
noon a week. Group consists of: 
Catherine Dinwiddle, Estelle Rogers 
and Eleanor Foote, with Dorothy 
Scott accompanist. 

Trio sings classical standard and 
pop numbers. Have trained voices 
handled with skill and musical in- 
telligence. They harmonize well 
though it is not In that trick style 
fashionable with femme radio three- 
somes.^ The Chansonettes stick to 
straight singing. 

First soprano has a high voice 
of the kind some listeners dislike, 
although it Is not piercing nor mlke- 
vlbratlng. In ell, this is one of 
WOY's better afternoon programs. 



CARL FENTON BAND 
Guest Conductor Series 
Sustaining 
WOR, Newark 

Carl Fenton, well known in musi 
cal circles and a Brunswick re 
corder, hopped himself to this New 
Jersey outlet as a half hour in 
WOR's Guest Conductor Series. 
And a nice 30 minutes it was. 

Following the conventional for 
mula for bands Fenton opened and 
closed fast, one-stepping his en 
trance and exit for that zoft deemed 
imperative by most ether maestros. 
In between he uncovered a few 
vocalists, including a quartet, all 
of whom merged into a next to clos- 
ing number for a strong singing 
finale. Fenton, however, kept the 
warbling under wraps until about 
mid-program at which point a 
baritone broke loose with his voice 
good argument for more baritones 
and less tenors. 

Repertoire offered a satisfactory 
change of pace while reeling off 
pleasant orchestrations for which 
the band was a capable interpreter, 

Sid. 



CLIQUOT CLUB ESKIMOS 
COMMERCIAL 
WJZ, New York 

The air veteran of most of the 
commercial radio bands and still 
under the baton of Harry Reser. A 
more or less new routine having 
been drafted, this orchestra leader 
now breaks up and into the running 
with stories of children aimed for 
comedy. 

Reser tells these yams well 
enough but there'll probably be a 
marked difference as to their re 
ceptlon. That is, adolescents will 
deem them a wait and parents may 
get a smile or two. Bringing it 
back to the program directors as to 
which faction they want to hold or 
whether it's not particularly im 
portant in any case, and if Reser 
wants to tell stories, well, let him 
tell 'em. But maybe there ought 
to be a word of caution regarding 
recitations. Remaining the great 
est form of anuiteur entertainment 
practiced In a parlor, professionally 
a recitation still stands as the most 
sut-efire chaser of all time. 

Musically the period is up to snuff 
with some of the arrangements for 
pops outstanding. Band deals out 
its tunes in a series of three. Re- 
ser's narrations intervene. There 
is also the Cllquot tag on the pro 
gram of helping the unemployed 
through the C&C bottle caps. 

It's an easy half hour on the ear 
without dynamite and but a snatch 
of the Eskimo's' familiar theme tune 
retained. Bid 



WOKO GLEE CLUB 
Sustaining 
WOKO, Albany 

This organization, appearing for 
a 16-mlnute period over WOKO 
Sundasrs, has approximately 30 
voices. It is thoroughly trained un- 
der the direction of W. A. Jones. 

A robust bass group display real 
ability, but sometimes either have 
too much volume or are too close to 
the mike. Irene Cody is the ac- 
companist. Betonda, 



ARLENE JACKSON 

With the Old Stager, Rambler Trio 

and Wm. Wirges Orch. 
Sustaining 
WJZ, New York 

Arlene Jackson started off prom- 
isingly on her debut program but 
rather than let well enough alone 
NBC addled the girl, for (her second 
broadcctst (16), with a couple of in- 
terloping turns. Henry M. Neely, 
the Old Stager, was brought in to 
slow up things with his would-be 
philosophical patter, and the Ram- 
bler Trio was in for a background 
of masculine harmony. Hence, 
what had set out as the buildup 
niche for the Jackson misp has 
about become everybody's program. 

Despite the impediments Miss 
Jackson has something in that sing- 
ing voice of hers that should get 
her special attention. It's nicely 
balanced, carries a melody expertly 
and registers smoothly. However, 
she could drop the signature whis- 
tling. 

On her Introductory program, 
which she had to herself, Miss Jack- 
son mixed her numbers to show a 
sprightly versatility. Repertoire 
ranged from current pop tunes and 
operetta excerpts to comedy verses, 
latter bringing out a flair for kid 
Impersonations. Her second ap- 
pearance had her cut down to two 
solo song items and a couple of 
others in unison with the male trio. 
This follow-up program started off 
at a hot-cha pace but switched to 
a slow-moving medley of revived 
tunes with a dow^-on-the-farm 
theme. 

BUI Wirges piloted the studio 
combo through a couple of tuney 
and snappy samples of syncopation 
and also sat In for the girl at the 
keys. Odec. 

ELMER RICE 
Talk 

Sustaining 

WGY, Schenectady 

A denunciation of 'the men who 
control the purse strings' In the 
New York theatre, was a highlight 
of this broadcast, which, brought 
Elmer Rice before the microphone. 
It was the first of a series of 16- 
mlnute afternoon programs con- 
ducted by Montrose J. Moses, critic, 
over NBC's red network. 

Rice characterised the controlling 
group as 'stupid, greedy, unenlight- 
ened and unethical,' adding that 'I 
know of no other business where 
the level of decency and honesty is 
so low as in the theatre.' He was 
not speaking of actors, directors, 
etc., but of 'the bucket operators, 
ticket speculators, and others who 
look upon the theatre as a racket 
and upon patrons as suckers.' 

This blast, coupled with a milder 
one against 'the Broadway element 
that resent any attempt to put the 
theatre to a real purpose,' came 
during a discussion by Rice of his 
aim In writing 'We, the People.' 
While the interview took on a 
strong propaganda flavor for the 
show (Rice even mentioned the 
number of actors and stage hands 
employed In the production), it was 
probably okay for listeners who 
follow the legit. Rice spoke with 
great earnestness though without 
flourishes. In this respect, Moses 
was nearer to 'type' than Rice. 

Jaco. 



OLD GOLD 

Band, Comedy 
30 Minutes 
COMMERCIAL 
WABC, New .York 

Second week's broadcast of th* 
new Old Gold lineup wasn't any hot 
ter than the first. Previous week's 
report blamed all the wrongs on th« 
advertiser and the advertising 
agency because of haste. That meant 
John P. Medbury had to rush anrt 
the Fred Waring band had to 
hustle. 

With a week in between to 
straighten themselves out, both the 
entertainers remained at a stand- 
still the second time. Neither one 
seems to have the radio Idea. War- 
ing has a crack stage band, and so 
recognized, but evidently has not 
revised for the air. Medbury ig a 
columnist and called a funny one 
but his gags, puns or cracks don't 
sound BO hilarious on the air. 

That this period must follow the 
Lombardo-Burns and Allen 30 min- 
utes doesn't make it any easier for 
Old Gold. The Old Gold program, 
the way its lined up just now, ac- 
tually sounds old-fashioned and 
non-radio. 

After all the auditions held for Its 
new program, someone might say 
that something could be wrong with 
the Old Gold or the advertising 
agency's audition department, if 
anyone other than assistant secre- 
taries are in the audition depart- 
ment, and of course excluding the 
offlce-boy possibility. 

JIMMY KEMPER 

With the 3 Jacks and 3 Queens 

Sengs, Talk, Ban/d 

Sustaming 

WJZ, New York 

Jimmy Kemper, who filled many 
an m.c. spot In the earlier days of 
picture house presentations, has 
been .brought back to NBC by the 
network itself. It's by way of a 
late evening turn with a night club 
theme. 

About a year ago Kemper went 
on the Montgomery-Ward payroll 
for a morning stanza but the con- 
tact only lasted a few weeks. His 
present alrlane entry is through 
NBC's Chicago branch, and the pe- 
riod this studio has him down for 
Wednesday nights is just fairish 
entertainment Though it makes 
an attempt at getting away from 
conventional routining, it remains 
just an attempt. 

Continuity gives the program a 
niterie background but that's as 
far as the idea gets. What follows 
is a succession of pop songs of the 
quiet, romantic type strung together 
with patter that cues in nicely, 
though totally out of keeping with 
the verve and pace associated with 
a floor show. Kemper has the 
knack for selling moon-and-June, 
but there's nothing about it to give 
him a distinctive rating. As for the 
comedy bits interpolated into the 
'Little Theatre Supper Club, pro- 
ceedings. If no Improvement Is 
forthcoming It would be best to 
stay out of this department alto- 
gether. 

Mixed voices of the Three Jacks 
and the Three Queens chant har- 
moniously on the Kemper refrains 
but add nothing special to the sum 
total of the program's entertain- 
ment appeal. Odec. 



IRVING KENNEDY 

Tenor 

Sustaining 

KPO, San Francisco 

Irving Kennedy is one of NBC's 
ace tenors out here. He landed this 
6:45 p.m. spot six nights weekly, 
grabbing the period formerly held 
by the sponsored Cecil and Sally. 

Along about this time of night, 
KPO, and the Gold network which 
It feeds, has considerable available 
time manned by capable artists who 
are well known up and down the 
Coast. Kennedy's spot Is an exam- 
ple, with John and Ned, harmony 
duo, following at 7 p.m., another. 

Kennedy tenors ballads In a pleas- 
ing and convincing manner. Ex- 
cellent musical backing from organ, 
'cello and violin. It's a neat quar« 
ter-hour period. Bock 



KFI Loses Whidden 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
KFI has lost Jay Whldden's or- 
chestra, considered among the coast 
aces, which has remoted for several 
months from the hotel Miramar, 
Santa Monica. Band goes over 
KTM for two half-hour periods 
nightly. 

Latter station has also added 
'Happy Mountaineers,' a new hill- 
billy outfit, commercial and two sus- 
taining vocal trios, 'Radio Romances' 
and 'Three Dots,' male and female 
respectively. 



BERNABD FBEEIANCING 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Don Bernard, who left NBC some 
weeks ago after a six-year associa- 
tion as production man, has formed 
a partnership with Andreas Sulklrk. 
Latter handles the Household Fin- 
ance programs 

• Bernard and Sulklrk will special- 
ize In building programs for adver- 
tising agencies. 



Tuesday, Fdbniary 21, 1933 



R A II I • 



VARIETY 41 



Radio Directory 



^ a oonv*ni«no« for r««ders unfamiliar with who's who in Radio, 
'Varioty* print* below • dirootory for Now York and Chicago.) 



New York Cky 

NBC 

(Stations WJZ-WEAF) 

711 Fifth At*. 
Plas* a-i»oo 

If H. Ayleawortli, PrealdeBt. 
ntohard C. Patteraon. Jr., SiseoutlT* T.-F, 
O. C. HcCflellaadi An't to the PrMldent, 
jotm Biwood, V.'F. 

A, U Aehbr. V.«P. and Gen. Atty. 
George Xtagles, V.«P. on Artlsto' Service. 
jobB P. Royal, V.-P. on Frograaw. 
Boy C. Wltmer, V.-P. on Sales. 
lYank Mason, V.-P. on PubHo Rotetlons. 
Lewis MacConnach, Secretary. 

Hark J. Woods. Secretary. 

B, F. McKeon. Auditor. 
H. F. Kelly, Asst. Auditor. 

C, W. Horn. Gen. Xhiglneer. 
Frank Mullen, Agrlonltural Dir. 

J. deJara Almonte. Evening (Operations. 

Bertha Bfalnard, Program Mgr. 

O. W. Payne, Operations. 

R. J. Telehem. Asst. to Treaa. 

D, S. Tuthllt, Sales Mgr., Artists' Sendee 

Department Heads 

Donald a. Shaw, Eastern Sales IBgr. 

Thos. H. Belvlso, Music Library. 

Vf. v. Bloxham. Purchasing Agent. 

John R. Carey, Service Supervisor. 

O. B. Hanson, Mgr.. Plant Operation and 
Bnglneertng Dept. 

Ruth Keeler, Personnel Supervisor. 

Donald Wltbycomb, Mgr. Sta. Relations. 

Paul F. Peter, Mgr. Statistical Dept. 

O. W. Johnstone, Mgr. Press Relations 
Dept. 

Quinton Ailams, Mgr. Electrical TraO' 
Scrlptlon Dept. 
B. P. H. James, Soles Promotions Mgr. 

CBS 

(Station WABC) 

486 Madison Avo. 

Wlckersbam 2-2000 
William B. Paley, President. 
Edword Klauber, Executive V.-P. 
Sam PIckard, V.-P. 

Hugh Kendal! Bolce, V.-P. in Charge of 
Sales. 

Lawrence W. Lowman, V.-P. on Opera- 
lions and Secretary. 
M. R. Runyon, Treasurer. 
Karl Knlpe, Sales Mgr. 
William II. Knglsn, Asst. Sales Mgr. 
Julius S. Seebacb, Program Operations, 
Paul W. White, Publicity. 
Edwin K. Cohan, Technical Dir. 
Paul W. Keslen, Sales Research. 
John J. Karol, Market Research. 
John S. Carlisle, Production Mgr. 
Frederic P. Willis. - Educational Dir. 
Julius Mattfeld, Music Library. 
Hugh Cowan, Commercial Engineer. 
Ferrln Fraaer, Editor, Continuity, 
Marlon R. Parsonnett, Dramatic Dir. 
Herbert B. Glover, News Broadcasting. 
Ra'ph J, Wonders, Mgr., Artists' Bureau. 

WOR 

1440 Broadway 
Pennsylvania 6-8388 

Alfred J. McCosker, Station Mgr, 
A. A. Cormier, Sales Mgr. 
Walter J. Neff, Asst. Sales Mgr. 
Lewis Held, Program Dir. 
George Bbackley, Musical Dir. 
Robert I. Wilder. Press. 
J. IL Poppele, Chief Engineer. 

WINS 

114 B. 6Slh St. 

Eldorado 0-0100 
Bradley Kelly, StaUon Mgr. 
Jofan B. Martin, Bales Mgr. 
Jotm McCormlck. Program Dir. 
Harold Bhubert, Prodoctlon Mgr. 
Bernard Ziovltow, Musical Dir. 
George Wleda, Press. 

WMCA-WPCH 

1607 Broadway 
ColombUB S-BOeO 
Donald Flanun, Pres. 
WUHam Welsman, V.-P. 
Fred W. Dyson, Bos. Mgr. 
Sidney Flamm, Sales Mgr. 
Harry Carlson, WMCA Program Mgr. 
Bill WllUams. WPCH Program Mgr. 
Jaok Rlcker, Btudlo Director. 
Harry Pascoe, Continuity. 
Capt. Robert Wood. Publicity. 
Irving Selzer and Sol Shapiro, Mnsleal 
IM rectors. 
Frank Man, chief engineer. 



Chicago 

NBC 

Merchandise Mart 
Superior 8100 

(Stations WENR— WMAQ) 

Niles Trammel, V.-P. In charge. 
P. O. Parker, Asst. Oen. Mgr. 
Fred Weber, Station Relations Mgr. 
John Whalley, Office Mgr, 
Roy Shield, Chief Musical Dir. 
C. L. Meneer, Production Dir. 

A. W. Kaney. Program Mgr. 
Alex Robb, Asst. Program Mgr. 
Sidney Strotz, Artists Mgr. 
John Gihon, Continuity Editor. 
Frank Mullen, Dir. of Agriculture. 
Judith Waller, Educational Dir. 
Kenneth Carpenter, Sales Mgr. 
William Hedges, Local Sales Mgr. 

L E. Showerman, Sales Service Mgr. 

B. C. Carlson, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Howard Luugens, Chief Engineer. 
M. W. Rife, Chief Field Engineer. 
B. R. Donges, Maintenance Mgr. 
Ben Pratt, Public Rflatlons Counsel. 
Al Williamson, riibllclty Mgr. 

CBS 

Wrlgley Uldg. 
Whitehall GOOO 

(Station WBBM) 

T>eeUe Atlass. V.-P. In cliiii%'e. 
I.«onard Erickson, '^'esterD Sales Mgr. 
Walter Preston, rrogram Dir. 
Bobby Brown, Gen. Production Mgr. 
Jeff King, Traffic and Office Mgr. 
Harold Fair, Asst. I'rogram Ulr. 
Howard Neumlller, Musical Dir. 
William Cooper, Continuity Editor. 
Larry Flsk, CWef Engineer. 
Kelly Smith, WBBM Snlos M»rr. 
Steve Trumbull, CBS Publicity Mgr. 
Ruth Betz, WBUM Publicity Mgr. 
Harlow Wilcox, Chief Announcer, 
nichnrd Elpers, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Arthur Wesner, Community Concert Mgr. 
UcClure Bellowsb GB8 Coecert 



Theories on Fanny 



For the first few weeks of 
Fannie Brlce's connection with 
the Royal Oelatlne show 
(NBC) It is the intention of 
Standard Brands to present 
hei' to the air audience as 
strictly a waxbler. The Brice 
talent aa a comedienne, ac- 
cording to the commercial's 
plans, will be given little at- 
tentiton in exploitation copy, 
although her continuity will be 
pretty well loaded with laugh 
material. 

Motive for the procedure is 
two-fold. One, is to avoid the 
Impression that another comic 
has been brought in to suc- 
ceed Ken Murray, and the 
other is to leave it to listen- 
ers to develop the 'ain't she 
comicar idea for themselves, 
If the latter reaction reveals 
Itself the commercial will 
switch the tom-tommlng to 
one in which Miss Brice will 
be referred to as the flrst and 
only woman single among 
radio's name comics. 

Commercial has also been 
prompted in its attitude by the 
early reaction to AI Jolson on 
the Chevrolet program. Gen- 
eral Motors had elected to 
start Jolson ott by touting him 
as a comic, but when the re- 
action in that direction turned 
out .unfavorable it quickly 
eliminated this angle entirely 
and sti'essed Jolson's warbling 
in both the press stuft and 
program Introductions. 

For her orchestral back- 
ground when she steps Into 
the Royal Gelatine niche 
March 16, Miss Brice win have 
the George Olsen unit. Sthel 
Shutta will not be Included. 
Olson's contract with Stand- 
ard Brands prevents him from 
playing any program other 
than the Royal Gelatine show 
after he comes off the Olds- 
mobile stanza April 1. 



KYW 

etraues Bldg. 
Wabash 4040 

Homer Hogan, Oen. Mgr. 

Parker Wheatley, Production Mgr. 

Harold E. Bean, Asst. Production Mgr. 

Rex Mauptn, Musical Director. 

H. B. Randall, Chief Engineer. 

Ulmer Turner, Publicity Dir. 

WCFL 

Furniture Mart 
Delaware 0000 
John Fltzpatrlck, President. 
Edward N. Nockles, Gen, Mgr. 
Franklin Lundqulst, Bus. MIgr. 
Maurice Lynch, Treasurer. 
Phillip Frledlander, Production Dir. 
ESddle Hanson, Musical Dir. 
Howard Keegan, Chief Announcer. 
Maynard Marquardt, Chief Engineer. 
Pat Murphy, Publicity Dir. 

WJJD 

Palmer House 
State 6466 

C. A. Howell, Mgr. 

R. R Kaufman, Commercial Mgr. 
David Capp, Program Dir. 
David Bennett, Musical Dir. 
Joe Allobougb, Chief Announcer. 

WLS 

1230 W. Washington 
Haymarket 7900 

Burrldge Butler, President. 
Glenn Snyder, Oen, Mgr. 
George BIggar. Program Mgr. 

D. R. McDonald, Adv. Mgr. 
Tom Rowe, Chief Engineer. 
Clementine I.,egg, Artists Mgr. 
Hal O'Halloran, Chief Announcer. 
Harry Steele, Publicity Dir. 

WGN 

Drake Hotel 

Superior 0100 
W. E. McFarland, Gen. Mgr. 
Quin Ryan, Station Mgr. 
George Isaac, Commercial Mgr. 
Edward Barry, Production Mgr. 
Delos Owen, Musical Dir. 
Carl Myers, Chief Engineer. 

WIBO 

Mlchlgan-Wacker Bldg. 
Andover 6000 

Albert B. Nelson, Oeneral Mgr. 
Lloyd a. Harris, Production Mgr. 
John Cemy, Musical Dir. 
James MacPherson, Sales Mgr. 
H. V. FltzCharles, Chief Engineer, 
Alice Tiplady, Publicity Dir. 

WGES 

128 N. Crawford 

Van Buren 8000 
Gene Dyer, .'Station Mgr. 
Charles I^anphcar, Production Mgr. 
Joseph Brubakcr. (Thief Engineer. 
John Van', Musical Dir. 
Don Crosnor, Chief Announcer. 

Advertising Agencies 

Lord & Thomas— Henry SelUnger. 
J. Wolter Thompson— Tom LnckenblU. 
Erwln-Wasey— William Weddell, 
McCann-Erickson— Fred Ibbett. 
N. W. Ayer— W. G. McGulre. 
Crltchfleld— Prank Steel. 
McJunkln— O. H. Morris. 
DBD&O— George May. 
Blackeft-Bample— Edwin Aylenhlre. 
Henri Hunt McDonald— Aii SeelMr. 



WBBM HEARS FROM IRISH 



Snub to DeValera Brings Out Beau- 
ooup Sareasm 



Chicago, Feb. M. 

WBBM reaped a tornado of 
squawks from the Irish colony here 
when it traded in Bamon DeValera's 
international address for a tenor 
singing the praise of Bryant and 
Stratton business college. The Irish 
president was scheduled, but due to 
a slip the commercial program was 
given the time instead. 

'Herald-Examiner/ which had de- 
voted much news space to announc- 
ing the broadcast, also got part of 
the indignation which broke in 
waves over the switchboards at both 
WBBM and the daily for four hours 
after the error. 



COAST VAUDE ACTS GET 
AIR BREAK VIA KHJ 



Piping Special Programs Into Hotels 
And Restaurants by Wire; May Expand 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Following a walk-out by the ma- 
jority of the talent on the 'Happy- 
Go-Liucky' hour, due to a mix-up 
over the split of stage date proceeds, 
a hastily recruited cast was as- 
sembled to form the nucleus of an- 
other air period to carry the same 
title for the CBS coast network. 

The first few replacements com- 
prised KHJ staff material, but this 
Is to be enhanced by utilization of 
vaude acts. Bill Goodwin, of KHJ, 
m.c'd the replacement group, with 
the principal comedy - handled by 
Frank Jenks, former Fanchon and 
Marco m.c. Others stepping In were 
Kay Thompson, blues singer; Clar- 
ence Badger, Jr., son of the film di- 
rector, vocalist; Roy Canfleld's 
'Islanders'; Togfl Torgesson and 
Charlie Lung, comics, and Hi 
Moulton's orchestra backgrounded. 



Revenge 



San Francisco, Feb. 20, 
Local radio performer put a 
stop to the meddling of an ad 
agency exec who constantly 
butted into the artist's pro- 
gram. 

Entertainer hung around the 
agency for two days criticiz- 
ing ad layouts, publicity copy, 
etc., until the exec finally 
asked what he knew about ad- 
vertising. 

'Just as much as you know 
about radio,' answered the ar- 
tist, who hasn't seen the ad 
man around the studio since. 



Los Angeles 

KHJ 

(Colombia Don Lee Broadcasting Syatem) 
1070 West 7tta Street 
Vandyke Till 
Don Lee, President. 
Leo B. Tyson, Gen. Mgr. 

C. Ellsworth Wylle. Oen. Sales Mgr. 
Raymond Paige, Mosleal and Program 

Dir. 

Paul Rlckenbacher, Production Mgr. 
Kenneth Nlles, Asst. Prod. Mgr. 
Van C. Newklrk. TroiBo Mgr. . 
Arthur J. Kemp, AssL Adv. .^Cgr. (KHJ 
only). 

KFI and K£CA 

(NBC ouUets) 
■arte C. Anthony, Ino. 
1000 So. Hope Street 
Richmond 0111 
Earle C. Anthony, President. 
Arthur Kales, V.-P. and Oen. Mgr. 
Glen Dolberg, Program Dir. 
Carl Haverlln, Commercial Mgr. 

KFWB 

Wanor Bros. Pictures Ooev, 
Warner Theatre Bids. 
Hollywood 0S16 
Gerald King, Gen. Mgr. 
Chester Mlttendorf, ComnMretal Msr. 
Jack Joy. Program Dir. 
Johnnie Murray. Charge Vaode Programs. 
Kar Van Riper. Charge Dnmatle Prog. 

KNX 

Weatam Broadcastlac Co. 
Paramount Studios. HoHywood 
Hempatead 4101 
Ouy C, Xlarl. Jr.. Preeldent. 
Naylor Rogers, V.-P. and Oen. Mar. 
Cari B. NInen, C uiuin e r elal Wgr. 
Kennetb C. Ormleton, Tectaiocal Soper- 
vlsor. 

Drury Lane, Program Mgr. 
WlttMir Bateb, Musical Dir. 

KMTR 

KMTR Radio Corp. 
•H No. Formosa, Hol^nreed 
Hillside 1181 
Reed B. Oallfster, President. 
L. W. Peters, Gen. Mgr. 
Harold Horton, Prod. Mgr. 
Balvatore Santaella. Moslcml IMr. 

KQFJ 

1417 So. Figueroa Street 
Prospect 7780 

Ben 8. McGlashon, owner. 
Duke Hancock, Mgr. 

Fireside Broadcaatlac Cb. 

KRKD 

Ml South Spring Street 
Madison 1176 
Frank Doherty, President. 
V. O. Fretag, Gen. Mgr. 
Del Lyon, Salee Mgr. 

KTM 

Plc]rwk:k Broadcasting Co. 
214 So. Vermont 
Exposition 1841 

Charles Wren. Pres. 

George Martinson, Manager. 

R. L. Rust, Sales Mgr. 

O, B. Juneau, Prodoctlon Mgr. 

KFAC-KFVD 

Loa Angeles Broadcasting Co. 
049 Mariposa Are. 
Fltzroy 1291 

D. L. Cord. President. 
Tom Brenneman. Oen. Mgr. 



San Francisco 

NBC 

FaoUlc Coast Dlvlakm 
111 Centre Street 
Centre 1020 
Don E. Oilman, V.-P. of NBC and Oen. 
Mgr, Pac. Coast Dlv. 
C. L. McCarthy, Asst. Gen. Mgr. 
Harry Anderson, Adv. Mgr. 
J. k Frost, Program Dir. 



Handouts of Courtesy 
Samples to Radio Mob 
Come to Sudden Stop 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Samples — the radio equivalent to 
theatre passes — have been sharply 
restricted In distribution. In the 
more prosperous days radio adver- 
tisers were generous, not to say 
princely. In giving away in gross 
lots samples of their product to al- 
most anybody with half a claim to 
association with their program. It 
is noticeable that the samples have 
become harder to get and for about 
the same reasons and at the same 
time as the stringent measures 
against the theatre pass. 

Not so very long ago radio In- 
siders and astute fellows with a 
knack for deadheading used to drive 
home of an evening with the back 
seat piled with loot — free samples 
of anything from foodstuffs to den- 
tifrices and shoe polish. 

Those advertisers who are new to 
radio within the past year or so 
are Increasingly stingy with sam- 
ples. Many of the radio folks are 
still accustomed to think in terms 
of a dozen of this or a hogshead of 
that. Bearing this in mind helps 
one appreciate the piquancy of an 
Incident around Christmas time at 
NBC's Chicago branch. 

Big Surprisel 

A sponsor made much ado about 
getting everybody's home address, 
with resultant expectations running 
high among these connected with 
the program. What finally was de- 
livered to their homes by special 
messenger, with much flourish and 
signing of receipts was a pound, of 
butter each I One of the men In- 
volved, not being married, lived In 
a hdtel by himself. No butter was 
delivered to him. 

On ground hog day recently, a 
meatpacker gave everybody a pound 
of sausage! 



Further in the mechunizing of 
amusement is a sort of 'wired wire- 
less' already being piped into res- 
taurants and hotels from a central 
source. It's merely a service of 
classical or dance music selections, 
coming over a telephone wire, into 
the subscribing restaurant. Devoid 
of any advertising, context Is 
merely a marathon of more or less 
carefully selected recordings to fit 
the motif. It varies, from classical 
to Jazz, depending on the time of 
evening and the day of the week. 

There are ambitious plans afoot, if 
telephonic arrangements can be made 
ilong with the necessary details 
with the American Society of Com- 
posers, Authors and Publishers, to 
ultimately broadcast talent this 
way, charging restaurants for the 
program and ridding the pfitron of 
any advertising headaches. 

Service is primed for conserva- 
tive hostelries which can't afford 
entertainment in person and yet 
doesn't i-egard a phonograph as be- 
coming Its atmosphere. 

Columbia Phono Co. which was 
very much enthused about the idea 
as a separate subsidiary proposition 
has abandoned it because of Col's 
very active concern in radio and 
live entertainment service hence- 
forth. Otherwise, Col figured that 
with its very valuable libraries of 
foreign disk recordings, it would be 
in ideal position to undertake such 
a venture. 



Holland's Radio Wires 
Also Alarm System 

The Hague, Feb. 9. 
' In the city of Zwolle, in the east 
of Holland, an alarm system has 
been invented which makes use of 
the cables laid for wired wireless. 
Call stations in various places of 
the city can be used over the sys- 
tem to arouse lire brigades or po- 
lice. Private subscribers can also 
be connected. If thieves cut wires, 
system starts at once to give alarm, 
too. 

All banks in Zwolle are Joining 
and If system is a success it will be 
adopted in other cities. 

As it operates over the radio wires 
service Is cheap. 



Strotz Joins NBC 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Sidney Strotz has been appointed 
manager of the Chicago artists' 
bureau for NBC. He succeeds L. 
J. Fitzgerald, who will be reassigned 
in New York upon terminating his 
present leave of absence to pilot the 
concert tour of Paderewski. Fitz- 
gerald succeeded Hugh Ernst in the 
Job In the spring of 1931. 

Strotz, without prior experience 
In handling talent. Is one of the pro- 
moters and present operating re- 
ceiver of the Chicago Stadium which 
went under court Jurisdiction three 
weeks ago. He is well known in 
prize fight and hockey circles here 
and is related to Kay Strozzi, legit 
actress. 



New World League Deal 
On Wa?e Lengths Drawn 



Brussels, Feb. 7. 

Conference follows conference and 
plan follows plan In more or less 
abortive efforts to put some kind 
of order into the European ether. 

The Geneva Plan for the distri- 
bution of broadcasting wave lengths 
prepared in Brussels In 1926 was 
quickly put out of action by the 
rapid birth of new transmitters and 
superseded in 1929 by the Brussels 
Plan. This, in its turn, had to give 
way to the Prague Plan, and now 
we are to have a Lucerne Plan. 

To lay the basis of this, the In- 
ternational Radio Diffusion Union, 
in accordance with the decision of 
the jscent Madrid conference, la 
meeting in the Palais des Acade- 
mies, Brussels, Feb. 8-18, under the 
chairmanship of Vice-Admiral Sir 
Charles Carpcndale, the British 
wavelength expert. 

A check-up of wavelengths at 
present In operation throughout 
Europe will be carefully carried out 
at the ofilclal control center at 
Uccle, Brussels, after which the 
Union win dovlse a plan of redis- 
tribution with the object of elimi- 
nating prevailing Interference be- 
tween one station and another. 

This scheme will be submitted to 
a meeting of representatives of Eu- 
ropean governments at Lucerne In 
May, where it will be officially bap- 
tized the Lucerne Plan. 



Columbus with 4 WeaL 

Stations Overtaxed 

Columbus, Feb. 20. 
Pour radio stations In a city like 
this, less than 400,000 actual city 
residents, are plenty, but not one la 
operating at anything even resem- 
bling an even break these days. 
Majority of programs put on by the 
locals are of the phonograph va- 
riety. Lack of advertisers Is the 
reason. 

WCAH, on the Columbia chain, is 
the only station getting more than 
a flutter from the listener in, with 
WSEN rated next due to power 
reaching over the entire state. 
WAIU still sinking, with WEAO not 
counting, being merely a mouth- 
piece for Ohio State university. 



STEWAET LEAVES KYW 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Phil Stcwai-t has resigned as chief 
announcer at KYW and will hence- 
forth free lance. He has the three 
Lady Esther periods for Wayne 
KfnK as a starter. 

Stewart al.so manages the Bernle 
Kane orchestra which was yanked 
out of the Canton Tea Garden last 
week by the musicians' union. Job 
was ordered given to the Jack Chap- 
man orchestra, the Monday night 
relief aggregation. 



48 



VARIETY 



R A l> I O 



Taesdayt February 21, 1933 



I ' I r I 1 1 1 1 I I 1 1 1 1 J I J I 1 1 1 1 1 1 n-M 1 1 i-i 1 1 1'l 1 1 hii-t I'l rPisn-iT»pm"fBT"i»n»irw hr'rrv.i ni 1 1 1 1 1, 



RADIO CHATTER 



^■■■■■■■■■lllHBlHllBUlilB«WBHHhBI11»HHMillli;Bllll'll1fyilHlHltJliriffllBBWgTmmM«rt^ 



East 



Newscasting Is gettlngr a big play 
In Providence. The 'News-Tribune' 
announces Items morning, noon and 
night while the 'Journal' and 'Bul 
letin' broadcast at noon, 6 and 11 
p.m. 

Floyd H. Walter, organist over 
WGY, is director of the Niagara 
Choral club, a new unit heard from 
this Schenectady station, 

Herman Bernle Is managing 
George Glvot, who has become the 
'Greek Ambassador' on Eddie Can- 
tor's programs. 

Edward Hale Blerstadt Is drama 
tlzlng the '20,000 Tears in Sing Sing* 
for Sloan's Liniment. 

Paul Meyer, former publisher of 
•Theatre Magazine,' Is a v.-p. of 
the World Broadcasting System. 

E. P. H. James, NBC's sales pro- 
motion director, in a spiel before the 
Poor Richard Club in Phllly proved 
how 'broadcasting advertising was 
getting better as well as bigger.' 
Talk was released over WL.IT. 

NBC Is helping WHAM, Koches- 
tef, celebrate its increase In power 
from 6,000 to 25,000 watts March 4 
by turning over the blue (WJZ) 
network for three consecutive hours 
of dedicatory programs. 

Radio eds on the dallies around 



Colombia 
Broadcasting System 



presents 




RICH 

STATE,NEWYORK.NOW 

(Week Feb. 17) 

Also Conducting 

Columbia Revue, Morton 
Downey, Boswell Sisters, 
• Gertrude Niessen and 
others 

Personal Direction 
COLUMBIA ARTISTS BUREAU 



the country are squawking about 
the Increasing batch of last-mlnute 
corrections on the NBC schedules. 

Lord & Thomas and NBC were 
flooded with queries on the report 
that Lucky Strike was withdrawing 
Its Jack Pearl program In June, 
tt'egulatlon ans'./er handed out was 
that June was four months away. 

CBS is dickering with a couple of 
commercials for Downey. If these 
fall to come through by the time 
his Woodbury contract expires 
March 16 he'll Immediately start out 
on cross-country vaude tour. 

Street Singer goes Into the Capi- 
tol, New York, March 3 and does the 
next week for Loew also In Balti- 
more. 

Don G' lnan, v.-p. In charge of 
the Fris(io branch. Is In conference 
In the NBC home office talking over 
budget slashing and business possi- 
bilities. 

Talk by Donald Shaw, NBC's 
eastern sales manager, before the 
Springfield, Mass., Advertising Club 
was broadcast over the local CBS 
affiliate. 

Tom McKnlght and Milt Gross are 
slated to write the Fannie Brice 
scripts when she starts for Royal 
Gelatine March 16. 



West 



Carl Nlssen, commercial man- 
ager of KNX, back on the Job after 
a month's Illness. 

Lawrence King, now tenorlng 
with Jay Whldden's orchestra on 
the Coast, Is the former Albert 
MacGlllvray, for six years In Fan- 
chon-Marco units. 

Name of Marlon A. Mulrony oK 
the license of KGU, Honolulu, with 
Advertiser Publishing Co. the sole 
owner, 

KTAB granted permission to 
move main studio from San Fran- 
cisco to Oakland. 

Frank Wllburn replaced E. C. 
Sturm as partner with M. B. Scott 
In KPJM, Prescott, Ariz. 

Sara Lang man , writing and di- 
recting the KPWB serial, 'The Ren- 
dezvous,' Is taking a six weeks' 
leave of absence due to illness. 
Serial Is off the air awaiting her 
return. 

KRBG, Santa Ana, Calif., 100- 
watter, now on unlimited time. 

Marion Kyle. KHJ salesman, 
leaves that station to start an ad 
agency of his own. 

Standard Oil of Calif, is about to 
launch another coast network pro- 
gram in addition to its Standard 
Symphony over NBC. Intention is 
a lighter type bill. 



Tough to Be Fmmy 



That radio's funny men are 
lucky if they last a year is the 
opinion of air theorists. Con- ' 
tentlon is that it's impossible 
to be funny many weeks in 
succession. The comedy an- 
swer for radio, they argue, is 
the stability of an Amos 'n' 
Andy, whose script situations 
help them. Growth of Easy 
Aces is likewise mentioned as 
substantiation of the belief. 

The research lads declare it's 
no wonder the air comedians 
are going nuts. They can't 
find enough material week after 
week. 

An Incident is cited by a 
radio man who was driving to 
California. He stopped off at 
the general store of a small 
town in Arizona. Jack Benny 
was oq at the time, gagging 
with George Olsen, and cracking 
that Olsen used to be a drum- 
mer but lost one of his sticks, 
and that's how he became a 
leader. 

One of the locals turned to 
the city feller with a bewildered 
look and wanted to know what 
Benny meant They couldn't 
savvy that typo of comedy. 
But the homely appeal of the 
script act seems to be in their 
corner, declares the radio exec 
who was touring. 



LEONi 



BELASCO 



N.B.C. 

Wed. 
9:30, E.S.T. 
Woodbury 
Hour 



Mon., Thurs. 
and 
Saturday 

MIOHTLY 
AMBASSADOR HOTEL, N. Y. 
Bole DIreotlon HEBUAM BEBNIE 
161B Broadway, New York 



ACK DENNY 

AND ORCHESTRA 

WEAF ^ WABC 

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 
Victor Records 
Lucky Strike Dance Hour 
Whitman Chocolates 

WJZ 0 WOR 

Management M. C. A. 



KIT-CAT 

LONDON 

ROY FOX 

BAND 

B;B.C. Network Decoa Becords 



Mid-Wost 



KPO WiU Cost NBC 

$750,000 on Coast 

San Francisco, Feb. 20. 
When NBC unleashes the 60,000 
watts of KPO early in March that 
network will have expended nearly 
S760,000 on the station. 

Chain bought KPO last year from 
Hale Bros, for $600,000, paying o|t 
at the rate of $100,000 yearly. Hales, 
local departmient store owners, had 
already applied for a power Increase 
so NBC was forced to go ahead with 
the project. 

General Electric is doing a com- 
plete installation Job for NBC with 
some $240,000 Involved. KPO, feed- 
ing the Gold network, and KFI on 
the Orange hookup, are the only 60 
kws. on the Coast. 

Elaborate transmitter system is 
being completed about 10 miles from 
town on damp lowtlde lands of Bel- 
moht in San Mateo county. Trans- 
mitter will require a staff of eight 
technicians under direction of A. H. 
Saxton, chief engineer on the Coast, 
with Curtis Peck on the grounds as 
supervisor. 

Time rates will up when the 60,- 
000 go to work. 



Paul Rhymer, author of "Vic and 
Sade,' is under special NBC Ar- 
tists' Bureau contract in addition 
to continuity staff. 

Frank Muller, director of agri- 
culture for NBC, back in Chicago 
from Florida. 

Goodman Ace ghosted column for 
Grade Allen in Yank Taylor's Chi- 
cago 'Times' department. 

Bob White turns out a four-page 
plot dally, and Hal Hudson puts 
fleshy dialog on the skeleton for 
'Milllgan and Mulligan.' 

Roy Shield returned after two 
weeks in Hollywood to resume his 
NBC chief musical conductorship. 

Mary Garden and Glenn Dlllard 
Gunn, music critic, did a special 
program for KTW, Chicago. 

Dallas advertising agency said to 
have option on 'Vic and Sade,' over 
NBC, until March 1. 

Rosa Ponselle piped through a 
special program from Chicago to 
General Electric dealers assembled 
In Cleveland. An NBC stunt. 

Ritcholz Optical Co.'s using a 
studio musical ensemble mornings 
over KTW, Chicago, while Beatrice 
Creamery takes announcements 
among phonograph records. 

CHANGES TIME 

Williams Shaving Cream has 
shifted to a Sunday night period 
and will cut down to 15 minutes 
until the Smith Brothers bow off 
NBC April 2, From that date on 
the Williams aftalr, with the Joe 
Moss orchestra and the Three Pub- 
lic Enemies, will go on a half-hour 
schedule. 

Account haU been, set to start this 
Friday (24), but decided to make 
a Sunday evening event when .. 
would have no other lather product 
on the air as competition. 



WJW'S LICENSE 

Akron, Feb. 20, 
WJW, new local station, has re 
celved its six month license from 
the' federal radio commission. 

In making the award the commls 
slon officially recognized the change 
over from the Mansfield Broadcast 
ing Association to WJW, Inc., John 
I'. Welmer, owner. 



Sherman & Pratt May Hop 
To N. Y. WUy by Plane 



Chicago, Feb. 20, 

Sherman and Pratt, comedy team 
with the Real Silk program (NBC), 
may have to fly to and from New 
Tork for their Sunday broadcasts. 
With Vincent Lopez leaving the 
Congress hotel in another 10 days 
and returning to New York, the or- 
chestral end must necessarily origi- 
nate in the east. 

It is believed that Sherman and 
Pratt are built into the program so 
strongly and have become such an 
integral part of the series that the 
sponsor will And it cheaper to pay 
aeroplane passag-) than attempt a 
change. 

Flying schedule works out as the 
boys do not broadcast on Saturday 
and would not have to be back at 
KYW, here, until 3:30 Monday aft- 
ernoon. 



Jane Froman Set 



Inside Stuff-Radio 



Immediately following his return last Tuesday (14) from his southern 
vacationing William S. Paley plunged into the routine of putting each 
of his top execs through a detailed quiz concerning departmental matters 
under their supervision. The two departments that interested him par- 
ticularly were the sales and the program. Unusual spectacle of the CBS 
prez going through this procedure gave rise to a flock of rumors about 
impending changes in personnel, with the pirogram department and 
artists service the main objective of the overhauling. 

In recent weeks Paley has been giving an ear to men from ilio older 
lines of show business regarding their viewpoints about the etUcrtnin- 
ment on radio and his network in particular. The CBS prexy has 
dared himself in these conversations as welcoming criticism and sugl 
gestlons on what could be done to Improve the q jallty of the netw n k's 
sustaining entertainment. Most of these exchanges occurred during his 
reoent vacationing when he came in contact with rei reaentatlves figures 
from the various phases of the amusement business. Past few days ne 
has invited several others to meet with him and air their opinions and 
suggestions. 



Coast talent welcomes ,the occasional chain broadcasts from Los 
Angeles, where radio artists are used on picture assignments, because 
it is tending to boost salaries. Station owners, on the other hand, are 
pouting and claim the chain artists are spoiling a good thing. 

Cases in point are the young straight man whose price was $6 a per- 
formance for local programs, but boosted to $20 as a weekly stooge at 
one of the picture-air programs; an actor who was getting $76 a week 
on staff from another station and who was paid $76 a night for a coast- 
to-coast program, and a femme player who has been getting $20 for a 
chalner instead of the $7.60 top she was receiving from another local. 

For a second time 'Variety* supplies protection for material which la 
denied by the Copyright office which makes publication the first require^ 
ment of copyright. Material not yet published is supposed to be pro- 
tected by action in common-law. This necessitates legal establishment 

(Continued on page 62) 



ROLFE BACK IN SAME 
Ant NICHE, COMMERCIAL 



B. A. Rolfe's comeback Saturday 
nights on NBC at 10-11 p. m. for 
an hour's dance music, resuming the 
same spot as Lucky Strike, packs 
something of a sob angle. Since be- 
ing discarded by L. S. a year and a 
half ago, Rolfe has been doing noth- 
ing but vacationing in Europe and 
Honolulu and completing an, origi- 
nal 'dramatic musical comedy' for 
radio broadcasting. 

It was on this same 10-11 stretch 
that Rolfe first put Lucky Strike on 
the ether map. It wasn't until later 
that L. S. added the Tuesday and 
Thursday sessions, which may be- 
come only a Thursday event. 

Rolfe and his Terraplane orches- 
tra commence commercially this 
Saturday (26) under Hudson-Essex 
sponsorship, but in order not to lose, 
the Lucky Strike audience, Rolfe 
started sustaining this past Satur- 
day (18) as a builder-upper for the 
forthcoming commercial series. 

Rolfe will somewhat modify his 
fast tempo style, which became such 
a moot argument at that time when 
Lucky Strike was conducting public 
polls on popular tastes. He will not 
relinquish the Idea of mixing lip the 
old and new program numbers. 

Rolfe is set with 46 men and also 
has his original Men About Town 
trio back with him. Blackman 
agency represents the Hudson-Es- 
sex account. 



Renewals 



Larus A Bros. Co. (Edgeworth 
Tobacco) for 13 weeks, effective 
March 15, on NBC's basic red 
(WEAF), northwest, mountain and 
orange (west coast) networks. 'Corn 
Cob Pipe Club of Virginia' program 
continues. 

Calsodent Co. (Calsodent mouth- 
wash) for 52 weeks, starting March 
14, on WJZ and WBAL. 



Jane Froman steps into the Ches- 
terfield Tuesday and Friday periods 
on CBS, with Lennle Hayton's or- 
chestra sharing the spots with her. 
Assignment gees into effect tonight 
(Tuesday). 

With Miss . Froman Chesterfield 
has two femme warblers on the 
series. Ruth Ettlng is on Mondays 
and Wednesdays. 



KYW'S DANCE BOTATION 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Simlllar to WBBM's 'Round the 
Town,' dance orchestra rotation, 
KYW is establishing Its own 
'Merry Go Round.' Included are the 
Vincent Lopez, Mark Fisher, Jack 
Chapman, Don Pedro and Al Trace 
bands. 

Lopez drops out within the next 
fortnight when leaving town. 



MABMOLA-BLOCEI SHOW 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Marmola, shrinking pastilles for 
stylish stouts, goes radio for the 
first time today (20) over WBBM. 
Thereafter It is everybody's prayer 
that the advertiser will carry out 
a promise of extending the show to 
a Columbia network. 

Ambitious script program is Fritz 
Blocki's adaptation of the Hearst 
serial, 'Chlckie,' leased to blockl by 
King Feature Syndicate. It will be a 
five program a week entertainment 
at 7:46 p. m. with Irene Wicker, 
Marie Nelson, Stanley Andrews, 
Cornelia Oserood, Jack Daley, Vln 
Haworth, William Farnum (not pix) 
and Vlnce Coleman. Ray Appleby 
will stage. 



CABBORUNDUM QUITS AIB 

Carborundum finishes up Its ca- 
reer on CBS for the season this 
Saturday (26). 

Comparty will have made it a run 
of 13 weeks. Program, with Ed- 
ward d'Anna piloting the band and 
Francis Bowman slb m.c, originated 
from Niagara Falls. 



FRED 




Management 
WALTER BATCHELOR 

BATH CLUB REVUE 
WABC — ■ 

Sunday, 9 P. M., E. S. T. 



LOU 
KATZMAN 

And His LINIT ORCHESTRA 




ATTENTION Jt I 
SPONSORS!! I 

SID GARY 



Radio's Versatile Baritone 

Feb. 17, Paradise; Feb. 24, Newark 

HEADLINING for LOEW 

Entire Loew Circuit to Follow 
RKO, Marty Forklni 
Umt. Johnny Hyde— Wn. Morrli Aieney 



"THE GREATEST TRIO 
ON THE AIR" 

"Two Kirls and a boy that sizzle and 
sparkle with red hot mnnlc and soar 
(or the early risers." 

(AIRCASTER) 



DON-HALL TRIO 



. COAST TO COAST 
WEAF SUNDAY 10 P.M. 
WJZ 7:30 A.M. Every 
Mon., Tnes.. Wed., Tlmrs., Fri., Sot., 
Mot. M. Gnle, 131 W. 46tli St.. New York 



FREDDY 
MARTIIH 




AND ms MUSIC 

COCOANUT GROVE 
PARK CENTRAL HOTEL 
NEW YORK 

BROASCASTINO NIGHTLY 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



A D I 



VARIETY 



4S 



CBS Survey Qaiins 16,809M Sets 
Now in Use for 60,514,000 Listeners 



•Survey made by CBS on the num- 
tier of radio sets sold between the 
last census date of April, 1930, and 
Jan. 1. 1933, estimates that the num- 
lier of homes owning radios has 
jumped from 12,048,000 to 16,809,000, 
an increase of 39.6%. On the basis 
of 8.6 persona to a home the sur- 
vey then proceeds to the conclusion 
that radio has 60,614,000 potential 
listeners. 

New York State, the analysis 
points out, may have bought 1,323,- 
00.0 sets wiiMn the above mentioned 
period,., but 49% of these rate as 
replacements. Among, ifye . Southern 
States sales were comparatively in- 
BlgnlAcant^ but when checking on 
bonnes previously withou.t a set it 
was found ..that that class of own- 
ership had. jumped 106%. This was 
particularly true of Louisiana and 
Florida. 

States showing the least percent- 
age of new home sets sales were 
Michigan and Iowa. Michigan 
bought 139,000 sets since the cen- 
sus, but only 23% of these went 
into parlors or living-rooms that 
didn't have them before. Iowa's 
level of Increase was only 20%. 



THE GREEK 
AMBASSADOR 

<>l Good-WHl 

GEORGE 
GIYOT 

Sole Direction 

HERMAN BERNIE 

1619 Broadway, New York 



morton a. milman 



circle 7-2B26 
•2680 




CHARLES 
ALTHOFF 

Vnrletr, New Terk 



J 



VINCENT SOREY 

Creator ot the 

Gauchos Program 

[And Many Other Superior Frogramsl 
I CBS . Sunday 11 P. H. WABcl 



"SWEBTTHEABTS OF TUB AIB" 



HAY 8IN6HI 



PETER 



i-BREEN »<■ DE ROSE-s 
ENTKKINO lOTH X£AB OF BAOIoj 
Hvt. NBC Artlsta' Bareaa 



IMMERMAN & SON, Inc. 

I5t WEST 44th ST., NEW YORK 
SUPERIOR COLORED TALENT 
For Iladio tnil BUge, Building AcU, B«- 
Tues. Orchestrating and Arranging, Ltssoni In 
■U typ«i «r SUge tnd BihlblUon Dancing 

VuuBUal Voice Culture Method 
STCmO AVArTJ\UI>K I»V THIS HOUB 
BRyant 9-9638 



GAGS 

FOR SALE 

DAVID MURRAY 

P. O. B ojc 4 61, Bridgeport, Conn. 

vnaia or wbitb 



THURSTON 

SpoDBored t>y 
8WIFT A CO. 
On a Renewed Contract 
Thurtdayt Md fridtyi. 8:43 P.M. (EST) 

N.B.C. Coast to Coast 



NBC's Explanation 



Some NBC men concede that 
CBS has better sustaining: pro- 
grams, but also offer an ex- 
planation. 

The NBC boys claim that 
CBS has fuller opportunities 
to produce and spot sustaining 
talent because NBC's time is 
too well taken up with com- 
mercial accounts, thereby leav- 
ing a minimum of open hours 
for sustaining Interludes. 



Composers' Rates 
Queer NfiC's Idea 
On Special Tunes 



NBC Artists Service has given 
up the idea of trying to sell some 
prospective commercial on Introduc- 
ing an original musical score in the 
air. Network ai^ked several of the 
better known composers to quote 
prices for such an assignment and 
the figures handed the booking of- 
fice proved a quick discouraging 
factor. 

Top money askers were Jerome 
Kern and George Gershwin. Kern 
put his figure at )3,6oo per program, 
covering the writing Job complete, 
while Gershwin made it $3,600 per 
halt hour, or bbur's score, with his 
personal appearance included. 



THREE BIDDERS RIVALS 
FOR KFOR, LINCOLN, NEB. 



Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 20. 

There are a lot of 'Ifs' governing 
the fate of KFOR here. 

Three different factions have 
filed for the wavelength. If Dee 
Dirks, of KFAB, is given the sanc- 
tion of the comish, it'Jl mean a 
much needed outlet for. CBS in this 
area. Should Howard Shuman, 
member of the recently organized 
Cornbelt Broadcasting Co. and 
present. manager, be allowed to keep 
it — ^NBC may take some time. G. 
W. Jenkins, the third to file, Is 
keeping quiet pending action of the 
comish. 

The station is below the watt 
inl.iinium usually demanded by 
chain systems, but the need here 
for coverage, especially for the 
CBS chain, might prompt the net- 
work to waive this. 

KFAB now handling CBS in this 
territory, splitting time with 
WBBM, loses the best early eve- 
ning hours. 



Machines and Girls in 
Place of Telegraphers 

Entire crew of telegraphers in 
NBC's traffic department has been 
let out as a result of the replacement 
as an economy move of the Morse 
layout by teletype machines. Girls 
replace the 16 men affected. 

Wire connections are maintained 
between the network's branch oflnces 
and the major stations on its red 
and blue links. 



LOUISVnXE EXCEPTIONS 

Louisville, Feb. 20. 

Exceptions have been filed by 
WLAP and WFIW to the report of 
the examiner recommending that 
the Federal Radio Commission au- 
thorize WFIW to move here from 
Hopklnsville. 

WLAP took exception to the find- 
ing that WFIW is financially, tech- 
nically and legally qualified to oper- 
ate the proposed regional station, 
and objected to 31 other findings. 



Iowa Extension 

Daveni>ort, la., Feb. ?0. 
Central Broadcasting Ca, operat- 
ing woe and WHO, here and In 
Des Moines, has been given tintil 
May 16 to complete and plaoe In 
operation Its new 60,000 watt trans- 
mitter now being, erected at Mltehel- 
vllle. 

Sub-zero weather and' necessity of 
drilling deeper for a sufficient flow 
of water has retarded construction. 



Pershng Agrees to Air 



General John J. Pershing sUrts 
on a weekly broadcast over a C4- 
station NBC link for General Tires 
and Rubber March 16. Program 
will have him doing the narrative 
to the dramatization of Incidents 
from his life and war experiences. 
Contract is for 13 weeks. 

Hookup will take in besides the 
basic red (WEAF) web the north- 
west, the southeast, the southcen- 
tral, the southwest, the mountain 
and the westcoast networks. Show 
will run from 9 to 9.30 p. m. 



KSL, m Salt Lake, 
Going Strong for 
Commish Programs 



Salt Lake City, Feb. 20. 

KSL, Salt Lake 60,000 watter, is 
going in heavy for commission 
business, usually spumed by larger 
stations. Latest addition to this sta- 
let, in which KSL gets so much 
per Inquiry. Looks as though KSL 
per-Inquiry. Looks as though KSL 
Is throwing its entire talent lineup 
into a weekly Jamboree (Tuesday 
nights) for the benefit of the tab- 
let takers. Revue is a copy of Don 
Lee's Blue Monday Jamboree, even 
to the rehashing of 'Adventures of 
Skylark Colmes.' 

Other contingent basis accounts 
handled by KSL Includes sale of a 
book on pattern quilts for a dime, 
leading up to yam and thread ad- 
vertising. Station gets 33 1-3% of 
take; mail 1^ sent to station where 
commish is deducted and balance 
forward to sponsor. Other com- 
mission accounts on the air on this 
station are cold tablets, and stom- 
ach remedy. A mineral water and 
a physic are on a seml-commisslon 
basis, buying part of the time. 
KDTL, the other local station, does 
not accept contingent accounts. 

Most pi'oposltions are submitted 
directly by the advertisers, although 
many come through so-called agen- 
cies and radio bureaus. The agen- 
cies usually ask 16% cash commis- 
sion on the radio station's portion. 

Commission's vary from 10c per 
letter on Inquiries to 1-3 of sale 
price where money Is sent directly 
to station; a few even promise 1-3 
on repeat orders sent by listeners 
after first purchase. 

National Association of Broad- 
casters frown upon commission 
broadcasting. 



STAGE SEX LECniRER 
NOW ON AIR AS 'VOICE' 



Newark, N. J., Feb. 20. 

The Voice of Experience on 
WOR, Is Dr. Taylor, who formerly 
gave sex lectures in theatres. He 
played four weeks at the local Rl- 
alto over a year ago to Indifferent 
grosses. He is disclosing his Iden- 
tity by an appearance on Proctor's 
stage. 



Col. Piwno Fill Record 
Programs Direct Off Air 



Columbia Phonograph will record 
programs from off the air after 
holding out for months on the the- 
ory that this would also cut in on 
Its electrical transcription business. 
But with Ed Conne and AI Boas- 
berg Joining Columbia in charge of 
the radio program building and 
electrical transcript departments, 
Col decided that It could also serv- 
ice artists and advertisers by re- 
cording all programs right from the 
ether. Lou Mindllng will head this 
end of it. 

These -disks can be shipped out 
for spot broadcasting In outlying 
situations, or be used merely as a 
record for the artist or advertiser 
who would want a permanent Im- 
pression, on wax, of what was ether- 
ized. 

Columbia Is of the opinion that 
Federal Radio legislation Inevitably 
must compel all commercial broad- 
casters to make such records of 
their programs in the event of any 
kickbacks or squawks, particularly 
in the chatter stuff. 



umoir on. quits aib 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Union Oil drops oat as commer- 
olaler of "The Merrymakers,' vaude 
hour on the CBS Coast chain. 

Oil company has been footing the 
bills for six weeks but eliminates 
radio In an 80% cut in its advertis- 
ing appropriation. 



WMMN Is Paid and Pays Off in Goods; 
Owner Furnishes Home, Accepts Autos 



Elasticity 

Was a time when a radio an- 
nouncer had to know his proper 
diction, a smattering of linguis- 
tic accents to properly pro- 
nounce foreign song titles, such 
as operatic arias, and a gener- 
ally refined aura via the ether 
waves. 

Now with McNamee, Walllng- 
ford, Ross, et al., serving as 
straights for the radio comics, 
they must also pass as adept 
professional foils, truly akin to 
stage straight-men. 



Sound Effects 
Pet Paranoia 
Of Prod. Depts 



Chicago, Feb, 20. 

"What your program needs is more 
production!' 

This is what the average studio 
or network technician will tell the 
average radio actor, program direc- 
tor or anybody. They love soUnd 
effects with the passionate enthusi- 
asm of intense rivalry. Each tech- 
nician brags about his sound effects 
— the finest cow that ever mooed 
for NBC, the most bicarbonated 
belch ever heard from coast to coast. 
These are matters of pride with the 
technicians. 

In radio there Is what they call 
an 'operator's ear' — meaning the 
ability to listen only for mistakes. 
Sound men probably let all dialog 
go straight through their acoustical 
apparatus. But when it comes to a 
good wind storm, a motorboat put- 
putting In the distance or a burglar 
sandpapering his fingers to crack a 
a safe, the teclinlclans are instantly 
alert. 

Precious Squeak 

Hence arises the invariable criti- 
cism of all programs that there isn't 
enough 'production' In them. A 
really nifty entertainment from the 
radio technician's viewpoint, with 
many a 'producer' concurring, is one 
in which there are horses, rain, wind, 
a gurgling., brook, dogs, ponderous 
locks and heavy doors, murderers 
wearing squeaky shoes, crunching 
peanuts, and crying babies. 

Recently an official at WBBM 
here discovered two technicians 
carrying a swivel chair down the 
hall. Exec recognized it as his own 
and demanded reason for the theft. 

'We'll get you another one.' was 
the reply from the sound expert, 
who had a feverish gleam In his eye. 
'This chair has a squeak in It thait 
makes the finest bed spring effect 
ever heard on the Columbia net- 
work!' 



Fairmont, W. Va.. Feb. 20. 

WMMN, of this city, operated by 
A. M. Rowe, Inc., who really Is 
A. M. (Shad) Rowe, prominent lo- 
cal citizen who formerly was secre- 
tary to Senator M. M. Neely, gets 
plenty of advertising for his sta- 
tion, even if advertisers are short 
on cash. WMMN takes its last 
three call letters from the initials 
of Senator Neely's name. 

Rowe has not only furnished his 
home with furniture taken in ex- 
change for radio time, but has also 
taken a number of autos for air 
advertising and he has most of the 
single boys employed at his station, 
using up moa! tickets taken in ex- 
change for xestaurant broadcasting. 

It was more than a year ago that 
Rowe started accepting goods In lieu 
of cash in payment for WMM^N 
time. He has not only managed to 
keep the station paying (in goods), 
but has kept his employees satis- 
fied even though they are not al- 
ways paid off in cash. Rowe found 
he had too many advertisers on his 
books and started to square up a 
lot of accounte When advertisers 
offered goods Instead of cash, he 
accepted. Since then most of the 
old accounts have beeSl written off 
in- this way. 



LEONARD 
HAYTON 

and His 

CHESTERFIELD 

ORCH ESTRA 

SDC NIGHTS WEEKLY 
(Elxcept Sunday) 
via 

Entire Colombia Network 
9 P. BT. <E.B.T.) 




Typewriters for Kids 

New Radio Campaign 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Uncle Bob, otherwise Walter Wil- 
son, has been retained by Reming- 
ton Rand to spread propaganda over 
KTW. 

Company wants to extend the sale 
of portable typewriters for use by 
school children. Figures Uncle Bob's 
10 years of klbbltzlng with the Ju- 
veniles is an Ideal set-up. 



ETM SLASHES AD BATES 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
KTM reduced its commercial 
rates approximately 20% effective 
Feb. 16. 

It's In line with recent reductions 
of nearly all small Coast stations 
which are currently taking It on the 
chin. 



AND BIS 
CALIFORNIA ORCHESTRA 
Colombia Broadcaatlof Sjrtem 
PHILLIP'S DENTAL MAGNESIA 
Toes., Wed., Thora., 0:48 to 9 P.M. E.S.T. 

coast-to-c6ast 



ABC 




DUMB 
CRACKERS 

ROBERT 
BURNS 
PANETELA 

WABC 

Evety 
Wednefiday 
EvenJiis 
at 0:30 F. H. 



BURNS^ALLEN 

Mr.t WM. MOBBIB AOENOV 




RUTH ETTING 



GLOWFYIKG Me POPULAR SONG 
QlUMBIA'CCMST-nVOOAn' NETWORK 




MONDAY and TIIVRSDAY, 9 P. M., E.S.T. 



44 



VARIETY 



V DEVILLE 



T^iesdaj^ February 21, 1933 



'Slug' Ad Deal with Scandal Sheet 
F^res in Godfreys RKO Ouster; 
Bellitt s 'Amateur' Shows Also Out 



After holding: over In the book- 
ing oiflce for a week as booker of 
Zit'a Cosmopolitan, after his dis 
mlssitl as booking: head of RKO, 
George Godfrey left the office ei 
tirely Saturday (18). His departure 
waa requested by the RKO theatre 
department. 

At the same time, the theatre 
heads issued orders to its New York 
and suburban neighborhood houses 
to discontinue the Henry Bellitt 
'amateur' shows after this week. 
The Be!litt deal was put over by 
Godfrey while the latter was still 
booking head. 

The theatre department indicated 
its decision to remove Godfrey from 
the booking office altogetlier had 
something to do with a previous 
warning that he could remain as the 
Cosmo booker only as long as he 
did not interfere with the regular 
RKO bookers and their business, 
and not permit RKO's own theatre 
book to Influence acts in consider- 
ing engagements at the Cosmo- 
politan. 

Also accountable for Godfrey's 
final removal was a new blackjack 
advertising-booking gag, used to an 
extent that has never- been dupli- 
cated at RKO or any other booking 
office. Godfrey offered acts, through 
the RKO agents and booking office, 
Cosmopolitan bookings for which 
they would be paid partly in salary 
and the rest in advertising .In the 
scandal sheet Zit publishes on the 
Bide. 

Beck Stood for It 

Although advertising a $6,000 
show, the Cosmo has been officially 
budgeted in the RKO office at $600 
tor Ave . acts on a split week. But 
with the advertising slug on, the 
actual cash outlay for acts is con- 
siderably less. y.lthough Martin 
Beck did not object, the other RKO 
execs resented this kind of book- 
ing in the RKO office. Along with 
Godfrey, the Cosmo goes out of the 
office also. It paid a $40 weekly 
booking fee for the privilege of get- 
ting acts at RKO's prices, with the 
Cosmo , Included in regular RKO 
routes, and for use of the RKO name 
in billing Its vaude. It was the only 
Indie theatre with permission to 
use RKO in advertising. RKO fig- 
ured the Cosmo might not have paid 
off, and RKO would have to. It 
would have amounted to more than 
the $40 booking fee. 

Bellitt'B 'amateur' shows, as ar- 
ranged for him by Godfrey, have 
been playing the RKO nelghbs for 
one-night a week 1^ place of the 
regular amateur nltes formerly 
booked outside by Dave Green. 
Bellitt has been getting standard 
acts for his bills, although the audi- 
ences continued to regard them as 
amateurs. Dellltt Is paid $40 for 
five acts and a union piano player, 
and promises the acts they'll be seen 
by the RKO vaude bookers If ac- 
cepting, with regular work to possi- 
bly result 



Boosting a Drop 



Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 20. 

Tom Sorlero, F-WC div. 
mgr., tied up the WB pic, 
'Parachute Jumper,' with 
Maxwell House coffee, by using 
this line: 

'Parachute Jumper — 1 ike 
Maxwell House coffee — good 
to the last drop.' 



2 More Wks. for 
Cantor, Jessel; 
Gotll2Ginlst3 



William Morris office's Cantor- 
Jessel $2 variety roadshow will play 
two added weeks of southern and 
mid western one -niters, commencing 
March 12 at New Orleans. Show 
stopped after last night's (Monday) 
show In Palm Beach, where Cantor 
and Jessel will vacash until resum- 
ing. 

Palm Beach was the final stand 
after three weeks of one-niters 
along: the Atlantic coast. In which 
the show grossed $112,000 on 38 per- 
formances, half of which were at $2 
at night and the rest $1-60 matinees. 

Following New. Orleans, show 
goes to Houston, San Antonio, Ft. 
Worth, Dallas, Tulsa, Kansas City, 
Des Moines, Omaha, Minneapolis, 
Milwaukee, Indianapolis, St. Louis, 
Memphis. 

In Kansas City, Omaha and Min- 
neapolis show - will play the Or- 
phe»um (formerly RKO) houses, 
which drop their fi^ms for the Can- 
tor-Jessel one-dav booking. 



$3 J50 for Mary fiarden 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
In her home town, Chicago, this 
week for a stage week at the Chi 
cago theatre, Mary Garden Is get 
ting a $3,760 guarantee against a 
50-60 split with the house over $40,- 
000. 



4 WKS. OF VAUDE FUT 
BACK BY COMERFORD 



on a 



The Comerford circuit reinstated 
vaudeville on a full week basis each 
in Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and 
Binghamton, K. T., yesterday (Mon- 
day) with Kazleton and Potts- 
vllle. Pa., to follow March 6 
epUt. All will play five acts. 

These additions on vaude for the 
Comerford chain amount to a total 
of four weeks. 

Fally Markus Is booking the new 
time, which brings his book to a 
total of 13 houses. 



Errol, Gladys Glad Out 
When 'SaUy* Goes B'klyn 

Fanchon & Marco's 'Sally' tab, 
which was to have played the Para- 
mount, New York, this week, was 
switched to the Brooklyn Par be 
cause of the Mae West lioldover at 
the Broadway house. 

Leon Errol and Gladys Glad, who 
were to have been added to the tab 
for the New Tork week, were 
dropped for Brooklyn, with thnt 
bouse deciding to dispense with the 
eictra salaries. 



Magic Acts Offered 
Free Publicity by 
Camel Ciggie Agcy 



William Esty, advertising agency 
for Camel cigarets, which planned 
the magical exposes now running 
in the daily papers in the ciggy ads, 
is sending to all vaude bookers the 
offer to do free press work for any 
magicians who will send In their 
rcutes. Only hitch Is that there are 
few magicians and fewer routes. 

Offer Includes preparation of two 
stories, one an advance and the 
other for the opening, which the 
agency will endeavor to plant In the 
cities played on the strength of its 
own advertising drag, which. It Is 
figured, will be all velvet to the 
theatre. 

Agency contends that these ex- 
posees are creating a renewed in- 
terest in magicians and may eventu- 
ally be instrunaeiital in bringing 
back that branch of entertainment. 



RKO'S 'ROUTE,' 
1933 STYLE, 
131/2 WKS. 



Minneapolis, Omaha and Kansas 
City go straight pictures after this 
week, cutting three more weeks off 
the RKO vaude book and leaving 
It in the worse shape it's ever .been 
In. With the three- week loss the 
total RKO vaude time is down to 
13^ weeks and four one-day 
stands. 

There are nine full weeks and 
nine splits remaining and consec- 
utive bookings without numerous 
layolXs are not possible. . On the 
total time left only islx weeks, or 
lesb than 60%, are full salary dates 
for acts. 
The RKO 'route' now runs: 
New Orleans (full wk.; full sal- 
ary). 

Cincinnati (full wk.; full sal- 
ary). 

Palace, Chicago (full wk.; full 
salary. 

Detroit (full wk.; halt salary). 
Toronto (full wk.; full salary). 
Grand Rapids (split wk.; 26% 
cut). 

Academy, N. T. (split wk.; 

•'showing' salary). 
Paterson, N. J. (split wk.; 

'showing* salary). 
Albany (split wk.; 'showing' 

salary). 

Troy (split wk.; 'showing' sal- 
ary). .. 

Providence (full wk.; 26% cut). 
Boston (full wk.; full salary). 
Newark (full wk.; full salary). 
Albee, Brooklyn (full wk.; fidl 
salary). 

Prospect, Brooklyn (split wk.; 

'showing' salary). 
Trenton (split wk.; 'showing' 

salary). 

Hempsted (3 days; 'showing' 
salary). 

Cosmopolitan, N. T. (split wk.; 
6 acts, $600). 

Lynbrook, L. I.; Westwood, N. J.; 
Park Lane, Palisades Park; Ful- 
ton, Jersey City, all one-day Sun-; 
days for apples. 

Boston is playing vaude on a 
week-to-week notice. New Or- 
leans is a 1,000-mile Jump from 
the nearest stand, cincy. 

'Showing' salary usually amounts 
to 60% or less than an act's regular 
or full salary. Ordinarily a 'show- 
ing* salary Is accepted by an act 
for the opportunity of being caught 
by an RKO booker or possible fur- 
ther bookings. As the 'showing' 
salary now applies to Albany and 
other distant points from New 
York, where acts are never caught 
by a booker, it's merely a booking 
office gag to cut salaries. 



Grace Moore's 2d Booking 
At N. Y. Capitol on V Off 

Another Grace Moore picture 
house booking for the Capitol, New 
York, was on and off last week. This 
one Involved the 'The DuBarry' mu- 
sical cast Intact, besides Miss 
Moore, but Locw and the operetta's 
producers, Mrs. Tlllle LeBlang and 
Morris Green, couldn't get together 
on money. 

Producers first asked $15,000 for 
the show. Loew's best offer was 
$12,500. 

Loew calle'l off a previous Capitol 
booking for ACisss Moore as a single 
at $4,000 whon the prima donna re- 
wrote her contract to restrict Loew 
from placing a colored act on the 
bill with her. 



Easton, Pa., Vodeless 

Easton, Pa.. Feb. 20. 

The .Seville has closed. It was the 
only theatre that had vaudeville 
three days woolcly; straight films 
the first throo days. 

Four olhor Uiontrp'? opon here .ire 
only straight pix. • 



50% FOR ONE YEAR 



'32 'Vanities' Was $12,500— '31 Edi- 
tion Half That Into N. Y. Par 



Earl . Carroll's 1931 'Vanities' 
which has been playing one-niters 
on the road with the cast on co-op, 
will play a Broadway picture house 
week at the Paramount, New York, 
next week (24). Salary Is $6,600. 
Mitchell and Durant head the cast. 

The '32 'Vanities' played the Par 
a couple of months ago at $12,600. 

'Sally,' F&M unit previously 
scheduled for the New Tork house, 
was shifted to Brooklyn Friday (17) 
through need of a stage show there. 
House under original plans was to 
have Mae West. 

Carroll revue after playing New 
York, goes Into Brooklyn, with date 
March 3. 



SpGt Week Upstate 



Glens Falls, N. T., Feb. 20. 

Lawrence J. Carkey and David 
Collins take over the local Empire 
for five years. Mr. Carkey will also 
continue as manager of the Rlalto. 

With full week of vaudeville at 
the Rlalto, split week programs will 
.be given. 

P. A. Dana, leasee of the Empire, 
has plans at present. 



1st Time 30 Yrs., wiA Oiph 100% Fix 



'Yeah, Man!* 



Stepln Fetchlt, who somehow 
or other Is spending the winter 
In Florida, sent a business wire 
to his agent, Charlie Yates, last 
week. It read: 

'Can you send me a red hot 
vaudeville unit with six pretty 
chorus girls and band to In- 
clude 18 people for $2507 I pay 
transportation and you arrange 
costumes and I buy them to 
open Miami for two weeks and 
then tonr back north with mo 
to open Feb. 24. V/lre answer 
and send show in rehearsal and 
arrange to buy me a good bus 
that can make the trip and I 
will come to New Tork and 
bring money.' 

Yates sent back a two-wofd 
wire reading: 'Teah, man!' 



STATE-LAKE, CH! 
CLOSED INDEF 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
State-Lake theatre, Orpheum Cir- 
cuit link, closed Friday (17) for the 
second time within two months. It 
first closed for two weeks b.efore 
Christmas. Nate Blumberg, KKO 
dlv. mgr., ordered the shutdown 
upon his return to Chicago last 
week. 

Fate of the house Is problematic. 
There's a $30,000 plaster against 
the State-Lake Theatre (jorpora- 
tion on a landlord's Judgment for 
unpaid rent. For P^Bt fortnight 
rent was paid dally. 

Business during February dwin- 
dled to the vanishing point. There 
were 76 people on the main floor 
Tuesday night (14), with the final 
five days gross negligible. RKO Is 
operating the local Palace with 
vaudfllm. 

The referee In bankruptcy ob- 
jected to the State-Lake's alleged 
eating up of the weekly profit that 
has been turned in consistently of 
late by the Palace. 



F&M BOOKING PAUCE, 
CLEVE, 5 ACTS, $2,000 



Fanchon & Marco has been en- 
gaged to book the $2,000 five-act 
bills at the Palace, Cleveland, as a 
result of the RKO theatre depart- 
ment's decision to buy vaude shows 
outside its own booking office. 

Dissatisfied with the past RKO- 
booked bills, J. J. Franklin, in 
charge of RKO's Cleveland houses 
and a brother of Harold B. Frank- 
lin, at first decided to go Into the 
open field for shows. He contacted 
several New Tork agents with that 
In mind, but later decided to book 
exclusively through F. & M. 

With F. & M. booking, the Palace 
returns to stage shows February 24. 
First bill will comprise Tom and 
Betty Wonders, Four Trojans, Mez- 
zonl and Keene Revue, Zelda Sant- 
ley and Fuller, Rawson and Dorval. 
They'll work with the Horace Heldt 
band, which Is in for a run on the 
stage. 



A & A at $6,500 for Loew 



Amos 'n' Andy will play the Fox, 
Washington, for Loew the week 
(March 3) of Roosevelt's presiden- 
tial inauguration. Air team will 
get $6,500 and a percentage split on 
a Joint booking by the William Mor- 
ris ofllce^and NBC. 

Balance of the Loew Inaugural 
bill win comprise Stuart and Lash, 
Peter Hlgglns and Chaney and Fox. 

The team went Into Radio City 
Music Hall last week without sal- 
ary. It was adjusted during the 
week. Report A & A received $10,- 
000 for the RC week a gag. 



Agency 3-Act 



Harry Norwood, .Matt Kelly and 
John HlcUey have formed an agency 
partnership. 

New combo will operate under 
Norwood's RKO franchise. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 

Elimination of vaudeville at the 
RKO Orpheum with last wek's bill 
leaves Minneapolis without this type 
of entertainment for the first time 
in nearly 30 years. It also leaves the 
Twin Cities, with a population of 
almost 700,000, without any stag*, 
shows at any of Its picture or erst- 
while variety houses for the first 
time In local theatrical history 
Starting with last Friday the Or- 
pheum operates as a straight pic- 
ture houso. 

The only flesh-and-bloofl enter- ' 
talnment whatsoever in the Twin' 
Citlea now is that provided by the! 
dramatic. stoi U and stock burle:3;iue 
companies struggling along in Min- 
neapolis, the infrequent road shpwa. 
at the Metropolitan, the night clui> 
shows and an occasional singer or 
band act in a neighborhod pi : house. 

A decision to eliminate V2nvdevllle 
at thie locil Crpheum was r.?HChed 
at a conference in Chicago las; 
Tuesday participated in by Nate 
Blumberg, representing Orpheunx 
circuit receivers; Morgan Ames, di- 
vision director, and M. O. Park, 
house manager here. The bill sche- 
duled for this week had already Iwitn 
advertised and the announcement by 
Mr. Park upon his return from Chi-' 
cago WedneiJday that vaudeville was ' 
through in Minneapolis came with 
startling suddenness and <ts a shock 
to the city. 

$5,000 OfF the Nut 

Influencing tl;o decision was the 
present state of business here, the. 
fact that tho elimination of the 
vaudeville would permit the chop- 
ping of $5,000 from the weekly 'nut'- 
(representing the cost of the five; 
acts, musicians, stage hands, etc.),- 
the state of the theatre s finances^ 
and the> ability to obta'n United' 
Artists' product. 

With the circuit in bankruptcy, 
everything here on a cash basis and- 
the weekly necessity of meeting the 
$6,000 vaudeville charge crippled the 
local house too much. Excepting 
that It Is minus a cash reserve the . 
theatre is in a comparatively pretty 
fair financial shape; owing but very 
little aside from rental which has' 
not been paid for somd time. 

The theatre building is owned by 
the Hennepin Realty Co., an Or- 
pheum circuit subsidiary, which has 
not received any rental for a num- 
ber of months. Ground lease !• 
owned by Hillsdale college, Michigan. 
Efforts now are being made to obtain 
a readjustment of the ground rental. 
A drastic cut in the rent charged 
against the theatre also will be nec- 
essary. 

Under the straight film policy all 
pictures will play on percentage. No 
musicians and only three stage 
hands in place of the present 10 
musicians and 12 stage hands. Fig- 
uring on a radically readjusted rent, 
theatre can get by with $3,500 for Its 
share of the gross. 



CO-OPERATIVE 



RKO May Assume Par's Obligation 
On Diamond Boys 



RKO may take over Paramount's 
week's obligation to the Diamond 
Boys and play the act at the RKO 
Roxy, New Tork, next week. The. 
Diamonds' complaint against Par Is 
up for arbitration at the V. M. A.„ 
along with a similar claim against, 
the same firm filed by Gracie Barry,,- 

Diamonds claim they were prom-; 
ised a $250 bonus for cancelling their, 
booking for the current Paramount. 
New Tork, holdover show, but that 
Par refused to put It in writing. Act 
Insisted on Its salary for the un- 
played Paramount date last week, 
offering to play the week at any 
later date for the $260. 

Par refused to pay the Diamonds 
at the regular payoff for the rest of 
the bill Thursday (17) and referred 
the matter to its legal department. 



Par Planning to Start 
Indie Vaude Upstate 

George C. Walsh, In charge of 
New Tork state for Publlx, Is plati- 
nln.cf to try rut vaudeville In Peek.'i- 
klll, Newburgh and Middletown. 
N, T., on a two-day bast.s a.«! a. 
starter In about two weeks. May 
later spread policy to take In other 
towns, particularly Glens Falls. 

Poughkeepste and the ParaindUfi'. 
gtapleton, S. [., are contlnuini; wii'i 
vaude. 

No arrangements with any ImdU'''' 
as yet. 



Tdesday, Febnuirj 1999 



VA H » E V I L L E 



VARIETY 



4S 



NBC'S VAUDE TALENT HUNT 



Ike Roses Vande Experience 



Midgets Bus-Jump 2fiO0 Miles to Learn 
There's Another 800 Miles to Get Work 



Minneapohe, Feb. 20. 

After traveling In their own bue 

for six days 2.000 miles through 
blizzard's and zero weather from 
New Orleans here for a sln'ele week 
booking at $800 salary, Ike Rose 
and his company of 14 midget per- 
formers arrived here Wednesday af- 
ternoon to find that the local en- 
gagement was out because of the 
sudden, last-minute discarding of 
vaudeville. Rose was informed that 
the date was switched to Cincin- 
nati, 800 miles distant, and the act 
could open there Friday afternoon. 

Rose declared that It would be 
Impossible to negotiate the 800 
miles with his bus in the day and 
a half remaining. He was in- 
structed to proceed by rail, the cir- 
cuit to stand the transportation 
cost. Rose, however, has to foot 
the bill for getting his bus down to 
Cincinnati, his chaQfCeur driving It 
there empty. 

In the past three months. Rose 
has had two weeks of vaudeville 
time for bis act — the week in New 
Orleans and the current Cincinnati 
engagement. He has nothing be-' 
yond Cincinnati. To bring his com- 
pany here by bus from New Or- 
leans, Rose figured that it cost 
around $300. He allows each of the 
midgets $7 a week for food and the 
company stopped at a hotel each 
evening,, doing no night driving. 
If the Jump had been made by train 
from New Orleans it would have 
oost $46. per person for railroad 
fare, or nearly $800, the entire sal- 
ary for the act. 

After deducting his transporta- 
tion cost of $300, there would have 
been left fibout $600, or about $35 
per person, for the act here. 

Orpheum officials tried In vain 
for three days to locate the Rose 
bus and sidetrack it to Cincinnati. 
There was much consternation ex- 
hibited by the 67-year-old manager 
and his midget troupe when they 
arrived here,' after battling the cold 
and snow for six wearying days, only 
to learn that they had 800 miles 
further to go before they would 
be settled for a week. 

With no vaudeville time avail- 
able. Rose this winter has been 
playing his midgets In one and two- 
day stands through the south, book- 
ing fllm theatres and opera houses 
In the smaller towns. He says that 
they have been getting by nicely In 
this way. If nothing develops after 
Cincinnati, he again will go out and 
do spot booking, he says. 



A Pbh-zare! 



Phil Tyrell, RKO agent, goes 
south with the Newark Bears this 
week, but not to try out for the ball 
team. 

Tyrell is making It a pleasure trip 
during the Bears' spring training at 
the invitation of the International 
League champs' manager, Al Ma- 
maux. He's Mamaux's vaude agent 
during the winter. 



4 Flushers Become Trio, 
Zion's Stage Accident 

Baltimore, Feb. 20. 

Lyle Zion, one of the Four Flush- 
ers, acrobatic turn at the Hippo- 
drome, was badly Injured at the 
first performance Saturday (18), 
sustaining a four-lncn gash on top 
of the head and a severed blood 
vessel. Accident occurred when 
Zlon's right hand slipped while do- 
ing back flip flops. 

Will be out of act for a few days. 
Until he returns It will be the Three 
Flushers. 



Hall on liOew Time 

William Hall, CBS sustaining 
baritone, nas been set for a com- 
plete tour of the Loew circuit. Six 
of the weeks will be played around 
New York, 

First of tliese Is the State, March 



Better Number 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Ann Greenway, watching 
Mary Garden from the front at 
the Chicago theatre Friday, 
swears this happened. Miss 
Garden exited for a costume 
change and returned to sing 
•Carmen' In character. Where- 
upon a conversational old 
woman next to Miss Greenway 
leaned over and said: 

•Why, I like her better than 
Mary Garden!' 



For 1st Time RKO 
Booking Office 
Losing $700 Wkly. 



RKO's vaude booking office, be- 
cause of diminishing commissions, 
is now estimated to be losing about 
$700 a week. It's the first time the 
booking office, which once was a 
tremendous money-maker and al- 
ways self-supporting, has been a 

losing proposition for the circuit. 

With its book down to 13% weeks 
of playing time, RKO is spending 
about $36,000 on an average of 66 
acts a week on a full week basis. 
Its commission on these bookings, 
and Its only income, at the official 
6% rate amounts to approximately 
$1,800. 

Booking office overhead runs to 
around $2,600 a week, of which 
Martin Beck's salary, $1,000, Is 40%. 
Overhead Includes salaries for the 
three bookers, other employes and 
rent. 



Those Stooges! 



N.A.R.C.S. (National Association 

of Royal Comedian- Savers) has 

been organized in New York by a 

group of elite stooges. The boys 

have drafted Ted Healy as their 
Honorary Chancellor. 

Officers are Eddie Moran, who 
stooges for anybody, president; 
Benny Baker, who stooges for Lou 
Holtz, vice-president; Moe Howard 
and Larry Fine, who stooge for 
Healy, secretary- treasurer and ser- 
geant-at-arms, respectively, and 
Babe Howard, who stooges for Moe 
Howard, custodian of wardrobe. 

So far all members are officer^, 
because so far there aren't any other 
members. 



Craig, Jr^ Not Serious 



Monrovia, Calif., Feb. 20. 

Dr. Robert Pottlnger states that 
the condition of Rlchy Cral?, Jr., 
confined in the medic's sanitarium 
here, is not serious, as previously 
reported. 

The physician says Craig is there 
resting prior to beginning a pic- 
ture engagement. 



Air's Uncle Don and Jack 
Ostennan Into Old Roxy 

Old Roxy gets Uncle Don, WOR 
air feature, and Jack Osterman with 
his Club Rich man show. The two 
were signed through Fanchon & 
Marco. 

Uncle Don opens at the old Roxy 
Friday (24) and moves the follow- 
ing week to the Fox Brooklyn. Os- 
terman opens at the old Roxy 
March 3. 



K[MP DICGINC Conservatrix Named for Mrs. Kohl 

rOR IIIR APTQll'rolx^te Court, Chicago, Appoints Daughter 
run Hill nU l J —widow U eS and AiUng 



Artist Bureau Canvassing 
Whole Variety Field for 
Ether Possibilities — ^Audi- 
tions Daily — Network 
Wants Comedy Acts and 
Especially Comedienn< 
Sustaining Build-Ups 



HEARING 25 WKLY. 



NBC, through artUt bureau audi- 
tions, is making a thorough search 
of the vaudeville field for possible 
radio talent. It opens the ether 
door wider than ever before for 
vaudevillians who yearn for that 
mike chance. 

Scouring of the variety field is 
under direction of Harold Kemp. 
The former Warner vaude book- 
ing head, now a member of the 
NBC artist bureau, is listening to 
about 25 variety acts a week in 
daily auditions. So far he has been 
responcible for the air showings of 
McLa'len and Sarah, Aileen Stan- 
ley, Clifford and Maripn and Ann 
Butler. Others that he and other 
members of the artist bureau have 
auditioned will go on whenever 
open spots 'appear. 

The network Is particularly de- 
sirous of flndlne: comedy acts, while 
the Grade Allen Influence has 
given NBC a particular yen for 
con^edlenn.is. The variety field Is 
belner searched because radio's 
present principal comedy style is 
based on the vaude type of cross- 
fire gSLgeing, 

For Sustaining Buildups 

Procedure for the vaudevillians 
will be the regulation radio way — 
auditions, then a sustaining: spot If 
the act passes the program board. 
Sustaining work Is expected to sell 
the acts to commercials. 

Working In conjunction with 
Kemp In the vaude search are 
Chester Stratton, Ed Scheulng and 
others of the artist bureau who sell 
the network's contract talent to th^ 
stage booking offlces. They're scout- 
ing all agents for prospects. 

In addition to the artist bureau's 
daily auditions, given at the rate of 
seven or eight a day. Its new gen- 
eral audition on Monday nights, at 
which 20 to 30 hopefuls are heard, 
will also be utilized for digging Into 
the vaude end. 



Paul Ash's New Work 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Paul Ash will make his first ap- 
pearance as a dance hall maestro at 
Merry Gardens ballroom here open- 
ing March 4. 

Al Beilen of Kennaway made the 
deal. 



Ann Seymour's Divorce 
Suit vs. Denis DuFor 

Cleveland, Feb. 21. 

Ann Seymour (DuFor), vaude 
single, has brought suit for divorce 
from Denis DuFor, former actor and 
now theatrical agent, whom she 
married in Cleveland In 1930. 

Miss Seymour's petition alleges 
DuFor (formerly of DuFor Bros.) 
hasn't paid for her support since her 
marriage. 



Doc Breed's Rest Cure 

Boston, Feb. 20. 

Doc Breed, head of RKO's Boston 
booking office, has gone away to 
recuperate. 

He suffered a nervous breakdown 
last week. 



'DESEBT BONO' DATES 

'Deb-ert Song* unit, laying off In 
New York this week, has been 
booked by F.&M. to play the Para- 
mount, Newark, opening Thursday 
(23). . . 

It follows for Loew's at Valencia, 
Jamaica, and at Paradise, Bronx. 



Growl for Beck 



Owner of a dog act that 
hasn't worked for six months, 
has taught one of his pups to 
growl whenever anyone says 
'Martin Beck.' 



Bank Moratorium 
Sore Jazzed Up 
Detroit's Stages 



Detroit, Feb. 20. 

Fanchon & Marco will probably 
be out as far as any further book- 
ings for the local Fox house as an 
aftermath of the cancelling of the 
'Girl Trouble' unit slated to open 
here Friday (17). 

With closing of banks and the 
Fox house In receivership, an at- 
tempt was made to use the unit 
with a guarantee of salaries only. 
The difference, to F&M, was asked 
to be waived, but with F&M refus- 
ing to waive their end the entire 
unit was cancelled and a show 
thrown together, opening on sched- 
uled time. Acts were booked not 
earlier than 8 a.m. of the opening 
day, and the line used wasn't booked 
until 11 a.m., with the opening show 
scheduled for 1:30 that afternoon. 

Talent used was recruited mostly 
from night clubs. Included were 
Ethel Norrls, Jay Mills. Bob Nolan, 
Rose and Rae Lite and the Evans 
line. Miss Norrls almost lost out 
on the booking thinking that the 
offer was a rib because of its sud- 
denness. 

Evans had Just had his line taken 
out of the Michigan in an effort to 
cut costs of that show with con- 
ditions being the reason. Evans had 
been given his notice but even that 
was out when the bank holiday 
affected things locally so much. 
With the situation at the Fox, he 
was sent for and put the girls on 
with about a 30 minute rehearsal 
with all the rest of the time needed 
for wardrobe fittings. Publlx co- 
operated to the extent of supplying 
wardrobe, etc. 

It is planned to build a second 
show next week, with the two week 
notice now up expiring at that time 
with a strong possibility that house 
will go sound. 



ROYAL AS ADVISOR TO 
AYLESWORTH ON R. C 



John Royal has become an un- 
official adviser on the operations of 
the two RKO theatres In Radio 
City as NBC v.p. In charge of pro- 
grams Royal does his suggesting 
and reporting direct to M. H> Ayles- 
worth, with all meetings taking 
place at the NBC offlces. 

Among other things Royal confers 
with Aylesworth on the stage book- 
ings submitted for the Music Hall 
and suggests the suitability of cer- 
tain standard vaude acts for that 
house. 

Royal was with Keith vaude be- 
fore going air. 



O'Conner Kids Banned; 
Act Refuses $75 Cut 

LoH Angeles, Feb. 20. 

When State Labor commission re- 
fu.sed a permit for Patsy and Don- 
ald, minors, to appear currently 
with the O'Connor Family at the 
Downtown, act, with only four re- 
maining, balked at a |75 salary 
clip. Eddie Ilanley and Co. vrcre 
spotted to sub. 

O'Connor act had been contracted 
at $300 for the week for six people. 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Probate Court Judge J. G. Van 
Keuren has appointed Caroline 
Handlan as conservatrix for her 
mother, Mrs. Caroline L. Kohl, one 
of the largest Orpheum circuit 
stockholders and widow of a pioneer 
vaudeville showman of the west. 
Mrs. Kohl is 68. She has been In 
failing health for the past two years. 

Office of George L. Schien, at- 
torneys for the Kohl Interests, de- 
clined to comment on the matter. 
Dr. E. F. Foley and Dr. S. J. Imbi- 
oskl reported to tlie Probate Court 
recommending the appointment of 
a conservatrix. Bond of $45,000 was 
posted through the Maryland Cas- 
ualty Co. by the daughter. 

Meanwhile an action against the 
Academy theatre on Halstead street 
has been started by the Foreman 
State Trust and Savings Bank. It 
is one of the Kohl properties. 
George A. Paddock was named re- 
ceiver for the theatre. 



RKQ BO OKING UP 
OBUGATION 
ACTS' 



RKO Is flooding Its vaude book 
with 'obligation acts' in an attempt 
to wipe out some of the obllgatlona 
piled up by the booking offlce during 
the Godfrey regime. The bookers 
have ordei's to spot the acts that 
have time coming on as many shows 
as possible, without impairing the 
value of the bills. 

Three of the acts are at the Al- 
bee, Brooklyn, this week and a 
similar number in other RKO houses 
around the country. Around $200,- 
000 in obligations will be paid this 
way. 



Jack Danger Booking 
House He Played as an 
Actor Only 10 Days Ago 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Jack Danger played Powers the- 
atre, Grand Rapids, Feb. 9-10-11 aa 
an actor. Now he Is booking the 
theatre. Herman Blumenfeld of the 
Barnes-Carruthers agency, who 
booked Danger as an actor, didn't 
know he was also a booker. Blu- 
menfeld Is out of luck and his the- 
atre. 

Danger has been a triple threat 
around Chicago for some time. He 
Is actor, agent, or booker, as the 
situation demands. When booking 
he generally sells himself as an 
actor to himself as a booker on the 
first show he books. It simplifies 
the auditing, especially If the first 
show Is also the last one. 



17-Year-OId Dancer's lOOG 
Suit Over Stage Accident 

Boston, Feb. 20. 

Mrs. May McGrall, of New York 
city, acting for her daughter, Helen 
Hurst, 17, dancer, filed suit this 
week In Federal court here for 
$100,000, against the Keith Mas.sa- 
chusctts Corp. Plaintiff says the 
girl was member of a troupe play- 
ing Keith's, Lowell, when a plat- 
form collapsed, causing Injuries to 
girl's left leg. 

Declares niallgnnant tumor devel- 
oped which l.<5 Incuralile and may 
lead to amputation. 



Schumann-Heink's $1,800 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Fanchon & Marco has booked 
Mme. Schumann-Heink Into the 
State, Long Beach, to follow her 
current week at Loew's State here. 

Long Beach date starts Feb. 23. 
She received Jl,800 for the L. A. 
week. 



46 VABIETY 



V A II D E V I L L E 



Tiiesdafv February 21, I933 



Squawks 



New York, Feb. 16 

Editor Variety: 

Why all this fuss over that stale 
automat gas between Milton Berle 
and Andy Rice? 

Nine years ago I did an act with 
another fellow. On the bill then 
was Lew Cooper (blackface single). 
Over a dinner table Lew suggested 
that same Joke for our act, which 
we did for three years. 

Who is the originator? 

Jack Iforth. 



Editor Variety; 

I wish to correct a statement 
made in the last issue of 'Variety*, 
that Miss Jean Cohen, adapted a 
play, 'Girlhood of A Queen.' No 
adaptation of this play exists, up 
to date. 



Winter Cruises Booked 
76 Artists, 28 Jazzists 

Three liners on 12 and 16 -day 
West Indies cruises, also one boat 
leaving today for Bermuda over 
Washington's Birthday, are carry- 
ing entertainers under salary. In 
all, 76 artists will be carried on the 
' four ships, in addition to 28 musi- 
cians engaged for the speclalt-. per- 
formances. 

Artists on boats touching Havana 
will play three shows on land dur- 
ing the day spent there. Perform-^ 
ances go on afr 6 : 30 and 9:30 in two 
different theatres, the show then 
erlving' a third performance In a 
night club. Extra compensation for 
the Havana appearances. Arrange- 
ment was made by .I^at Abramsoh, 
who booked the. boats. 

Aboard the Georgic, which sailed 
Feb. IB for 15 days, are Carl Gard- 
ner, m. c; Sylvia Loew^ Evelyn 
Martin, Violet Love, Carlos Carlet- 
CB^ ta, Mary Lou, Marjorle Lane, Grace 
Perry, Mabel Doollttle, Bobby De 
Rio, Tiny Rosen. 

Aboard the Mauritania, which 
sailed Feb. 17 for 12 days: John 
PIccorl, m. c; Gray Family, Mary 
Mario, Faye and Wellington, Pa- 
tricia Storm, Eunice Berle, Arthur 
Ferman. 

Aboard the Veedam, which sailed 
Feb. 17 for 12 days: Willis Claire, 
m. c; Cherie and Tomasita, Per- 
qulta Courtney, Dorothy Turrey, 
Bob and Wanda Collins. 

Largest show will be aboard the 
Majestic, leaving today. (21): Harry 
Hershfleld, m. c; Nordstrom Sis- 
ters, Lillian Wagner, 2;anou and 
Kaz, Vandy Cape, Alexis Rothoff, 
Sylvia Sims, Woods Miller, Eddy 
Barry, Karre, Noyes and Le Baron, 
also a line of showgirls. 



Dufaye Returning East; 
Walker in Sparring Act 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Grace Dufaye, brought here re- 
cently from New York by Fanchon 
& Marco, and spotted In 'Snapshots' 
unit, returns east for future book- 
ings this week (24). She closes with 
the unit the preceding day. 

Mickey Walker, middleweight 
champ, opened a two weeks' engage- 
ment for F&M (currently) at the 
Warfleld, 'Frisco, with Oakland to 
follow. He is doing a sparring ex- 
hibition in 'Movie Circus.' 



RUNAWAY 4 RULING 



Breakaway Member Can't Adopt 
Old Act's Title 



Only one ,act can use the name 
Runaway Four, and that's the 
original group, according to a ruling 
ipade by the V.M.A. Controversy 
started when Harold Boyd of the 
original knockabout quartet broke 
away from his lengthy partnership 
with Jack Oliver and the O'Brien. 
Bros, and formed h)s own Runaway 
Four. 

V.M.A. ruled that Boyd Is en- 
titled to use his own dharacteriza- 
tion, but not the Runaway title and 
routine with his new partner. Oliver 
and the 'O'Briens have the title and 
the; routirte, but can't replace Boyd 
v^ith a similar character. 



DE MUTH'S 4 JEWELS 

ThU Week, Peb. 18, Academy, N. Y., 
and Capitol, Trenton 
Entire Act 
TBAINED, STAGED and PRODUCED 
By HARRY DE MUTH 
New York's Foremost Acrobitle Teaohar 
Studio I6SS Broadway, New York 
Phone. Circle 7^8743 



Dayton's 2d Vaude House, 
Gobper Out of Lyric 

Dayton, O., Feb. 20. 
A. J. Cooper, who recently ac- 
quired the New York Hippodrome 
management, has pulled out of the 
Lyric here alter eight months' op- 
eration and lease on the house has 
bteen taken for five years by Ed- 
mund Breckenrldge, late manager of 
the iHartman, Columbus. 

Breckenrldge plans five acts of 
vaudeville wi^h pictures, four shows 
dally, at 10, 20 and 30c., opening 
Feb. 26. He Is redecorating the 
house and changing the name. He 
a.}so runs the Court, pic house, at 
Beilefontalne. 

This gives Dayton two flve-act 
and picture houses. The Ohio has 
been treating Its patrons lately in 
this manner at a dime a throw. 



Dick Hoffman's New Job 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Abolishment of the RKO club de- 
partment here sends its manager, 
Dick Hoffman, into the newly-or- 
ganLzed Consolidated booking office 
headed by Louis Chicco. Hoffman 
was with RKO over 20 years. 

Tom Powell Is booking a vaude- 
ville theat:e in DeKalb, 111. Third 
member of the abolished depart- 
ment was Jerry Sullivan. 



THE GREAT 



YAGOPIS 

World's Sensational Teeterboard Artists 

THIS WEEK (FEB. 17) 

ORIGINAL ROXY, NEW YORK 

Direction WM. MORRIS OFFICE 

RUNAWAY FOUR 

TOM O'BRIEN JAMES OLIVER 
SHOTS O'BRIEN ANDY BARLOW 

This Combination Has Sole Right to Above Name According to 
Decision Rendered by V. M. P. A. 

ACADEMY, NEW YORK 

(This Week, Feb. 18) 

Rep. CURTIS & ALLEN 



•iCr AT riBEKTY BEGINNINO MARCH 3BU < 



M,C. AND YOUNG NUT COMIC 
NOW FINISUINO I.OE\V CIUCI'IT 
, . . ; FEAXriUSD WITH STABNBS^KOVER DANCEBS 

Weffc Feb. 24 at. * w • ■ , Address 

JFQt, WHBhlnston, Now at Valencia, Jamaica 'VAHIETY' 

D. O. New York 



Vaude-Shorts Hartman 
Folds Owing; Salaries 

Columbus', Feb. 20. 
The Hartman theatre, operated 
for the past two months on a vaud- 
fllm policy by the Great Lakes The- 
atres Corp., was closed this mor- 
ning without notice by.. Harry 
Schwartz,, head of the corporation. 
For the past two weeks the house 
had been running only shorts with 
a continuous vaude bill and taking 
it on the chin plenty. 

House lost plenty in the last three 
weeks. Hitting the aklds to mere 
12,000 take last week, llouse had 
operated non-union, which also 
hurt plenty on the grosses. All 
employes unpaid for past three 
weeks. 



Networks Miss Out 



(Continued from page 37) 
able to see. Is that the networks 
themselves were responsible for*tbe 
booking of no more than 26% of 
the principal radio talent. Outside 
of the minor commercial program 
talent, musicians, etc., and with 
few exceptions in the star «lass, 
the networks were not Involved In 
the .selection of principals for their 
most Important programs. The ad- 
vertisers and advertising agencies 
did not care to trust the networks 
with the Important bookings. 

The commish.-grabbihg methods 
that dictate the present NBC aiid 
CBS artist bureau policies are held 
solely responsible for the networks' 
failure to rate as bookers as well 
as agents. When a prospective ad- 
vertiser calls on a network for a 
sample program and audition, the 
network Instinctively confines the 
talent to acts who are under NBC's 
or CBS' management. It wanting 
to delve further Into the talent field 
for possibilities, the advertiser must 
go to other agents or direct to non- 
contract artists. Most of the time 
the advertiser winds up by rejecting 
the networks' office acts and buy- 
ing their talent outside. 

Seeing the Stage 

But when unable to shove their 
own artists beyond the audition 
stage on the radio, the net^yorks 
figure the stage booking sideline 
will atone for the air losses! They 
use their ether facilities to build 
up their conti?act artists for stage 
purposes. That's where most of the 
commlsh-grabblng comes in. Mean- 
while somebody else is getting the 
commlsh for the commercial radio 
bookings on their own programs. 

That foolish commlsh-grabblng Is 
responsible for the advertising 
agencies' original move toward es- 
tablishing their own artist bureau 
for their clients. It commenced 
when the advertisers and agencies 
learned that frequently only 50% 
and 60% of the money they were 
spending for talent, went to the 
talent. The networks' commlsh- 
grabblng artist bureaus got the rest, 
so the advertisers decided to pay 
for what they were getting and no 
more. 

In competing with the agents 
through establishing themselves as 
agents, the networks have com- 
pletely lost the support that might 
otherwise prevented the condition by 
which radio has been entirely sterile 
as a star-maker for the past year. 
The agents mistrust the networks 
more than they do each other. 
Prefer Networks If — 
All agents prefer to do their busi- 
ness direct with the advertisers and 
agencies, since they don't have to 
go up against the network intrigue 
and politics to sell an act direct to 
the buyer. This limits the networks 
source of talent to those acts who 
don't have agents and to those 
with agents who don't mind split 
ting it with six others or take a 
chance of losing their acts alto- 
gether. 

Agents say they would rather do 
their business with the networks 
than with the agencies or adver- 
tisers, if conditions were different. 
In the network artist bureau is al- 
ways the possibility of flndng a 
5howman to whom they can talk 
talent n the showmanly way, while 
at the ad agencies there Is very 
little showmanship to deal with. As 
things now stand, the agents de- 
clare, they prefer the agencies as 
the lesser of two evils. 

Radio's only answer and alibi for 
its failure to develop stars is that 
the advertisers, after all, are spend- 
ing their own money and thoy are 
entitled to buy their acts where they 
will. But this to the rest of the 
' show business Ish't even an alibi. 



Inside Stuf TVaude 



Oaby Leslie, who was awarded $8,600 damages against the Scollay Sq 
theatre, Boston, following a two days* trial in Boston last week, had aa* 
her trial counsel, Joseph N. Welch, who wouldn't tackle the case until 
he rummaged through hlar client's purse and reassured himself she had 
no $2 bill among her currency. Ho wears the same outfit at trials, hav- 
ing one suit of clothes, shoes, tie, etc., specially laid aside for trial sea* 
slons. 

Miss Leslie sued for $20,000. damages and might have been awaided 
twice as much but for one Juror's stubbornness. Jury was greatly im- 
pressed with her injuries which allegedly will permanently handicap her 
professional career. Accident was caused by her heel catching in one of 
the <lrilled holes In the stage, previously bored to brace the aerial 
apparatus. 



An odd situation on stage shows exists in and around Bayonne, N. J 
with a total of five houses now playing acts on Sundays within a circle 
of 20 blocks. Cameo and Fulton, In Jersey City,, each on the Bayonne 
city line, recently put In Suhday bills of five acts as opposition to De- 
Witt, Strand and Opera Hous^, Bayonne, all with Sunday stage, attract 
tions. 

Bayonne plays a total of 20 acts on the Sab, five each in Dewltt and 
Strand, 10 at the Opera House. All ar^ booked 'Independently. 



Beer! 



(Continued from page 1) 

way, where Anheuser-Busch pro- 
poses to open a beer garden seating 
6,000. Site takes In the Horn & 
Hardart automat cafeteria and the 
Globe theatre. 

KemplnskI, owner of the Kempln- 
ski restaurants in Berlin, was over 
here last week to close' oh a lease 
for first three floors of the Clarldge 
hotel, where he plana opening up If 
and when. That takes in the 
ground floor and first two stories. 

The basement of the Loew's State 
building, now housing a German 
restaurant, was leased a few months 
back with a proviso that if pro- 
hibition is repealed, Loew's will 
share in profits on sale of liquor. 
All Sorts of Plans 
One of the large New Tork brew- 
ers is repoi'ted ready to organize a 
chain of beer gardens through the 
country, Jn. states which do not in- 
dlqate they want to remain dry, de- 
spite repeal. Brewers may not be 
able to get Immediate financing 
through the Reconstruction Finance 
Corp., but It Is believed 'AriU have 
no difficulty in arranging for money 
locally from other banking sources. 
Flotation of brewery stock Issues 
may be one way of acquiring ready 
cash needed. 

While the legit breweries may be 
floating stock or bond issues at the 
sah^e time a lot of sharpshooting Is 
expected from every quarter. All 
over the country it is believed ef- 
forts will be made to chisel in with 
promotion and other schemes from 
now on. 

Show business itself believes that 
repeal will stimulate generally the 
patronage of pictures and stage 
shows. Through the fact that re- 
peal will probably take people out 
of their homes, radio on the other 
hand might be affected. That in 
Itself is favorably regarded by the- 
atre men. 

Some showmen, in characterizing 
repeal of prohibition as helpful to 
the industry, think that if it does 
nothing else except place the public 



Turned Back Mempbis 
Hcuse Opposes Munie 

Memphis, Feb. 20. 
' The City Auditorium, owned and 
Operated by the city at a loss to 
the taxpayers, received a Jolt when 
the . RKO Orpheum was released to 
the Memphis Theatre Co., owners of 
the property, for they Immediately 
appointed L. R, Pierce, manager for 
the RKO, to operate the theatre for 
them. Pierce is playing pictures at 
present, but on Feb. 26 he starts 
vaudeville with pictures. 

The Auditorium has been charg- 
ing 13 top for shows like 'Vanities 
of 1932' and 'Of thee I Sing,' while 
the same shows played Louisville 
at 12 and Davidson, Milwaukee, at 
12.60 top. 



B&K Sundays May Grow 
Into 3-Day Bookings 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Balaban & Katz will use Ave acta 
at the Senate on Sundays hence- 
forward. First bill booked by the 
William Morris office opened yester- 
day (19) including Prosper and 
Merit, Halg, Halg, and Halg, Buddy 
Howe, Harry Hines, and Sandy 

Lang. No increase in prices will 
follow as this was the mistake B&K 
made at the Riviera a couple of 
months ago. Higher prices nullified 
the advantage of a better entertain* 
ment 

B&K now has the Congress, Bel- 
mont, and Senate using acts with 
all of these houses and some others 
reported as possibilities for three- 
day booking. 



in a better frame of niind, mean- 
while getting money into circula- 
tion, the theatre will be boncnted. 

The Inevitable boon to musicians, 
variety talent, et al., is another 
well regarded factor. 




Marcus Loew 

BOOKINCAGENCY 

General Executive Offices 

LOEWBUIIDINC 

AN N EX 

leO WEST 46""* ST- 

BRyant 9 7800 NEW YORK CITY 

J. H. LUBIN 



aBNEUAL UAMAOBB 



MARVIN H, SCHENCK 

DOOKINO MAMAOBB 



Ttiea^ji February 21> 193S 



VAUDE HOUSE REVIEWS 



VARIETY 




N T. a PARADISE REVUE 
64 Min>.; Full (6p«cial) 
M«t, BropWyn 

NllB T, Granlimd a couple tUnea 
mentioned on this engasement Fri- 
day night that 'show will b«.oyer. 
Ash WedneBday.' So fax as N.T.G. 
Is personally oohcernedfl he'd prob- 
ably jUBt BB Bdon Keep on until then. 
He must love the exercise and fig- 
ures It a good Idea to give his peo- 
Die something to do. Hie new revue 
Is from the Paradise restaurant, 
which Granlund recently opened op 
■Broadw«ty4 It Includea" considerable 
good talent anif plenty of looks, but 
as pl&yed out here It ran' 64 mlns. 

WhlW Ni*r.Q. Is eveir willing to 
give 'em all they. Want and more, he 
at the same time dulls the edge of 
his show. .when, on a stage l?x Incjp- 
slon of too muoh,.that. wouldn't be 
missed. 

(Jranlund himself, with the aid of 
Milton Berle, who is on same show 
out here and mixes Into the Para- 
dise revue at every opportunity, 
talks too much between numbers. 
He's there* again with his rattles 
and a long flow of gab, same as on 
hla Paradise floor, but In the night 
clubs Granlund seems to move his 
shorr faster and . more, effectively 
than In vaude. 

At 64 minutes, he could be the 
whole vaude. bill without the neces- 
elty of ffljir other acts on show, if 
It w£is m.erely a matter of running 
tln;o. 

Soecialty people are on the stage 
at tables, with some of 'em getting 
to look tired before their turn ar- 
xivBB — as at an audition. Sock of 
revue Is the Five Maxellos, rlsley 
acrobats with a very slick routine. 

An adagio group, George Andre 
Quartet, closes up the revue. Ahead 
of these two acts, both registering 
strongly, It hs^s been a succession 
of singles and doubles, mostly for- 
mer and many of them alike. 
Standing out are a sister team In a 
rhythm routine that's very good, 
and Harry Roye and BilHe Maye, 
also In a dance number. 
. Couple of girls who walk out for 
an eye-treat, including Miss Amer- 
ica of 1931 (Lee Patterson), are 
brought out early in the proceed- 
ings. A toe ballet Is effective, even 
if the soloist took a long look at 
Harriet Hoctor. Gypsy double and 
a couple cooch singles., also figure, 
but not impressive. Char. 

BOB HARING'S OR'CH. 
Musfc, Singing 
18 Mina.; Full 
Academyi N. Y. 

Nice Instrumentation with three 
Tlolins, fouc saxes, guitar, percus- 
sion, trumpet, double bass and 
piano. Occasionally the trumpet 
gets too strident and overbalances, 
but in general a smooth tone and 
good rhythm. Leader has a natu- 
rally genial personality and does 
not spoil this by trying to oversell 
himself. Directs from a corner of 
the stage out of the limelight, com- 
ing In only for the announcements. 
It helps him. 

Several men from the band do 
bits, and there's a girl with a Ruth 
Sttlng imitation that's an Imitation, 
but not a copy, and another who 
stands on her own feet. Both have 
pleasant voices, but not outstanding. 
Best number was a river medley 
nicely worked out, but all of the In- 
strumental work got over. Chic. 

LAWRENCE GRAY 

Singing 

8 Mins.; One 

Met, Brooklyn 

Lawrence Gray, from pictures 
and the musical stage, comes to 
vaude equipped with a nice, person- 
ality and a voice to go along with 
it. He may not rate much as a b.o. 
draw despite his fllm and musical 
backsrround, but as an act shapes as 
okay. 

Gray opens with 'It's Within Your 
Power,' displaying a pretty good 
voice, and follows with 'Isn't It Ro- 
mantic?' and medley of numbers 
from films and shows In which he's 
appeared. Carries a male pianist, 
Benny Martini, but no solos. 

Did very nicely out here Friday 
night. Char. 



BRYANT, RAINS and YOUNG 

Dance Flash 

12 Mine.; Full (Special) 

Orpheum 

Classy little dance flash, modestly 
produced and staged, but nicely 
routined and entertaining. Fills de- 
mand of most any house. 

Trio of Bryant, Rains and Young 
consists of a man and two women, 
a reverse on the usual trio dance 
setup. They open In a prettily rou- 
tined waltz number and close in an 
adagio, with man Impressing as a 
very able handler. Work of trio is 
not sensational, with adagio par- 
ticularly offering nothing that gets 
'em gasping for breath, but bring.') 
out grace and novelty that cinches 
a hand. 

An acrobatic Janoer is carried for 
! center of act. She goes for hand- 
eprlngs mostly, but okay. 

Tailed flve-act bill here and . well 
liked Saturday afternoon. Char. 



HOWARD MARSH and Co. (26) 
Musio and Song 
17 Min*,; Full 
Albea, Bklyn 

In bringing 26 people besides him- 
self Into vaude for the purpose of 
finding enough time to pay off the 
Investment, Howard Marsh, from 
the operetta stage, rates aa an op- 
timist. Hd has rounded up a novel 
and potentially excellent company, 
but 'where is he going with it? 

The act carries a 16-plece banfd, 
lOrplece male singing chorus and a 
girl dancer, in addition to Marsh, 
who doubles a/s the vocal leader and 
baton. Thayer, when the regular con- 
diictoV is r'e;4ti.ng.. ' 

Tuni' Is' brea«llng in cold at the 
Albee this week. At the first per- 
formance 4t xva.B held ' do Wh to 17 
minutes, and won't need to cut the 
running time by more than a couple 
of minutes. Respottlng of the as- 
sorted sizes In the male chorus, i.nd 
elimination of a meaningless talking 
bit between Marsh and the girl, 
seemed the only desirable changes 
of importance. 

Marsh Is still the 'Student Prince, 
dressed In the Old Heidelberg unl- 
fonh most of the way. Stein songs 
and the like form the bulk of the 
turn, Interspersed with some pop 
music attempts by the orchestra. 
Marsh switches to the Mississippi 
river gambler outfit of purple coat 
and grey topper for the finale, sing 
ing excerpts from 'Show Boat,' this 
leading to an 'Ol' Man River' finale 
by himself and the male chorus. 

Group vocal numbers are Impres 
slve and will be more so when the 
act has had some wdtk. There are 
plenty of people on the stage at one 
time for a vaude act, and that 
counts as much as anything else. 
But that also calls for money. 

Bige. 

PAULA STONE and Co. (3) 

Skit 

13 Mins.; One and Two (Special) 
Orpheum 

Three-people skit In which the 
dancing, stands out, but singing 
and talk falls down. . In its present 
shape small-time. Act opens in two 
with man as a state trooper engag- 
ing first In some talk with third 
party. Finally girl rolls on In a 
car for talk sequence around ticket. 
No laughs. 

To permit changes. Miss Stone, 
*a daughter of Fred Stone, goes to 
one for a song and dance. She's 
light on the vocal equipment, but 
gets over okay In a buck number. 
Back to two, her opp, now In eve- 
ning clothes, following some talk 
with pianist, goes Into a song and 
dance. Again the singing end 
proves weak, the dancing better. 
Finish drawn up with Miss Stone 
Joining for a dance double and act 
drop down light whc.r caught here 
Saturday afternoon. 

Most needed is a material writer 
if act Is to get anywhere. Third on 
five-act bill up here. Char. 

STATE, N. Y. 

It's audition week at Loew's State. 
Maybe not oflRcially, but CBS Is 
using the State rostrum, through 
the medium of Freddie Rich's or- 
chestra, as a parade of its bullder- 
upperlng air people for a stage 
once-over-llghtly. As a result. 
Rich's band act aa an individual 
entity suffers through eclipsing, as 
the succession of specialists, in- 
cluding Gertrude Niesen, Tito 
Gulzar, Helen Nugent and the Four 
Clubmen, tend to minimize Rich's 
Own Impression greatly. 

Quite obviously the CBS-Loew 
hookup on this booking was not- to 
pay Rich as the headllner as much 
as the opportunities for the lesser 
CBS talent that' went along with it. 
Actually, Miss Niesen and Guizar, 
with their specialties, plus their 
better-known radio reps, were the 
clickers. Miss Nugent and the 
quartet wei-e so-so. Coming on 
early, with their unimpressive spe- 
cialties, they didn't help Rich along 
either. 

Rich proves something about good 
air bands meaning nothing onstage, 
and vice versa, as is currently be- 
ing evidenced by a crack stage band 
falling to register on the air. For 
one thing he is too muelcianly and 
plays pieces that may be the mu- 
sikcrs' delight but don't invigorate 
the mugg fans. His opening num- 
ber Is bad, and the Four Clubmen's 
amateurish style of quartet harmon- 
izlnpr, with one of the clubbers do- 
ing the conducting with his hands 
In very obvious manner, further 
slows it down. Dice behind the 
mike, but not In audience view. 
Same for Helen Xugonf's 'Street of 
Dreams.' 

Tito Guizar'.s Argcniinc opener 
and pop sequel were almost show- 
stoppers, and he had to beg for his 
release. Miss Nicscn's 'Night and 
Day' and the two enrore Lupe Velez 
impres.sions plus a little extra fol- 
de-rol are plenty oke to ijo it alone 
as a single. It's part of her air 



routine.. Rich Is In formal tails and 
his men in tuxes. 

Another radio act. Aunt Jemima 
(Tesa Garden), is sub-featured. 
She's also CBS but not CBS-pre- 
sented. Her seemingly Increased 
heft probably h&a her Jad Salts list- 
eners wond.firlng about the radio 
ballyhoo of having lost 76 pounds 
taking the reducing cure she advo- 
cates. Maybe it refers to English 
currency. Big Tess does her pops 
In usual oke manner, topping off 
with the hoofology which discloses 
a couple of nifty gams for a gal her 
size. 

Andressens open with perch and 
rlsley in standard manner. Leon 
Navarra, ex-plcture house m.c. and 
band leader, deuces with a pianolog. 
Claims he's not a regular actor and 
that sort of establishes him. Back- 
bone of his act Is the piano lesson 
stuff and the manner In which he 
vamps from one pop Into another, 
with the community sing (or whis- 
tle) stunt the main Idea. He was 
moderately succesesful. 
, Medley and Dupree, another 
standard comedy team with a stooge 
vocalist who Is Introduced as their 
'love child,' and then Aunt Jemima. 
Newman Fler accomps Big Tess. 

Jans and Whalen, likewise stand- 
ard, with the coochlng- "widow' as 
comedy foil, pepped things up in 
the ace groove. The Rich radio 
revue -flnaled. 

Lineup while standard evidences 
that the State could have utilized a 
little expert booking this week. 
Just a collection of acts because 
they're standard doesn't guarantee 
good vaudeville. 

Highlight of the newsreel was the 
applause for Jimmy Walker's 
speechifying at Cannes before the 
Riviera resort's police force of 108. 
New York's ex-Hlzzoner evidenced 
more showmanship on the screen 
thaji the vaude show does this week. 

Aleh 



ACADEMY, N. Y. 

- Not much of a bill at the Skouras 
stronghold this week and biz to 
match on the late Saturday and 
Sunday trade. They were coming 
in at eight o'clock Saturday night, 
but there was plenty of room for 
them. House is making a screen 
appeal for benefits with an offer to 
deal with any fraternal or social or- 
ganization. Good gag for down 
here, where there are so many 
cliques calling themselves clubs or 
associations. Most of them sell 
tickets to tbeir benefit— or else. 
Probably pads tne seats with pay 
patrons now and then. Saturday it 
looked as though the picture, 'Hot 
Pepper* (Fox), was more the at- 
traction than the vaude. 

Show gets off to a nice start with 
the Christensen Brothers, male bal- 
let dancers, with two girls to work 
with them. Nice line of ballet steps, 
slightly gymnastic arid evidently 
routined with a realization that the 
vaude patrons do not care for the 
classical. About as close an ap- 
proach to a pop ballet number as 
there is, and yet the steps are all 
legitimate enough. It's that they 
are shrewdly chosen. The two men 
are expert at aerial pirouetted. All 
four make a nice appearance, the 
girls showing two costumes each, 
while the men work without change. 
A good enough opener for almost 
any house. 

Doyle and Delia, dialect come- 
dians who go to banjos for a finish, 
got over well enough to come back 
for a bow, with the hands still pat- 
ting but not Insistently enough to 
call for an encore. Rough stuff and 
probably destined to stay put In the 
family houses, but effective In a 
moderate way, 

Nell Kelly, more strenuous than 
ever. Is developing too much rowdi- 
ness. She was better when she did 
not overcapitalize her exuberant 
personality. Spoils her Garbo bit 
with overemphasis and Just mild on 
the opening song. Front and back 
kicks, which got her attention orig- 
inally, still get her off to approval, 
but she could have done much bet- 
ter if a little less energetic. 

Runaway Four still cling to the 
water- spitting bits, which did not 
do so well even down here. The 
comedian gets over well, but the 
act was not in good shape when 
caught; possibly careless because It 
was the supper show. Opening bit 
was the best score, which might 
suggest to them to hold more to 
the comedy and .let the acrobatics 
slide a little. 

Closer was Bob Harlng's orches- 
tra (New Acts) from radio. Smooth 
melody, and Harlng sells the stuff 
well with an engaging and unaf- 
fected personality. Two girls for 
the singing did not help themselves 
any by both wearing black dresses. 
Harlng might do well for his vaude- 
ville dates to trade one of the sing- 
ers for a hoofer of the same sex. 
Solo bits by the band boys were 
not outstanding, but the turn fills 
18-20 minutes acceptably, with def- 
inite approval shown at the close. 

Apart from the feature the only 
film contribution was the Miami 
shooting, which replaced the news- 
reel. An excess of announcement 
doe.s not come under the head of 
entprtalnment, but seems to be used 
down here to permit placing or re- 
moval of the sound horns. Show a 
little short of the usual 150 minutof!. 
with the vaude a flat hour. Chic, 



G. O. H., N. Y. 

Somebody ought to create .an en- 
dowment for the Grand Opera 
House lest it follow the Palace ex- 
ample and go straight pictures, end- 
ing the last stand of family vaude- 
ville, the last stand in New York 
anyway. Three of the four acts 
current the first half go back at 
least 15 years, and most of their 
material belongs to that forgotten 
era. 

Also they all work with the gusto 

of the old school, and the style leads 
itself perfectly to the spirit of this 
neighborhood mob, which still piles 
in to fill the house Saturday after- 
noons at two bits, regardless of the 
pictures, and enjoy themselves art- 
lessly and eloquently at gags and 
business that were routine back 
when the Sunset Division was com 
ing home from France. 

There isn't another spot where 
you can be sure of getting some of 
the cla.sslc hoke of a former day any 
time you drop In. This week it's 
the grotesque trio which Interrupts 
its comic exchange of talk to permit 
a high tenor to warble a senti- 
mental ballad. This time it hap- 
pens to be 'When You Were Sweet 
Sixteen,' and the cream of the num 
ber is the finale, where the other 
n^an and the woman of the three 
solne como In for rich and Juicy 
close harmony. It's priceless as 
dbne this time by Smith, Strong ahd 
Lee, bid-tlmers to the extent they 
go back around 16 years In stand 
ard vaudeville around New York, 
They're.' a gold mine of such bits. 
Including their finish with a hillbilly 
doggerel verse and music on har 
monlca; uke and penny whistle. 

Dalton and Craig, esteemed, stand, 
ard some years ago, contribute an- 
other museum piece to the exhibit. 
Man Is on and enters Into talk with 
the leader about the deference . due 
to womanhood, which . .cues on the 
woman of the team upon whose in- 
terruption the man goes into the as- 
sault and battery business upon her 
plump person.^ Thence the act is 
an elaboration of the husbandrand- 
wlfe wrangle, worked into crossfire 
and punctuated with more manhan- 
dling. 

Back in the early 20's Dalton and 
Craig wer6 candidates for impor- 
tant positions. Then they did a 
couple of legitimate characters as 
the basis of a light song-'and-dahce 
act. They, carried something of a 
set and the other accessories. Avail- 
able time nowadays doesn't encour- 
age carrying special sets around, so 
the pair have fallen back on the 
simplest of stock routines. 

Joe Fanton and Co., third of the 
veterans In this bill, opened the 
show with his familiar style of ring 
acrobatics, the turn that once was 
at the top of that specialty and still 
is an Interesting item, even If it Is 
opening the show for Chelsea vil- 
lage. 

Closing turn Is 'Dancing Around,' 
a commonplace song-and-dance 
fiash of recent vintage, made up of 
a soprano, tenor, mixed dance team 
and pair of boy tappers, together 
with a fairly elaborate lot of drops 
and drapes that look a lot, but have 
little substance. Just fair in its 
class, which is second grade. 

Pictures were 'No More Orchids' 
(Col), not so long out of Broadway 
first-run, and 'Hypnotized' (World 
Wide). Rush. 



PALACE, CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 18, 
A cheap bill as Palace budgeti* 
have run during the past six months 
is neverthelcs.s an unctimmonly di- 
verting and pleasing entertainment 
which In union with tlio Radio pic- 
ture, 'Topaze,' is con.siderod prom- 
ising. Palace will have little cur- 
rent opposition from B&K's Chl- 
oago, where It was quiclily demon- 
strated that Mary Oardon's fans 
weren't leaving Ontwentsla, Evans- 
ton, or Astor street in sufficient 
numbers to swamp the box office. 

Chic Sale with his school enter-, 
talnment modified slightly into an 
audition for a little theatre was that 
grand oddity, a headllner who Is a 
thorough artist. Recent headllners 
have so often been persons whoso 
.•audevUle was a result of winning 
their spurs not In vaudeville but 
anywhere and everywhere else. Sale 
piled up laughs, applause and good 
will and put the stamp of genuine- 
ness on the proceedings. 

In opening the show, the De Tore- 
gos had the advantage of an In- 
tensifying pace that reaches a strong 
finish. Garner, Wolf and Hakins, 
stooging In the manner identified 
with Howard, Fine and Howard, and 
almost a carbon copy thereof, were 
not always funny, but they were 
funny enough and often enough ttf ' 
please the generality and to fulfill ^ 
their responsibility for pushing the • 
show forward. 

In the dark throughout and elect- 
ing to make a black pit of the au- 
ditorium Itself , to complete the 
seance effect, Aronson, Fayre and 
Lane treyed with a higher average 
of amusement than might be ex- 
pected from • mimicry of radio per- - 
sonalities. Much, of their work is of 
a keen approximation of the origi- 
nals, but the Amos 'n' Andy Is bad« 
and the Ed Wynn is atrocious. 
After 80 much merit the amateurish 
efforts to capture ihefee' ether celeba 
Is unbelievably palookalsh. 

On the tag end of the bill was the 
Hudson Wonders, two girls who 
started in Chicago as child dancers 
and now, after years In European 
music hcflls, are making American 
vaude (New Acts). Girls are the 
final gasp in their particular line. 

Land. 



DOWNTOWN, L. A. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 16. 
Current bill runs heavily to hoke, 
with three of the five acts resorting 
to semi or out-and-out burlesque. 
Nevertheless, It's excellent stage 
fare, and probably set the house 
back several hundred dollars over 
the regular weekly budget for 
talent. 

Teeter Board Athletes, four vets, 
provide a typical old-time vaude 
bill opener with their hand and head 
balancing and springboard maneu- 
vers. Several head-to-head stands, 
three high, drew liberal applause at 
the opener today. 

Erner and Fisher, comedy danc- 
ers, provide the first hoke and carry 
It all the way through. Bobble 
Joyce fills In with modern tapping, 
splits and high kicks, leaving the 
burlesque stepping to Erner and 
Fisher, man and woman. It's good 
entertainment. 

Flash act midway Is labelled 
Rlcardo, Neva and Montell, trio of 
Spanish dancers, with a 10-plece 
string ensemble as a background. 
Dancers are all proficient, and act 
Is colorful. Usual native dance 
numbers and musical selections 
make up the offering. 

Eddie Hanley and Co., comprising 
Bobble Thomp-qon, svelt looking 
femme feeder, and a pair of stooges, 
have the next-to-shut spot. They 
run the gamut of hoke, Interspersed 
by a little mediocre stepping th.at 
doesn't mean anything to the act. 

Clo.slng has Kirk and Lawrence, 
man and woman doing a cowboy 
burlp.squc astride make-bcllcve po- 
nies. They prance and cavort about 
stage. Injecting a lot of non.sen.se 
that had the r.uf^tnmp.ra in howl.s at 
times this aftf^rnoon. It's one of 
the bf.'st hrike .nfts .«f>on heroabout.v 
in r- onthH. 

' • fcvc-n. 'Kitifj'.s Var,T.tlon' 
(Wli), now.s, and novelty Hliort. 



ALBEE, BRPOKLYN 

It's 'Obligation Week' at the good 
old Albee, ..with the last first-rate 
RKO vaudeville theatre in New 
York taking the slap for a few 
of the Godfrey regime's bouklns 
boners. Bill comprises mostly acts 
that are here because the ofllce 
couldn't play them as booked else- 
where. Four out of five have it. 

Orchestra floor filled up and had 
'em standing before the first show 
was over Saturday afternoon, and 
the draw was attributable to John 
Barrymore and 'Topaze* (Radio) 
chlefiy, although the presence of 
two near-names on the stage might 
have had something to do with it. 
They are Walter O'Keefe and Lillian 
Shade. 

It doesn't happen all the time that 
a five-act bill booked under pres- 
sure will turn out as good as this 
bill at the Albee. Somehow the acts 
blended Into a pretty good show, 
which. If It seemed lengthy at the 
fir^t performance, can overcome 
that fault with some cutting as the 
week progresses. 

Gloria Lee and Sherr Bros, open 
It up with their dancing, which 
takes them back and forth from 
'one' to 'three' In a series of trtos, 
doubles and singles. They are 
youthful and they can hoof. Miss 
Shade is No. 2 and over big, which 
Indicates the deuce spot squawking 
days for would-be next-to-closers 
are over, and that all of the squawk- 
ing wasn't necessary In the first 
place. It didn't seem possible that 
Miss Shade, a singing single who 
doesn't use a mike In this big house, 
could fare any better than she did 
no matter what spot she held down. 

Miss Shade's singing and the 
opening triors dancing were per- 
formed under dark lights most of 
the time, this tending to rob the bill 
of brightness. Both turns go In 
heavy for the green spot, and up 
to the entrance of Dave Harris and 
Co., No. 3, the bin looked moldy. 

Harris (New Acts) heads a pleas- 
ing company Including himself and 
four others. Act is a boiled-down 
version o the former Intact unit 
show headed by Harrl.s, retaining 
16 minutes of Its best features. 
They liked It here. 

Walter (Okay) O'Konfo, with the 
middle name derived from his radio 
broadcast catchllnc, al.so takes 16 
minutes for his monolog with a 
vocal finish. Outside of some 
strictly Broadway gaps that no- 
body got over here, the O'Keefo rou- 
tine Is okay. O'lfeefe's broezy de- 
livery, when not wasted on tlio too- 
smart and n.ivy blue material, 
makes him a likable single. He's 
gagging on politics mainly now, a 
not bad theme for hla style as long 
as the chatter remains topical. 

IJffward Marsh, also under New 
Acts, brings a heavily-populated 
orchestral and singing act to the 
closing sjjot. . There are 26 people 
besides the tehor from the musical 
stage, with the turn breaking In 
cold here, hut showing possibilities. 
(Continued on page 62) 



48 



VARIETY 



Tac8day» FebrnMy 21, 1933 




NEXT WEEK (February 25) 
THIS WEEK (February 18) 

Numerals In oennectlon with bills below Inc'.cate opening 6my tit 
•how. whether full or split week 



RKO 



NBW TOBK CTTT 
Hiulo Hall 

Merlo & Seralne 
Patricia Bowman 
(Fonr to flII) 

(16) 
John Pearce 
Natalia Bodansky 
Joseph Macauley 
Patricia Bowman 
Ayres, Renee Co 
'Qreat Jasper" 
Academy 
lat half (26-t8> 
4 Jewels 

fraythe S'am'n A F 
Ctaas Ahearn Co 
.(Two to All) 

2d half (1-S) 
Anthony Trlnl Orch 
(Four to All) 

2d half (22-24) 
Toki Japs 
4 ■ Carleton Bros 
6ylvla Froos 
Bert Gordon Co 
Art Landry Orch 
BBOOKLYN 
Albee (26) 
Klkuta Japs 
Britt Wood 
Aarona'n, Fayre ft It 
Ray Bolder 
Gambarelli 

(18) 
Gloria Lee Co 
Ulllan Shade 
D|tT« l^rrls Co ■ 



JEBSET CITT 
FultoB (19 only) 

RIcardo 

Leavn ft Watson 
Lewis Uaok 
Kramer Lamar ft R 
Alyco ft Jackie 
KANSAS CITT 
Mnlnatreet 
(1S» 

Howard Sadelle ft B 
Walter Walters 
Bin Telask Co 
Baddy Rogers 
LYNBBOOK 
Keith's (0 ooly) 
Cerenes 
t Alvin Boys 
Doris Baton 
Brown ft Bioh 
Pent House Rev 
MKWABK 
Pnlace (2S) 
Olaen ft JohnsoB 

a«) 

Grade Scbenk Co . 
Honan ft Arden 
Glenn ft JenUna 
Harry Burns Co 
Voice of Bxperlence 
John 8 Oainblln*' 
NEW OBLKAMS 
State (Sn 
DeWolf VetcaltftF 
Bayes ft Speck 
Gray ft Claire 
Roscoe Arhnckle 
Baocaneera - 



JACKPOWELL 

2nd Big Week at the 
CAPITOL, NEW YORK 

TiMed by 
LEDDYASMITH 



Walter O'Keefe - 
Howard Marsh Co 



let taarf (2S-2«) 
Aran ft Broderick ' 
Othe DeQ ' Lewis 
Parker Cowen Co 
Hat Boyd 

H'maace In Rhythm 

2d halt (22-24) 
Tvonne & Victor 
XfMk Bros & B 
Lydel Macy ft C 
Bddle Stanley 
ALBANY 
Palace 
1st bait (2S-2B) 
Dave ApoUon Rev 

2d hall (22-24) 
Irene Vermillion Co 
Btmaway 4 
Vera SchWars 
Koscoe Ates 
4 Pearls 

BOSTON 
Keith's (SB) 
James Evans Co 
Joe May & O 
Chle Bale 
(Two to fill) 
(18) 

A A S La Mont 
Reynolds ft White 
Rae Samuels 
Ray BolKer 
Oambarelll 

CHICAGO 
Palace (85) 
Ted Lewis Bd 

(18) 
IDetoregoes 
Oamer Wolf ft H 
Aarons'n Fayre ft^ 
Chio Sale 
Hudson Wonderr 



(18) 

Die,z ft Powers 
KIrby ft Daval 
Alice Joy Co 
Jlmmie SaVo 
Adler ft Bradford 
OBEAHA 
Keltk'« 
1st halt (16-n) 
Howard Sadelle &B 
Walter Walters 
Bert' Walton 
Buddy Rogers Co 
1st halt <1.9-S1> 
Campo Co 
Bolce ft HArsh 
Mel Klee 

Ross Colnmbo ,Or 

PARK lANB 
Keith's (M ealy) 
S Pauls 
(Two to fill) 

(19 only) 
Shields Sldare ft L 
Connie ft Ben 
Danny Duncan Co 
Bddle Halt Co 
Dalton & Rosa 
PATERSON 
Keith's 

lat halt (26-28) 
Don Redmond Rev 

2d half (1-3) 
F'rsythe S'am'n ft F 
J C FItppen 
Vanessi Co 
(Two to fill) 

2d half (22-24) 
a Victor Otrls 
Joe May ft D 
Miles ft Slegel 
Bob Hall 
California Co 

PBOVIBBNCB 
Keith's («S) 



Loew 



NEW TOBK cnr 

Capitol (S4) 
Show Boat 
Jules Bledsoe 
Boalevard 
1st halt (24-27) 
8 White Flashes 
Lionel Ames Co 
Joe Hay ft D 
Rolsmaa's Co 
(One to fill) 

2d halt (28-1) 
Oautler'a Toy Sh<H> 
Joseph Pope Jones 
Terrell & Fawoett 
Gene Sheldon Go 
Parker ft Sedano 
Orpheam 
1st halt (24-27) 
Hat SIdatre Co 
Helen Lynd 
Benny Leonard 
Carlton ft Ballew . 
Henry Tobias Co 
2d half (28-2) 
Tonng Kam ' Tr 
Whitey Roberts 
Irene Franklyn , 
Bernie & Walker 
Burt Frohman Co 

Paradise (M) 
Ohesals 
Frances Arm* 
Sid Marlon Co 
Rita. Bros 
K T O Rer 

r St«te >(«4) 
Cab Calloway Rev 
BBOOKI.TM ^ 
- 41atee Ave • . - 
1st -halt (24-27) 
Atade^B ft- Allen 
Whttey . Roberts . 
Herbert Ray Co 
Irene Franklyn 
Parker ft Sedano 
2d hall (28-2) 
Arthur LaFlear Co 



Pettit ft Douglas 
Anna Chandler 
Gaudschmldt Bros 
Henry Tobias Orch 
MetrepoUtaB (S<) 
Ed -Wynn Co 

Valencia (2«) 
Desert Song 

BALTIHOBB 

Century (t4) 
Olvera • 
Bob Fisher 
Lowe, Bumolt ft W 
CliOord ft Marion , 
Olseh Orch 

CLKVKLAND 
State (M) 

3 Cossacks 
Lee Morse 
Collins ft Peterson 
Herb Williams 
Sammy KrevoR Co 

JERSEY CITY 
Loew's <84) >^ 
France ft LaPell 
Trade 2 

Medley ft Dapree ^ 
Rex Weber 
Frledland Rev 
MONTEBAI. 
I«eWe (84) 
Gregory ft Raym'nd 
F ft J Hubert 
Kev|lle Fleeson Co 
Marty May 

4 Danubes 
MBWARK 
State (24) 

Honey ' Fam 
■Itewls (ft Moore 
Sid Gary 
Rnis ft Bonlta 
WASHINGTOII 
Ibx CM) 
Stames ft Kover Co 
Sheila Barrett 
Bill Robinson 
Torke ft King 



MEW TOBK OITV 
Paramoant 

!2d week) 
Am West 

georgea Meteza 
IIR Bdwards 
'Done Him Wrong* 

BKO Boxy (11) 
Maria Smason 
Cardell Z 
4 Step Bros 
Gould ft Shefter 
Karce, Noyes ft LeB 
Hilda Bckler 
Nicholas Daks 
'Face In the Sky* 

Boxy (IV) 
Harry Rose 
Jimmy Lyons 
Tacopi Tr 
Belet ft Lamb 
Peg Leg Bates 
Frank Dukes 
'Ghost Train* 
BBOOKLTH 
PanmooBt (II) 
Mary Eaton 
Jack Waldroa 
T Roy Barnes 
Hal -iToung 
Miss HARRIBT 
George Guild 
Harry Stafford 
Leia BItss 
Jack Dully 
Jack Began 
BAIAmOBB 
HIppodcome (M) 
Jones ft Hare 
Ray Hughes ft P 

Plushera 
Merle's Cttckatoos 
'Topase' 

BOS'TDN 
MetroneUtaa (19) 
'SpotllghtsT 
Charles Melson 
Irmanette 
, Bredwlns 
Chalmera- Co 
DETROIT 
Pox (17) 
Girl Trouble . , 



WARNER 



EDINBUBGH 
Empire 
Layton ft Johnstone 
Co as booked 
OI<ASGOie 

WInneton ft Cbarlle 
Marco ft Max 
H Mangean Girls 
XBWCASTLB 
Hlppediome 
Nervo ft Knox 



BUZABRH. 
Bits 

lat bait (24-27) 
4 Frankenburgs - 
(Four to fill) 

Id half (28-2) , 
Carl Breed Co - ■ 
(Four to nU) 

Ist bait (17-20) 
Stuart ft Violet 
Harold Boyd Co 
Johnny Marvin 
Harry Howard Co 
R'mance In Rhythm 

2d halt (21-23) 
J ' ft J HcKenna 
H ft D Downing 
Geo Price 
Plckard'a Co 



OFFICIAL DENTIST TO THE N. V. A. 

DR. JULIAN SIEGEL 

1560 Broadway 
nh Week: Heonr Clint«rt«l<l: Abe LartfSflH 



CI* 



CINCINNATI 
Albee (25) 
Bemlce'ft Bmily 
Robs ft Edwards * 
Ir^ne Rich Co _ 
Gamer Wolf ft H 
Felovls 

(18) 

Stone ft Gibbons 

Vlo Oliver 

Bomby Co 

Will Mahoney 

Ike Rose's Midgets 
DETROIT 
Keith's (26) 
Gilbert Bros 
Bolce & Marsh 
Kitty Bncr Co 
Mel Klee 
Ingenues 

(18) 
Klqtlngs' Co 
Ada Brown 
Joe Morris Co 
A ft F Lake 
Betty Jano Cooper 

OBAND BAPIDS 

Keith's 
let half (26-28) 
Betty Jane Cooper 
Charlie King Co 
Leavitt ft Lockwood 
Jack Owynne Co 
1st half (18-21) 
Libonatl 3 
Wills & Davis 
Kitty Doner Co 
Bert Walton 
-V Buccaneers 
HEMPSTEAD 
BlvoU 
let half (26-28) 
Winnie ft Dolly 
Angus & Searle 
Joe Toung 
Itee Galls 
(One to fill) 

1st bait (18-21) 
■ Olympics 
Case & Lehn 
Hobart Bosworth 
S Sylvia Clark 
^JUdlolltes 



3 French Misses 
Hayes, Halg ft H 
Dave Harris Co 
Rae Samuels 
Grade Scbenk Co 
(18) 

Martin ft Martin 
Berry Bros 
Welst ft SUnton Co 
Senator Murphy 
Ren'off, Renofai ft B 

SCHENECTADY 
Keith's 

Ist halt (18-21) 
Walter Powell Orch 
TORONTO 
Hippodrome (25) 
Harry Small Co 
Clyde Haeer 
RImacs Orch 
Roscoe Ates 
Don Valcrio 
(18) 
4 Nelsons 

AI Verdi & Thelma 
Flfl D'Orsay 
Bob Murphy 
Jack Randall Co 

TBENTON 
Capitol 

Ist halt (26-28) 
Billy House Co 
(Four to All) 

(2d half (22-24) 

3 Acea 

Aren ft Broderick 
Helen Menken 
Plnkus & Sedley 

TROT 
Keith's 

(2d half (1-8) 

4 Frankenbergs 
(Four to nil) 

(2d half (22-24) 
Songs & Satires 
Idrry Rich Co 
WESTtrOOD 
Kelth^26. onlyJ__ 
3 Pauls 
(Two to mi) 

(18 only) 
Shields .Sldare ft L 
Connie & Ben 
Danny Duncan Co 
Eddie Hall Co 
Dalton & Rose 



PHnAOKIiPHIA 
Earie (Z4) 
Geo Campos Co 
Ooss A Barrows 
4 Blondes 
George . Price 
4 Phantoms 
(17) 

Kate Smith Co 
WASHINGTON 
Earie (24) 

DaCardos 
Nell Kelly 
Arthur Tracy 
(One to, nil) 
(17) 
Campbells 
Sid Pas;e .Co . 
auB Van 
Aristocrats 



Marco 



NEW TOBH CRT 
PammoBBt (SS) 

'Sally' 

Mary Eaton 
Ja^ck Waldroa 
T Roy Barnes 
Hal Toung 
Miss Harriett 
George Guhl 
Harry Stafford 
LeIa Bliss 
Jack Duffy 
Jack Egan 

BBOOKLTN 
Valencia (24) 
"Desert Song' 
Perry Askam 
Tanzl 

Barl Askam 
Nanette Vallon 
John Merkyt 
Charles Boyle 
Sylvia Shore 
John Wagner 
BRIDOEPOBT 
PoU (t«) 
Irene' 

Kathryn Crawford 
Bobby Watson 
George Dobbs 
Walter .Regan 
George Ball 
Buddy Karsen 
George Fox 
Sydney Reynolds 
Anolyn Arden 
Ruth Fay 
Netty Farrlngton 
Dorothy La Marr 
Wanda Allen 
Karsen ft Oretel 
BUFFALO 
Buffalo (84) 

'Whoopee* 

Buddy Doyle 

Bobbe Arnst 

Jane T.>ee 

John Rutherford 

Pletro GentlU 

Carter De Haven Jr 

William Dyer 

Bddle KMo 

Howard Nugent 

Virginia L Bouldln 

Juan Vlllasana 
DETROIT 
Fox (24) 

•nig Top' I 

Jaclc Sidney 

Adcle Nelson Co 

Flo Mayo 



Harrison's ' Co 
Beehee ft Rubyatte 
Dolly Kramer 

BABTFOBD 
CiapUH (Z4) 

'Joy Bells' 

King Bros ft C 

Stetson 

Nadine Gae 

Tommy Atkins Boys 

Ann Roberts 

Sunklst Ens 

OAKLAND 
Orphenm (17) 
'Snapshots' 
Stone ft Les 
D ft 'H Murray 
Grace Du Faye 
Robert Williams 
A ft B Mowatt 
Oscar Taylor 
Bets Blair 

SAN PBANCISCO 

Watfleld (17) 
"Movie Circus' 
> Monte Blue 
Mofrqe Bros 
Jeaiile 

TOBONTO 
Imperial (S4) 
"Girl Trouble' 
Chester Fredericks 
Warren Jackson 
JuUa Curtis 
De Long Sis 
California Reds 
Joey Cey LK>n 
OttlUe Georrf 
6 Thoroughbreds 
TANCOVVEB 
Orphenm (16) 
Miller, Peterson & L 
Arthur Ward 
Mabel Blondell 
WOBCESTEB 
PoU (24) 
•School Days' 
Milton Douglas 
Mary Price 
Freddie Craig Jr 
Ollle Morosco 
Edna Sedgwick 
Charley Myers 
Bobby Bernard 
Muriel Moran 
Arlette Toung 
O'Connor Bros 
Buster Kelm 
Dorothy Keim 
Sue St John 




Week February 20 



At Rode Orch 
Acchle Glen 
Billy Danvers 
The 5 BIglns 
.Will Hay 
binkle Denton 3 
Billy Denton 
Anna Rogers 
Maldle ft Ray 
The O-Qormnn Bros 
Russell, M ft J 
Kafka Stnnley & M 
Jack Pepper Co 



HOLBOBN 
Empire 

Flanagan ft Allen 
Co as booked 

NEW CROSS 
"Emipire ' 
Goo. Barclay Co 
Kate Carney 
Co as booked 

STRATFORD 
Empire 
'Birds of Nlfihf 
Frank O'Brien 



Pkhire Theatres 



Chester Fredericks 

Uaehlgan (17) 
Prowni Joe B 
Radio Robes 
Beltords 

'B'ployees Bntr'nce' 
NEW ORLEANS 
l4>eWs Stat* (17) 
Zelda Santley 
Victor Pelligrlnl 
Jndson Cple 
Atbenas 
Muriel Gardner 
■Wax Museum' 

SaeBger (17) 
Joe Lewis 
Pa»l Small 
CUierntavaky 
PHIIiADBLPHIA 
rm^m (17) 
S S Leviathan Bd 
■Pride ot Legion' 

Fox (17) 
Dave Apollon 
Danal Ooodell 
Nora Wlliams 
•State Fair* 

Kelth'a (17) 
Fred Ltghtner ft R 
4 VanderbllU 
•Officer 13' _ 
FIXTSBUBOlI 

Variety (17) 
Nat Nasarro Jr 
'Red Haired Altbl' 

8T. UOVtS 
Ambassador (17) 
George Beatty 
King. King & K 
F'rsythe S'amin ft F 
Bdwln George 
Harvey L Rowley 
'Devil Is . Drtrlng* : 

Vox (17) 
Wally Jackson 
Bdgar Gardner 
Helen Howell S 
Le Paul 
Myrah ' Lanjr 
Al Lyons 
State ' Fair* 



PROVNCUL 



Week reLmary 20 

Co as booked 
SOVTH SHIELDS 

Kaplre 
Derlckson ft Brown 
Co as booked 
SirNDEBLAND 
Kmpire 
Albert Sandler 
Hary Hagan 
Murray ft Mooney 



Cabarets 



HEW TOBX CITT 



BIttmore Hotel' 
Panl. Whitemaa Or 
Jane Vance 
Red McKenele- 
Peggy Healy 
Irene Taylor 
Jaok FaltoB Jr 
Bamona 

CsBtral -rn Casine 

Morton. Downey 
Eddy Ducbin Orob 

OMb"M(Byfalr 
Millard ft AnIU 
Oscar Davis . 
Margie .Landr 
Hadlyn Moore 
Beth Cannon 
Lee 

Al Crawford Orch 
Mayfalr BM.utlea 

OoBBle'a Imm 

Cora Green 
Bobby Evans 
Jazzllpa Richardson 
P ft B Meeres 

Emma Smith 
Bessie Dudley 
I<llllan Cowan 
Red ft Struggle 
Slmms ft Bowie 
Louise Cook 
Willie Jackson 
Lucky Seven > 

Cotton Clob 

Alda Ward 

Henri' Wbssal 
Swan ft Lee 
Anise Boyer 
Roy Atkins 
Peaches ft Duke 
Brown & McGraw 
Nicholas Bros 
Leitha Hill 
Cab Calloway Orch 

Glab Blchmaa 

Jack Osterman 
Richman Rev 
Jerry Freeman Or 
Arthur Brown 
C ft C Herbert 
Francis Faye 

El Chlco's 

Du'ran ft Moreno 
IiOrenzo Herrera 

Bl Flameago 

Al Valencia Orch 
Bl Flamenclto 
Nina ft Moreno 
Marqulta Floras 
Ignaolo Rufflno 
Harta de la Torre 
Accordion Luis 

Bl Patio 

Beatrice Llllie 
Fontana & Coles 
Endor ft Farrell 
Henry King Or 

Embassy Clnb 

Georges Metexa 
D ft D jruegibbon 
Loomls 2 
H Rosenthal Ore 
Don Carlos Oro 

Gypsy TraO 

Baroness Brssl 
Louis Hagedush 
Bthel Pastor 
Kokosch Gypsy Or 
H'lyw'd B'stanrsBt 
Fowler ft Tamara 
Collette Sis 
Frank Hazzard 
Blanche Bow 
< Cllmas 

Marquerlte ft Leroy 
-Theo Phane 
Barbara Blaae 
Jean Muna 
Ahl 

Vercell ft SInnott 
Gladys Leslie 
Iris Adrian 
Marian Martin 



Isham Jones Orch 

Hotel lexlngteM 
Don Bestor Orch 
HnirfBlr Tacht Clab 
Ross ft Sargent . 
Meyer Davis Orch 

Hotel Moatclair 

Charley Bckels Or 

Honte Carle 
Val Vestoff 
Vlto ft Plrl 
Donald Burr 
Medtsca ft MIctaaell 
Dorothy Dell 
James Hall 
Bthel Allls 

Nat Clab 
Jack White 
Jerry Bergen 
ImIu Bates 
Brooke Adams 
Bill Spencer 
Blanche Latell 
Dorothy Maxtne 
Al Parker 
Jimmy Murphy 
8 Blake Sis 
Lew Dolgoff 
Joe Haymas Orch 

PWadlse 
N T G Rev 
Cantor's Beauts 
Abe Lyman Orch 
Paramoent Grin 

Ted Healy Co 
T Manaban Ore 

Parh OeatTBl Hotel 
RnsS Columbo Orch 
Hannah Williams 

Park Ceatral 

Freddie Martin Or 
Frances Langford 
Rachel Carlez 
4 Sizzlers 
Channel 
Selbya 

Place Plgnlle 

Peggy de Albrew 
Veioz ft Yolanda 
B Madreguera Orch 
D Alberto Tangolata 
Hotel Peaasylvanhi 
Ted Weems Orch 
Roosevelt Hotel 
Guy Lombardo Or 
Arts 



Joe Morantz Orch 
Renee & Laura 
Nickolas Hadarlck 
Barra Blra 
MIsha Usanoff 

St. BegU Hotel 

Anson Weeks Orch 

Small's PBcadlse 

'Black Rhythm* R 
Nyra Johnson 
Meera ft Norton 
3 Speed Demons 
Geo Walker 
Wm Spellman 
3 Palmer Bros 
May Alex 
Mabel Scott 
Roy White 
Dorothy TQmer 
Chas Johnson Orch 

Teft Grfll 
Geo Hall Orch 
The Caarda 

Karoly Bencze _ 
Zslga Bela 
Mme liona deTbury 
Karoly Nyaray 

Tillage Ban 

Brook Adams 
Val Vestoff 



FlorU VestoS 
Bddle Bar 
Kris Gerald 
T ft F Hoa* 
Byrnes ft Swansoa 
Slave Dance 



Mollf HaeOoTera 
Joe Parat*s Oroh 
Waldort-:AsCoffte 
Nina LaughllB 
Jack Denny Orch 



CHICAGO 



DIaehhawk 

Rose ft Ray Lyte 
Deane Jania 
Hal Kemp Orch 

Bismarck 
Ann Greenway 
Donna ft Darrell 
Jean ft Joan 
Frieda Sullivan 
Art Kassel Oroh 
Blue Grotto 

Tina Tweedle 
Marjorle Tate 
Marge ft Marie 
Honey . Sis 
Jean Miles 
Jaokle Daw Oroh 

Cafe DeAIez 
Alfredo ft Dolores 
Marie de la Vega 
Leola Ackman 
Bnrico Ciausl 
Dennis O'Nell 
B Hoffman Orch 

Ches Patee 

Collette Sis 
Bryan McDonald 
Helen Wherle 
Caston Llbby ft K 
Georgle Taps 
Bdlth GriflUb 
Ben .Potlodk Orob 

CoUoti Ina 
Fawn ft Jordan 
Jackie Heller 
Pat . Barnes 
4 ' Abbotters 
Ben Bernie 

CoBgress Hotel 
Baron ft Blair 
Katya Llbby ft C 
Robert Rnyce 
Lopez Orch 

Fk«Uo's 
Tex Ouinan Gang 
Florence Barlow 
Ralph Cook 
Yvonne Douvler 



June Carroll - 
Bernie . Marshall 
Baster ft Hazelton 
DIolii Lane - ' 
Dick Rock Oroh 
Pk^rsMOBd 

Bddle Clifford 
Vaughn Sis 
Julia Lyons' 
Robinson ft Louise 
June Hurley 
Norma Ballard 
Carl Lorraine Oroh 

ParamooBt 
Anita LaPlerre 
Mary Nolan 
Peggy Moore 
Genevieve Hoore 
Billy Carr 
Mary Neville 
8yd -liang Orch 
Terrace Gardens 

Paul sis 
Hagifleld S 
The ' Daniels 
Alice Blue 
AI Kvftte Oroh 

Taaltx Fair 

Ollff WInebtll 
Alexander -ft 8 
Doris ' LOnihaa 
Bobbie Cook 
Phil Sax Orch 
Via Ijige 

Jackie Hamlin 
Todd Sis 
PaUla -Tymes 
Wlkl Bird 
Al Handler Bd 

.WlBtergardca 
Buckley ft Bennett 
Miss Lydia 
Lovey Twins 
Joreska ft Lydia 
Frankia Masters Or 
MO Clnb 

LaHignon 
Johanna Nagle 
Jimmy Noone Orch 



Radioes Menace 



(Continued from page 39X 

chase sheet music when, from 
morning to night, there's so much 
of It free on the air. Music, bands. 
Jazz, songs, quartets, even dramatic 
themes with special song themes as 
signature -songs of Identification, In 
endless parade. 

And records. Phonograph disks 
are exactly 10% of what they used 
to be pre-radlo. No exaggeration — 
it's all too sad and true. Why pay 
for something on wax when there's 
so much on the air waves for noth- 
ing. Why bother putting a record 
on, turning it over, change needles or 
anything olse when a horn spouts 
and spews In generous gobs. Any 
favorite song hits you not once but 
often in the course of any session. 
No wonder they're so sick of a tune 
before long that no one wants to 
buy or preserve it either in sheet 
music or disk. 

As to Performers 

Radio has made overnight stars 
and killed oft many who have 
struggled long and hard through 
tedious steps tracing from bur- 
lesque, Gus Sun, Pantages, WMVA, 
Ackerman & Harris, Loew, Proctor, 
Orpheum, Keith and musical com- 
edy progressions. All this before 
achieving fame and distinction 
which, today, has made it necessary 
for even the Jolsons, Cantors, 
Pearls, Wynns, et al., to give audi- 
tions for soap or breakfast foods 
or cigaret manufacturing commit- 
tees of vice-presidents. 

Any of the above circuit heads 
and the showmen in those chains 
were names to conjure with, even 
before attaining Zlegfeld, White, 
Carroll or Shubert glorification. To- 
day, these same stars bandy in- 
timate nAmes such as' John Reber, 
Monte Hackett, Frank Hummert, 
Aylesworth, Royal, Sngles, Paley, 
Tormey, Seebach, McMurtrle, Klau- 
ber. Wonders, and the like with 
bated breath and even greater con- 
cern than with the showmen of the 
past. 

Nor do these famed ones of the 
theatres begrudge this bowing down 
to the oracles of the new theatre 
of the air. It's progress. Perform- 
ers are the first to recognize and 
respect progress. These very en- 
tertainers, for all the comforts of 
present-day backstage dressing 
room suites with private telephones, 
tubs and showers, know best how 
they had to dress enmasse with a 
curtain between the sexes In some 
of the tanks of their novltate days. 
Since it was progress, and a general 
better understanding of the per- 
former, made the later backstage 
niceties possible, that's one very di- 
rect and intimate equation In the 
interpretation of progress in 33 
years of the 20th century. 

So when radio compels its candi- 
dates to go through certain motions 
to qualify, many may chafe, but few 
rebel. That they're eager to audi- 
tion themselves until unconscious is 
evidenced in plenty by the months 
some have spent undergoing this 



behtiid-the-inike baptism before il 
nally ooniieoUng. 

Breaks As Well As Makes * 

But ths performers are begin 
n!ng to recognize how this same m 
topus, which seemingly pays them 
so well ajid makes them so famoiw 
almost overnight. Is proving their 
professional undoing with almo«» 
the same effect »«moat 

They're on the air. They're in 
shortis. They're in feature pictures 
They're making personal appear,* 
ances. Before long they're profea- 
slooally played out, overdone, use- 
less for almost anything. 

But this phase is also provoca 
tlve pro and con. The air thlnir 
upped Pearl, Wynn and others not 
from such prominent stage antece- 
dents, ■ into much irreater renown 
than the confines of the sUges in 
New York, Chi, Detroit, Phllly 
Pittsburgh, Boston, etc., would peri 
mit, but whether the same good 
effect -win obtain some hence is 
subject of conjecture. 

At the same time radio devoiit^ 
everything so fast that it points tu/T 
the ultimate that the pace mn't^ir' 
The very biggest on the ether to- 
day soon become boresome simply 
because .It's not showiiianly to dlah 
up a new aot 62 times a year. 

In the past an author wrote a 
vehicle for an act, collected (600 ad- 
vance and 10% royalty for two or 
three seasons, only occasionally con- 
tributing topical quips, if It was that 
kind of an act, to freshen it up. But 
for the air a battery of authors Is 
trying to oijitflt a comedian with new 
material to run a full hour, or halt 
hour, when 10 or 12 minutes of good, 
socko script material was cause for 
an orgy, almost, In celebrating In 
the pasL Not to mention how, in 
former times, the comedians broke IV 
in oh Plalnfleld, Union Hll and south, 
Brooklyn audiences before subjecting 
themselves to the crucible of metro-, 
polltan judgment. Now the sam^ 
painstaking, cautious, timid and tim- 
orous funster thinks nothing of rest* 
ing his fate as an entertainer be- 
fore 20,000,000 to 60,000,000 people 
one n|ght e.very week and perhaps 
undoing himself with one fell swoop; 
of an inept barrage. Its being don^^, 
every week, 13, 26, 39 and 62 times a 
year. 

As ■ Rocket 

What's more, the star performer 
is treating the whole thing as a 
racket. It's all Xoo bizarre and mad, 
this whole thing of getting a week's 
wages (or more) for spouting into 
a mlchrophone 16, 30 or 60 minutes 
on one day of that week. It must^ 
be a racket, they say, so they're" 
placing their fate In the hands ot 
some advertising man who, when 
he's not trying to edify these United 
States, 'by courtesy of Whoozis Dog 
Biscuits,' also draws graphs and 
merchandise charts. This dog bis- 
cuit ezploiteer then becomes the 
great entrepreneur who motivates 
the destinies and talents of his 
'slgned-for-13-weeks' talent and in 
those three months makes 'em do 
things for which these same people 
went temperamental on Flo, Georgle, 
Barl, Jake and Lee. 

An aerial 13 weeks can be the un- 
doing of a lifetime's career. Thirteen 
weeks is a career nowadays, some 
figure, especially with what radio 
has done to vaudeville and picture 
presentations. So performers aro 
between the devil and NBC or CBS, 
or the Joe Doakes advertising agency 
who assays to tell 'em why dog bis- 
cuits will not sell in Georgia if such 
and^such a gag were broadcast; or, 
perhaps, such a song, with its cos- 
mopolitan sophistication of expres* 
sion, might brook unfavorable reac- 
tion from the matrons of loway and 
Kansas. 

The performer, perhaps too late, 
may learn that his best value is apt 
to come from a hard-to-get attitude 
of properly limiting his public per- 
formances and not overdoing a good 
thing, and thus quickly , wearing out 
the welcome on the mat at boxofflco 
windows. Meanwhile, the ether lads 
are paraphrasing that old tune, into, 
'Don't Blame It All on Radio.' 

Radio has evidenced the educa« 
tion of millions into the idea of stay* 
Ing home and obtaining their amuse- 
ment from a square box with the 
least possible effort — merely the 
twirling of dials. Its even gone 
further than that — it's invented con- 
traptions which can be parked at 
your bedside, on a table alongside 
your favorite easy chair, and even 
on your dinner table, so that by 
pressing a button it will automatic- 
ally change stations. 

And meantime, struggling against 
almost overwhelming odds, another 
scientific marvel of this 20th cen- 
tury, down the street, or downtown, 
or Just around the corner, which of- 
fers shadows that talk on the screen, 
can't begin to draw the same num- 
ber of people Into the theatres as 
before the industry of motion pic- 
tures learned to talk. 



Toesdayf February 21« 1933 



E D I T O R I A I. 



VARIETY 49. 




Tr«4a -Marie neglBtered 



robUstaAd W«leltly by VABIETI, Ine. 

Sid • Silverman, President 
)C4 Wert 46Ui Street New Torh City 



SUBSCRIPTION 

Annual. »« ForelBn. . ... . . ^17 

B\ngle Coplea ICCente 



Vol. 109 



lao 



No. 11 



15 YEARS AGO 

(From 'Variety* and ^Clipper*) 

In the flght between Klaw & Br- 
langer and the Shuberts (or su- 
premacy in legit booking, former 
guaranteed Cohan & Harris not less 
than $200>000 annual profit from 
their BhowB. Shuberts were nego- 
tiating, but money talked. 

Eva Tanguay played the Palace 
with a dress made of one dollar 
bills. Coal and sugar for decora- 
tions. Both scarce Just then. 



Al Jolson had signed a new con- 
tract with the Shuberts for J2,600 
a week and a 25% cut in the profit. 

Cedar Rapids manager sent a let- 
ter of welcome to all acts as they 
came in. Told them they could hit 
the b. o. for advances and urged 
them to drop In for a chat. Acta 
dazed. 



Gus Hill had three male minstrel 
troupes out and a bunch of girls. 
•Variety' suggested he liked corkers 
because there was no royalty. 

They had an efficiency man at 
World Film studios in Ft. Lee who 
was going to revolutionize the biz. 
Everyone got there at 9 a. m. No 
. waits for props or sets. Tried lots of 
times since then, too. 



Pathe alarmed at the prospect 
that Paramount-Artcraft would tie 
all the first run exhibitors to a 
flve-year contract and leave noth- 
ing for other first runs. Only 188 
first run bouses in 14,000. Nothing 
happened. 



Commented that the combined 
grosses of the Rlalto, 'Rivoll and 
Strand- reached almost 160.000 the 
previous week. Rlalto with a W. ^. 
Hart was top with $18,500. 

International (Hearst) Pictures 
was suing its physical distributor, 
revealing that one ordinary film 
yielded |112,119 in three months. 



50 YEARS AGO 

(From 'Clipper' ) 



Barnum & Bailey announcing only 
genuine zebra in the country. 



For some reason 'Clipper' put a 
write-up for a new saloon under the 
circus heading. 



Baseball conference decided play- 
ers must receive not less than $1,000 
a year. 



Mrs. Langtry went floppo In the 
south, but 'Clipper* reported that 
she was getting more than her 
Bhare of what Utile show money 
below Mason and Dixon's line. 



R, R. MofClt, tattooed man, had 
Just married a bearded lady. Pre- 
vious wives had been a Russian 
giantess and a Circassian girl. New 
wife had whiskers three inches 
long, but new in the business, and 
they were >;rowing. 



Booth's theatre, always a white 
elephant, was bought by the mort- 
gage holding bank for $550,000. An- 
nounced it would be converted to 
business purposes unless $25,000 a 
year rental could be bettered. It 
went business. 



Mme. Janauschek was in such 
poor healtli that her retirement 
from the stage was feared. She 
was still -poihg strong 15 years 
later. 



Modjeska announced licr peima- 
nent retirement. She was still play- 
ing in 1894. 



Now that Richard "Wtigncr was 
dead everyone was giving memorial 
concerts, though in his lifetime he 
liad been regarded as a music.nl fad 
by a majority. 

At a special performance of 
lolanthe' In London, the entire 
chorus was provided with electric . 
head dresses. Probably the first use j 
W the now common device. 



Inside Stuff-Pictures 



Paramount Publlx, with its hundreds of subsidiaries, and particularly 
on the theati'e end, has so many wheels within that even some of its 
executives cannot keep track of it all. 

There are separate subsidiaries which act as holding companies over a 
theatre or theatres, separate companies as guarantors of leases, still 
other subsids which have a minority interest, and to make it more com- 
plicated, distinct organizations vested only with operating powers. It's 
tough even for the receivers to unravel some of the complexities of the 
P-P setup. 

In New England alone there are 39 different P-P corporations. Over 
a portion of the New York houses an involved corporation subsidiary 
setup that taxes anyone's brain also exists. 

When Publlx Enterprises went into bankruptcy, there wasn't a single 
exec In the top ranks who could even approximate how many theatres 
were Involved in this holding company without looking at the books. 

The real estate department Is In about the same fog, with one of its 
execs recently unable to say who its landlords were In one of the big 
keys, what the lease amounted to, etc. 

In the intircate theatre setup at one time recently a sub-exec was 
answerable, ac<iordlng to his own compilation, to no less than 12 execu- 
tives. 



Although Oscar Oldknow, of late years In the equipment end mostly 
and to some folks in the non-showman class through that, as 'Variety' 
called him, others know him from the days when he took tickets in a 
theatre. That was in the. Atlanta territory wheird Qatar grew up. He 
was raised a showman, his father, William Oldknow. who controlled the 
Consolidated. Film Supply in the old days, a subsidiary of Universal, and 
taking in U's exchages at that time. 

At an early age Oscar stepped in to run his father's business. He 
was in all ends in, those days, including operation of theatres and dis- 
tribution via state rights. At one time young Oldknow was associated 
with Arthur Lucas, now a Publlx exhibition partner in thci southeast. 

Becoming a part of the Harley Cloi-ke supply monopoly, it was Clarke 
who brought Oldknow into Fox as theatre operator. He did not stay 
out his contract with Fox under a settlement and is now back in the 
equipment biz as coast chief over National Theatre Supply. 

'Oscar Oldknow has more business being In show business than most 
of those now in it,' says an oldtimer who knows his career. 



Fox studio entertained Dr. Frank Buchman and his Oxford Group at 
lunch, though few people on the lot knew who Buchman was, or what 
the Oxford Group represented. Buchman founded his semi-rellgious 
order at Oxford university 20 years ago, and held meetings at the homes 
of members on week ends. 

At first, purpose of the group was to build character. One of the 
building processes was the public admission of sex Indiscretions at the 
week-end meetings^ Following the war, Buchman played down the sex 
angle and started to promote international brotherhood through Indl 
vldual contact. 

Present group of 60 Is making a world-wide tour to promote Buch 
manism. From rellgtous and sex fanaticism, the group has grown to a 
dignified organization with a socialite roster which includes many of 
the Who's Who.' 



With animal pictures yet to be released by Universal, Paramount, Fox 
and Radio, eaiA with each -company preparing campaigns which attempt 
to top the other in describing maximum thrills, the industry reewa con 
tains proof that out of*its history of tiger and Jungle drama has so far 
not come a single suit by a star or member of a cast for any injury 
sustafned in contacting these wild beasts. 

Absence of jungle litigation Is attributed chiefly to the process as 
underatood in the trade or a professional animal trainer who Ib allowed 
actually to Intermingle with beasts during the making of a picture. The 
trainer carries his own Insurance. 

Thus, it is explained, producers don't have to worry about getting 
actors to sign waivers to the effect that If something happens they or 
their relatives will assume full responsibility. 



Harry Arthur's deal with Reliance, S. W. Strauss subsld, to take over 
Fox, Brooklyn, operation was shoved through under the nose of Henry 
Wellenbrink, who was desirous of grabbing the deluxer. Wellenbrink, 
formerly theatre owner In New Jersey prior to Belling out to WB, had 
been managing the theatre for the Reliance people. When Arthur walked 
in ahead of him, he went down to Florida for a vacation. 

Original Intention of Arthur had been to operate at a top of 36c., later 
deciding on 50c.. which is still under the admission highs of Paramount 
and Albee in Brooklyn, which are 75c. weekdays. 



Agents handling a book of reminiscences by a former police head lost 
out completely by trying to boost the ante too high. Tarn was submitted 
to an Indle studio that became rather hot about doing it. While nego- 
tiations were on, volume was submitted to a major producer who offered 
triple what the indle would pay. 

Producers were played against each other for a higher bid when the 
major lot suddenly awoke to the fact that the book was non-flctfon with 
facts assembled from police records. 

Studio Immediately forgot about the book and set a couple of writers 
to work on a similar Idea, and when the indie heard about this, he Just 
dropped the matter. 



Hollywood is plenty peeved over Walter Winchell'e broadcast (12) in 
which he stated that Marian Nixon was trying to- return her adopted 
baby to the orphan asylum from which the child was obtained. Truth 
is that because of a California state law children adopted by parents 
who divorce within a year after tlie adoption must be returned to the 
orphanage. 

Miss Nixon filed her suit for divorce against Edward Hlllman two 
weeks ago. She has employed legal aid in an attempt to keep the child 
which the couple adopted about 10 months ago. 



One of a team of writers sold an original to a major producer, collect- 
ing only $1,500 for the story when the price had rrevlously been set at 
$2,500. The first writer, who had let hl.s teammate handle the transaction, 
became suspicious and after investigating found the teammate was 
collecting the other $1,000 himself by working on the adaptation. 

First writer was all set to take the mntter before the Academy when 
the other weakened and consented to split his salary of $250 per week 
for four weeks. When pay day camo around both writers were out as 
the check had been attached for a bill owot.} by the second writer. 



Duiinpr the early reels of the pievifw of 'Kong* at the State, Long 
Beach, Calif., several In the studio section of the audience were rousted 
out of their choice seats by usht-rs on the pretext the chairs were 
reserved for some big execs. Throughout the running of the picture 
people kept trying to crash those seats, having arguments with the 
attaches and succeeding in annoying the f-ntlre preview section. 

Just eight minutes before the ploluie was over. Hollywood's most 



prominent jewelry salesman -stooge staggered into the disputed seats, 
accompanied by a low bow from the ushering staff. 



With the F-WC Egyptian, Hollywood, getting pictures, temporarily 
at least, on a flat rental basis, house (17) adopted a reduced admission 
to 26c. on 800 of its 1,700 seats for the night performances in the hope 
that this come-on will finally put it in the block. New night prices 
are 26c. and 40c. as against the latter gate for all seats previously. 

Since reopening of house several months ago, all but one picture has 
played on percentage, nicking 40% from the gross. Even under these 
conditions house has been building to show losses of not rr>ore than $50 
to $100. Flat rental figures. It Is believed, will wipo out the red. 



Plugs for the Democratic party and return to good times propaganda 
by the Warner Bros.-GE. '42nd Street* train which leaves Los Angeles 
tomorrow (21), will be Jack Warner's personal ballyhoo for the president- 
elect. 

Original plan of having -only Warner players on the train has been 
changed. Jack Dempsey and Tom Mix have been Invited. Denipsey will 
join at Denver and Mix will make the trip if quarters can be found on 
the special for 'Tony*. Mix is scheduled to ride 'Tcny' In the Inaugural 
parade, whether or not he joins the Warner ballyhoo. 



Radio can't show 'Topaze' in France, the country where the play orig- 
inated, and from which might ordinarily be expected a considerable 
amount of revenue. ' Play ran a bit over three years consecutively In 
Paris, but Paramount bought the French film rights and made it in 
JoinvIUe In the French tongue. 

Radio bought the English language rights to the picture through Par, 
but with the agreement that they wouldn't attempt to show it In France 
or elsewhere with French superimposed titles or In dubbed French. 



An Instance of the stringent censor regulations that Indie producers, 
are subject to Is the case of 'Revenge at Monte Carlo,' a Fanchon Royer 
production for Mayfair release. Yarn originally was wrapped around a 
royalist attempt to regain control of Spain, but because so many foreign 
countries objected to any suggestion of overthrowing existing govern- 
ments, punch of the story was pulled by having the country in ques- 
tlon a mythical republic. 



Nothing in Upton Sinclair's book on William Fox is half as diverting 
as an eight-page pamphlet Inserted in the volume. This is a letter from 
Mrs. Sinclair to Mrs. F6x In which she urges the lattei^ to go socialist 
with her husband. The writer quotes from a letter written by Sinclair 
to Fox, in the same vein. 

The bait Is the suggestion that Fox become a dotlar-a-year man to 
head the film industry 'if and when the government takes it over*. 



With virtually everyone who saw the show identifying the picture 
'She Done Him Wrong* as 'Diamond LH' overseers are no longer at- 
tempting to say that the screen story Is as different as the title. The 
actual production story is that after John Hertz had been summons^ 
before the Hays dicectorate and had agreed to Fhelve title and story, 
Emanuel Cohen made a later plea to the board and got its :onsent to 
use the theme under a different nam|B. 



Most surprising thing about the Durante pictures, from, a film trado 
standpoint, is their reception abroad. Jimmy, the well dressed man, 
was figured a natural for New Yoi-k. but too Broadway for points distant. 
However, Europe has gone for him big, London being especially excited, 
and even from distant upots- such as India and Singapore the reaotionB 
to the Schnozzola lad are exceptionally big. 



Outside of the leases held on office space in the RKO building and the 
two Radio City theatres, the only leaises Jn which RKO itself is lessee 
are on the Orpheum. Davenport, and the Mayfal'r, firoadway. Latter is 
to be disaffirmed March 3. Lease on the Mayfair, Broadway, Is for 10 
years and has to run until Oct. 31, 1940, at an annual rental of $270,000. 
This Is reduced by $30,000 from the original terms. 



Hardly a week passes now that doesh't witness a conclave of industry 
lawyers at producer headquarters. Some weeks the lawyers meet twice. 
Current matters concerning the attorneys are Federal actions involving 
all major companies. At the meetings the attorneys besides weighing 
the evidence and planning the defense virtually are cast for their court- 
room roles. 



Despite sufficient censorable angles to daunt the ' average producer. 
Fox is going ahead on 'Bondage,^ the detailed scui-y of the happenings 
Inside a maternity home for unfortunfUe girls. 

Picture has been in production for the past week, with everyone work- 
ing on it admitting that the story Is down to earth. 



Of the four receiverships suits which were instituted against RKO in 
various parts of the country following the appointment of equity re- 
ceivers in New York on the petition of Alfred West, one has been dis- 
missed on the request of counsel for the plaintiff and another has been 
denied. Two are still pending and will be opposed by RKO. 



An example of how censors react at times and for no visible reason 
as compared to previous actions occurred recently. The film that suf- 
fered is 'The Ghost Train', Gainsborough (British made) film current on 
the old Roxy screen. Scene where smugglers were shown using a ma- 
cl\ine gun on the bobbles was ordered cut as tending to Incite. 



Remake of Fox's 'Walking Down Broadway,' expected to be a fast 
affair, looks like an almost complete revision with 18 days of work sched- 
uled. Studio is giving the entire affair the hush treatment and after a 
new title for the picture under which it will receive new publicity, with 
the original identity completely lost. 



An Italian film company finally has scored a beat over the entire pic- 
ture world. On the day of the attempted Roosevelt assassination, the 
New York Censor Board was passing upon a feature titled 'Zangara'. 

Difference in themes is wide. The Italian producers used the title to 
indicate 'The Gypsy'. 



Warning the preview audience that all those whc did not wi.sh to see 
pre-historic monsters In battle should leave, P.adio made sure that the 
patrons were prepared for 'King Kong' when it nas previewf-d at the 
.State, Long Beach, Calif. Although the warning slide was strong enough, 
there was no appreciable exodus noted. 



Parle branch of Paramount takes exception to the siaternent .nrticd- 
Itcd Rex of $40,903 as tops for Paris, bc-itlng I'ars $.1l',O00 on 'Love 
I'arade'. 

.Says Parade' drew $42,889 and Is still at Ux- lu.i'l. AOds ihat I'ar has 
po-.-fr;iI times topped the $32,000 flKure in lt.« I-.'ui.s liouse. 



<": .11 ks D. HillcR, co-receiver witli Adoljih ?.i-l<or over Paramount 
TiMllx, is spending a minimum of time at liis riiramount oJTlces. 

lie comes In for an hour or tw;o daily to go over matters pertaining 
to rocoivcrship, spending the balance of his time at hi.y outside offices. 



RKO Indiana Corp. <Ft. Waynr ) and the Uraddock & Pollack circuit 
in New Jersey are not in receivership. 

Receivership of the holding comi)any, PKO, does not affect these 
subsids. 



50 



VARIETY 



LECITIM ATE 



Tueadaji. Fg|>jru»ry 21, 1933 



Equity Opposes Managers' New Move 
To Bring About Sunday Show Law 



Last week the Leasue of New 
Tork Theatres distributed petition 
forms to managers who have been 
asked to get expressions of opinion 
on Sunday performances from legit 
actors. This move followed the 
aborptlve attempt by managers in 
the same direction last season. At 
the time a committee of showmen 
went Into session with the Council 
at Equity, receiving no encourage- 
ment despite their argument tnat 
Sundays would solve some of 
Broadway's problems and prolong 
engagements. The League's peti- 
tion move ran up against a snag 
when Equity sent word to Its mem- 
bers warning them against signr 
Ing because it might 'take away 
from them their Sundays and give 
them the privilege of working on 
that day for nothing.' The notice 
was sent to deputies in shows 
by Paul Dulzell acting in the ab- 
sence on vacation of Frank GUI* 
more. Latter came out In favor of 
Sundays last season, but the Coun- 
cil overrode him. > 
Aimed at New Law 
The Intent of the petition Is to 
present It at Albany where, mfthi 
agers hope the ' legislature will 
le^lize Sunday showf^. If t^at 



Frisco Opera Ass'n Has 
Own Ballet, Chorus Mill 

San Francisco, Feb. 20. 

A hundred dancers and 150 sing- 
ers are learning all about opera un- 
der Adolph Bolm's tutelage In the 
S. F. Opera school, only local In- 
stitution of its kind in the country, 
outside of the Met, New Tork. 

Local opera association Is spon- 
soring the school'"and will present 
the pupils In April for the first time. 
They will also be used In most of 
the muny opera presentations when 
new season opens this spring. 



If 

comes about, the mahiagers' hope 
Equity win then act favorably fot 
Sundays. Understood the League 
has discounted '<th:^ result of a genf 
eral Equity meeting sometime ago 
when the Sunday matter was re- 
jected,, believing that such meetings 
do not indicate the real attitude of 
the actors. 

In a letter from Dr. Henry Mos- 
kowltz to manager-members of the 
League, it was stated that a volun- 
tary expression of opinion of th^ 
actors was sought and that no ef- 
fort would be made directly or in- 
directly to Influence signatures 
against the actors| will. The peti- 
tion itself .is undirected but an ac- 
companlng appeal sets forth: . / [ 
'All actors are aware o£ the crltit 
cal conditions which, have l>een he* 
setting the, .legitimate theatre' fo^ 
several years. These conditions, are 
making the. future of the -legfb the4 
atre dark and dubious., If you agrei 
that ttie legitimate theatre mttst 
do everything , to flght these con'i 
dltlons; if you agree that a,' ° wider 
audience should be sought; if you 
agree that picture and vaudeville 
theatres by performing on Sunday 
have an unfair advantage over 
legitimate theatres, and. by these 
Sunday performances have won a 
large audience away from the legit 
Imate theatre; if you agree that 
this unjust discrimination should be 
done away with; if you agree that 
by playing Sunday another go6d 
business day would be added each 
week and make longer runs pos 
Bible, thus providing more work for 
actors and making it possible for 
managers to make more produc- 
tions; in short if you are in favor 
of Sunday performances for dra- 
matic and musical plays, kindly 
sign underneath.' 

Equity believes that pressure is 
being brought to bear on actors to 
force signatures, regardless of the 
League instructions. One manager 
ia reported casting a show and In- 
sisting on signatures to the petition. 



Michigan Bank HoGday 
Upsets Toledo, Stalls 
Ciiicago Stock Prospect 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Dramatic stock company being or- 
ganized here fpr.;thiB. S.t^te theatre, 
Toledo, felt the 'effects 6f 'the eight 
day bank closing in Michigan when 
JBert Keller and' S.- Bu^(iberpff, the 
managers, postponed their opening 
until March 8. Toledo Is oiily a few 
miles from the MicbIgan.-1)order and 
it9 own banking situation was fur- 
ther upset by the added drain that 
materialized with everybody in the 
neighboring state short ot currency. 

It was decided that postponement 
to a more auspicious moment was 
wise. • Rees Taylor, Margie Wil- 
liams, William Yule, Isabel Osgood, 
Beatrice Earl, Richard Shankland 
and John Graham have been set by 
Milo Bennett ^nd expect to break in 
with two one-nlghters In Defiance 
and Findlayt Ohio, before barging 
Into Toledo. 



Stock-Pic Combo 

Long Beach, Calif. Feb. 20. 
Charles King stock company goes 
iiito the Capitol, here; 'March 4 
along wliili a iBrst-riih" film policy, 
House tips top from 26c to lite. 

Operateji by' Arthur' Theatres, 
Capitol closes' March 1 to get ready 
for the chaiiige. 



Fiffhtful 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Ben Westland and Karloft 
were discussing San Francisco, 
when KarlofC mentioned that 
he was going there in July to 
play cricket. 

'For Henry DuflfyT* queried 
Westland. 



Play on Broadway 



MELODY 



OUT-OF-TOWN REVIEW 



ALIEN CORN 

. Baltimore, Feb. 16. 

Katherine. Cornell presents a drama In 
three acts by Sidney Howard. Starring 
Miss Cornell, staeed by Guthrie McCllntIc; 
settings by Cleon Throckmorton. Margalo 
Glllmore listed as assistant on production. 
At tho Maryland, Baltimore,- Feb. 13. 

Ottokar ]3randt .....Siegfried Bumann 

A Piano Tuner... '........i.fcUd^JfcStelner 

Mrs. Skeats ..,.;^.';re3aie' Busley 

Stockton ; B. J. Ballantlne 

Watklns Richard Sterling 

BIsa Brandt Kfitherlne Cornell 

Phlpps Charles D. Brown. 

Julian Vardaman Luther Adler 

Skeats ...Chas. Waldron 

Ham' Conway James Rennle 

Chauffeur James Vincent 

MOrlel Conway LHy Cahlll 

Policeman v. ..Francis Moran 



OperettA la two parts. Preaentod by 
Qeorge Whtto at the Casino Feb. 14. Scorv 
by EUgmund Romberg. Book by BdwarA 
Chllda Carpenter. Lyrics by Irving Caesar.! 
Musical numbets staged by Boftby Connolly. 

Jean Rlanolion ..SHd^laon Brockbank 

Marlette Mildred Parlsette 

Leon Tabar Milton Douglas 

Henri Fanchery Carl Rosa 

LIzette .' ' Marjorle Dllle 

Tristan Boblltard Ev6rett Marshall 

Francois. ..Trapadoux ...J3fil 0kelly. 

Jacqueline Qrlmaud Vivian Fay 

Sergeant Pereoln ..Nell Moore 

Andree DeNamours Bvelyn Herbert 

LIse Valerie Buigere 

Compte Nemours .Vlotor Morley 

Pierre :aeorge Houston. 

Antoino ..Jerome Daley 

ramllle Peggy M«seley 

Claire Lollve ..Rose Louise. 

Max Da'Laurler Milton Leroy 

Angellque Normand '.Venlta Varden 

Bugenle Revelle .Jeanne' Aubert 

Ninon Revelle Louise Klrtland 

Phoebe Jones Ina Ray 

Oeofge Richards Walter Woolf 

Bob Charles Fowler 

Vlvlenne Marjorle Dtllc 

Marie Conauelo Flowerton 

Rorls..;' ; Michael Dolmatoft 

Liorare ■ Frederick' B. Manatt 



Shoulders does her stuff to tha 
rhythm, then another, until thSv 
are all doing it for a climax llneun 
The novelty caught the house, anrt 
it was encored. ' 

The lower floor of the Casino 
which was originally the Carroll! 
presents, a changed appearance 
Perhaps, a dozen rows have- been »e 
moved in the »ear, leaving amnlfl 
space behind a ' newly installed 
horseshoes of boxes, suggesting the 
HJppodronte or Hammerstein's Vie 
torla. Side seats have also been re 
placed with box-like additions, and 
the stage is masked in. 

'Melody* is good entertainment 
At the tryout it was reported that 
too much revue stuff was present 
That is not t|,pparent now. 

The show should easily make tha 
grade. Productively it is high class, 
with frequent scene changes, made 
quickly ,i|nd without rollers. Ibee 



In 'Alien Corn' Katherine Cornell 
finds her second vehicle ot the cur- 
rent, season, a modem play far re- 
moved from the ancient Roman set- 
ting of •Lucrece.' 

'Alien Corn' suffers from an in- 
ability to get into the inside of his 
people; - they're sh&dowy. They 
flicker across the stage without giv- 
ing any one impression. This un- 
steadiness, of characterization viti- 
ates the entire play. . 

Howard has taken, as his theme 
the over-worked motif of. an artis- 
tic soul striving for better aind 
worthier things, but who is being 
smothered by the environment'. 

This time it concerns the soul of 
Elsa Brandt, music teacher in the 
Conway College for • Women in a 
mldwestern town. Elsa (Katherine 
Cornell) believes, as everyone be- 
lieives, that she could "becoi;ne per- 
haps a great pianist if she could 
only get aWay from the iE>etty grind 
of pedagogy and do real etudyln£[ 
under masters abr'oad. i 
Much- of the pla7-. concerns . itself 
with a portrayal of the various pro- 
fessor's '^if th'b college^ the dominant 
note being the futility of (he teach- 



George White has done a very 
good Job In his maiden operetta ef- 
fort. It has admirable qualities 
enough to make 'M61ody' a t>opu!a\* 
though not outstanding subcesb. 

The libretto . is < rather logy in 
spots, but there is much of the sen- 
timental In the rambling story, and 
that makes it effective. Romance 
runs ■ throughout, not one. b"jt sev- 
eral. The' music Is splendid and 
perhaps the main foctor in the 
show's chances. Sig Romberg's 
melodies have not been haard on 
Broadway for several seasons, and 
It seemed he was saving them up 
for 'Melody.' A fine vocal llne-up 
miakes It seem so. 

There arc a number of name play- 
ers in the cast, and they are' manip- 
ulated in an unusual way. Only a 
couple of the leads appear through 
the show, some not coming on until 
the second act. That rather sup- 
plied a change of . pace in itself. 
Everett Marshall figures only in Ihe 
first act, Jeanne Aubert mnkes her 
entrance in the second part and 
Walter Woolf is first on when tne 
show is two-thirds over. Evelyn 
Herbert and Hal Skelly are the two 
who range all the way 

Opening is dated 1881 in Paris, the 
scene the concierge's quarters of 
Compte Gustave de Namour's home. 
There.Ilves Tristan Roblllard, a com 
poser, in love with and .beloved by 



Ing profession. . . 

These various characters try their Andree De Namours, daughter of the 
influences oh Elsa* whft is decided oon^Ptev, She muat m^rry a man o. 

wheher or not to chock it? all and set °^ Jl??* 1- 

sail for Europe. They pull her thld we^d^M- she lAarns that Tristan Is 
way and that. The. <Mmor of the cotaSCTipted for th^ 



V (Continued oir page 59) 



Inside Stuff-Legit 



M'LAUGHUN PREPARING 
NEW CLEVELAND STOCK 



Cleveland, Feb. 20. 
AVilh 'C';ivalcade' In Ohio for a run 
anil ilic Hanna wilh no bookings, 
tho local le.^it field will be dead until 
Uohert McLaughlin gets hi.s new 
storlv venture started around March 
12. 

Mi-Lau.t;hlin is planning to open it 
at Ohio immediately following 'Ca- 
valcade' and has a deal to take over 
house from Loew's, about settled. 
McLausrhlin's last repertory enter- 
prise, with' Sam Manhelm as busi- 
ness partner, hit the rocks last sum- 
mer, but the pair have formed a 
new corporation. 

McLaughlin has in mind stock at 
$1.50 top, opening probably with 
Rachel Crothers' 'As Husbands Go. 
Lenore Ulric In a new play is tenta- 
tively listed for an early date. 



Last week a group of show people' from Broadway visited, the U. S. 
Senate sub-committee on immigration in Washington to protest ^gainst 
the Dickstein bill which passed the House last season. Proposed law 
would bar alien actors except those of recognized talent, from appearing 
on the stage here. 

Show crowd pointed out that it woul<j^ be a difScult question to decide 
just which foreign actors would qualify under the proposed law. They 
did hot feel that the Department of Labor could intelligently pass upon 
alien applicants. They told the committee it -was the intent of all pro- 
ducers to give American players the preference but that some shows 
require alien actors, very few of whom are on the American stage at 
this time. 

It was further contended that Equity's alien actor rules control the 
situation. Picture interests also oppQsIng the measure filed a brief with 
the committee. Broadway group had William A. Brady, Rep. Sol Bloom, 
Rep. Emanuel Celler, Dr. Henry Moskowitz, Joseph P. Blckerton, Jr., 
George S. Kaufman, Austin Strong, William Hamilton Osborne and 

Percy Mackaye. 

Four o'clock,' the melodrama which opened at the Biltmore, New York, 
last week, was written by Nan O'Reilly and Rupert Darrell. Miss O'Reilly, 
only woman golf columnist, is on the New Tork 'Evening Journal'. 

John - Anderson, that paper's drama critic, covered another opening 
the same night. Instead of a second stringer Bill Corum, the 'Journal's' 
sports columnist, wrote the review. Corum gave Miss O'Reilly a break, 
saying that the show wound up with a score 'somewhere in the eighties'. 
That's good In golf but bad for Bill because the show's chances to land 
appear to be quite slim. 

Bin alibied by saying, 'I am only a sports scribbler who can't even 
pick the winner of a prizefight or horse race'. He thought the Carnera- 
Schaaf affair was phoney and wrote It that way. At the time he covered 
the show, Corum knew that Schaaf would not live. 

'Four o'clock' was produced by Charles Henderson, an actor, not In 
Lhe cast. He Is not mentioned In the program. 



ENGAGEMENTS 

lirlc Snowden, 'Crlmlr.al at Large,' 
Henry Duffy, San Franciscp. 



During a recent week of one-night stands by the musical, 'Of Thee I 
Sing,' through Iowa, stagehands used on the opening date at Clinton 
followed the show for its entire tour of the stale, and more than made 
their expenses, due to shortage of craftsmen in most of the towns 
played. 

'Sing' calls for 19 stagehands, and in some ot the one-nlghters more 
than this number were necessary, as hanging the show requires between 
seven and eight hours when everything Is used. Stagehands figured It 
good business to hop In a car following the night performance and 
show up at the stage door in the next town. Their union cards per 
mltted this, and made it soft for the local crews. 



'One Sunday Afternoon' which opened at the Little, New York, last 
week, Is presented by Leo Peters and Leslie J. Spiller. Latter was for 
merly box office treasurer . of Werba's Jamaica (L. I.) when it played 
s.tpck a season or two back. Peters is said to be Leo Bulgakov. 

Bulgakov staged the play. 



Oscar Hanimerstein, .2d, accompanied by Mrs. HammersteIn, goes 
abroad this week. They will settle down in London where- they have 
taken a house. The author will be away until next fall. j 



^..^ for th^ army, is to 

be seiht 't4> ^Africa, and Spends the! 
last hour with him; - He ' hever .re 
turns, but there is a' son. none 
.knowing that but Francois Trapa- 
doiuc, Tristan's buddy, who also 
adores Andree. 

Some of the heavy guns of the 
score ring out in the telling of that 
part of the story. 'Melody,' sung by 
Miss ' Herbert, drew the huzzas of 
the first nlghters, while I'd Write a 
Song* lifted Marshall. Their duct- 
ting of 'I Am the Singer, You Are 
the Song.' brought down tho tlrst 
act curtain to class vocalizing. The 
solo too dancing of Vivian Fay was 
another first act highlight, her 
pirouetting with arms clasped over 
her head providing the kick. 

Second' act is dated 1906, with 
Andree's grown son. Max, about to 
be betrothed to the daughter of 
Eugenie Revelle, a giddy widow 
with plenty of coin. Eugenie, with 
her strident giggle and her sexy in 
cUnatlons, is played by Miss Aubert, 
It Is something new for her, and she 
carries the part excellently. Max is 
played by Milton Leroy, a handsome 
youth, whom Hollywood will doubt- 
less grab. Eugenie has been trying 
to lure Francois into marriage, 
Francois, now middle aged, is played 
by Hal Skelly, and in the second act 
scenes he gives Broadway a load 
of unsuspected talents, quite away 
from hoofing and eccentrics. Fran 
cols pretends to agree to marry 
Eugenie, but Instead maneuvers hfr 
onto a boat to Australia while he 
takes a boat to New York 

Later he gets a message — she was 
sorry he missed the Australian liner, 
no she married the captain three 
clays out. Lighter numbers which 
pleased In the opening scene of the 
second act are 'Rendezvous,' by Miss 
Aubert, George Houston and Victor 
Morley, and 'Pompadour,' by Miss 
Aubert and Skelly. 

Third period of the story brings 
it up to date. Francois has made 
fortune in motor carseln Paiis, and 
is now the wealthy head of a New 
York radio broadcasting station. He 
is 75, unwed and Interested princi 
pally in George Richards, a his 
nephew, played by Woolf. He comes 
upon a letter telling of the need of 
Andree's granddaughter, and with 
nevvle returns to hunt for the girl 
in Paris. Miss Herbert appears as 
the girl, Pa-jla, whom Richards Im 
mediately £allH in love with. Miss 
Herbert and Woolf duet 'Tonight 
May Never Come Again,' one of th 
prettiest number in the score 

The standout number, late in the 
show, however, is 'Give Me tho Roll 
of a Drum,' with Miss Herbert and 
the ensemble, it is hotoha, and 
there Bobby Connolly showed at his 
best First one girl with shakin 



CONQUEST 

Drama In three acts presented by Arthur 
Hopkins ot the Plymouth Feb. 18- written 
and'staged by the producer; Judllh Ander- 
son starred. 

gva Lock^ jnne Wyatt 

Branch...'. Charles Brown 

Frederick NoHe. Jr Raymond Hackett 

PWKlerlck Nolte. Sr Henry O'Neill 

I?**." ^2, .5/ Harvey Stephens 

Helen Nolti... (..Judith Anderson 

Cornelius >Oarvan ...HuRh Buckler '< 

Dr. Thojnas Wllspn Boyd Davis 

Plert«tte. . . . . : .-Bcmlce Elliott 

Arthur Hopkins, who recently 
wrote an article for Al Smith's new 
Outlook' to the effect that the legit 
stage was oh its way out, makes a 
sturdy effort to disprove his asser- 
tion by writing, staging and pro- 
ducing 'Conquest.' It Impressed as 
too serious for more than a limited 
date;. ;yet.. there is plenty of ppwe? * 
and finale dramatics. u. 

The author-manager selected the w 
Hkmlet thenie but ' it has a 
lot more than that, with flinty 
shafts at the world depression. His 
hero is not melancholy. He is 
earnest and solid, being gifted with 
almost clairvoyant powers which 
his father calls the brilliance of 
his forebears re.born in Fritz Nolte, . 
Jr. His father's ghost does not 
yreXk, but a ghostly voice rings out 
In a dark scene. 

This enactment is within the large 
drawing room of the substantial 
Nolte home near New York. For 
generations the Nolte family has 
been highly respected as the makers 
of, devices such as computing ma- 
chines. - I^olte senior , has decided 
tha,t Fritz, is to spend two years .in 
Germany, there to acquire the thor- 
oughness and discipline that the fii- 
tui'ia hiad of the factory should 
have. " 

As the time for departure neara 
Fritz becomes reluctant at leaving 
home. There is some mental de- 
terrent, a fog through which he 
cannot see and which, too, keeps 
him from, carrying out his, betrothal 
with Eva. Nolte sees Fritz off and 
as the boat slides away from the 
pier," a look of horror comes over 
the boy's face. He has sensed that 
tragedy is entering the home. 

Nolte senior had collapsed on the 
dock. Arriving home he claims to 
be all right. Directly afterward he 
expires from heart disease upon 
finding out that his wife Helen had 
betrayed him in business. The Noltes 
had always refused to enter big 
business, always rejecting Wall 
Street offers, despite the surety of 
great wealth. They earned what 
money they required conducting 
their plant in such a manner that 
even the unions had never Interested 
the workmen. 

But Helen Nolte disagreed and 
had given her proxy covering half 
of the plant's interest to Cornelius 
Garvan. Fritz remains abroad for 
the required time an^ upon his re- 
turn In 1930 Garvan Is married to 
the widow. Fritz is coldly critical 
over the conduct of his mother, but 
torn between his love for her and 
his determination to avenge the 
death of his father. The plant is 
running onto the rocks. Garvan sees 
salvation in the return of the alert 
youth and the new Ideas he has ab- 
sorbed In Germany. 

In two years, however, Fritz 
achieves his plan to regain and re- 
organize the Nolte works, which ;.re 
now (1932) closed down. He raids 
the stock on the market and obtains 
control. Fritz Indicates the district 
attorney Is to investigate Garvan s 
practises, and arrange to have him 
secretly board a liner, to avoid scan- 
dal. All this is unmindful of the 
hurt to his mother, who exits in 
hysterics. Fritz believes it's all for 
the best, if the reputation of the 
Noltes is to be re-established. Fi ltz 
is now ready to welcome Eva Into 
tlie family. 

Judith Anderson Is starred la 
'Conquest.' and her role as the har- 
ried mother is no simple task of 
characterization. The brunt of the 
playing falls upon Raymond HaCk- 
ett, and his Fritz is really the lead 
of the play. Young Hackett gives a 
superlative performance. 

Eva Is played sweely by .Tane 
Wyatt. who drew attention rcci ntiy 
In 'Evensong.' Hugh Buckler is aK- 
sigiyed to the unsympathetic part oz 
(Continued, on page 52> 



Tuefldayi February 21, 1933 



LECITimiA¥E 



VARIETY 



Yiddish Play on 2d Ave. rdts Scale 
Of $2 to $2.75 After Run of 20 Weeks 



After a SO^week capacity run at 
$2 top, a Yiddish l^glt drama has 
tilted the scfile to |2.76 as against' 
the Broadway's legit tendency to 
lower the price. 

' Show Is Maurice Schwartz's pro- 
duction of 'Toshe Kalb,' new Yid- 
dish drama. 

Play Is considered the biggest 
money-maker yet turned out by the 
Yiddish stage, for all time. It has 
averaged an $8,000 gross at the Yid- 
dish Art theatre since opening, 
which has meant a weekly profit. 
Ilouse has aboijt 1,200 seats. 

Play . Is a rabbinical piece of 
Cabalistic tenor by I. J. Singer, and 
a first play. 

Scattered Notices 

Schwartz's play opened in the 
usual manner without special notice 
by the English press, but word of 
mouth, after several weeks of the 
run brought the first string critics 
down to Second ave. one by one, 
with notices thereby scattered over 
considerable space and that cred- 
ited by some as helping the show 
a good deal more than a concen- 
trated report by all the critics. The 
show In the - past few weeks has 
gone into using display ads in sev- 
eral of the more Important English 
dallies, unusual for a Yiddish 
housb. 



Amy Leslie Very Dl 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Amy Leslie is seriously ill In 
Henrotln hospital here. Retired dra- 
matic critic has been quite feeble 
for some time and has not attended 
an opening night for over a year. 
Theatres took care of her regularly 
after her retirement. 

It Is believed she overtaxed her 
strength recently by attending the 
Frolics cafe 1o see Texas Gulnan, 
one of her favorites. She went Into 
the hospital the next day. 



Cantor, Vallee Welcome 
Beckons Names South 



Birmingham, Feb. 20, 
The South, always mo.re or less 
minus personal appearances of big 
names, appears to be opening up as 
new territory. Two of the big 
names were making personals in 
the South only a few days ago, these 
being Eddie Cantor and Rudy Val- 
lee. 

Yallee at Memphis last week got 
|6 for box seats, $2.B'0 for dress clr 
cle and $1.10 for general admission. 
He also played Atlanta and Nash- 
ville. Was hooked for Birmingham, 
but was cancelled when Alabama 
decided that 60% of the gross was 
too much on top a plx. At Memphis 
Vallee gavo a concert and then 
played, for a dance. 

. According tc reports. Cantor was 
BO well received at Macon, Ga., that 
town had a band and everything 
waiting to greet him. The Cantor 
show, though, did not equal Its first 
week further north. It had a couple 
of bad matinees. Probably grossed 
$28,000, Its second week. 

The only town In the South that 
has had its share of personals is 
New Orleans. Railroad schedules 
favor this town. 



Morrissey Gets Whole 
Week in Philly, Anyhow 

Philadelphia, Feb. 20. 
Will Morrlssey's 'Vagabond Revue' 
got open after all last week at the 
Adelphl and managed to struggle 
through the week. 

' Some of the papers gave short 
reviews although show didn't ad- 
vertise and nobody could find out 
much about It. Continuance this 
week Is uncertain. Cast has no big 
names, though several people fairly 
well known locally including Dave 
-Kerr and his orchestra, Margie 
Coates and Vaughn Comfort are In 
It. 



GUILD PIECE SET 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 20. 

Theatre Guild's production of 
Maxwell Anderson's 'Both Your 
Houses,' opens next Monday (27) at 
Nixon for its only out-of-town en 
gagement. It comes here as the 
fourth subscription play of the 
American Theatre Society series 
with two more to go. 

Booking temporarily pacifies sub- 
flcrlbers, who have been complain- 
ing over the fact that they haven't 
had an attraction since 'Biography' 
several months ago. 



Duffy Dropping '3milin' Thru' 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

With a schedule Including 
X^rounds for Divorce,' now playing; 
•Criminal at Large,' 'Counsellor at 
Law' and 'There's Always Juliet,' 
■lined up, Henry Duffy Is dropping 
plans temporarily to produce 
•Smllln* Thru' at El Capltan with 
Ann Harding. 

Pauline Frederick Is now rehears 
Ing in 'Criminal,' to follow Lllyan 
fashman In "Divorced 



ACTOR GILLMORE READY 
TO FIGHT EQUin CASE 



Charges have been lodged with 
Equity against Douglas Glllmore 
who was summarily dismissed from 
'Forsaking All Others,' the Tal- 
lulah Bankhead show. In Baltimore 
recently. Arch Selwyn made the 
complaint and alleged the juvenile 
lead was intoxicated on the stage 
during a performance. 

Glllmore will dispute the charges 
when they are heard by the Council 
next Tuesday. He is said to have 
a doctor's certificate to support his 
defense. Equity has dealt severely 
with such cases when proven. In 
an instance a member was suspend- 
ed for 18 months. 



Prank ReiUey Has Yen 
For World Fair Musical? 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Prank C. Rellley, millionaire, 
owner of moving electric sign pat- 
ents, may finance an ambitious 
musical extravaganza to play the 
Auditorium theatre here during the 
World's FsLlr. Deal understood to 
be well advanced on paper. Under- 
stood Auditorium willing to install 
cooling apparatus as Its bit 

Reilley's only previous experience 
as a producer was with 'Pickwick' 
an adaption of the Dickens classic 
which played the Empire, New 
York, about five years ago. 



FAY PUTS FINIS 
TO WIFE'S SHOW 



J. J. Shubert Moves to 
Chicago— Temporarily 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
That pleasant — to Chicago — myth 
of Chicago as a production centre 
was momentarily revived last week 
when J. J. Shubert came to town 
and announced that he would pro- 
duce forth with a 'series' of musicals 
in Chicago, for Chicago, and just the 
sort of thing everybody but New 
Yorkers like. Behind the numerous 
interviews J. J. gave the press was 
one central idea — his growing dis- 
•taste for New York. 

Out of the publicity what seemed 
to be happening was that J. J. Shu- 
bert is launching another operetta 
and that, in view of the forthcoming 
World's Fair and the hope that it 
will be profitable, and since he's 
going to be in St. Louis most of the 
summer anyway, it was a good time 
to make faces at New York whose 
sophistication be found sudderily 
unbearable. 

Although his efforts of late have 
been mostly revivals, Shubert was 
insistent that the pending produc- 
tion was new. Piece is described as 
a 'musical romance of Chicago and 
Vienna' with book by Harry Clark 
and May Kennedy. 

Nick Long, Allan Jones, George 
Haswell, Martha Lorber, Lorraine 
Weimar, Manila Powers and John 
Goldsworthy have started rehearsals 
at the Grand here. 



Earl Ross Players Without 
Its Namesake in Rockford 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Earl Ross withdrew from the dra- 
matic stock bearing his name at the 
Rockford theatre, Rockford, Illin- 
ois, last week. Jack Krall took over 
the management and the company, 
otherwise Intact, will continue. 

Ross expects to organize a reper- 
tory for Wisconsin and Minnesota 



TESTING 'ZEE ZEE' 

San Francisco, Feb. 20. 

Sid Goldtree's brother Mike is 
trying out Sid's 'Easy for Zee Zee' 
as a roadshow attraction by book- 
ing the hot show into neighboring 
small towns to test reaction. 

Meanwhile Sid Is out of the Green 
Street theatre where 'Zee Zee' got 
Its long run. house reverting to Its 
owner, Abe Kuef, who is renting It 
to Al Hill and confreres for a series 
of shockers now current. 



SECEETAEY'S PLAY SET 

Gertrude Tonkonogy, secretary of 
John Krlmsky, film and play pro- 
ducer, has finished a play of her 
own, which Is to go into Immediate 
production. Alfred de Llagre and 
Richard Aldrich are the producers 
and Three Cornered Moon' the title. 

Ruth Ctordon will be the lead. 



San Francisco, Feb. 20. 

Frank Fay put 'Tattle Tales' on a 
spot twice this week and show fin- 
ally folded at the Curran Thursday 
night (16) after tvro weeks and part 
of a third. 

Homer Curran, cast, and Jack 
Kearns, fight, promoter who's un- 
derstood to have sunk some dough 
in the revue, met Friday afternoon, 
(17) but failed to dope out any 
solution for continuance. Remainder 
of local stay and flock of dates that 
had been lined up in the sticks are 
off. 

Barbara Stanwyck, Fay's wife, 
took the blame for first night's clos- 
ing when curtain rang down on Lin- 
coln Birthday performance. No show 
was given Tuesday night, but there 
were Wednesday matinee and night 
shows. Asbestos failed to rise Thurs- 
day night, Illness in cast again being 
claimed without any one person 
being mentioned. 

Curran remains dark until March 
13 when 'Of Thee I Sing' comes In 
from Blltmore, Los Angeles. 



Shubert Reorganization Plan Calls 
On Creditors to Pool All Gaims, 
Contribute New Working Capital 



Dodd Vice Baker 



SOCIETY LENDS A HAND, 
REffiF FUND AT $22,000 



Volunteer workers for the Stage 
Relief Fund are keeping the treas- 
uary ahead of expenditures. The free 
clothing departnient last week re- 
ceived 100 pairs of shoes. Macy's 
making the gift. 

In one day last week 66 letters 
were received, enclosing checks for 
varying amounts and one a receipt- 
ed bill, complimentary. That re- 
sponse followed two radio appeals, 
one by' Cornelia Skinner and the 
other by Joseph Schlldkraut. The 
effect of the air talks was immedi- 
ate, some contributors telephoning 
that they had sent checks. 

The Citizens' Committee to aid 
the Stage Relief, a group of society 
people who are arranging a benefit 
at the Met, has taken quarters at 
616 Madison avenue, where a stage 
exhibit window was designed by 
James Reynolds. It will be ticket 
headquarters for the event whicli 
will be $15 top. 

Aid from other directions has 
been proffered. Several organizations 
propose to hold benefits, total pro- 
ceeds to be turned over 'to the Fund, 
provided stage talent be supplied 
gratis. The executive committee for 
the Fund has okayed the offers and 
professionals willing to serv^ should 
advise the Fund's headquarters at 
the Algonquin. 

The Sunday night benefit per- 
formance of 'Dinner At Eight'. Mu- 
sic Box, netted the Fund $2,589 the 
house being sold out at $3 top. 
There was no Fund benefit show 
last Sunday (19) in deference to the 
benefit for the Catholic Actors Guild. 
Next Sunday's Fund show will be 
■Goodbye Again,' at the Masque. 

Contributions \ip to last Friday 
(17). 

Previous cont $18,358 

Rodolph Sisterhood 50 

Osgood Perkins 30 

Miriam Gotthelll 25 

Jack Haley 25 

A. E. Roovers 10 

Flora Blum 10 

Morgan Farley 10 

Lizzie Bond .....^ 10 

Kay Olney 10 

Jack Sukon 10 

Other cont 3,469 

Total 22,017 

MEMPHIS STOCK STRANDS 

Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 20. 
The Lyceum Stock Co., which 
played seven weeks at Old Lyceum 
here, blew up and closed owing sal- 
aries. 

Several of the company are wait- 
ing ber* for toawqiwrtatloii borne. 



Lee Wilson Dodd, present assist- 
ant to Prof. Baker in Tale Drama 
School, will conduct the latter's 
courses in playwrltlng when Prof. 
Baker retires at close of current 
college year. 

Dodd previously lectured on Eng- 
lish drama at Smith college also 
conducting a course In playwrltlng. 
At present, in addition to assisting 
Prof. Baker at Yale, Dodd teaches 
English literature at Sarah Law- 
rence college, is a member of the 
staff of the" writers' conference at 
Mlddlebury college and conducts^ a 
course In lit. at Wesleyan univer- 
sity. 

$51 BACK EQUTTY DUES 
BAR TO TRAHAN'S PLEA 

Equity has refused to do anything 
m Al Trahan's behalf in his breach 
of contract claim against Earl Car* 
roll, because the comedian owes 
$61.50 in dues. Trahan, who hold? 
a run of tlie play contract, com- 
plained following his dismissal from 
the 1931 'Vanities' at Amarlllo, Tex., 
three weeks ago. Show is playing 
one -niters on a co-op basis. 

The Equity arrears accrued while 
Trahan was playing vaude, during 
which tine his Equity membership 
lapsed. He later made a settlement, 
but declares he was not aware of 
the additional $61.60 debt,' and asks 
why Equity did not notify him of It 
during his run in 'Vanities' on the 
road; also why he was permitted to 
play in the CarroU show with other 
Equity members while not in 'good 
standing'. 

In addition to his CfirroU com- 
plaint, Trahan filed another against 
some principals of the 'Vanities', 
while these principals have entered 
a counter-complaint against Trahan. 



Bainbridge Seats at 
Jit on Prefluam Tieup 



Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 

First-class dramatic stock pro- 
ductions at a nickel for reserved 
seats are an actuality here now, 
making a new bottom low price for 
entertainment. It has come about 
as a result of a tieup between A. 
G. 'Buzz' Bainbridge of the Shubert 
theatre, and the Shriner organiza- 
tion here. 

With all chances sold on blankets 
by the Shrlners In a campaign to 
raise charity funds, coupons were 
attached redeemable at the Shu- 
bert for 20c on each matinee ticket 
and 30c on each evening ticket pur- 
chased at the box-office. At the 
time the arrangement was made, 
the matinee price at the Shubert 
was 65c and the evening price 83c, 
including tax. 

Recently, however, the theatre 
reduced Its matinee price to 25c and 
the night admission to 66c for the 
entire house. This meant that the 
r.howhouse has to deliver its scats 
for the matinees in exchange for a 
coupon plus a nickel' to the coupon 
holders, while the latter are able to 
obtain the choicest evening loca- 
tions for 25c. 

Although there are 60,000 of the 
coupons In circulation and their re- 
demption now means a considerable 
loss to him, Bainbridge has refused 
to renege on the deal. 



Garrick's Magic Show 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Carter the Great will bring a 
m^lc entertainment into the Gar- 
rick following 'Dixie On Parade.' 
Booking arranged through local 
William Mori Is office. 

Magician has spent the greater 
part of the last 25 years In the 
Orient, with but occasional profes- 
sional appep rupees in America, his 
native land. He has arranged with 
the Century of Progress Exposition 
to operate i magic show which he 
will finance himself. 



The plan to reorganize the Shu- 
bert Theatre Corporation, which 
will be sold at auction in New York 
on Friday (24) as the culmination 

of the equity receivership failure, 
hats been presented to the various 
credit groups. The holders of the 
debenture bonds have the privilege 
of exchanging each $1,000 deben- 
ture for seven shares of common 
stock of unknown value, in a pro- 
posed new Shubert corporation and 
the general creditors are to receive 
common stock In the same propor- 
tion. 

The proposition Is viewed not dis- 
tastefully by the bondholder com- 
mittees because the Shuberts and 
associates could buy the assets and 
could disregard all creditors. The 
Shuberts, however, propose to put 
the 17 theatres to be auctioned oft 
Into the new company and are to 
continue to produce shows. The 
bondholders realize they are being 
offered a few crumbs, but, recogniz- 
ing a bad situation, will probably 
be in accord with the proposition 
in the hope that the new corpora- 
tion will earn money and that realty 
values will rise, so that ultimately 
they will get something back on 
their investments. 

Shubert $500,000 In Pot 

The Shubert coterie says it will 
Invest $500,000 in the new company. 
Of that amount $300,000 is repre- 
sented in the form of receivers' cer- 
tificates. They will put in $200,000 
more as working capital and the 
balance of the preferred and com- 
mon stock to be issued is expected 
to be subscribed by bond and 
stockholders and others, except the 
stock Issued to creditors. Should 
the balance of the preferred stock 
not taken up by the Shuberts be 
subscribed for, there should be a 
total working capital of $700,000. 
less the amount of stock taken by 
bondholders and general creditors. 

The plan calls for the Issuance of 
100,000 shares of preferred stock in 
what Is mentioned as the 'new 
company' at $10 par. In addition, 
there be 1,000,000 shares of 10- 
cent par common stock. It Is ex- 
plained the low par is because of 
the heavy transfer tax on shares of 
high par value. This is the stock the 
bondholders and general creditors 
are offered. 

On Equal Footing 

The bondholders are in no better 
standing than general creditors, de- 
spite the fact that the Stock Ex- 
change quotes the debentures at 
$5 per $1,000, while the other 
claims have no quotable value 
whatever. If the 'plan and agree- 
ment' goes through application will 
be made to list the new stock. 

The Shuberts for their total half 
million participation ($300,000 in re- 
ceivers' certificates and $200,000 
cash) will receive 42,000 shares of 
preferred stock and 320,000 in com- 
mon stock. 

Both classes are voting stock, so 
it Is apparent that the Shuberts 
would not have voting control. Nor 
will the Shuberts be allowed to 
dominate the new company, accord- 
ing to the proposed board of di- 
rectors. In other words the Shu- 
berts will not be permitted to do as 
they wish because the board of di- 
rectors will first pass on all im- 
portant matters. It is not to be a 
rubber stamp board — that at least 
is the expectation among those who 
hope for better times in the Shu- 
bert enterprises. 

New Company Board 

The reorganization committee, 
which will probably become the 
board of directors, is made up of 
Lee Shubert; Robert C. Adams, 
representing the Chase National 
Bank and the Equitable Trust, which 
handled tho first bond issue and 
which was absorbed by Chase; 
Charles Ahlstrom (not heretofore 
montloned but said to be a large 
stockholder of .Shubert Theatre cor- 
poration); Edward A. Ducasso, rep- 
resenting the Independent bond- 
holders' committee (who worked in 
association with Charles H. Hyde, 
counsel) ; Meyer Lesser, maker of 
theatre tickets; William P. Phillips, 
formerly of the Sellgman banking 
house, which underwrote the de- 
benture bonds; E. Clifford Potter, 
who backed the Shuberts prior to 
their incorporation; A. M. Witten- 

(Continued on page 59) 



52 



TARISTrS^ I.Oin>ON OFFIOB 
I St. SCartbi's 1P1*M, Tn(«Uflr Sqoan 



FOREIGN SHOW NEWS 



CMto A^drtHt TASnn; XOMDON 
TMeplMMMi VMwIa Mr MU^Mb 



Blame Slump in London s Old Xmas 
Pantos on the Blase Modern Kids 



London, Feb. 11. 

Annual West End pantomimea 
this year, of which there were 
three, failed to attract, and did 
about the worst business In years. 
Reason may be general slump, or 
present day youngsters having' be- 
come too sophisticated for fairies, 
demons and dragons. Hippodrome's 
'Dick Whittington,' produced by 
Julian Wylie, averaged $17,000 for 
first four weeks, 12 shows weekly. 
It then dwindled to about half, and 
now In Us last week will gross 
libout $6,000. Wylie Is on a 60-40 
Itasls, and will come out well on 
the right side. 

'Sleeping Beauty,' at the Lyceum, 
opened fairly to around $13,000 for 
the first three weeks, but has since 
slipped to around $7,000, with 
grosses down each week. Panto- 
mime here used to be the real gravy 
for the Melville brothers, owners of 
the theatre, running the show for 
about 12 weeks and making enough 
money to last them all the year. 
Show likely to come oft any day. 

'Mother Goose,' at Daly's, op- 
erated by Francis lAldler, provin- 
cial revue and pantomlipe producer, 
has proved a costly experiment. 
Show is reputed to have lost around 
$14,000. Theatre was taken by 
Laldler for eight weeks, but show 
folded after six, with Laldler pre- 
ferring to pay $3,600, the two 
weeks' rental, rather than stay 
open. Laldler talks about returning 
next year, but probably wont. Will 
probably concenttate on the prov- 
inces as previously where panto- 
mimes are still mone^getters. 



OFF FOR LONDON 



Giovanni ancl Climas Saih'ng — 
New Cabaret in View 



CONQUEST 

(Continued from page 50) 

Garvan and gives another line per- 
formance. Harvey Stephens is ex- 
cellent as Fritz's aid and friend, and 
to him are given penetrs^ting ?lnes 
about the times. Henry O'NelU as 
the elder Nolte, also Is high grade. 

The third act packs what punch 
the play has. Second act could have 
been shortened. The fine cast ap- 
peared to be even better with the 
aid of Hopkins' direction. The play 
comes In on the eve of Lent and the 
Income tax, which In combination 
■ query its chance for success. Ihee, 

FOUR O'CLOCK 

Melodrama In three acta. Presented at 
the Blltmore Feb. 18 by Charles Hendnrson. 
Written by Nan (yitallly and Rupert Dar. 
rea Staged by latur. 

Donna Mason Ara Qfjaid 

QeoTEe Mason WlUlam Baltoar 

Un. HlnchcUSe Sarah Strong 

Robert Hudson Jack Harwood 

Uarcia Irwin Mary Tupper Jones 

Iverlutey Jacobs Florence Lee 

ByWIa Orey Betty Worth 

TrumbuU Jerome Haynor 

Henry Willis Charles Benlamln 

Wallace Irwin William Janney 

Balo Phillip Tully 

Eduardo Canneli Marc Loobell 

Cyrus Webster Herbert Warren 

Chief of Homicide Squad Harry WllBon 

Police Commissioner Eugene Weber 

Henncsey Reed Carlton 

Police Reporter Rupert Darrell 



The Cllmas and Giovanni, Just 
closed at the Hollywood restaurant. 
New York, sail tomorrow (22), on 
the 'Manhattan' for London where 
the Cllmas are set for some vaude 
bookings, opening at the Palladium. 
Giovanni's home is London. He 
also has a Florida bid and may re- 
main over a bit longer. 

The Helen Jackson Girls who got 
off a couple of days ahead of them 
may combine In a London cabaret 
under Giovanni's direction. He ex- 
pects to import Fowler and Tamara 
from America as featured dancers. 
They also Just closed at the Holly- 
wood but leave today for a limited 
Bermuda dance engagement. 



Newberry and RandaB 
Prance in Enrope 



Barbara Newberry, and Carl Ran- 
dall will take a boat ride this spring 
or soon after 'Pardon My English' 
closes In New York. This musical 
Is reported contemplating a lessen- 
ing of scale and migration from the 
Majestic to the 44th Street or per- 
manent retirement.' The Newberry- 
Randal Intent Is London and the 
Continent for so long as the Euro- 
peans will have them. 

Dancers have In mind a British 
show or vaude a-4 possible dou- 
bling into a nlgl club. There Is 
also a chance the . Miss Newberry 
may make a picture while on the 
other side. Her only camera experi- 
ence here has been in Warner 
shorts. 

Should 'Pardon My English' call 
It a run earlier than expected the 
Newberry- Randal team will. It they 
can find It, play some vaudeville 
here before sailing. 



"Four o'clock' is lurid melodrama 
based on a notorious murder and 
police investigations In New York a 
year or so back. It seemed a stage 
presentation of the sensationalism 
to be seen almost daily in the 
tabloids. It Is doubtful theatre 
and the chances are distinctly 
against this meller. 

The story Is based on the murder 
of Vivian Gordon, who was taken 
for a ride and whose body was 
found In Van Cortlandt Park. Play 
idea was that of Nan O'Reilly ot the 
New York 'Evening Journal,' the 
only woman sports writer In the 
metropolitan district. She writes on 
golf, although her early work may 
have had to do with police court re- 
porting. Miss O'Reilly collaborated 
with Rupert Darrell on the script 
The latter Is said to be a coast 
writer. 

In the Gordon case it was dis 
closed that she specialized in black 
mall and was concerned with asso- 
ciates accused of peddling dope 
she knew too much — and in the play 
several people are mentioned as 
having gone for a ride for the same 
reason. Actually there was a sordid 
aftermath of the Gordon murder 
Her daughter, a sohoolglrl, com 
mltted suicide In Phlla. In shame 
over the exposure of her mother's 
exploits. 

."The play does not conform to such 
facts. A youth madly la love with 
Donna Mason, afterward known as 
Donna Madison, had stolen $26,000 
from the bank In which he >was em 
ployed, giving the money to the 
woman. When found out, he kills 
himself. One of the tabs prints 
Donna's picture and that of her 
daughter, the only person she cares 
for. Young Barbara. fclJIs herself, 
and from then on Donna lives for 
revenge. 

Her hatred ta for Webster, the 



tab's publisher, and she compro- 
mises him in Florida with the aid 
of a girl confederate. There are 
&lm0 showing the pair in afiCection- 
at» attitudes. Donna's underworld 
connections, principally Canneli, 
arrange a blackmail session, and 
Webster, knowing what he has 
stepped into, calls at the apartment. 
While arguing over the demand for 
100 G's with Cahnell, Donna draws 
a gun, intent on shooting Webster 
whom she blames for the death of 
her daughter. Canneli, however, 
sneaks a shot, and Donna drops. 

Play then develops into a murder 
mystery, and at that the authors are 
not well fortified. Police find the 
bullet that killed the woman came 
from a .38 calibre gun not from 
Canneli's .44. The killer Is easily 
found, and a quick admission of 
guilt and the reason follow. 

There is a magistrate's. court t.n 
gle, suggesting sqme incidents in 
the Investigations of a New York 
woman Judge, forced off the bench 
during the Seabury investigation 
of New York's then vice squad, 
since abandoned. Several women 
are committed to Bedford Reforma 
tory in a dark scene in 'one' for 
being prosties. Among them Is 
Donna Mason, framed by a vice cop 
at the instance of her sanctimonious 
husband. The woman magistrate 
snys she is to see the testimony 
before it becomes a record, a vital 
point in the actual exposure. Men- 
tion is made of court graft at the 
expense of unfortunate women In 
this exposure and later on. 

But here again is a partially 
truthful play which does not ap- 
peal as diversion. The players are 
as uneven as the play, and the 
whole enterprise Is rather wasted 
effort. /bee. 



MUSICAL AT 8 CENTS 

But That's for Best Seats Only; 
CMhera Are Cheaper 



Mexico City, Feb. 17. 

A two-hour stage show, with mu- 
sical numbers and costume changes, 
presented by 20 people, for 8 cents. 

Sub cellar bargain rate Is the or- 
chestra top musical revue com- 
pany playing Teatro Principal, one 
of the biggest local legit houses. 
Second balcony seats are a nickel, 
while three cants Is all that Is de- 
manded of each gallery occupant. 



London, Feb. 11. 
The Westminster theatre reopens 
Feb. 22 with a new play from the 
French by C. B. Fernald entitled 
'The Princess In the Cage,' starring 
Beatrix Thomson. 



New Sherlock Hobes 
Play London Success 
Triends' Is Moderate 



London^'. Feb. 20. ' 
Sherlock Holmes comes back to 
life in a fairly Interesting new play 
at the Lyric' Piece is titled 'The 
Holmeses of Baker Street ' and 
stands a fair chance of being a suc- 
cess. Holmes, here, appears with a 
daughter, giving the thing a new 
twist completely. 

Another new play is 'Between 
Friends' at the Shattsbury and not 
so good, but likely to enjoy a mod- 
erate, success in this country. It's 
a trite farce which is delightfully 
acted and has a certain amount of 
local appeal, but is too frail for 
broad appeal outside of London. 

'Ten Minute Alibi' was produced 
at the Haymarket recently.. It was 
brought down from the Embassy 
theatre, Where it broke the house 
record and remained three weeks, 
instead of the usual fortnight kt that 
neighborhood playhouse. 

It was f aTora.bly commented upon 
and on its debut in the West End 
seems to have lived up to its orig- 
inal reputation. 



Switch at Queens 

'Head- On Crash' closed at the 
Queeh's Feb. 11 after 10 days. Sir 
Barry Jackson Is succeeding It with 
'Once in a Lifetime,' which he pro- 
duced recently at his Birmingham 
Repertory theatre. 

Stars Godparents 

Fay Compton and Leslie Henson 
godparents to the Infant daughter 
of Tom Newell, their fellow star in 
'Dick WhltUngton.' 

'Nymph Ertant' Lead 

Gertrude Lawrence ' to play the 
lead In thd forthcoming Cochran 
production of 'Nymph Errant' C. 
B. over in Paris discussing musical 
arrangements with Cole Porter, who 
wiU be responsible, for that depart- 
ment. -Show unlikely to be ready 
before summer. 



Kit-Cat Draw 

Jaffery Bernerd, who supervises 
the Kit-Cat, says since the engage- 
ment of Roy Fox and his band; at- 
tendcuice has broken records. 

They are now seating more peo- 
ple than when the place was a club 
with an ^exclusive cabaret,- but the 
takings are not as large because 
prices are lower. 



J. DEVAL ADAPTING 
DINNER' FOR PARIS 



Paris, Feb. 10. 
Edmond Sayag and. Irvln Marks 
will do 'Dinner at Eight' at Say- 
ag's ' Ambassadeurs theatre around 
April 1. 

Jacques Deval, author of 'Card- 
board Lover' and 'Mademoiselle,' Is 
doing the adaptation. 



One Sunday Afternoon 

Comedy drama in two acts presented at 
the I.,lttle Feb. 16 by Leo Peters and Leslie 
J. Splllcr: written by James Hagan; staged 
by Leo BulRaliov. 

BifT Orlmcs Lioyd Nolan 

Snappy Downer Percy Hplton 

Hugo Bamstead Ranltln MansHeide 

Virginia Brush Mary Holsman 

Amy Lind Francesca Brunlng 

Mrs. Oberstatter Eeda Von Bueiow 

Mrs. Schltzenmeyer Marlon Frederic 

Mrs. Schutzendort Rita Collins 

Waiter William Dorbin 

Walter Fred Stelnway 

Otto Leo Hoyt 

Mr. Schneider Ernst Rot>ert 

Rowdy Everett Ripley 

Rowdy Karl Swenson 

Snappy 's Qiri Friend Sara Anns 

Mrs. Lind Janet Toung 

Charlie Brown.., Wm. J. Nelson 

Matt Hughea Bsrron Shores 

Lamplighter >....T. C. Connor 



If 'One Sunday Afternoon' falls 
to click the new producing Arm con 
corned won't be^able to blame It on 
.the critics. The notices were mostly 



favorable, surprising to even the cast 
of unknowns and one daily ad- 
dicted to the star eystem accorded 
the top rating— four stars. Yet the 
chances are against it gathering the 
shekels for it seemed enervating 
rather than diverting. 

Play is in two acts, with a pro 
log and epilog, taking place In the 
office of a small town dentist. Biff 
Qrimes is the D.D.S. and consents 
to receive a patient on Sunday 
afternoon when learning the per 
son with the toothache is Hugo 
Bamstead, an old acquaintance, a 
fellow whom he cordially hated, 
mostly because he married Virginia, 
the ^rl BifiE wanted for himself. 
Biff gives Hugo laughing gas with 
some idea of getting even. Then 
the scene reverts back 20 years. 

In Avery's Park Biff and Hugo 
meet Virginia and Amy, two old 
fashioned girls. Hugo's uncle owns 
the box factory while Biff becomes 
one of the workmen there. The 
park scene Is used several times 
and in between is Schneider's Gar- 
dens, where a German picnic is in 
progress. Two fresh guys make re- 
marks about Vlrgie and Biff lives 
up to his rep and kayos one of the 
muggs, the other retreating. The 
incident is distasteful to Virginia, 
who has rejected Biff's attentions. 
She marries Hugo and they are off 
for Toledo. 

Soon afterward Amy and Biff are 
married. Although working in the 
factory, he Is studying dentistry. 
There is a two years' Interruption 
when he is fired from the Job and 
Is sent to Jail for attempting to col 
lect his due wages with the aid of 
a gun. The conviction in view of 
the facts is no less believable than 
the fact that Biff gets his degree 
and locates in Hillside, another 
small town. 

Back to the dentist office for the 
epilog. Hugo is still under from the 
gas. Virginia drops in, now a bar 
dened woman who dislikes her bus 
band. No harm comes to Hugo for 
Biff realizes that he won the finer 
woman in Amy and that his mar 
rled life has been much the hap 
pier. So out goes the molar and out 
go Hugo and Virgle, who is bawling 
him out for always squawking 
about his teeth. 

Whatever laughs there are occur 
In the beer saloon by the Introduc 
tlon of dialect types. Acting there 
seemed better than by the prln 
ctpals, despite the fact that the 
scene calls for bits pnly. 

Show Is geared to operate at 
small money which Is in Its favor 
Does not look like the agencies will 
do anything for It, however. Ibee. 



London Show World 



brought over to the Cafe do Pan- 
by Willie Bdelsten, where they w 
flnlshed a month's work. Act ?■ 
even better suited for vaude than 
cabaret, and despite they had to lift 
'the audience from a state of leth, 
argy got away splendidly. 

Joe Mara's Comical Marionettes. 
German importation, worked by a 
couple of femmes, scored nlcelv 
Menchassy Brothers, Italians, at- 
tempting to ape the American two* 
men comedy teams, fail dismally 

Viola Dobos, Austrian, is Just an- 
other dancer, although a prettv 
blonde. Rest of the biU consists of 
holdovers and returna 



Seek Comic in U. S. 

Walter Forde, who directed 'Rome 
Express' has received an offer from 
Carl Laemmle to go to Hollywood 
for Universal. He declined and is 
making a • plcturlzatlon of the 
Shaftesbury farce 'Orders Are Or- 
ders,' but Gaumont-Brltlsh are hav- 
ing dlfnculty in casting the role of 
a burlesque American film director 

They have already spent several 
weeks trying to dig up a suitable 
comedian and have gone so far as 
to cable to Hollywood to Jimmy 
Durante, Roland Young, Lee Tracy. 
Charles Ruggles, Jack Oakle, Spen- 
cer Tracey and others. 



Praming June Crazy Bill 

George Black is lining up his 
mid-summer Crayy season at the 
Palladium, due. around June, this 
despite the March Cra^ outfit hot 
yet complete. The June Crazy thing 
is due for only one month, with the 
show going to the Victoria Palace 
for a fortnight. 

It is likely Jimmy James will re- 
place Billy Caryll in this. Show 
win tour the provinces after its 
London dates, staying two weeks in 
bigger towns. 

Two Days and Out ■ 

Menchassy Brothers, a couple of 
Italians, were paid off at the Lon- 
don Pavilion after playing two and 
half days. Act did burlesque com- 
edy horse act, .and have been 
around Paris for years, often play- 
ing at Zelll's Bar for coffee and 
cakes. 

Brothera were doing comedy 
camel act when seen by J. J. Shu- 
bert in Paris some 18 months ago, 
and he signed them for a Shubert 
show. Boys came to America, after 
flashing a $400 per week Shubert 
contract, but never opened. Uh- 
derstood act here was getting |200 
per week, and were booked by Ai. E. 
Abrahams while in° Paris recently. 

The headline billing for the Pal- 
ladium this week went to the 
Lloyd faniily,. Alice Lloyd, Rosle, 
Lloyd, Daisy Wood and Marie 
Lloyd, Jr., the last the daughter of 
Marie. The idea of assembling this 
quartet was said to have originated 
with Harry Foster. 

The act opens with the four In 
evening dress playing bridge. Phone 
rings and the one who answers In- 
forms the others It Is a call from 
their agent, suggesting they get to- 
gether and do an act, which they 
proceed to do. 

It is entitled 'Soners From the 
Family Album,' and is culled from 
the numbers with which they were 
Identified in their heyday, with 
'Junior* doing a couple of numbers 
from her late mother's repertoire. 
They finish with a composite ditty 
and the whole thing makes for an 
Interesting turn to the old-timers. 

The only other new act on the 
bill is June Carr, with Joseph Wag- 
Btaffe, which went over nicely. Dick 
Henderson Is back from America 
and was warmly welcomed. 



gibbons Owes |40D,000 
rst meeting of creditors of 
Sir Waltet Gibbons, held before the 
official receiver Feb. 6, revealed he 
owed the banks $400,000. 

Sir Walter held a flve-year lease 
of the Leicester Square at $4,000 a 
week. A trustee was appointed to 
wind up the affairs of the bankrupt 

'Fugitive's Long Life 
After three weeks at John Max- 
well's house, the Regal. 'I am a 
Fugitive' opened at Marble Arch 
Pavilion, for another West End pre- 
release run. This is rather sur- 
prising, as the latter house Is Gau- 
mont-Brltlsh and in strict opposi- 
tion to the Regal. 

But Arthur Jarrett, the G. B, 
booker, feels picture is good for his 
house for another four weeks. Ho 
even has picture booked to go Into 
the Dominion and New Victoria 
after Its Marble Arch Pavilion run. 

Haskell as Stager 

As a result of his recent London 
Coliseum dance flash. Jack Haskell 
has been approached by George 
Black and Val Parnell to stage 30 
minute tabloid revues for the Gen- 
eral Theatres circuit. 

Haskell has not yet come to terms, 
but is ready to start as soon as 
terms are arranged. 



Holborn Empire Bill 

Only newcomers at the Holborn 
Empire, week of Feb. 6, are Nice, 
Plorio and Lubow in knockabout 
comedy acrobatics and dancing, 
Act looks like inspired by Cass, 
Mack and Owen, but latter's stunts 
are far more effective. With Cass, 
Mack and Owen not playing Eng- 
land this trio should be in demand. 
Scored well on opening. 

Heading the bill Is Jack Hylton, 
Just back from extensive continental 
jaunt. 



Good Vie Trade 

Victoria Palace, week of Feb. 6, 
has galaxy of headliners, with 
house doing best business since 
Christmas week. 'Hutch' (Leslie 
Hutchinson), Teddy Brown, Hous- 
ton Sisters; Hazel Mangean Girls 
O'Gorman Brothers and Al and Ray 
Samuels. O'Gorman Brothers, as 
sisted by three stooges, are on and 
off throughout the show, and at 
times become boring. 

Houston Sisters, a couple of 
clever girls, and great English 
favorites, are doing about the weak 
est act ever. 



At the Pavilion 

London Pavilion bill, week of Feb. 
6, reads like an International dele- 
gation, with representatives from 
England, America, Holland, Italy, 
Germany and Austria. But, despite 
the vast territory covered for talent 
finding, the bill is dulL Of the hew 
comers, tiie Four Mudketeers, 



Dietrich, Novarro Personals 

Clifford Whitley, vho brought 
Maurice Chevalier to London for 
vaudeville, has arranged with Mar- 
lene Dietrich to appear under his 
management for a fortnight during 
May. A few weeks later he wlU 
do the same with Ramon Novarro. 

Miss Dietrich will offer numbers 
from her screen successes and No- 
varro will do tenor solos. 



London .Closings 

Four West End shows closed Feb. 
4. Noel Coward's revue, "Words and 
Music' at the Adelphl, after five 
months' run; 'Springtime for Hen- 
ry,' Benn W. Levy's farce at the 
Apollo, after three months; 'An- 
other Language' at the Lyric after 
two and a half months; 'Mother 
Goose' pantomime from Daly's after 
six weeks. 

There will be three openings week 
of Feb. 6: Embassy, 'The Blue 
Coast' by Norman Webb (produced 
at the Everyman three years ago, 
since re-wrltten); Vaudeville, 'Half 
a Million,' a farce by Kenneth 
Home; Haymarket, 'Ten Minutes 
Alibi' by Anthony Armstrong (tried 
out at the Embassy some weeks 
ago). 



All Set for Canada's 

Little Theatre Meet 

Ottawa, Feb. 20. 
Preparations are well in hand for 
the Dominion Drama Festival to be 
held in Ottawa In April for the pur- 
pose of reviving interest in the 
stage and for the development of 
histrionic talont. 

Festival competitions are being 
conducted by groups in many com- 
munities and the winners will con- 
test for final honors in Ottawa. The 
whole movement is a direct result 
of the Interest in theatricals of the 
Earl of Bessborough, governor-gen- 
eral of Canada. The ultimate out- 
come Is expected to be the estab- 
lishment of a state theatre la 
Ottawa — if and when times get bet- 
ter. 

Professionals have been directing 
the local organizations in rehearsals. 



UE JOURNAL' CRmC DIES 

Paris, Feb. 10. ^ 
O. de Pawlosky of T^e Journal 

died suddenly here. 
He was one of ;the best-known 

.critics in Franco. 



Taesdayi 'Fetraary 21, 1933 



LEGITIMATE 



VARIETY 



53 



IHelody/ 27G*s, Sole New B'way Click 
Show; Lent, Taxes Next Hurdles 



■Waehlngton'e Birthday falling on 
-ViTcdnesday <22) Is expected to boom 
the box offlceB this week. There- 
after how Broadway will fare • 1b 
anybody's euess, but the Indications 
ar6 for tough sledding during the 
uext month or so. 

Two factors Ogure In the outlook 
.-income taxes and Lent. Tax pay^- 
ments have affected theatres every 
season since the war and more so 
this year because the taxes are so 
much heavier a burden. Deadline 
lor payment is March IB for the 
government and April 15 for the 
ctate. 

'Melody* at the Casino stood out 
among- last , week's entrants and 
claimed a first week's gross over 
127,000, despite some off notices; 
•Conauest' " opened Saturday at the 
Plymouth and Is In doubt after un- 
favorable reviews; ■ 'One Sunday 
Afternoon" drew several very good 
notices after a mid-week start; 
Tour o'clock' got little at the Bllt- 
mpre and continuance is In doubt; 
The Sophlstlcrats' lasted but two 
days at the Bijou. 

Holida^ Helps 

Despite the sluthp expected In the, 
wake of Washlnkton's Birthday, 
seven new shows are carded for 
next week: 'Strlkse Me Pink." Majes- 
tic (at $8.85 top); 'A- Saturday 
Night.' Playhouse; Torsaking All 
Others.' Times Square; 'Our Wife,* 
Booth; Bast River Romance, Mans- 
field ; 'Run, Xilttle Chillun', (colored), 
Lyric; 'Louisiana' (colored). Am- 
bassador. ' 

Due off this week: 'Flying Colore,' 
Imperial; 'We the People,' Empire; 
•Criminal at Large,' 48th Street; 
•Face the Music' (repeat date), 44th 
Street. Some doubt about 'Pardon 
My English,' which may move to 
the 44th Street or close at the Ma- 
jestic. 

Business generally last week was 
droopy especially the first three 
days. An extra matinee on Lin- 
coln's Birthday no more than evened 
up on the grosses as compared with 
the previous week. Exceptions were 
'20th Century* and 'Gay Divorce,' 
which Improved. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Alice in Wonderland,' New Am- 
Btierdam (4th week) (C-l,702-$2.20). 
An extra matinee (Lincoln's birth- 
day) helped gross to better $12,000 
again Ifist week. 

'Alien Corn,' Belasco (1st week) 
(D-l,000-$3.30). Presented by Kath- 
arine Cornell; written by Sidney 
Howard; drew attention at Balti- 
more tryout; opened Monday. 

"American Dream,' Guild (1st 
week) (CD-914-$3.30). Presented by 
Theatre Guild; three connected one- 
act plays written by George O'Nell; 
opens tonight (Tues.). 

'Autumn- Crocus,' Morosco (15th 
week) (CD-893-$3.30). Matinee draw 
factor in continuance; three after- 
noon performances weekly; around 
$6,000, which Is enough. 

'Before Morning,' (Rltz (3d week) 
(D-946-$2.20). Cut-rate deal made 
Immediately after opening; takings 
estimated around $4,000; low cost 
Operation. 

'Biography,' Avon (11th week) 
(C-830-$3.80). Moved here from 
Guild Monday and should stay 
through spring; business approxi- 
mated $12,000 last week. 

'Criminal at Large,' 48th St. (20th 
week) (D-893-$3.30). Pinal week; 
goes on tour; class mystery piece 
originally at Belasco; around $4,000 
Jately. 

'Conquest,' Plymouth (1st week) 
(C-l,040-$3.30). Opened Saturday to 
mixed reception; business chances 
should be indicated this week, but 
notices unfavorable. 

'Dangerous Corner,' Fulton (18th 
week) (D-913-$3.30). Geared to op- 
erate at small money and is getting 
by both ways at $4,000 or less. 

'Design for Living,' Barrymore 
(6th week) (CD-l,090-$4.40). Com- 
pletes first month to capacity; only 
show that sells out; topping entire 
list at $29,000. 

'Dinner at Eight,' Music Box (18th 
week) (C-1.000-$3.8B). Extra mati- 
nee last week evened up some slow- 
ness thereafter; bettered $20,000. 

'Flying Colors,' Imperial (24th 
' week) (R-l,446;$2.20). Final week; 
revue did fairly well, but not to 
grosses expected; down under $11,- 
000 last week; house probably dark. 

'Four o'clock,' Blltmore (2d week) 
(D-924-$3.30). Drew second string- 
ers; notices tepid, chances doubtful; 
first week $2,000 Indicated, 

'Gay Divorce,' Shubert (13th 
week) (M-l,395-$3.30). One of few 
shows which climbed last week; 
$16,000 or better; topping other 
motlei'ate money muslcal.s, 

'Goodbye Again,* Masque (9th 
week) (C-700-$3.30). Nice little 
money maker though grosses not 
exceptional; ag.iin around $8,000 last 
week. 

'Hangman's Whip,' St. James (1st 
week) (D-l,520-$2.20). Presented by 
William A. Brady, Jr.; written by 



Chi Operetta Rep Has 
Troubles, Also Assets 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Reorganization of the operetta 
repertory in the Civic Opera house 
is ' expected here. Equity has col- 
lected in advance for every per- 
formance for the past three weeks. 
David Erwln Russell promoter of 
the venture has been mentioned as 
curtailed In authority with H. J. 
Eschbach, up to now holding the 
title of assistant administration 
director, apparently coming out top 
man in the reshuffling. 

Up to now, one week of 'Robin 
Hood,' two weeks of 'Song of the 
Flame,' and three weeks of 'Desert 
Song' have been played. Mean- 
while, Charlotte Lancing and Lorna 
Doone Jackson have been replaced 
In the cast and Isaac Van Grove 
goes In for Ben Jerome as musical 
dlrectoi". Other changes in the or- 
ganization' are anticipated. 

It is generally agreed that oper- 
etta has probably never been pro- 
duced, certainly not in repertory, 
with such lavish iproductlon' as the 
Russell pieces have had. This Is 
due to the' fact that the full re- 
sources of the Civic Opera ware- 
house are at their disposal. In- 
sult company was prepared to 
present a total of 125 operas and 
the scenery and props for this pro- 
gram Is measured by something like 
80 carloads of props, thousands of 
costumes, hundreds of pieces of 
scenery. 

Business has been spotty, but on 
the whole It is considered an ex- 
cellent proposition at $1.65 top. In 
any but a year like this, success 
would have been immediate. But 
to that the answer may very aptly 
be that In siny other year nobody 
would have produced $1.66 operetta. 



Shows in Rehearsal 



'A Saturday Night' 

Brady), Playhouse. 



(W. A. 



'Lone Valley* (Sophie Tread- 
well), 48th Street, 

'Our Wife' (Halle and Broth- 
erton). Booth. 

'East River Romance' (How- 
ard Inches), Mansfield. 

'Both Your Houses' (Theatre 
Guild), Guild. 

'The Lady Refuses' (Harry 
Blaney, Jr.), Longacre. 

'Trip to Pressburg' (Shu- 
berts), 46th Street. 

'Far Away Horses' (Harman 
and UUman), Beck. 

'Masks and Faces' (Paul 
Martin), Mansfield. 

'Three Cornered Moon* (49th 
Street). Richard Aldrlch. 



Norman Rellly Raine and Frank 
Butler; opens Friday (24). 

'Honeymoon,' Vanderbilt (10th 
week) (C-771-$2.20). Low grosses; 
satisfied with slender profit; not 
over $3,000. 

'Late Christopher Bean,' Miller 
(17th week) (C-946-$».30). Another 
strong feminine draw playing three 
matinees weekly; around $9,000; 
profitable both ways. 

'Melody,' Casino (2d week) (O- 
2,000-$3.30). Notices not so hot, but 
operetta's draw built upward after 
Tuesday's premiere (at $6.60 top); 
rated around $25,000 first seven 
times. 

'Music In the Air,' Alvln (16th 
week) (C-l,387-$3.30). Holds to 
around $20,000 and making good 
profit; should span the season. 

'One Sunday Afternoon,' Little 
(2d week) (D-530-$2.20). Difference 
of opinion, but some highly favor- 
able notices; opened middle of last 
week; better line this week. 

'Pardon My English,' Majestic 
(6th week) (M-1.700-$3.30). May 
move; final week here; around $15,- 
000 last week; 'Strike Me Pink' due 
next Monday. 

'Pigeons and People,' Lyceum (6th 
week) (C-957-$2.20). Doing fairly 
well, paced around $5,000 in seven 
performances weekly for intermls- 
sionless show. 

'Sophisticrats,' Bijou. Taken off 
Tuesday last week; played two per- 
formances. 

'Take a Chance,' Apollo (13th 
week) (M-l,270-$4.40). No Inten- 
tion of revising scale at this time; 
business somewhat better last week 
without added matinee; $24,000. 

'Twentieth Century,' Broadhurst 
(9th week) (C-l,118-$3.30). Im- 
proved last we.ek; in nine perform- 
ances the gross went over $15,000; 
should go through season. 

'Walk a Little Faster,' Selwyn 
(9th week) (R-l,067-$2.75). Moved 
her- from St. J-^--ies Monday; new 
skits probably going into revue; es- 
timated around $11,000 last week. 

'We, the People/ Empire (5th 
week) (CD-l,099-$3.30). Final week; 
propaganda drama could not devel- 
op lower floor trade; not over $6,- 
000; no succeeding attraction an- 
nounced. 

'When Ladies Meet,* Royale (21st 
week) (C-l,118-$2.20). Goes to road 
after another week; well out in 
front but off lately; house gets 
'Both Your Houses' March 6. 
Other Attractions 

'Face the Music,' 4-lth Street; final 
week; storehouse for repeat. 

Shakespeare theatre (Jolson's); 
Shakespearean revivals. 

Italian Marionettes (Piccoll), Co- 
han; final two weeks. 

•Black Diamond,' Provlncclown; 
postponed until Friday (24). 

'As Husbands Go,* Forrest; re- 
vlv.ll. 

'The Show-Off,' Hudson; reviv.il. 
'The Monster,' Waldorf; revival. 



lANGUAGE' OKE 
AT8GINLA. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
'Another Language,* road com- 
pany, opened at the Belasco Monday 
to a strong advance. Business 
dipped later In the week, with the 
final tally being slightly over $8,000, 
oke for the attraction. Piece Is In 
for another week, then plays two 
weeks of one- and two-nlghters on 
the way east. 

'Grounds for Divorce' failed to 
hold Its strong opening. An extra 
mat was added Friday to get the 
femme shoppers anxious to lamp the 
Lilyan Tashman finery. Extra show 
built tlxe week up to $6,000, less than 
was expected. 

Estimates for Last Week 
'Another Language/ Belasco (1st 
week) (C-l,103-$2.20). With four 
bits oft the top, $8,000 on the week 
satisfactory. Opening night got a 
Hollywood play, but attendance 
dipped Immediately. 

'Grounds for Divorce,' EI Capitan 
(1st week). Falling to hold its 
strong start, this one dipped to 
$6,000. Satisfactory for the bouse, 
but considerable less than expected, 
with Lilyan Tashman figured to be 
a hot draw. 



Reshuffle in Frisco 
As Fay Show Blows Up 

San Francisco, Feb. 20. 
'Tattle Tales* swell chances to re- 
coup some of the losses It suffered 
in Los Angeles are definitely off 
now that that revue folded at the 
Curran after two weeks and a half, 
leaving house dark. 

Town Is divided between two 
openings tonight (20) Henry Duffy 
bringing Pauline Frederick into Al- 
cazar In 'Criminal at Large,' with 
good name supporting cast. Er- 
langer's Columbia gets 'Louder 
Please,' Pasadena Community Play- 
house production, which was to 
have gone Into a Belasco & Curran 
house until latter called off deal 
for four plays after first one didn't 
register. 

'When Ladies Meet* doing fairly 
at Geary closing Saturday night 
after two weeks, final figure being 
around $6,000. House's new low top 
of $2.20 helped It and show built 
after word got around on It. 

Both Curran and Geary dark, 
next one for Curran being 'Of Thee 
I Sing' due March 13 from Los An 
geles. 



Smgs 





2d Philly Wk. Tops 1st, 



'Counsellor Pulls Nice $10,000 Finale 



YEAR OF THE BIG LUU 
GETS WORSE IN CHICAGO 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
In the three months between the 
present writing and the middle of 
May, there will be a good deal of 
marking time. . Thereafter It will 
become visible to the naked eye 
whether the World's Fair is going 
to mean anything to the legit and 
whether the legit is alert and bank- 
rolled for the opportunity. 

One week is worse than the next 
meanwhile. There will be two 
weeks of Abbey Players repertory 
at the Harris and outside of that 
Chicago is Podunk. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Cat and the Fiddle' Apollo (M- 
1,600; $2.20) (8th, final week). Took 
to the road. Around $11,000 for 
farewell gross. House has 'Ras- 
putin' (Metro) on screen currently. 

'Dixie on Parade' Garrlck (R- 
1,276; $2.20) (4th week). Magic 
show with Carter the Great reported 
as successor, but date not fixed. 
Colored revue may be turning in 
profit. 

'Family Upstairs' Cort (C-1,100; 
$2.20) (9th week). Auspices still 
cheerful. Reported topping $4,000 
on cut rates. 

'Desert Song' Civic (0-3,800; 
$1.65) (4th week). Holding them 
as long as possible. Trade steady- 
ing after bad weather hurt. *Ka- 
tinka' expected next, but company 
affairs not entirely straightened out*. 
Has boxofilce at Marshall Field's In 
loop, an advantage against out-of 
way location. Believed bettering 
$6,000. 



Film Chain Men Start 
Stock in Providence 

Providence, Feb. 20. 

Modern theatre, which recently 
went dark after year of burlesque, 
and then vaudfilms, reopens Monday 
with dramatic stock. Theatre has 
been taken over by A. A. Spitz and 
Anthony Romano, operators of ' a 
string of nabe houses In Rhode 
Island and the second run Bijou In 
downtown Providence. 

Charles L. Schofield, associated 
for years with the old Albee Stock, 
which was disbanded when RKO 
took over the Albee here, has been 
engaged as director. Walter Greaza 
will be the leading man, and Helen 
Kingsley feminine lead. Others are 
Nora Parkinson, Ingenue; Pierre 
Watklns, character; and Don 
P'Arcy, Juvenile. The top price will 
be 60 cents. 

Lou Talbot associated with Sol 
Meyers, operator of the Modern, 
under biurlesque policy, will manage 
for the Spitz outfit. 



Cornell's 'Alien Com' 
Hits Hi 256 in Balto. 

Baltimore, Feb. 20. 

Establishing the high mark of the 
legitimate season so far, Katharine 
Cornell took 'Allen Corn' out of 
town with $25,000. This despite pan- 
nlngs from the critics. 

Sellouts on opening night and the 
matinees, the latter being especially 
strong. Tuesday was the one bad 
night of the week. 'Coup^ellor-at- 
Law' at Ford's is starting off with a 
terrific advance sale. 



Current Road Shows 

This Week (Feb. 20) 



Abbey Players — Wilson, Detroit. 
'Another Language' — Shubert, 
Boston. 

'Blossom Time' — Opera House, 
Chicago. 

'Caponsacchi' and 'Hamlet' — Er- 
langer, Buffalo, Feb. 20-21-22; Park, 
Youngstown. Ohio, Feb. 23; English, 
Indianapolis, Feb. 24-25. 

'Cat and the Fiddle' — American, 
St. Louis. 

'Cavalcade' — Majestic, Boston; Er- 
langer, Chicago. 

'Counsellor at Law' — Ford, Balti- 
more.- 

'Forsaking All Others' — Carlton, 
Providence, Feb. 20-21-22. 

'Louisiana' — Majestic, Brooklyn. 

'Moonshine and Honeysuckle' — 
.Shubert, New Haven, 24-26. 

'Of Thee I Sing'— City Auditorium, 
S.m Antonio, Texas, Feb. 20; Lib- 
erty Hall, El Paso, 22; Savoy, .San 
Diego, Cal., 24-25. 

'Of Thee I Sing'— Forrest, Phila- 
j d<'l]jhia. 



'Rhapsody in Black'— Nixon, Pitt.s- 
burgh. 

'Scandals* — Ithaca, Strand, Feb. 
22; Scranton, Temple, 23; Wilkes- 
Barrc, Irving, 24; Reading, Rajah, 
25. 

'Strike Me Pink*— Shubert, New- 
ark. 

'The Green Pastures' — National, 
Wa.shlngton. 

'The (9ueen's Husband*— Plymouth, 
Boston. 

'Vanities' — Court Square, .Spring- 
field, Feb. 20-21-22. 



'Grounds for Divorce,* El Capitan, 
Hollywood. 

'Another Language,' Bcla.sco, Los 
Angeles. 

'Tattle Tales,' Curran, San Fran- 
cl.sco. 

'Criminal at Large,' Alcazar, San 
Francisco (24). 

'Louder Please,' Columbia, San 
Francisco (20). 



Philadelphia, Feb. 20. 

Just two legit houses are open 
here this week — the Forrest and 
Broad — and from present indica- 
tions the same situation will exist 
next week. 

The Chestnut, following three 
good weeks of 'Counsellor-at-Law,* 
has a fortnight's darkness before 
'A Trip to Pressburg* (tryout) ar- 
rives on March 6 as the second sub- 
scription offering of the American 
Theatre Society's second-half sea- 
son. It will be followed on the 20th 
by 'When Ladles' Meet.' with 'Au- 
tumn Crocus' as the probable fourth 
play. The fifth is not known at 
present. The society has been get- 
ting plenty of complaints and de- 
mands for returned money because 
of long delays in getting plays. "A 
Trip to Pressburg' will have a top 
of $2. which will further burn the 
subscribers, as it is the same price 
they are paying. 

'Of Thee I Sing' did as well In ita 
second week as in Its first, If not a 
little batter. This musical is set for 
four weeks in all at the Forrest, and 
may make its five or six. First 
week's figure was $29,500, with a 
possible $30,000 last week. 

'Counsellor-at-Law' slipped In . 
first two days of its last week, but 
staged a comeback. It beat $35,000 
in three weeks at the Chestnut, 
which at a $2 top Is fine. 

'Shuffling Along of 1933' stayed 
only a week at the Garrlck. although 
some figured It could have been held 
to advantage, as house has nothing 
this week. Negro revue did plenty, 
of two-for-oneing, and probably 
grossed about $8,000. 'Whistling In 
the Dark* Is staying at the Broad a 
third week, although last week's 
gross was only about $3,600. There 
Is some doubt about Wee-Leventhal 
bringing In another show, although 
It was understood they had rented 
the house for four weeks. If they 
do have another It will be either 
'That's Gratitude' or 'The Good 
Fairy.' 

Garrlck has nothing definitely 
dated, though the Piccoll Marion- 
attes, a Billy Rose revue, and the 
annual Mask and Wig show are 
listed on the house schedule. 

The Forrest will probably get An- 
other Language' after 'Of Thee I 
Sing,' though this is not set. 
Estimates for Last Week 

'Of Thee I Sing' ^Forrest, second 
week) — Reported at $30,000 — re- 
markable. May make a five weeks* 
stay of it. Four are set. 

'Counsellor - at - Law' (Chestnut, 
third week) — Off first of week but 
came back and grossed a nice $10,- 
000. House dark this and next 
week. 

'Shuffle Along of 1933' (Garrlck, 
one week only) — Negro revue feot 
about $8,000, Two-for-ones ran 
riot. Houses looked better than they 

'Whistling in the Dark' (Broad, 
second week — Held for third week 
although grossing only $3,500. 



Little Theatre Group's 
Ace Cast for liliom' 



Pasadena, Feb. 20. 

One of the strongest casts as- 
sembled for any Pasadena Cum- 
munlty production will appear in 
'LlUom,' with Sylvia Sidney and 
Arthur Lubln. Molnar play opens 
Feb. 28 for two weeks. 

Lloyd Corrlgan, Nydia Westman, 
Victor Potel. Belle Mitchell. Fred 
Kohler. Jr.. Harry Wallace, Grace 
Hale. Volney Hopkins. Hugh Pros- 
ser, Clark Dennlson, Montague 
Shaw, William Travers, Lafayette 
McKee and Rose Coglan are on the 
roster. Frank Relcher, who directed 
the Theatre Guild version of the 
play, is functioning In the same 
capacity here. 



Storm Over Play Torgy' 
Splits Iowa Negroes 

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 20. 

Unlver.slty I'layers here doing 
'Porgy,' brought concentrated Xegro 
wrath against both play and school 
for allowing the production. Ne- 
groes say it depicts the colored mnn 
as a 'crap-.shooting low-lifer.' 

Representative Owen, colored, has 
taken action In the state legl.slature. 
He says the Unlver.slty Is degrad- 
ing the Negro. Numerous colored 
defenders have come to the fore, 
however. Among them Is W, Rob- 
ert Rm.illn, sepretary of the Urban 
League of Kan.sas City, promotion 
group for Negroes. He stated the 
p'ay to be an artistic attempt to 
portray the primitive life of a col- 
ored community. 

The play was presented to packed 
houses. 



VARIETY 



LITERATI 



.Tuesday* %e}fijnwey 21,. I933 



Lopsided History 

TTpton Sinclair Presents William 
Fox,' ' published by Sinclair himself, 
since In a circular Sinclair admits 
hft's practically broke through flnau' 
clng Blaenstein's Mexican film, an 
assumption Is Bill Fox financed the 
publication If financing nothing else 
connected with lt» 

It is a volume of 377 closely 
printed pages. A more accurate 
title would have been 'Sinclair 
presents William Fox's Side.' It Is 
illogical to believe the author, 
knowing but one side of a contro- 
versy, should attempt to present a 
dispassionate review of events. Just 
what Sinclair's qualifications are for 
the presentation of show business 
history is shown in Innumerable 
little errors, unimportant each in 
itself, but clearly showing his un- 
faniillarlty with the background of 
the subject of which he treats. 

Sinclair's only Interest seems to 
be the opportunity to attack the 
money machine which, as u social- 
ist of long standing, probably ap- 
pealed to him. This may have 
blinded him to the fact that William 
Fox himself is relating the story of 
the downfall of an effort by him to 
erect precisely the sort of monopoly 
which Sinclair holds up to scorn.. 
That shrewder and calmer minds 
defeated this aim makes Fox, to 
him, a martyr to Wall Street's gi-eed. 
instead of merely a man who over 



Boosters All 



Maofadden Publications has 
posted notices to the staff that 
they Bhould at all times and 
under all circimistances up- 
hold the chain of periodicals 
should occasion arise where 
Macfadden's pubs are oh the 
pan. 

With this confessed antici- 
pation of derogatory comment 
is the addenda that the least 
the employees could do is to 
morally support and champion 
the outfit which pays them 
their Incomes. 



reached in that same aim, if he did. 

The book may . be interesting be- 
cause it reveals some of the inside 
angles of the famous battle which 
hitherto have been vaguely hinted 
at in print , Sj[;ticlalr quotes Pox 
literatim as felling how all Wall 
Street massed to defeat. him, with 
specific charges of conspiracy on 
the part of Western tSiectric, Chase 
Bank and others. He tells of a 
turndown by Henry Ford, to whom 
be appealed, of his plea to President 
Hoover and other rabid charges. 

It can't be caUed a new gospel 
of hate against Wall Street. Other 
readers will find it merely the one- 
sided and often extravagant state- 
ment of the most interested party. 
- It is too ponderous to make good 
fiction and there's too much fiction 
to make authentic history, but it 
dishes the dirt about a lot of people 
and this may bring readers. 

In the trade of the gambling, pro- 
ducing and theatrjB playing. Bill Fox 
won out, in money^ prestige and sat- 
isfaction In his 'fight' with Wall 
Street or the bankers, if it could 
be called a 'fight.' Fox put his baclc 
to the wall and k^pt saying no, to 
friends and enemiies before Fox 
finally quit, to say yes with J18,- 
000,000 to the good by the sale of 
his Fox Films control to Harley L. 
Clarke, besides the millions Fox had 
made previously and since his asso- 
ciation wth the companies bearing 
his name. 

When Bill Fox said yes and took 
the mlUiona, Harley Clarke never 
saw again, it was just before the 
collapse of everything. Quotations 
for Fox Films fell as low as any 
other board stock and Fox Theatres 
went into receivership. This all 
shortly after Bill Fox got his mil- 
lions followng his years of work 
building up the Fox organization, 
leaving Bill Fox at that precise 
moment, and being then as he still 
is, the most fortunate of the big 
men, past or present, of the show 
or picture business. 

Besides, with the Clarke money or 
some of it. Bill Fox turned bear in 
the market and ranked with almost 
any of the heavy speculative bears 
of the past three years In amassing 
many more millions by selling short 
Had Fox remained at the head of 
Fox Films he would not have had 
the time nor money to have made 
another $10,000,000 as a bear, nor 
would he have had now or at the 
finish anything like the $18,000,000 
cash that Clarke paid him. 

Yet BUI Fox retired from the 
show business, the Fox companies 
owing banks over 100 millions and 
none of it his own obligation, while 
meantime, a part had been the 
$80,000,000 or so Bill paid for Loew's 
control and which is now not worth 
much over $9,000,000 on current 
quotations. Of course if Bill Fox 
wanted Sinclair to make known his 
'fight' that won Fox so much wealth, 
and believes the Sinclair name will 
help his autobiograph: as a seller, 
that's Pill's own biz. But any num- 
ber of people whether they read the 
book or not will agree that Bill Fox 
hasn't a squawk left against anyone 
in the world, excepting some of 
those fellows he stuck to but who 
walked out on him when he needed 
them. 



Revising Royalties 

The depression has brought about 
a change in the relationship between 
authors, publishers and booksellers. 
Already^ publishers are making 
drastic revisions in authors* con- 
tracts. 

The new contracts, instead of 
providing an advance against a 
royalty ranging from 10 to 15%, 
will, in most cases, forego thd ad- 
vance, and thfe royalty will be cal- 
culated not on the retail, but on the 
wholesale price of the book. Where 
books are sold In quantity, at a 
large wholesale discount, there will 
be a further cut, the author's royal- 
ty being 2%% slb against the pres- 
ent 10 or 16%. 

Some publishers have already 
drawn up contracts on the basis 
of the author suffering the entire 
loss oh the first 2,000 printing, in 
order to pay for manufacturing the 
book, forcing the author to share 
the risk of publication^ With the 
courageous publisher. 

The word 'courageous' is used ad' 
vlsedly since' booksellers have 
served an ultimatum on the publish- 
ers that they will not buy first 
novels by unknown writers. Where 
the writers have appeared in maga- 
zines, book sellers can be Induced to 
stack. Otherwise, booksellers in- 



craftsmen would devote a share of 
their earnings to a common fund 
which would help all I'itertuy Amer- 
ica — not only the younger writers to 
get their start— rbut the older 
writers when they got too old. The 
Guild would be moulded on the 
lines of the present N.V.A 

The Authors' League and other 
leagues have lost nearly 60% in 
memberships, the complaint being 
that no help is forthcoming when 
and where needed. • 



Novel's Dual Cover 

Taking a tip from film producers 
who release pictures with two end- 
ings, the Vangruard Press is sending 
two types of covers — ^lurid and con- 
servative — to booksellers to go on 
'All Women Die.' Dealer is per- 
mitted to select the one he wants. 

Conservative cover came as an 
afterthought following a complaint 
by the author, P. J. Wolfson, that 
the gigantic figure of a man carry- 
ing off a woman was too t6n-twdnt- 
thlrt' for a $2 book. James Henle, 
president ef Vanguard, then added 
the second cover In simple blue and 
gold. 



Best Sellers 



Best Sellers for the week ending Feb. 18, as reported by the 
American News Co,, ine. 

Fieiion . ' 

'Ann Vickers' ($2.60) By Sinclair Lewis 

'The Last Adam' ($2.00) ,,i By James Qould Cozzens 

'ImiUtion of Life' ($2,60) By Fannie Hurst 

'Bulpington of Blup' ($2.60) By H. O. Wells 

'Kennel Murder Case' ($2.00) By S. S. Van Dine 

'Pageant' ($2.60) By Q. B. Lancaster 

Non- Fiction 

'Contract Bridge Blue Book of 1883' ($2.00) By Ely Culbertson 

'100,000,000 Oiiinea pigs' ($2.00) By Arthur Kallet and F. J. Schlink 

'British Agent' ($2,76) ; . ..By Bruce Lockhart 

'Flying Carpet' ($3.76) By ttlchard Halliburton 

'Life Begins at Forty' ($1.60) By Walter B. Pitkin 

'March of Democracy' ($3.60) By James Truslow Adams 



Going Medical 

Shopping around for jsomething to 
replace the waning puU of the red 
hpts, Macaulay seems to be frying 
tci put over the medical angle. Fol- 
lowed 'The Woman's Doctor', with 
'The Life Cry.' which is 9, study of a 
divorced woman's mental reactions 
as she Is ai>out to have an illegiti- 
mate child. Rather peculiar style, 
written in .the first person and os- 
tensibly directed to the man. who 
threw her down. Usual special blurb 
to reviewers modestly suggests tliat 
'this important book .deserves more 
consideration in treatment and space 
than is given, the run of current 
fiction.' 

It's an oddity in literature, but not 
as good as all that. 



available at 60 cents the copy, ...The 
new high hat magazine, is expected 
to present its maiden issue about 
March 16. 

John C. Sohem is the publisher, 
as president of the Shoreham Pub- 
lishing compay,. Schem (wned 
The American Sketch' and 'Spur,' 
both ritzy mags and.. 'M&y fair* Is to 
be rather a combination of those 
publications which' have been 
scrapped. 

In addition to Social Reglstrlte 
conheotipiis, ;lt is understood 'May- 
fair' has powerful polltloal 'backing. 
Andrew Brannlgan is business 
n^ianag^r. His ; brotlv^^ is James 
Ifrannigan; ':;aid to 'Maybr. - O'Brien 
of WeW Tork. ■ * 



Popular 'Anon' 

Not in many book seasons have 
slst that they will wait until cus- there been so many, books credited 
tbmers demand a book, and order to 'Anonymous* aa this. Nearly 
It only upon deposit. This leaves every publishing house has at least 
the publisher holding the bag unless one anonymously-authored volume 
the author is willing to share the on its lists, and some have more, 
burden. Publishers maintain that Booksellers like the 'Anonymous' 
nine out of ten new authors are on a volume. Author's reluctance 
brought out at a serious loss. | to put his name down hints at 

something sensational and helps 
'Manhattan' Folds I sales. 1 However, should the book go 

Paul Ta\Wtz in his N. T. 'Mirror' across the author is not slow in re- 
Sunday column had the exclusive vealing his identity. As when 'West 
that George T. Delacorte, Jr.'s 10c of the Water Tower' got grand no- 



Only a 'Farmer's Daughter* 

Absolutely, no; positively th6- first 
appearance In book fOrm- of the 
most famous character in American 
rkllroad humor, if you know what 
we Infer. A novel called 'The 
"Farmer's Daughter' by an author 
who signs himself as Hilyron Pool. 
That's only a pen name. The au- 
thor has written best sellers under 
name that's well-known. We 
wonder what version of the joke 
will be used. We hope It's the one 
they tell in Missouri. 



weekly, 'Manhattan,' with an av 
erage 45,000 weekly circulation 
folded with Its: sixth issue. No 
such announcement was made on 
the issuance of No. 6 on Feb. 
22, 1933. Initial run of 'Manhat- 
tan' was around 76,000, with the 



tlces when published some years 
ago with its author anonymous. 
Modest Honier Croy soon admitted 
he was the fellow who wrote it. 



Rivkin Poems in Print 

• Allen Rivkin, screen writer, 
scribbles poetry as a pastime. Hav- 
ing completed enough verse for a 
book, Rivkin Is having the volume 
published In Hollywoodi at his own 
expense. 

Collection of poems, fo be titled 
Causer-ays to the Sky,' will be cir- 
culated privately. Skyscrapers 
furnish the theme of most of the 
poems. 



Why Not Annual? 

Although there is no money In 
circulation holding up but with no I poetry mags. If honestly conducted, 
advertising reaction to speak of. Stanton A. Coblentz is nevertheless 
Tawitz was one of the featured [getting ready to publish a new one 
contributors by 'Manhattan' from [To keep the deficit as small as pos 
its start. Norman Anthony, editor sible, however, Coblientz will issue 
of 'Ballyhoo,' afilliated Dell Pub. his quarterly, rather than every 
Co. periodical, also edited 'Manhat- month, 

tan'; Philip Rosa, managing The Coblentz mag, which is to be 
editor; Sam Love and Ted Shane, known as 'Wir.gs,' will make its de 
asso. eds. | but late next month. Coblentz is 

no mean poet himself, but won't use 
Tempest in Teaspoon 1*"^ o' own stuff in his mag. 

Bill Soskln, who Is literary editor Doesn't think it will be the right 
of the New York Evening 'Post' | thing to do, 
has fathered a novel, which he 



has baptised 'Teaspoon.' Bill Is very 
reticent about the publication date. 
Rumor has it, that like Burton Ras- 
coe's 'Gustlbus,' 'Teaspoon' will 
take its place on the five-foot book- 



New Peril 

By a tie-up between Einson 
I Freeman, the biggest of the' jig-saw 
manufacturers, and the Crime Club, 
mystery story publishing subsidiary 



shelf beside that other unwritten of Doubleday, Doran, the jig-saw 



novel by a New York critic. 

For years. Burton has been 
genially kidded about 'Gustlbus' — 
and kidded his kldders back. Now 
it's Bill's turn for some ribbing. 



I concern will get out a series of 
Crime Club Jig-Saw Puzzles com 
1 bining both mystery story and jig 
Each of the Crime Club Jig-Saws 
[will also ccntain a mystery story 



Only One and—. 

Stated recently that Gene Fowler 
ibwed two books to Knopf. It's only 
one book and that's due Liverlght. 



Maybe this item will get the book complete except the conclusion 
out of his system, or win a more Putting together the jig-saw the 
kindly note for the sweating author reader will have the solution to the 
who makes good on his promissory mystery, 

notes. I In view of the current fad for 

both mystery tales and jig-saws, 
Using New Stuff I Einson-Freeman and Doubleday, 

Newcomer to the pulp publishing Doran expect to clean up on the 
field, at a time when even many of | combination 
the harden*!-! vets are laying low, 

is Anthony J. Harkness. With a I Checking Lifts 

niece, Patricia J. Harkness, he is Don Moore, editor of 'The Ar 
getting out a pulp called 'Love Ad- gosy,' has a new angle to stop pay 
ventures.' Unlllce most of the pulp- ing for stolen stories, after being 
ers; Harkness believes he can still taken for two old ones by H. Bed 
attract IB cents for his mag. More ford Jones and J. Allan Dunn. For 



important, however, from the view- 
point of the scribbler is that Hark- 
ness will use only new story ma- 
terial, eschewing the popular prac- 
tice of reprints. 



Writers Ask Aid 

Writers are complaining that au 
thors' organization have not been 
able to take care of their members, 
and there Is serious talk about the 
formation of a guild to which com- 
petent craftsmen would be admitted 
who would bind together and pro 
tect each other against any flnan 
cial or legal contingency. 



merly 'The Argosy' asked for 
bank and business reference from 
unknown authors. Now it pay: 
three weeks after publication, so 
that there's time to check up on 
steal if any. Street & Smith asks 
for a literary reference, an author 
or agency that will okay a new 
comer's work, figuring this harder 
to get than any other kind. 



Nellie Revell's Job 

Nellie Revell Is the editor of 
swanky, new magazine called the 
American 'Mayfair,' designed for 
These ' Park avenue patronage and to be 



Pubs on 8.E.P. 

Four publishers have banded to- 
gether In a new experiment. Mac- 
Millan, Scribners, Houghton Miffiln 
and Little, Brown have contracted 
to share a column in the Sr . jrday 
Evening Post in order to determine 
whether the Post is a worth-while 
medium for book advertising. In 
order to pay for the cost of the ad 
2,000 copies must be sold of each 
title, or elsei 



Columnists Were There 

Two of the Broadway columnists, 
Walter Wlnchell and Sidney Skol- 
sky, were Johnny on the spot for 
the Roosevelt shooting affair In 
Florida. Both boys happened to be 
down there sunning themselves and 
were on hand, so waded in to han- 
dle the yarns. Both had interviews 
with folks Involved, etc., covering 
the feature angles for their New 
York papers. 



Eastern Publishers on Coast 

Robert L. Johnson, vice-president 
of 'Time' magazine. Is in Hollywood 
for a' short visit. 

Accom'pa^nylng hlrn was Frederick 
Bohen, president of the Meredith 
Publishing Co. 



Field's 'Bath' 

Rowland. L. Field, dramatic critic 
on. the Brooklyn 'Times,' giving his 
profession as. writer, 277 Park av- 
enue. New York, took a- 'bath' via a 
voluntary bankrupt* route. His li- 
abilities tota,l .$8,439; no assets. 

Debts principally hinge on an 
apairtm'ent lease. 



No Bargain 

'American Spectator' asks fifty 
bucks f6r a copy of the first num- 
ber, special edition, all articles 
signed by the famous authors. An 
entire collection of books by the 
same authors, autographed, can be 
bought at second hand book dealers 
for $17.26— and that includes the 
books. 



Cdmpetish for 'Wear* 

•Women's Wear' will get competi- 
tion from a new weekly being spon- 
sored by a group headed by Phil 
Frank. Similar in makeup to Kelcey 
Allen's meal ticket, the new sheet 
will be known as 'News of the Ave- 
nue.' Initia,! printing order is 6,000. 



Now It's Told 

Answering the Coast's query as 
to the identity of Rob Aden, it's the 
pseudonym of the writing team of 
Robert F. and Eve Burkhardt. A 
very prolific pair of scribblers, they 
frequently use the writing names 
of Adam Bliss and Rex Jardin for 
their joint efforts also. 



Takes Slap at Hearst 

Editorial writer in February Issue 
of 'Author and Journalist' takes a 
slap at William R. Hearst for so 
vigorously trumpeting 'Buy Amer- 
ican,' and at the same time pur- 
chasing so many stores for his 
mags from English writers. 



'Lily' Goes Abroad 

'For Men Only,' by Beth Brown, 
has just been bought for publica- 
tion In France, Germany, Sweden 
and England. This makes the char- 
acter of Lily Love, the woman who 
fought against a world of men, In- 
ternational. Foreign printings are 
15,000 against 2,000 copies of each 
edition as in America. 



Picked Wrong Ed 

William Lengel, editor of Cosmo- 
politan Magazine, blinked with sur- 
prise. The mss. submitted was a 
story he himself had written in the 
long ago. All but the title, word for 
word, the darn thing was familiar. 
He sent for the author to give li'- 1 
the works. 

'Just a test case,' was the calm 
explanation of the plagiarist. 'I 
wanted to see If . .1 would buy a 
good story by an unknown name.' 



Sordid Twist 
There's a financial twist to the 
announcements of the lectures on 
writing, and authors' meeting in 
the 'Book Mark' section of The 
Evening World Telegram. The ma- 
jority of the gatherings charge a 
small admission, throwing in cakes 
and coflee with the talks to wash 
'em down. 



Covici, Friede Have It 

Covlcl, Friede announce that in 
spite of conflicting reports that the 
Ben Hecht play '20th Century' would 
go to Doubleday, Doran for book 
publication, it will carry the C-F 
Imprint. 



Winston's Troupe 

Martha Winston is handling a 
band of book authors on her own. 
She was responsible for placing a 
number of the unknown British 
scribblers In this country, and rep- 
resented some of the best known 
native typewriter drivers. 



Columbia Mail Order 
And now Columbia University 
has gone Sears-Roebuck in a big 
way. It is offering mail order 
courses in music, literature and the 
drammer, and registration, by mail 
threatens to exceed that of resident 
students. 



Dawson On Baseball 

James P. Dawson, the New York 
'Times' by-liner on boxing, will 
write baseball for that paper this 
season. He will go South with the 
New York Yankee team, thereafter 
covering its games. 

Dawson formerly wrote baseball. 
He will double when in New York 
on boxing shows and events. 



Chatter 

Mordecai Dauzis, newspaperman, 
in voluntary bankruptcy, in New 
York, wltli $60 assets and $2,201 
debts. 

Ed Fishor formerly editor of tlie 
'Radio Guide" remains with tlie fan 
tab as editorial advisor. 

Major George AVitten, soldier, ad- 
venturer and writer, who for sev- 
eral years has been Investisatinp. 
for the 'Magazine of Wall Street.' 
fake stock promoters anu has been 
Instrumental in sending a number of 
(Continued on page 68) 



Tuesday* Febniary 21, 1933 



MUSIC 



VARIETY 



55 



Looks OJC for Smnmer Band Dates 
In Chicago with Fair and Been Too 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Dance orchestras should have a 
big summer in Chicago this year. 
Century of Progress Exposition, it- 
self, may be the site of one of the 
biggest orchestra-employing enter- 
prises designed to tap the money 
reservoirs of the 60,000,000 (any- 
body's guess) people expected to 

visl*. the town for and because of 
the World's Fair. 

Up to now there is no pact be- 
tween the World's Fair and the mu- 
sicians' union, but It is generally 
believed that this will be flxed as 
neither side would like a pitched 
battle on the question of scab labor. 
Meanwhile, a huge dancing pavilion 
is in prospect with Sam Hare men- 
tioned as promoter and operator. 
Such a pavilion contemplates the 
employment of possibly every out- 
^^nding name orchestra in the 
business with three or four-week 
eVigagements for each one. 

Active Cafes 

In addition roadhouses and cafes 
will all have. ambitious bookings to 
attract trade. Ben Bernle will re- 
turn to the College Inn for a special 
summer engagement, as will Vin- 
cent Ijopez at the Congress. Bis- 
marck hotel is expected to retain 
Art Kassel and the Blackhawk to 
keep Hal Kemp through the expo. 
Dells, with Guy Lombardo, and Ted 
Weems at the Lincoln Tavern fill 
out an orchestral roster that will 
also include expected summer en- 
gagements for Wayne King and 
Bernle Cummins, at the two Karzas 
ballrooms, while the Edgewater 
Beach nd Drake hotels look for- 
ward to Ignoring June 1 and keep- 
ing Mark Fisher and Clyde McCoy 
straight through. 

Beer gardens are the unknown 
quantity in the summer situation. 
As soon as beer is legalized and lo- 
cal rulings made known, this town 
is sure to blossom forth under suds. 
In former decades Chicago was a 
champ beer garden burg. Within 
the World's Fair grounds three or 
four. Including 'Old Heidelberg,' the 
most pretentious will be slinging 
beer — and with it, entertainment — 
If present conniving isn't completely 
askew. 



MPPA-Erpi Figure Sync 
Coin from Foreip Films 



With the domestic situation all 
cleared up and settlement money 
distributed, the Music Publishers 
Protective Association and ERPI 
have now to come together and 
agree on what sync coin is due the 
music men on foreign film versions. 
Settlement here Involves the period 
extending from July 2, 1929 to Sept. 
2, 1932, when the sync agreement 
pertaining to the exported versions 
expired. Publishers' claims which 
have piled up over this stretch come 
to around $400,000. 

No claims on the foreign angle, 
however, are outstaiiding ag.T.inst 
RCA Photophone. Latter e'.ectrlc 
made It a practice of clearing the 
sync rights on the foreign versions 
picture by picture, the publishers 
getting their royalties as each pro- 
duction was turned out by the 
studios. 



Resumes with MDS 

Kelt-Engel, Inc., Is resuming its 
distribution relations with the Music 
Dealers' Soi vlce, Inc., March 1. New 
arrangement will be on an exclusive 
basis. On the same day Mattrass- 
Schenck, Inc., quits MDS. 

After a two months' trial Kelt- 
Engel called off Its MDS contact. 
Robblns Music, which withdrew at 
the same time, will continue dis- 
tributing through its present 
sources. 



CORN BELT'S OWN BAND 

Cedar Rapids, la., Feb. 20. 

The Coo college band, a 60-piece 
military aggregation, will be Iowa's 
own official band at the presidential 
inauguration. 

Governor Clyde Hearing having 
doplgnatcd the outfit Iowa's own for 
the event. Same outfit pre.sent at 
Hoover Inauguration. 



Revived Gold Rush 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Willie Horowitz heard from 
his song-writing boy friend, 
who is now established at a 
studio in Hollywood to write 
songs for pictures. Said the 
lad: 

'My office Is as big as 
a postage stamp. There is a 
piano but no stool. So I can't 
play. There Is a desk but no 
paper. So I can't write. I 
spend all my time in another 
song writer's office. So I can't 
be reached by telephone. I will 
soon be a supervisor.' 



SPA Meets and 
Warns as Pubs 
Snub Contract 



Meeting of the Songwriters Pro- 
tective Association was held last 
week to determine what steps are to 
be taken regarding the refusal of 
several of the major publishers to 
accept the new uniform popular 
songwriters' contract. Following 
the meeting, instructions were 
mailed all members of the SPA to 
signature none but the uniform 
covenants and to report to the or- 
ganization any publisher members 
of the MPPA who refuse to abide by 
the agreement. 

Gist of the complaint heard at the 
gathering was that the publishers, 
several of whom were on the MPPA 
ccmmittee that approved the re- 
vlt.ed agreement, were drawing up 
iheir Individual contracts for writer 
signaturing. Each publisher has a 
difCertnt objection 'C the clauses 
contained in the standard contract. 
Some were opposed, decllired the 
writers, to paying royalties every 
three months, others saw no reason 
for cutting the songsmllhs in on 
foreign royalties, while still others 
hove demurred against splitting on 
orchestration sales. 

Contract under dispute was 
drawn up by E. C. Mills after com- 
mittees from the writer and pub- 
i'ther organizations had failed to 
agree follovvfng frequent confer- 
ences lasting over a period of a 
ye.ir. 



Expect Kane to Assume 
Richmond's RM Interest 

Disposal of Maurice Richmond's 
Interest in the Richmond-Mayer 
Music Co. is expected, by those con- 
cerned, to take place by March 1. 
Arrangement now being worked out 
will have Bob Kane, the R-M gen- 
eral manager, taking over the major 
portion of Richmond's stock owner- 
ship in the jobbing outfit. 

When Richmond assumed the 
general management of the Music 
Dealers' Service last August he en- 
tered into an agreement with Mayer 
allowing the latter four months to 
either liquidate the assets of the 
firm or find some one to buy out his 
(Riclimond's) Interest. Time limit 
was later extended. 



Lombardo's Tour 

Guy Lombardo leaves the Hotel 
Roosevelt, New York, April 16, and 
is set for 14 weeks of dance dates 
on tour. The Lombardos will play 
percentage, counting on their radio 
rep. 

Band comes back to New York in 
the summer for a suburban restau- 
rant engagement, probably the Pa- 
vilion Royalo, Long Island, road- 
house. 



Ed McCauley has Joined Robbln.s' 
field staff and Phil Julius has left 
the firm. 



LANGLEY GOING HOME 

Raymond Langley, head of re- 
cording for Columbia In Enctland, 
returns abroad this or next week 
after a month's survey of American 
recording method.s. He has hpad- 
quartered at the American Colum- 
bia company. 

Firms are co-operative, but no 
longer afllllated save in a reciprocal 
arrangement of exchanging masters 
for pressing and repressing on both 
■Idea of the Atlantic. 



Whiteman on Road 



Paul Whiteman leaves the Bllt- 
more Feb. 28 for a four weeks' lay 
off. Part of this period may be ab- 
sorbed by one-nighters, the band 
returning Mondays to New York for 
its commercial broadcasts. 

Possible that Whiteman will re- 
turn to Chicago this spring at the 
Edgewater Beach hotel. 



Weber Ratifies L A. 
Union's Restrictions 
On Film Employment 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Restrictions on musicians' hours 
of employment in studios, passed in 
a referendum vote six weeks ago, 
has been ratified by Joseph N. Web- 
er, international president of the 
American Federation of Musicians. 
It was put into effect Sunday (19) 
by J. W. Gillette, AFM's local con- 
tact with producers. 

Rules adopted by local 47 at the 
election provide that no musician is 
permitted to work more than three 
three-hour sessions a week. Excep- 
tion is that if men are employed 
straight through by one company. 

These restrictions were In effect 
before "for a two-year period, but 
were dropped when a 1 and 3% tax 
on members playing in studios was 
imposed by the local for a relief 
fund. 

Musicians, under the new rules, 
can earn around $80 to $90 per week. 
Only about 60 musicians are doing 
the bulk of the studio recording. Re- 
strictions do not apply to visiting 
conductors. 



Marks-Morris Co.'s May 
Sue ASCAP Oyer 



Diwy 



E. B. Marks Music Corp., recently 
promoted to class BB in the ASCAP, 
may bring suit through Julian T. 
Abeles against the American Society 
for three quarterly dividends claimed 
for the forepart of 1932. When 
Marks' application for upping in the 
Society resulted in the BB money 
diwy, the publisher figured he'd be 
reimbursed for past '32 quarters, 
dating from the time of his initial 
protest. 

Abeles also represented Robblns 
Music Corp. for reinstatement into 
class A from D when that firm was 
demoted because of copyright tech- 
nicalities (copyrights were vested in 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp., and 
not Robblns, at the time), and a 
similar claim for back quarterly 
money Is still pending. 

Joe Morris is another who has 
been threatening suit against the 
ASCAP for similar reasons. 



Weeks Socked $1,000 Fine by Local 
For Playing Men Minus Consent 



Modesty 



Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Gene Johnston, local song 
pub, has issued a new month- 
ly as a combination house or- 
gan and local music biz chat- 
ter sheet. 

Pamphlet is titled 'Hi-De- 
Hi-Lites' and something of a 
miracle in that Johnston only 
mentions his own name once 
outside of the masthead. 



PLAN REVIVAL 
OF LEADERS' 
ASS'N 



Reorganization of the 

Association of Orchestra 
which Julian T. Abels, 
fostered some years ago, 



National 

Leaders, 
attorney, 
is being 



planned again by the barrister. Lat- 
ter has been approached by radio 
bandmen with grievances over 20% 
commissions and kindred abuses on 
the road and radio bookings. 

The ether maestros have been 
submitting to Abies' squawks over 
the idea of 1 ving to pay a net- 
work 10%, and another 10% com- 
mish to the Music Corp. of America, 
or similar booking agency, plus wire 
charges for remote control pickups 
when on tour, and a cut also to the 
American Federation ( " Musicians' 
'war chest.' They have told Abeles 
that the reason the orchestra lead- 
ers couldn't go through with the 
organization committed against 
song cut-in evils, etc., at first was 
because so many of them, at that 
time (five or six years ago), were 
already signed to the big music 
publishers for as high as $10,000 a 
year to plug their catalogs. That 
mitigated against the ideals of the 
cut-in evil and other projects at the 
time. 

Abeles, because of his increased 
specialization in music-radio and 
copyright matters, is breaking away 
from L. Lawrence Green, Maurice 
Goodman and Saul Rogers, to op- 
erate Independently, although he 
will maintain co-operative affilia- 
tions with the former RKO and Fox 
attorneys and also Green. Firm 
name has been Abeles & Green, 
with Goodman and Rogers associat- 
ed as special counsel. 



Disk Firms Mull 2 for $1 Hunch; 
Estimate Only 500,000 Maciiines 



Fox Scores TUgnrimage* 
As Picture Is FUming 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Saving the week generally neces- 
sary for scoring pictures. Fox is re- 
cording the musical background for 
'Pilgrimage' slnr.ultaneously with the 
camera work. When feature is com- 
pleted the musical sound track will 
be ready for dubbing into final 
print. • 

Louis de Francesco, musical di- 
rector, worked with the writers 
prior to the start of filming and 
suggested the tunes written Into 
the script. If idea works out Fox 
will use the same method for other 
films requiring only background 
melody. 



Wanren-Dubin Deal Up; 
Kalmar-Ruby Dickering 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 

Deal giving Harry Warren and Al 
Dubln a contract to write the songs 
for the next Eddie Cantor picture 
is being held u n pen ding an Ironlns 
out of the publishing rights by Sam 
Goldwyn and Wltmark. 

Kalmar and Ruby are negotiating 
to do the tunes on the Ed Wynn- 
Metro picture. 



The last phonograph trade sur- 
vey, a couple of years ago, disclosed 
some 3,000,000 talking machines In 
the homes of American families. 
It's ■ argued that these have now 
dwindled to about 500,000 machines 
in actual use, and many of these are 
phonograph-radio combinations of 
which the radio end is mostly used. 

A . movement among the record 
people now is to drop the retail 
prices of records from 75c to 55c, or 
two for $1, to encourage greater 
volume. Also the disks are to be 
made more attractive, by tinting, 
and with lllccneRses of the artists, 
plus a superimposed Inscription, 
autograph, etc., as part of the mer- 
chandising fol-de-rol. 

Another wrinkle Is to make the 
disks of flexible, non-breakable ma- 
terial. This moans a thinner rec- 
ord, hence, one that doesn't occupy 
too much space, always a favorable 
item as regards the wholesale, re- 
tailing and ultimate spotting In the 
(jofltsu m c r 'ij.. h o m e . 

Columbia 'will emulate Victor's $2 
disk stylo by spotting the artists' 
photos on the pop releases at lUc. 
Victor has just brouKht out this 
idea In the $2 releases. Cfilumbla, 
In December, brought out the tinted 
disk and will probably be the pi- 
dnocr in a flfxiUTe record on its next 
sales campalirn. This firm. Inci- 
dentally, has Induced about 30 de- 
partment stores across the country 
to reopen their disk counters. 



Feud that's been raging between 
the New York musicians local and 
the Music Corporation of America 
the past several months finds An- 
son Weeks again in the middle and 
taking the slap in the way of an- 
other fine. This time he was found 
guilty of bringing In Phllly musi- 
cians to augment his own unit and 
handed a penalty of |1,000. The 
leader, who is spotted at the St. 
Regis, New York, has appealed this 
decision to the International union. 

Several weeks before Weeks was 
hauled before the same Local No. 
802 trial board on charges of play- 
ing the Lucky Strike air engage- 
ments without first obtaining per- 
mission of the union and fined $500. 
The California bandman, east on a 
transfer card, took the case to the 
international and got an over-ruling 
of the local's move. 

Weeks' latest Jam developed when 
he sought to expand his unit for the 
clggie broadcasts. His request for 
permission to hire six members of 
Local No. 802 was turned down^ 
with the result that William Good- 
hart, MCA's branch manager and 
responsible for bringing Weeks to 
New York, journeyed to Phllly and 
engaged six men out of that city's 
local. The New York union then 
slapped the grand penalty on 
Weeks. 

MCA in Wrong 

Resentment against MCA has ex- 
isted among the ofldcers of the New 
York local ever since the booking 
outfit went over their heads to the 
International and obtained permis- 
sion from President Joe Weber to 
bring the Ted Weems and Anson 
Weeks combo Into the Pennsylvania 
Grill and St. Regis, respectively. 
Both bandmen were primarily in- 
terested in getting in here for radio 
engagements, but the local's offi- 
cials refused to budge from their . 
policy against out-of-town combos 
hooking up with commercials orig- 
inating from New York. 

Weems also several weeks ago 
was brought up on charges of play- 
ing a Lucky Strike date without 
first obtaining permission from the 
local and fined $500. After making 
its decision the local asked the in- 
ternational for permission to re- 
voke Weems' transfer card. The 
bandman appealed the fine to 
Weber, who over-ruled the Judg- 
ment and turned down the trans- 
fer revoking request. 



802 ON WARPATH OVER 
EXTRA AIR REHEARSALS 



Executive bc^ard of the New York 
musicians' union has launched a 
campaign against radio band lead- 
ers who have been making a prac- 
tice of slipping in extra rehearsal 
time and not paying for it. Several 
batoners on commercial stanzas 
have already been called on the 
carpet and either warned or fined. 
Among those financially taxed was 
Dave Rublnoff to the 'mount of 
$300. 

Action was started by Local 802 
after members complained that 
leaders took advantage of their 
early pre- broadcast attendance in 
the studios to put them through an 
additional rehearsal. Leaders have 
been advised that these sessions 
come under the heading of regular 
rehearsals .ind that the men are to 
be paid according to the regular 
scale — $6 an hour. 



Dantzig's B'klyn Band as 
3d Inaugural Orchestra 



Along with Rudy Vallce and 
George Gaul's orchestra, of Wash- 
ington, D. C, a relatively unknown 
maestro from Brooklyn, Ell Dantzlg, 
will be the third featured band at 
the Inaugural Ball for President- 
elect noo.sevelt at the Capital. Dant- 
zig's St. George Knights hold forth 
at the hotel St. George, Brooklyn. 

Dantzlg was formerly musical 
manager for Loew vaudeville in 
New York and also directed the 
Metro Hollywood ore. 



Lyman Settles Commlsh Suit 

Abe Lyman has settled the 
Charltc Yates-Mllton Bergcr com- 
mlsh suit out of court for cash. 

Agents sued for $350 alleged due 
them for booking the Lyman band 
in a Warner short. 



S6 



VARIETY 



MUSIC 



Tuesday, Febrnary 21, 1933 



Inside Stuif-Music 



Technical copyright on the 'Take a Chance' score, variously by B. G. 
DeSylva, Nacio Herb Brown and Richard A. Whltingr, is vested In De- 
Sylva Individually. Song sheets also carry what ajipears to be an error 
with Nacio Herb Brown's name inverted to road Nacio Brown Herb. 
This was done purposely to remove confusion from Lew Brown and 
possibly create entanglement through public opinion that DeSylva, Brown 
& Henderson had become DeSylva. Brown & \Vl-?ting. Another slant 
was because of Nacio Brown's writing contract with Feist, hence De- 
Sylva registered the song copyrights in his own name Individually and 
Harms Is the selling agent. 

The vesting of copyright ownership In the outstanding songwriters' 
names, Incidentally, is becoming a new wrinkle. General belief Is that 
the copyrights will become more and more valuable to the owners. That's 
why Irving Caesar now has his own company; Rodgers and Hart have 
Rodart, a Harms subsid; all Gershwin's stuff is vested in the ,New World, 
his own company, with Harms as distribs; Kern copyrights everything 
in his own name and tl.at of the T. B. Harms Co.. which is a Kern com- 
pany, and apart from Harms, Inc., the general distributing company. 



What $S00 Buys 



Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 20. 

College dance committee here 
desiring an orchestra for the 
Inter-Fraternity ball wired a 
booking agency In the E^ast that 
they had |600 and asked what 
kind of an orchestra they could 
get. The answering wire read: 

'Can send one piccolo player 
and five sheets of music' 



NBC's Song Censor 
Going to Work on 
KasseFs Ws Ms' 




(Continued from page 86) 

El Hombre Que Asetlnp (Paramount) (Spanish). Roalta Moreno. RIgbkm. 
Pugo. 70 mlns. Rel. April 16. ' 

Dir, 

Dir. Lopashlnskl. OS mlns. Rel. Noy, 



EIn Walzer von Stfausa. (Capital) (Qer). Musical. Oustay Froellch 
Conrad Welns. 89 mlns. Rel. March 10. 



Falsa Uniforms (Russ.) (Amkino). 
18. Rev. Nov. 29. 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Jerome Kern, long opposed to etherizing current show tunes because I After having been broadcast 
of the dreaded anil-boxofflce effect, let down the bars for 'Music in the without complaint for over six 
Air' on the theory the show title plug would pep things at the gate. But months, lyrics of 'Hells Bells were 
with the plugs careless about crediting the name of the show. Kern will banned by NBC. Art Kassel, corn- 
recall the broadcast privileges although the general result has been that poser of the piece and who uses It 
more than the average of two show tunes have been popularized. Kern as hia signature, was Informed or 
score to 'Music' has resulted in five hits, another clement that figured In the edict the "6 reopened the 
Kern's okaying of the more or less promiscuous broadcasting. Bismarck hotel; The vocal refrain 

There was a time as with 'Sunny', 'Sally', etc.. when orchestrations hummed, 
couldn't be had for cafe performance, forcing leaders to fake dance No explanation given by the 
arrangements from the piano copies whenever the patrons requested the NBC censor as to what was wrong. 
. Kern hits. This was in line with the composer's attitude that getting a Lyrics strike outsiders as partlcu- 
tune slowly in the air was much more preferable In the long run so that larly innocuous. Kassell's Colum- 



It didn't react against the show's boxofllce. 



bla record of "Hell's Bells' has been 
a best seller In this territory since 
September. 



Hurrah, EIn Junge. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Max Adalbert. Ida Wuest. Luela 
English. Dir. Geo. Jacoby. 91 mlns. Rel. June 24. 

Hyppolit a LakaJ (International) (Hungarian). Fast farce. Dir. Szekely let* 
van. 77 mlns. Rel. Jan. Rev. Jan. 17. 

van. (Amkino) (Russ.). Transformation of peasants. Dir. Dovzhenko. gs 
mlns. Rel. Feb. 1. 

KamaraclBChaft. (Asso. Cinema) (Oer). Sensational drama. Alex Oranacb. 
Ernst Busch. Dir. G. W. Pabst. Time, 78 mlns. Rel. Nov. B. 

Koenlgin von Preussen. See Xulse'. 

La Couturiers de Lunevllls (Par) (French). Musical of woman's love. 
Madeleine Renaud, Pierre Blanchar. 90 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. Oct. 22. 

Le Bal (French) (Protex). Domestic oomedy. Dir. Wllhelm Thiele. 83 mlns. 
Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Oct 4. 



Told Culhertson! 



(Continued from page 1) 



Fred Waring and his personal rep, Johnny O'Connor, say tain't so— 
they created no embargo on the music publishers at the Essex House 
shindig which CBS staged — but that it was the chain's own idea to ex- 
clude the music pubs on the theory that If they invited some they'd 
have to invite all, and that entailed too many complications. 

Waring knew nothing of the arrangements and aside from six Invita- 
tions accorded him, his Pennsylvanlans had to entertain a lot of more 
or less unknown peop'.e, radio editors, chain personnel, et al., says he. asked. 'By :he eeny, meeny, miney. 
All this a prelude to the Warlngs' debut on the Old Cfold program. ™o system, I tMnk,' he replied. Not 

one of them understood bridge, not 
one knew a forcing bid from a nega' 

Only a change In thought of the first three lines sapolloed an Al Jol- I tive no-tru-np, but all thought they 
eon song for NBC's okay for broadcasting purposes. The original first could show me a few things I didn't 
three lines read, 'Tou are too beautiful, my dear, to be true, and I am know about the game. Attitude of 
drunk with beauty; drunk with Illusion that tho one who caressed you, the front office was that the less 
really possessed you, too'. the assistants knew about bridge 

The first line remains but after the word 'true' It changes to 'And I the better fcaturettes we would 
am a fool for beauty; with the Illusion that the eyes that inspired me, make. That may be Hollywood, but 
really desired me, too*. it Isn't the Culhertson system, elth 

er of playing bridge or making pic 
Brunswick thinks it has another 'My Handy Man' disk seller In Mae tures based on the game.' 
West's recordings of 'She Done Him Wrong' and 'I Like a Man Who Bridge series came within an ace 
Takes His Time.' Both are by Ralph Rainger, Paramount studio's staff of dying during the preparation for 
songwriter. The third number, 'Frankle and Johnny,' is a folksong dog- the second one. Writer had a scene 
gerel. In which a fourth was needed for 

'I Like the Man Who Takes His Time' is the analagous number tb a game and the hostess called In the 



Handy Man.' 



Edgewater Beach hotel, Chicago, employs Its orchestra not as an or- 
ganized unit, but as so many individuals. Mark Firher Is paid a salary 



Negro butler to fill the vacant chair, 
'It'll be a laugh,' argued the writer, 
one of the six to get the go-bye. 
"This was the final straw,' said 



to lead and sing with the band members, hired and fired by the hotel JJe^J'-^^^^/^IJ^^^^^^ 

have full pay hereafter In writing, 
directing and supervising or else I'd 



direct and at the will of the management. 

For the Sunday evening musicale Fisher does not conduct, but merely | 
sings as a soloist. This avoids the union's one-day-ofC-in-seven rule. 



stort back home. I won the rubber, 

, They Want to Kid the Game 

Hal Kemp within the past year has achieved a reputation around Chi- .p.-turA Trakern Idea waa to nut 
cago for the distinctive nature of his arrangements. Some observers L^^Jg^-J^^^^^^ 
even list Kemp, Wayne King, and Guy Lombardo as the only orchestras J^r^rts BiiMmlline how brldg^ 
waTt.!?:TlH""^ '^''^^^ can immediately be Identified by ear without X?rrw;uld ;ict t?L^^^^^^ 
waiting for the announcement. „„ r^^ -ki^^^ \.■,,*^^■^ v./^«r oKmit 

Kemp is current at the Blackhawk cafe in the Windy City. rjLyerrsout'of the' Malofand 

Dixon lino? 

Fox studio will attempt to obtain a publicity break on 'Inaugural Ball 'Roxy has said that contract 
March,' written by Louis de Francisco, studio musical director. bridge Is costing the picture Indus- 

Effort will be made to have the march played at the inaugural ball in try $4,000,000 a year. And Holly- 
Washington, wood wants to kid It!' 

He says that the proposed games 

Banking moratorium in Michigan tied up around $40,000 In Kresge I ^'^^„^°/SrnJ ^^^-i M 
checks deposited by the Music Dealers Service, Inc. Drafts were on the on ?h« w.? ^tLv think ^hev 
chain stores' bank in Detroit. °" '"^^ m. * 

can play, and are willing to play 

for real stakes. I'll let them write 
their own tickets. Incidentally, if 
we lose, I'm willing to appear In 
any of their pictures wearing 
Harpo'a wig and Groucho's mus 



Lyman Ordered South 



Abe Lyman is in Miami, forced 
out of the Paradise cabaret restau- 
rant. New York, by the thyroid 
glandular trouble which has been 
bothering him. Bandleader went 
into the hosp 10 days ago for 
observations and a rest cure was 
prescribed. 

The Lyman band remains intact 
at the nitery until its leader returns. 
His broadcasts likewise will con- 
tinue under his own name. 



DON Pt^^f 



Frlederlke (A-R) (Qer). Dramatic operetta based on Goethe's life Mmi. 
Christians. dO mlns. Rel. Feb. IB. 

Qltta Entdsckt Ihr Herz. (Capital) (Qer). Musical comedy. Gitta Alnar 
Oustav Froellch. Dir. Carl Froellch. 90 mlns. Rel. Oct. 4. ' 

Qlorla. (German) (New Era). Transatlantic aviation drama. Oustav Froah. 
lich, Brlgltte Helm. 76 mlns. Rel. Nov. Rev. Nov. 1. 'rwn. 

Dir. Tutkevltoh. 80 mins. 



Golden Mountain (Russian) (Amkino) 
9. Rev. AprU 19. 



Rel. April 



Holzapfel Weiss Alles (German) (Capital). Comedy. Felix Bressart Dir 
Viktor Janson. 86 mlns. Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 



House of Death (Russ.) (Amkino). Based on Dostoievsky's life, 
erov. 79 mlns. Rel. Aug. 12. Rev. Aug. 16. 



Dir. Fed* 



Comedy with music. 
Re 



Milton. Dir. 



Lulse, Koenlgin von Preussen. 

Porten. Dir. Carl Froellch. 



"Hf- ■",Tie UOMOEB 



Spitalny's Prospect 

Chicago, Feb. 20, 
Leopold Spitalny Is leaving for I tache. 
New York tonight to confer on the Marx game is being arranged by 
possibility of musical directorship r*^® publicity Oepartments of Para 

. ^^ T, A, ' . mount and Radio. It's to be 15 

for the old Roxy. Also may succeed rubbers, played on the two lots. It's 
Vincent Lopez as Chicago theatre's not a gag, pleads Culbertson, the 
guest conductor when later leaves. Marxes and the two p.a. depart- 
Spitalny has been running pro- ments. Hollywood has its own idea, 
gram building service for Radio | however. The Marx Brothers play 



past several months. 



Tunes by Cowan, Worth 

Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Universal has engaged Lynn 
Cowan and Paul Worth to write 



I Ing bridge with the Culbertsons — 
I and it's not a gag. Hollywood says, 
'Oh, Yeah!' 



HERE AND THERE 

Harry K. McClintock and Sterling 



five musical numbers for its 'LlUies Sherwin, of San Francisco, who 
of Broadway.' wrote 'The Bum Song' for Villa 

Picture, seml-muslcal. is set for f^^'^ljE;,^® ''''^^Pr"*®","^ 
April production with director and I '"^^ 'The Cheese Song.' 



cast still in the air. 



OERUN EAST BOUND 

San Francisco, Feb. 20. 



Claim the 

longest song title for this one yet, 
"Why Do They Bore the Swiss 
Cheese Full of Holes, When It's 
Llmburger Needs the Ventilation.' 



Le Rol Des Resqullleurs (French) (Protex) 

Georges Colombier. 90 mlns. Kel. June 1. Rev. June 14, 

Llebe 1st Liebe (German) (Protex). Musical comedy. Kaethe von Nagy, Hans 

Albers. Dir. Paul Martin. 80 mins. Rel. June 1. Rev. June 7. 
LJubav I Strast. (Yugoslav) (Croat). Drama of life among N. Y. imigranta. 
Rakel Davldovic Dir. Frank Melford. 80 mlns. ReL Dec. 16. 

(Asso. Cinema) (Ger). HtstorlcaL Henry 
Time, 92 mins. Rel. Oct. 4. 

Maedchen In Uniform (Krimsky) (German). Poignant drama. Hertha Thiele, 
Dorothea WIecke. Dir. Richard Froehilch. Rel. Jan. 10. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Man Brauch Kein Qeld. (Capital) (Ger). Musical farce. Dir. Karl Boess. 
Rel. Nov. 10. 

Mein Leopold. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froellch. Max Adalbert. 

Dir. Hans Syelnoff. Time, 96 mlns. Rel. April 1. 
Men and Jobs (Russian) (Amkino). An American engineer looks at Russia. 
Dir. A. Macheret 70 mlns. Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Mensch Ohne Namen (German) (Protex). Poignant drama. Werner Krauss. 

Dir. Oustav Ucicky. 96 mlns. Rel. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 16. 
MIche (Paramount) (French). Musical comedy. Suzy Vernon, Robert Burnler, 
Dranem. 80 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. Deo. 6. 

Mond Uber Morokko (Protex) (Ger). See Cing Gentlemen Maudlt 
Morltz Macht Sein Qlueok. (German) (Capital). Farce. Siegfried Arno. 86 
mlns. Rel. Deo. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Namenshelrat. (German) (FAF). Drama. Dir. Heinz Paul. 90 mlns. ReL 
Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

1914. (Capital) (GerJ Prelude to the world wa!^. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time. 
73 mins. Rel. Sept. 1. 

Oberst Redl. (Capital) (Ger). Spy thriller. LU Dagover, Theo. I<oos. Dir. 

Karl Anton. Time. 79 mins. ReL Aug. 30. 
Paris- Beguln (Protex) (Fr). Musical. Jane Marnac Dir. Augusta Genlna. 
90 rains. Rej. Deo. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Pin MIndent Tud (Arkay) (Hung.). Farce. Dir. Stephen Szekely. 76 mina 

Rel. Jan. 16. Rev- Jan. 81. 
Purpur und Waschblau. (Capital) (Ger). Dramatic comedy. Hansl Niese, 

Else Elster. Dir. Max NeuHeld. Time, 86 mlns. ReL July 30. 
Cuando te Suieldas (Paramount) (Spanish). MusIcaL Argentina. 90 mint. 
Rel. March 16. 

Quand te Tues Tu (Paramount) (French). Farce comedy. Drean, Noel* 

Noel, Robert Bninleb- 80 mins. Rel. March 16. 
Reserve Hat Ruh. (New Era) (Oer). Military farce. Fritz Kampers, Luele 

Englische. Time, 94 mins. ReL Aug. 11. 
Rhapsody of Lovs. (Capital) (Polish). Hardships of an art career. Agnes 

Petersen. Mosjuklne. Time, 89 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. 
Richthofen, Red Ace of Germany. (Gould) (Ger). (Synchronized.) ' Self ex* 

planatory. Dir. Robt. Slezlch. Time, 80 mins. Rel. Aug. 20. 
Ronny (Protex) (Ger). Operetta. Kaethe von Nagy, Willy Fritsch. Dir. 

Emerlch Kalman. 86 mins. Rel. AprU 1. Rev. April 19. 
Scampolo (A-R) (Ger). Cinderella romance. Dolly Haas. 80 mlns. ReL 
Feb. 16. 

Schubert's Frushllngstraum. (Capital) (Ger). Musical of Schubert's life. 
Carl Joeken, Siegfried Arno. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time, 71 mins. ReL 
June 28. 

SeIn Scheldungsgrund (German) (Protex). Comedy drama. Lien Deyers. 

Dir. Alfred Zeisler. 80 mins. Rel. March L Rev. March 8. 
Siberian Patrol (Rusa.) (Amkino). Dir. Protozanov. 60 mine. Rel. May 18. 

Rev. May 31. 

Sniper (Russ.) (Amkino). The war terrors. Dir. TImoshenko. 61 mlns. ReL 

Aug. 26. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Soil Is Thirsty (Russ.) (Amkino). Dir. Rolsman. 68 mins. Rel. May 5. Rev. 

May 10. 

Storm Over Zakopane, The. (Capital) (Polish). (Synchronized.) Danger in 

the mountains. Time, 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 26. 
Taenzerin von Sansoucl. See 'Barberlna'. 

Tempest (German) (Protex). Drama. Emll Jannlngs, Anna Sten. Dir. Rob- 
ert Sledmak. 90 mins. Rel. March 1. Rev. March 22. 

Tingle Tangle. (New Era) (Ger). Comedy. Ernest Verebea, Fritz Kampers, 
Elizabeth Plnajeff. Dir. Japp Speyer. Time, 93 mins. Rel. May 16. 

Trapeze (German) (Protex). Circus drama. Anna Sten. Dir. A. E. Dupont 
80 mlns. Rel. May 1. Rev. May 10. 

Trenck (A-R) (Ger). Romantic drama. Dorothea WIecke. 90 mlns. ReL 
Feb. 16. ^ 

Ulani, UlanI, Chlopcyi MalbwanI (Polish) (Zbyszko). Musical comedy. 100 
mlns. Rel. Jan. 1. 

Ullca (Capital) (Polish). Life of the newsboys. Dir. Alexander Ford. Time, 

73 mlns. Rel. Aug. 25. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Unknown Heroes. (Capital) (Polish). Polish police activity. Mary Bogda, 

Adam Brodzlcz. Time, 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 26. 
Victoria und Ihr Hussar (A-R) (Ger.) Viennese operetta. 90 mlns. ReL 
March 1..' 

Voice of the Desert, The. (Capital) (Polish). Algerian story in authentic 

locales. Adam Brodzlcz, Mary Bogda. Time, 89 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. 
Weekend In Paradise. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Otto Wallburg, Julius Falken- 
steln, Elslo Elster. Trude Berliner. Dir. Robt Land. Time. 81 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 1. 

Yorck (German) (Protex). Historical drama. Werner KrausS, Rudolf Forster. 

Dir. Gustav Ucicky. 90 mins. Rel. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 27. 
Zapfenstrelch Am Rheln. (Whitney) (Ger.). Musical farce. Charlotte Susa, 

Siegfried Arno. Dir. Jaap Speyer. 90 mins. Rel. Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 7. 
Zlrkus Leben. (German) (FAF). Circus drama. Llane Hald. Dir. Hclns 

Paul. 70 mins. Rel. Dec. 15. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Zwel Herzen und EIn Schlag (German) (Protex). 
Dir. Wllhelm Thiele. 90 mins. Rel. Sept. 1. 



Contract for the Denver muni- 
Tom Gerim and band will leave clpal band concerts this year has 
the Bal Tabarin cafe In May for the been awarded to John S. Leick, who 
Chicago World's Fair. Wayne King had the Job last year. Contract 
succeeds hero. calls for 60 concerts, the first on 

Bal Tabarin Is owned and oper- July 4 and the last on Labor Day. 
ated by Gerun and Frank Marti- The season Is one week shorter than 
nelli. ' last ^^r. Cost will be $19,350. 



Operetta. Lilian Harvey. 
Rev. Sept. 13. 



Key to address— Amkino, 723 Seventh Ave. 

Amerlcan-noumanlan Films, 1560 Broadway. 
Associated Cinema, 154 W. 56th St. 
Capital Film Exchange, 630 Ninth Ave. 
Foreign American hl\ma. 111 W. 67th St. 
Harold Auten, 1660 Broadway. ' 
International Cinema, 1499 First Ave. 
John Krimsky, 33 West 42d St. 
J. H. Whitney. 350 East 72d St 
Klnematrade. 723 Seventh Ave. 
New Era, 630 Ninth Ave. 
Protex Trading, 42 E. 58th St. 
Symon Gould. 261 W. 89th St 
Tobls Forcnfllms, 729 Seventh Ave. 
Zbyszko Film Corp., 274 Madison Ave. 



Tuesday, Febnuurj 21, 1933 



MUSIC-NITE CLUBS 



VARIETY 



57 



TOUGH JAN. FOR 
N. Y.-CHI, BUT 
COAST FAIR 



New Tork, Feb. 20. 

Music sheet Industry last month 
muddled through the worst Janu 
ery In Its history, despite that the 
first month of the year has always 
been rated In the business as the 
biggest selling month of the year, 
Contrary to past practices, dealers 
failed to follow up the holiday 
period with general restocking of 
their shelves. 

Gross done by the Music Dealers' 
Service was a severe fall-oft from 
December, with the entire sum taken 
In by this central channel admitted 
by its heads to have been less than 
that netted by such major publish- 
ers as Irving Berlin, Feist or Harms 
the same month two years ago. 

Business picked up slightly with 
the turn Into February, but it was 
only a week lived flurry, the second 
week of the month duplicating Jan 
uary's doldrums. Some spark of 
life, however, was noted among the 
mechanicals. 'Columbia Phonograph 
Induced some 30 large department 
stores around the country to reopen 
their disk counters. 

For the second successive month 
Joe Morris* 'Little Street Where Old 
Friends Meet' held the ace spot of 
the best sheet selling sextet. Harms 
crashed the group with two num- 
bers, 'My Darling* and 'Night and 
Day,' while two others, 'Willow 
Weep for Me' (Berlin) and 'Play, 
Fiddle, Play* (Marks), are holdovers 
from the previous month. Robbins' 
•Rockabye Moon* Is the sixth blue- 
ribbon member. 

Among the runner-ups last month 
were Robbins' 'Echo of the Valley,* 
•Moon Song' (Famous), 'Little Green 
Hat' (Bebo-Lang), 'Playing with 
Fire* (Berlin). 

In the mechanical fleld Eddie 
Duchin replaced Guy Lombardo as 
Brunswick's top draw, while Rudy 
Vallee and Leo Reisman continued 
as the pacemakers for Columbia and 
Victor respectively. 



Chicago Changes 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Music sales were down in January, 
usually a good month, due to the 
absence of the customary seasonal 
liquidations of stock which, in turn, 
was a result of everybody operating 
so close to the cushion that there 
was a small liquidable margin. 

Albums are off among the me- 
chanicals, along with the 7B-centers. 
-Numerous changes in the leaders 
occur both in sheet music and the 
flbef pancakes. It may be noted, 
too, that most of the recordings sell 
on the name of the artist, with few 
best selling pop .numbers among the' 
wax outstanders. Indeed, standards 
increasingly are" represented on the 
best selling disc lists. 

It is also slgniflcant that highly 
individualized musical notions, nov- 
elties and odd effects, such as Eddie 
Duchln's off-beat piano, has a pro- 
nounced reaction In sales. 



Coast Holds Up 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 
The music business remained 
about the same during January, with 
a local tune zooming to the top of 
the list. First time in over a year 
that this has happened. In this in- 
stance It's 'Love In the Moonlight,' 
by Charles KIsco and J. C. Lewis, 
Jr. Kisco Is In the Ted Dahl band, 
with Sherman, Clay publishing. 
Coming up rapidly as a possible re- 
placer to 'Moonlight' is 'Echo In the 
Valley,' which arrived too late In the 
month to get a place on the list. 
' Discs also held up, which means 
above par business. 

Leiderman in Hare Spot 
In Chi; No Name Bands 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

George Leiderman will reopen the 
Winter Garden cafe this week. Sam 
Hare steps out altogether and will 
mark time until his class roadhouse, 
the Dells, opens May 15, or there- 
abouts. Hare will have Guy Lom- 
bardo for the summer and the 
"World's Fair period. 

Leiderman will operate the 
Winter Garden without name or- 
chestras. 



JANUARY MUSIC SURVEY 

THIS TABLE SHOWS THE LEADING SIX SELLERS IN SHEET MUSIC AND PHONOGRAPH RECORDS GATHERED FROM THE REPORTS 
OF SALES MADE DURING JANUARY BY THE LEADING MUSIC JOBBERS AND DISC DISTRIBUTORS IN THE TERRITORIES 



6 Best Sellers in Sheet Music 



Reported by Leading Jobbers 




NEW YORK 


CHICAGO 


LOS ANGELES 


SONG— No. 1 


'Little street Where Old Friends Meet' 


'Little Street Where Old Friends Meet' 


'Love in the Moonlight' 


SONG— No. 2 


'My Darling' 


'My Darling' 


'Moon Song' 


SONG— No. 3 


'Night and Day' 


'Rockabye Moon' 


'Play, Fiddle, Play' 


SONG— No. 4 


'Play, Fiddle, Play' 


'Fit as a Fiddle' 


'My Darling' 


SONG— No. 6 


'Willow Weep for Me' 


'I'm Sure of Everything But You' 


'Willow Weep for Me' 


SONG— No. 6 


'Rockabye Moon' 


'Play, Fiddle. Play' 


'Niqht and Day' 



3 Leading Phonograph Companies Report 6 Best Sellers 

Side responsible for the major sales only are reported. Wh ere it is impossible to determine the side responsible for the 

sales, both sides are mentioned: 



Frank Libuse at College Inn 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 

Frank Lublee will be the attrac- 
tion at the College Inn after the de- 
parture of Ben Bernle at the end of 
this month. Phil Levant's orches- 
tra will provide the music. 

Jackie Heller, Bemie protege. Is 
expected to remain also. 



BRUNSWICK— No. 1 


'Night and Day,' 'Did Yoii Mean What 
You Said Last Night' (Kddie Duchin 
Orch.) 


'Street of Dreams' (Guy Lombardo) 


'Night and Day' (Eddie Duchin Orch.) 


BRUNSWICK— No. 2 


'Waltzing in a Dream,' 'Please' (Bing 
Crosby with Anson W*ek Orch.) 


'Just an Echo' (Bing Crosby) 


'Just a Little Home for the Old Folks' 

(Guy Lombardo) 


BRUNSWICK- No. 3 


'Street of Dreams,' '1 Called to Say 
Goodnight' (Guy Lombardo Orch.) 


'Night and Day' (Eddie Duchin Orch.) 


'Eadie Was a Lady' (Ethel Merman) 


BRUNSWICK— No. 4 


'Eadie Was a Lady' (Ethel Merman) 


'Please' (Bing Crosby) 


'Fit as a Fiddle' (Three Keys) 


BRUNSWICK— No. 6 


'Street of Dreams,' 'It's Within Your 
Power' (Bing Crosby) 


'Till Tomorrow* (Eddie Duchin Orch.) 


'Just an Echo in the Valley' (Bing 

Crosby) 


BRUNSWICK— No. 6 


'1 Gotta Right to Sing the Blues,' 
'That's What 1 Hate About Love' 

(Cab Calloway) 


'It's Winter Again' (Hal Kemp Orch.) 


'Harlem Holiday' (Cab Calloway) 


COLUMBIA— No. 1 


'Just an Echo in the Valley,' 'The Lan- 
guage of Love' (Rudy Vallee) 


'Linger a Little Longer in the Twilight' 

(Rudy Vallee) 


'Play, Fiddle, Play' (Ted Lewis Orch.) 


COLUMBIA— No. 2 


'Street of Dreams,' 'A.White House of 
Our Own' (Ben Selvin Orch.) 


'May 1 Have This Dance, Madame' 

(Enrique Madrlguera Orch.) 


'Here It Is Monday' (Rudy Vallee) 


COLUMBIA— No. 3 


'At the Baby Parade,' 'Waltzing in a 
Dream' (Enrique Madrlguera Orch.) 


'Hell's Bells' Art Kassel) 


'Hell's Bells' Art Kassel) 


COLUMBIA-^No. 4 


'Jazz Pie,' 'One Note Trumpet Player' 

(Joe Haymes Orch.) 


'Street of Dreams' (Ben Selvin Orch.) 


'What a Perfect Combination' (Eddie 
Cantor) 


COLUMBIA- No. 5 


^Look Who's Here,' 'California Here 1 
Come' (Claude Hopkins Orch.) 


'Baby Parade' (Enrique Madrlguera) 


'New Farewell Blues' (Ted Lewis 
Orch.) 


COLUMBIA— No. 6 


'May 1 Have This Waltz With You,' 
'Sing, Brothers' (Enrique Madriquera) 


'Just an Echo' (Rudy Vallee Orch.) 


'You're Getting to Be a Habit With 

Me' (Ben Selvin Orch.) 


VICTOR— No. 1 


'Night and Day,' 'I've Got You on My 
Mind' (Leo Reisman Orch.) 


'Night and Day' 'Leo Reisman Orch.) 


'We've Got a Moon and Sixpence' (Ray 
Noble's London Mayfalr Orch.) 


VICTOR— No. 2 


'The Girl in the Little Green Hat,' 'My 
Fraternity Pin' (George Olsen) 


'Hobo, You Can't Ride on This Train' 

(Louis Armstrong Orch.) 


'Night and Day' (Leo Reisman Orch.) 


VICTOR— No. 3 


'Willow Weep for Me,' 'At Last It's 
Come to This' (Paul Whiteman) 


'Willow Weep for Me' (Paul Whiteman 
Orch.) 


'Moon Song' (Jack Denny Orch.) 


VICTOR— No. 4 


'Along Came Love,' 'My Darling' (Don 
Bestor Orch.) 


'Look Who's Here' (Ted Weems Orch.) 


'With All My Lovo and Kisses' (Ray 

Noble's London Mayfalr Orch.) 


VICTOR— IMo. 6 


'Eadie Wag a Lady,' 'You're an Old 
Smoothy' (Paul Whiteman) 


'Eadie Was a Lady' (Ramona and 
Whiteman Orch.) 


'Underneath the Harlem Moon' (Joe 

Rines Orch.) 


VICTOR— No. 6 


'I've Told Every Little Star,' 'The Song 
Is You' (Jack Denny Orch.) 


'You'll Wish You Were Never Born' 

(Louis Armstrong Orch.) 


'Speak to Me of Love^ (Don Bestor 
Orch.) 



NIGHT CLUB REVIEWS 



COTTON CLUB, N. Y. 

New Tork, Feb. 17. 
Cotton Club remains the top- 
notcher of the Harlem niteries, 
sorta justifying its $2.60 couvert 
tap although . Connie's Inn cut it to 
$1 and $1.60. Cotton Club gives a 
lot of show, evidencing much care 
in the revue preparation which Dan 
Healy, for the 21st time, has staged. 
Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler, for 
the fifth consecutive session, wrote 
the special words and music. 

This edition has been holding 
forth for some time and Is still a 
socko entertainment with its flock 
of talent headed by Cab Calloway 
who, besides maestroing the torrid 
jazzlque, works virtually every 
number opposite Aida Ward, Caro- 
lynn Snowden and Lethla Hill. 

The 12 girls are lookers and more 
naturally brownskin than the pale- 
faces once a vogue in Harlem joints. 
Routines are brisk and snappy 
without overstepping, which is one 
reason why the C.C. always gets 
such a class repeat play. 

Young Harold Nicholas of the 
Nicholas Bros., diminutive stepper, 
is the male outstander next to (Gal- 
loway. 'Calloway for President,' 
variation of the Gershwins' 'Wln- 
tergreen for President' (out of 'Of 
Thee I Sing*) starts off. Elmer 
Turn, Nlcodemus, Roy Atkins, Four 
Blazers (great hoofers on any floor), 
Henri Wessels-Anice Boyer, Alma 
Smith, Swan and Lee, Brown and 
McGraw and Little Bits are spe- 
cialists in succession, working in 
with the previously mentioned prin- 
clp^ls* 

Calloway's Hl-de-Hlghne.ss of 
Ho-de-Ho is the big noise with the 
barbaric. Jungle calls interspersing 
his tip-top ultra-modern jazz. His 
'Minnie the Moocher,' which has 
been glorified on her wedding day, 
is again to the fore, this time In a 
trial routine that's a highlight of 
the forepart. Abel. 



HOLLYWOOD 

N^W York, Feb. 17. 
Joe Moss and Jacob Amron, with 
true enterprise, following NTG's 
leaving the Hollywood to start at 
the competitive ParaAisS eabaret 



across the street on Broadway, have 
shifted the show around and gener- 
ally pepped thing up on the floor. 
The elevated platform is one cork- 
ing wrinkle to afford better sight- 
ing for the outer tiers and, unless 
the overflow compels It, that also 
eliminates the extra tables on the 
floor. 

Harry Rose Is the new m.c. In 
place of George Givot. Rose Is al- 
most ideal for a pop nitery of this 
nature. He knows how to pace the 
girls and the rest of the show, 
backed up by the crack Isham Jones 
music. 

Fowler and Tamara rre the hold- 
over dance features, staying here 
long past their original contract, 
but now going out for southern re- 
sort engagements. Giovanni is also 
out, with Joe Frisco replacing and 
getting over surprisingly well. 

The girls are still lookers, prov- 
ing there's no dearth in the pulchri- 
tjjde market despite the Paradise's 
raid on the lookers. In fact, the 
rival nitery had to Lmport 'em from 
the Coast. 

Blanche Bow still socks with the 
hl-de-ho type of song-and-dance- 
ology, and ditto the other number 
leaders. The Climas with their 
swell 'Singapore' flash are also leav- 
ing after a record run, headed for 
European engagements. 

At $1.50 and $1.75 table d'hote 
(and the kitchen Is plenty oke, too), 
the Hollyjyood Is a shade under the 
Paradise's highest tariff of $2. 

Abel. 



ROYAL BOX, N. Y. 

New York, Feb. 20. 

The Royal Hex is one of the new- 
est crop of smart rooms with a 
membership idea. It's along the 
Embassy Club lines and under kin- 
dred management, with a tres con- 
tinentale atmosphere and very re- 
cherche surroundings to compensate 
for the uniformly straight $1 tariffs 
for refreshments, and the propor- 
tionately fancy menu scales. 

It's not Joe ZelU's place, hence the 
'new' description to distinguish it 
from the French cafe man's ill-fated 
nite club venture 18 months or so 



ago, in New York. Zelli has since 
decided to continue getting his In 
Paris. However, the trademark of 
the place and some of the decora- 
tions are by Zito, the Chez Zelli's 
favorite caricaturist. 

Talent Is colored, but toned down 
by assimilated French suavity, with 
some of the people recognized from 
the Boeuf-sur-le-Toit cabarets In 
Paris and (pannes on the Riviera. 
One of 'em particularly, John (Baby 
Face), Maclin, enjoyed quite a vogue 
with the smart continental bunch at 
these spots three years a£:o and 
since. 

The other entertainers are Eliza- 
beth Welch, Opel Cooper, Maclin 
and Charles Lewis. Cooper Is a ro- 
bust type of songster who, like Mac- 
lin, Is equally at home with pops m 
several tongues. 

An Hawaiian combo (Gordon St.- 
Chad is the Imposing handle of the 
maestro) switcljes from concert to 
the pop airs. 

Room can't accommodate over 76 
comfortably all at once, hence the 
necessity for the general scale of 
things. Abel. 



BISMARCK 

Chicago, Feb. 16. 
Two possible explanations can be 
advanced for the revolutionary In- 
troduction into the Hotel Bismarck's 
main dining salon of a floor show. 
First, beer is coming. Second, the 
management may feel a need for 
(Continued on page 63) 



Joe Hiller Learns Pitt 
Won't Go $1.50 Converts 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 20. 
Show Boat, Joe Hlller's riverfront 
nlte club here, has folded for second 
time this season. Not enough money 
In town apparently to support IIlll- 
or's Ilarlem-Cotton Club Idea at 
$1.50 cover weck-nlghts and $2 Sat- 
urday. 

Floor show went out a week ago, 
with Show Boat retaining Fletcher 
Henderson's band and cutting cover 
In half, but still no go, with spot 
closing last Wednesday (15)- 

Cafe previously folded Immediate- 
ly after New Year's, but was back 
in circulation again two weeks after 
that. 



"King" Solomon's Hub 
Nite Club on Paying 
Basis for 1st Time 



Boston, Feb. 20. 

When Charlie 'King' Solomon 
died, predictions were that his Co- 
coanut Grove nite club would fade. 
He had lavished money on his 
shows and feted hundreds free. 
First two weeks of this season saw 
$9,400 as the red margin and durlngr 
the Solomon regime It never made a 
cent but lost thousands. 

But now the club Is going on a 
'paying basis,' Attorney Barney WI- 
lansky, chief owner, says. He has 
cut the orchestra to seven pieces 
and putting on good shows at far 
less cost than Solomon who paid 
fabulously for talent. 

Wilansky is hopeful of clearing 
$300 weekly under his own policy. 
He succeeds Solomon also as chief 
owner of the Globe and Stuart, pic- 
ture houses. 

Incidentally, the nite club world 
has Its own theory of how the 'King* 
died. Story different from any of 
numerous tales In print. Theory Is 
built on teeih marks on ring flnger 
on which was Charlie's diamond 
ring, valued at $4,600, but priceless 
tc him because he said it was his 
rabbit's foot for luck. 

His intimates say bandits got his 
cash easily, but aroused Charlie's ire 
when they demanded the ring. He 
fought them off trying to save his 
good luck talisman. Teeth marks 
on the flnger are evidence. Bandits 
dhin L plan to kill but In the tussle 
one of the five flred which caused 
them to flee before getting the ring. 



Bobby Stevens Recovered 

Chicago, Feb. 20. 
Bobby Stevens, former m.c. at the 
K-9 Club here, left the American 
hospital last week entirely recov> 
ered from his nervous breakdown. 
Was under treatment four weeks, 

K 



VARIETY 



TINES SQUARE 



Tuesday, Febraaiy 21, 1933 



East 



Gladys Kimball, former vaude ac- 
tress, arrested on a charge of kid- 
napping her own children, then in 
the custody o£ their father pending 
a decision on her separation suit, 
told the judge she had taken the 
youngsters after they told of the 
wild parties in their father's home. 



U. S. Supreme court refuses ap- 
peal of Stillwell theatre and others 
against the Circuit court of appeals 
In the matter of enjoining Local 306 
from picketing. Victory with union. 



Theatre Guild takes 'School for 
Husbands,' adapted from Mollere 
comedy. It's In rhyme. Done by 
Arthur Gulterman and Lawrence 
Lagner. 



Claire Luce denies that she's go- 
ing to divorce Clifford W. Smith. 
Just a little tiff. He wants her to 
take a world tour and she wants to 
stick to the stage. 



Hall Johnson's 'Run Little Chll- 
lun' win be housed in Lyric about 
March' 1. 



Pat Sullivan, who created 'Felix 
the Cat' cartoons for films, died of 
pneumonia. 

Henry E. Dlxey, the beau Idea 
of the '80s and '90s described as lost 
by those who sought to collect some 
$50,000 from the actor, but he was 
found in the Astor the other after- 
noon. Explained be was not In hid- 
ing but merely trying to raise the 
coin. 



5SBf?hi;y,-;'^i',ri;-ii,;i)"-!i',-' 



>,^«MBiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiii[i iii iiHiiiii^iii^iiiHmmmHiBmBiijmmnmm 



News From the Dailies 

This department contains rewritten theatrical news Hems as published during the week "> 'ft* 
daih papers of Nei» York, Chicago. San Francisco, Hollyv>ood and London. Variety takes no 
credit for these nev>s items; each has been rewritten from q daily paper. 



IIBlHIIHlliHIIlHHBilliMUJBUBIIiailliiB-llltllllllMlHIIIllMIHBimBmailgl 



In Miami. Some years ago Miss 
Kruls was involved in a mistaken 
identity case, being supposed for a 
time to be a girl student missing 
from Smith college. Has scalp 
wound. 



William A. Brady and Dr. Henry 
Moskowitz, for the producers, and 
Louise Sllcox, George S. Kauffman, 
Austin Strong and Marc Connelly 
in Washington telling the senate 
committee their views on foreign 
actors. 



Test cases will be heard in Su- 
preme court relative to Sunday 
shows in N. Y. Cases are the city 
against Mad. Sq. Garden for a 
sports entertainment; C. B. Dilling- 
ham as manager of the Globe for 
a charity performance of 'Cat' and 
Fiddle' and Town Hall for permit- 
ting Argentina to give a dance re- 
cital. City collected $500 fine in 
each Instance. 



Ruth Gordon will star in 'Three 
Cornered Moon' under the manage- 
ment of Rich. Aldrlch and Alfred 
de Liagre, Jr. 'T.C.M.' used to an- 
swer to the title of 'Butter No 
Parsnips.' 



Claudlo Frlgero, of the Met, takes 
out his final citizenship papers. He 
WM born In Paterson, N. J., but 
taken back to Italy when a baby, 
so has to qualify again. 



Albert G. Gray, former film man 
and brother of D. W. Griffith, In 
bankruptcy. Liabilities are $79,284, 
with assets of $160. 



Lillian Goldstein and Sydnea 
Slater, of Revere, Mass., picked up 
by N. T. police. Told that they 
had headed for Hollywood via hitch 
hike, but got discouraged when they 
found themselves in South Caro- 
lina and headed home again. Re- 
turned to their parents. 



Reported to the B'way Assn. the- 
atre hour traffic rules will be modi- 
fied as requested by it. 



Society of American Magicians 
will hold annual show at Heckscher 
theatre Feb. 26. Parent from which 
all similar societies sprang. 



Bobby Sanford will have three of 
the Hudson River Day liners for 
his showboat cruises this summer. 
James Hall, Billy Glason and Jack 
White will m.c. 



Roxy In person told the reporters 
what he thought of the 'Broadway 
Wolves' who had him out of Radio 
City. Says he'll be back on the Job 
about April 1. 



Sam Goldwyn announced before 
he left N. T. his next Cantor film 
would be based on the story of An 
drocles and the Lion. 



Vera Milton, night club dancer, 
divorced by Wm. F. Krohm In 
Dantzlg. Incompatible. She wanted 
boy friends, he says, and he couldn't 
see it. 



Photographic reproductions of the 
murals in the Sistlne chapel Im 
pounded by the customs authorities 
as obscene. Decision reversed when 
everyone giggled at the boner. 



Fred Jackson announces that 'out 
of respect for the Theatre Guild 
and the late Mr. Mollere' it will be 
'Wife Insurance' and not 'School 
for Husbands.' 



Steve Clow of 'Brevities' out 
from under the latest libel charge 
of the Polllon sisters. Held the 
charge did not connect him with 
the paper. 



Walter Batchelor confirms Janet 
Reade divorce rumor by advertising 
he will not be responsible for her 
debts. 



Hannah Williams Kahn headed 
for Reno. Says she is going to ask 
for a divorce but no alimony. 

Manager of the Oxford, Brook 
lyn, and five performers in a bur 
lesque show, were arrested. Man 
ager Frederick Franklin charged 
with maintaining a nuisance and 
others with Indecent performance 

George F. Norton, composer of 
'Chu Chin Chow' erroneously re 
ported dead. 



C|ara Bow back from her Euro 
pe4n vacation and will go to Holly- 
wood presently for a picture. Noth 
Ing picked yet. 

'Champagne Supper' is on again, 
with Arthur J. Beckhard working 
over the script. 



Ramon Novarro will sing at a 
concert of the N. Y. Schools of 
Music in Carnegie hall March 6. 
First local as singer. 



Halsey, Stuart & Co. tangled In 
the Insull investigation. Admitted 
to making $20,000,000 paper profit 
on the deal. Which may throw a 
sidelight on some film promotions. 



Former Magistrate Jean H. Nor- 
rls threatened Chas. Henderson, pro- 
ducer of 'Four o'clock,, with a libel 
suit unless he changed the character 
of the Judge in that production. 
Authors and producer disclaim any 
resemblance to Mrs. Norrls' case 
and announced they would stand 
pat. Papers served Friday. 



Thos. F. Ryan and John J. Han- 
ley in court as the aftermath of a 
row In the studio of WOV Jan. 21. 
Ryan was about to broadcast when 
he asserts Hanley broke Into the 
studio ai\^ beaned him with his 
cane. It's Hanley's argument that 
Ryan kicked hlra in the stomach. 
Judge dismissed the case. 



Epicure and Junior Carleton 
clubs in Park ave. sector raided by 
Feds and 200 bottles of something 
gathered at the former. Carleton 
yielded a pint of gin and a similar 
quantity of rye. No gambling out- 
fits were found, though that was 
what was anticipated at the Carle- 
ton. Mgrry-Go-Rbund also given a 
ride. Carleton had just opened. 



Morton Downey officially adopts 
Michael O'Brien, two years old, as 
his son. Wants him for a compan- 
ion to Morton Jr. 



Sam Kaplan's trial held up when 
Max Steuer, hi^ counsel, taken 111 
To have resumed yesterday (20). 

League of N. Y. Theatres again 
circulating petitions for Equity sig- 
natures a.sking for Sunday drama 
performances. Equity objecting. 



Lee W. Dodd to replace Prof. 
Baker as teacher of Yale dramatics 
course. Prof. Nicholl, of London, 
already named, is the executive head 
and will lecture on history of the 
drama. 



J. J. Shubert announces transfer 
of his office to Chicago. Says he 
has 'left New York's Broadway flat.' 
Doesn't tell who helped to make it 
flat. 



Phil Baker married to Peggy 
Cartwrlght, dancer in the defunct 
'Americana,' but doesn't tell his 
friends until he's ready for the 
honeymoon three months later 
Gone to Florida. 



Big Mountain, full-blooded Co- 
manche, who has been appearing in 
circuses and medicine shows, ap 
piles for relief at the municipal 
lodging house. Says there are no 
more shows and he can't sell beads. 
Wife and two children with him. 



Fed agents in Westchester Fri- 
day night mussed up the Plantation, 
Hollywood Inn and the Retreat 
Spoiled about $70,000 worth of fix- 
tures. 



One of those wounded in the at- 
tack on Mr. Roosevelt at Miami last 
week was Margaret Kruls, a dancer, 
appearing at clubs In New York and 
•loner the coast She was on a visit 



the Consolidated labs here, and 
that's what Abhalbongs asks the 
court to cling to, 

Aarons & Freedley through with 
production as team. Freedley may 
make some on his own next aeason 
if costs abate, but he thinks that 
it's too risky at present 

Sam Wallach, whose last B'way 
try was 'Alias the Deacon,' may 
do It again with a play by Jessica 
Ball. Priestly Morrison will stage. 

Chester Erskln has the script of 
Cycle of Manhattan,' by Thyra Sam- 
ter Wlnslow and Arthur Richmah. 
Chas. Dillingham had it last. 



William Harris, Jr., gets 'Three 
and One,' by Denys Amlel, but will 
not stage it until fall. 



Talk about opera deficit helps 
business at the Met. Did $12,000 at 
Sat. mat. and $7,600 at {top-priced 
night. Nearly $8,000 for air rights 
to the mat 



Sue Kerman, ra^io singer, loses 
the $15 weekly the court allowed 
her from her father, Milton Levy, 
at the time of her mother's divorce. 
He told the Judge that he kept up 
payments he could 111 afford, but 
found she was a radio singer and 
married. Court ordered discontinu- 
ance of allowance. 



Grace Moore robbed of Jewels 
with a newspaper value of $81,000 at 
Miami hotel Sunday (19). 



Now it's Marcella Sembrlch who 
wants to tax radio to help opera. 



Coast 



W. C. Cummor, asserted secretary 
to Lionel Barrymorje, actor. In a 
L. A. hospital with a bullet wound 
in his leg. He alleges it resulted 
when he and his wTfe were scuf- 
fling over possession of a gun. 

Paramount studio editorial and 
writing departments combined Into 
a new scenario department with 
Merritt Hulburd, formerly In charge 
of the writing staff, at the head. 
Jeff Lazarus steps up to the chair- 
manship of the editorial board, suc- 
ceeding A. M. Botsford, now as- 
sistant to Emanuel Cohen. Bogart 
Rogers will assist Hulburd In con- 
tacting writers' reps. 



Municipal court suits flied In Los 
Angeles assert that Paul Whlteman 
and his wife, Margaret Livingston, 
owe Dr. George Martyn $860 for pro- 
fessional services; Blanche Sweet 
and her husband, Verne Kahler, are 
still in arrears $96 on a bill rendered 
by Dr. George Plness, and Natalie 
Moorhead has not paid $1,160 on an 
open account with M. Relngold, Inc., 
jewelers. 



Barbara La Rue, vaude; Helen 
Thurman and Jack Martin seriously 
injured when their auto overturned 
near Agua Calfente. 



Marjorie Griffiths, dancer and pic- 
ture actress, has sued In L. A. for 
divorce from Hector McKenzle, 
N. Y. non-pro. 



Betty Balfour, English actress, 
arrived in L.A. from London to join 
her husband, Jimmy Campbell, 
song writer. 



Benita Hume, actress, in Cedars 
of Lebanon hospital, L.A., for an ap. 
op. Albert RoccardI, actor, recover- 
ing In same hospital following an 
operation. 



Because Vivian and Rosetta Dun 
can failed to account for more than 
$1,000,000 they had earned in past 
few years. In their bankruptcy peti- 
tion filed in Dec. 1931, O. T. Gllbank, 
their trustee, has asked in a federal 
court petition in L.A. that actresses 
be denied release from bankruptcy. 



Ken Maynard and wife returned 
to L.A. after 6,000-mile air trip over 
the Jungles of Mexico. 



William Forcade, carpenter, filed 
suit in L.A. Superior court against 
Warner Bros, asking $32,000 for In- 
juries received in a fall at the stu- 
dio, from an alleged unsafe guard 
rail. 



Phra Abhalbongs, of Bangkok 
said to be a Siamese noble, applies 
to the N. Y. Supreme court to re 
strain Harry R, Schenck, of Los 
Angeles, his equal partner In Pavhrg 
Film Co., from removing any of the 
assets of the firm from the jurisdic- 
tion of this court, alleging he had 
put up $85,000 for the production of 
a jungle film without getting action. 
He made about 40,000 feet of jungle 
stuff which Schenck was to have 
put into exhibition form. Film is In 



Thieves entered the Beverly Hills 
home of Benjamin Warner, father 
of the Warner brothers, and stole 
jewelry and furs valued at $15,000 



Mae Brlghtman Lang filed suit for 
divorce against Freeman Lang, 
radio m.c. In L. A. Superior court 



Warrant Issued for arrest of Zan- 
dra, Hollywood clairvoyant, on 
charges of conspiracy to commit 
murder, after hearlnt? In t,.a. .\i> <ii- 
clpal court of Charles Taulli, Bar- 



bara 7aggs and Florence Garofalo, 
who are charged with conspiracy to 
do away with TaulU's wife. Zandra 
Is alleged to have received money 
to commit the crime by magic. 



L. A. Superior Judge Stanley 
Murray granted a nonsuit motion 
absolving the Warner studio from 
liability in the injury of William 
Forcade, carpenter, who had sued 
the company for $32,800 following a 
fall from a walk above a studio set. 



Mrs. Victoria de Olazabel, former 
wife of Tom Mix, actor, filed suit in 
L. A. Superior court to recover $50,- 
000 on promissory notes given to 
her by the actor for a property set- 
tlement following their divorce. 



Thomas Tully, son of Jim Tully, 
writer, acquitted by a jury .In L. A. 
Superior court of criminal attack 
charges, 



Lottie (Pickford) Glllard, sister of 
Mary Pickford, divorced from Rus- 
sell O. Glllard in L. A. Superior 
court. 



L. A. Immigration authorities In- 
vestigating the rights of Barry Nor- 
ton and-, Gilbert Roland, actors, to be 
In this country. 



Betty Ross (Clark) Collins, ac- 
tress, divorced from A. Oscar Col- 
lins, agent. In L, A. Superior court. 



id-West 



Chicago 'Tribune's' pet promo- 
tional stunt, the Golden Gloves ama- 
teur boxing tournament, was marred 
by the death of Henry Zuzlak, 20, 
who died at home a few hours after 
participating in a bout. Event oc- 
curred almost the same day as Er- 
nie Scl^aaf's death. 

Zuzlak event was soft-pedalled by 
'Tribune' and most of the Chicago 
dallies. 



Regis Duddy, 28, appointed man- 
ager of the Hippodrome, Cleveland, 
to be the youngest manager In that 
city. Bill Elson, RKO partner, made 
appointment. Hipp goes 15c grind. 



Mildred Boehme, 23, had an ar- 
gument with Milwaukee authorities 
as to how many drinks she had had 
prior to her arrest for reckless driv- 
ing. She denied admitting to the 
arresting officer she took 20 drinks, 
claimed no woman had that much 
capacity. It was two drinks, she 
corrected. 

Identified as a cabaret singer, she 
was fined $100. 



Tlvoll, St. Louis, was robbed of 
$458. Manager Alfred Brinkmeyer 
didn't see the gun, but the outline 
was vivid enough in the bandit's 
pocket to make him give over the 
dough. 



Rockefeller's Rent 

(Continued from page 1) 
and hasten reorganization of RKO. 

It seems to lend a strong as- 
surance that the RKO receivership 
thing is only temporary and may 
be lifted by Sept. 1. 

The Rockefeller mark of con- 
fidence Is put on M. H. Ayles- 
worth, RKO president, who is 
known to have negotiated this con- 
cession attainment with them. The 
Rockefeller action is indicated In 
the report which has been filed In 
Federal Court on RKO by the Irv- 
ing Trust, as company receiver. 
Therein, it's stated that negotia- 
tions are pending for the making 
of a new agreement and a new 
lease of the Radio City theatres for 
a period ending Aug. 31. This new 
agreement mentioned is understood 
to be the rent concession thing. 

Under the original leases of the 
Radio City theatres by RKO from 
Rockefeller Centre, RKO was to 
pay an annual rental of $1,200,000 
on the two theatres. This amount 
was to be subject to Increase or 
decrease, according to cost of con- 
struction of the houses. This cost 
has not yet been determined. 

There was a provision which 
called for automatic termination of 
the leases In favor of the Rockefel- 
lers either for non-payment of rent 
or In the event of an RKO receiver- 
ship. For the performance of this 
agreement and other things includ- 
ing the renting of space In the 
UKO office building, $1,000,000 was 
deposited with the Chase Bank, as 
security by RCA and RKO. 

This phase of the deal was under 
the agreement made June 5, 1930, 
between Rockefeller Centre and 
RCA with RKO. 



Literati 



(Continue from page 54) 

them to prison, Is now delivering an 
adventure talk entitled 'Me and 
Red,' before hincheon clubs, etc. 

John WUstach has delivered his 
novel, 'The Fate of Fay Delroy,' 
to Macaulay. Rewritten this winter 
in France and Spain. Stage tale of 
rise from chorus to stardom, with 
elixir of youth twist, and a daugh- 
ter who understudies her mother. 
WUstach was a theatrical P.A. for 
fifteen years. 

George Worts, one of the most 
prolific mag writers has moved to 
California since selling his 'The 
Phanton President* to Paramount - 
Sold from the east. Not a nlBlile 
since he's west. 

The Russian Communists get out 
a mag in four languages, 'Interna- 
tional Literature.' The English 
edition Is smuggled Into the U. S. 
and sold at radical book-stores. 

If your subscription runs out on 
The Saturday Review of Literature 
the mag keeps sending the weekly 
anyway. Angle is the circulation 
figures that must be shown to book 
publishers to get advertising. 

The reason The Anvil, the radical 
quarterly got out by Jack (^onroy. 
Is so slow in reaching subscribers, 
is that the mag is all set by hand. 

Communists say that Max East- 
man is definitely Trotsky's ghost 
writer. 

Helnemann has English edition 
rights to Frank Scully's 'Fun in Bed,' 
necessitating some revision for the 
Strand sense of humor. 

Bradford Ropes, the acting fellow, 
who turned scribbler with '42nd 
Street,' has written another novel of 
show life which he calls 'Stage 
Mother.' 

George Agnew Chamberlain to 
South America. 

Jack Woodford goes to Godwin 
with his next novel. 

H. P. Davis in Haiti for dope for 
a new book. 

Vincent Shean sailed and won't be 
back till It gets warm again. 

Thyra Samter Wlnslow took only 
one night to relate the problems of 
the younger scribbler today. 

Adele Rogers St. John In from her 
Long Island hideaway the other day, 
and only because/of Mary Pickford. 

Authors' Club Waived the initla« 
tlon fee to attract new members. 

Storm Jameson, who Is far from 
aged, has written her autoblog al- 
ready. 

That Bergson Splro, whose first 
lovel will see print over here shortly. 
Is a femme and but 22. 

Virginia Kirkus, who recently quit 
Harper's, will do a book column for 
the 'Ladles Home Journal.' 

John Lardner, who is Ring's boy, 
makes his bow as a scribbler- with 
'The Crowning of Technocracy.' It's 
in the same vein as his father's 
stuff. \ 

Norman R. Collins, the British 
publisher, here for some American 
manuscripts. 

Nicely Illustrated book has been 
turned out by Grossett & Dunlap on 
'Cavalcade.' Nineteen illustrations, 
all from scenes in the Fox picture. 
Book is out concurrently with an 
edition by Doubleday, Doran by a 
special arrangement with that com- 
pany. 

The lecture season is in full 
swing at The Little Red School- 
house over on Bleecker street. On 
March 1, Elmer Rice will speak. 
On .March 22, John Ersklne is a 
promise. On April 5, V. F. Calver- 
ton will pour himself a big drink 
from the pitcher of Ice-water up on 
the platform. 

Ilo Orleans, author of 'Funday,' 
has just completed his new book, 
'Father Gander.' It's a kinsprit 
(something else to you) for 'Mother 
Goose.' In private life, Mr. Orleans 
Is a very successful attorney. 

Sophie MacGregor, the famous 
astrologer, who has come by the 
crown left by Evangeline Adams, 
has turned publisher. She is Issuing 
a six-book course on astrology that 
win be comprehensive to the lay- 
man. 

Peggy Shane, author of 'Tangled 
Wives,' has typed the final draft 
of her new novel, 'Change Partners,' 
which will tell all about a pair of 
bored couples who swapped mates. 
Out this spring. 

Frances Taylor Patterson, In- 
structor of, Photoplay Composition 
at Columbia University, has just 
completed her first novel. 

On February 21, Irma Kraft, au- 
thor and artist, will appear at the 
Group Clubhouse to speak on the 
life and letters of John Gals- 
worthy. 

Tlah Devltt, of 'Aspirin Age' 
fame, has postponed her marriage 
to Ben Wasson until her second 
novel, 'Skeleton Pit,' Is completed 
in April. 



Taesday* FebVnary 21/1933 



TIMES SQUARE 



VARIETY 



59 



Jndidal Leniency 
h Frisco Opens Dp 
BoBish Stag Shows 



San Francisco, Feb. 90. 

Frisco strip gals can work seven 
ialghtfl a week. Judicial leniency 
Kas built up an amaziner nude show 
«iicQlt around the town, promoted 
by bookers wlio know the ecantl- 
nesB of lodge coffere and offer a 
good proposition to the brothers. 

Nearly every fraternal order In 
the burg has staged one or more 
of the stag shows at |2 to |6 per 
bead at the door. 

Few weeks ago the coppers raid- 
ed a big. show and brought In 260 
men^ eight performing girls and the 
promoters. The Judge bawled 'em 
all out, returned the |6 bail of the 
men, told the girls ho didn't blame 
'em because they had to eat and 
fined the promoters |26. All of 
which has opened the fleld plenty 
wide. 



FLORIDA RATES 



Way Down This Season— Oheaper 
Than at Homo 



Film execs who have already 
Visited Florida this season report 
that living expenses there are far 
lower than in the average northern 
borne. . Several of the more recently 
returned tell of living In apartments 
for $30 s week, when In other years 
the same were thrice that figure'. 

The dolla^ dinner Is Mlatbl's most 
popular and, say sunburned re- 
turnees, the hotels which used to ask 
the sky a day and have reduced that 
to $6 or under stre nearlng the over- 
crowded status. 

Single persons can get board and 
room in nice sections of the beach 
towns for as little as $17 weekly, the 
Tlsltors found. 

Among film people who have al 
ready finished their Florida sojourn 
are Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Mac 
kenzie. The Mackenzie visit was oc 
casioned by the illness of the Hays 
oface secretary. 



Political League May 

Become Permanency 

Theatrical Democratic Iieague, 
formed nearly a year ago to work on^ 
the Roosevelt presidential campaign, 
Is being perpetuated as an organiza 
tion with about 300 members sup 
porting it. Eddie Dowling is the 
president. 

Other officers are Carl Francis, 
actor, first v.p.; John J. Kelly, out- 
door showman, second v.p.; Fally 
Markus, vaude booker, third v.p.; 
Frank E. Lynch, fourth v.p.; Tom 
G. Jones, secretary; Grace LeMarr, 
recording sec, and Albert Warner, 
of the Warner brothers, treasurer. 

Congressman John J. Boylan and 
Senators Thomas F. Burchill and 
Elwood M. Rabenold are on the ad 
visory board. 

A meeting of the exec committee 
is being held tonight (Tuesday) In 
Kew York to discuss future plans. 



Jumbled 



Hollywood, Feb. 20. 
Maxwell Shane threatens to 
start a new kind of show busi- 
ness. 

He wants to rent an aban- 
doned ballroom and charge 16e 
for a Jig saw puzzle and a 
table on which to work over it. 



3 BIG BUILDINGS NOT 
TOUCHED IN TAX CUT 



In a revision of assessed valua- 
tion of New York skyscrapers total- 
ing 30 or more stories and taking in 
hotels as well as olfice buildings, 
three amuseiVients structures are 
not granted reductions. They are 
RCA-Radio City building. Para- 
mount building and RKO Radio City 
skyscraper. 

Assessed valuations of these 
buUdlngs are RCA 124,700,000; Par- 
amount $14,400,000 and RKO R. C, 
$2,700,000. Valuations were made 
on the R.C. buildings while under 
construction and not changed.. 

While the Empire State leads 
with a reduction in assessed value 
of $6,000,000, hotels were mostly 
favored. ' "VValdorf got a $2,000,000 
cut (while the Savoy piaza had $1,- 
000,000 chopped off. 



MARRIAGES 

l»eggy Cartwright, dancer, to Phil 
Baker, about three months ago. 

Dave Blum and^ Evelyn Ferderber 
were married in New York Friday 
(17). Groom is head of Metro's 
foreign publicity and law depart 
ments. 

Robert J. Folllard and Catherine 
C. Molloy, in Washington, D. C, on 
Feb. 23. Groom Is exchange man 
ager in Washington for RKO pic- 
tures. Bride is cashier at the same 
exchange. 

Alison Manning (Personality T^ih 
act) and Stanley H. Willis, of the 
Stanley H. Willis Booking Agency, 
Boston, were wed at the Port 
land. Me., automobile show before 
an audience of 3,000. Ralph De 
Palma, racing driver^ was best man 



BIRTHS 

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Payson Call, 
son, Lawrence hospital, Bronxville, 
N. Y., Feb. 12. Mother is the daugh- 
ter of Sam Scrlbner. 

Mr. and Mrs. Jack B. Cohn, son, 
Feb. 13, Hollywood. Mother is Alice 
Day, picture actress. Father is a 
non-pro. 

To Mr, and Mrs. Hal Kemp at the 
Michael R^ese hospital, Chicago, 
Feb. 7, daughter. Father has the 
orchestra at the Blackhawk cafe. 

To Mr. and Mrs. George Hanne 
ford, of Kattskill Bay-on-Lake 
George, N. Y., a daughter, Feb. 17, 
at the Glens Falls hospital. Couple 
are the circus equestrians. They 
have a home and training quarters 
at Kattskill Bay-on-Liake George. 



NEW YORK THE 





ALWAY5 A 
BETTER SHOW RKO! 



NEW POUCY 
(rcataro Flotorea ExcIiulTcIyt 

"LUCKY DEmS" 

with BILL BOYD 
' Doroiliy WUson — ^Wm. Oargan 

ICX^AVE 

Wed. to Frl., Feb. 22-84 
TWO FEATCKES 

KATE SMITH in 

"HELLO, EVERYBODY" 

WM. COIXnat, Jr., In 
"BEHIND JURY DOORS" 

BROADWAY 
Wed. to Frl., Feb. 22-24 

KATE SMIT^i 

In 

"HELLO, 
EVERYBODY" 






Held Overt Secoad We«ht Ob SUfa 

-D WYNN in Person 
of SO I* Conplet* Miulcal Revue 
"THK LAUGH PABADE'f 
On Screen 
KEATON and 
DURANTE 
in "WHAT 
NO BKER7' 



CealRA— Helen MORGAN <!■ pertMl) 
Zleofelil'* "Shew Boar' 



JIMMY REFUSES $5,000 
TO WRITE AN AUBI 



(TATE 



IfKfMpN.oFRI. 




On the Screen 
Helen HAYES 

Bwy COOPER 

FAREWELL TO ARMS' 
.. stage: Freddie RICH 4 Oreb., 
Teu Garden (Aunt Jemlna) 
Extr*— JalU A Whales, Otk*. 



Nice, Feb. 20. 
'For 16,000 I should write myself 
down a heel,* observes Citizen 
James J. Walker, "when Seabury 
couldn't get me to do it for a mil- 
lion of the city's money.' This In 
relation to a $l-a-word 6,000 article 
which 'American Magazine' wanted 
from New York's ex-mayor on 'Why 
I Couldn't Be a Better Mayor.' 

Despite Walker's collab, Frank 
Scully, being primed to start on the 
Walker blog, Hizzoner refuses to 
attack it until all his papers and 
records reach him, as he is intent 
on making it an authentically seri- 
ous book. 



De Muths Wed 35 Yrs. 

The De Muths, vet vaude dance 
team, have been married 37 years 
now and they still like It. The an- 
niversary Is today (22). 

Couple have been In vaude for 27 
years and running a dance school 
the past ten. 



15-Year-Old Girl FUes in 
Breach of Promise Action 

Birmingham, Feb. 20. 
Two suits totaling $110,000 were 
filed here last week against Gober 
Reeves, known as 'Texas Drifter,' 
radio perfouner, alleging breach of 
promise to marry a 16 -year-old 
girl. 

Ovellne Braziere has sued for 
$100,000 and her father for $10,000. 
A statutory charge, filed by the girl, 
is also pending in court 



Shuberts 



Tm Telling You 

By Jack Osterman 



(Continued, from page 61) 
berg, a partner in the banking house 
of Harry. Content. 

This committee looks forward to 
saving something from the wreok. 
There are assets such as stock, pic- 
ture and other rights which will 
not be included in the sale on Friday. 
The committee proposes later to bid 
in such rights and turn them over to 
the new company. 

Subscription Rights 

The proposition to the creditors In 
addition to the exchange of claims 
for seven shares of common for 
each $1,000 of Indebtedness is the 
right to piurcbase units of one share 
of preferred stock and eight shares 
of common at $12.60 per unit. There 
are $6,300,000 in bonds outstanding, 
plus accrued Intierest of $327,275,'° 
while general creditor claimants can 
get a tithe of common stock for 
their claims amounting to $1,171,256 
There Is a total of $1,660,000 in 
claims which have been disallowed 
and which Include damages pertain- 
ing to disafnrmed leases. Then 
there are 218,160 shares ~ of Shubert 
stock for which the owners will get 
nothing except subscription 'privi- 
leges.' 

Stockholders of the Shubert cor- 
poration have the right to purchase 
the units at $12.60 per unit, the same 
as have creditors. So has anyone 
else. Only difference is that those 
who happen to have certificates of 
Shubert Theatre corporation stock 
lying about have a prior right to buy 
in on the new company under allot- 
ment. No rush to grab stock in the 
new company is anticipated. Pre- 
ferred stock is. 6% non-cumulative. 

Leo Shubert has already sub- 
scribed for $200,000 worth of stock. 
It is stipulated in the plan that at 
least $600,000 additional must have 
been subscribed for on or before 
March 14, 1933, or such later date 
as the reorganization committee may 
determine. Not all of the additional 
half million in subscriptions shall 
be in cash, since the exchange of 
bonds and creditor claims would 
count as money so far as the total 
is concerned. It is the intention to 
have the plan in operation by May 1, 
otherwise it would be abandoned. 

It is proposed that Lee Shubert 
(J. J. Shubert is not mentioned at 
any point in the plan) will manago 
the new company. lie is to receive 
10% of the profits for the first 18 
months. Thereafter he would re- 
ceive a ealar>, to be determined by 
the board of directors. Shubert, 
however, is permitted to be inter- 
ested in other theatres personally 
owned by him or the Trebuhs Realty 
company, in which he Is heavily in- 
terested, but he is not to be inter- 
ested directly or Indirectly with any 
other theatre which might compete 
with the new company. Nor may he 
produce dramatic or musical shows 
for his own houses without first of- 
fering them to the new company. 

A similar arrangement existed be- 
tween the Shuberts and their thea- 
tres and the receivership. 

Bondholders who elect to ex- 
change their old obligations for the 
new company stock are required to 
deposit their certificates with the 
Empire Trust Co. of New York. 
Likewise general creditors with ap- 
proved claims will also file and sub- 
scribe for the stock in like manner. 

Last week Jake Shubert an- 
nounced i-^moval of his personal 
musical productions to Chicago, 
also his headquarters there. 



Editor Variety; 

You were away when I got tired 
of giving away jokes to columnists. 
(I'm not allowed to mention Sobol, 
Yawltz, Chapman, Sullivan, Helllng- 
er, Skolsky, Mclntyre, Rlan James, 
(remember, Art Arthur, this was a 
year ago) and what's that other 
kid's name on the 'Mirror' that 
started the whole thing years ago 
on Glenn Condon's 'Vaudeville News' 
I can't recall his name but he started 
with Gu3 Edwards and his first 
name is Walter) Well anyway 
while you were away and I was 
tired so I got on "Variety.' Anyway 
two of your typewriters were about 
to go in the hands of the receivers. 
I was tired, and maybe they did. 

My first column appeared a year 
ago this week and the 'Billboard's' 
circulation jumped up. My second 
column almost revived the 'Star* and 
my third column nearly put me with 
those nifty dames in the hands of 
true ones. 

When you came back to "Variety' 
you were QK and found a different 
office. Maybe you don't know yet 
I'm on. 

But Bigelow had a lighter tan and 
Pulaski was trying to go commer- 
cial under cover. 

Remember. I was the kid whb took 
that double truck ad when I played 
the Capitol five years ago, the two 
pages Remick forgot to take that 
week, biff of course you'll say you 
don't, so forget it. Anyway I'm hav- 
ing the pleasure of spending my 
first year on your paper and during 
that year I also had a lovely baby 
girl but you'll never get blamed for 
that. I also was at Sardi's several 
times and the Tavern for lunch, al 
ways with one of the staff and 
Jackie, the mugg, always paid the 
check. 

I had a desk next to Cecelia Ager 
but that did me n6 good so moved 
back to my old office, you know that 
space in the window. Sue, the tele 
phone operator was gradually getting 
to know my voice when I found out 
she's married also. In that way, if 
you get the idea, my first year on 
"Variety* was terrible. Looking back 
on last February to this one, if a 
guy ever says to me, "How time 
flits," I'll believe him. 

I was looking In my scrapbook the 
other day and reading a notice that 
poor Jack Conway wrote about me 
once when I played the Alhambra 
remember?. When my dear Dad 
came down to you and raised hell 
and you said, "Maybe he didn't work 
hard enough Jake, it'll teach him a 
lesson." Then you reviewed me at 
the Colonial three weeks later with 
the same act and gave me a good 
notice. Maybe It did teach me a 
lesson. But after all now that I'm a 
newspaper man I realize that differ 
ent moods make different criticisms 
and everybody can't like 'Caval- 
cade'. (I was bawled out because I 
didn't raVe about it figuring If Noel 
Coward lias too many successes on 
Broadway, someone might call on 
him to pay the English debt, I know 
I couldn't). 

As I look up and down Broadway 
I notice plenty of changes in one 
year. Orange juice stands made way 
for pop corn but regained their or- 
iginal status in a very short time. 
Radio City was built in order to find 
out If oil and Roxy would mix and 
George Cohan told the cockeyed 
world he rather have lunch with 
pigeons than people. Sid Silvers be- 
came a star and now different clubs 
want to give him dinners', last year 
he could have used a breakfast or 
two, and I have become a night club 
Impresario, In the hottest spot in 
New York, the Club Richman. May- 
be Lou Schwartz put me to work 
there figuring if he kept me up all 
night I wouldn't be able to write a 
column. Maybe it was a conspiracy 
between you and Lou. 

Anyway I'm starting my eighth 
week there and you know these days 
that's a career. We've got a great 
system there. When Milton Berle 
walks In and I'm on the floor doing 
my new bits, Lou puts a screen 
around Milton's table. Can't take 
any chances with that kid going into 
the Capitol. 

Know you will be happy to know 
that the Winter Garden concerts 
may come back any Sunday now. 
Remember I was there four years 
taking the place of the greatest 'nut' 
comedian that ever lived, the late 
Jack Rose. 

Well I've had several talks with 
J. J. during the past month and he 
keeps telling me cverytlilng will be 
okay as soon ns he nnds out aljout 
the loa.se, so I suggested why not 



change the name of the firm to 
lease and J. J. Shubert. 

Kathryn (that's my mother) ,Mary 
(that's my wife) want to say hello 
to everyone in this letter and that 
offspring of mine, Kathryn Jacque- 
lln, has just written the column for 
next February. She spells better 
than her father already. 

And now must I ask you, ARE 
YOU READING? 



Hub Bans Taxi Dance 
As Menace to Morals 



Boston, Feb. 16. 
Some Boston dance halls made 
ready to begin the ten-cents-a- 
dance plan here last week. Ads 
were put in papers, one reading: 
•WANTED— 200 heatitlful girls,' 
etc. The taxi idea hitherto had 
been untried in Boston. 

But City Hall caught, the ad, and 
Mayor Curley has issued this ultl- 
matum; 

"This city finds it necessary to 
prohibit taxi dancing where female 
partners are furnished. This is nec« 
essary to preserve public morals. 

'Attention of city censor is di- 
rected to this fact, because plans 
are under way to thfr^oduce this 
type of dancing in Bostoiu 

'This is to notJLfy ynu that taxi 
dancing is forbidden; and will be re- 
garded as violation of licenses for 
dance halls or ballrooms, and fail- 
ure to abide by this order will re- 
sult in revocation of licenses.' 

Order was dispatched to owners, 
operators and managers of dance 
halls. 



Co^t Spot to Stage 

Inaugural Nite at $2 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Freddie Bowers is promoting a 
Roosevelt inaugural night at the 
Biltmore hotel here, with the song- 
writer reported getting a 60c cut 
on each $2 cover charge. 

Affair, tied in with the Hearst 
papers' "Buy American,' and the 
Dems, will be held March 3, with 
scores of names in pictures, radio 
and song listed as the lure for the 
outside patrons. 

Bowers a few months ago pro- 
moted a dinner in honor of George 
M. Cohan at the Cocoanut Grove. 

In addition to food and acces- 
sories at a price above the cover 
charge, and dancing, an indoor pa- 
rade of floats will be staged after 
midnight. 



ALIEN CORN 

(Continued from page 60) 

local journal is her most urgent 
shooer-awayer. 

Complications appear in the form 
of Harry Conway, big money backer 
of the college. Love flares between 
Elsa and Conway, who is married 
unhappily. Chief competitor for the 
Elsa heart is a fellow professor, 
Julian Vardaman, a rather lovesick 
youth, played in Yiddish Art Thea- 
tre style by Luther Adler. Varda- 
man learns in the last act that Elsa 
can never be his, and kills himself 
on the stage. 

In between all this comes a prom- 
ised scholarship which would allow 
Elsa and her dad to get away to 
Europe. Scholarship withdrawn at 
last minute, diie to fact that Elsa la 
not a citizen. Conway finally con- 
sents to pay for the musical educa- 
tion himself, but this Is canceled in 
favor of a concert plaii which would 
co-star Rlsa as pianist and Mrs. 
Conway as soprano. Jealousy 
springs up between the two women, 
and Mrs. Conway also learns acci- 
dentally that Conway and Elsa have 
been spooning. 

Elsa then rises to the occasion by 
hiring a hall and i doing her own 
concert, on which she lost money. 
But the die Is cast, and she's set for 
her career. Art conquers love. 

Show Is set and staged excellent- 
ly. It's a Cornell show strictly, but 
.Siegfried Rumann as Brandt, the 
father, turns in a splendid perform- 
ance. 

James Rennle, looking like a Juve- 
nile, managed Conway efficiently, 
giving a clean-cut portrait,. Charles 
D. Brown, the editor, fitCil beauti- 
fully. 

The large hope of this play are 
those names, Cornell and Howard; 
but dc.<)pite this obvious advantage^ 
it will take plenty of smoothing out. 
Miss Cornell, it is understood, is 
altogether sold on the play herself. 

The billing reads just 'Katharine 
Cornell presents 'Allen Corn' by 
Sidney Howard.' No star billing fojt; 
the .'ictresB. 



«l> VARIETY 



TIMES SQUARE 



Tuesdaj, Fiebrwaiy 21, I93S 



Broadway 



Jeane Cohen, Columbia story ed 
Itor, left for Hollywood Saturday 
(18). 

Bert Lytell Is jueeimgr his own 
stock troupe and a radio proposi- 
tion. 

Al Tralian flew to Florida for a 
rest on doctor's orders. Good ol' 
doctor. 

The Jack Haleys Sunday (19) put 
over their third anniversary — with 
I>lctures. 

You can ask Gladys Feldman 
what she said over the phone to 
Uncle Don. 

Mrs. Nat Kalchelm and Mrs. Jack 
Weiner will grass-widow it to Flori- 
da this week. 

Charlie Elnfeld Is no longer a 
bachelor, the bride having returned 
from Florida. 

Broadway has flossy shoe repair 
and shine Joint right next to Loew's 
State entrance. 

Joey Keith all set to fly to Miami 
Thursday (23) to visit Charles 
Broadway Levy. 

. When Roxy returns to the R. C. 
Music Hall look for him In the pit 
and on the stage. 

Fran Kendler decided at two In 
tlie aft to sail on the Mauretanla 
that (Sat.) midnite. 

Helen Gray back from 10 months 
Ih London and to the Bellevue- 
Stratford, In Phllly. 

Fred Block came up from Miami 
to attend funeral of his pal, Gen- 
tleman Jim Corbett. 

Helen Ford, Algonquin hotel, ac- 
tress, voluntary bankruptcy; $7,436 
liabilities, nQ assets. 

JadR Pulaski's voice over the air 
is bringing him fan mail — unless he 
writes them himself. 

Bill Halllgan around town and 
Friars first time in two years. 
Maybe back to coast. 

Flo and Jack Haley partled 
themselves and others last Sunday. 
Their 'th anniversary. 

While Birdie Boyd is in Miami, 
Larry has dropped 30 pounds, but 
etill weighs a neat 312. 

Harry Luxenberg, theatrical man- 
ager for Ackerman's clothes, now 
gets job of p.a. in addition. 

Harry Hershfleld on short trip to 
Bermuda will be back in time for 
Wednesday WOR broadcast. 

Epicure club, 40 E. '62d, and 
Merry>Go-Round. 146 E. 66th, swank 
nlti^rles, visited by the prohis. 

Ed Seltzer, from Warners h. o.. Is 
on the coast, to accompany the '42d 
Street' train on its trek eastward. 

Nellie Revell will do amusement 
dept. for American Mayfair* mag. 
To cover stage, screen and radio. 

Taking no chances, Charlie Mor- 
rison took out a three-year insur- 
ance policy for $50,000 on Milton 
Berle. 

Kitty Marin returns to the coast 
the end of the month. Ned, still In 
Europe, will trail by a couple of 
weeks. 

More and more smart drinking 
restaurants opening on the east side, 
each meaning a dent to some Broad 
way nitery. 

Lily Pons won't open a window in 
her flat. Afraid of colds. And 
when they come In to clean — every 
body goes out. 

Christine Marston (Mrs. Irving 
Aaronson) now in the Paradise floor 
show and a standout with her 
rumba specialties. 

Billy Glason's m.c.'lng Monte 
Carlo Casino show now, but James 
Hall rehialns as feature attraction 
and head of the band. 

Harry Rose, Hollywood nltery's 
m.c, falls out of t"he restaurant into 
the Roxy, a block away, where 
he's doubling this week. 

Bums Mantle, the 'News' critic, 
went to Baltimore, to review 'Allen 
Corn.' Notice appeared in tab with 
banner head which read X361n.' 

John (Baby Face) Maclin, colored 
American songster well known in 
Paris and Riviera boltes, now hold- 
inff forth at the new Royal Box. 

The fresh carnation which Jule 
Delmar has worn In his lapel every 
day for 36 years has been displaced 
by an artificial flower that won' 
fade. 

Somebody announced an Imlta 
tion of Harry Ricl.man at the Para 
dise. A patron piped up, 'Who 
Harry Rich man?' and got more ap 
plause than the impressionist. 

Mr\rRaret Young, the vaude sin 
gle, got into an auto accident by 
proxy last week and is laid up with 
Injuries. A car smacked a police 
dog, and the pooch hit Margaret on 
the rebound. 

Irving Mills threw a get-together 
at his Brooklyn manse, equipped 
a la Rathskeller, with friends from 
both sides of the Atlantic attending 
Mills recently returned from 
European survey. 

Fickle shifting ..round of the 11m 
fted patronage that plays the class 
speaks has the maltres ska-rewy 
as biz may be bullish for a few 
weeks, and then a new joint, a bit 
swankier perhaps, takes the play 
away. 

Specially escorted bus provided 
by 'the Loew people commutes 
NTG's Paradise hftery floor show 
back and forth to the Met, Brooklyn, 




and Times Sq. Four shows dally 
In the vaudfllmer and twice nightly 
In the cabaret. Cabaret stage set- 
ting is made practical use of when 
the girls have their breakfast thus 
served in view of the audience. 



Bermuda 



Barney Gallant buys three rounds 
at the Princess for Perley. 

Recent arrival was F. R. Mastroly, 
assistant to the president. Univer- 
sal Pictures. 

Hllbert Serbin directing the How- 
ard Lanin orchestra at the Elbow 
Beach Hotel. 

John Mason Brown (N. Y. Eve. 
'Post* drama critic) arrives at 
Castle Harbour (16) with his wife, 
Sigmund Schatz playing own 
gypsy compositions along with the 
classics for Sunday musicales at 
C. H. 

Earnest Elmo Calkins working on 
a scenario boosting advertising to 
be exhibited — maybe — at Chicago 
World's Fair. 

Jules Barry, formerly with Jack 
Denny in Montreal, leading the 
nine- man orchestra at the Princess 
for the second winter. 

Hula dancer at the Belmont 
Manor partnered by Burton Rascoe, 
who also danced with 74-year-old 
honeymooner on Saturday (11). 

Mrs. Clem J. Randau, wife of the 
United Press general business man- 
ager, scores hole-in-one on the 14th 
at Belmont Manor garden course 
(16). 

Barney Gallant arrived "on the 
Monarch (13). At Elbow Beach 
until 22d, when he hopes to catch 
a boat for Nassau tlnd the West In- 
dies. 

Willie Howard due to sail for 
New York Saturday (18) on the 
Duchess of Bedford after a week at 
the Bermudiana — sleeping most of 
the time. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Hall of Erie, 
Pa., parents of Frances Hall, who 
broadcasts musical recitals with 
hubby, Rudolph Gruen, are visiting 
Cambridge in Somerset. 

Hizzoner the Mayor of Atlantic 
City Harry Bacharach, distributing 
police courtesy cards during six 
hours ashore from Berengaria (12). 
Nathan .M. Abramson managing en- 
tertainment on same boat. 

Gilbert Seldes would like to run 
a conservative political weekly. His 
luncheon guests at Castle Harbour 
on Lincoln's birthday (12) were the 
missus, Burton Rascoe and Dorothy 
O'Connor, Hugh O'Connor's ex-wife, 
who handles the hotel p.a.'lng. 



London 



San Francisco 

By Harold Bock 



into 



Kolb and Dill plotting a radio 
comeback. 

Val Valente's band going 
Trianon ballroom. 

Roy Fox in F-WC art depart- 
ment; Al Bergren out. 

Curtis Dale Peck will have charge 
of KPO's new transmitter. 

Fleet's in with a million buck 
payroll burning the pockets 

Charlie Kaley's left 'Tattle Tales' 
to Join Johnny Hamp's band. 

Lloyd Yoder marshaling NBC tal 
ent for annual bridge tournament. 

Tom Morgan has moved his home 
from L.A. to Oakland so he can 
properly manage KTAB. 

Adrian Metzger, singer with 
Dobbsie. has placed his serial 
'Hidden Harbor,' on same program 
Bill McStay, Dollar line banc- 
booker and ex-showman, has a bum 
foot that's confining him to hospital 
for a month. 

Hearst handed out third and. in 
some cases fourth cut to 'Examiner 
and 'Call-Bulletin' staffs. Slashes 
10% up to $100 weekly salaries, 15 
up to $150. 20 up to $200. 



Toledo 



By Dick McGeorge 

Joe E. Brown visits mother here 
before going on personal appearance 
tour. 

Sprinkler system In Music Box 
ballroom let go the other night and 
drenched tlio dancers. 

'News-Bee' changing style of ra 
dlo page. Don Pond replaces Joe 
Collier as radio editor. Collier moves 
up to city desk. 

Rumors about that three firms are 
bidding for closed RKO Rivoll. If 
one of the tl-rec is successful there 
will be vaudeville In Toledo. 

Dick Richards, 'Blade,' d. e., ho,b 
bling about c r a cane following 
tumble down the stairs in which he 
injured his f.nkle and blacked an 
eye. 

'Blade' and 'Times' refused ads 
from Pantheon on 'Employes' En 
trance' and the house flashed this 
notice on ■'ne screen: 'If you like 
this picture please tell your friends, 
The 'Bhidp" finrl 'Times' will not ac 
cept our advertising copy.' The Pan 
theon has not advertised In th 
'News-Bee' nU.ce the 'Tngngl' epi 
sode of two years ago. 



Mrs. A. C. Astor in hospital. 
KIt-Cat at last showing profits. 
Mrs. Bert Errol throwing birth- 
day party. 

London invaded by contingent of 
colored acts. 

Eric Barker plugging himself as 
real newsgetter. 

Frew Woodward, 'Hank the Mule,* 
framing a new act. 

Legality of Sunday boxing matches 
shortly being tested. 

'Hot Pepper' replaces 'Yes, Mr. 
Brown,' at the Tlvoli. 

Wilson Dlsher doing a bit of 
'dishing' at Bertorelli's. 

Duke Ellington's visit here now 
considered most unlikely. 

Santos Casani latest to be at- 
tracted by night club racket. 

Ralph Dean rushing to keep ap- 
pointment with Earl St. John. 

Tommy Rellly looking for a nice 
hotel, now that the wife Is here. 

Polly Walker sorry for J. L. Sachs, 
despite she won suit against him. 

Hannen Swafter now an ardent 
Zionist, since his recent Palestine 
trip. 

Michael Mitchell only agent 
around who complains business is 
good. 

Paul Derval here hunting for tal- 
ent for his new Folies Bergere 
show. 

Gus Yorke not elated with Robert 
Leonard's idea of 'share and share 
alike.' 

Lloyd Family booked for Para- 
mount Astorias after opening at 
Palladium. . 

Robert Leonard trying to find an 
angel for 'Counsel's at Law,' to be 
produced here. 

Dupont's German talker, shown in 
America as 'Trapeze,' is here as 
Circus of Sin.' 

Cecil Landeau's 'Bring 'Em Back 
Half Dead,' finished at last, and 
bought by Fox. 

Only thing George Lacy got out of 
his recent pantomime hit at Daly's 
was a film test. 

Sid Seymour and band out of next 
Crazy season at Palladium, as last- 
minute change. 

Mrs. Dick Burge and party at the 
Palladium, to give the Lloyd family 
a good send-off. 

Alan Dwan off on 19 -day cruise, 
and then back again to produce 
more British pictures. 

Leslie Bloom persuading Rellly 
and Comfort to be guests of Gallery 
First Nlghters' Dinner. 

Big array of United Artists ex- 
ecutives kt .the New Gallery Cinema 
to see 'The Conquerors.' 

'Sunday Referee' still losing 
money, But Isldor Ostrer will not 
sell. It is his favorite. 

London Pavilion abruptly aban- 
doning Sunday films, figuring low- 
ers prestige of the house. 

Colonel Critchley's enthusiasm for 
erecting ice skating rinks in various 
London spots oh the wane. 

Henry 'Hank' Sullivan has now 
completed musical score of Lady 
Eleanor Smith's "Ballerina.' 

Lord Rothermere seeing Leicester 
Square theatre show from first row 
of stalls, and paid for seats. 

Jeffrey Bernerd openly expressing 
pleasure at being responsible for the 
Roy Fox and Kit Cat hookup. 

Bobby May out of the Leicester 
Square theatre, due to nerve strain; 
may return later In the week. 

Income tax defaulters serving jail 
sentence being entertained by 
Metropolitan Police jazz band. 

Helen Page and Leon Kimberley 
Jumped into Noni's place at the 
Metropolitan at moment's notice. 

Jeanne de Casalls's (Mrs. Colin 
Cllve) flat burgled for third time in 
one year, and always on Saturday. 

Sherman Fisher troup out of 
Pavilion again after two weeks, 
with Moss Vernon girls replacing. 

Mrs. Roy Fox, formerly Dorothy 
Booth, competing In popularity with 
her friend husband at the Klt-Cat, 

Hutch's (Leslie Hutchinson's) kid 
daughter, aged eight, being tutored 
by Flossie Freedman for stage work. 

Pauline Vincent now running 
dance school in Alexandria, Egypt 
with English duchess one of her 
pupils. 

Nearest pinch on the Cardin 
name Is German Card manipulator 
playing London cabarets by name of 
Cardlno. 

Gaumont-Brltlsh forthcoming 
share Issue, exclusively announced 
in 'Variety,' expected to be over- 
subscribed. 

Jack Webb, formerly of Victoria 
Palace, and recently managing 
Daly's, now at the Grand, Fulham 
a legit house. 

Herbert Wilcox asking Roy I'ox 
to play some musical excerpts from 
'Little Damozel,' Hitchcock's latest 
at the KIt-Cat. 

Maurice X)strer, Micky Balcon and 
Mat McKelgue shepherding Lord 
Rothermere around the Gaumont 
British studios. 

Phillip Moss Vernon and Charles 
Clore in snappy flst fight, all over 



Glore wanting to detain Vernon'd 
mannequins" costumes. 

'Uncle Moses,' picture featuring 
Maurice Sphwartz, latest attraction 
at the Pavilion theatre. East i^ide, 
instead of. Jewish plays. 

Geneml Theatres are appealing 
agaln^ decision awarding Charles 
Withers $5,626 for breach of con- 
tract, with appeal to be heard in 
March. 

Ben Travers is one of the vice- 
presidents of Somerset County 
Cricket Club, hence his knowledge 
of the game displayed in his latest 
Aldwlch farce, 'A Bit of a Test.' 



The Hague 

By M. W. Etty-L«al 

First modern Italian produced film 
coming to Holland shortly, 'Armata 
Azura,' distributed here by Ufa. 

A new luxury tax contemplated by 
government. It will also be levied 
on wireless sets, so all radio inter- 
ests sending in protests, especially 
Philips Works. 

Dutch Operetta Co. premiere of a 
German revue -operetta, "Tangolita," 
rather Mexican stuff, with tangoes 
galore, for which American Negrro 
band engaged, headed by Willy 
Lewis. 

Italian Opera Company in Hol- 
land up to now, lost this season 
!;26,000. Consequently cast had to 
take cut in salaries, stars with $400 
monthly top took 26%, lower paid 
froni 10-16% while salaries under 
liieo monthly unchanged. 

Though not quite a novelty, the 
experiment by Dlnl and Heln von 
Essen to introduce here mask-danc- 
Ing plays on lines of old Greek 
tragedy is rousing attention of 
critics here. Music by the com- 
poser, Schnitzler. 

Two premieres in Holland this 
week: at Amsterdam of German 
play 'Die juedische Braut' by Otto 
Indig, Dutch version by Felix Hage- 
man, produced by Saalborn Com- 
pany; at the Hague Shaw's 'To 
True to Be Good' in Dutch by the 
Hofstad Tooneel Company. 
' 'As foreign authors more popular 
here than home grown, Hofstad- 
tooneel announced a new play, 'The 
Flying Witch,' as written by an 
English author of the wholly ficti- 
tious name Captain Paul Cokely. 
Author was, in fact, a Dutchman, 
Ben van Eysselsteya, and premiere 
successful. 

Foreign talent keeps flowing In: 
German company from Municipal 
Theatre at Hanover producing here 
Goethe's 'Urfaust' in concert halls; 
South African soprano. Vera de 
Vllliers; German pianist, Arthur 
Rubinstein; German violinist, Ce- 
cilia Hansen, and Heifetz. A Jap- 
anese troupe headed by Rlkuhei and 
Toshiko Umemoto Is producing 
classical Japanses dances never be- 
fore shown in Holland. 



Loop 



Montreal 



Bob Grannery Into Moulin Rouge. 
Took Masefleld on hoof for $800 
lecture fee. 

Freddie Edwards back columny- 
Ing for the 'Revue.' 

Les Roberts being ragged as 
ringer for Lee Tracy in 'Blessed 
Event,' even to the name. 

Three local newspaper men dead 
this week: W. S. Humphreys, P. A. 
Cote and Jim Hlckey, latter also of 
Chicago. 

Premier Taschereau, of Quebec 
Province, states deflnitely law ban- 
ning minors under 16 from Quebec 
picture theatres will not be repealed 
nor even modified. Theatres now 
out to stop movie shows to minors 
in parish halls and basements. 

Canadian Radio Commission and 
Civil Service Commission take wal- 
lop over appointment Lt.-Col. Lan- 
dry as secretary of commission. Bill 
Marchlngton charges in 'Globe' that 
appointment was 'in the bag' for 
weeks and that the 200 applicants 
at $2 a throw paid their money 
when they hadn't a chance. Landry 
was brass hat who never saw ser 
vice in France. Many of the appll 
cants were overseas veterans. 



Leonard Bergman In town. 

Lou Cowan gone to Detroit on bl«, 

Ted Lewis nientloned for Con- 
gress hotel. , 

Henry Stlckleiheyer gone to To« 
ledo for Publix. 

. Michael Bortlett fro m 'Ca t and 
the Fiddle* guested at KYW. 

Pat Garyn of National Screen 
Service spending . a week on Film 
Row. 

After 26 years as Chicago's big. 
gest bookstore, Kroch's, has become 
a corporation. 

Lawrence Lehman from Kansas 
City in town for RKO confab with 
Nate Blumberg. 

Sir Hubert Wilklns, Jimmy Doo- 
llttle, Berndt Balchen dined at tho 
Bismarck together. 

Eleanor Fisher, elderly woman 
press agent, in Henrotin Hospital, 
not expected to live. 

Wonderland, 10-center, ended a 
20-year career on Halstead and 
Madison, and closed. 

Steve Trumbull up until 2:30 a.m. 
broadcasting news flashes the night 
Mayor Cermak was shot. 

Henry Shapiro spent three days in 
Wheaton,' 111., visiting Sam Tlsh- 
man, the well-known exhib. 

Mae Tinee in Trlb' went com- 
pletely ga-ga over 'Cavalcade,' while 
other reviewers Just moderately par- 
tisan. 

First four pages of the new clas- 
sified telephone directory devoted to 
macs of the Century of Progress 
Exposition. 

RlvolI, Muncie, Ind., cancelled 
vaude after its best Sunday on rec- 
ord. Reason: Fltzpatrlck and Mc- 
Elroy receivership. 

Rollo Timponi. is author of the 
fantastic report that J. J. Shubert 
had real tears gushing down his 
cheeks when he left 'Cavalcade.' 



Hollywood 



Fred Metzler 'turned native' and 
refuses to wear a hat. 

Thornton 'Puff Puff Sargeant, 
Fox pub. dept., has shaved off his 
mustache. 

Hollywood Barn, newest nlte spot, 
which opened 10 days ago, has so 
iicltors working the mob. 

George Bowser headed a delega- 
tion of theatre men who welcomed 
'Old Ironsides' into San Pedro port 
for its Los Angeles visit. 

Mt. Sinai home presented Eddie 
Lambert with a four-tfnd-half-foot 
loving cup for his work during a 
benefit show last October. 

Dorothy Hechtllnger, formerly In 
charge of the script department at 
Paramount's Astoria studio, is now 
sec to Gilbert Miller at Columbia. 



Cleyeland 

By Glenn C. Pullen 



Max Lefkowltz taking over Great 
Lakes, movie grind house, and re- 
naming it the Carter. 

Regis Duddy, who managed Hipp 
in 1928, back in old berth again un- 
der William Elson's new regime. 

Fred Joyces lost that stralneil 
look since arrival of baby girl now 
bearing moniker of Julia Patricia. 

Angelo Vitale, lt*s whispered. Is 
all slated to do a marriage act in 
May, but won*t give the gaVs name. 

Bill Elson has added former 
RKO-Hlpp to chain of seven houses, 
making it a film grinder with a 10- 
15-cent scale. 

Torry Wellington in Billy Culll- 
ton's band secretly sealed to Marlon 
Jamison, Michigan school teacher, 
six months ago. 

Ernie. Young here in stage series 
of musical shows, with 26 perform- 
ers, in Lotus Gardens, with four 
different shows dally. 

J. 3. Franklin sez he's making up 
176 gold Ibge passes to Palace, to 
sell for $60 per — but the problem is, 
who's going to buy 'em? 

Josephine Howe, local beauty 
winner with Blackstone, walked 
out of act to ^lope with Emery 
Shaw, Milwaukee department store 
exec. 

Lottlce Howell auditioning for 
spot with Horace Heldt's band, de- 
spite definite RKO vaude bookiner 
In New Orleans after Rainbow 
Room date. 

Gene Warner, WTAM sports an- 
nouncer, put on the frying pan by 
radio cricks for saying 'Ernlo 
Schaafs condition is improving'— 
when Schaaf had been dead eight 
hours. 



Albany 

By Henry Retonda 



Johnson's band goes Into the New 
Ke'nmore hotel at Albany next Wed- 
nesday for an indefinite period. 

Ben Serkowltch is bringing 'The 
Big Drive' at the Grand, a second- 
run house, this week. After this 
show, the Grand is to cut tops from 
26 cents to 20. 

Walter Hampden, who appeared 
at the Capitol in 'Caponsacchi,' waa 
forced to cancel a publicly an- 
nounced broadcast last Monday 
night because of a previous engage- 
ment he had made in Albany. 

More than a dozen purses, con- 
taining money, have been stolen 
from women patrons in the various 
theatres of the city within the last 
two week^. Police had to be posted 
In some of the downtown theatres. 

The Mlfl-CIty Amusement park, 
outside of Albany, lost a verdict in 
a suit brought by John H. Galvan 
of Albany, who was hurt when a 
horizontal bar sprung and struck 
him on the nose, leaving a perma- 
nent scar. He sued for $5,000, but 
was awarded $150. 

Henry McDanlel, known as 'Uncle 
Harry,* in Johnny Johnson's orches- 
tra, quit the band after its three- 
day engagement at the RKO Palace 
at Albany Friday night. He has or- 
ganized a band of his own and al- 
ready had been engaged to play at 
Edgewood, a road house on the Now 
York road, several miles outside oC 
Albany. 



Tiietdaj* Tehnmrj 21, 1983 



TIMES S<|«ARE 



VARIETY 



61 



Minneapolis 

By Lea R«M 

Victoria SackvUle-West, English 
povellBt, here for lecture. 

Several radio programs advertise 
on newspapers' amusement pages. 

Mrs. Annette Fawcett entertained 
at breakfast party for Flfl D'Orsay. 

Minneapolis Symphony orchestra 
back from eastern and southern 
tour. 

Betty Crane, Pantages theatre 
secretary, Injured in automobile ac- 
cident. 

Jobless selling tickets for local 
automobile show and Shrlners' 
circus. 

•Luxury Liner' yanked at Lyric 
after Ave days, two days ahead of 
schedule. 

Lyceum theatre trying to book 
big pictures for road show and other 
engagements. 

KSTP, NBC radio station, in- 
creasing Its daytime power from 
10 to 26 kilowatts. 

Surprise grosser, 'Strange Inter- 
lude,' is mopping up In small towns 
as well as key spots. 

After record low business at State, 
fHello Eiverybody' was yanked one 
day ahead of schedule. 

Local gal, 'bearded lady' of Ring- 
llnsr's circus, admits earning $S,O00 a 
summer and $3,000 a year from sale 
of photos. 

If worst comes to worst, Flfl 
P'Orsay, playing Orpheum here, told 
newspaper reporters she'll go back 
to stenography. 

Ben Wilson, black-and-tan night 
club owner, given 30-day workhouse 
sentence for 'giving away' liquor at 
his establishment. 

Jule Madesen, former featured 
soloist at Minnesota theatre, now a 
radio 'artist' besides having band at 
Leamington hotel. 

Better Drama League aponisorlng 
Bainbridge stock company produc- 
tion of Drinkwater's 'Abraham Lin- 
coln' at Shubort theatre. 

Pantages tried experiment of using 
flve-year-old picture, Jeanne Eiagels' 
'Jealousy,' to learn if old films have 
ary appeal for 1933 audiences. 

By making bandit believe police- 
m.^.n was Just outside. Manager L. 
N. Hansen of Agate theatre, neigh- 
borhood house, foiled a bandit. 

Court held agreement nullified al- 
lescd Indebtedness of |6,630, claimed 
to be balance due for erection of a 
Swiss village replica at her road- 
houcc, and dismissed Tell company's 
foreclosure suit against Jeanette 
Feah. 



Pittsburgh 

By Hal Cohen 



Stanley billing Dick Powell and 
Georpre Arliss equally in 'King's 
Vacation.' 

Karl Krug doing some special ex- 
plotatlon for Ben Serkowich on 'The 
Big Drive.' 

IjCw Abel, radio's Uncle Henry,' 
and his Rascals have s%vltched from 
KQV to WWSW. 

Variety theatre has dropped Its 
chorus and m.c, Nat Nazarro, Jr., 
for straight vaude. 

Jack Powell, WB's ballyhoo man, 
has signed with Freeman Hammond 
Players for repertory. 

Donn Wermuth, the p.a., may try 
to And a publisher for a novel he 
wrote four years ago. 
. F'l-ank McGrann around beatinf:; 
the drums for 'Counsellor-a.t-Law,' 
due nt Nixon March 6. 
i '•12(1 Street* opening at Stanley 
March 3, day Warners' '42d Street 
Special' train gets to town. 
; Harry Long, district manager for 
Loew's here, and the Mrs. sunning 
it in Palm Beach for a few weeks. 

Maurice Frank, New York Im- 
presario, promoting three perform- 
an?es of popular-priced grand opera 
at Syria Mosq\;fi this week-end. 

MiUe Cullen put on five pounds 
drinking the near-beer he gave 
away in the lobby as an exploita- 
tion stunt for 'What! No Beer?' 



Canton 

By Rex McConnell 



Ralph Smith, local boy, piloting 
road company, 'Moonshine and 
Honeysuckle.' 

Five eastern Ohio parks plan free 
movies this season as night atten- 
dance booster. 

Foreign films are being offered 
once a week at Akron RKO Palace 
and reported to be doing well. 

Vincent Lopez, scheduled to stop 
oft in Canton for one-night appear- 
ance at New Land o D'ance for H. 
W. Perry. 

Dick Crusiger, for past year man- 
ager Warner's Alhambra, shifted 
to Lorain, as manager of Warner 
house there. 

Biz picks up at old Grand Opera 
.house here, with new grind policy, 
dramatic stock, vaude, and sound 
films at a dime and 15 cents. 

Picketing by union stage hands 
and operators not hurting business 
at Palace theatre here, George Delis, 
manager, announced this week. 

C. C. MacDonald, Chester, W. Va.. 
park executive, plans to devote most 
Of his time this season to op.eration 
of Idle wild Park near Pittsburgh. 

Radio Station WHBC, Canton, 
ixpects to receive permission soon 




from Federal radio commission to in- 
crease ita present wattage from 10 
to 100. 

Ted Lewis and band with com- 
pany of 23 entertainers to play 
New Land o' Dance here, Tuesday, 
February 21, first Canton appear- 
ance, at $1 top. 

The RKO Palace, Youngstown, 
switches policy of weekly vaude- 
fllm to split week, changing Thurs- 
days and Sundays. Vaude is being 
booked Independent. 



Portland, Me. 

By Hal Cram 



Local stock reviving 'Mrs. Wiggs.' 

Rowland Sdwards Players may 
try 7:30 opening. 

Georgia Minstrels booked into 
Keith's for next week. 

Keith's running five acts vaud 
half week, seven acts remainder. 

New 600-seater In suburban dis- 
trict may be erected Cor film policy. 

Monday evenings Ladies' Nights 
with reduced prices at the Jefferson. 

Bangor Auto Dealers' Association 
meets this week to decide on auto 
show for week of March 14. 

Francis Hill, former advertising 
manager of '£veniiig NeWs,' resigns 
to organize a chain sales Idea. 

Jack Smith to again direct Home 
equipment and Food Show at City 
Hall about the middle of April. 

Lewiston man applies for radio 
permit for small 260-watt station In 
addition to applications for two new 
stations at Portland. 



Queens 

By Henry Willson 

Homer Croy expects to return to 
the coast next month. 

The Gardens Players start re- 
hearsals this week on their revue. 

Lawson Paynter now conducting 
the 'Town Crier' column in the 
'Daily Press.' 

Skouras* F. H. theatre has changed 
hands twice in three days. Thomas' 
Dlo Lorenzo is the latest. 

Dorothy Stone and husband have 
taken a house in Forest Hills. Fred 
Stone and the rest have moved into 
Rex Beach's apartment for the win- 
ter. 

The Flelschmann estate in the 
residential section of Kew Gardens 
will be turned into a roadbouse. 
Original plans wore to make It a 
beer garden. 

Family night idea (running fea- 
tures and shorts fit for the whole 
faprtlly once a week) has been given 
up as a flop by local theatres. 

Shack one block from Maple 
Grove cemetery has been converted 
into the town's newest speak. The 
crowd is mixed, half truck drivers 
and the others sophisticates who 
think they're slumming. 



Westport 

By Humphrey Doulent 

i-cher oft to Miami. 
:iil Dunnings all oft 



to 



.)i\L\i Charash has returned to 
Silvermine. 

Christopher Rule has leased Grant 
Mills' cottage. 

Dana Burnett spending the win- 
ter at Norwalk. 

Langner setting third season at 
Country Playhouse. 

Westbrook Pegler home for a few 
days from Washington. 

Mary Kemble, society actress, 
directing Stage Relief Fund drive. 

All film houses at Norwalk and 
South Norwalk now showing double 
features. 

'Moonshine and Honeysuckle,' 
stage version of radio drama, play- 
ing one-night stands. 

Cecil Holm with 19 weeks in 
'Dangerous Corner' has the long- 
run title of the 11:30. 

Moffat Johnston, the 'Jaffe* of 
'Twentieth Century,' sleeps in a day 
coach leaving Grand Central at 
11:30 each night coming back to 
Westport. 



Washington 

By Don Craig 



Herluf Provensen gets private 
office. 

Freddie Clark, E^rle pit, grooming 
for air debut. 

Herble Kay at Emergency Hospi- 
tal. Nothing serious. 

Four Golden Blondes get week at 
Club Michel between WB dates after 
week at £^rle. 

Jim Brennan passes through on 
way to Williamsburg with Fred 
Meyers in tow, 

Hardle Meakln lying awake nights 
following avowed plan to teach 
town' something about" lobby set- 
ups. 

Gus Van and George Olsen play- 
ing opi^osltion vaude stages this 
week, but teaming up on Oldemo- 
blle hour at WRC. 



BaKmore 



Oscar Doob In town for a quick 
o. o., while shifting the local p. a. 
setup for Loew's. 

Izzy Rappaport now putting on 
shows for the Advertising Club in 
all his generosity. 

Herb Morgan getting acquainted 
with the oysters after having been 
hidden away in upper New York for 
yars. 

Harry B. Wilson, formerly of 
Bums and Wilson, and blackface 
comic of the old days, now peddling 
acts in town and doing oke in a 
state that has gone vaudeville. 

Unusual for Len MacLaughlin 
that both his Maryland and Audi- 
torium are dark this week; but situ- 
ation rectified shortly with 'Spring- 
time for Henry' (Henry Hull), re- 
llghti^ig the former spot. 



Hartford 

By M. H. Hammer 

Price war scheduled for theatres 
here. 

Local radio station turns down 
business — a laxative account. 

Joe Hennnssey volunteers police 
protection for Strand payroll men 
...Publix Allyn gets nice business 
with 'Sign of the Cross. . .Allyn 
Publix ramp garage and free park 
ing go well together. ..Theatre re 
ceivership stir up things locally.. 
Capitol theatre's new low prices 
brings them In in droves. . .Warner 
Art Studio gets plenty publicity in 
newspaper gravure section.. .Veron 
lea Teroska, Hartford's chosen 
beauty, secretary to Lew Schaefer 
. . . Thomas A. Specllacy, Arthur 
theatre receiver, Hartford's big- 
time politician. . .Collin Drlggs back 
on WTIC. . .Travelers station insti- 
tutes new program to give biz op 
position to lower priced station 
nearby meeting scale of rates... Si 
Yaffe a new feature on radio here 
. . . State theatre drops out of vaude 
viUe and goes in for third and 
fourth run feature films... Chain 
theatre group books double feature 
into downtown bouse and gives 
nelghbs same pictures with lower 
theatre charging lower prices. . .Pa' 
trons now wrltine: managers of 
nelghbs asking Vhen lower prices.' 



Si Pad 

By Walt Raschiek 

Show turnstiles clicking merrily 
as mercury des^rta sub-zero sector. 

RKO switches from split to full 
week schedule, starting Friday (24) 
with "Kid From Spain.' 

Abe Sunberg, Uptown manager, 
under observation In Bt. Joseph's 
hospital. Phfl Souey plnch-hlttlng 
for Abe. 

Ray Thome, former advertising 
manager at Minnesota, Minneapolis, 
and Riviera, St. Paul, blows Into 
town from Coast. 

Metropolitan, town's only legit 
house, dark for months, books 
'Blossom Timer and 'Student Prince' 
for split week beginnlncr March 19. 

Flower fashion show, with five 
grand in blooms on display, opens 
annual Minnesota State Florists' 
association convention at Lowry 
hotel Tuesday (21) night. 

Anthony Schlarman, ex-convict, 
and Howard Hauck held by Dakota 
County authorities for indictment in 
slaying Roy A. WUllams, nabe 
house boothman. 

Ft. Snellirig stages military show, 
with field artillery battery maneu- 
vers at full gallop eretting lion's share 
of plaudits. Capt Willis 8. Bryant 
directs artillery drilL Proceeds to 
army relief fund. 



By Un Libbey 



Boy bom to Ben Rosenberg, 
house manager of the Met. 

Saxophonist Harold Pearl con- 
valescing at Beth Israel hospital. 

Al Sheehan succeeding Tom 
Lothian as manager of the Colonial. 

Ann Ford in town publicizing 
'Another Language,' opening at 
Shubert tonight. 

Benny Ross succeeding Ted 
Claire as master of ceremonies at 
the Keith Boston. 

Joe Vogel of the Nick Schenck 
staff piloted by VIo Morris on in- 
spection of Loew properties here. 

Peak of the music season shows 
prcsperity — four recitals in a day, 
all with flush b.o. and two with sell- 
outs. 

Dick Sears, chief Pathe news- 
reeler for New England, heads com- 
mittee for charity ball next Wednes- 
day by Oliver Ames Post, A. L. 

Morgan Dennis, artist graduate 
from Boston newspapers, picking 
Eva Farrell out of "Pardon My Eng- 
lish' company to appear with him in 
a series of shorts. - 

All-English hits the high spots 
with 'Cavalcade' at Majestic and 
all-Lunnon cast la The Queen's 



Husband' stepping into Plymouth, 
around the corner, tonight. 

Exit 'Rasputin,' Tremont continu- 
ing yesterday (Sunday) its previous 
second policy, now featuring 'Kid 
from Spain.' Irv Isaacs hopeful of 
breaking into first-run class if he 
can get product. 

Kay Lawrence, "Record's* trouser 
girl a la Dietrich, welcomed by all 
the p.a.'s as she presents herself 
to see the shows. (Mention guaran- 
teed in the sob sister's dally tale of 
her experiences.) 

Worcester 

By Paul W. Larkin 



Bimiingham 

By Bob Brown 



Walter Ambler says 21 weeks or 
bust. 

Bert Trexler Is now with BUI 
Nappi. 

Bill Young is supplying the radio 
news for that new prohi paper. 

Atlanta, Jealous of the Ham's new 
Sunday shows, is now trying to get 
them. 

Loyal Phillips is new classified 
ad mgr., 'Post,' and that means 
more tie-upis. 

Eddie Balsam is In Gadsden with 
Dud Connelly, having taken an In- 
terest in WJBY. 

Nat Porter, Sr., transferred to El 
Paso and Bob Hyde, of Nashville, 
succeeds him at Bankhead. 

Around 4:3 0 p .m. is the tough 
time around WBRC when phones 
ring with complaints. People are 
hardest to satisfy at this time of 
day, they say. 



Dance hall now featuring F&M 
celebs on 'guest night.' And did the 
receipts swell!' 

Boys at Worcester 'Eve Post' took 
it on chlin again with 6% cut, mak- 
ing a total of 15 during year. Edit, 
force also cut by three. 

All theatres watched closely by 
sleuths last week as result of bomb- 
ings in Fall River and New Bedford. 
Precautlonjuv measures deemed ad- 
visable due to recent explosions in 
local houses. 

Holy Cross went to New York to 
get Ted Black for its Junior prom 
music. Bandmen had difficulty in 
making the trip and played short 
until about midnight. Collegians a 
bit peeved and may stick closer to 
home next time. 

City License board refused to 
grant Danny Duggan, dancer, permit 
for "walkathon - marathon.' Too 
many verbal protests as result of 
recent dance marathon in Shrews- 
bury on outskirts of city. Duggan 
also had hopes of running mara- 
thon in Old Howard in Hub while 
it was shut down, but didn't have 
any luok. 

Milwaukee 

By Frank J. Miller 

'Cat and the Fiddle' next show 
for Davidson, March 5. 

Midnight Frolics club opened in 
Warner theatre building. 

Greek talkie did well at the 
World. Direct from Athens. 

Jane Stuart Auer, formerly a pro- 
fessional actress, directing 'Cock 
Robin,' for the Wisconsin Players, 
scheduled for the Playhouse, Feb. 
22, 23, 24. 

'Cavalcade' roadshowed at the 
Strand at a dollar top. Followed 
'Sign of the Cross,' which was 
switched to this house following its 
week at the Wisconsin. 

Les Hoadley, 39, for many years 
a local theatre organist, died of 
acute indigestion. Burial at Ben 
ton Harbor, Mich. Survived by 
wife, two children and mother. 

WLS barn dance radio company 
spent the past week at the Alham 
bra. Same theatre revived "King 
of Jazz' and got as much attention 
as if the picture were brand 'new. 

Joseph Qrleb celebrated his 26th 
year at the Auditorium, which ended 
the past year without a deficit. Said 
to be the only Auditorium west of 
Pittsburgh to accomplish that feat. 



Trenton 

By George Rosen 



Phil Gordon married. 
Town Is going mad over wres 
tllng. 

Padereweki fills 3,000-Beat audi- 
torium. 

Helen Mencken breaks in her 
vaude act here next week. 

Auto show here draws capacity 
crowds. Curtailed from week to 
four days. 

RKO Lincoln drops vaudeville, 
slashes prices and is back to first 
run pictures. 

Freak shows are back In State 
street stores, with merchants com- 
plaining, likewise newspaper edi- 
torially. 

Mr. and Mrs. John Slegel, actors, 
of Philadelphia, Injured in motor 
crash outside of Trenton returning 
from honeymoon abroad. 

Free vaudeville shows held weekly 
here at Memorial building. Audi- 
torium seating 3,000 is capacity 
long before curtain time. 



Lmcoh, Neb. 

By Barney Oldfield 

University Players' 'Porgy* caused 
the Negro element to howl. 

Skip Dean has made himself a 
radio show — one hour long. 

Bob Livingston on verge of figur- 
ing strongly in the exhlb picture. 

Eli Shire's in court with a man 
who figured his income tax report. 

All bands playing Ted Cooper's 
Marigold get a radio quarter hour 
thrown in. 

Bill and Daisy Todd with Glen 
McCord left the local stock to go 
back to the old circle. 

Adolphe Brandis and Loren Gil- 
bert replaced the Omaha announc- 
ing end of KFAB recently vacated 
by Barnard Fenner. 



Easton 

By A. M. Powell 

Felice Lyne, opera soprano, visit- 
ing her parents at Allentown. 

Newark Y.M.H.A. dramatic club 
presented "Face The Truth' before 
large crowd here. 

Alexander Kelberlne, Russian 
pianist, will appear at Americus 
ballroom on February 27. 

First Ward School Veterans' As- 
sociation getting ready for annual 
minstrel show on March 8 and 9. 

Civic Little Theatre at Allentown 
presented 'Outward Bound' for 
three days last week in own the* 
atre. 

. Jesse J. Erich, oporatlc baritone 
will be guest soloist at Lyric, Allen- 
town, Feb. 28, at concert of Lehigh 
Valley Male Chorus. 

Jeanne Santer Helntz, soprano 
soloist, gave costume recital at 
Jewish Community Center, Allen- 
town, last Wednesday (16). 



New Haven 

By Harold M. Bone 

Civic Orch scored In third con- 
cert, . 

Zimbaliat into Woolsey Hall Sun. 
(28). 

Russell Moon in town with 'Cav« 
alcade.' 

Helen Costello looking for a new 
chauffeur. 

WB basketballers won 11 out ot 
Arnt 12 starts. 

Augustus Thome, from legit, 
vaude and musicals, now managing 
local nabe. 

Another bill before legislature to 
permit gaming devices at Savin 
Rock park. 

Mary Wigman brings her com« 
pany to Shubert for group premiere 
Thurs. (23). 

Murray's Patio bits new low with 
sandwich, dessert, Java and danc- 
ing for half a buck. 



Denver 



West Masters, organist, has moved 
from Orpheum to the Mayan. 

George Aubrey Nash, former 
amateur dramatic actor, signs with 
Monogram in Hollywood. 

Ralph Lee, Rialto manager, and 
Buddy Porter, Tabor manager, have 
traded Jobs. Stage show at Tabor 
reason. Both RKO -Huffman houses. 

Mayan, second run, drops to 26 
cents, leaving Empress, Ogden and 
Aladdin only second runs getting 
36 cents. Paramount puts balcony 
down from 40 to 26 cents anytime. 

Ur-S... district court order allows 
Denver and . Paramount to pay 
$9,200 in rent. Funds had been tied 
up by suit of two realty companies 
for back rent made order neces- 
sary. Order also released money in 
bank and removed ban on company. 
Mountain States Theatre Corp., 
subsidiary of Publix, disposing of 
property if they wished. 



Seattle 

By Dave Trepp 



Only three stage hands (union) 
on reg job here now. 

State theatre burlesque plenty hot 
stuff. Getting the mob, mostly 
male. 

Gilmore air circus booked as fea- 
ture of Seattle auto show, week be- 
ginning Feb. 28. 

Al Gillls read first issue of 'Va- 
riety' and is stilling reading it. He 
looks hc&lthy, too. 

Jack Little had to go on with the 
show at Post Street theatre, Spo- 
kane the other night after getting 
word of his father's death at Mos- 
cow, Idaho. 

Alf Kelghley to Vancouver, B. 
as act manager for F&M 'Follies' 
(Ceballo), renameil as 'Vancouver 
Follies' for engagement of week at 
Orphetim there. 

Jack Mulr succeeds Lloyd Dearth 
as manager of Capitol, Vancouver, 
B. C, while H. M. Thomas back 
again as western manager for Fa- 
mous Players Canadian. 

Winter Garden box office bombed 
Tuesday at 1:20 a. m., with damage 
slight. This is John Danz house, 
operated with non-union help. First 
bombing here in long time. 



«2 



VARIETY 



L E S Q II E 



Taedday, February' 21, 1933 



Warren Irons' 15c Cincy Grind on 
8-Ft Stage; Acts at $15 Per Head 



Cincinnati, Feb. 20. 

Grind tab burlesque, which did 
long duty on Chicago's South State 
Btreet, has been imported to Clncy 
by Warren B. Irons. He took over 
the Star, 250-seat house in Fifth 
street, near Walnut, one of the 
town's busiest corners, and Is of- 
fering what is heralded as 'girlesque, 
smart revue and six big vaudeville 
acts.' Admish Is 15c., except on 
Saturdays arid Sundays, when It's 
raised to '.wo bits. 

Sex lobby art Is used generously 
and a lusty-lunged barker helps to 
halt pedestrians with bally. 

6 Chorines, 1 Tosser 

Two shii'ts of one piano player 
and one stage hand each, all union, 
are employed. The stage is simply 
an apron, eight feet wide. On It are 
six chorines, a torso tosser and two 
other 'prlncir-als', and the vaude 
talent. There are six .shows dally 
-and an extra mldnlghtei- on Satur- 
day. Acts, according to report, are 
paid at tlie rate of $16 per head 
per week. For the 43 pcrformaces. 
Shows change on Saturday. 

About 30 years ago the Star shel- 
tertjd a penny arcade In which 
worked the late Marcus Loew, who 
later conducted his own nickelodeon 
(pictures) upstairs a door or so 
away. The Star was operated by 
Ike Llbson for many years past, and 
until the first of this year, with 
.grind pictures. 



HOWABS BEOFENS 

Boston, Feb. 20. 

City Censor Stanton White, 
agents of Watch & Ward society, 
and other like offlclals attended 
•Scrambled Legs,' Empire burlesque 
show, which reopened old Howard, 
today (Monday). 

House had been clo.<)ed 30 days by 
order of the municipal board of 
censors. 



ALBEE, B'KLYN 

(Continued from page 47) 

It was booked for the Palace last 
week, but the Palace walked out 
and Into straight pictures. In or- 
dinary times the Marsh turn would 
have had an excellent chance, but 
despite its value the hookup may 
prove too heavy for the little time 
that's now around. 

Phil Fabello and the pit orchestra 
deliver an overture that rates with 
anything on the stage, and tops 
most of It. Number comprises rep- 
resentative tunes In the various 
dance tempos, with everything 
scrambled In the Jazz finish. It 
drew laughs, constant attention and 
a .strong mitt at the finish. Pa- 
bcllo's stuff is a regular feature here 
and, according to the house, an im- 
portant part of the show. Bige. 



UNION CO-OP EXPANDS 

Springfield, Mass., Feb. 20. 

State theatre's union operation of 
burlesque stock on a co-op basis, 
continues. 

Last week three vaude acts were 
added, a midnight show was staged 
and women's dresses were given 
away on a gift night. 



BTJIlLESaUE PLACEMENTS 

Milt Sol.usler, Chicago, made tl\e 
following burlesque placements last 
week : 

Frank C. Smith, Garrlck, St. 
Louis; Ina Thomas, Gordon Ryden, 
Gayety, Milwaukee; Stella Novak, 
Billy Foster, Leonard Kramer, Ma- 
rian Morgan, Eltlnge, New Yorlc; 
Margie Montietan, State-Congress, 
Chicago. 



Empire Wheel 



Week February 20 

Frolics — Star, Brooklyn. 
Ha-Cha — Irvlnff Place, New York. 
Scrambled lj&e3 — Howard, Boston. 
Speed and Sparkle — Trocadero, Phila- 
delphia. 

Tempters — Empire, Newark. 



LOEWS, MONTREAL 

Montreal. Feb. 17. 
Jim Adams' presentation of the 
Gebrgia Minstrels, colored aggrega- 
tion of 40 In an old-time show, went 
over fairly well and got plenty bal- 
lyhoo in public parade, but the house 
was heavily handicapped by having 
youngsters up to 16 barred from the 
theatre under Quebec law, since pic- 
tures were also part of the bill. 
Eddie Sanborn helped out with the 
house orchestra and practically gave 
up his own act, which is one of the 
most popular of the 'usual five acts 
which this minstrel show plnch-hlt 
for. 

Show lasted the full 60 minutes 
anjd moved smoothly and fast for 
the first 30. Then slowed off badly 
with a trio of gobs tap dancing 
against a battleship drop in prepa- 
ration for a southern moon Georgia 
plantation set which gave a colored 
minister In a sermon which fell very 
flat. The bad man is converted and 
the frivolous gals and their swains 
find religion, but there Is no feeling 
for that kind of a show In this town 
and the fans showed it In a cool re- 
■ceptlon at the end. 

Usual end men and m.c. gags, 
with a comic Paul Revere recitation, 
coUple of high-tenor songs and the 
odd spiritual. These were the high 
lights. At first the show moved fast 
In a flood of color and movement, 
and customers reacted with plenty 
applause and some curtain calls. 
Lots of color against a drop show- 
ing two colossal roosters and a ris- 
ing sun gave a nice contrast to the 
succeeding full-moon set. Tenor 
used 'Lonely River' and 'Silver 
Threads Among the'Gold' and won 
call. 

Three page boy costumed hoofers 
put In a fast stepping act. End men 
get Into a spot of patter with one 
of them throwing a few cartwheels 
and trick steps. Clash of cymbals, 
hijh shriek of brass and pounding 
of" drums help key up audience, 
which can't help but come across 
with the required reaction, but the 
price of this is Inability to keep It 
up and it can't be done for 60 solid 
minutes. 

Picture, 'Blessed Event.' Gross 
split 50-50 with the minstrel show 
and plx. 



home until after midnight It'i too 
much. 

This week N.T.O. and his Para- 
dise Revue Is largely to blame, with 
Milton Berle an Important contribu- 
tor. Perhaps both had their orders 
not to pinch on time, but It they 
hadn't. It would appear that the 
management here could easily see 
that a two-hour show mixes too 
much chaff with the wheat. 
' Berle alibied the Barstow act, fol- 
lowing, though having waited too 
long, and even if the Barstows were 
bad, which they are far from being, 
everybody would have felt sorry for 
them. 

N.T.G. revue has some good tal- 
ent, notably the Maxello^ Bcoa., acro- 
bats, and some specialty artists, but 
with the N.T.G. and Berle clowning 
thrown In with a succession of sin- 
gle numbers, It eventually becomes 
boring. In hla night clubs, N.T.G. 
puts on his revues with snap and 
dash, wasting little time. As a re- 
sult on the floor the N.T.G. revues 
are far more entertaining than In a 
theatre, where It's all stretched out 
till It hurts. 

Berle is all over the place, too. 
He's on ahead of the Young Kam 
Troupe, Oriental group, for three or 
four minutes, and then ahead of 
Lawrence Gray (New Acts). To- 
ward the end of Gray's act, Berle 
does a flve-mlnute talking bit, from 
there on goiisjf into an eight-minute 
act of bis own. It'? too much Berle 
at one sitting, though with the ex- 
cess out, comedian has plenty that 
entertains. 

Feature is 'What! No Beer?' (MG) 
with the Jimmy Durante and Buster 
Keaton names as the draw. Picture 
is current at Capitol, New York, on 
holdover with Ed Wxnn, who comes 
in here Friday (24) with his 'Laugh 
Pai-ade' show. Loew's la billing it 
as 'not a picture.' Business Friday 
night poor. Char. 



Inside Stuff-Radio 



(Continued from page 42) 
of priority, which Is all that the copyright act provides other than a 
code of law which defines the t:ode of penalties. 

It is on the question of priority that most common-law suits have been 
won and lost. 'Variety's' registration provides a definite and disinter* 
ested proof of date which will be accepted by tho court should suit be 
necessary. In the past It has been found that determination of priority 
generally was sufficient to bring about an understanding. 

It may be recalled that Thorvald Sollserg while Registrar of Copy- 
rights, sought to work out a similar scheme for the dating of motion 
picture scenarios, though his Idea was merely to mark the envelope for 
identification and return It to the author, since the space in the copyright 
office was too limited to permit storage' there. 

When the Happy-Go-Lucky gang pulled a walk on KHJ, CBS station 
In Los Angeles, because of a burn over a split cn outside engagements 
demanded by the Thomas Lee Artists Bureau, n hurried call for per- 
formers was sent by the broadcast outfit to Bert Levey, vaude booker. 

Levey sent a flock of talent to the station on a Friday, Saturday 
morning he received another urgent call for a second appearance of the 
same acts. At the Friday audition some one . at KHJ had neglected to 
make notes on the names and ether prospects of the talent. 

Back of the split was the refusal of Al and Cal Pearce, organizers of 
the act, and other talent to sign a Thomas Leo Artists' bureau man- 
agerials contract. Thomas Lee Is the son of Don Lee, owner of the 
chain. 

Talent Is said to have agreed to give the bureau, operated in connec- 
tion with the chain, a 20% commission on theat.'o dates, although such 
were lined up by the Pearce brothers, but the performers reneged on 
signing a contract which would also stipulate managership. 



LETTERS 



Wlien Sending for JIulI to 
VARIK'rV Address Mall Clerk. 
POSTCARDS. ADVERTISING or 
ClRCl'I.AH LETTlRRS WILL NOT 
>)E ADVERTISED 
LETTERS ADVERTIb-ED IN 
ONE ISSFE OMY 



Atherton Marty 
Auerbach Lena 

Beck Joseph 
Boyd Warren 

Codalre Harry 



Hawkins Margaret 
Marach Howard 
Sugarman Ellna 




BOOKLET ON HOW 
• TO MAKE UP • 

S TEIN C 
MAKE UPt) 

wjgfefi^fr fiu/urr VNQiuesTfdMEO 



MET., BROOKLYN 

Brooklyn, Feb. 17. 
Loew's may figure . that a two- 
hour vaudeville show Is going to lure 
folks away from the opposition here, 
but if circuit really knew how tire- 
some It Is sitting through the cur- 
rent bill when it runs that long, 
some minds may be changed. 

When there's too much of any- 
thing, audience surfeit is liable to 
wOrk the wrong way. And It's a 
question whether it's good show- 
manship to let the vaude run until 
close to 11:30 with feature to fol- 
low, since many folks who hadn't 
figured on such a long stage bill are 
about ready to go home by the time 
the last showing of feature is 
around. 

Friday night they started to walk 
when Dick and Edith Bargtow came 
on, at exactly 11:08. This may have 
Included folks who had seen the 
feature but didn't want any more 
vaude, or some who had seen part 
of the feature and was willing to 
sacrifice beginning due to the late 
hour. 

Met frequently has a habit of put- 
ting on four-hour shows, something 
tiie average showman avoids not 
only for turnover but with a view 
to taking no chances on tiring out 
llie audience. Few people probably 
want to come into a combination 
theatre at 8 o'clock and not get 



ORPHEUM, N. Y. 

standard vaude bill of five acts, 
a little above average on entertain- 
ment, for the current long half of 
week. Picture Is 'Cynara' (UA), 
with the Ronald Colman name, but 
no indication of business Saturday 
afternoon." Nice springlike weather 
no aid to the matinee, with house 
less than ^alf empty. 

Headline act Is Charlie Foy and 
Cousins, a comedy turn with some 
stooges and prima, Mary O'Donnell. 
Foy, a good showman, goes In for a 
lot of slapstick and tomfoolery, but 
has enough of the legit in his act 
for a happy mixture. The nearest 
he gets to the old Foy type of thing 
Is In the Impersonation he gives of 
his dad, which If nothing else gives 
the audience an idea who Charlie 
is. 

Foy could have done an encore 
Saturday afternoon on strength of 
recep, but graciously denied himself 
that. Bob Fisher, on second, took 
the encore privilege Instead when 
the hand he got didn't rate It. 

Fisher, working in blackface, with 
some good song numbers but feath 
erweight talk, apparently wanted 
nothing less than 14 minutes, which 
he did. His act nowhere will stand 
that much running time In view of 
what It contains. Fisher does three 
song numbers, which are okay, with 
talk between, and after that should 
be satisfied to give up. Up here he 
came back with a chorus of 'My 
Mom,' which nobody wants to hear 
anyliow at this late stage of the 
game, for an encore. Encore let 
him down Just that much lighter, 

Fisher act, No. 2, and the mlddle- 
of-the-bill turn, Paula Stone and 
Co. In a skit (New Acts), are the 
weak spots on this qulntet-acter, 
Miss Stone, dancing daughter of 
Fred Stone, Is asslted by two men 
The hoofery Isn't so bad, but the 
talk Is very small-gauge. 

Closer, also a new act, Bryant 
Rains and Young, is a far better 
vaude turn. It's a dance flash of 
four' people that has just enough 
polish and entertainment value to 
pass muster most anywhere these 
days. Act was well liked up here 
but isn't the sort of flash that has 
cost much to put together. 

Opener is Gilbert Bros., hand-to 
hand and horizontal bar workers 
with a slick routine. They did bet 
ter Saturday matinee than oither 
the second or third acts. Char. 



I N S T I 



TUT 



ION ffjL INTERNATIONALB 



(^ioes for the S^^g^ S^^^^f 

SHOfTFOLK'S SHOESHOP — 1552 BROADWA.Y 



Million Dollar, L. A. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 14. 

Located in the heart of the down 
lown shopping district, on lowe 
Droadway, this house offers what is 
probably the town's biggest amu.se 
inent barg.iln. Six acts, double fea 
tures and a news reel at 15c for an 
seat during the 10 a. m. to 6 p. m 
period, dally except Sunday, and 15 
;ind 25c at night and after 4 o'clock 
Saturday and one on Sunday, con 
Ktilute the regular bill, with a new 
show opening every Thursday. 

For the week starting Feb. 23 
house will split for one week only 
enabling it to catch up on a few 
unplaycd features, but the regular 
full-week policy will be resumed 
-Mnrch 2. 

I'^roc auto parking after 6 p. m 
and all day Sunday, is one of th 
iiiducenicnts held out to patron.*? 
but matinee shows drawing the 



Ken Murray's slated departure from the Royal Gelatine program 
March 8 Is one of those cases where the advertiser. Standard Brands, 
wanted Immediate sales results while the agency (J. Walter Thompson) 
favored giving the current talent setup a more extended opportunity. 
Murray's contract called for a 52 week stretch split up into 13 week 
options. Under this arrangemeht the comlcls Initial lap was to expire 
March 29. Balance of three weeks will be settled by either a payoff or 
use of his services on the Fleischmann Thursday night show. 

Borrowing a leaf from the Hollywood p.a.'s handbook, the agency sent 
out a release denying that It was a case of Fannie Brlce succeeding 
Murray, conveying the impression that the comic's contract was to term- 
inate March 8 anyway. Agency figured the statement would help ease 
things for both Murray and itself. 



A&P grocery chain has decided to eliminate the fadcout music from 
Its recorded versions of the Booth Tarklngton 'Maud and Bill' series 
because the MPPA advised that It would have to pay a tax for the few 
bars of copyrighted notes Involved. To get around the royalty angle 
the commercial had some special music written for the Introduction to 
each of the episodes, and figured that would be no objection if a strain 
from some pop tune were used toward the end of the recording as a 
background for the closing announcement. 

MPPA Info was to the effect that whether just a few notes or the 
entire composition was used the music tax applied equally. Announcers 
on the local stations, where the stenciled sketches are spotted, will have 
to do their spieling without the Incidental music for the taxable notes 
have been chiseled off the platters. 



Refusal of a large number of stations to continue payment of a $126 
monthly rental for the Western Electric turntables has placed ERPI In 
the position of either agreeing to a substantial adjustment of the fee or 
proceeding to sue for specific performance of the contract. Several out- 
lets, among them WOL, Washington, and WAPI, Birmingham, have 
already removed the WE equipment and undertak«;n to cancel contracts 
which have from two to five years to go. 

Some stations are demanding that ERPI revolve the leasing arrange- 
ment and permit them to buy the turntables outright, while others have 
declared the $126 rental too stiff and have asked that the figure bo 
appreciably reduced. 



First step In the clgaret price war Is the cutting down of Lucky Strike's 
advertising budget from $8,500,000 to $5,000,000, affecting all sorts of 
world-wide exploitation and advertising, billboards, paid space, etc. Also 
includes the radio end. 

Result Is that many In the Lord & Thomas agency concerned with 
the L. S. account have been affected. The cuts leave Billy K. Wells, 
creator of the Baron Munchausen radio Idea for Jack Pearl, as the solo 
scrlptlst. Andy Rice, L. Parke Levy and others will be called upon as 
occasion demands instead of being permanently staffed continuity 
writers. 



Believing that radio offers the best means of popularizing poetry with 
the general public, John Maseficld, England's poet laureate, advocates 
an experiment In this country similar to one which Is being tried in 
Britain. There the BBC has begun 'air' presentations of poetry, Mase- 
fleld told interviewers at Troy, N. Y., 

Maseficld thinks that half a dozen promising young poets should be 
given a year In which to devise an effective method of presenting poetry 
over the ether. 



Negotiations now on are expected to find the Liggett & Myers (Ches- 
terfield) account shifted from Newoll-Emmett to the Sterling GotchcU 
agency around April 1. 

Giggle program Is the only one piloted by the N-E firm on either of 
the chains. 



Chicago cosmetic house, with two programs on the air, is expected to 
change advertising agencies shortly. Account rerresentatlve goes with 
the move as likewise does his British assistant. No changes in the 
programs are contemplated. 



heavy play, due to the shopping 
crowds who want to take advantage 
of the 15c afternoon tariff. Slx- 
plece pit orchestra is of the type 
customarily found in the grind 
vaude houses, but comprised of mu- 
sicians who know how to play for 
stage entertainment. 

House did a Utile clicatiiig on the 
current week's bill by doubling two 
acts into one to eliminate a stage 
wait during the opening turn. Show 
opener is Don Julian and Margie, 
Spanish dancers, who, after a rou- 
tine, exit for a costume? change. 'The 
(iirr (programmed thus) follows 
with a toe routine and pirouettes 
after which former team returns for 
a .sort of Spanish tango, single girl 
joining in for the llnalo. Fnlr 
oppner. 

Three Freshmen, two boys and .n 
girl, hoofers, follow, with the usual 
routine of taps, and some hot ec- 
eontrlc. stuff by one of the boys. 
Cnprogrammed" on the stage an- 
nunciators is Glen Dale, Irish tenor, 



with femme accompanist. He has a 
great pair of pipes and puts across 
two Irish ballads and a descriptive 
number in excellent fashion. 

Class of the bill, and the applause 
winners, are Rogan and Romero, 
another hoofing team, both men, 
who Inject a lot of corking comedy 
in their offering. Closing spot brings 
the Newroys, fancy and comedy 
roller skating act, which dresses off 
the bill nicely. 

Screen had 'Island of Lost Souls' 
(Par) and 'Slightly Married' (Ches- 
terfield), witli news, and i)l''nty of 
trailers. 



3>OROTHEA ANTEL 

830, W. 72d St., New Vork CHy 
M.v Now Assortment at OREKTIN<i 
CARDS In Now Rrndy. 21 Ilenutlful 
CARDS nnd FOI.DKKS. Koxed, TomI- 
linld, for 

One Dollar 



0 



Tuesday, February 21, 1933 



OUTDOORS 



VARIETY 



63 



OBITUARY 



JAMES J. CORBETT 

James-J.- Gorbett, 66, .^lied In his 
home in Bayside, - N: Y., Feb. 18, 
after a protong^d Illness which his 
physicians knew to be cancer o£ the 
liver, but which was announced as 
heart trouble. 

Corbett was the* first of the pu- 
gilistic champions to emerge from 
the whlte^ collar class and the sobri- 
quet 'Gentleman Jim' bestowed upon 
him when he "defeated John L.. Sul- 
livan in 1892 clung to him and es- 
tablished a ' new tradition. Until 
that time It had been assumed that 
a heavyweight champion tUUst' per- 
force be ' "a plug-ugly. • Gorbett 
proved that a scientific- boxer 'cduld- 
defeat a mere mauler^ and' siitang 
overnight Into a • popular ^ favor 
which still endures. Even ktt^r he 
lost the. title 'to Bob Fltzsimnions In 
1897 he was still vastly more popu- 
lar than the new title bearer. Cor- 
bett made several unsuccessful ef- 
forts to ^tage a comeback, but 
failed and .in 1903 he finally quit 
the ring professionally.- ^ 

Shortly after he had won the title 
he was taken In hand by William A. 
Brady - who starred him in several 
plays including 'Gentleman Jack' 
and 'The Naval Lieutenant.' After 



Ing a,, nope ^too successful attempt 
to crash the n^uslc hall st^es. He 
came tq^New York and did consid- 
erable newspaper cartooning before 
turning to film. 

He lost his wife last March and 
leaves no children. 



SPENCER P. GRACEY 

Spencer P. Gracey, 66, died in 
Hankow, China, Jan. 16, after a 
short Illness. He began his theatri- 
cal career as understudy In the once- 
famous Bostonians and traveled 
later with the Jtfapleson Opera Co 
His last engagement was In the Kir- 
Alfy produotloD of 'America' at the 
world's fair in 1893. He sang, the 
lead baritone role. 

Shortly thereafter he went to 
China for the Standard Oil Co., 
leaving them presently to engage in 
the exchange-brokerage business in 
Hankow, in which he was very suc- 
<:essful. 

Survived, by bis widow and five 
children, all of whom are in China 



JAMES B. FAGAN 

James Bernai^d Fagan, 69, English 
playwright and producer, perhaps 
best known through his 'SmlHn' 
Through* in which Jane Cowl made 



mwm morris 



cute parasol -acrobatic routine and 
were excellently received. Main 
dish and the chef's masterpiece was 
Ann Greenway whose graceful 
poise, perfected diction and dulcet 
soprano was just the right note of 
class and smartness the new policy 
needed. It was. In short, an intel- 
ligently booked and fast-paced little 
entertainment introduced by Art 
Kassel himself as ringmaster, it Is 
probable that It will stimulate busi- 
ness which was badly oft during 
Kassell's leave of absence. Land. 



a break w^th Brady he went Into 
[ vaudeville, first in a dramatic 
\ sketch and later in monologue. The 
I late Percy G. Williams seriously 

! stated that he would be willing to 
pay Corbett $150 a week as an actor 
even -without his title. He also did 
\ 'Cashel Byron's Profession' and has 
• acted as interlocutor and monol- 
; ogist in various minstrel shows. 
: Kor a time Corbett, with George 
' Considine, conducted a saloon in 
' Broadway between 33rd and 34th 
i streets. He was practically put out 
i, of business by the first White Rat 
strike. He had retained member- 
I 8hlp In that organization and he 
I cashed so many worthless checks 
' and made so many advances to his 
fellow members that he could not 
survive the financial strain. 

Following his vaudeville experi- 
ences, Corbett went into the news- 
paper end and for a time he offered 
a system of physical training de- 
signed to prevent constipation. As 
he explained' it to his friends he 
supplied a set of exercises and a 
bottle of pills. The latter turned 
the trick if the exercises failed. 

He was the author of a volume 
of reminiscences, 'The Roar of the 
\ Crowd,' and sponsored numerous 
■>[ special stories, all of which were 
'i done by a ghost -writer, but frOm 
1 material chiefly supplied by him. 
He married Olive Lake, an actress 
in 18S6. In 1896 she divorced him 
'land he married Miss Jessie Taylor 
■;of Omaha. It was In her arms^that 
.'ihe passed a-n-ay. 



EUGENE G. DENHAM 

1, Eugene Germalne Denliam, 42, 
V newspaperman, died Feb. 9 In Chl- 
i cago. A native of Los Angeles, he 
1 was on the ^yrItIng staff of the old 
I Triangle film organization in the 
pearly days of pictures. After con- 
j siderable success In the Scrlpps- 
J, Ho-ward organization, he was made 
. editor of the San Francisco 'News.' 
; He spent several years on metro- 
politan papers In the East, and left 
\- the newspaper business t© become 
managing editor of the 'National 
! Turf Digest," racing magazine pub- 
■lished In Baltimore, in 1925. 
^; In collaboration with his wife, a 
..young newspaper woman who 
p trained under him, he wrote many 
short stories under the by-line 
^. 'Hampton Rice,' after failing health 
^caused hini to retire from newspaper 
'i and magazine executive work. His 
former wife la Lecta Denham Rider, 
.inow dramatic editor of The Hous- 
■s' ton 'Chronicle.' 



PAT SULLIVAN 

Pat Sullivan, 45, cartoonist who 
created Felix the Cat, forerunner 
of the long line of animal cartoon 
heroes, died at his apartments In 
the Mayflower hotel, New York, Feb. 
15. 

Sullivan Is widely known for his 
.pictures, but it is not generally 
known that he was one of the 



pioneer English exhibitors. He 

Opened a cinema in London follow- Jfean, two fetching kisses, have a 



a stage success while Norma TaJ- 
madge and Norma Shearer played 
in film versions, died in Los Angeles 
Feb. 17, of heart disease following 
an attack of flu. 

He has spent the past two years 
in Hollywood. 

Survived by his widow, the 
former Mary Gray, of the English' 
stage, two sons and a daughter. 
Interment to be made In England. 



JENNIE WILDER CORNELL 

Mrs. Jennie Cornell, 67, pi-ofes- 
slonally known as Jennie Wilder, 
collapsed In a Brooklyn street Feb. 
16 and expired of heart disease a 
few minutes later in a drug store 
into which she had been carried. 

She was a cister of the late Mar- 
shall P. Wilder, and herself a well- 
known entertainer, excelling in the 
singing of Negro songs to her own 
banjo accompaniment. Of recent 
years she had lived in retirement. 

A nephew and niece survive. 
Her husband died in 1928. 



JOHN M. GOODWIN 

John M. Goodwin, 60, former 
president of the Acme Amusement 
Company and at one time owner of 
a chain of motion picture theatres 
In Maine, died at his home in Saco, 
Feb. 9, after a long Illness. 

He is survived by his wife, two 
sons and two sisters. 



DOMINIC DE LUSI 

Dominic de LusI, harpist and 
composer, long an outstanding figure 
in Cincinnati musical life, died at 
his home, Dayton, Ky., Feb. 16, after 
a long Illness. Survived by a son 
and daughter. 



Charles Love, 32, property man, 
died Feb. 15, In a Hollywood hotel 
from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 



BISMARCK 

(Continued from page 57) 
meeting the all-you-can-eat 'bar- 
gains' offered at the College Inn, 
Lasalle, Terrace Gardens, etc. 

Anyhow, there It Is. The band 
shell has been moved to the far end 
of the room Instead of centre as 
heretofore. That Is a better topog- 
raphy in every respect. Smart, too, 
is the brevity of the floor enter- 
tainment. Only 20 minutes in the 
running. Not enough to halt the 
kitchen service or bore the diners. 
Just, as It should be, a distraction, 
a pleasant interlude. 

It was a triple occasion opening 
night. Art Kassel returned frqm a 
road tour, the floor show was bap- 
tized, and it happened to be Valen- 
tine's evening. This combination 
of welcome, curiosity, and sentiment 
filled the Bismarck to capacity for 
dinner and again after the show. 
(They still talk about 'after the 
show' In Chicago although there 
isn't hardly a show to go to). 

Frieda Sullivan, petite soubrette, 
opened the divertissement. She was 
liked. Donna and Darrell of ele- 
gant deportment brought their ritzy 
waltz safely through; Joan and 



CHICAGO 

(Continued from page 16) 

tlon in the Crawfords* return, how 
the romance had flowered when he' 
was at the Chicago and she at the 
Roosevelt in the good old days had 
made a happy marriage and a 
twinkling professional partnership. 

Because Washington's Birthday 
occurs during. the week the orches- 
tral overture celebrates Paul Revere. 
This isn't entirely consistent, but all 
patriots forsooth elicit the same 
ready response. Revere id#a gave 
the house a cbance to put a white 
horse on a treadmill and have a 
cowboy spur him down the stretch. 
Mechanical difilculties were still in 
evidence on the second show Friday. 
The apparatus was plainly in evi- 
dence, and to further mar the illu- 
sion that Paul Revere was really 
out for his canter, the horse got 
tired and stopped cold. It was just 
the sort of thing that ages a stage 
director 10 years In a minute. 

Beehee, Rubylatte and Co.. who 
include in their Arabian tumbling 
opportunities for the clowning of 
Ed Lowry, was the chief laugh ses- 
sion of the show. It was a show of 
few and not too robust guffaws. 
Ella Logan, from Scotland, accord 
ing to the build-up, Is a fair-to 
middling hotcha artist who comes. 
If the Scotch antecedents are on the 
level, somewhat late In the story to 
be a sensation as a lowdown war 
bier. She urgently, requires the re- 
inforcements of sq^e . comical 
didoes. 

Abbott Dancers in one of their 
more perfunctory re-workings of old 
stuff were a bit tedious. Beauty 
was a minor virtue, and molasses 
tempo was a major flaw. They did 
nothing to offset the effects of a 
so-so presentation that never ere 
ated any combustlop. Land. 



TABOR, DENVER 

Denver, Feb. 13. 
Tabor, second run, has apparently 
come back with a bang, and had 
plenty of standouts the opening 
week of the new policy, a stage 
show produced in Denver. With a 
line of 16, an orchestra of 10, and 
with enough acts to stretch the of- 
fering to almos.t an hour, house 
should have no trouble to pack its 
2,000 seats with 25c top. 

To give you an idea how hungry 
Denver is for stage shows, many 
went that had already seen the pic- 
ture, 'The Conquerors' (Radio) at 
the Orpheum back in December. As 
prices are now it is possible to go 
to both the Orpheum, 40 top '(or 25c 
In the balcony), and the Tabor for 
what it used to cost to go to the 
Orph alone — 65c. 

For the initial line all girls had 
different costumes, and sang 'Song 
of Love.' They do both a walking 
and dancing routine, and four of 
the line, with flimsy costumes and 
hair done up in a kno\, do a curtsy 
or two at the end, just to set it off. 

Three White Coons in a fast niov- 
Ing and noisy banjo and guitar turn 
are headlining, and rate It on the 
applause. Sona and Arnold furnish 
plenty of laughs in their 'human 
monkey' act Louise De Louie wins 
the crowd with her singing. Flores 
and Frezell put on an adagio act 
that is slow at times but satisfies 
the none-too-particular audience, 
and the Sheridan Sisters do their 
dancing with an oriental theme and 
low lights. An act that brought 
down the house was Lucy Ann Al- 
lison and Marie Kuhlman. They 
did an Egyptian number, clad In 
awning striped nighties. 

Joe Barnett, also producing the 
show, acts as m.o. Art Reynold's 
orchestra furnishes the music. 



WARFIELD, FRISCO 

•San Francisco, Feb. 17. 

All the Skouras bosses and all the 
Skouras men couldn't put together 
a better show for the sailors than 
this'n. Remembering that Unk 
Sam's navy dropped anchor yester- 
day with one million dollars in hard 
cash in the pockets of 32,000 men, 
house built ihat show with a gob- 
magnet hanging smack over the 
marquee In these attractors: 

Jlmipy Cagney in 'Hard to Han- 
dle' (WB); Mickey Walker, retired 
light-heavyweight champ. In per- 
son; 16 Carla Torney chrolne.q, only 
dancing gals in the burg; Monte 
Blue In person; Walt Roesner's mu- 
sic. All of which Isn't drawing 
limousine trade; rather it's of the 
motorcycle class, but somewhere 
around $20,000 worth of iron men 
look.s as good coming from motor- 
cyclists and gobs as £rom those who 
can direct a private chauffeur. 

Walker was picked up cheap and 
Is a dr^. His stage appearance is 



Mendicant in Court 

Called Diver Speedy 

Louisville, Feb. 20. 
Herbert McAllister, known as 
'Speedy the High Dive,' for many 
years connected with circuses and 
carnivals, was picked up on the 
streets here, police say, as a beggar 
McAllister, now one-legged as the 
result of an accidental shooting, 
was set free Wednesday by Police 
Judge Starck. who said, 'I saw this 
man dive fron-i the Big Four Bridge.' 

McAllister did not deny he was 
begging. He declared he had been 
here with his wife for a year. Judge 
Starck told him to be back in court 
Feb. 1^ to hear a report on his case 
which a policewoman was ordered 
to file. 



Wirth-Hamid Breach 
Suit Tried in N. Y.; 
Decision Reserved 



confined to a few minutes' chatter 
m 'one' with Monte Blue and three 
one-minute bouts with a sparring 
partner In which the resting champ 
tosses a bit of leather here and 
there. Swell for the sailors and 
possibly an Interesting novelty to 
those ferns who've never seen any 
sort of a bout. 

Monte Blue m.c.'s Fanchon & 
Marco's 'Movie Circus' Idea with 
surprising ability, handling ad lib 
lines with Walker In okay fashion 
and running 36 -minute stage show 
at brisk pace. 

Monroe Bros, in comedy trampo- 
line work; Hardy and Ruddell. 
mixed pair of hand balancers, and 
Jeanie, precocious kid who really 
can deliver lines, along with swell 
bunch of Carla Torney gals, com- 
prise talent in 'Idea.' 

Roesner overtures with selections 
from 'Blossom Time.' featuring 
Thorstein Jensen, violinist. Joaquin 
Garay, who's been singing with 
Roesner since 'way back" when, 
warbles to customary good ap- 
plause. Bock 

ROXY 

New York, Feb. 17. 

Money's worth here and the busi- 
ness proves the customers are ap- 
preciative despite the mediocre films 
which the old Roxy must depend 
upon. It's a variety performance 
and salable all the way except for 
a couple of spots. Bill takes in the 
Yacopls, who are sensation of the 
program, and worthily so. 

Then there's Harry Rose as m.c. 
Rose never looked better. He's dou- 
bling from the Hollywood Restau- 
rant on Broadway. Good at both 
places, but better at the old Roxy, 
where Rose peps up the whole per- 
formance, lending zest to other tal- 
ent's tries. 

Sharing applause with Rose and 
the Yacopls In large measure is the 
colored stepper. Peg Leg Bates. The 
trio are enough besides the band for 
a 25 -35 -cent scale, but the old Roxy 
steps further and offers additionally 
a mixed line of boys and girls, 
Jimmy Lyons and Bellett and Lamb, 
besides Franke Dukes, a tenor. 

Dukes yodels once, • and he does 
that In a simple but tasteful produc- 
tion number down front with the 
line of girls draped in bustle 
dresses around him, after which the 
line, together with the eight boys 
who tack on, rolls oft into a dance. 
The opening number by the line 
isn't so hot, but towards the finish 
when they come out for a unison 
tap to the tunes of 'Poet and Peas- 
ant' they make a worthy picture. 

Lyons manages for some titters, 
but has to work hard to get them. 
It's not easy laughter in this big 
house. 

While the toothpaste carton give- 
away idea does a second theatre 
performance at the Fox, Brooklyn, 
after a terrific week at the old Roxy, 
the latter spot takes on currently 
another similar Idea, but hooked in 
Jo Cur Waveset or something. 
Strictly a woman's article and mat- 
inee hookup mostly through WABC, 
although Rose himself alms to help 
the merchandising of his sponsor's 
goods, also plugs the show that's 
current and the hookup from the 
Hollywood restaurant nightly over 
WMCA around the midnight hour. 

The regular Jo Cur hour is on a 
national hookup over CBS Sundays 
from 2:30 to 3 p.m. on what is 
known as the Air Theatre of the 
Stars. Rose by appearing at the 
Roxy replaces for the current week 
Dave Schooler, who Is showing at 
the Fox, Brooklyn. 

What does the trick for the kind 
of variety show at the Roxy and 
permits a personality performer like 
Rose to go over as good as he doe.s 
in a theatre such as the size of the 
Roxy is the apron stretch-down. 
Bringing the stage forward 11 feet 
makes all the difference in the 
world. For Koso and other m.c.'s 
of his type It brings them down to 
within favorable eyesight of audi- 
ences. 

The hou.sf! Is still up for It on fllm 
product, but that It can turn a profit 
on what It has means that with the 
right kind of stage production and 
talent undor certain prices the iilm 
Is only ano(hor h.'ilf of the )>.(>. Klory. ■ 
I'soil to .111 or nearly all irndor Ux- 
old system. 

CTurrcntly tlic foritiir-c, 'TIio dlid.-.l 
Train' ((■;;iin.>-lio|.(,i, n Hiilisli (ilrii. 

iif yhdils 11(1 111'- I, ill ln-yili , 
a newsreel. Hhun. 



A broach of contract action 
brought by the Wlrth & llnnild 
Fair Booking office, oporatod by 
George Hamid, ai^ain.-^t Fr.ink 
Wlrth, was heard before Judge In- 
graham in the Supreme Court, 
New York, last week. Decision was 
reserved. Ralph A. Hankinson was 
coupled in the action with Hamid. 

The fair booking enterprise was 
successfully established by Wlrth 
and Hamid, but in the spring of 
1931, Wirth withdrew with the un- 
derstanding that he should not en- 
gage In similar activtles for a pe- 
riod of seven years. In return 
Hamid promised to give Wirth 
$75,000, of which amount $40,000 
was paid within 12 months, the bal- 
ance to be paid in sums approxi- 
mating $12,000 annually. In addi- 
tion Hamid assumed responsibility 
for an obligation of the Queens- 
boro theatre, which they built and 
over which they quarrelled. 

Last season's Installment to 
With was placed in escrew pending 
the suit. Wlrth has been inter- 
ested in indoor circuses, but last 
summer he sought to book a tent 
show with parks and fairs and did 
play the TImonlum Fair at 
Baltimore. Hamid contends that 
breached the agreement, arguing 
there is virtually no difference be- 
tween the Wirth circus and the 
shows played in the open air at 
parks and fairs. 

Hamid introduced a number of 
letters signed by Wirth to support 
the alleged intent to book attrac- 
tions in violation of the contract. 
There were a number of witnesses 
who testified to conversations with 
the defendants, with the same pur- 
pose. Wlrth took the stand in hla 
own defense contending that his 
show was_dlfferent in type from 
those booked by Hamid. . 



CUNNINGHAM TO STAGE 
BARNES' FLESH SHOW 



Baldwyn Park, Calif., Feb. 20. 

Buster Cronln, Barnes Circus 
manager, has engaged George Cun- 
ningham, revue stager, to produce 
the spec and line numbers for the 
circus. Probably the first time a 
stage director has been engaged to 
work on a three-rlnger. 

Cronln's Idea Is to feature a flash 
of 40 girls doing dance and en- 
semble numbers. Girls will al.so be 
used to dress up some of the circus 
acts. Idea Is that the girl line will 
attract In the towns where stage 
shows have been eliminated. 

In some of the western territory 
played by Barnes, natives haven't 
seen a chorus line in the past three 
years. 



la. State License Bills 

Des Moines, la., Feb. 20. 
A bill has been Introduced in the 
Iowa senate by Senator Myers 
which would make mandatory tne 
licensing of all places of amuse- 
ment. 

A uniform, standard law to gov- 
ern the licensing of circuses and 
carnivals showing outside of city 
limits In Iowa, is sought by Sen- 
ator McArthur, in a bill filed in the 
senate. 

Bill would grant board right to 
license, or reject application of all 
attractions. Aimed at organizations 
trying to gum up county fair dates 
In .several of the counties. 



Minn. Circus Ban Up 

Minneapolis, Feb. 20. 

The Minnesota .Slate fair has 
sponsored a measure now before 
the legislature prohibiting circu.sos 
from showing In the state during 
the 18 days prcroding the event. 

The matter has been a bone of 
contention the past two ye.ir."^. In 
i;i3I and 193:^ the fair board foutrht 
unsuece.s.sftilly to prevent Kir.Klinff's 
circus from s'lowirig in -Minneapolis 
and Kt. I'nul two woek^> before the 
fair. 



SMART MANAGERS 

Oot llif rrMr/U l<y Rlvliii; 
a Mr riill fln-liy rack of 
rhi-wjim f!iim (Spearmint 
.inil -fell Jl.ivorst Frte to 
rmr'.ng. Stre«t-Mcn and 
Concndondrei m t k e 
100% rront with (lajhy 
parkaK><». Try Gum. 
HELMtT GUM SHOPS, CINCINNATI, 0. 




64 



VARIETY 



Taei^j,, F^nnarj 21, 1935 



h h 



lUUSIONt 

Josie, the lovely trapeze artist^ stands upon 
a small platforai. At the will of the ma- 
gician she leaps twenty feet into the air to 
reach her trapeze. She uses no ropes, no 
ladder! A phenomenal leap for a woman 
...oramani 

EXPLANATIONt 

Josie didn't jump . . . she was sprung/ The 
twenty-foot leap is not dependent on Josie's 
ability, but on a powerful spring mechan- 
ism hidden beneath the stage which pro- 
pels the artist upward through the air. The 
force is so violent that the lady wears a 
light steel jacket of special construction 
which protects her from injury as she starts 
her astonishing leap. 



^UJV TO JS£l^OO££l) 

. . . it's mohb Tirjv TO I3row 



Magic has its place . . .but 'not in 
cigarette advertising. 

Goiisider the illusion that there 
is a mysterious way to give cig- 
arettes a superior "flavor." 

EXPLANATION! Cigarette flavor 
can be controlled by adding arti- 
ficial flavorings.By blending. And 
by the quality of tobaccos used. 

Cheap tobaccos can be "built 
up"orVfortified"by the lavish use 
of artificial flavorings. 

Such magic, however, seldom 
holds the audience. Your taste 
finally tells you the truth. 
The cigarette flavor that never 




stales, never varies, never loses 
its fresh appeal, comes from mild, 
ripe, fragrant, more expensive to- 
baccos . . . blended to bring out the 
full, round flavor of each type of 
leaf. 

It's the quality oi the tobacco 
that counts! 

It if a fact, well known 
by leaf tobacco ex- 
perts, that Camels are made 
from finer, MORE EXPENSIVE 
tobaccos than ^ny other 
popular brand. 

Because Camel actually pays mil- 
lions more every year for choice 
tobaccos, you find in Camels an 
appealing mildness, a better 
flavor. 

And Camels taste cooler be- 
cause the welded Humidor P^ck 
of three-ply, MOISTURE- 
PROOF, cellophane keeps them 
Uesk. . 

JVO TRICKS 
JV^ST COSTLIER 
TOBACCOS 



IH A MATCHLESS BLEND 



RADIO 



SCREEN 



STAGE 



Pabllahml WMklr at ISi West 46th 8t^ New York, M. T„ br Varlstr. loe. Annoal aubacrlptloa. tl- SlngU cople*, IS onnta. 
BnteraA u s«con<l-cIa4N matter December 28, 180S, at the Vol Office at New York. N. under the aot ot March S, 187*. 

00)tTBIGHT, 193S, BT TABHTIT, INC. AIX BIGHTS BESBBVED 



PRICE 



VOL. 109. No. 12 



NEW YORK, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1933 



72 PAGES 



TOO 'WIS E' FOR MEN 

t ♦ 

Sbow Biz Knows New Treasury Head 
As 'AngeH In for lOOG's on Music Co. 





Ill I II 



's Suburban Amusement Center 
s With $1 Dinner and Theatre 



|>blladelpbia, Feb. ST. 
' Th* linpreoedented paucity of 
Hhowp in tli4 ido.wiito.wn legit houE)es 
fiaa proved an unexpected boon to 
the Playhouse Profeaslonala' stock, 
located at 69th street. Last week, 
this house, reviving Teg O' My 
Heart,' drew two ot the critics and 
ihia week with 'Just Married,' 
they're gettlngr more. 

A Realty Promotion 

The outfit Is backed by John Mc- 
Clatchey, real estate operator and 
ihe man who has been largely re- 
sponsible for sensational develop- 
ment of this section at the end of 
the Market street subway, about 26 
minutes from City Hall. He owns 
the theatre plant and most of the 
adjacent property. The theatre Is 
new and Is a part of a general 
amusement building which Includes 
a restaurant and a roof-garden. The 
$1 top admission entitles the ticket 
holder to dinner In the restaurant 
and the privilege of dancing in the 
roof garden any night except Sat- 
urday. 

The company hasn't been making 
(Continued on page 67) 



MERNATl NITERY OF 
5 FLOORS AND 6 CAFES 



An elaborate venture in nite clubs 
is the Chateau Internationale to 
open In New York in a couple of 
weeks. 

First floor will consist of Italian 
and Dutch rooms, second floor will 
be termed the New York Supper 
Club, and on the third floor the 
Salon Sans Souci will have French 
treatment; Russian atmosphere for 
the fourth floor, and 'The Planta- 
tion,' on the flfth floor, with south- 
ern atmospliere and Negro enter- 
tainment. Each room will have its 
native cuisine. It is patterned after 
Berlin's Haus Vaterland, which 
holds 17 different types of national- 
istic cabarets. 

Building is the one formerly used 
by the Automobile Club of America. 



Cleaning Up 



IjOS Angeles, Feb. 2T. 
f<aundr^ specializing in baby 
clothes Is now taking time over 
KGFJ to offer weekly services 
at |2. This includes 16 diapers 
a day. 

No extra charge for twins. 



GRAND CENTRAL 
DEPOT WILL 
ACCEPT ADS 



9-Yr.-01d Silent Yiddish 
Picture Still Releasing 

Record for film longevity is 
claimed by Molly Picon and her 
husband, Jacob Kalish, for 'Mazcl- 
tof,' ('Good Luck'), Yiddish silent, 
which they produced in Poland nine 
years ago. Picture is still showing 
in Jewish communities throughout 
the world. 

Reason film was made was be- 
cause Miss Picon, who starred in 
it had earned $8,000 during a tour 
in Poland. The Poilah currency was 
valueless outside of that country 
and looking around for some means 
of investing it, the pair h<>c;ime pic- 
ture producers. 

This unusual longuvliy is more 
or less true of all foreign produc- 
tions, taking a long time to get 
around. 



The New York Central Railroad's 
Grand Central Terminal In New 
York is about to stake Itself to the 
Income from display advertising 
within its walls. There's a flrst 
time for everything. 

Ornate brass panel devices are be- 
ing attached to the stone walls be- 
tween entrances to the train shed. 
The panels are 3x4 feet and will be 
in evidence on both station levels. 
There will be 24 of these devices 
which automatically rotate the ad- 
vertisements. 

Although the price for the privil- 
ege Is undivulgcd, authoritative in- 
formation is that the amount paid 
would have been regarded as big 
money before the depresh. 

It is deemed likely that the Penn- 
sylvania R.R. terminal will now fol- 
low suit. 






AnalysU of Lot B.O. Mil- 
lifHMF-^Adult Fans Sharply 
Split Into the. Sexes — ^Kid 
Patronage Falls, but Ado- 
lescents Rise — ^The 16-20- 
Year-Old Impressi<MUible8 
Strong for Sex Stuff 



COVERS PAST 10 YEARS 



In an effort to trace lost fan mil- 
lions at America's box offices, as 
well as to account for shifting of 
patronage, and to evolve an indus- 
try plan for ticket rehabilitation, 
major filmdom hat completed the 
first step. It has checked four 
classes of attendance for a period 
of 10 years. During the decade the 
most marked drop has manifested 
itself in the male adult class, while 

(Continued on page 52) 



A B'way Toast 



When Chesterfield signed 
Jane Froman to its series of 
programs, which Include two 
weekly by Ruth Stting, It 
didn't help the peace of mind 
of Col. Snyder, Miss Etting's 
husband and manager. His 
reaction to the matter has the 
boys saying, 

'The Colonel is Froman at 
the mouth.' 



CHURCH WOED 
RAZE AND GO 
CINEMA 



LEGIT TICKETS 
ON TIE BY YR. 



Gratis Personal App. 
To Save Self from 
Cutting Room Floor 



To save her face from the cutting 
room floor, Mady Christians, one of 
the leading German stage and screen 
stars, will make a free personal ap- 
pearance in a New York theatre to- 
morrow (1). 

Miss Christians Just arrived from 
Berlin a couple days ago for a Shu- 
bert operetta and went to the Eu- 
ropa, arty New York theatre, to 
see herself on the opening day of 
'Friederike' Saturday (25). She 
stars in the film, but after watching 
it unreel, realized that part of the 
picture had been cut for the Amer- 
ican sho%ving. She Immediately 
searched out the manager and asked 
to h.ave it reinstated. Manager de- 
murred, pointing out that the pic- 
ture was overlong from an Ameri- 
can standpoint. 

So Miss Christians countered with 
her proposition. If lie put all of her 
back Into the film she would make 
a gratis personal appearance at his 
theatre. And the bargain was im- 
mediately sealed. 



New theatre ticket scheme is being 
promoted, a sort of agency which 
proposes to sell in futures on the in- 
stallment plan. Proposition offers 
five tickets for $13.76 ($2.76 each). 
Tickets would be for next season's 
shows and good locations for hit 
shows are 'guaranteed*. 

Customer is to pay 25 cents per 
week for approximately half the sub- 
scription, the balance to be paid In 
one sum. The latter requirement was 
forced because the backers of the 
new plan discovered it would take 
more than a year to collect on the 
two bits weekly schedule. Plan of 
collection will span six months. 

There Is a reduced price feature, 
still indefinite because of the uncer- 
tainty of the top prices for Broad- 
way leslt shows next season. The 
installment agency Contends that its 
offer of $2.75 per ticket will be a 
saving, on the theory that the suc- 
cesses will have a top of at least 
$3.30. Other ticket people, however, 
contend few attractions will be able 
to maintain that top with the pos- 
sible exception of musicals. 



Boston, Feb. 27. 
Until a year ago, Brookline barred 
cinemas. Then they let one house 
in. Now there's a rush of applica- 
tions. Most important is petition 
to the wealthiest Massachusetts 
town's selectmen is from Beacon 
Unlversallst church to permit It 
to raze the edifice and erect In its 
stead a 'movie cathedral' — they 
want a 1,000-seater to cost $180,000. 

Promise to finance by a $100,000 
mortgage, plus balance In cash to 
be furnished by Bernard Goldfein 
and Max Shoolman (latter lessee of 
Tremont). Church folk and two 
backers to share equally, in profits. 

Few days ago George W. Wight- 
man asked permit to build a pic- 
ture house on site near the church, 
and church folk said their site was 
better. 



Accomplishments of our new Sec- 
retary of the Treasury, William H. 
Woodin, as a guitarist and amateur 
composer have been dwelt upon in 
the dallies, but along Tin -Pan Al- 
ley the president of American Car 
& Foundry Is known as Charlie 
Miller's 1100,000 angel. This refers 
to the backing of Miller Music, Inc., 
a comparatively recent music pub- 
lishing firm. 

That Miller Music, Inc., should 
have cost Woodin that much money 
may be refuted by such moderate 
hits as 'Mardi Gras,' 'Deux Amours' 
('Two lioves'), 'And So to Bed,' 
'Without a Song,' 'Time on My 
Hands,' 'More Than You Know,' etc., 
excepting that Charlie Miller's am- 
bitions to put his firm in the pro- 
duction publishing field has meant 
chunks of $10,000 and $15,000, in 
some Instances, for advance royal- 
ties to Vincent Youmans and other 
composers. 

Miller was for more than a score 
of years the chief musical editor 
of Harms, Inc., and In that manner 
contacted the world's best known 
contemporaneous composers. 

It was at Jerome iCern's request 
that Miller listened to one ol! 
Woodln's melodies; Kern and the 

(Continued on page 52) 



B. B. TEBMINAL NEWSBEELEB 

Cincinnati, Feb. 27. 

A feature of the $30,000,000 Union 
Terminal Station, which open.s April 
1, will be a 120-3eat newsreel the- 
atre offering a 45-minute program 
for 10c. Willis Vance, owner of the 
Latonla, a nabe in Covington, Ky., 
opposite Cincy, has signed to oji- 
erate the depot cinema on a per- 
ccntage-of-the-gross basis. 

The miniature house is the last 
word In furni.shlngs and decorations. 



Jokon Jnst Doesn't 
Care About How Much 
Coin He Doesn't Make 



When AI Jolson left for the Coast 
Saturday (26) he not only walked 
out on the 'five remaining Chevrolet 
broadcasts at $6,000 per, but also 
tossed oft another proposition that 
would have grossed twice as much 
per airing. Pond's offered the 
mammy singer Mrs. Franklin D. 
Uoosevelt's spot, which she'll vacate 
upon her husband's Inaugratlon, and 
bid up to $10,000. 

Jolson, who told Chevrolet he 
wants a rest, told Pond's the same 
thing. At Palm Springs he'll Just 
rest and nothing else. With his 
dough, he figures, there doesn't 
have to be anything else, except at 
his own leisure. 

The departure leaves the on- 
;iKaln-off-again Jolson Pai-amount, 
.New York, stage booking off again. 
That cuts the Jolson inroinf down 
another $12,000, 



Germany's Literati 
Expatriate Selves 
During Nazi Regime 



lilon Fuchtwanger, one of Ger- 
many's leading novelists, returns to 
Europe next Saturday (4). But rot 
to his native Germany. 

Fuchtwanger has confided to Inti- 
mates that he Is going to England 
and then the sOuth of France or 
Italy, but that he Won't go back to 
Germany during the Hitler regime. 
Eric Maria . Hemarque became a 
Swiss citizen. 

Emil liUdwIg Is another German 
literary. refugee. His home is nc" 
in Rapa,llp, Italy. 



Newspapers in Radio, 
Now Producing Shows 

... Des Moines, Feb. 27. 

KSO, owned by the 'Register* and 
'Tribune,' newspapers, is building 
stage shows for nearby small towns. 
Through .tIe-up with Blank and also 
Flnkelsteip & Rubin, towns getting 
KSO's radio revue are Adel, New- 
ton, Perry, Indianola, Albia, Win- 
terset, Boone, Madrid, Ames, Chari- 
ton and Valley Junction. 

Charlie Flagler heads the show 
which Includies Fred Jeske, Russell 
Olson, Girl Friends, 
Dorothy Fay, Song 
sarks and Itoxanna. 
all. 

.Show Is in addition to regular 
picture programs, twice In the eve- 
ning and runs about an hour. Revue 
takes fiat rate. 



Baby Nllene, 
Peddler, Cos- 
About 15 in 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E S 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



PubliciziDg of Hey-Hey Stuff by 
Actors Stopped by Crank Letters 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Ostentation and show of picture 
names at Southern California and 
Mexican resorts and at Hollywood 
and Los Angeles openings have re- 
ceived the pipe- down order from 
major studios during the past two 
weeks. Large number of crank let- 
ters received by stars following the 
publishing of photographs and chat- 
ter items anent their social activi- 
ties has caused the studios to feel 
that such publicity, at this time, is 
bad. 

Following the publishing of a pic- 
ture of Wallace Beery landing in 
bis plane at Caliente, the actor re- 
ceived several letters, all of the 
same tenor. Letters claimed that 
while the actor was flying to the 
hey-hey spot, the writers were 
worrying about where their next 
meal was coming from and how 
they were going to feed their 
youngsters. Beery is no exception. 
Razzberry at Openings 

Several other stars have received 
the letters from various spots in 
the country, all decrying what 
seems to the writers to be a great 
waste of money while so many peo- 
ple are in want. 

At two openings recently, Holly- 
wood's great and shirt tail aristoc- 
racy received the razzberry from 
the waiting throngs. Latest to re- 
ceive derision was the mob which 
attended the opening of Lilyan 
Tashman In "Grounds for Divorce' 
at the £1 Capitan two weeks ago. 
Flashes of fashionable dressed peo- 
ple were greeted by hoots from the 
crowd at the sideline. Opening of 
'Kid from Spain' at the Wllshire 
was greeted with a barrage of eggs. 

Police department admit that the 
openings are causing them some 
worry as a possible boiling point 
for Red agitators and have asked, 
the studios to lay off so much slush 
publicity. 



Something to That 



Si Seadler is telling about 
the bright lad who wanted 
suggestions on how to make 
passes more attractive. 

'If they're not snappy look- 
ing enough nobody wants to 
take them,' he whined. 



PIONEER TRUST 
BUSTER DI ES 




FRENCH POSTCARDS AS 
STAG JIGSAW PUZZLES 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Jig saw puzzles have gone smutty 
here with several boys making a 
business of selling stag time killers. 

Gag is being used at gatherings 
where the company sits around and 
watches a chump put the puzzles 
together with accompanying redness 
of the face. 

Stag puzzles are selling for $2 and 
$3 and are proving a life saver for 
a starving artist who found himself 
loaded up with French postcards, 
but nothing to eat. 



Attorney Suing Hall 

Plasters N. Y. Salary 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Through his Brooklyn correspond- 
ent, Jay Chotlner, local attorney, 
filed suit in New York against 
Jamea Hall for $525. Of the amount 
$150 is claimed for cash advanced, 
;ind the remainder for services. 

Hall's salary at the Monte Carlo 
Casino in New York was tied up by 
the action. 



INDEX 



O.'s. 



B. & 

Bills 

liurlesquo 

Chatter 

Editorial 

Exploitation 

Film House Reviews... 

Film Reviews 

Foreign Film News 

Foreign Show News-,... 

Inside — Legit 

Inside — Music 

Inside — Pictures 

Inside— Radio 

Inside — Vaude 

Legitimate 

Letter List 

Literati 

Music 

New Acts 

News from the Dailies. 

Obituary 

Outdoors 

Pictures 

Radio 

Radio Reports 

Talking Shorts 

Times Square — Sports..' 

Vaudeville 

Vaude House Reviews., 



64 
57 
71 
.68-69 
68 
25 
16 

,.14-15 
,. 13 
,. 62 
,. 68 
,. 65 
,. 68 
60 
67 

.69-61 
71 
. 63 
.64-66 
. 66 
. 66 
. 70 
. 71 
. 2-45 
.46-63 
. 60 
. 14 
. 67 
.64-56 
. 56 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Death of David Horsley at his 
home in Sunland, near here, last 
Thursday (23), removes from 
Hollywood one of its most pic- 
turesque personalities and from the 
picture industry the man who was 
credited with the idea for break- 
ing the General Film Co. and Mo- 
tion Picture Patents Co. In 1914,. 
when the Government ordered both 
outfits to discontinue operation in 
violation of the Sherman anti-trust 
law. 

Horsley, with his brother, Will- 
iam, orjganzed the Centaur Film Co. 
in Bayonne, N. J., In 1907. When 
the General Film "Co. organized 
three years later, it refused to ad- 
mit Horsley to its group, claiming 
he was too small. With Carl 
Laemmle and Baumann and Kes- 
sel, he organized the independent 
producers. Laemmle started his 
Imp company, and took Horsley in 
as his partner. Later, when Uni- 
versal was organized, Horsley 
served as secretary and treasurer 
of the company until Laemmle 
bought out his interest in 1914. 

Circus Loss $400,000 

. Following hs leaving Universal, 
Horsley went to England where he 
bought the famed Bostock Circus 
and brought it to Los Angeles. In 
three years of Its operation he 
dropped $400,000. Turning his as- 
sets into cash, he discovered he was 
still $38,000 short of paying off. 
Since his failure in 1917, he has 
been working to pay off the debt 
and at the time of his death had 
just made a payment which re- 
duced his indebtedness to $2,300. 

For the past two years, Horsley 
had been working for the abandon- 
ment of Hollywood's 'menace,' the 
Mullholland dam. Latter was built 
on an earthquake fault and several 
times has cracked. Horsley had 
elaborate charts prepared to show 
what would happen to the picture 
capital if the dam ever let go. He 
succeeded in getting the attention 
of the picture interests and other 
influential people, but was always 
balked by politicians. However, 
the city fliially took action and 
agreed to abandon the dam as a 
menace to the community. 

Claimed First Talker 

At the time of his death, Horsley 
was planning to produce a series of 
pictures made from old Alms he had 
collected. He was proud of his 
Idea, which he claimed was the first 
talking picture. In 1912, he made a 
single reeler with printed dialog ap- 
pearing over the heads of the play- 
ers. 

During the past few years, he 
maintained an offlce in Hollywood 
which was the meeting place of the 
old timers in pictures. Office was 
on the site of his Hollywood studio, 
first film plant in Hollywood, which 
he opened in 1911, with Al Christie 
as his comedy director and Tom 
Ricketts his dramatic director. 



WILL MAHONEY 

This week, Michigan Theatre, De- 
troit. 

Tho Boston "Traveler" said: 
"The audience went wild with en- 
thusiasm and the show stopped 
dead after Mr. Mohoney's perform- 
ance at the Metropolitan. Mahoney 
Is a sensation and no mistake." 
Direction 

RALPH G. FARNUM 

1560 Broadway " 



PAR ABANDONS 'SEX/ 
PRIMED FOR MAE WEST 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Paramount has abandoned Its 
Idea of producing 'Sex,' the Mae 
West play. Studio has been con- 
sidering It as a vehicle for Miss 
West, but decided that critics 
would dwell on. the fact that the 
show \^as knocked oil in New York, 
thereby bringing pressure against 
its exhlbiton. 

Matter of production heul not 
been taken up with the Hays or- 
ganization, but studio figured that 
if title was changed it would go 
through as did 'She Done Him 
Wrong,' the retltled T>iamond Lll.' 

William Stevens, of the Edward 
Small offlce, left here for New York 
last Wednesday to offer Mae West 
$100i000 to make one picture for J. 
I. Schnitzer and Sam Zierler. 

Miss West has another picture to 
make for Paramount before she 
could accept the Schnltzer-Zierler 
deal. Picture would be released 
through Radio. 



Tsk. Tsk. Such Goings On 

Hiring Pansbe in HoUsrwood Has Its Draw- 
backs—Want Cretonned Dressing Rooms 



Will 



BUZZELUS FINALE 

FreelancQ Upon Completina 
Hit Col. Contract 



Hollywood, Feb. 27 . 

Eddie Buzzell leaves Columbia on 
completion of 'Rules for Wives' final 
picture under his contract. 

Buzzell has received' number of 
offers from major studios but con- 
templates freelancing. 



COL BUILDING 
OWN STOCK CO. 



HELEN HAYES, LESLIE 
HOWARD B'WAY LEGIT 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

If a moratorium on her Metro 
fllm contract can be obtained, Helen 
Hayes may return to legit for one 
show under Max Gordon's manage- 
ment. Prior to Miss Hayes' and 
Charlie MacArthur's sailng for New 
York Saturday (26) on the 'Cali- 
fornia,' she conferred with Gordon 
on the stage proposition. 

Gordon will again see Miss Hayes 
when returining to New York In 
about two weeks. The show he has 
In mind was authored by Philip 
Barry. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Casting difilculties through inabil- 
ity to get feiatured players from 
other studios, thereby causing' pro- 
duction hold-ups and subsequent 
budget tilts will send Harry Cohn; 
to New York in two weeks in an en 
dcavor to r<:(.-rult stage players fpr^ 
Columbia's stock company. Players; 
will each get six months tickets at a^ 
small salary. Jack Curtis, agent, wHI 
accompany Cohn east and handle 
the negotiation^ with the players. 

For some time past Columbia has 
found itself on a spot when pictures 
were ready to start due to players 
figured for support parts being held 
over at other studios. Start of sev- 
eral pictures has had to be post- 
poned during the past three months 
for this reason. 

Cohn also figures that carrying 
half a dozen players under contract 
at a nominal salary will be offset 
through the studio not being forced 
to pay hold-up prices when requir- 
ing a particular player. 

Loaning price of recognized play- 
ers under contract to major studios 
Is usually upped about 60%. In the 
case of Columbia, In most instances, 
a two week guarantee is demanded 
for supporting players of any repu- 
tation. Usually Columbia rarely uses 
the player^ for over one week. 

Possibilities of building up some 
of the new iilayers so that Columbia 
can cash in on them also appeals to 
Cohn who had a taste of It with 
Constance Cummlngs whom Colum- 
bia was paying $150 weekly, and 
getting $2,000 weekly on loan. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Producers are goini; heavy on the 
panz stuff In current pix, despite 
the watchful eyes of the Hays of- 
flee, which ia attempting to keep 
the dual-sex boys and lesbos out of 
films. 

With a 'queer* flash in 'Caval- 
cade,' attitude is that If a picture 
of that typo can get away with it 
why not in the programmers. New- 
est Constance Bennett pic at Ra- 
dio, 'Our Betters,' has a mauve 
character that the Hays office has 
frowned on, and same for the new- 
est Fox picture, 'Sailor's Luck.' 

Paramount Is this weeh;- testing 
Jean Malin lor a violetty part in *I 
Love That Man." Hollywood can't 
understand why the test. Prize of 
all was the engaging this week by 
Fox of the 'boys will be girls' 
chorus that was recently in the 
BBB Cellar revue. 

Fox wanted the skirt wearing lad- 
dies for 'Warrior's Husband.' First 
day on the let there was the very 
old deuce to pay; yes, indeed, the 
boys kicked about being given the 
extra men's dressing rooms in 
which to don their costumes. 

Eventually they were given a dis- 
robing room all to themselves, with 
cretonne on the windows, and a veri- 
table feminine touch all round. 



Two Sets Save Extras 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

As an indicatlpn of what head- 
aches are in store for Journeymen 
extras, studio placements dropped 
again the past week from the week 
previous, going down a hundred to 
3,994, and only that good because 
of a 1,094 day. 

Two big sets helped. One had 460 
battlers on 'Warrior's Husband' at 
Fox for two days and the other 
was 600 Bonus army marchers for 
•On'iTiol Over the White House' at 
Metro. 



A New York report is that in ad 
ditlon to Helen Hayes, Leslie How 
ard is also wanted by Gordon for 
the same show. 



Par's 'Magoo' Stars 

Hollywood, Feb. 27, 
Frederic March and Miriam 
Hopkins will be co-starred in 'Great 
Magoo' by Paramount. 



SAILINGS 

March 9 (New York to Berlin) 
Jose Mojica (Dresden). 

March 4 (New York to Paris) Ed 
Perkins (Paris). 

Feb. 26 (New York to London) 
Gerald Sanger (Aquitania). 

Feb. 26 (Los Angeles to New 
York) Norma Shearer, Irving Thal- 
berg, Helen Hayes, Charles Mac- 
Arthur, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred New 
man (California). 

Feb. 26 (Los Angeles to South- 
ampton), Edwin Loeb (Amerika). 

Feb. 25 (New York to Milan) 
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Gilbert (Conte 
di Savola). 

Feb. 26 (West Indies cruise), Oc 
tavus Roy Cohen, M. A. Milllgan 
Louis J. Rome (Lafayette). 

Feb. 26 (New York to London), M. 
Paulsen (Majestic). 

Feb. 23 (London to New York) 
Gus Yorke, Sinclair Lewis (Ameri- 
can Farmer). 

Feb. 23 (New York to L(HidOD> 
Raymond Laogley (Bremen). 



RAFT'S PRESS TALK TO 
SQUARE PAR WALKOUT 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Georgie Raft met the press and 
told them that he had no quarrel to 
pick with Paramount. He claimed 
that he did not wish to tell the 
studio what type pictures to make, 
but that he did not want to kill his 
own career In 'Temple Drake,' the 
fllm he walked on. 

Raft further stated that he did 
not pretend he was an actor, but 
that other contract stars and play- 
ers had disagreed with the studio 
about parts and the company gave 
in to them. He hoped that they 
would do as much for him. 

Understood that when Raft called 
the press boys he was prepared to 
shoot the works verbally but started 
to hedge on ; the advice of friends. 
Publicity boys, however, told him it 
was too late to crawl. 



Par Tests Vilma Banky 
As Dietridi Successor 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Vilma Banky has been given a 
screen test in Berlin by Ike Blu- 
menthal of Paramount's foreign de- 
partment, and may get a picture 
offer when returning here in April 
with her husband. Rod La Rocque 
Studio is interested in Miss Banky, 
along with other continental ac- 
tresses, as a possible successor to 
Marlene Dietrich, whose contract 
with Par is about to expire. 

The former Sam Goldwyn star 
has been playing in Europe, recent- 
ly appearing in an English version 
of the Universal German -made, 
'The Rebel.' 



Metro Wants to Borrow 
Suspended Wynne Gibson 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Jack Conway has been assigned 
to direct 'The Ambulance Chaser,' 
next Lee Tracy pic which starts at 
Metro in two weeks. 

Studio is trying to borrow Wynne 
Gibson from Paramount for the 
femme lead. Miss Gibson is cur- 
rently suspended from that studio 
for refusing to work in 'Temple 
Drake.' 



judohent against gosson 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Judgment for $2,000 was handed 
down by a Jury in Superior court in 
favor of Harry and Eileen Hallen- 
berg, in their suit for damages 
against Leon Gordon. 

Action was the outcome of an 
anto accident In which the Hallen 
bergs were Injured by a car owned 
by Gordon. Plaintiffs originally 
asked for |56,000. 



Raft is being submitted for Eu- 
ropean stage personal appearances 
by Dick Henry of Curtis & Allen 
ofllcc. Henry represented Raft in 
vaude before the latter went pic- 
tures. 

Raft Is asking $3,000 a week for 
Europe. 



'CAT AND THE FH)DLE' 
FOR NOVARRO, METRO 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Metro has purchased 'Cat and 
Fiddle' from Max Gordon for $50,- 
000. Gordon had been in treaty 
with Radio for nearly four weeks 
with the offer of $40,000 and per- 
centage. Metro deal looked better 
and was signatured by the musical 
producer. 

Present idea is to use It as a 
starring vehicle for Ramon Novarro 
this summer. Screen actor has an 
excellent voice and operatic stage 
experience. 



Jeannette MacDonald's 
Paris Record, $52,800 

Paris, Feb. 17. 

First week of Jeannette MacDon- 
ald's stay at the Rex, new Halk 
theatre, established a new European 
fllm house hlet. with $52,860. Hou.so 
had previously claimed to hold the 
European hlsrh with about $41,000, 
the flgure and record disputed by 
the Paris Paramount's $12,000. 

Miss MacDonald played two weeks 
to big biz at the picture house. 



Fox Seeks Outside Lead 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Fox wants Helen Vincent from 
Warners for the femme lead in 
Jesse Lasky's 'Power and tlie Ciloi y.' 

Filming starts this week, with 
William Howard c'liecilng. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1935 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



HOWU.S.ANDEUROPEDIFFER 



Coast leggers Unload at Depresh 
Prices and Money Back Guarantee 



Hollywood, Feb. W. 
Wholesale reductions in bonded 

whiskeys, aa well as home-made 
brands, have been put in effect by 
leggers catering to the screen col- 
ony. New price list, just Issued, is 
labelled '1933 Depression' schedule, 
and brings prices down to their 
lowest level since prohibition be- 
came effective. 

Imported (from Mexico) deluxe 
brands of bourbon are retailing at 
$38 by the case (24 pints) and in- 
dividual sales are at $2 a pint, three 
lor ?B.75. Other imported bourbon 
and rye brands are quoted three 
pints for $5, $32.50 by the case. 

Price list contains a guarantee 
as to purity, quality and represen- 
tation, with a money back offer if 
dlssatlsfled. Delivery service, with- 
in a 20-mile radius of downtown 
Los Angeles, is in effect dally from 
8 a.m. to 0 p.m., and two hours later 
on Saturday, For distances beyond 
the 20-mile limit, an extra charge 
of 50c for each two miles is made. 
Foresee Modification 

Liocal 'leggers are making a last 
hour stab for biz, figuring that 
modification of the Volstead act 
•will be enacted by Congress within 
the next couple of months, and that 
repeal of the Eighteenth amend- 
ment is not far distant. 

Prevailing prices, as quoted, fol- 
low: 

SCOTCH 
Imported — All Brands 

2 fifths 6.00 

12 fifths (1 case) 25.00 

Imported — Barreled 

% gallon 6.00 

6 gallons 36.00 

BOURBON 
(Imported — Deluxe Brands) 

3 pints 6.75 

t4 pints (1 case) 38.00 

Imported — Other Brands 

8 pints 5.00 

24 pints (1 case) 32.50 

RYE 

Imported — All Brando 

3 pints 6.00 

24 pints (1 case) 32.60 

BOURBON BAR 
(Own Make) 

% gallon 2.50 

1 gallon 4.60 

5 gallons 18.50 

OLD COLONEL 

2 fifths 6.50 

12 fifths (cases) 35.00 

GIN 
(AM Brands) 

3 fifths 3.00 

12 fifths (1 case) 10.00 

(Own Make) 

% gallon 2.50 

1 gallon 4.50 

3 gallons 12.50 

Cordials and brandies (own 
made) range from $3 per one-half 
gallon to $20 for five gallons. Alky 
(190 proof) priced at $3 per one- 
hnlf gallon, $20 per five gallon tin. 



EX-N. Y. ASST. D. A. 
INTO PIC PRODUCTION 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Howard Spellman, formerly an 
assistant district attorney in New 
York, is tlie new production aide to 
B. i". Schulberg at Paramount. He 
fills the berth vacated by Erwln 
Gelsey. 

Spellman has been around the 
Schullierg ofllce unofflcially since 
selling the producer his original 
story, 'On Probation,' which Is based 
on his experiences around New York 
courts. 



Reforming Oakie 



It took a woman to get Jack 
Oakie to discard his sweat 
shirt and sport shoes. Ever since 
Peggy Hopkins Joyce got ac- 
quainted with him, and began 
to carry him in her social en- 
tourage. Jack has been all 
dressed up. 

Wears a derby hat, spats, 
white collar, etc. 
(From 'Variety's' Hollywood 
BulleUn). 



JOCK WHITNEY 
AimiNGPIX 



John Jay 'Jock* Whitney la re 
ported the flnancloJ backer of a 
bullfight picture to be produced by 
Ernest Hemingway, author, and 
Lewis Milestone. Hemingway who 

would write the story has been dis- 
cussing It In the east with Mile- 
stone. Young Whitney is a personal 
friend of Hemingway's. 

Sidney Franklin, who w&s with 
Eddie Cantor In 'Kid From Spain,' 
is in mind for the picture. 

It will be made abroad, probably 
around San Sebastian, Spain, from 
plans, with a Hollywood crew taken 
over when picture is ready to go in 
production some time this summer. 
Franklin is sailing shortly for the 
spring bullfighting season and will 
remain in Europe until the pro- 
posed picture, if not falling through, 
is completed. 



TIIIK[IIS CREIITt 
SHARP TASTES 

Eric Fommer on Films — 
Differences of Tempera- 
ment and Conditions Fig- 
ure as Importantly as the 
Linguistic Limitation* — 
Contrast of Nationalistic 
Emotions Also Figures 



THE FOREIGN SLANT 



Clara Bow Brings Twin 
Cousins from B'klyn 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Tlotiiiiilng from her European 
trip tuday, Clara Dow brings her 
twill cousins, John nnA Lillian Bow, 
of r,rf)()K-lyn. 

Acti-f^ss will put the younffstors in 
school here, then take them to her 
r.aneh for the summer, 



Income Tax Arrears 
Cancel $8,000 Paris 
Bookings for Negri 



Pola Negri's income tax trouble, 
over which the U. S. Government 
twice restrained her from sailing for 
Europe last week, may cost her 
$8,000 in foreign stage bookings. 
Miss Negri was booked for two 
weeks at $4,000 each at the Rex, 
Paris, a picture house, commencing 
March 3. 

The 'Bremen,' which left New 
York Thursday (23) was the last 
boat that could have delivered the 
Polish film name to Paris in time. 
Attempt is being made by Miss 
Negri's agent, William Morris office, 
to have the Paris bookings deferred 
to a later dace. 

Miss Negri is said to owe the 
government around $80,000 from 
past earnings in America. She ar- 
ranged to pay off at the rate of $750 
a week some time ago, but was re- 
ported to have defaulted after the 
first installment. Outside of one 
picture for Radio and some vaude 
and picture house bookings Miss 
Negri hasn't been as active this time 
as in previous trips to this country. 

If the Paris dates are to be 
played at al), a final settlement with 
Uncle Sam will have to be made by 
Miss Negri before she can sail. 



By Cecelia Ager 

The European and American ple- 
turo markets are two separate fields, 
each demanding its own specialized 
product. The average American talk- 
ing picture is no mors suitable for 
European audiences than the average 
European picture is suitable to 
American tastes. Specials alone, be- 
cause they have a Ug story, • big 
thought behind them, a universal 
theme, can transcend national 
boundaries. Specials only have in- 
ternational appeal. 

The average picture, whether 
made in America or Europe, should 
consider only its home market, must 
be content with the returns from its 
own country. The vast difference 
between public taste in Europe and 
America makes the hope for inter- 
national appeal in the average pic- 
ture necessarily futile, says Eric 
Pommer. 

There la flrst the difference In 
languages to prevent an Imported 
picture's success on both continents. 
Dubbing of American films In for- 
eign languages Is as unsatisfactory 
as superimposing American titles on 
European language films, when it 
come to attracting the general pub- 
lic, believes Mr. Pommer. Pictures 
seeking an International market 
must be made in three separate ver- 
sions, English, French, and German, 
and only for special pictures is the 
production budget large enough to 
permit it. 

Mr. Pommer points out the dif- 
ference, too. In the present social 
order which denies the average pic- 
ture like success in Europe and 
America, Germany for 10 years 
now has been, struggling with eco- 
nomic necessity, suffering unem- 
ployment and privation, unfavorable 
economic conditions which are com- 
paratively new to America. The 
German public, submitting so long 
to stark depression, wants its 
(Continued on page 41) 



Exclusive Territorial Rights for Mex 
Divorce Biz Sold to U. S. Promoters 



Heartless 



Hollywood, Feb. 2t. 

With the economic wave on 
in studios, the freelance press 
agents are squawking. They 
claim that the photo mailers 
which formerly lay around on 
desks m the publicity depart- 
ments, are now kept tjnder 
lock and key, and counted out 
when needed for official busi- 
ness only. 

So now they have to buy 
their own containers. 
— From 'Variety's' Hollywood 
Bulletin. 



KATZ ANGLE IN 
MARX' SQUAWK? 



Holljrwood, Feb. 37. 

Production on Marx Bros.' 'Grass- 
hoppers' at Paramount has been 
suspended for a few days while the 
script takes another recess In the 
scenario department. Needs con- 
siderable revision. 

Meanwhile the Marx quartet Is 
jamming with Par on terms, ask- 
ing for a new deal and at the same 
time entering strenuous objection 
to switching froni Paramount Pub- 
lix to Paramount Productions. 

No loss is entailed through the 
stoppage since no staff or cast had 
yet been assigned to the production 
which originally had been slated for 
April 1. 

Inside reports ascribe the Marx's 
reluctance to a desire to get en- 
tirely out of their Paramount obli- 
gation to be free to hook with Sam 
Katz, who has been after them. 
Katz's idea is to get six strong 
stars to make two productions each 
over the year. In the Interims they 
would be used in stage productions 
to be staged for Katz by Sam H. 
Harris and Max Gordon. 

Deal on which it is said Sam Katz 
and the Four Marx Bros, have 
agreed calls for a 50% of the gross 
rentals on picture to be made with 
the Marxes. Katz would personally 
finance the production, with the 
60-50 split on distribution return to 
the Marx quartet in lieu of salary. 

It is expected that a Marx picture 
will be the fltst turned out by Katz, 
if and when his producing plans are 
formulated. 



Pic Eds Shy from Hollywood 

Loads of Syndicate Stuff Hold Scribes to 
Once a Year Trip to Studios 



Metro's Film Stock Into 
HoUy Blvd. Legit Stand 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Louis B. Mayer is personally ne- 
protiating for the purchase of the 
ICl Capitan theatres and property 
In Ilollywood with report that 
Metro will try out their stock com- 
pany iOea in this house. 



Dick Bennett Vamps 

IIolly\vr)oiI, Feb. 27. 
Richard Bennott. cl.'ilmincr tii ho 
very ill, hopped ahoarrt the S. 
Santa l':iisa .Tntl sailefl for Central 
America Sunday. 



Hollywood, Feb. 26. 

Despite Hollywood's opinion of its 
importance, only a dozen newspa- 
pers in the United States consider 
the picture colony hot enough copy 
to send their dramatic or picture 
editors out here with any degree of 
regularity for first hand informa- 
tion. Once each year, or there- 
abouts, the scribes trip out to Holly- 
wood, gather sufllclent material to 
last them for several months, meet 
the celebs and would-be important 
ones and grab a rattler for their 
homo towns. 

On the twelvemonth visiting list 
are Eileen Crcelman of the N. Y. 
'Sun,' Harry Nicmeyer of the St. 
Louis 'I'ost Dispatch,' Wood Soanes 
oC the Oakland 'Tribune,' Kicliard 
Hays of the Seattle 'Times,' Jack 
Mofiltt of the Kansas CMty '.Star,' 
Claiido La Belle oC the ,San Fran- 
cisco '.\ews,' Oeorpe Warren of the 
San r'rancisoo 'Chronicle,' and Hazel 
I'l.\-nn of the Chicacro 'Kxaminer.' 
J^eforo going Into the Fox studio 
t)ii))licity department, Harry Brund- 
age, formerly dramatic editor of the 



St. Louis 'Star-Times,' was a yearly 
visitor. 

Infrequent visitors to the coast 
are Harold Hcffernan of the De- 
troit 'Xews,' Harold Cohen of the 
l^Ittsburgh 'Gazette,' and Sidney 
.Skolsky, columnist on the N. Y. 
'Daily News.' Latter came out here 
for three weeks last f.all, remained 
for three months and almost be- 
came a native son, going hatles.s 
and picking up some other Holly- 
wood hoooy. 

During baseljall's spring truining 
sessions, several sports writers make 
the coast and usually bat out a few 
l)aKes of picture stuff. Among the 
sjiort \vriter.«) are Harry Salsinprer 
of the Uctroit 'News,' Francis Pow- 
ers of the (,'onsolldated Pietts, AVest- 
brook I'egler and D.imon Kunyon. 

Willie first liand informal ioji on 
the studios looks like .a fiomi ;in.,'le 
for the dramatic anil i)icliii'c writers 
If) promote a co;ist trip, most of Ihr- 
rn.'mairini? erlitors ^'n tljuiiib.« down 
on the Idea with so much ,<-y iidici le 
stuff in)urinir into Ibe editori.-il ol- 
flci->4 ,if all lie w-'pajjers (hilly. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Newest wrinkle in the Mexican di- 
vorce racket is the selling of ex- 
clusive territory In the United 
States to persons who wish to rep- 
resent the various states below the 
border which are In competition for 
mail order divorce business. 

With Hollywood figured as a bon- 
anza field, Pacific coast rights to 
represent Salvador Franco Urlas, 
ex-sehator of Mexico and father of 
the Chihuahua divorce law, were 
bought by two Texans and a local 
Insurance broker, who have opened 
offices here in their quest for Cal- 
ifornia hitch-hurdling gold. 

According to Eliss B. Bell, the 
front man, they are going in the 
divorce game in a wholesale man- 
ner to try to offset the mail-order 
strides made here by the states of 
Sonora and Morelos. 

Ties Cut in 48 Hours 
He says It is an asset to represent 
Senator Urlas, who makes liis head- 
quarters In Juarez and can put an 
uncontested divorce through the 
mills in 48 hours and a contested di- 
vorce In 30 days. In neither case. 
It is explained, is It necessary for 
the parties to appear. 

Calling themselves the Interna- 
tional Lawyers, the trio have ads in 
one of the dailies promising those 
who answer it a pamphlet on Mexi- 
can divorces. Those calling at the 
oflSce for a divorce are told that 60% 
of the fee is necessary as a re- 
tainer and the remainder when the 
split Is granted. 

Bliss figures the newspaper re- 
sponses only chicken feed and ad- 
mits that they are aiming for bigger 
game in Hollywood. He talks of 
fees of 15,000 to )10,000 from pic- 
ture colony clients against the |160 
charged the more plebeian split 
seekers. 



Chico Vs. Ely Bridge 
Batti^ oif Century; 
$25,000 the Side? 



That almost bridge contest be- 
tween the Culbertsons and Chico 
and Harpo Marx has now gone be- 
yond the publicity stages, and has 
the two sides calling each other 
names. 

Ely Culbertson's latest comeback 
is that he doesn't play the game for 
money but he will, however, play 
for $25,000 a side, to be donated to 
charity. 

'He doesn't play for money,' re- 
torts Chico Marx,' then how about 
that $100 check I won from him a 
few months ago in New York?' 

Chico really does know the ad- 
vanced game and he takes it seri- 
ously, despite the kidding and rib- 
bing of the other three brothers. 



METRO'S MUSICAL WITH 
SCHNOZ, WYNN, PEARL 



Hollywood, Feb. 27, 
Warner studio Is burning as re- 
sult of Metro's intention to resur- 
rect 'Hollywood Revue' for a 1933 
edition. WB figured Itself first on 
retry on musicals by announcing 
'f'rold Dlgger.«! of 193.?' and wonders 
if Metro Is trying to steal Its fire. 

Wliilc it may be a close race on. 
release, WB believes it will win out, 
though not expecting to get 'Gold 
Digtrers' Into theatres until July. 

Metro will not be able to begin 
'Jl(.||y\vood I'.evue' for some time 
yet, bavins: ro wait for some of its 
lah'nt, whkh Includes I'M Wynn, 
Jimmy Durante and Jack Pearl. 



Perlbergs* Baby 

Hollywood. Feb. 27. 
j The i;ill Perlber^'s (Billie Brox) 
j urc ,uloptiiiK a baby which will 
fimc here from New York. A sis-' 
I ter of .Mrs. Perlberg will bring the 
[infant across the country. 
Yi.)ipnf;«ter is a redhead. 



VARIETY 



PICTURES 



Tmmdmjt February 28, 1933 



Frisco 'Chronicle Show Venture 
For Self-BaDyhpo Burning Local 
Showmen Even Tho Stunt Fliwed 



Ban Francisco, F«b, 27. 
Aggravated burn which local the- 
atremen have been nursing: against 
the dally 'Chronicle' for its recent 
benefit show racket, has been some 
what abated by flop which the 
sheet's Washington Birthday show 
did at the Civic auditorium. 

What aroused the ire of show- 
men more than anything else is the 
fact that after they had refused 
co-operation to 'Chronicle/ the pa- 
per made a deal with the Wampas 
for the *33 stars of that organiza- 
tion. It was Interpreted that the 
dally got the picture Industry to 
run competition to theatres play- 
ing its own product. 

In chronological order, what hap- 
pened was that the paper made a 
deal with the foreign war vets for 
a big carnival. Paper got two 
breaks. First, it built up circula- 
tion by promoting a Pageant Queen 
contest, winner to be selected by 
number of subscriptions she secured. 
Second, it again put 'Chronic' in 
solid with those vets who were mad 
because sheet recently opposed bonus 
payments. 

After the dally had made Its vets' 
contact, publication execs ap- 
proached theatres to supply talent 
gratis. Houses couldn't see that, 
claiming biz was bad enough to 
supply competish for themselves. 
So 'Chronic' sent Its theatre editor, 
George Warren, to Hollywood where 
he lined up Tom Bailey, Wampas 
prez, and latter secured the '33 
Baby Wampas Stars. 

.Theatres delivered ar ultimatum 
to the paper that If It wanted ad- 
vertising support there had better 
be some breaks dealt out. So the 
sheet peimltted Wampas stars to 
make four appearances on Washing- 
ton's Birthday, two at RKO's Gold- 
en Gate, two at Fox's Warfleld. 

By that time the Wampas stars' 
draw had been sadly diminished, 
and by the time an honor dinner 
had been completed, Qiany stars 
failed to show at the 'benefit' and 
attendance was pretty poor. 

Stars stayed over, for another day, 
making two appearances for Fox 
Orpheum, Oakland, and at Shrine 
luncheoa here. 'Chronicle' footed all 
bills, including hotel, transportation 
and meals, and dropped about |2,600 
on the whole deal. 

Theatre men have determined to 
keep one resolution, made even be- 
for this deal started — no free acts 
to other shows, and no benefits. 



Corrigan Settles Fox 

Contract and Walks 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Refusing to take a second layoff 
of four weeks after taking one of 
that period, Lloyd Corrlgan made a 
settlement with Fox and left the lot. 

Former Paramount writer went to 
Fox to direct 'Giant Swing,' but 
when this story was shelved he was 
put to work preparing scripts. 



ANTI- RAIDING 
PACT DEEMED 
WORTHLESS 



Hollywood, Feb. 37. 
Indicatlotis are that the produc- 
ers' agreement Is now a scrap of 
paper with producers charging each 
other .with, double crossing and . vio- 
lation of the agreement in raiding 
contract acting, writing, directing 
and executive talent. Academy is 
how stepping In with the hope of 
alleviating a condition described by 
the Academy as guerrilla warfare. 
Pact has six months to run, but is 
now virtually in the waste basket. 

Ineffectuality .of the agreement is 
said to have caused the resignation 
of Edwin Loeb, who stepped out of 
his $60,000 a year berth as arbiter of 
the pact. 

Academy in compiling reports of 
contracts signed since the agree- 
ment was made found sufficient evi- 
dence to prove that virtually all stu- 
dios have been guilty of violations 
of the agreement, it is said. 

Evidence will be used In further 
Inquiries with the hope that some 
code of ethics or system might be 
created to halt the asserted double- 
dealing. In this regard a series of 
hearings are to be held with all 
studio heads and others Involved 
summoned for testimony. 



Coast Hotels Scramble 
For Pic Name Personals 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

With every local hotel of any im- 
portance using a press agent, 
there is considerable competition 
among the craft for film name ap- 
pearances at the night spots. New- 
est gag is to throw free feeds and 
blowouts for the celebs. 

Picture mob are going for the 
free stuff, overlooking the angle 
that by doing so they are playing 
personal appearances for nothing. 
Back of the generosity is space in 
the papers, and a comeon for the 
hinterlanders to spend a little coin 
and see a celeb at play. 



Par Options Ruggles, 

Drops, Adds Writers 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Henry Meyers, New York play 
Wright, who is working on 'Bed 
time Story' for Chevalier at Para 
mount, is out. Gene Markey has 
been added to the staff there to 
work on 'Eagle And the Hawk'. 

Paramount also took up option for 
another six months on Charles Rug 
gles, two months ahead of option. 



Jeanette's Top Tunes 



Cast opposite Chevalier, 
Dennis King and Jack Bu- 
chanan, Jeanette MacDonald's 
vocal opportunities in screen 
operettas have been outstand- 
ing. That is to say probably 
no one in musical comedy, and 
certainly not in pictures, has 
ever fallen heir to the succes- 
sion of hit tunes given Miss 
MacDonald to sing for the 
screen. 

Starting with "Dream Lover' 
and 'March of the Grenadiers' 
in 'The Love Parade,' a recap- 
itulation of some of the mel- 
odies given Miss McDonald to 
introduce disclose 'Beyond the 
Blue Horizon,' 'Always in All 
Ways,' 'Trimmin' the WImmen' 
(duet), 'Give Me a Moment 
Please' from 'Monte Carlo,' 
'Isn't It Romantic' and "Love 
Me Tonight,' fi'om "Love Me 
Tonight;' 'We'll Always Be 
Sweethearts' and 'One Hour 
with You,' from 'One Hour 
with You;' 'Only a Rose' and 
'Some Day' from "Vagabond 
King.' 

Incidentally, so many of her 
songs have been sung from a 
bed that facetious tin pan al- 
ley boys call Miss McDonald 
the 'boudoir warbler.' 



Fox Resists C T. Suit to Void Deal 
For Millions m Fihn Co. Transfer 



ROBESON'S $30,000 TO 
FnJH TMPEROR JONES' 



IWW mm ACTIVELY 
ORGANIZING EHRAS 



Fllmcholce has signatured Paul 
Robeson for the title role In 'Em- 
peror Jones' and is negotiating 
with Dudley Digges to handle the 
Smlthers part. Robeson Is under- 
stood to be getting $30,000 on a six- 
week Aiming basis. 

Proposal Is to start actual pro- 
duction within the next three 
weeks. Shooting probably at the 
former Par.<imount Astoria studios, 
though not definitely set, with an 
outside possibility the film may be 
made on the coast. 

Dudley Murphy, who will meg, 
has also helped adapt the scenario 
from the- Eugene O'Neill play, with 
O'Neill officially okaying the script 
before shooting begins. 



Chaplin in Production 
Again in Two Months 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Charles Chaplin has been inter- 
viewing technical people and mak- 
ing other preparations with the ob- 
ject of starting a feature In two 
months, 

Chaplin has two stories, a comedy 
and a drama, but has not decided 
which to produce. Comedian plans 
to direct the drama which will be a 
silent. Comedy might star himself. 
In this case It would be silent 



PAR'S UNUSUAL 
3D WEQ[ FOR 
MAE WEST 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Theodore Vaughn, local delegate, 
has admitted to 'Variety' that the 
Industrial Workers of the World is 
active in organizing extras and 
other crafts in the motion picture 
studios. 

Initiation fee for the recruits, 
Vaughn said, is $1, with a 60o. a 
month slapped on for dues. 



Gilbert Miller's First 
For CoL Proi in &ig. 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Gilbert Miller will make bis first 
picture for Columbia in England. 
English story has been bought and 
Leslie Howard will be starred. 

Harry Cohn will probably go there 
this summer while Miller is pro- 
ducing. 



Evelyn Brent in Vaude 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Hvelyn Brent and Harry Fox open 
a vaude tour at the Orpheum, 
Omaha, Mar. S. Joey DeBard Is 
also in the act. 

Sam Walsh, formerly of the Bally- 
hoo night club here,' replaced Fox 
as m.c. at Sebastian's Cotton Club. 



Warner Bros. Will Pay $1,100,000 
Interest and Do^e Complications 



Star Twice Married 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Betty Balfour, English picture 
star now here visiting Jimmy 
Campbell, songwriter and music 
publisher, states they were married 
twice, once in England and again 
here when Campbell's divorce de- 
cree became final Feb. 14. 

Campbell Is here vrriting a mu- 
sical plctnre. 

...'tf.VV' ..n03J 0(-l>,tl'v C r .•■■1 • r . IK ■ 



Warner Brothers faces a crisis 
this week and its board of directors 
today (28) will have to decide 
whether to conserve assets and con- 
front immediate receivership or to 
pay interest of $1,100,000 on deben- 
tures and continue the present con- 
trol of the organization. There was 
every indication yesterday (Mon- 
day) afternoon that the Interest will 
be paid March 1. In fact, in certain 
executive circles, confidence was ex- 
pressed that the session of the di- 
rectorate would be a formality. 

Cash assets of the Warner organ- 
ization are about the same as they 
were reported in the first quarterly 
statement, around 12,600,000 it was 
declared. 

Throughout the Warner organiza- 
tion confidence Is generally mani- 
fested that the Brothers will be 
among film companies in the busi- 
ness to weather the depression. 

Only a few weeks ago Warners 
revealed its stand against receiver- 
ship. Then the statements were 
made that WB had no apprehension 
about receivership. 



2 Want Musical's Screen 
Rights; Also June Knight 

Either Universal or Radio may 
turn 'Take a Chance', current New 
York musical, into a picture. Both 
companies have opened negotiations 
with Leo Morrison, who represents 
Schwab & Do Sylva on deals. 

Universal is also interested in 
getting June Knight from the show. 
Three montns ago U offered her a 
picture contract. 



Frank Conroy to Metro 

Resigning from the 'Criminal At 
Large' (Broadway legit) cast, Frank 
Conroy left for the Coast Sunday 
(26) to Join Metro. He has been 
signed under a three months' con- 
tract, with options, at a reported 
$750 weekly. 

Conroy's previous picture experi- 
ence was in 'Possessed' for Metro 
and 'Royal Family* for Paf. New 
deal was negotiated for him by Joe 
JEUvkln, Leo Morrison's eastern rep- 
resentatlvaw 



An outstanding draw at the Para- 
mount, N. T., on her two weeks' en- 
gagement there and currently at 
Brooklyn Paramount setting up a 
new attendance record, Mae West 
with her picture, 'She Done Him 
Wrong,', is being brought back to 
the Broadway house for a return 
date. Show intact after closing a 
week in Brooklyn Thursday (2) 
night, comes back to the New York 
Par for Friday (3). 

It's the first time a complete show 
has been brought back for a repeat 
date. None of the first-run houses, 
once letting an engagement end, 
hasn't even given a picture attrac- 
tion a booking of this kind. 

Prior to decision yesterday (Mon- 
day) to give the West show a third 
week, Publix had been considering 
a repeat run of a week or more at 
the Rlalto, which Is closed. 

Miss West and her picture brought 
the New York Par close to $122,000 
on a stay of 15 days, and this week 
in Brooklyn she will do around $52,- 
OOO, equalling the gross of Eddie 
Cantor and George Jeseel during 
Christmas week. Cantor and Jcssel 
set up a new attendance record, but 
at that gross there was a holiday 
and holiday prices to help. 

Over across the bridge, the sex 
girl is outdrawing Ed Wynn (at 
Metropolitan) more than two to one. 
Wynn, with 'Ladies They Talk 
About' (WB) on screen, will not do 
over $27,000. 

Miss West's salary is $5,600 with 
a split over $56,000 in New York and 
a split in Brooklyn over $42,000. 

Return New York engaigoment of 
the West show la made possible 
through willingness of RICO to wait 
for the picture for its New York 
houses. While originally 'She Done 
Him Wrong* would have gone into 
the Mayfair, through RKO's walk on 
the lease in that house it will prob- 
ably go into the Palace and day- 
and-date in RKO neighborhoods. 

On top of the New York date. 
Miss West and her flicker go to 
Chicago to play a week at B. & K's 
Chicago, opening March 10. Follow- 
ing that Miss West is scheduled to 
return to the coast to make another 
picture for Par, 

As a result of the third N. Y. 
week, Publix sets back 'Woman Ac- 
cused' (Par) and an all-star radio 
show to March 10. This is the sec- 
ond postponement for 'Accused.' 



Fox Thumbs Down on 
Jig Saw Co-operation 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

There'll be no capitalizing on 
screen names to promote the sale 
of Jig-saw puzzles so far as Fox Is 
concerned. An order has been Just 
Issued prohibiting co-operation with 
the manufacturers of the cut-out 
brain twisters. 

Fox execs figure the Jig-saw as a 
theatre competitor. 



U's Whale Loan 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Universal has loaned James Whale 
to Metro for the directorial assign- 
ment on 'The Fountain.' 

This- will be one of the produc- 
tions under the supervision of David 
O. Selznick. 



Wilmington, Feb. 27. 

William Fox, through All Con- 
tinent, his «ul)sld., answered charges 
of U. 8. Senator Daniel O. Hastings, 
receiver tor Greneral Theatres in the 
Chancery Court action to recover 
$2,800,000 of Gen. Theatres notes 
turned Into All Continent by Wil- 
liam Fox, and to recover payments 
already made on the notes. 

The notes were in settlement with 
Fox of an agreement between him 
and Harley Clarke, Gen. Theati-es 
president, under which G.T. was to 
use Its best offices to obtain for 
Wm. Fox up to 10% of Fox Film or 
Fox Theatres in any underwriting 
by G.T. of those shares. This was 
in addition to 10% Fox was to get 
OS a flat agreement. The arrange- 
ment was incidental to the $16,000,- 
000 sale bj^ Wm. Fox of Fox Thea- 
tres and Fox Film to General Thea- 
tres. 

Complaint of Gen. Theatres 
charged Albert Greenfield, retained 
by G.T. to make the settlement with 
Fox, also had an agreement with 
Fox, thereby standing to cash in 
on both ends. The answer includes 
ah affidavit by Greenfield in which 
he denies concealing this arrange- 
ment from Gen. Theatres. Grcpn- 
fleld was to get 10% of the settle- 
ment from Fox, besides his fee 
from Gen. T. The 10% was $300,- 
000, a G.T. note for which, Green- 
field says. Fox handed him while 
Clarke was in the room. Greenfield 
claims Clarke wanted to settle in 
cash because G.T. was operating in 
the market with a syndicate to sell, 
and a block of shares Issued to Fox 
might prove embarrassing. Wm. 
Fox, in a separate affidavit, sup- 
ported this position. Greenfield's 
$300,000 G.T. note Is now held by 
the Philadelphia National Bank and 
the G.T. receiver's petition asks It 
be voided. 

Fox demanded the additional iO% 
participation in Fox Film Class A 
stock in May, 1930, three months 
after the $15,000,000 sale to G.T., 
but G.T. claimed he was entitled 
only to the first 10%, or 160,000 
shares. G.T. bought the stock from 
Fox at $30 a share AprU 18, 1930, 
when it was being quoted around 
$20 on the market. During the three 
months, however. It rose above $30, 
when Fox claimed his shares at the 
lower level. Greenfleld entered at 
this point to make the $2,800,000 
cash settlement with Fox, which 
G.T. now claims was improper be- 
cause of Greenfield's two-way con- 
nection. 



A recent decision by Federal 
Judge Kllpatrick in Philadelphia in 
favor of A. C. Blumenthal against 
Albert' Greenfleld, of the same city, 
for $150,000 may have a bearing on 
the suit against William Fox by 
General Theatres, which Is pending 
in Wilmington Federal courts. Wil- 
liam Fox is in Florida, but through 
counsel has flled affidavits denying 
the G. T. E. allegations entirely. 

In the Blumey suit against Green- 
fleld, which happens to be related 
to the G. T. E. versus All Conti- 
nental, to more than ordinary de- 
gree, Blumey sought to recover half 
the commission received by Green- 
fleld in the 1930 deal, by which Fox 
sold his stock to the Clarke inter- 
ests. It was Blumey's contention 
that he paid Greenfleld half of the 
$50<l,000 commission that Blumen- 
thal received In the original Fox- 
Loew matter. 

Blumey claimed he had an ar- 
rangement with Greenfleld whereby 
the latter in turn was to divide anj'- 
thlng he (Greenfield) might receive 
with Blumey. 

Greenfleld admitted receiving 
$260,000 from General Theatres as 
commission for bringing about the 
settlement whereby Wm. Fox got the 
$2,800,000 concession from Q. T. E., 
but claimed this was for a 10% In- 
terest he held In the financing with 
Fox. However, Judge Kllpatrlck in 
the Federal court at Philadelphia 
held that the money Greenfleld re- 
ceived from G. B. did not so rep- 
resent any 10% Interest, and or- 
dered a division of the amount with 
Blumey. 



PABIS AS INTERLUDE 

Grace PoggI, Goldwyn contiactoe, 
sails this week for Paris to open 
M^rch 10 at Giro's (cafe) for two 
weeks on a William Morris booking. 

Miss Poggl, who was in 'Kid From 
Spain,' has a year to go with Gold- 
wyn. Contract Is being set back for 
the Paris time allowance. 



Tueadaj, F^bniarf 28, 1933 



r 1 CT 



E s 



VARIETY 



WALL STREET DOPES IT OUT 



Fox West Coast in Voluntary 
Bankruptcy, Chas Skouras Rcvr.; 
Separate Subsids for Theatres 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Voluntary petition In bankruptcy 
waa flled by Fox West Coast The- 
atres, California corporation, be- 
fore U. S. District Judge William 
P. James this (27) morniner, with 
Charles Skouras appointed receiver 
under bond of $150,000. 

Charles A. Buckley, v.p, of Fox 
West Coast, presented the petition 
upon authorization by the board of 
directors, stating that the corpora- 
tion owed provable debts which it 
was unable' to pay in full, and, for 
the benefit of creditors, asks F-WC 
permission take relief through the 
congressional act. 

No schedules filed by Attorneys 
O'Melveny, Tuller & Myers. 

On Saturday some unknown per- 
son attached all bank accounts of 
Fox West Coast in various institu- 
tions around Los Angeles with 
orders going out Saturday night for 
all theatres to conserve their cash 
and bring in to home oflice and not 
deposit. 

It's understood here that about 
SB are Included in this group with 
the other houses operated by the 
oompany being in the new Fox Cali- 
fornia corporation and in 26 sepa- 
rate subsidiai'y organizations. 

Petition states three factors are 
responsible for filing. First, high 
rentals based on conditions of sev- 
eral years ago. Large purchase 
contracts by circuit and theatre and 
general reduction prices in admis- 
sions. 

Receiver states a number of the- 
atres will be closed which is to be 
decided by him and trustee who will 
be appointed by court. Forty houses 
will be affected by bankruptcy. 

Fox West Coast owns the stock 
In the Fox California Theat.-es and 
26 other corporations organized re- 
cently with receiver declaring they 
will not be directly affected by the 
bankruptcy. 

Capitalization of Fox West Coast 
Is $3,000,000 with $2,000,000 out- 
standing in stock issued. Likely 
Alfred E. Wright, attorney for Fox 
Film Corp., will be appointed trus- 
tee. < 

Until the bankruptcy adjudica- 
tion, no referee will be appointed 
by the court at present, according 
to Buckley, v.p. and attorney. Only 
40 theatres are Involved. Unable 
to tell Just which houses they are 
on account of confusion with sub- 
letting of theatre leases by Fox 
West Coast to subsidiary corpora- 
tions. It's officially stated that the 
houses taken over from United Ar- 
tists Corp. here and Paramount in 
San Francisco are not Included In 
bankruptcy. Only house known 
definitely Is the Boulevard here 
where F-WC maintains Its execu- 
tive offices. 



BM WILL HTE 
RECEIVERSHIP 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Bulaban & Katz will fight receiv- 
ership petition filed by Maurice 
Davis, attorney for Rose Phllbrook, 
who owns a $1,000 bond. Although 
a big deficit for 1932 Is expected to 
be reported In April, B&K claims 
relatively good position. 

Through their domination of Chi- 
cago and freedom from opposilion, 
the company has a better chance to 
fight Its way through. However, 
serious fiscal troubles for B&K 
would possibly drag down the whole 
motion picture structure In Chicago, 
of which 35 B&K houses Is the 
foundation. 

The chief Pliilbrook allegation is 
the purchase of Great States' stock 
at a high figure, Jeopardizing the 
value of the bonds. 

Heri'.'in.q: for today (Mon.) was 
put over to Thursday (2) at 10 a. m. 



Kent on Costs 



In a statement in which he 
confirmed the Fox West Coast 
Theatres bankruptcy and in 
which he attributed the same 
largely to the refusal of land- 
lords and bondholders to co- 
operate, S. R. Kent declared: 

'Coming as It does right at 
the front door of Hollywood, 
it should bring forcibly to the 
attention of the studio forces 
the necessity for a sharp re- 
adjustment of costs. 

'It should demonstrate un- 
mistakably to Hollywood that 
no branch of this industry can 
remain aloof from present eco- 
nomic pressure and that costs 
and operations can no longer 
continue on a pre-depresslon 
basis, but must be adjusted 
downward to confirm with ex- 
isting conditions.' 



No Shooting 
Until Scripts 
Completed, MG 



Culver City, Feb. 27. 

Under an edict from Louis B. 
Mayer, no film is to go into produc- 
lon at Metro until the script Is com- 
pleted and okayed by Mayer. This is 
to halt the stopping of filming dur- 
ing production to revise script after 
It has been found that the stories 
are incomplete. 

Such practices have been recent 
on several films, particularly 'Ras- 
putin,' 'Hell Below' and 'White Sis- 
ters.' This stopping of production, 
according to Mayer, has been far too 
costly, especially on 'Rasputin,' 
which was in the filming process 24 
weeks. 

First pictures to go In under the 
new rule are Walter Wanger's 'Gab- 
riel Over the White House' and Lu- 
clen Hubbard's 'Made on Broadway,' 
also 'Soviet.' 



PAR KNOCKS SHOOTING 
TIME DOWN TO 16 DAYS 



Hollywood. Feb. 27. 

Shooting schedule of 16 days, the 
shortest yet for a feature at Para- 
mount, has been set for 'Dead 
Reckoning,' B. P. Schulberg picture. 

Reduced time Is In line with the 
economy plan at studio to save on 
pictures while In production. 



Sheldon Stays at Par 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

E. Lloyd Sheldon, who had re- 
signed from an associate producer's 
berth at Paramount, and expected 
to SO' to Fox In a similar capacity, 
changed his mind. 

He signed a new contract Friday 
(24), and will continue as a. p. His 
new agreement will go Into effect 
after he has taken a short vacation. 



Pan East on Theatres 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Alexander Pantages is scheduled 
to leave for New York today (Tues.) 
to determine the future status of 
the houses which the RKO- 
Orpheum-Western group took over 
from him several years ago. 

Pan's attorneys have been In con- 
ference with H, B. Franklin on the 
matter. 



REDRCS. FIRST 
REFRR[ MERCERS 



Fox-RKO Situation Ana- 
lyzed — RCA's Possible 
Writer on RKO— Par 
Also Spoken Of — Men- 
tioning Fox and Warners 
. Again 



BUT ITS UP TO BANKS 



Ther«'ll b« reorganizations first 
and mergers afterward, if at all. 
That's Wall Street's dictum. Thus 
all the inside confabbing among 
company execs with one another as 
to possible combinations presently 
gets a definite tabu. Filmdom's 
house has got to be put in order 
first before merger's will come 
about. That means reorganization 
on a wide and individual company 
scale. 

Wall Street's thought is that 
eventually RCA may have to write 
down the RKO thing but in the re- 
sulting process, it's expected that 
the various film companies which 
will have emerged from the re- 
ceiverships will get some piece of 
what's left of RKO. 

In this turn of events Fox film 
may take up the RKO studio lots 
while others will share on the the- 
atre end. It's what Wall Street 
prognosticates; which means that 
it's all being planned this way by 
certain interests. Whether the plans 
(.Continued on pag« 67) 



RKO Refuses MG's 
$2,000,000 Offer 
For Selznick Pix 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Short of product and with David 
O. Selznick now on the lot, Myron 
Selznick, as agent for Metro, offered 
RKO-RadIo $2,000,000 for five of the 
last six pictures made by his brother 
while executive producer at Radio. 

B. B. Kahane turned down the of- 
fer cold although the amount offered 
was $800,000 over the production cost 
of the pictures. Those which Metro 
wanted for release were 'King Kong,' 
'Christopher Strong,' 'Sweepings,' 
'Topaze' and 'The Great Jasper.' 

Understood that Metro figured on 
taking over these pictures to con- 
vince exhibitors of the quality of 
product turned out by Selznick and 
enable it to get a start on the sale of 
his future pictures. 

Radio turned down the offer with- 
out comment. 



The pictures are already sold on 
the current season's program and no 
explanation could be made If they 
were pulled that would appease ex- 
hibitors. 



Ala. State Tax Dies 

Birmingham, Feb. 27. 

The .sales tax bill which would 
have levied a tax of 10% on amu.«ie- 
ments of all kinds proposed by 
Representative Clint Harrison was 
tabled by a House ways and means 
committee last week by a vote of 
21 to 11. 

The bill levied a 5% tax on mer- 
chants and 10% on theatres and 
amusements under a special section 
of the bill. Several hundred mer- 
chants stormed the committee room 
and demanded that the bill be 
shelved. 



Matter of Financing Deemed 
Biggest Barrier to New Major 
Film Orgs, for Next 2 Years 



A Frankenstein? 



Radio's Ely Culbertson bridge 
shorts are meeting with con- 
siderable disfavor in coast 
show circles where it is pointed 
out that the company Is merely 
building up a Frankenstein. 

The claim Is that by teach- 
ing and furthering Interest in 
bridge, the pictures are only 
instructing people what to do 
In order to stay away from 
theatres. 



Blumey s Boston 
Fox Attachment 
May Be Contempt 

Process servers of the Federal 
Court In New York are on the hunt 
for A. C. Blumenthal. with an or 
der to show cause why Blumey 
should not be held in contempt by 
Federal Judge Manton. But no can 
find. Blumey has been on the lam 
for more than a week. The com- 
plication In which Blumey present- 
ly finds himself has arisen out of 
Blumey's serving an attachment of 
certain funds belonging to Fox The- 
atres In Boston, amounting roughly 
to around $385,000 on an alleged 
claim by Blumey. 

Since Fox Theatres is in receiver- 
ship, such an attachment against 
the company may be defined as a 
contempt action against the Federal 
court In New York, which controls 
the Federal court receivership. 

That Blumey realizes his fix is 
seen in the fact that he Is stated 
to have retained Basil O'Connor, 
former law partner of President- 
elect Roosevelt, as his counsel. Al- 
together it looks 'like Blumey is 
about to spend much of that 
$150,000 Judgment recently won by 
him in a suit against Albert M. 
Greenfield, of Philadelphia, trying to 
square that attachment proceeding 
In Boston. 

The curious part of the whole 
transaction is John Sherman, re- 
puted a close friend of both Blumey 
and Greenfield, Is a co-receiver in 
Fox Theatres. 



COHEN EAST, TO SUBMIT 
NEW PRODUCnON PLANS 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Emanuel Cohen left here Thurs- 
day night for a conference session 
of two weeks at Paramount's home 
office. Cohen will submit his pro- 
duction plans for next year and 
from sales records decide the 
amount that will be required to 
complete the program of 62 fea- 
tures. These will Include the eight 
to be produced Independently by 
Charles R. Rogers. 

B. P. Schulberg is expected to 
complete his eight features for this 
year by May 15. Par is holding off 
exercising its option for another 
octet for next year until after the 
completion of the sixth of his eight. 

Understood that Cohen will al.so 
take up the matter of the intei'est 
due on the $3,500,000 bonds issued 
on the studio and theatres here. 



Sheehan Abroad 8 Wks. 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

An eight-week Euruiiean uip is 
planned by Winnie .Shoehaii, wlnj 
will leave here late in May, wh^n 
five pictures on next ynr's prDijr.-ini 
have been completoil. 

An aildliional sevi.-ii will ijc uniler 
way before his dep.irini c. 



With an impression prevailing 
within the trade that the film Indus- 
try never afforded greater oppor- 
tunities for new major companies 
than now, the subject of capitaliza- 
tion Is proving the great barrier. 
At the earliest, film overseers. In 
face of all the palaver concerning 
new producing and theatre organ- 
izations, do not see any conspicuous 
addition to the industry's produc- 
tion map for another two years. 

Present day production and dis- 
tribution costs, along with the bank- 
er attitude, bar all but the heaviest 
cash investor from fulfilling any 
hopes of Immediately enlarging th^ 
industry. 

Financial Estimates 
Requirements of a company which 
would style Itself as a major first 
necessitate an outlay of a minimum 
of $10,000,000. With this, produc- 
tion officials calculate, at least 40 
features could bo produced. 

Distribution would have to go 
hand-in-hand with such a large 
schedule. For this another $600,000 
would have to be laid out to estab- 
lish 32 exchanges. That, however, 
would be only the start since the 
yearly overhead of such a releas- 
ing channel runs into $2,600,000. 
Latter figure is arrived at after sal- 
aries in the home office and field are. 
reviewed. 

Anticipation, however, is strong 
that before the year is out there 
will be at least a half-dozen 'million 
dollar producers.' This is the new 
title for companies which are known 
to be In the process of formation 
and which do not plan to make over 
five features per season. 

Secondary production department 
Is minus distribution's financial 
concern. Such companies are ex- 
pected to make hook-ups with es- 
tablished majors and to use their 
release channels. 



WARNER-ERPI 
SEHLEMENT? 



Possibility of a settlement in the 
long drawn out Warner Bros.-Erpi 
litigation was revived last week 
with a meeting between Harry M. 
Warner and John E. Otterson. It 
was reported to be the first time 
they had talked in more than a year, 
during which time the Impression 
was that personal animosity be- 
tween the two had been the chief 
hindrance to a settlement. 

The Warner-Brpi feud. Including 
a $30,000,000 suit filed by WB, dates 
back about five years to the 'Jazz 
Singer' and Involves profits on that 
talker and other film moneys accru- 
ing since then. It has been submitted 
to arbitration, but the refusal of 
Harry Warner and Otterson to deal 
with other on a friendly basis al- 
ways appeared to stand In the way. 

Between them, the two sides are 
estimated to have spent around $2,- 
000,000 on the case, but getting no- 
where. 



Bill Fox Biog Sequel 
Due in About a Month 
When Suits on Trial 



Soijuel to Upton Sinclair's book 
on William Fox will be offered In 
itie Xew York courts when the suits 
against the former film magnate by 
I'"ox l''ilm and Fox Theatres are 
hoard in around a month. The of- 
llcinl company stories on the W.F. 
situations are said to be at great 
varlaiu-e with the book. 

Between the two actions the Fox 
roinpany people hope to reclaim 
.som(<ll1lIl^ liUe $20,000,000 fromWJF. 



I: 

i! 



ji 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E S 



Tuesday, February Hi, 1933 



Producers' PoH on Double Bilk 
Ms Twin Feature Ideas; Many 
Reasons for Public s Antipathy 



HoUywood, Feb. 27. 
An almost 100% opposition to 
double features Is seen in the flrst 
250 cards returned in the country- 
wide survey on double billing, be- 
ing conducted jointly by Mrs. T. 
G. Winter of the Hays office and the 
Hal Roach studio. 

Cards represent every part of the 
country and are the result of can- 
vasses made among theatre patrons 
by various clubs and other agencies 
interested in film entertainment. 
Less than a half dozen favor the 
dual billing. 

However, a totally diametrical 
viewpoint is shown locally. One ex- 
hibitor here showing 'Strange In- 
terlude' singly Instructed his tele- 
phone girls answering calls to put 
on a special sales talk in favor of 
the picture to those calling as a 
tester.. He reports In almost every 
case the patron asked what the sec- 
ond feature was. 

Some of the dpiniona 
Extracts from the cards, received 
from the countrywide survey, 
typifying the almost unanimous op- 
position to the duals follow: 

'Two features at one sitting are 
confusing, disconcerting, especially 
15 the features make a similar ap- 
peal to the emotions.' 

'It frequently happens that one 
of the features is desirable to fam- 
ily entertainment and the oth6r not; 
and it becomes an obstacle to at- 
tendance.' 

'The theatre's largest competitor 
Is the radio and that Is expensive. 
Double bills make you want to stay 
home.' 

'Double bills cause one to con- 
trast the pictures rather than enjoy 
the show.' 

'It gives the Impression that thea- 
tres are hard pressed and this is 
psychologically bad. It means that 
producers wlH run in cheaper made 
pictures.' 

'Program Is too long to take chil- 
dren to. Instead of two shows a 
week It means only one and thus the 
theatre owners defeat themselves 
in seeking to build up attendance.' 
Want Quality, Not Quantity 

'Better to have quality entertain- 
ment instead of quantity.' 

'Double bills discourage family 
attendance because often one of the 
members of the family has seen one 
of the pictures on another double 
bill.' 

'Double bills give amusement in- 
digestion. Like eating Ave pounds 
of candy at one time. 

'Two features too much excite- 
ment for small children; too long 
for any one. Terribly hard on eye- 
sight and four-hour show is tire- 
some. Tou become mentally bored 
and physically benumbed.' 

Cards were sent to film councils, 
officers of committees of Oeneral 
Federation of Women's clubs and 
key people in libraries, churches, 
schools, theatre managers, publicity 
contacts, Jewish councils, Daugh- 
ters of American Revolution and 
others. 



11 FAN MAGS 



9 lOc-ere, One at 15o and Only One 
at 25o 



'Shadoplay,' ninth 10c fan mag to 
enter the field. Is giving to film dis- 
tributor-advertisers In its compan- 
ion mag, 'Photoplay,' three months 
of free advertising or a page a 
month. Although a rebate under 
contracts existing with 'Photoplay' 
was expected as a result of a drop 
in circulation, this free advertising 
to dlstrlbs Is not In lieu of such a 
rebate. It's primarily a builder-up- 
per to get the companies In. 

Circulation of 'Photoplay,' which 
remains at 2Sc, is running around 
460,000 an issue now as against 600,- 
000 guaranteed under contracts 
which have to June 1 to run. On 
that date a new ad price will be 
worked out to cover both mags, with 
rebates to be made then. 

ABC audit showing circulation at- 
tained by 'Photoplay' ^11 not be 
available until June. 

'Shadoplay' reached the stands 
Wednesday (22) with Its first 
(March). Issue. It to published and 
edited by Kathryn Dougherty, who 
became publisher of 'Pliotoplay' on 
death of the late James R. Quirk. 

Miss Daugherty to now on the 
west coast forming t ntacts for the 
new 10c mag; 

Besides 'Shadoplay/ those at 10c 
now are 'New Movie,' 'Modern 
Screen.' 'Movie Mirror,' 'Motion Pic- 
ture Classics,' 'Hollywood Maga- 
zine.' 'Screenbook.' 'Picture Play* 
and 'Silver Screen.' 'Screenland' 
continues to sell for t5o. 



N. Y. Prof. School Alumni 
Fonn Hollywood Club 

Hollywood. Feb. 27. 
Puppets, a social organization 
composed of graduates of the New 
York Professional school, was 
formed here last week with Tom 
Brown at the head. Club plans to 
produce two plays this year with 
proceeds going to the Motion Pic- 
ture Relief Fund. 

Besides Brown as officers are 
Anita Louise, " assistant director; 
Helen Mack, script girl; William 
Janney, props; Grace Durkn, assist- 
ant props; Joe Durkin, yes man and 
Gertrude Durkin, assistant yesser. 
First member brought In without 
office was Patricia Ziegfeld. 



Colony's Convalescents 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Condition of Joan Bennett, 
RIcardo Cortez and Herbert Som- 
born at the Cedars of Lebanon hos- 
pital Is reirarted as much Improved 
Joe Egll, assistant caster at Para- 
mount, left the hospital after three 
days' treatment following a break 
down. 

John Weld, writer. Is recovering 
from an appendectomy at the Wll 
shire hospital. Gavin Gordon is out 
of the cast of 'Black Beauty' due to 
a facial infection. 



Beck's $400 Cut, 
Also $50 Weekly 
In Realty Dept 



Operating costs of the RKO thea- 
tre end continue to decline, as the 
latest exec to suffer a cut in pay Is 
Martin Beck, whose salary' has been 
slashed from $1,000 weekly to 
slightly Tinder |600 by Harold 
Franklin. Beck's new salary is at 
the rate of $30,000 yearly. 

Certain eliminations In - the real 
estate division under Louis Cohen 
shaved off another $60 weekly. 

Jack Markle. traveling Inspector 
of theatres, wap taken off the home 
office payroll and placed In charge 
of the 81st St. on upper Broadway. 



Hollywood 



Briefly rewritten extracts from 'VarietyV Hollywood Bulletin, printed 
each Friday in Hollywood, and added to the regular weekly 'Variety/ 

The Bulletin does not circulate other than on the Paeific Slope. 

News from the Dailies in Los Angeles will be found in that customary 
department. 

Eric Pommer, new Fox production i association with Monte Carter, for** 
chief in Berlin, returns to Germany | mer director and writer, 
after conferences with Sidney R. 

Kent, without making tlie Coast i ^fter seeing rushes of 'Interna- 
trip. Paul Martin, German director, tional House,' Paramount took up 
however, has arrived at the studio option on Peggy Hopkins Joyce 



for his first pic. 



Radio Wants Shaw Play 
Radio Is after George Bernard 
Shaw's 'Captain Brassbound's Con- 
version.' 



for another picture, 
starts April 1. 



New option 



Marco XSIets L. A. Houses 

Fox- West Coast's 60% Interest In 

the Manchester and Balboa the- 

Palace, downtown, once home of litres, operated by South Side The- 
Orpheum vaude, goes Into a combo ?tres, I^c-'l^as been bought by 
vaudfllm policy shortly, with Prices Marco of Fanchon ft Marco. Roy 
at ^n 9n "in Wojf. brother of Marco, and Ralph 

ai lu-^u-ou. Grunauer. who holds 26% of the 

Gene Fox. publiclty-ad director at | Properties, ore operating hoyses, 
the Paramount theatre until its 
closing, goes to the Par studio p.a. 
department. 



Utric for ^Gesture,' Plan 

Reliance Is after Lonore Ulrlc for 
the lead in 'Shanghai Gesture.' 



Tawrence In Arabia/ Radio film 
^ ... ,, ... , I for which Ernest Schoedsack went 

With the revival of 'LUies of Mesopotamia, has been retltled 
Brokdway' by Universal, William 'Uncrowned King.' 
Hurlburt is working on the adapta- 
tion of his own play. Sam Jacobson | 
will produce. 



Orla for Summeryille- Pitts ■ .„ ^ ^ „ ^ 

Dale Van Every's original, 'Chick- Paramount and Metro 
en Rancho,' will be an early Slim 
Summervllle-Zasa Pitts picture after 
U's reopening. 



Laemmle Will Remam 
East 5 Week^ Usual 
Home Office Rumors 



Before tleing up for future pro- 
ductions. J. I. Schnitzer will com- 
plete his remaining two for Radio. J negotiating for Griffith to do two 
with 'The Black Ace' as his next. 1 additional pictures after expiration 

of his present contract. 

Foy'e 'Lived to Kill' 

WUlard Mack's original,' 'He Lived 
to Kill,' will be made by Bryan Foy 



More U. Layoffs 

. ^ , , 1 X II Universal Is taking advantage of 

* Kf^.«:. ^^^ll.^"!5!Mthe studio shutdown to lay oft work- 



and Dion Sinclair spot In the leads. 



Radio wants 'Brief Moment' for 
Constance Benpett, and Is dickering 
with Columbia for purchase of the 
lece. 



Carl Laemmle will spend the next 
five weeks In. the east. Coincidental 
with his appearance are the usual 
reports that there will be changes 
In home office personneL General 
denial is the result, including the 
one that James R. Grainger may 
succeed Jack Schlalfer as sales 
head. 

Schlalfer, a direct appointee of the 
elder Laemmle, , is regarded In the 
home office -is one of the most ef- 
ficient sales heads the company has 
had. Under Schlaifer's direction 
sales are reported to have mounted 
considerably during 1932 over the 
previous year. 



Nina Putnam's Honte Carlo lO.U. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
An LO.U. for 12,000 francs ($480) 
signed at Monte Carlo has brought 
action In Municipal court against 
Nina Wilcox Putnam and Christian 
P. C. Eliot. Papers say authoress 
still owes $220. 



YOUNG FOR KUHMEB FLAT 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Roland Young will star In a new 
Clare Kummer play, which goes Into 
production in New York Oct. 1. 

Max Gordan put the player under 
contract for the legit here last week 



B&K 4di Col. 20^ 



Chicago, Feb. 2,1. 

All Balaban & Katz execs get an- 
other (fourth) 20% salary cut 
March 1. 

It brings the total B. & K. salary 
cut to 60%, all made during the past 
year. 



Indies' 10c Gates with Reissues 
Causing Chains to Cry 'Murder 



A KOOSEVELT'S FILM TAEK 

Rochester, Feb. 27. 

Mrs. Leila Roosevelt Denis of this 
city is planning an auto trip across 
Europe to Join her husband, Armand 
G. Denlj, now in Java directing new 
Frank Buck animal film. She plans 
to steamship to Antwerp, then drive 
across Germany. Jugoslavia, the 
Balkans, Turkey and India. She is 
a fourth cousin of President-elect 
Roosevelt. 

Denis, formerly of the research 
department of the Eastman Kodak 
Co., was co-director of film, 'Goona 
Goona.' 



Bsdio Benewi Betty Forness 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

36tty Fui'nesa, Radio Ingenue, 
gets fltnotber option period on her 
contract. 

Bbfi has had three in a row as 
femme ^ea^JJ^,^j}e,S^ql»J^.eq^e west- . . .. 
•ro»(.li^MTJ voTiCirto.' AoM lift iliyf aljlOci minimum 



Ten-centers are starting to play 
film two years old with cry raised 
in chain circles feeling the brunt of 
the opposition that distributors are 
falling to protect Its flrst run ac- 
counts In any way. Complaint Is 
that the least the dlstrlbs can do Is 
not to sell revivals, refusal for 
which they couldn't be blamed un- 
der anti-trust laws since pictures 
have once yone through circulation. 

About a week ago a shotgun was 
opened In an eastern town pene- 
trated by one of the chains. House 
Is advertising admission as 10c In 
large letters with a very small 16c 
for orchestra nights underneath, but 
gets around the maximum admlsh 
thing by letting 10c ticket holders 
sit anywhere they want. If anyone 
should notice the 15c In small print 
and buy a ticket no squawk either. 

To dlstrlbs this house classifies 
itself as a 16-center. though In 
operation It's virtually declared to 
be a dime stand at all times. 

Some of the dimers, without the 
16c price, go further than that 
through giveaways which, with a 
nickel, buy an admission. In this 
way bouses are actually flve-cen* 
ters, which is disallowed by all dis- 
tributor .<;on^!;'act3 .which pall tor • 



Lipton Won't Cut 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Lew Lipton, refusing to take 
cut, leaves the Metro writing staff 
this week. 

Negotiations are on for blm to 
Join a major company as an asso 
elate producer. 



PENNSY CENSORS 

SPARE MAE WEST 



Edward Cahn, who left Universal, 
goes to Radio where he will direct 
'Emergency Call.' Sam Jaffe is pro« 
ducing. 



Leaving the 'Show Boat' cast in 
Cleveland, George Blackwood came 
to Hollywood to make screen tests 



Griffith Refuses 'Declasse' 

Refusing to direct 'Declasse' be* 
cause of Its old-fashioned story, EX 
H. Griffith will Instiead meg 'Morn- 
ing. Glory' for Radio. Studio Is 



[ers as fast as they complete their 
duties. Around 60 employees. In- . 
(Continued on page 34) 



Patrick's Option Exercised 

Paramount has taken up the op- 
tion of Gall Patrick, flrst of the 
panther women under contract at 
the studio. 



FOX THEATRES REORG. 
MEANS SOME CO BACK 



"Yale vs. Oxford' has been op- 
tioned by Metro; story by Sam A. 
Anderson. 



Reorganization of Fox Theatres 
Is proceeding gradually. 9o far 
there Is no definite plan. In any 
event the reorganization will not 
affect the Skouras holdings upstate. 
Most of the reorganization which is 



Termer for English Actress 
Warners has given a termer to 
Margaret Lindsay, brought over , , . ^ ^■^ ^ ^. 

from England for 'Cavalcade.' Her f oming by way of the bondholders 
flrst will be 'Voltaire.' •'^ Metropolitan. Under the 

potential plan which is being dls 
McCrea-Del Rio Team I cussed the bondholders may be per 

Returns on foreign showings of mitted to share In the profits ini 
'Bird of Paradise' have Influenced iiou of bond interest. 
Radio to consider another picture it is likely that in the flnal an- 
co-starrlng Joel McCrea and Dolo- L^, ,g ^^^t certain of the Fox Met 
res Del Rio, and has optioned 'Green v.«„o^„ v«. v»„i, 
Mansions.' by W. H. Hudson. back to for- 

___ mer owners. Probably not more 

Written for Texas Gulnan five ^^^^ tw^o or three of these are stat- 
years ago. 'Million-Dollar Beauty' ed to be in the Skouras upstate 
has been taken off the Paramount New York setup which Is managed 
shelf as a possibility for Mae West, directly by George Skouras. Con- 
Story Is by Charles Furthman. | fabs are being held right along on 

the matter. 

The bondholders' group is mostly 
represented through Halsey-Stuart, 
downtown banking house of which 
Revamp 'Declasse' for Hardina I Fabian Is company representa- 
Whlle Ann Harding is at Metro tlve in the Fox Theatre receivership, 
on a nine-week loan. Radio will try Any reorganization, therefore, looks 
rewriting 'Declasse,' which will be likely to require Fabian's approval 
the actress' first on returning if first with the consent of Halsey 
script Is right. Miss Harding has stuart 
two more on her present contract, 



Paramount has been asked to 
loan Alison Sklpworth to Fox for 
'I Loved You Wednesday.' 



Unable to get a suitable treat- 
ment of Theodore Dreiser's 'Jennie 
CSerhart,' B. P. Schulberg has 
shelved it and is looking for another 
story for Sylvia Sidney. 



Call Turn on 'Topaze' 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 
Local group of educators pro- 
tested to Orpheum theatre manager, 
M. C. Park, because of mispronun- 
ciation of word 'formidable' by John 

Barry more 



Refreshing Steel Pier Exhibit 

Burling Jarrett is in town to ob- 
tain a new exhibit of costumes, I Barrymore In 'Topaze.' 
props and other studio accessories put the emphasis on 'mid' instead of 
for the Hollywood exhibit on the 'form ' 

Atlantic City Steel Pier. | Educators expressed surprise that 

Robert Armstrong goes Into 'I I f^ri?'**"^ j^^"* °' \tf f^^f 
Love That Man' at Paramount. In | !*^'^®!!} ^ouj** err in tMs fashion on 
the part formerly assigned to " ' ^ ^ u 



Thomas Jackson, 



a simple word and that It would 
get by a 'foremost director.' 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 27. 
Despite reports that Pennsylvania 
censors had ripped the Mae West 
picture, 'She Done Him Wrong,' to 
shreds, only two minutes in all were 
eliminated from the original foot- 
age. Film Is at Penn this week, its 
first showing In this state. 

One of Miss West's ditties, 1 Like 
a Man Who Takes His Time,' which 
was figured a sure pop for the scis- 
sors, remains intact, with most of 
the cuts coming in dialog. Scene 
showing that nude above the frco- 
lunch bar Is out, although Ix>u'h 
crack to Gary Grant, "You can be 
:)mA>'* stays in. 



Elizabeth Young will be brought 
here by Paramount for her first film 
try, when 'Firebird' closes In New 
York. 



'Big Executive,' 'Cosmopolitan' 
mtiKazlne story by Alice Duer Mil- 
ler has been bought by Paramount. 



Rlan James spent only four days | 
turning out a finished script for 'On 
Probation' at Paramount. 



Phil Goldstone has borrowed Ruth 
Donnelly from Warners for 'Sing 
You HlnnofB.' 



Max Hha^rln has sold his Interest 
In tlio HhuKiin-Hollngpr agency to 
hlH partner. Hoi Sollngor, and has 
i opened an office In Bovorly Hlllaiiiii 



L. A. to N. Y. 

Emanuel Cohen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ely Culbertson. 

Jack Gallagher. 

James Gleaaon. 

Edward Everett Horton. 

Arthur Loew. 

Fulton Oursler. 

Gene Raymond. 

Panchon Royer. 

Gerald Sanfer. 

Loretta Sayers. 



N. Y. to L. A. 



Frank Conroy. 
r.iAl Jolson. 



• C 1 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



SCREEN ADS AS UFE SAVER 



Late Rush of Selling Drives Stocks 
Down After Steady Opening in Face 
Of New Bank Situations; Loew s 12 



By AL QREASON 

Stock market opened with a 
brave front yesterday (Monday) In 
the face of fresh banking disturb- 
ances In scattered points of Ohio 
and Indiana. Professional and timid 
Bhort covering held prices steady 
to strong: through the day, but in 
the last hour prices melted rapidly, 
oloslns on the extreme bottom for 
the day, and In most cases for the 
year. 

The few amusement shares re- 
maining at a price level to Invite 
trading were hard hit. Lioew's 
broke sharply on only moderate 
▼olume, touching its bottom for the 
depression Just under 12, while Con- 
solidated Film, which was the sub- 
ject of a brisk clique operation, re- 
treated hastily. These, recessions 
probably carried the amusement 
group to the lowest average It has 
ever touched. 

Theatre bonds did fairly well In 
comparison with other Issues In 
that department, but with one ex- 
ception. The Paramount liens ex- 
tended their losses of last week, the 
old 6's sliding to 6 flat, which is an- 
other new depression low. 

Practically nothing escaped the 
drive against prices, although East- 
man Kodak continued to defend its 
resistance point of all last week at 
60%. 

There was nothing in the news 
except the new banking develop- 
ments to inspire liquidation. News 
from Michigan, where Henry Ford 
undertook to assume the two main 
closed banks' functions with fresh 
capital, was definitely constructive, 
and the announcement of a new 
management for the New York City 
National bank in place of Chair- 
man Mitchell and his associates was 
greeted with satisfaction. Money 
rates stiffened for technical reasons. 
The commldity markets were steady. 
Bonds Furnish Cue 

In a week of mild optimism and 
extreme discouragement the bond 
list again demonstrated that the cue 
to movements both ways is to be 
found in that department. 

Hard upon the heels of the Michi- 
gan bank situation there came a 
■wave of bond selling, probably by 
banks in other sections to achieve 
the greatest degree of liquidity. 
When that movement had spent its 
force there was support forthcoming 
for the government loans, and on 
Friday there was an abrupt turn- 
around, with bonds generally re- 
(Continued on page 28) 



Yesterday's Prices 

Nat 

Salaa. Hleb.IiOW.I.aBt.chKe. 

200 Col. Pict.. 714 7% 714—94 

2,900 Com. P.pt "8% 7* 7% —1% 

8,600 Bast. K... 60V4 60^ 

800 Fox 1% Ifi 1% + H 

7.600 Loew'a .. 14 11% 12 — IH 

4.800 Par-P .... % % % 

100 Fathe .... % % H 

200 Do pf.... IH IS 

11.300 RCA VA, 8 8H + ^ 

400 RKO 1% IS 1% + % 

10~Uiil. P.-pf. 11 11 11 + H 

8,000 W. B IH 1 1 — % 

Bonds 

$3,000 Keith .... 31% 81 81 —114 

0,000 Loew'a ...05% eS14 6514—% 

9,000 Par-Fam.. S14 6 0—1 

11,000 Par>P .... 9% 814 814—% 

6,000 W. B 16 1414 14% — % 

Curb 

100 Col. P 814 814 814 —1 

200 aen. T. pf. % H % 

800 Tech 2% 2% 254 + 14 

100 Tmna-L. ..1% 1% 1% — % 



iUSTnY N[[DS 
1111,2011.000 COIN 



Loew's Reported First in 
Line for New 'Revenue 
Out <^ Sky* — ^Making of 
Industrial Subjects i n 
Huge Boom— W. E. with 
Astoria Studio Ready for 
Mass P^duction 



EMERGENCY MEASURE 



Par's Theatre Rent Reduction 
Plan Is to Cut Landlord In on 
Percentage of Gross Instead 



PIC'S 70% GROSS 
NEW RENTAL HI 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 

These days of circuit disruption, 
changed policies and independent 
operation are permitting exchanges 
here to make some wonderful terms 
for themselves. 

'Cavalcade,* as a road attraction, 
goes into the Independent Lyceum 
on an arrangement whereby the pic- 
ture takes 70% of the gross, an all- 
time record hereabouts. In the case 
of Publlx houses, the sharing terms 
have been 70/30, the other way 
around, 'Strange Interlude' having 
played the State here recently at 
such a split, the house retaining the 
long end. 

Top price for 'Cavalcade' at the 
Lyceum will be $1.10. The attrac- 
tion goes into the State at regular 
5Bc prices within 60 to 90 days after 
its Lyceum engagement. The Ly- 
ceum is a large theatre In the upper 
loop district and has been dark the 
better part of the last two years. 
Previously It played traveling The- 
atre Guild (legit) attractions. 

'Kid From Spain' at the Orpheum 
this week drags down 40% of the 
gross. 



McLean Par A. P. 



NATIONAL CIRCULATION 
OF 85 P.C., METRO SAYS 



Although many theatres have not 
been accepted by Metro on deals 
through this year's decision to play 
product exclusively In a number of 
larse situations, Metro claims Its 
circulation nationally runs to 85%. 

While under that percentage in 
certain spots, Loew's declares, in 17 
territories the company's product Is 
Bold around 90 and 91%. As a re- 
sult of starting to sell late this year, 
as was intentionally done, due to 
late delivery of product on the pre- 
vious season (1931-'32), business is 
Btlll being written In many parts of 
the country. 

According to Felix Feist, Metro's 
distribution head, circuit deals re- 
main the same this year as last, ex- 
cept where theatres have been 
turned down through exclusive 
deals or been closed up by their 
operators. \V'lth Publlx, M-G has a 
franchise covering virtually every 
Important situation touched by that 
chain. 

In view of the complaints against 
the percentage demands of Metro on 
certain pictures, plus preferred 
playing time, the quoted 85% figure 
on Metro sales Is very favorable. 

Metro also fell back on releases 
recently, but is now. beginning to 
recover, with deliveries scheduled 
through to April 1 on a basis of a 
picture a week or more. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Four switches in assignments and 
exec personnel have been made by 
Paramount, with Mel Shauer get- 
ting an assistant's post with Al 
Kaufman and Robert Sparks, 
dropped two weeks ago, rejoining 
the studio as a member of the edi- 
torial board. 

Douglas MacLean, who has done 
little for five years, gets an asso- 
ciate producer's post, while Joe 
Krumgold has been assigned aide 
to Bayard Velller. 



Ban on sorMn advartiaing ia def- 
initaly lifting. Emergancy era and 
desperation of tha thaatra ahape up 
aa the partial raaaona for thia and 
other meaauraa which would ba 
frowned upon in normal times. Ad- 
vertising meana an extra $18,200,000 
yearly pulled out of the aky -for ex- 
hibitora, it ia estimated. 

Impetus In production of industri- 
al subjects is also Increasing with 
the let- down noted at the theatre 
gate. Today offlclally 25 producers 
are engaged in turning out chiefly 
industrials. Western Electric with 
the Paramount Astoria plant now 
has one of the largest studios in the 
world in which to foster film in- 
dustrialism. 

Loew's Leads Move 

Even high oflicials of the industry 
now are Inclined to look kindly on 
certain types of advertising. There 
Is a market, it was declared Monday, 
following the Veport that the Loew 
circuit would introduce ad shorts at 
morning shows, for shorts that 'do 
not 'shout' advertising and which 
can be rated as entertaining. 

This attitude Is contradictory to 
that of even a year ago. Then, how- 
ever, pressure was brought to bear 
upon the industry by American 
newspaper publishers. 

The box ofHce situation today Is 
different. With slightly over 13,000 
theatres under their control, the in- 
dies exhlbs dominate the theatre 
masses. And, it is declared, if the 
Indie sees an opportunity to collect 
any additional revenue by the run- 
ning of a short subject in his pro- 
gram, then it is up to him to make 
the choice. 

Now, it Is also declared, the major 
industry never agreed as a unit to 
ban screen advertising. This is dif- 
ferent from the impression a year 
ago. 

The return of screen advertising 
I will even be permanent, certain of 
the leaders believe, if the product 
projected Is not exaggerated. 

Aside from Western Electric, 
which holds Itself up as acting 
chiefly as a mechanical Intermediary 
for producers, no plans of major 
producers are yet known which take 
In an industrial platform. Both 
Warners and Paramount, when ad 



OflFice Space 



Real estate being what It is, 
those tossed out of Aim Jobs are 
setting themselves up in of- 
fices. Some use the office to 
try and do' something. Others 
use the space to keep out of the 
wind. 

Payoff on the office thing 
came when a former office boy 
took himself an office. He 
hasn't announced what for yet. 



U Peddling 'Counsellor,' 
Paid lOOG for Rice Play 

Universal City, Feb. 27. 

Universal Is trying to sell to one 
of the other companies 'Counsellor- 
At-Law,' by Elmer Rice, on which it 
has already expended $9,000 in story 
preparation. Screen rights are valued 
at $100,000. 

Studio Intended the story for Paul 
Muni, but when this player protest- 
ed against playing the part decision 
was reached to attempt to peddle 
the script. 



Par's $22,500 Legit Buy 

Paramount has closed for the 
picture " rights to - 'One -Sunday 
Afternoon,' current Broadway show, 
at a reported $22,500. Piece was 
produced by new legit names and 
is a surprise hit. 

William Morris stgency handled 
the sale. 



DISTRIBSARM 
FOR BANK JAM 



With bank holidays in Maryland, 
Louisiana and three cities in Ohio, 
and the possibility that other areas 
in Ohio and possibly one or two 
oth^r spots may declare flnanclal 
moratorium, distributors, benefited 
by their initial experience with 
Michigan, are set to carry on ef- 
forts to keep boxoffices open. 

As long as none of the holiday 
periods are in excess of a week, the 
major sales end sees where it can 
keep its head up. 

Maximum time in any state where 
the Industry can sustain Its flexible 
policy, as outlined here last week 
following a special session of dis- 
tribution heads, is generally con- 
ceded to be 30 days. This, however, 
would not be true of the larger 
states, from which the heavier 
grosses are realized. As an Instance, 
50% of the entire U. S. gross is rep- 
resented in New York, Pennsyl- 
vania, Illinois, California, Ohio. 

Big companies are known not to 
be in any positioa currently where 
they can carry heavy credit lines, 
even in emergencies. Continuing 
such a policy in excess of a week 
would cause hardship. Over that 
time, it was conceded Monday, 
measures would have to be taken 
along 'radical lines.' 



Turned Back To Orpheum 

Palace, Milwaukee, has been 
turned back to Orpheum. 

The house will start on a sti-aight 
film policy about March 10th, under 
Nate Blumberg's supervision. 



vertlsing first became recognized as 
a money maker, established special 
ad shorts departments. Following 
the newspaper campaign, however, 
both companies folded up this ac- 
tivity. 



Major objective of Paramount* 
Publlx in its reorganization will 
come in the reduction of rents, with 
a definite plan under way to place 
landlords all over the U. S. on a 
percentage basis for their share In 
lieu of a set lease figure. This will 
be undertaken in a wholesale man- 
ner by Publlx Itself for such houses 
as are not affected by receiverships 
and by receivers for the others, It 
is Indicated. 

Percentage deals with a portion 
of the gross over a certain figure 
for landlord have been initiated for 
the New York and Brooklyn calling 
for a 60-60 split, but generally a 
plan differing from this will be in- 
stituted. It may be that the same 
arrangement on percentage will 
eventually be set for New York and 
Brooklyn if and when landlords are 
ready to agree. 

Generally favored for all parts of 
the country by Publlx and Its re- 
ceivers is one which would be more 
intricate than the 60-50 split pro- 
posed for N. Y. and Brooklyn. 
'Nut' Out First 
Idea in mind is that Publlx and 
landlords should first agree on what 
is a fair rent for each individual 
theatre In line with gross averages 
and business possibilities today. 
Then Publlx would first take out 
its operating expenses, including all 
overhead excepting rent. 

From there on an average of 70% 
of the gross to the landlord would 
figure until a fair rent Is reached, 
when the percentage would be re- 
versed with 70% of overage above 
that to circuit and 30% to landlord. 

In this way the landlord has rea- 
sonable assurance of a fair rental 
If It's ,'oing to be possible for the 
theatre to operate, with chance of 
30% of gross additionally as velvet. 

Both the circuit and the landlord 
would gamble on a public whose 
support must be had if either Is to 
survive. From the landlord's point 
of view, it Is believed in Publlx h.o. 
quarters, that with operatlng'over- 
head greatly reduced In present and 
future reorganization moves odds 
are in favor of getting a fair rental 
with an even chance for overage. 

Comeback of the theatres and a 
higher level on grosses with a re- 
turn to prosperity Is another possi- 
bility that would redound to the 
benefit of the landlord under the 
proposed plan. 

Meanwhile, with rents in some 
theatres actually running between 
40 and 50% of the gross right now, 
many landlords are not getting any 
rent at all. This Is true of the Para- 
mount, Brooklyn, among many other 
houses, large and small. 



Would Raze House to Save Taxes 



Owners of Theatre Deem It Cheaper to Tear 
Down $2,500,000 Structure 



Bankruptcy No Out for 
Agency Commissions 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Bankruptcy does not absolve a 
person from paying agency, employ- 
ment fees. This was a ruling handed 
down by Municipal Court Judge Lu- 
cius P. Green in giving Selznlck- 
Joyce a $1,500 judgment against 
John Francis Dillon, director. 

Latter claimed that he was Im- 
mune from paying through bank- 
ruptcy. He al.so charged the agency 
used fraudulent means In Inducing 
him to sign with them. Court held 
that the transaction was above board 
and has been executed in an honor- 
able and upright manner and award- 
ed full comml.sslon to S. & J.. Ralph 
Blum appeared as attorney for the 
agency. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 

Fee owners of the Minnesota the- 
atre are reported considering tear- 
ing down the $2,500,000 4,200-seat 
showhouso if It Is turned over to 
them by the building company. The 
move would be taken to save taxes 
and other expenses incidental to the 
structure. 

Doubt Is expressed whether suffi- 
cient net Income can be realized 
from the theatre in the shape of rent 
to cover the heavy taxes. Insurance 
and other carrying Items, running 
In the neighborhood of $00, 000 por 
annum. 

Paramount-Publlx had been pay- 
ing $3,500 a week rent for the the- 
atre and figured that it cost In ex- 
cess of $5,000 a wpek, Inoludlng 
taxes, Insuranre, to keep the house 
dark. 



Radio May Buy 'Eagle' 
Despite Hays Ban on 
Its Satire of Govt 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

'Spread Kagle', flop legit play, 
banned as screen material by the 
Hays organlz.itlon, Is up for pur- 
chase by Radio. 

Play took a rap at patriotism and 
was supposed to be a satire on the 
Government. As a play, audience 
took It with reverse English. 



Loew's Quickie Confab 

" Arthur Loew Is due back In New 
York today (28) after a quick trip 
to the Coast and back for studio 
conference. 

Loew left last Wednesday (22) by 
plane. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Arthur Loew arrived here Friday 
from New York, coming by plane. 
Visit due to a desire to confer on 
fi)r<»isrn produrtion.s at Metro. 

He will fly back tomorrow (Tues.)"'" "■' 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E CROSSES 



TueedaT, February 26» 1933 



With Downtown!. A. to Itself 
State s W lity at $18 JO; 
Stanwyck. 236*$ in 2 WB Houses 



L03 Angeles. Feb. 27. 

With the Paramount dark until 
Thursday (2), when It becomes an- 
other link In the Marco type of 
show inau^rated at the old Boxy, 
in New York, Loew's State and the 
Dpwntown had the downtown field 
all to themselves. 'Kid from Spain,' 
which was a 'dud' at the Warner 
Western where the (1.50 scale pre- 
vailed, opened with a bans at the 
low tariff and. it is destined to hit 
around $18,000, big under the pres- 
ent tariiC chcu-ged. 

Between the Warner Hollywood 
and Downtown, a joint gross of 
around )23,000 on the week is pre- 
saged. 

•Cavalcade' folded Sunday at the 
Chinese in its seventh week, draw- 
ing around 116,600 for its last 10 
days. House reopens about Mar. 10 
with 'King Kong* at a 60c reduction 
to 11 top. 

Estimates for This Week 

Chinese (Fox) (2.028; 66-$1.65) 
•Cavalcade' (Fox) and stage show 
(7th-flnal week). Pulled out to a 
healthy finish, getting around $16,- 
600 for the final 10 days of the run. 

Downtown (WB) (1,800; 25-70) 
TAdlee They Talk About* (WB) and 
vaude. This Stanwyck not so hot 
but house will hit the $13,000 mark 
with much credit for draw here 
given to the vaude. Last week 
•King's Vacation' (WB) very good 
at $12,000. 

Hollywood (WB) (2,766; 26-65) 
•Ladles They Talk About' (WB). 
Looks to get $10,000, good. Last 
week 'King's Vacation' (WB). Ar- 
llss draw very strong to tune of 
$10,300. _ 

Cos AngeUa (Wm. Fox) (2,800; 
15-26) 'Speed Demon' (Col) and 'Se- 
crets of Wu Sin' (Invlnc). The lec 
gate here sure gets them, with 
bouse showing nice profit at an easy 
$6,300 this week. Last week 'Self, 
Defense' (Mono) and 'Midnight 
Warning* (Mayfalr) very good at 
$6,100. 

Pantages (Fox) (2,700; 25-40). 
•Sailor Be Good' (Par) and Infernal 
Machine' (Fox), For final week of 
its F-WC career house will hit 
around $3,000.. Last week 'Face in 
the Sky' (Fox) and 'Goldle (Sets 
Along* (RKO) came home with lots 
of red at $3,560. 

RKO (2,960; 25-66) 'Topaze' 
(BKO). Not getting the trade it 
deserves but can be figured oke at 
around $6,000. Last week 'Lucky 
Devils' (BKO) and 'Follow the 
Leader" (Par) a big bustaroo at 
$4,600. 

State (Loew-Fox) (2,024; 25-40) 
•Kid From Spain' (UA). Grinding 
in a heap of cash customers with- 
out stage aid at a low tariff that 
will result in an excellent $18,200. 
Last week 'Secrets of Mme. Blanche' 
(MG) aided by Schumann-Helnk, 
did a very good $15,200. 



Ha« West Ontdrawing 
Ed Wpn Twke (her 
h Bldyn as on B'way 



Portland's Biz So Good 
SeTeral Holding Over 

Portland, Ore, Feb. 27. 
Four pictures clicked in the burg. 
'Sign of the Cross' held for nine 
days at the Fox-Broadway and got 
top gross for several months; 
■King's Vacation' at Hamrlck's 
Oriental got results; Mae West 
holds a second week and 'State 
Fair' at the Broadway Is holding 
over for two weeks. 

'So This Is Africa* is also grow- 
ing no moss at the Orpheum b.o. 
Comedy picture hits the spot In 
these times and looks in line for a 
strong week. 

Biggest disappointment was road- 
showlng of 'Cavalcade' (Fox) at the 
Fox-Blalto, $1.10 top. Figure the 
high admish strained biz exces- 
sively, an alibi supported by the 
odd fact that receipts were prac- 
tically even every night; pictm-e 
hold two weeks to steady biz. Pic- 
ture registered big and now in line 
to click &t pop prices. 

'She Done Him Wrong* at the 
Fox-Liberty is holding over. 
Estimate* for This V/tk 
Broadway (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 
25-40) 'State Fair' (Fox). Connect- 
ing nicely . and . excellent $9,500 
means a holdover. Last week 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par) lield for nine 
days and did $10,300, big. 

Orpheum (BKO) (2,000; 25-56) 
'So This Is Africa' (BKO) with 
vaude and stage band. Getting over 
okay for this house, around $6,000. 
Last week 'Child of Manhattan' 
(Col) Just f41r at $$4,800. 

United Artists (Fox-Parker) 'Se- 
crets of Madame Blanche' (MG). 
Getting fair attention, likely aver- 
age $3,000. Last week 'Hallelujah 
I'm a Bum' (UA) proved disap- 
pointing at $3,000. 

OrienUI (Hamrick) (2,500; 26- 
35) 'Mystery in Wax Museum' 
(WB). Should hold up to good 
average, around $3,600. . LMt week 
'King's Vacation' (WB) got big re- 
sults for this house at $6,000. 

Liberty (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 16- 
26) 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par), 
did so well at $6,800, holding a sec- 
ond week and looks $3,000. 

Rialto (Fox-Parker) (2,000; 65 to 
$1.10) 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Held for 
two weeks at two-a-day roadshow 
prices, with results under expecta- 
tions, due to high admish, but $10,- 
000 gross for the fortnight could be 
worse. 



Tacoma'sOkay 

Tftcoma, Feb. 37. 

Three local indie houses getting 
along. 'Animal Kingdom' kept up 
Its nice record for first four days 
of the week at the Music Box, gath- 
ering In $2,800. Boxy also steady, 
with Blue Mouse so-so. 

Estimates for This Week 

Music Box (Hamrlok) (MOO; 2S) 
—'She Done Him Wrong* (Par), and 
'Tonight Is Oars' (Par). Modem 
stuff liked here; $4,000, oke. Last 
week 'Animal Kingdom' (BKO), and 
'King's Vacation' (WTB). last half, 
good for grand total, |4,900. 

Roxy (J.-von H.) (1,800; 15-20)— 
Obey the Law* (Col), first half, and 
'Jungle Bride' (Shef). Immense for 
$5,300. Last w6ek 'State Trooper' 
(Col), and 'Lucky Larrlcan' (Mono), 
with 'VanRy Street' (Col) last half, 
nice $4,800. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrick) (660; 16- 
26)— 'Wax Mnseum* (WB). and 
'Bailor Be Good' (Jef). and 'Myateri- 
ous Bider* (Far), double, last half. 
So-ao $1,600. Last week 'Employees 
Entrance* (FN), and "Past of Mary 
Holmes' (RKO), split week for $1,- 
560, of which 'Entrance' got $800. , 

Boston Believes 
Tide Has Turned 
Biz k That Nice 



Pyiy s Fdm Riabo Passi?e 

Mild Notices Furllier Hindrance— 'Roclmbye,' 
•Blanche' Only $ll,00(^Foj[, $17,506 



Brooklyn, Feb. 27. 
Everything hotsy-totsy around 
the Borough this week. 

Paramount breaking attendance 
records with Mae West who is lead 
ing stifC competition a merry pace 
Estimates for This Week 
Paramount (4.200; 26-36-66-76- 
86) 'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) 
and its star, Mae West, in person. 
In the wake of two big weeks In 
New York, ace publicity and ex- 
ploitation, attraction stands to 
break all attendance records. Should 
do a very swell $62,000. liast week 
way down with 'Crime of Century' 
(Par) and tab 'Sally' on stage hit- 
ting a poor $26,500. 

Fox (4,000; 25-36-66 and tooth- 
paste boxes) 'They Had to Get Mar- 
ried' (U) and vaude. Slowed down 
with inability even at low prices 
and the toothpaste box admish gag 
to attract or divert trade from 
strong opposition. Will not exceed 
$10,000 on week. Last week 'Vam- 
pire Bat' (Maj) and vaude, first 
week of new policy o.k. at $13,600. 

Albee ( 3,6 0 0; 25-35-65-75-85) 
•Great Jasper' (RKO) and vaude. 
Going fairly and should get $18,000, 
mild. Last week 'Topaze' (RKO) 
did not hold up, ending with dis- 
appointing $21,200. 

IVIetropolitan (3,600; 25-36-66-75) 
•Ladies Talk Too Much' (WB) and 
Ed Wynn on stage. No so good and 
Mae West competition will duplicate 
Broadway experience where she 
ou'tdrew him. Here, however, . she 
Is almost doubling Wynn's business 
as he will get only $27,000 on week. 
Ijaairwfl^k.'Wbat, No Beer' and Mll- 
toa Berle^ $24,000. 

Str«nU (2,000; 26-36-55) 'Wax 
Mufl^um' (WB). Should get fair 
'tlO,0(H). Last week 'Hard to Handle 
(WB) pke |12;8<»«., .-^ 



MONTREAL PRETTY FAIR 
ARLISS, IOC; CAP, IIG 



Montreal, Feb. 27. 
Currently, outside hockey, there's 
nothing but films, with French 
operetta resumed at His Majesty's. 
Liable to make for good grosses. 

Palace's Arliss picture. "King's 
Vacation' isn't going to be any 
smash; $10,000 at best, only fair. 
Capitol has been holding up well 
lately and 'Tonight Is Ours' and 
'Hello Everybody' should be good 
for $11,000. Loew's has a good pic- 
ture, 'Billion Dollar Scandal,' and 
vaudeville that is average and gross 
of $12,000 Is easily in sight. Prin- 
cess does fairly well on British and 
goes that way again with a brace 
of pix which Old Countryites will 
support to the tune of $7,000. The 
two French houses. Imperial and 
Cinema de Paris, may get by. 

Nabes will make hay while the 
sun shines pre-Lent and then will 
see if they can take it. 

Estimates for This Week 
His Majesty's (Ind) (1,600; 50- 
$1.50). French Operette. Subscrip- 
tion lists will hold this up to $6,600. 
Last week of 'Cavalcade' (Fox) 
grossed a nice $11,000. 

Palace (FP) (2,700; 60) "King's 
Vacation' (WB). Atliss not so hot 
here as he used to be; $10,000. Last 
and second week of 'Sign of Cross' 
grossed $11,000. 

Capitol (FP) (2,700; 50) 'Tonight 
Is Ours' (Par) and 'Hello Every 
body" (Pai). Should hold up at 
$11,000. Last week 'Animal King 
dom' (RKO) and 'Penguin Pool 
Murder' (RKO) $12,000, very good 
Loew's (FP) (3,200; 65) 'Billion 
Dollar Scandal' (WB) and vaude. 
Should gross $12,000. Last week 
'Under Cover Man* (Par) and 
vaudeville, $12,500. 

Princess (CT) (1,900; 60) 'After 
the Ball' (Brit) and 'Missing Rem 
brandt' (Brit). The Old Country- 
ites will put the.se cross at $7,- 
000. Last week 'Hallelujah I'm a 
Bum' (UA) and 'Breach of Prom- 
ise' (WW) fine $9,000. 

Imperial (Franco-Flm) (1,900; 
50; 'Milady' (French). Should get 
$2,200. Last week 'Trols Mousque 
talres' (French) grossed $2,600. 

Cinema de Paris (Franco-Film) 
(COO; 25) 'Mater Dolorosa' (French). 
About $750. Last week "Enlevez- 
Jr^l* nn'l 'Coiffeur des Dames' 
grossed $800., — 



Boston. Feb. 2T. 
All alMiff the line business 
boomed last week, thanks to holi- 
day. Grossea spurted upward, in 
several Instances ahead of expecta- 
tions. Midweek, usually, lullisb, saw 
sellouts, with queues in front of all 
the houses holiday eve and holi- 
day. Jam at Met reminiscent of 
happy days. In some lobbies 
crowds waited for hours for chance 
to get in. Managers running spe- 
cial midnight shows reported ex- 
cellent intake. 

Figures would have been much 
higher in spots had it not been for 
the hangover folk vho hogged 
seats through several shows. Par- 
amount was a particular sufferer in 
this respect. Some munched light 
lunches. Inventor of some sort of 
a bomb to drive them out on time 
would get medals from houses af- 
flicted by this growing custom. 

'Cavalcade' did splendidly. Cur- 
rently In fifth week, it expects to re- 
main one more at least, and even 
more if business keeps up thus. Ad- 
vance sale is still brisk. It has the 
town talking and sure has be6n a 
blessing for Diana Wynyard as a 
U. 8. film draw. Metro can thank 
Fox for putting her over, advance 
advertising for "Men Must Fight' 
plays her name big. That could 
never have happened on "Basputln' 
^one. 

Optimists out In the open once 
more, saying they sense a turning 
of the tide. Anyway, the Rialto is 
heartened, this week will tell the 
tale. 

EstimatM for This Week 

Majestic (Shubert) (1,600; 66 
$1.65) — 'C^avalcade' (Fox) (6th 
week). Still going strong, boosting 
public's interest in good films and 
strengthening exhibitors all along 
the line. Last week, $14,600; «x 
pected to hit $13,000 this week. 

Keith's (RKO) (4..000: 26-40-65)— 
'Great Jasper* (RKO) and vaude 
headed by Chic Sale. Dlx and vaude 
draw both strong, but biz likely to 
slump under holiday week's highest 
in many weeks. Current outlook is 
for $13,000, possibly a shade better 
Last week 'Topaze' (RKO) and 
vaude boosted to very big $24,600. 

Boston (RKO) (4,000; 25-40-56) 
'Private Jones' (U) and vaude. 
Looks a winner for $12,000. Last 
week 'Child of Manhattan' (Col) 
and vaude packed 'em in to tune of 
$13,100. 

Orpheum (Loew) (3,000; 25-60) — 
'Clear All Wires' (MG). Pulling on 
Lee Tracy's appeal and lucky to get 
$12,000. Last week, 'What! No 
Beer?' (MG) hit it up to $13,600, 
mighty fine. 

State (Loew) (3,000; 30-60)— 
'Clear All Wires' (MG). In for a 
possible $10,500. Last week, 'What! 
No Beer?' splendid, $12,500. 

Met (Publlx) (4,830: 35-50-65)— 
'King's Vacation' (WB) and stage 
show. Might do $13,500. Last week 
'Woman Accused' (Par) and stage 
show smlUn' through for $15,000. 

Scollay (Publlx) (2,800; 26-35-40- 
55)— 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par) 
and big vaude bill. Should collect 
$12,000. Last week 'Employees' En- 
trance' (WB) and vaude, over strong 
for $12,500. 

Paramount (Publlx) (1,800; 26-36- 
50)— 'Hard to Handle' (WB) and 
'Ladles They Talk About' (WB). 
Pulling them in via Cagney and 
Stanwyck; $10,000 expected. Last 
week 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox) and 
•Deception' (Col) did far better than 
the films deserved, high ringer for 
$10,600. 



Lincoln Sez Ifs Been 
'Warned' About Mae West 

Lincoln, Nel^., Feb. 27. 
Bis ought to come out of it this 
week and the Indications are that 
It will. 

Howevor, whether Mae West is 
going- to mean anything in this sec- 
tion of the midwest remains to be 
seen. The town has been warned 
of her coming In 'She Done Him 
Wrong* for a couple of weeks now, 
which should give the pic the start 
it needs. George Ai;ll88 in his cur- 
rent release is next in popularity as 
the money falls, since there is a 
good bit of mature patronage here 
tliat seldom shows except for the 
Britisher's stuflT. 

•They Just Had To' in this very 
f&vorable Pltts-Sunimervllle toWn 
at the State should , wipe out the 
non-existence feeling inspired by 
last week's gross on 'Magic Night.' 

Indications are that the Strand 
will not open tonight (27) for the 
first time in a decade, because of 
legal action to Condemn the house. 
Bob Livingston, present manager, 
is rumored to take over the same 
poslsh at the Capitol' which was re- 
cently vacated by Nipk ' Paper. 

Estimates for This Week 
(Colonial (LTC) (650; 10-16-20) 
•Face in the Sky* (Fox). Should 
have a fMr week to $650. Last week 
•Infernal Machine' (RKO) first half 
and 'Smoke Lightning* (Fox) sec- 
ond half did the usual $550. 

Lincoln (LTC) (1,600; 10-26-40) 
'King*B Vacation' (WB). Looks oke 
for the retired folk to about $2,900. 
Last week 'Hot Pepper' (Fox) 
pleased, nice $2,600. 

Orpheum (LTC) (1.200; 10-15-26) 
Three on a Match' (WB). Looks 
average to $800. Last week 'The 
Crash' (WB) stayed the full six but 
weakly to $660. 

State (Monroe) (600; 10-25-35) 
•They Just Had to Marry' (U). 
Promises good competition to the 
rest for neat $1,900. Last week 
'Magic Night' (UA) made a miser- 
able turnover at $600. 

Stuart (LTC) (1,900; 10-26-36-60- 
60) 'She Done Him Wrong* (Par). 
Dubious but should go over with a 
bang to oke $3,100. Last week 'State 
Fair' (Fox) was a real hit and fan- 
cied to take $4,000. 



'42d St' K. C. BaDy 
Eclipsed die Town Bet 
Kz's GeneraUy Good 



Kansas City. Feb. 27. 

'42d Street' opened at the New-c 
man Friday in a blaze of glory, with 
the guests of the Warner Brothers- 
General Electric special train mak- 
ing the attraction. 

The event had been given the hot- 
test of circus publicity, aided by 
page tie-ups with several institu- 
tions, and boosted along by the 
press. 

Streets were jammed for several 
hours while the mob waited for the 
celebrities. Afternoon business was 
good and the house filled up by 6 
o'clock, waiting until the evening 
show, when the names were to ap- 
pear in person. This hurt the box 
office as the ticket sale had to be 
stopped until 8. 

The Malnstreet's new policy, pic- 
tures only, with 'Topaze' at a new 
scale of 25 and 40, is doing poorly. 
Loew's Midland has 'Clear All 
Wires' and seems set for a better 
than average week. Picture is billed 
as an exclusive, and with the two- 
bit price at all times the house is 
drawing many strange faces. 

Roadshowing 'Cavalcade' at the 
Apollo is going along nicely, build- 
ing nicely and looks good for a 
couple of weeks longer. 

Uptown's 'State Fair* held a third 
week at the last minute and re- 
warded the management by turning 
in nearly as good a gross as the pre- 
vious week. 

Estimates for This Week 
Apollo (Fox) (1,200; 50-75-$l)— 
'Cavalcade' Road show In second 
week. Given r.ave reviews and re- 
ceiving great word-of-mouth. Ex- 
pected to hit close to $4,600, good. 
Last -week $5,500, better than es- 
timated. 

Liberty (Dubinsky) (860; 10-15)— 
'Hockabye' (HKO) and 'Centr.'il 
Park' (I-'N), second half. Little 
grinder holding up nicely, being able 
to Rive bf^tlor jilcLuros as a second 
run liouHft tlian It was doinp when 
It had a limited supply of first runs 
to select from. "Will get doso to 
$2,500, good. Last week 'Three on 
a Match' (KN) and 'Last Man' (Col) 
$2,200, good. 

Mainstreet (RI^O) (3,200; 25-40) 
— 'Topazo' (IIKO). Despite reduced 
priccH and Barryrnore, business ri. g. 
at $6,000; mcbbo the discontinuance 
oi itaee Hbowa flgurei. JUost. :w««k 



■ Philadelphia; fPeb. 27. 
KothfBg uhiisual Indicated for this 
week's crop of films. In fs,ct, it 
looks like lean pickings for inoet at 
the downtQwn houses. Notices on 
'Roekabyer at the Boyd' and The 
Secret of Madame Blanche' at the 
Stanley were lukewarm at'best, and 
Friday ind Saturday attendance 
was far from eneotirai^ng. Both will 
be lucky to better $11,000 and to last 
a full week. 

Kate Smith's picture, 'Hello 
Everybody.' isn't showing anything 
startling at the Stanton, and figures 
$8,500. On the other hand, 'Whis- 
tUng In the Dark.' which has been, 
playing here on the stagd'^for three 
weeks, may get a good $4,600 or a 
little better at the Karlton. 

The Fox has ^Broadway Bad' on 
the screen and the Tlmberg. and 
Booney families on the stqj^e. Noth- 
ing imjiortant in money takings ex- 
pected, with $17,600 likely. The 
Earle has (Seorgie Price as head- 
liner, with 'Employees' Entrance' on 
the screen; weakest combination in 
some weeks and not more than $16,- 
000 indicated.. 

'Cavalcade.' which did rather weU 
last week (its third) at the Locust, 
win probably drop another notch, 
with $9,000 expected. 

Last week's business was helped 
by Washington's birthday, which 
bettered expectations all aroimd. 
Strong attendance that day helped! 
'State Fair' get a satisfactory $18.- 
600 in its second week at the Pox, 
and gave the Karlton a big $6,600 
for the second showing of 'Animal 
Kingdom.' Kate Smith and her re- 
vue coaxed $17,600 to the Earle. 
Estimates for This Week 

Boyd (2.400; 40-66) — •Rockabye* 
(RKO). Notices not so hot and same 
goes for opening attendances. Not 
likely to get more than $11,000. Last 
week "King's Vacation* (WB) disap- 
pointed with a scant $12,000. ; ' 

Earle (2,000; 40-65-66)— 'Emplov- 
ees' Entrance' (FN) and vau4e. 
G}eorgie Price Is only headllner, 
nothing startling Indicated; hardly 
more than $16,000. Last week 'La- 
dies They Talk About' (WB) and 
vaude. $17,000, good. Kate Smith's 
stage show credited. 

Fox (3,000; 40-66-76) — "Broadwciy 
Bad' (Fox) and stage show. Tlm- 
berg and Rooney families featured. 
Not more than $17,600 forecast. Last 
week 'State Fair* (Fox), second 
week. Dave ApoUon heading stage 
show. Holiday helped pull gross up 
to $18,600. 

Karlton (1,000; 80-40-60)— 'Whis- 
tling in the Dark' (MG). First run 
picture for a change. Stage play 
has been playing here three weeks. 
Good $4,600 Indicated. Last week 
'Animal Kingdom* (RKO) got its 
expected $6,600, strong. 

Keith's (2,000; 16-26-36)— 'Strange 
Adventure' (Mono) and pop vaude. 
Usual $7,000 figured. Last week 
'Ofllcer 13' (AlUed) and vaude down 
to $6,000, lowest yet 

Locust (1,300; 66-$1.66)— 'Caval- 
cade' (Pox). Should get $9,000 In 
"^^^^ hit nearer 

$10,000 as result of special promo- 
tion and exploitation campaign. Last 
week $10,000, good. 

Stanley (3,700; 40-66)— 'Mme. 
Blanche' (MG). Reviewers not ex- 
cited and opening pace slow. Not 
over $11,000. Last week Island of 
Lost Souls' (Par), despite swell re- 
views, only $12,500. However, that's 
better than house has been doing 
with most of Its recent pictures. 

Stanton (1,700; 30-40-55)— Hollo 

»or^^°^^' <^*^>- Falr-to-middlin' 
$8,600 expected. Last week 'Son- 
Daughter' (MG) dismal despite 
star s following; under $8,000. 

Arcadia (600; 26-40-50)— 'No Man 
of Her Own' (Par). Maybe $2,400. 
Last week 'Fast Life' (MG) not so 
forte at $2,100. 



Penguin Pool Murder* (RKO) and 
Buddy Rogers good for $12,000. 

Midland (Loew) (4,000 ; 25) — * 
•Clear All Wires' (MG). Manage- 
ment selling Lee Tracy heavily in 
this thriller and looks about $10,000. 
fair. Last week "What! No Beer?' 
$9,700. 

Newman (Par) (1,800; 25-35-50)— 
42d Street' (WB). If the picture 
grosses as much as has been spent 
in publicity the house will have an 
all-time record. Wonderful open- 
ing, due to the great circuslnp of the 
Wnrner train and 'stars' and busi- 
ness holding up great; should re- 
turn a big $14,000. Last wct-k was 
a surprise, 'She Done Him Wrong* 
(Par) turning In $15,000, dandy. 

Uptown (Fox) (2,040; 25-40)— 
'Dangerously Yours' (Fox). Film 
was announced for last week, but a 
last-minute decision held 'State 
Fair' a third week, and the manage- 
ment made no mistake. This week 
will possibly go to $4,000, good. La.st 
week, the third, of 'State Fair' hit 
$5,000, making right at $15,000 for 
the three weeks' run, big. 



Tuesday, FebniArj 20, 193S 



riCTHRE CROSSES 



VARIETY 



Mmieapo fe^ 

Pre-D^iresh Tempo with 'State Fair/$15yO( 
'iCid Spain/ $13,000, Setting Fast Pace 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 

With such attractions as 'State 
Fair' and 'Kid From Spain' in the 
loop and with a return of normal 
weather, It'a Ulce old pre-depression 
tlmfis again. Turnstiles are click- 
liiff nierrlly once more and every- 
1)ody's happy. Leave it to outstand- 
ing pictures to make people forget 
hard times, hanking crises and 
tobogsanlngr stocks and bonds. 

It's a battle royal between 'State 
Fair* and *Kid' for top honors. The 
iormer, at the State, has quite an 
edge, setting off to the better start 
:but 'Kid'' also Is doing a bit of box- 
Dfllee goallng on its own account for 
: the Orpheum and that house, play- 
ing the picture on a percentage ar- 
rangemeixt, with the film copping a 
heavy 36% of the groAs, will flnlsh 
the week 'with plenty of velvet from 
present indications. Folks here are 
seeing both pictures; it's been a 
long time since the loop held two 
auch strong magnets and the pair 
should cop a nifty $28,000 between 
'ezn, Quite a sum here these days. 

Both pictures have enjoyed the 
ber.cnt of excellent advertising and 
exploitation. The State is opening 
at 10 a.m. daily, an hour earlier 
than usual, and the screen trailer 
and newspaper ads have played up 
that this Is deemed advisable be- 
cause of the Immense crowds drawn 
by 'State Fair' elsewhere, attention 
being called that the picture played 
four big New York houses in suc- 
cessive weeks to record attendance. 
The cast namies of Will Rogers, 
lanet Gaynor, Lew Ayres. Sally 
filers and Victor Jory (long a 

Seading man In stock here) are also 
>elng sufficiently emphasized. 
• The Orpheum streasea the fun 
iluaUtles of 'Kid From Spain,' the 
two bucks New York engagement 
and the assemblage of the world's 
most beautiful girls, besides going 
after the Eddie Cantor following 
hammer and tongs. And the box- 
pfflce results are gratifying. 
I Incidentally, 'Topaze* finished 

S' ,uch stronger than expected at the 
rpheum last week, the first of the 
theatre's straight film policy. In- 
stead of the 14,600 Indicated at the 
Cutset, the house wound up with 
46.000. This was equivalent to $11,- 
~500 under the former vaud-fllm 
policy and gave the Orpheum its 
first profit In a number of weeks. 
All signs point to another swell 
profit this week, despite the pic- 
ture's unusually Ut>eral sharing 
terms. ^ 

With such stiff OBpoaltlon at the 
State and Orpheum, the other loop 
houses ai« finding it difficult to at- 
tract attention. Yet 'Hard to Han- 
dle' is doing nicely for the Century; 
Cagney is quite a card herealiouts. 
•Crime of the Century* at the Lyric 
also is getting by satisfactorily. 
Estimates for This Wesk 
9tate (Piibjix) (2,200; 56)— 'State 
Fair' (Pox). Array of cast names 
and human interest story with wide 
appeal doing the trick here. Critics 
gave it top rating and pleased cus- 
tomers are contributing plenty of 
word-of-mouth. Fine exploitation. 
"Will be thb-d big week in row for 
tills theatre, 'Strange Interlude' and 
'Sign of Cross,' two preceding at- 
tractions, having turned in hcf*y 
profits. Looks like very big $15,000. 
Last week 'Sign of Cross' (Par), 
$12,000, big. 

Orpheum (RKO) (2,890; 35-50)— 
fKId from Spain' (UA). Second week 
of straight film policy and will be a 
humdinger. Eddie Cantor a top- 
notch magnet .here and house went 
limit with a strong advertising and 
exploitation campaign. Paying 
guests are raving; about $13,000 in- 
dicated, fine and equivalent to $18,- 
600 under former vaudfilm policy, 
because $5,500 has been slashed 
from nut through elimination of 
vaudeville. Last week, first of 
Straight film policy, Topaze* (RKO), 
$6,000, profitable and good. 

Century (Publlx) ($1,600; 40)— 
•Hard to Handle* (WB). (3agney a 
favorite here and fans are finding 
this picture to their liking. Despite 
strong opposition it's oft to a pretty 
good start and should top normal 
$4,000. Last week 'Frisco Jenny' 
(FN). $5,000, big. 

Uptown (Publlx) (1,200; 40)— 'To- 
night Is Ours' (Par) and 'Second- 
Hand Wife' (Fox). Probably $3,- 
000. good. Last week 'Silver Dollar' 
(FN), $2,800, fair. 

Lyric (Publix) (1,300; 35)— 'Crime 
of the Century' (Par). Cleverly ex- 
ploited and well liked picture, but 
no cast names of liox-ofTlce conse- 
quence. Around $3,500 Indicated, 
fair. La.st week, 'What! No Beer?' 
(MG), nine days, $6,000, big. 

Grand (Publlx) (1,100; 35)— 'Devil 
Is Driving' (Par), loop first run, 
and 'Silver Dollar" (FN), loop .sec- 
ond run, split. Maybe $2,500, fair. 
Last week 'No Man of Her Own" 
(Par), loop second run, and 'Central 
Park- (FX), first run. split, $3,000, 
good. 

Aster f Publix) (900; 25)— 'Air 
Mail' (L'), 'Undercover Man' (Par) 
and 'Itobbers Roo.sf (Fox), first two 
loop second runs and latter first run, 



%te Fair' About 
Doubles Previous 
Wk's Gross in Gncy 



Cincinnati, Feb. 27. 

'State Fair' Is the ace draw cur- 
rently on the silver sheet midway 
here, with other pictures doing biz 
not to be complained of. 

'Cavalcade' Is pulling oke in its 
second week, although start was be- 
low expectations. Weekend favored 
by chilly weather. 

Estimates for This Week 

Albee (RKO) (3,300; 36-66.— 'To- 
paze' (RKO) and vaudo topped by 
Irene Rich. John Barrymore fea- 
tured In billing and not doing much 
magnetlng at mild $11,500. Last 
week 'Madame Blanche* (MG) and 
Will Mahoney headlining stage, 
:i2.400, n.s.g. 

Palace (RKO) (2,600; 30-55)— 
'State Fair" (Fox). Rogers-Gaynor 
and other names have b. o. ring and 
the title and story are added lure 
for past and -present rural folks to 
whom pumpkin shows mean a holi- 
day. Gate should hit $18,000, big 
Last week 'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum' 
(UA) $8,800, mild. 

Capitol (RKO) (2,000; eS-86-$1.10) 
— 'Cavalcade* (Fox). Pulling $9,500 
In second week, relatively better 
than $10,000 on first seven days. 
House redarkens Friday (March 3). 

Keith's (LIbson) (1,500; 26-40)— 
'Blondle Johnson' (FN) and a Jack 
Pearl short subject The 'Vas You 
Dere, Sharlle?' radio star is the big 
noise In advertising, even louder 
than Blondell and the feature title. 
Getting $6,500, average. Last week 
'Mystery of Wax Museum' (WB) 
$7,400, a wham. 

Lyric (RKO) (1,285; 35-55)— 'Dan 
gerously Yours' (Fox). Baxter and 
Jordan large typed, romance and 
mystery customers tripping along at 
$6,000 gait. fair. Last week 'Son 
Daughter* (MO) $6,100. 

Grand (RKO) (1,026; 16-30)— 
'Face in the Sky' (Fox) and 'Lucky 
Devils' (RKO). Split week, $2,400. 
under normal. Last week 'Air Host 
ess" (Col) and 'Kid from Spain,' 
the latter a second run^ $3,200, good. 

Family (RKO) (1,000; 16-26)— 
'Strange People' (1st Dlv) and In- 
fernal Machine' (Fox). Split week, 
$1,900. mild. Last week 'Smoke 
Lightning' (Fox) and 'Secret of Wu 
Sin' (1st Div), $2,200, oke. 

Strand (1,160; 15-25)— 'West of 
Singapore' (Mono) first half and 
double bill of 'Bachelor Mother* 
(Mono) and 'Crashing Broadway* 
(Mono) rounding out week. It's first 
time for this management to go in 
for two-for-one features; $1,400, 
okay. Last week 'Shock Angel' and 
'Penal Code' $1,100, fair. 

Ufa (400; 30-40)— liouise. Queen 
of Prussia* (German). Normal $900 
wooden-shoe trade. Last week 
'Ronny' ((German) ditto. 



N. H. Prefeis to Wait 
For 'Cay* at Pop Scale 



New Haven, Feb. 27. 
Stormy week-end gummed wOrks 
for everybody but may recover last 
half. 

Reception given 'Cavalcade* road 
show last week indicates fans are 
willing to wait for regular showing 
later at pop prices. Film, at $1.10 
top, did less business than com- 
petitive houses at lower scale. 
Orch. sale noticeably light with only 
real response coming from upstairs. 

Dance marathon, now in third 
month, still a thorn in side of film 
houses. Packing 'em nightly with 
customers the pix spots could use- 
Estimates for This Week 
Paramount (Publlx) (2,348; 36- 
60) 'Woman Accused' (Par) and 
'Iron Master' (AlUed). Failing to 
draw, $5,000 Is answer. Last week 
'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) and 
'Luxury Liner* (Par) topped recent 
weeks at nice $9,000. 

Palace (Artliur) (3.040; 35-60) 
'Topaze' (RKO) and 'So This Is 
Africa' (Col). Headed for a nice 
$7,600. Last week 'Child of Man- 
hattan' (Col) and 'What! No Beer?' 
(MG) got a sweet $8,200, with the 
draw about even. 

Roger Sherman (WB) (2,200; 36- 
50) 'Ladles They Talk About' (WB) 
and 'Girl Missing.' This bill brought 
in a day ahead, for eight-day run, 
to open Washington's birthday. In- 
dications are for okay $6 ,700. Last 
week 'King's Vacation' (WB) and 
'Williamson Beneath Sea' (Prln) 
faltered and only six days with a 
mild $5,300. 

College (Arthur) (1,666; 26-40) 
'Big Drive' (FD) and 'Dangerously 
Yours' (Fox). House back to pop 
priced double features and should 
get a fair $2,300 this week. Last 
week 'Cavalcade' (Fox) roadshow 
at $1.10 top not so hot at $6,600. 

preISral 
crowds will 

UP WASH. 



6'way in Sometbing of a Big Lufl: 
3 Britisb Films, Swanson, Kome 
ExiHress' the Best of 'Em; Par, 37G 



Buffalo Apathetic, 
*Big Drive,* $7,000, Best 

Buffalo, Feb. 27. 

The weather is okay out here, but 
even that's little help to theatre 
business. Even Mae West, a draw 
nearly everywhere else, means 
nothing here. 

By comparison 'Big Drive* at 
Great Lakes Is best in town at 
$7,000. 

Estimates for This Week 

Buffalo (Shea) (3,400; 30-40-55)— 
'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) and 
stage show. Even Mae West can't 
buck public apathy. Will be lucky 
to get $14,000. Last week 'State 
Fair' (Fox) did better for a change, 
$18,500. 

Great Lakes (Shea) (3,400; 26-40) 
-'Big Drive' (PD). Will get around 
$7,000, not so bad. Last week 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par) got $10,700, very 
nice. 

Century (Shea) (3,400: 25)— 
'Whistling In the Dark' (MG) and 
'Mysterious Rider' (Par). May get 
$4,800, mild. Last week 'Face In 
Sky' (Fox) and 'Kongo' (MG) 
srossed $5,700. 

Hipp (Shea) (2.400; 25) — 
•Madame Blanche' (MG) and 'Infer- 
nal Machine' (Fox). Slated to draw 
down $5,500, mild. I^ast week 'Son- 
Daughter' (MG) $5,400. 

Lafayette (Ind.) (3,400; 25)— 'Air 
Hostess' (Col) and 'Obey the Law' 
(Col). Nicely for $7,000. Last week 
'Death Kiss" and 'The Crusade' 
(MaJ) $6,500. 



split. Should top $1,200, fairly good. 
Last week, 'Guardsman' (MG), 'Con- 
querors' (RKO), 'Tiger Shark' (FN) 
and 'You Bald a Mouthful' (FN), 
second and third loop runs, split, 
$900, fair. 



Washington, Feb. 27. 
With two straight pic houses do- 
ing repeats and third limping along 
with 'Hallelujah, Tm a Bum,' vaudes 
are on top this week. Inauguration 
crowds are beginning to drift In and 
boys are counting on picking up 
some extra money from early ar- 
rivals who are waiting for the big 
event. 

Both 'Private Jones' and lUng's 
Vacation' drew second weeks. 
'Jones' got leads of dramatic col- 
umns after opening and with good 
deal of ballyhoo behind it turned in 
nice $7,000 for JEUalto. Arllss is 
always sure bet at Met, although 
second week opened bit under aver- 
age. First was o. k. with big $10,000. 

'Hallelujah, I'm a Bum* opened at 
Palace same day pai>era were filled 
with observations on Jolson quitting 
air. Column stiill confirmed fans' 
suspicions that Al wasn't what he 
ought to be over the air. And they 
seem to have applied same to his 
screen stulf without even going to 
see it. 

'Street Singer* is doing things for 
the Earle in a big "way, despite hav- 
ing played the Palace less than a 
year ago. Keith's gave Topaze' 
three extra daye, but changed mind 
and opened 'No Other Woman' on 
Monday. 

Estimates for This Week 
Earle (WB) (2,424; 25-30-36-60- 
60-70) — 'Woman Accused' (Par) and 
vaude. Street Singer helping to nice 
$20,000 for pre-lnauguratlon week. 
Last week 'Blondle Johnson* (FN) 
up against names at straight pic 
houses, and had to he content with 
$16,000. 

Fox (Loew) (3.434: 16-25-36-60)— 
•What! No Beerr (MO) and vaude. 
Title is red hot here and week 
should get nice $26,000. Last week 
'Isle of Lost Souls' (Far) started 
ott big after ads had aroused curi- 
osity. Olsen and Shutta failed to 
stop slump, though, at end. Weak 
with $19,000. 

Palace (Loew) (2,363; 16-25-35-60) 
— 'Hallelujali, I'm a Bum' (UA). Not 
so much, $13,000. Last week 'State 
Fair* (Fox) got better and better to 
turn in beautiful $18,000. 

Keith's (RKO) (1,830; 15-25-35- 
60)— 'No Other Woman' (RKO). 
Opened Monday and, with inaugu- 
ration right smack'In middle of run, 
it should do well, $9,000. 'Topaze' 
(RKO) stayed three extra days and 
got very good $11,500 for the 10 
days. 

Met (WB) (1,583; 25-35-50-70)— 
'King's Vacation' (WB). Arliss' sec- 
ond week looks for fair $4,500. Last 
week was usual Arllas opener with 
nice $10,000. 

Rialto (U) (1,853; 25-35-50-60)— 
'Private Jones' (U). Alao gettlnK 
repeat, headed for acceptable $3,5C0. 
Last week turned in $7,000. 

Columbia (Loew) (1,232; lu-2'>- 
35-40)— "Handle With Care' (Fox). 
Out-of-town crowds will hoist this 
to better than average with $3,500. 
Last week 'Whistling In the Dark" 
(MG) o. k. with $3,200. 



With no outstanding attractions 
to draw the public past ticket win- 
dows along gross alley in New York, 
not much stirs this week. The alibis 
of the showmen remain the same, 
including the weather, which 
brought an all-day rain Saturday 
and nicked chances considerably 
that day. 

Of the Broadway showshops the 
Capitol was getting the bets on 
business, with its ^Show Boat' con- 
densation, plus Barb'ara Stanwyck 
in 'Ladies They Talk About,' a War- 
ner booking, but the odds were all 
Wcong. House will bo fortunate to 
do $40,000, disappointing. 

'Show Boat' is costing the Cap 
$12,500 and contains in lineup, 
among others, Helen Morgan and 
Jules Bledsoe from original cast. 
Recently the Capitol has had what 
looked like some strong drawing 
cards, but business for some reason 
or other has been shying away from 
the house. Last week, on holdover 
of Ed Wynn's 'Laugh Parade' show, 
the gross sunk to under $40,000. The 
first week's take was $53,100. 

Opposition against Wynn, mainly 
from Mae West and her 'She Done 
Him Wrong* at Paramount, figured 
importantly the past two weeks. 

Getting $58,600 on her first week 
nnd $63,000 on second week of eight 
days. Miss West improved in 
strength as her engagement pro- 
gressed. Certain that she is grow- 
ing on the New York public, Publlx 
Is reversing all custom by bringing 
her and her flicker hack to Friday 
<3) for a repeat date at' the N. Y. 
Par. Miss West la current in 
Brooklyn, where she is heading tor 
a tremendous $52,000 week. 

The 'Diamond Lll' girl is taking 
nice change out of New York and 
Brooklyn for herself, getting a split 
over $66,000 in N. Y. and over $42,000 
across the Eaist river. Her set sal 
ary is $6,600. 

This week the N. Y. Par isn't in 
such good shape with 'King of the 
Jungle' on screen and Earl Carroll's 
•Vanities of 1933* on stage; looks 
only around $37,000, poor. 

Over In Radio City, the Music 
Hall is straining to beat last week 
for a $96,000 goal. Picture is 'Our 
Betters,' with Constance Bennett 



CANTOR, 18G; O&J, 17G, 
LEAD SPOm NEWARK 



Newark. Feb. 27. 

Eddie C!antor plus a tremendous 
radio draw should top the town in 
'Kid from Spain,' with better than 
a great $18,000 at Loew'a. Oppos- 
ing are Olsen and Johnson at Proc- 
tor's, who may come close to $17,000, 
and 'Follow Thru.' with a local fa- 
vorite. Joe Penner. at the Par- 
amount-Newark npt likely to pass 
$9,500, as it first opened here, but 
fair enough at that. 

All in all it looks like a fair week. 
Warner Brothers sensed it Friday 
and puUed 'Nagana' from th.e Brad- 
ford by Saturday after it had run 
for three days. 

Estimates for This Week 

Branferd (WB) (2.966; 16-66)— 
'Ladles They Talk About* (WB). 
Plnch-hitter rushed In on six days 
win do well to rate $8,000. Last 
week 'Mjrstery of Wax Museum' 
(WB), cut to seven days, only fair 
at $9,300. 

Capitol (WB) (1,200; 15-26-35-50) 
—'Hard to Handle' (WB). and 'Is- 
land of Lost Souls* (Par). Should 
as regularly beat a nice $6,000. Last 
woek 'Farewell to Arms' (Par), and 
'Vampire Bat* (Maj) good but dis- 
appointing at $5,300. 

Little (Cinema) (299; 26-40-50)— 
'Gltta Entdeckt Ihr Herz' (Cap), and 
'Der Falsche Feldmarschal* (Cap). 
Doubtful of pulling $1,000. Last 
week 'Kameradfichaft' (Nero) got 
press raves but business fell to a 
bad $700. 

Loew's State (2,780; 15-75)— 'Kid 
From Spain' (UA) and vaude. Can- 
tor great and even packed Sat. mat. 
when business here is usually not 
ao hot. May swish far beyond a 
Mweet $18,000. Last week 'Madamo 
Dlanche' (MG) mild at $11,000. 

Newark (Adams-Par) (2,248; 15- 
99) — 'Luxury Liner' (Par), and 'Fol- 
low Thru' tab. Musical been here 
before and fair at $9,500. Last week 
'.She Done Him Wrong* (Par) $10,- 

Proctor's (RKO) (2,300; 15-75) — 
'Sailor Be Good" (Maj), and Olsen 
and Johnson. Team's ballyhoo 
inaUe much bigger by local stfiff and 
l)ullt fine opening. Should reach 
$17,000. Latt week 'No Other 
Woman' (RKO) and WOR's Voice 
of Experience drew great on mats to 
n nice $16,000. 

Terminal (Skouras) (1,900; 15-50) 
— '.State Fair' (Fox). Second week 
V. ill have hard sledding to make 
$•1,000 against the ncld. Last week 
it was great al o\ er $8,000. 



monioker. Last week the Hall got 
$01,800. 

^ er of the RC houses, RKO 

Roxy, will also beat the previous 
week's take of $30,000 with 'Rome 
Express,' British make, expected to 
get $35,000. This buslncrs, uowevc, 
is not so good. 

The old Roxy, ploughing along 
fairly contentedly, will be in the 
black mUdly at $21,000 on 'Man Who 
Won,' also a British film, while the 
Strand also appears probable for 
$20,000 and a profit from 'Blondle 
Johnson.* Picture opened Saturday 
(26), not the usual change day, and 
will holdover a second week from 
expectations. 

'Perfect Understanding,* Gloria 
Swanson's English-made, the third 
Import on Main street, opened at 
the Rivoli Wednesday (22) (Wash- 
ington's Birthday) and though fail- 
ing to get good notices Is anticipat- 
ing a pretty good $23,000 on Its first 
week. 

Mayfalr, Palace and Winter Gar- 
den are all down in the lower 
brackets. 

On Thursday (2). when RKO 
gives up tenancy of the Mayfalr, 
'Dangerously Yours* will be show- 
ing a small gross on week of only 
around $7,000. Walter Reade, owner, 
will try to rent the house to an- 
other tenant. Falling that, he will 
operate it himself. 

Palace, with 'Sailor Be Good,* an 
indie on first run, with $6,000 is very 
poor, while Winter Garden will do 
better than both this house and the 
Mayfalr on a chance for $8,000 or 
more; "Grand Slam* the attraction. 

Estimates for This Week 

Astor (1,012; $1.10-$1.66-$2.20)— 
'RaspuUn* (MG) (10th Tveek). WIU 
blow in around a couple weeks after 
a pretty long run. Three Barry- 
mores have not been the draw they 
were expected to be. 

Capitol (6.400; 35-76-99-$1.66)-^ 
■Ladies They Talk About' (WB) and 
'Show Boat' on stage. Condensed 
Zlegfeld show, running 90 minutes, 
with Helen Morgan and Julea Bled- 
oe of original company, plus Bar- 
bara Sta|iwyck on screen failing to 
draw. Take will be around $40,000. 
Last week, second of "What! No 
Beer?' (MG) and Eld Wynn's 'Laugh 
Parade* Just under $40,000, n.s.g. 

Gaiety (811; $1.10-$1.66)— 'Caval- 
cade' (Fox) (8th week). Demand for 
seats is getting milder as picture's 
ru.. increases and closing nears, but 
•at close to $13,000 is still doing very 
big. tAst week's take was $12,900. 

Mayfair (2,200; 86-65-76)— Dan- 
gerously Yours' (Fox). This Is the 
swan song for Mayfair under RKO 
operation. It's a dying swan on 
grosses, with only around $7,000 on 
the week coming in. Last week 
'Narana' (U) didn't do much bet- 
ter, $9,000, in the red. 

Palace (1,700; 25-40-55-75)— 'Sail- 
or Be Good* (Radio). In on first- 
run showing, but fiopporoo at $6,000. 
Last week 'Lucky Devils' (RKO) 
also first tun, also very bad, $6,200. 

Paramount (3,664; 36-66-76) — 
'King of Jungle* (Par) and stage 
show. Earl Carroll's 'Vanities of 
1933' on stage and picture not get- 
ting the mon, with prospects not 
hot for over $37,000. Last week, 
second of Mae West and 'She Done 
Him Wrontr* did right by house and 
nicely at $63,000 on eight days. 

Radio City Musio Hall (6,945; 36- 
56-76)— 'Our Betters* (RKO) and 
stage show. Romping for a huge 
$95,000, not a new high, but still 
plenty do-re-mi. Last week "Great 
Jasper* (RKO) $91,300. 

Rivpll (2,200; 40-55-75-86)— 'Per- 
fect Understanding* (UA). Opened 
Wednesday (22) and on first seven 
days •will get $23,000, okay in view 
of lack of raves. Final (second) 
week of Al Jolson's 'Bum' under 
$12,000, poor. 

RKO Roxy (3,625; 86-55-76)— 
'Rome Express' (U) and stage show. 
At $35,000 will be beating previous 
week, when stilfer opposition came 
from Broadway, but not so good 
with this figure putting house in 
red. Last week 'Face In the Sky' 
(Fox) dipped deeper Into crimson at 
$30,000, new low. 

Roxy (6,200; 25-35)— 'Man Who 
Won' (Powers) and stage show. 
Looks like this Indie will get a profit 
of around $3,000 for this once big- 
time deluxer on a gross Intake of 
$21,000 or better. Last week, black 
also showed up at $23,500 on 'Ghost 
Train' (B&D). 

Strand (2,900; 35-56-65-75)— 
'Dlonrlle Johnson' (WB). Opened 
Saturday (25) and looks to $20,000. 
Will hold over, under plans. Last 
week 'Wax Museum* (WB) on 11 
dav.s got $23,200, nice. 

Winter Garden (1,418; 26-35-55)— 
'(^rand Slam' (WB). Finishes Its 
first week tonight (Monday) at 
around $8,000 and will hold for an- 
other week or a portion of it. The- 
atre was reopened for this picture 
under operation of the Shuberts, 
with Harry Charnaa doing the film 
buying. 



10 VARIETY PICTURE CROSSES Tuenlay, Februwjr 28, 1933 



Beaucoop Good Trade in Chi Is 
Both News and Novelty; 'State Fair/ 
20G; '42d SC 36G: 'Jones.' 226*$ 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 
It looks like Chicago has some 
bright tidings to report. Good busi- 
ness prevails In several lobbies this 
week. And that's both news and 
novelty. 

'State Fair* at the Oriental, •42d 
Street* at the Chicago, and 'Sign of 
the Cross' at the United Artists 
dominate the situation, but 'Caval- 
cade,' reserved -seating it at the 
Erlanger, Is also pressing for atten- 
tion. The Palace, too, is whisking 
along briskly with its combination 
of screen and the only vaudeville in 
town. 

Estimates for This Week 

Apollo (UBO) (1,500: B0-$1.10)— 
fRasputin' (MG). Three Barry- 
mores probably a curiosity brlnger- 
outer. Business modest but better 
than expected. Matinees weak but 
nights fair. Has practically dropped 
11.65 ducats In favor of $1.10 top. 

Chicago (B&K) (3,940; 35-55-75) 
—'42nd Street' (WB) and stage 
show. Ought to do nice 136,000 or 
go. Last week 'Woman Accused' 
(Par) plus Mary Garden got $37,400. 

Erlanger (UBO) (1,318; 66-$1.66) 
—'Cavalcade' (Fox) (3d week). 
Will top J11,000 for second week, a 
pick-up. Attraction has extended 
deal with house for at least one 
extra week beyond original four- 
week booking. Word-of -mouth gen- 
erally favorable. 

McVicker's (B&K) (2,284; 35-55) 
—'Ladles They Talk About' (WB). 
House in bad slump and getting 
about same type of product as 
Roosevelt with mongrel policy. Bar- 
bara Stanwyck flapper stuft might 
be expected to mean $6,500, pretty 
bad. Last week 'Parachute Jumper' 
(WB) landed with $5,800. 

Oriental (B&K) (3,200; 35-65-75) 
—'State Fair* (Fox). Opened 
strongly and will probably be 
around $20,000 for first week. That's 
splendid these days and suggests a 
three-week stay. Final week of 
•20,000 Years In Sing Sing' (WB) 
garnered $7,700, poor. 

Palaco (RKO) (2,533; 40-65-83)— 
•Private Jones' (U) and stage show. 
House has had a spurt ag^n after 
a couple of poor weeks. Looking 
for $22,000 currently, although pic- 
ture can't compare with last week's 
Topaze' (RKO) that earned mucl; 
enthusiasm and $22,600, snapp>. 

United Artists (B&K) (1,700; 65- 
75)— 'Sign of the Cross' (Par). After 
$1.65 glitter of last month opened 
here to the promise of $18,000, one 
of finest grosses house has had this 
season. Expected to stay three 
weeks. 



B'ham Doesn't Know Mae 
West, But $8,500 Is Oke 

Birmingham, Feb. 27. 

It looks like another Alabama 
week with 'She Done Him Wrong* 
and 'Tou Said Mouthful' as double 
bill and 'Topaze' coming in second. 
Warm weather and plenty of rain 
not helping situash much. 

Last week 'State Fair" pulled a 
surprise and got more than $11,000. 

Estimates for This Week 
Alabama (Wllby) (2,800; 25-36- 
40)— 'She Done Him Wrong* (Par) 
and Tou Said Mouthful* (WB). 
Mae West l8n*t so very well known 
but grossing nicely Just the same; 
$8,500, Last week 'State Fair* 
(Fox), bounced a swell $11,000. 

Ritz (RKO) (1,600; 25-40)— 'To- 
paze' (liKO). Barrymore only help; 
$3,600. Last week 'Nagana' (U) 
and 'Sailor Be Good' (RKO) so-so 
$2,900. 

Strand (Wllby) (800; 26)— 'Sec- 
ond Hand Wife* (Fox). Pretty good, 
$1,800. Last week 'What! No Beer?' 
(MG), nice $2,200. 

Empire (BTAC) (1,100; 25)— 
'Trailing the Killer* (WW). Doubt- 
ful of anything big, $2,000. Las t 
week 'One Way Passage' (WB), 
around $1,700. 

Galax (Wllby) (600; 16-20)— 'Her 
Mad Night" (Mayfalr). and 'Whis- 
tling In the Dark' (MG), split. An- 
other programmer and that's all. 
$900. Last week 'Jungle Bride' 
(Mono), and 'Heart Punch' (May- 
fair), $800. 



L'viHe Fare Fair 



COIUFABUS VERY SHOW 
MINDED; mES/ lOG 

Columbus, Feb. 27. 

City is becoming show conscious 
again. Spurt began last week after 
several not so forte. Auto show in 
the past stanza drew heavily and 
aided theatres by bringing the folks 
downtown section nights. This 
week show biz is on its own merits 
but set for nice returns all round 
Feature of the week is the advertis- 
ing of several of the houses. 

Leo Tracy is fast becoming one 
of the town's favs and will do plenty 
in helping the Ohio over the top 
this week with 'Clear All Wires.' 
•Topaze' and 'Employees' Entrance' 
at the Orand are other outstanders. 
Estimates for This Week 

Palaco (UKO) (3,074; 25-40) — 
•Topaze' (HKO). Better than good 
and should do nice $7,000. Lnst 
week 'Half Nakod Truth' (RKO) 
I $7. COO. 

' Ohio (Loew-UA) (3.000; 25-40)— 
•Clear All "Wires' (MG). Will hit 
plenty heavy $10,000-$11,000 with 
half a bro.ik. L.a.st week 'Madame 
Blanche' (MG) just managed to top 
|'7,600. 

Broad (Loew-TJA) (2,500; 25-40) 
-'Billion Dollar Scandal' (Par). Has 
every appearance of being just 
averr-^e In value; $7,000 about right. 
Last week 'Tonight Is Ours' (Par) 
garnered good $7,400. 

Grard (Neth) (1,100: 25- 10)— 
•Employees' Entrance' (WB). Strong 
enough pull to hit good $4,500. Last 
week Arliss* name "lenty for the 
customers and 'King's Vacation' 
(WB) made ott with neat $5,400. 

Majestic (RKO) (MOO; 20-35)— 
•Penguin Pool Murder' (RKO). This 
type lilm. iavorite at this house and 
fihoiild hit nfc^ $2,900. -Last week 
'Sign of Cross* (Par), aecbnd week, 
at pop prices did mighty nice $3,000. 



Weather Favors Seattle, 
But Film Fare's No Help 

Seattle, Feb. 27. 
Springy weather Is favorable to 
b.o. New overhead costs make the 
situation better than would be the 
case if drastic cuts had not been 
made here and there. Lower price 
scale is also a factor in keeping the 
twenty grand b.o. merely a matter 
of history. When its half that now, 
biz is deemed rosy. 

'Cavalcade,' at the Metropolitan, 
roadshowed, is the main talk about 
town. Advance sale good. Opened 
Friday, set in for week; then 'Ras- 
putin,' also a week. Kent Thomson 
is new manager here, with Eddie 
Cooke scouting around for bookings, 
a more active season being in pros- 
pect for this legit spot. Rumors of 
stock, too, and of the right type, or 
nil. 

Fifth Ave. again double bills, 
holding over 'Cross' and sliding dis- 
mally. Paramount has been getting 
nice biz past few weeks, consider- 
ing. This week the management 
and publicity department are trying 
a new angle to get some kale for 
Kate Smith's 'Hello Everybody,' 
selling 'Radio Revue for '1933,' In- 
cluding shorts of Crosby, Burns and 
Allen, and Tracy. In advertising all 
these names equally, with 'Hello 
Everybody' in lower case type. But 
it's not panning out, the $4,500 pace 
being very blah. 

The Hamrlck and Jensen-Von 
Herberg houses are grinding away 
at steady click, but most of the 



LouisvIUe. Feb. VI. 

'Sign of the Cross' tickled Mgr. 
Flynn Stubblefleld pink when first 
week business Justified its being 
held a second at the Strand. 

Walter Hampden is presenting 
'Hamlet' and 'Caponsacchi' at the 
Memorial Auditorium Thursday. 
Advance sale for both Indicates nice 
attendance. 

Paderewskl Is always an event 
well supported here. Sales for his 
Friday concert are heavy. 

Nadja, burlesque teaser, continues 
for third week at Gayety. Visited 
U. of L. Playhouse and professed 
keen Interest in work. Tickled Boyd 
Martin, director, and C-J drammer. 
All legits combined no help to the 
ptx houses. 

Estimates for This Week 

Loew's (3,400; 26-36-60)— 'Clear 
All Wires' (MG). Mild at $6,000. 
Last week 'Madame Blanche* (MG) 
$4,600, poor. 

Rialto (Fourth Ave.) (2,700; 25- 
30-55) — 'Woman Accused' (RKO) 
and five acts RKO vaudeville. Oft 
at $8,000. Last week 'Hard to Han- 
dle' (WB) and vaude, $7,000. 

Strand (Fourth Ave.) (1,706; 25- 
35-50)— 'Sign of Cross' (Par). Held 
for second week to mild $3,000. Last 
week 'Sign of Cross' did a corking. 
$9,500, which Inspired the h.o. 

Brown (2,000; 26-35-40)— 'No 
Other Woman* (RKO). Weak with 
$1,800. Laist week was pitiful, 'As 
Devil Commands*' (Coy) only $1,600. 

Alamo (Fourth Ave.) (900; 16-26- 
40)— 'Broadway Bay* (Fox). Fair 
$2,000. Last week 'Smoke Light- 
ning* (Fox), $2,200. 



'STATE FAIR,' 3d 
WK^INDPLS. 
A RECORD 



other spots are uncertainties 

'Cross' holding over at the Fifth 
Ave., is heading for an all-time low 
of $2,500; this certainly isn't a two- 
week town. 

Estimates for This Week 
Paramount (FWC) (3,106; 25-40) 
'Hello, Everybody' (Par). Being sold 
as part of 'Revue of Radio, 1933.' 
Expected $4,500 is brutal, the appar- 
ent bid for the ether fans proving a 
dud. Last week 'She Done Him 
Wrong' (Par) okay; nice crowds 
and they liked Mae West, too, $8,- 
900. 

Fifth Ave. (PNW) (2,300; 25-40) 
—'Sign of the Cross' (Par) (2nd wk) 
and 'Luxury Liner' (Par). Latter 
given some play in papers, along 
with the holdover of 'Cross,' but lat- 
ter again proves this is a one-week 
town; $2,500 is brutal; new low. 
Last week, with 55c top, 'Sign of 
the Cross' (Par), fair, not much 
hankering for Biblical stories, It 
seems, especially among the younger 
fTcnoration, $9,100. 

Liberty (Jensen-von Herberg) 
(2,000: 10-15-25)— 'Flaming Guns' 
(l-). Backed with oke shorts, all 
well exploited, $.").500. big. Last week 
-Alan Against Woman' (Col); got 
nice money, $4,800. 

Blue Mouse (Hamrlck) (1,000; 25- 
35)— 'Hard to Handle' (WB). Ruth 
Donnelly getting the play, Cagney 
soft pedaled, as considered no card 
here. Added attraction, 20 people 
stage show from KJR station, In 
Mardl Gras, 8 -piece band, etc., help- 
ing for $3,600. pond. T "••t — 



Indianapolis, Feb. 27. 

For the first time In history this 
spot has a film, 'State Fair,' being 
held over a third week, and biz at 
most other theatres is growing 
spectacular. The Apollo, a 1,100- 
seater, i^ doing dramatic biz with 
State Fair.' 

Likewise, 'Sign of the Cross* 
reached such grosses at the Indiana 
week of Febr 13 that the Circle, 
owned by the company operating 
the Indlan2t, is booking it in for a 
return engagement. Circle is bump- 
ing along, so this film may help out. 

Indiana this week has '20,000 
Years' and should do well. 

Up at the Lyric, scene of many 
struggles to get good pictures, 
'Broadway Bad* and the closing 
week of the Raynor Lehr unit 
should pack *em in. Lehr has been 
here since the first of the year, re- 
placing five acts of RKO vaude. 
After his fade, the WLS Barn Dance 
unit win come In for week. 

'Clear All Wires* at the Palace Is 
doing swell. Tracy has climbed well 
in this community. 

Estimates for This Week 

Apollo (Fourth Ave.) (1,100; 25- 
40)— 'State Fair* (Fox). In its third 
week, something of a sensation lo- 
cally, will get around $4,000. Last 
week $6,000, and previous week did 
around $7,000. Ads carried through- 
out previous week announcing 'To- 
Jaze' just went to waste. 

Circle . (Circle) (2,600; 25-35)— 
'Sign of the Cross' (Par). Replay 
from Indiana; will get around $4,500. 
Last week 'Wax Museum' (FN) did 
good biz at $4,000. 

Indiana (Circle) (3,300; 25-40)— 
•20,000 Years* (WB). Will get around 
$14,000, good. Last week 'King's 
Vacation' (WB) grossed around $7,- 
500. Fats Waller of WLW on stage. 

Loew's Palace (Loew) (2,800; 25- 
40)— 'Clear All Wires' (MG). Good 
for $8,000. Jack Flex, sick manager, 
has returned to work, replacing L. 
M. Farrar, relief man. 'What! No 
Beer?' (MG) was soothing to his flu 
feelings at $9,000. 

Lyric (Fourth Ave.) (2,600; 25-40) 
—■Broadway Bad' (Fox), Lehr unit 
and three RKO acts on the stage. 
Oke for $7,000. Last week same 
stage outfit and 'Smoke Lighting' 
(Fox) got around $7,500. 



'Wax Museum' (WB) got along for 
nice $3,200. 

Music Box (Hamrlck) (950; 25- 
35)— 'Half Naked Truth' (HKO). 
With Lee ( Blessed Event') Tracy 
billed that way, look $5,000, grc-xt, 
which will nose out last weck'.s ex- 
cellent Kind's Vacation' (Wli), 
which shot up to almost five Krand. 

Coliseum (PNW) (1,800; l,-i-2r,)_ 
'Fleslj' (.MG) and 'Me and My Oal 
(Fox). Double bill, on way to $3.- 
000, clow. Last wce^k 'Coiuiucror.-) 
(IlKO) and 'One Way Pa.ssago' 
(WB) f.ilr at $3,600. 

Metropolitan (Unlvcr.sity) (1,400; 
55-$1.10)— 'Cavalcade' (Fox). Iloav- 
ily exploited, looks to go over, for a 
fair $8,000. Last wook, dark, ox 



Weather and Stage 
Opposish Combined 
IHunper on Pro?. Biz 

Providence, Feb. 27. 

Weather put a damper to things 
generally over the week-end, and 
most spots took it on the chin. Lit- 
tle prospect of a recovery later in 
the week as the picture product for 
the most is weak, and in no posi- 
tion to overcome the swell stage 
fare in town. 

'Cavalcade,' road-showing at the 
legit house, Carlton, has the field 
all to itself, and Judging by first 
few days response this Fox picture 
will be in the lead by a substantial 
margin. 

Heading the list of live entertain-, 
mcnt is the new dramatic stock at 
the Modern, which only recently 
went dark after unsuccessful try at 
burlesque. Local chain theatre men 
are backing the new stock venture, 
and apparently are getting the sup- 
port of the papers. Top price is 
60c. 

The city's three combo houses, 
Fay's, RKO Albee and the Metro- 
politan, are plugging classy vaude, 
and depend upon the variety por- 
tion of their bills to make things 
hum. Indications are that Fay's 
will recover from last week's set- 
back, and be Just behind the Carl- 
ton. The Met is still suffering from 
union troubles, and things are not 
so rosy, even though management 
has changed policy on a split-week 
basis and spotted some nice vaude- 
ville. 

Grosses seem to be pretty well 
distributed among picture houses. 
Picture product at these spots 
seems to have no particular appeal 
for the fans, and the going is Just 
so-so. 

This week sees the second run 
house, Capitol, trying out stage at- 
tractions to bring biz from the 
downtown section. Also there are a 
couple of nabe houses that have 
added five acts of vaudeville to twin 
bill program to build things up, and 
the bait apparently is working. 

On top of all this the last week 
saw two honky-tonks established In 
the downtown district, something 
that Providence has never had. 
Judging by the looks of things these 
two places are getting the pennies, 
and the whole situation Is giving 
plenty of grief to the picture spots. 

Estimates f9P This Week 

RKO Albee (2.300; 15-66)— 'To- 
paze* (RKO) and Rae Samuels 
heading nice variety bill. There's 
no denying that the attraction here 
for the fans Is the live entertain- 
ment, even though John Barrymore 
Is having nice things said about his 
work this week. Will surely cross 
the line at $7,600, fair. Last week 
'They Just Had to Get Married* (U) 
got a nice $9,000. 

Carlton (Fay) (1,500; 55-$1.10)— 
•Cavalcade' (Fox). Hailed by the 
press as the biggest cinema attrac- 
tion since sound. Had the advan- 
tage of a midweek opening and even 
though handicapped by terrific snow 
over the weekend, should be able to 
show a fine $9,600. 

Fay's (1,600; 16-55)— 'Blondle 
Johnson' (WB) and vaude. Good 
all-around show, and getting the 
takers, mainly because of vaudeville, 
which is stronger than usual. Pres- 
ent indications are that house will 
strike the gong at $7,200. Last week 
'Officer 13' (Allied) suffered from 
strong picture product, and $6,000 
was n.B.g. 

Loew's State (3,700; io-25)— 
'Clear All Wires' (MG). New price 
scale has built up fine kiddle trade, 
anytime at 10c, but this is driving 
the grov/nups away who find It hard 
to enjoy pictures with kids all over 
this former de luxe spot. If gross 
touches $5,500 it will be nothing 
short of a miracle. Last week 
'What! No Beer?* (MG) was on the 
tail end of things at a poor $5,800. 

Majestic (Fay) (2,200; 15-56)— 
'King's Vacation* (WB) and 'Woman 
in Bondage' (Auten). Arliss feature 
okay, but being handicapped by the 
British-made film. Ordinarily Arliss 
would be able to hurdle opposish 
fine, but with the weather and other 
circumstances against it, house will 
be lucky if it will get $6,000. Last 
week 'State Fair* (Fox) and 'Strange 
People' (Chest) swell at $9,200. 

Paramount (2,200; 15-40) — 'Wom- 
an Accu.sed' (Par) and 'Mysterious 
Rider' (Par). Bill fairly Rood but 
not strong enough to stir thini,'s up. 
It may go $7,000, but no more; so-so 
La.st week 'Sign of the Cross' (Par) 
was the biggest thing in town at 
$9,800, and the highest gross house 
has aoen in months. 

RKO Victory n.fiOO; 10-25)— 'Air 
Ho.stajiK' (Col) and 'MrKenna of the 
MouiTtPd' (Col), mil oke and looks 
a Kood $."{.800. I.a.m week '.Man of 
Action' (Col) and '.Vo Olhor Wom- 
an' (Col) oko at $2,200. 

Metropolitan (I.-IOO; 10-25) 

'lirc'ich of I'romisc' (.Mono) and 
.Sf;vfn .-ir t.s of vaudovlllc. ,Swltch in 
prouriim with two clianKcs weekly. 
ThlH one not likely to go over $1,500 
aH union trouMcH nro no help to the- 
atre l>;i;U wpck 'Wild I'arty' (Par) 
w.TH off at $2,Kon, with iKMiso not 



Md. B. O.s Accept 
Checks in Rank 
Siesta; Biz NSR 



Baltimore, Feb. 27. 

Joining the fashionable parade of 
the hour, the sovereign State of 
Maryland — the Free State — called a 
three-day legal holiday to give the 
banking situation, which had been 
running ahead for about a week, to 
clear. In the week preceding the 
declaration of holiday some $6,000,- 
000 was withdrawn from the local 
banks by panicky depositors, and 
that withdrawal tide was constantly 
increasing. 

While the move by Gov. Albert C. 
Ritchie has shaken up the State 
somewhat It is recognized by all ob- 
servers that it was only Way out of 
the dilemma, and that the entire 
State will be in a healthier financial 
position because of the enforced 
holiday, which ends Wednesday (1). 

Show business naturally was hit 
along with the rest of the commer- 
cial enterprises of the State, and 
many theatres were making drastic 
switches in policy in order to cope 
with the unusual .sUuation. To off- 
set the scarcity of Immediate cur- 
rency, most neighborhood theatres 
are accepting checks from steady 
patrons In "payment for admissions. 
And ip some of the smaller nabe 
spots, groceries and other staple 
product^ are being accepted at the 
box office in exchange for ducats. 

This is especially true in the 
smaller towns, which have been 
more affected by the holiday. In 
these towns, where there are few 
places other than banks for the ex- 
change of money, the bank holiday 
is really cramping the commercial 
situation. And in these towns there 
has been a more appreciable falling 
oft in trade than here In Baltimore, 
the metropolis of this State. 

Not that Baltimore is not feeling 
the situation. It is; the theatres fig- 
uring to lose about 20% of the normal 
gross because of the tightness of the 
money situation. Only one or two 
of the theatres appear able to really 
hold to strong grosses, the others 
are falling oft somewhat, though not 
enough to frighten any of the ex« 
hibltors. 

Rather a shame, because there's a 
line-up of sock attractions practi- 
cally all down the line this week. 
Estimates for This Week 

Century (Loew-UA) (3,000; 25-36- 
45-55-65)— 'Mme. Blanche* (MG) and 
vaude. Smacking combo of great 
vaude lineup, headed by George Ol- 
sen band and Ethel Shutta, and the 
swell women*s flicker, is pushing 
this house stoutly against the bank 
holiday doldrum tide. Will pulmotor 
the b. o. to $16,000, excellent under 
the conditions. Last week 'WhatI 
No Beer* (MG) clicked at $16,900. 

Hippodrome (Rappaport) (2,600; 
26-36-45-56-65)— 'Secrets of French 
Police* (RKO) and 'Rhapsody In 
Black* tab, headed by Ethel Waters, 
on the stage. All up to the Lew 
Leslie tab, since the picture ad- 
mitted a weak sister which Izzy 
Rappaport has been pushing around 
for some time, and used this week 
on a sneak-in try. Musical tabs go 
at this house, and that colored angle 
is help. May stick to pace for $15,- 
000, good. Last week 'Topaze* 
(RKO) built steadily and clipped 
away with $15,800, particularly 
strong on the evening shows. 

Keith's (Schanbcrger) (2,400; 30- 
40-50)— 'Big Drive* (FD). Ncwsreel 
feature is repeating Its good busi- 
ness, and looks set to give this 
house another winning week of $5,- 
000. House is going strong for radio 
names on its screen. This week is a 
Jack Pearl short that's being 
plugged heavily, and meaning a 
great deal at the ticket window. 
Last week was radio session with 
'Hello Everybody* (Par) and a num- 
ber of radio shorts. Ended slower 
than it started, finishing to $!,800, 
fair enough. 

New (Mechanic) (1,800; 30-40-50) 
—'So This Is Africa* (Col). Wheeler 
and Woolsey comedy is meat for 
this town, particularly since it hap- 
pens to be the only belly-laugh 
comedy in the downtown sector cur- 
rently. Will keep the register merry 
at $5,000. 'St.ate Fair' (Fox) fin- 
ished a whopping fortnight .stay to 
$5,800 for the second session, terrific. 

Stanley (Loew-UA) (3,400; 25-35- 
4r)-55-65)— 'She Done Him Wrong' 
(Par). Started smoothly and aives 
evidence of building paco iVnm 
word-of-mo\ith, though Mao West is 
not particularly known hero. Hit- 
ting It up at prcsont for fair enough 
$13,000. 'ITallclujah, I'm a T.um' 
(UA) perished last whook wlien it 
flnl.shod Its wook .stay to $9,100. 

■ Hecht Staging Dances 

Hollywood, Fel). 27. 

Harold llocht i.s diroclimr the 
danco numbers for l^idin's rin.dcal, 
'Maiden Crulso.' 

Kllm will use 36 line girls and 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



nCTHRE C BOSSES 



VARIETY 



II 



Lotsa Anti-B. 0. 
Worries in S. F., 
But Two Do Big 



San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

The recently reopened dog races, 
Bn almost fanatical Interest In jlg- 
eaw puzzles, a renewed interest In 
bridge, the numerous radio pro- 
grams with 'names' and some talk 
of a depression, when all put to- 
jgether, spell headaches for some 
Bhowmen, but Paramount and 
Golden Gate are in the big money 
pone the less. 

BoET races at EI Cerrlto and Bel- 
mont are together drawing a nightly 
average of 16,000. When weather 
warms up a bigger draw Is ex- 
pected. Jigsaw craze is keeping 
plenty people home, likewise bridge. 
And the Munchausens, Wynns, Can- 
tors; Joldons of the air are warming 
tnore rocking chairs than In the his- 
tory of radio. 

So It's taking much bralnwork 
and plenty energy on the part of 
managers to entice customers. Once 
in a blue moon a cinch draw like 
Vl^avalcade' comes along and runs 
up neat grosses on word-of-mouth 
istarted by publicity. But for most 
part it's sheer man power putting 
over majority of local shows. 

Deletion of stage shows, paring of 
budgets and salaries has allowed 
admission slashing In most houses. 
Taken all in all, Frisco houses 
aren't as bad off as those in other 
cities. Especially when in one 
week (last week, when 34,000 saU 
ors with a million were in) com' 
t>ined gross of six downtown flrst 
run houses hit approximately $77, 
000,- three of 'em small grossers at 
that. 

Fox St. Francis Is continuing to 
tirallop 'em with 'Cavalcade' in Its 
second week. House has been pull- 
ing classiest of class trade and 
eeats are selling from front row 
clear back to the walL And $1.10 
top, too. 

Paramount bearing down heavily 
ton 'Sign of the Cross' selling it as 
pretty hot stuff with allusions to 
%esh madness,' 'a lust crazed em- 
pire,' etc. Warfleld has 'Ladles 
.They Talk About' penned by Dor- 
othy Mackaye who's known here 
for her term in nearby San Quentin. 
On stage is Ben Turpin (Walter 
Hiers didn't open). Snub Pollard 
and. Teddy Joyce, with Walt Roes 
ner conducting in what might be 
Ills final week. 

Golden Gate postponed Its book 
Ing of Barrymore in 'Topaze' and 
Instead brought in Lee Tracey In 
■•Private Jones.' UA has swell ad 
vertising, but little biz on 'Madame 
Butterfly,' while Embassy doing 
best week yet with KarlofC In 'Old 
iDark House' and still isn't bragging. 
Ilepeated stench bombings and 
imlon picketing not helping. 

Estimates for This Weak 

E^mbassy (Markowltz) (1,700; 26 
•6) 'Old Dark House' (U). Best 
yet but poor at $3,600. Last week 
^Explorers of World' got meagre 
12,000. 

Golden Gate (RKO) (2,844; 80-40- 
•5) 'Private Jones' (U) and vaude, 
ehould get very big $17,000, just 
tinder whale of a $17,600 on last 
week's 'Child of Manhattan' (Col) 

Paramount (Fox) (2,700; 30-40- 
B6) 'Sign of Cross' (Par). Will get 
a handsome $22,000 and probably 
holdover. Sexy advertising helping. 
Last stanza of 'State Fair' (Fox) 
.(2d week) got .pood 816.000. 

St. Francis (Fox) (1,600; 66-83- 
fl.lO) 'Cavalcade' (Fox) (2d week). 
Class trade packing house, two 

Jhowa dally, and $10,000 is equal to 

United Artists (1.400; 26-36-60) 
Madame Butterfly' (Par). Poor at 
$6,000. Jolson in 'Hallelujah' for Its 
second and last week got poor 
$7,000. 

Warfield (Fox) (35-56-65) 'Ladies 
They Talk About' (WB) - and stage 
iehow. Turpin, Pollard and Joyce 
on stage helping, okay $18,000. Last 
week great $24,500 on Cagney in 
TEIard to Handle' and Mickey Wal- 
ker and Monte Blue in person. 



Zanuck on Acad. Board 
As Sub for Tbalberg 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Although resigning from the 
Academy's board of directors, Irv- 
ing Thalberg has reconsidered on 
the request of other members and 
will be carried as an inactive mem- 
ber until his return from Europe 
when he will go back on the board. 
Another producer was elected to fill 
his place as a substitute, Darryl 
Eanuck. 

Board meets Wednesday night 
(29) to consider several matters 
among them a report of the agency 
situation from a committee headed 
by J. Theodore Reed. Present pro? 
duccr members of the board are B. 
P. Schulberg and M. C. Levee. 



'State Fair' Oke $11,000, 
Bat Mae West Doesn't 
Mean Anything in Ptsbg. 



Pittsburgh, Feb. 27. 
Warm weather, with all the signs 
of spring, the usual pre- Lenten rush 
and a nice collection of b. o. attrac- 
tions are reducing the pessimism 
around here this week and bring- 
ing hope and cheer. 

Sensation of the week, and of the 
season, too, for that matter is 'The 
Big Drive* at the Fulton, where 
indications point to a great $8,760, 
best here in more than a year, (^reat 
ballyhoo campaign gave house a 
record-breaking opening and war 
picture has captured local fancy; 
should stick a second week, flrst 
hold-over Fulton has had since 'De- 
licious.' Takings here no tip-off on 
total admissions either, since town 
has been flooded with two-for- 
ones, probably giving site a new 
mark for number of persons who 
have passed through the door. 

'State Fair,' very promising at 
the Stanley, should wind up with a 
profltable $11,000. While Mae West 
may be big In New York, apparently 
she doesn't mean a thing in the 
sticks for her 'She Done Him 
Wrong' at Penn shapes up like a 
mediocre $9,000. 

Nixon bettered expectations with 
'Rasputin' getting around $8,600 for 
only week of road show engagement. 
Warner dropping with 'Hot Pepper' 
to around $4,750 after great week 
with 'Sign of the Cross,' while Davis 
Is heading for neat $3,900 with 'Na- 
gana' and 'He Learned About 
Women.' 

Back to legit for Nixon after Ave 
straight weeks of roadshow fllms, 
two we.eks with 'Sign of Cross,' 
same with 'Cavalcade' and single 
week with "Rasputin." 

Estimates for This Week 

Davit (WB) (1,700; 25-30-40)— 
"Nagana" (U) and 'He Learned 
About Women" (Par). Looks like 
an all right $3,900 for this dual bill, 
with U's jungle picture getting pre- 
cedence in billing and attracting the 
customers. Last week 'No Other 
Woman' (RKO) and 'Dangerously 
Tours' (Fox) $3,760. 

Fulton (Shea-Hyde) (1,760; 16- 
26-40)— 'Big Drive' (FD). Official 
war picture a clean-up and should 
have no trouble getting $8,750, sen- 
sational here. Opening day, 8,000 
customers passed through the gates, 
two-for-ones, however, keeping 
down the gross. May stay a sec- 
ond week, although still proble- 
matical. Last week 'Death Kiss' 
(WW) in five days under $3,000. 

Nixon (Erianger) (2,100; 66-83- 
$1.10-$1.66)— 'Rasputin) (MG). A 
pleasant surprise at $8,600. Few 
seats at the $1.66 scale, with most 
of downstairs getting $1.10. Started 
slowly, but built nicely on strength 
of good notices, word-of-mouth and 
positively 'one week only" heralding. 
House back to legit now, with 'Coun- 
sellor-at-Law' after five weeks of 
roadshow fllms. 

Penn (Loew's-UA) (3,300; 25-35- 
60) — 'She Done Him Wrong' (Par). 
Mae West apparently no panic In 
sticks, with weak $9,000 in prospect. 
She has only played here once on 
stage, and star billing for her may 
be proportious in New York, but not 
in hinterlands. Last week 'What! 
No Beer?' (MG) $8,500. 

Stanley (WB) (3,600; 25-35-50)— 
'State Fair' (Fox). Name cast and 
good programmer should have no 
trouble doing a neat $11,000, with no 
kicks coming. Picture got little bill- 
ing, with WB concentrating bill- 
boards on '42nd St.' coming in Fri- 
day (3). Last week 'King's Vaca- 
tion' (WB) $10,000. 

Variety (Jaffe) (2,100; 25-40)— 
•Vanity Street' (Col) and vaude. 
Right on. the line at around $4,150. 
Not profltable, however, this week. 
Last week 'Red Haired Alibi' (indie) 
Just short of $4,000. 

Warner (WB) (2,000; 25-35-50)— 
'Hot Pepper' (Fox). Flagg-Quirt 
stuff apparently washed up, and lit- 
tle prospect this week of better 
than weak $4,500. Last week 'Sign 
of the Cross' (Par) a clean-up at 
$11,000 for seven days. 

Capra Returns to Col., 
*Soviet* Again Shelved 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Metro Is again shelving 'Soviet' 
which has stood them around $250,- 
000 in preparation due to fact that 
propaganda angle In story la too 
strong. 

Shelving this time was Instigated 
through fact that Frank Capra, who 
was to direct the pl<:ture, had to re- 
turn to Columbia after an absence 
of 18 weeks. Capra will direct 
'Madame Le Guimpe.' a Damon 
Runyon story, with Robert Mont- 
gomery, borrowed from Metro, 
starred. 



Hendricks, Lease File 
Banknqttcy Petitions 

Lm Angeles, Feb. St. 

Ben F. Hendricks, Jr. filed a peti- 
tion In bankruptcy, listing debts of 
$14,316 and $1,260 in assets. 

Rex Lease also petitioned for 
bankruptcy, filing a . pauper's^ oath 
that he did not have sufficient funds 
to pay the Federal fees. His liabil- 
ities amounted to $6,600. No assets. 
Lease's list of debts Included every- 
thing owed by his former wife, 
Eleanor Hunt. 



'42D st; dents 

REST OF DENY. 



B'way Capitol-Par Pool Against 
Radio City M at Last Minute 



Title Changes 

KBS' 'Auction In Souls' retltled 
'The Con.stant Woman.' 

Talse Fronts,' Monogram,- Is now 
'The Phantom Broadcast.' 



Denver, March 2T. 
•42d St.' Is proving a wow at the 
Orpheum and looks headed for the 
best gross since Huffman took over 
the house. Film opened a day early 
to coincide with the arrlvaJ of the 
Warner special train and house was 
packed with standing room sold. 
Standouts every night and good 
matinee crowds nearly filling house. 
Picture and train caused best of 
word of mouth plugging and two 
radio broadcasts while here boosted 
gross. 

As a result, all other theatres here 

are feeling the Orpheum's competi- 
tion. Tabor has 'Silver Dpllar," 
story of Tabor's, and siiappy 
stage show combination Is pack- 
ing in crowds and looks beaded 
for the high week since stage shows 
added a Alfty $7,600. TAbor' built 
Tabor opera bouse and original cur- 
tain costing him thousands and 
nalnted by Imported Italian artist Is 
being shown- each show. When cur- 
tain is revea^ audleiiced applaud 
rather respectfully, although the 
curtain is so old It's about ready to 
fall apart and probably the last time 
it'll be shown. 

Denham Is doing a shade below 
last week, being hurt by balconies 
at both Paramount and Orpheum 
only two bits any time.' Two-bit 
price at Tabor is hurting flrst runs. 

Roadshowlng 'Cavalcade' a second 
week at the Aladdin will dip some- 
what due to adverse comment by 
those who saw It flrst week. Film 
Impressed few as being of roadshow 
calibre. 

Denver is doing poorly In face of 
the Orpheum competition. House 
will world premiere "King of the 
Jungle' during go-to-theatre week 
starting Friday, being backed by 
'News.' Rlalto doing fair with fair 
picture. Policy at Aladdin after 
'Cavalcade' not decided; will go 
either two bits or return to former 
first-run policy. 'Cavalcade" leav- 
ing after this week. 

Estimates for This Week 

Aladdin (RlCO-HufCman) (1,600; 
65-$1.10-$1.66) — 'Cavalcade' (Fox) 
(2d weelc). Blowing out after this, 
its final week; $7,000. Last week 
a shade over $10,000 on the rotul- 

Denham (HeHborn) (1,700; 15-26) 
— 'Self Defense* (Mono) and 'Iron 
Master* (Allied). Double bill same 
as last week*8 'Unholy Love* (Al- 
lied), below normal at $3,100. 

Denver (Publlx) (2,500; 25-36-40- 
60) — 'Madame Blanche' (MG). Dent- 
ed by the Orph opposish; very poor 
$3,500 in view. Last week 'Sign of 
the Cross* (Par) did better, $7,200. 

Orpheum (RKO-Huffman) (2,600; 
25-40)— •42d St." (WB) and Fred 
Schmltt orchestra. A corking $18,- 
500, eclipsing the rest of the town. 
Last week 'King's Vacation" (WB), 
together with a snappy half -hour by 
the orchestra, finished strong at 
$13,500. 

Paranwunt (Publix) (2,000; 26-40) 
—'What! No Beer?' (MG). Not so 
good at $4,000. Last week 'Frisco 
Jenny (FN) and '20,000 Years in 
Sing Sing* (FN), on a split week, 
flnlshed at $3,000 poor. The latter 
film was held over for a full week 
so that Saturday Is now the open- 
ing day. 

Rlalto (RKO-Huffman) (900; 20- 
25-40) — 'Dangerously Yours' (Fox). 
Nice biz, $2,700. Last week Tiaugh- 
ter in Hell' (U), and 'Nagana' (U), 
split, wound up with a good $2,650. 



Girl Bites Manager 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 27. 
Spltzer Kohen, manager of the 
Davis, saved the life of a girl pa- 
tron bent on suicide. After wit- 
nessing the show, the woman, who 
said she was Stella Kraska, went to 
the rest room, drank poison and 
screamed as she fell. 

Kohen rushed to a next-door 
restaurant, obtained three eggs and 
forced them down the girl's throat 
as an antidote. 

The would-be suicide will live, 
but all Kohen got was deep teeth- 
marks on his hand, where the girl 
bit him. 



Radio Perks Up 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Production at Radio, which has 
been in the slump stages since the 
resignation of David O. Selznick, 
will be going full tilt again by April 
16 under the general supervision of 
Merlan C. Cooper. By that date 11 
pictures will be before the cameras. 

Starting today (27) and at regular 
Intervals will be 'Silver Cord," 
'Power Man," 'Bed of Roses," "Wise 
Guy," 'Maiden Cruise," musical; 
'Morning Glory," "Rafter Romance," 
'Little Clown Lost," 'Stag Line,' and 
Jamboree.', 



RKO PLUG SHEET, m' 
ORDERED REINSTATED 



Although the Idea was frowned 
upon by his operating staff from 
the beginning, Harold B. Franklin, 
as president of RKO Theatres, has 
ordered publication of 'Now,' his 
company home office house organ 
resumed. The thing was dropped 
about three weeks ago presumably 
for economy reasons. Republication 
of the plug sheet came direct from 
Franklin last week and the first of 
the new issue was out Friday (24). 

When the "Now* collapsed under 
economic pressure from the execs. 
It followed in the wake of Par's 
'Publix Opinion,* which died some 
weeks previous. It costs RKO 
around $400 weekly to get out the 
house organ.. 

It Is probably the most unique 
publication of its kind published 
anywhere. Its circulation Is free, and 
Its contents supposedly confidential 
The RKO organ circulates on both 
coasts and among all companies 
besides most of the financial men 
tors of show biz dowhtown. Many 
of these receive two copies, mailed 
to offices and homes. 

The free list includes competitive 
Industry executives, besides nu 
merous lawyers and bankers such as 
Ellsha Walker, Albert H. Wiggln, 
Arthur Lehman, John Dillon and 
others. 



GoMstone, Nabs 'Eight' 
Title Ahead of Metro 



Hollywood, Feb. 2T. 

Slipping in ahead of Metro's 
'Dinner at Eight,' Phil Goldstone is 
hurrying Into production with an 
Indie picture titled 'Curtain at 
Eight." Picture starts in a monthi 
and will be In the theatres long 
b^ore Metro's production of the 
play, for which It Is reported to 
have paid $110,000. 

Goldstone previously got the 
Jump on Columbia by using the 
name 'Public Be Damned' on a film 
Just completed, although there was 
an argument as to whether he or 
Col announced the title flrst. Gold 
stone's pictures are released by Ma- 
jestic, which Is not a member of 
the Producers* association^ 

The title, 'Curtain at Eight,' was 
reported to have been selected by 
NBC, instead of Goldstone, as the 
radio outfit will broadcast a pro 
gram under this name. Both ether 
and film versions are adapted from 
Octavus Ray C0hen*8 novel, 'The 
Back Stage Mystery." NBC and 
Majestic have a tieup In airing the 
story. 



Fox's New Ad Agents 

Hanff-Metzger has replaced Dona- 
hue & Coo as the advertising 
agency for Fox Films. H-M for 
years was agency for Paramount, 
but Par dropped It with changes 
In its directorate and about the 
.same time Sidney Kent switched to 
Fox. 

Donahue-Coe entered Fox during 
Harlcy Clarke's regime. 



LOEB TO BAB FAUHEIH, TOO 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Edwin Loeb, who resigned as at- 
torney for the producers group 
here, sailed Sunday (26) to South- 
ampton, via the canal, on S. S. 
Amerlka. 

From there he goes to Bad Nau- 
helm, where Irving Thalberg will 
join him. 



Loew and Paramount-Publlx have 
called off tlielr pooling proposition 
for the Capitol and Paramount the- 
tres on Broadway, just missing going 
through with it. While it was agree- 
able to the majority on both sides, 
there was some opposition in either 
camp, and the opposish finally pre- 
vailed. 

The deal was discussed for the 
purpose of mutually benefitting the 
two Broadway picture houses In 
their common battle against the de- 
presh and the Radio City draw. Lat- 
ter had affected all Broadway box 
offices considerably, taking as much 
as $150,000 a week in admissions out 
of the Broadway coffers. 

Stage Screen Apportioned 

Had it gone through the Par 
would have become the stage show 
house with the Capitol going to 
straight pictures with a symphony 
orchestra and getting flrst pick of 
the combined product. It was figured 
that with only one house In the fleld- 
the current competitive bidding for 
badly needed attractions and des- 
perate boosting of salaries might be 
curbed. Also that It's now Impossiblo 
for both theatres to obtain a suffi- 
cient number of attractions, but, 
with only one doing the buying, that 
condition would be partly cleared 
up. 

Loew's final decision to call it off 
was reported based on a question of 
whether it would be advisable to 
change the Capitol's established pol- 
icy witliout assurance that the new 
scheme would work. 

Capitol took It on the chin last 
week, Ed Wynn's holdover, with the 
radio comic and his 'Laugh Parade* 
at $20,400 getting under $40,000 at 
he box office. Paramount fared bet- 
ter, also on a holdover, with Mae 
West on the stage and screen get- 
ting $63,000 on eight days. Miss 
West, along with the show and pic- 
ture intact, repeats oh Broadway 
next week (3) after current week 
in Brooklyn. 

Mae West Return 

A radio stage bill mostly of radio 
acts, booked for the Par next week, 
will be set back a week to March 10 
due to Miss West's return. It In- 
cludes Jessica Dragonette, Easy 
Aces and "Voice of Experience.' Ben 
Bernie's band Is down for the week 
of March 17 and following show's 
headllner will be George Gershwin 
at $6,000 

Capitol has nothing set yet to fol- 
low the Jack Pearl show next week 
(3), In which Pearl Is down for $3,- 
600. Also on the bill will be Arthur 
Tracy and Milton Berle. 



FOX CONTRACIEES OKAY 
l9-Wo SALARY SLASHES 



Hollywood, FeSi 27, 
After talks with WInfleld Shee- 
han, contract players, directors, 
writers and execs at Fox, with few 
exceptions, complied with the re- 
quest to tak3 salary cuts In keep- 
ing with the dent in wages handed 
the other studio personnel 10 days 
ago. 

Although the term people hedged 
on the 20% slash requested, most 
agreed to at least a 10% paring. The 
few demanding that their contract 
stipulations continue were those 
who figure but a short stay on the 
lot 



New We Sister' Tag 
Ousts Religioas Angle 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Following the preview of 'White 
Sister' Wednesday (22) Metro 
photographed a new ending for the 
picture. Old tag had Clark Gable 
leaving Helen Hayes when she re- 
fused to renounce the vows of her 
religious order. 

New ending has Gable injured 
when the Italian town Is bombed 
by enemy planes and taken to the 
hospital where Miss Hayes is as- 
signed to nurse him. Picture fades 
out on Gable's death. Ending la 
similar to that used In the original 
silent version, in which Ronald Col- 
man was killed In the earthquake. 

Understood that local dignitaries 
of the Catholic church requeued the 
new finish. 



12 



VARIETY 



PICTURES 



Tuesday, February 28, 193S 



Inifies in a Move to Deal Direct 
Ith the White House; AD About 
Industry's Ticious Circles'-O'ReiUy 



Independent exhibitors headed by 
Charles O'Reilly are setting them- 
selves to ignore the lndusti*y's round 
tAble after March 4 and deal directly 
w ith Washington. Such a stand has 
been Imminent since the T.O.C.C. 
head was made the film world's con- 
tact with the new president. 

O'Reilly for the first time now 
threatens the Industry with the most 
sweeping Investigation It has ever 
had. Charges that vicious circles 
exist and that the indie today is 
virtually powerless to cope with 
them are made by O'Reilly. 

If Roosevelt is satisfied tliat un- 
fair practises exist, O'Reilly Is con- 
fldc:. that he will crack them wide 
open with as much force as that 
wlilch was uced to break up Gener.il 
Fi!ms In the early days of the In- 
dr.stry. 

Any attempt to dictate prices that 
Indies shall charge at their box of- 
fices will witness the crisis which 
will send ordinarily conservative ex- 
hibs to Washington, O'Reilly de- 
clared. 

Kent Plan Nixed 

The Kent Plan, of a 23c minimum 
on the industry's better pictures, is 
targeted in this attack. O'Reilly has 
little fear that this will become the 
general policy of dlstribs during the 
new selling season. 
The shield which, certain dlstribs 



Date *Kong* for 6-Week 
Providence Run at 50c 

The RKO people are sending 'King 
Kong* Into the Victory, Providence, 
for a six week engagement, although 
not announcing the date so far. 

At the same time, the Victory will 
boost its scale to 50 cents. 



'42d St' Eastward 
Train Trek Makes 
Big Western Biz 



Warners '42nd Street' is being 
timed to open in spots where con- 
venient simultaneously with arrival 
in respective keys of the '42nd 
Street' special train, but Is also go- 
ing into other keys. It opened at 
Orpheum, Denver, Thursday (23) as 
train arrived there, and at Newman, 
Kansas City, Friday (24), date of 
special's arrival there. Also went 
Into Chicago, Chicago, same date, 
_ though train did not get there until 

malnklnV^glve8"them Weight 'to 1^ ^ay (Saturday) 

dictate prices, if they see fit. copy- ^^en train arrives In Washing 
right and patent, can be blasted for- March 8 picture goes into 

ever if the Government decides It is ^^le there. New York date at 
being used partially, the T.O.C.C. Strand Is March 9. Negotiations 
head states \^°^ Radio City grew cold due to re- 

Indie leaders doubt that the ma- f"sal of RKO to gi-ant Warner de 
Jor Interests will 'dare' to invoke a mands for WB h. o. okay on adver 
national readjustment scale of ad- ^Bing, etc. . . , „ 
missions. The Idea that the lesser '^^^^ Stre<=f la the first picture 
runs should be asked to raise their to eet an extensive test In the west- 
scalar while the top houses lower ern part of the country, ahead of 
theirs Is scored by them as 'rldicu- any playdates In the east. WB is 
lous and absurd.' anxious to learn the reaction as 

O'Reilly's biggest point deals with against the theory that the rest of 
classification of film bookings and the country depends to a large ex- 
the Inability of the Indie, even with tent on Broadway first runs of 
enough money, to compete on an pictures 

even basis with highest first runs in I •42nd Street' train exploitation 



securing prcduct. 



COURT SCORES THEATRE 
HEAD IN UNION ROW 



stunt originated by Charlie Kinfeld 
at h. o. was directed from his desk 
in New Tork through daily tele 
phonic contact. 



Ed Lenflifui Learns Job 
Not Steady— 18 Yre. KKO 

Bdward T. Lenlhan'a 18-year run 
as a' Keith, Orpbeum and KKO 
theatre manager . has ended. The 
Bishop, as he Is known, got his no- 
tice last week at the RKO 86th St., 
New Tork, which he has been man- 
aging for several months. 

After starting at the old Majestic, 
Chicago, Lenlhan was brought east 
by J. J. Murdock. RKO trans- 
ferred him to New Tork a few years 
ago and he shortly became a divi- 
sion manager. He came to the 86th 
from Flushing, Lk I. 

Lenlhan as a house manager for 
18 years probably made more ac- 
quaintances than any other man- 
ager In the business with the pos- 
sible exception of Slmer Rogers of 
the Palace. Lawrence Griebe trans- 
fers from the Colonial to the 86th. 

Under Lenihan the S6th St., since 
Jan. l.and up to Friday (24), when 
Lenlhan was through, had shown a 
profit of 119,861. 

Among reasons as given by RKO 
for Lenihan's dismissal is a charge 
of 'playing politics.' Referred to 
was a letter from John Theofel, in 
which the Democratic leader of 
Queens protested against the re- 
moval of Lenlhan from Flushing. 

Three managers In the RKO 
Brooklyn Jr. division, two of whom 
have been with the organization for 

14 and 16 years, respectively, are 
being let out under the division 
manager change by which Lou 
Goldberg succeeds Dr. Joe Lee. 

The outs are William Sanford, 
district manager in Rockaway, after 

15 years, and John Sheridan of the 
Centra], Cedarhurst, after 14. Also 
George Jinks, manager of the 
Orpheum, Brooklyn, 



Decision on Any^lox Rec^^ 
Move Rests With Chase, Street View 



W. Va. FUm Censorship 
Law Deemed Remote 

Charleston, W. Va,, Feb. 27. 

A bill for the creation of a state 
board of censors for motion pic- 
tures has been Introduced in the 
house of delegates by Rush D. Holt, 
DemocrAt, of Lewis county. The 
bill was referred to the house judi- 
ciary committee. Two men and n 
woman would comprise the board. 

The bill's chance of being enacted 
is regarded as remote. 



'KoBg' Day-Date Bob 
R.C. Houses fs No. 3 
Policy for RKO Roxy 



Springfield, Mass., Feb. 27. 

Union workers have been ab- 
solved from charges of unlawful 
conspiracy aursiinst the Holyoke the- 
atre in the report of a master who 
conducted ho.'irlngs on the charges 
brought by th'. People's Amusement 
Co. The latter has been seeking an 
injunction to prevent union men 
from picketing the house, which has 
been operated with non-inion labor. 

The master reported that the diC' 
tntorial attitude of David Brand of 
Brookllne, p:esldent and general 
manager of the theatre company, in 
dealing with others in relation to 



Kansas City, Feb. 27. 
The arrival of the Warner Broth- 
ers-General Electric Special, with 
its nine screen personages, and ten 
chorines, and their day's stay here, 
was an event in the lives of the 
fans. 

Although the train arrived an 
hour late, the day's schedule was 
followed. The party was met at the 
station and welcomed by Mayor 
Smith and party. Next followed a 
broadcast from the offices of the 
local G-E company and then a pa- 
rade to the Newman theatre, where 
'42d Street' was showing. 

At 7.30 all the gang appeared on 
the stage of the Newman and gave 
an interesting broadcast, of songs, 
music and talks. The guests were 
Introduced by Jack Mofflt, picture 



the Holyoke theatre, was a greater 

cause for loss of patronage than the I editor of the Kansas City Star, who 
picketing. The report says Brand ^as host to the party at a dinner, 
failed to keep his promise to give xom Mix explained the presence 
patrons free silverware, was unfair | of the company: 'Our idea in mak- 



Apparently unwilling to accept 
Roxy's (Rothafel) idea of spotting 
the RKO Rosy as a straight vaude 
spot on a continuous basis, Harold 
B. Franklin as the directing genius 
of Radio City, is experimenting etiU 
further with a policy on the smaller 
of the two R.C. houses. Although 
it's two months since R.C. opened, 
no permanent 'policy has so far been 
effected for th^ RKO Roxy. 

The new idea comes with the 
showing of 'King Kong,' which is 
slated to play simultaneously, day 
and date, at .both the Music Hall 
and the RKO Roxy, beginning 
Thursday (2). 

This marks the third change In 
policy for the RKO' Roxy elnce 
Franklin's operating committee took 
charge and of which he is the head 
Outside of Its- first two weeks, which 
were previous to the committee's 
handling, the RKO Roxy has been 
In the black maybe only one week. 

House already has been used as a 
second run to the Music Hall on 
films, and currently is second run 
to the M.H. on stage shows. 

This many policy change at the 
RKO Roxy in a brief six or seven 
weeks has its RKO counterpart in 
the operation of the Palace on 
Broadway, which Is mostly operated 
by Martin Beck and which had as 
many as five policy changes within 
a year until the spot is now Just 
another grind on Broadway. 



Possible N. Y. 
State Adniish 
Tax Big Worry 



With an admission tax in New 
York State nearer Monday (27) to 
final passage than in any other leg- 
islative year a meeting of state ex- 
hibitor leaders and producer rep- 
resentatives was hurriedly called. 
Passage of the 10% tax means a 
nick affecting the entire country 
since the cities of New Tork, Al- 
bany and Buffalo represent close to 
20% of the total boxofUce gross In 
the U. S. 

Besides the amount of tribute, 
film lobbyists fear the precedent 
which a New York film tax would 
establish. Other lesser states, 
which lobbyists are now confident 
will pass up the b.o. tax, would be 
quick to fall in line. 

The legislative frame of mind up 
until Friday was figured fairly well 
understood by film men. Suddenly 
over the week-end lobbyists were 
frankly amazed to learn that the 
bill ha4 passed a second committee 
reading. 

Knowing that the third reading 
means almost certain passage the 
industry was in session Monday 
afternoon ■ rushing through an 
emergency defense. 



in his dealings with the union men, 
failed to employ a union carpenter | 
as agreed to and refused to arbi- 
trate with the defendants while 
trying to corivey to the public the 
impression that he was employing | 
union workers. 

The theatre company charged 



Ing this trip is not to give our- 
selves a good time.' 

The ten personages on the train 
were Tom Mix, Laura LaPlante, 
Bette Davis, Glenda Fan'ell, Eleanor 
Holm, Preston Foster, Lyle Talbot, 
Claire Dodd, Leo Carrillo, and 
'King,' Tom Mix's new horse, which 



th-t as .a result of the picketing it pot more attention from the young- 



was necessary to close the house 



er fans than 
chorus girls.' 



the 'Ten beautiful 



I 



West's N. O. Record 

New Orleans, Feb. 27, 
Mae West's 'Done Him Wrong,' in 
Its fourth week at the Tudor, after 



Denver, Feb. 27. 
Judging from the crowds on the 
streets and at the four spots the 
tralhload of stars, chorus girls, etc.. 



Its first big week at the Saenger of the Warner Bros. '42d Street Spe 
established a run record for the past cial' made an appearance, business 



three years here. 



BELL VACATIOir EXTENDED 

Hollywood, Feb. 28- 
Having three melodramas sched 
iiled for rush production, Monogram 
has given Rex Bell a second exten- 
sion of his vacation and the actor 
will not report here from New York 
until Marcli 10. He was originally 
'due. Feb. 16^ and then (21) from his 
European trip with Clara Bow. 

/Falde ITronts', now fllmlnff, 'Black 
Beauty' and 'Tbe.BetviTi of Casey 
J^oiieB''inuBt l)e completed by Mono- 
gram before .startiDg: Bell's w«stenui 



was practically suspended. And if 
anyone had known Tom Mix was to 
have been on the train, schools 
would probably have closed. As It 
was, many classes In high schools 
and colleger had less than half at 
tendance. Stories in Denver 'Post' 
never mentioned Mix In their story 
of the start of the train from Hoi 
lyw^ood, the only Intimation anyone 
had of hIe=^omlng being a mere 
mention of his name in an ad In the 
'News.' He must have decided to go 
after Dorothy Wooldrldge. (special 
correspondent) wrote her story. 
Streets around the 



FIX, STOCK AND VAUDE 
COMBOS IN L A. AT 25c 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Vestland's Orange, at Orange 
(suburb), is going triple bill on 
week days with pictures, stock and 
vaude. Top tariff, regardless of 
show combination, will be 26c. 

McKenzle Players (tent outfit) 
went into the house on a two-a- 
week basis Friday (24), with five 
acts of vaude set for Sundays. 
Stock or vaude bills will run around 
76 minutes, plus the usual screen 
feature and shorts. 



NEW CENSOR MEASURES 
QUASHED GENERALLY 



Censorship measures are proving 
the easiest of all proposed legisla- 
tion adverse to the interests of the 
Industry, film lobbyists report. With 
little effort on their part such bills 
during the past week were killed In 
committee by legislatures In Indl 
ana, Maine and Connecticut. 

In Nebreiska, where the bill would 
prevent exhibiting women smoking 
on the screen, the measure was tied. 
This means It will have to be rein- 
troduced for further consideration. 

New Hampshire and Califomla 
have yet to make final disposition of 
their censor Inclinations. 

Industry representatives now, 
however, are confident that when 
the legislative field day Is over there 
win be censorship only In the pres- 
ent six states. 

First state in the union to close 
its legislative session without put- 
ting through a single bill adverse to 
the Industry Is Wyoming, That leg- 
islature closed yesterday (Monday). 



Fox Films cannot head for aa 
equity receivership until and unless 
Chase Bank decides. It all depends 
on Chase, which has to consider its 
$1,800,000 in Interest on $90,00,000 
Fox bonds due in April. The Fox 
company's ability to meet such a 
payment is questioned. It Is known 
that Chase is committed not to put 
more money into Fox. 

This is Wall Street's interpreta- 
tion of the Fox situation. On Mon« 

day (27) Fox West cioaat went into 
voluntary bankruptcy by a proceed- 
ing In Los Angeles. This F-WC 
action Is viewed as a logical Af ore- 
runner of Fox Film's going Into a 
receivership. 

Nearly all of the $30,000,000 issue 
Is held by Chase through Chase Se- 
curities. Interest on the minority 
holdings are stated not to amount 
to more than $60,000 which Fox 
company can meet when due. 

Among the biggest millstones 
which Fox Films has concerns the 
Paramount theatres In Northern 
California and operated by Fox 
West Coast. Fox Film is the di- 
rect guarantor on the leases of 
these theatres. The matter Is now 
In negotiation. These Par theatres 
Include one In Oakland and three 
Frisco spots, the Paramount, Cali- 
fornia and the St. Francis. 

Other Stock Holdino* 
The big rub for the Chase peo- 
ple is, if deciding for Fox receiver- 
ship, what happens to their interest 
in General Theatres, which owns 
control of the Fox Film besides all 
of the preferred stock in Film Se- 
curities, the controlling factor In 
Loew's. The Film Securities stock 
Is the collateral which Q. T. E., now 
In receivership, originally placed 
with Chase for loans by Chase to 
General Theatres. 

Any receivership of Fox might af- 
fect the value of these G. T. B. 
stockholdings in Fox F^m, while 
not affecting the stock of Film Se- 
curities. 

Any action through Chase will 
have no bearing on Sid Kent's po- 
sition as his standing is underwrit- 
ten by the bank, according to ac- 
counts, w^ith feeling downtown that, 
if anything, Kent, since coming into 
Fox, is a bigger personality in the 
industry and outside than he hith- 
erto may have been considered. 

Kent holds a contract which per- 
mits him a nominal^ (from a fllm- 
dom angle) salary, plus a stock 
guaranty which is contingent on the 
company's earnings. 

For the past week or so Kent has 
been laid up with the grippe and Is 
confined to his home. Until recov- 
ered, there Is no likelihood of Chase 
deciding on any action. 



appearance at the 'Post' were the 
biggest yet for anything at that 
spot, and at the Orpheum standing 
room was sold as far as the police 
would allow and thousands were 
turned away. 

The troupe put on a fast, moving 
and snappy 20-mlnute show, with 
Leo Carrillo acting as m.c. 

Denver was their first stop where 
all were off the train. At every vil- 
lage and town where they were 



scheduled to stop the whole town 
depot were I seemed out to see the train, the 
Jammecl for blocks; crowds at their i tt<oup«rs said. 



Liberal Sundays in Penn. 
May Follow Baseball's OK 

Easton, Pa., Feb. 27. 

Just when theatre men were be- 
ginning to fear they would be left 
out in the cold and the blue laws 
of Pennsylvania modified to allow 
Sunday baseball and other sports 
only, a new bill has been Introduced 
by Assemblyman Steedle, of Alle- 
gheny county, which would legalize 
all paid amusements on Sundays. 

The bill allowing Sunday base- 
ball has already passed the House 
and there Is little doubt that It will 
also pass the Senate. The House is 
to act on the Steedle bill within a 
few weeks and there Is the belief 
that it will pass. Whether Gov. 
Pinchot will sign it Is doubted. 

The bill provides that n^unlcipal- 
itles would be authorized to adopt 
ordinances In accordance with the 
will of the electors. 



RKO'S N. J.-CONN. 

SUBSID'S Bja>TCY 



The RKO Interests yesterday (27) 
filed a voluntary petition in bank- 
ruptcy for the former Bradder & 
Pollack houses In New Jersey and 
Conn. Action was brought in the 
Federal court. New York, before 
Judge Coleman. No referee so far 
appointed with schedule of liabili- 
ties and assets still to be filed, 
probably in around 10 days. Seven 
houses are involved. 

These are the theatres concern- 
ing which RKO at various times 
has held negotiations with the 
Skouras Brothers relative to the 
latter taking the spots over. 

Houses Include spots at Arling- 
ton, Irvlngton, Lyndhurst, two the- 
atres In Rahway, N. J., and two at 
Greenwich, Conn. The biggest loser 
of the group and which apparently 
prompted the action is the RKO 
Pickwick, at Greenwich. 

This makes the third RKO the- 
atre group to fall into bankruptcy, 
others being the RKO Western 
Corp., or former Pantages Circuit, 
and the RKO Southern, or former 
Interstate Circuit, comprising the 
Karl Hoblitzelle houses. 



For Winchell Z-Reelers 

Nick Stuart and Sally O'Neil, both 
absent from films for a long while, 
will try come-backs the next of the 
Universal-released Walter Winchell 
series by Rowland -Brlce. 

Also cast for the columnist's two- 
reelor are Abe Lyman's band and 
N.T.Q. 



• St. lUrtlB's PlMM. Tr»fMl«M 8«WM 



FOREIGN FILM NEWS 



Okkto AMTMat TABIKTT, MMDOW 
Tel«plMMi Teoiple Bmr SM1-M49I 



19 



South Afrka 

By H. Hanson 



Cai»atown, Jan. 32. 
Ninety-three In the shade in 
Capetown, with oth%r towns also 
■ufferlne. 



Johnsons Again 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson 
have arrived from the States to 
undertake another expedition, last- 
ing: two years, into the widls of Af- 
rica. Their sound picture 'Coniro- 
rllla' was recently shown over here. 
Their Intention Is to make anjther 
sound film of wild life, includlner 
lnci<!^ents of native tribes In the 
jungle. They have brought two Si- 
korsky planes. The pedltion has 
eight members, including a son of 
Antonio Moreno, the film actor. 



Taking a World Tour 

Mr. '\A( H. Hinton, general public- 
ity manager of African Consolidated 
Theatres sails Feb. 13 on the Ceram- 
ic for a trip round the world. No 
doubt he will pick up some up-to- 
date exploitation ideas. 



Chastairt vs. Caratens 

January 21 Clyde Chastain, box- 
ing partner of Young Stribllng, 
fought the South African Dave 
Carstens. Both good men. The ten 
rounds made a good show, with 
the Judges unable to agree on the 
verdict, and the referee handing in 
a draw. The decision was consid- 
ered fair. 



Lyell-Tayler as Conductor 

Previous to joining African the- 
atres as general manager, Mr. Ly- 
ell-Tayler was conductor of the 
Durban Municipal orchestra. He re- 
cently handled the baton In front 
of a symphony orchestra at the 
Plaza cinema, Johannesburg, for a 
etage spectale of 'Three Faces East.' 



Stage Shows Off 

Variety shows and stage plays 
are a thing of the past, and a 
change In the bill of fare would be 
welcomed. At present, the only 
stage production in the country is 
'The Belle of New York,' by a local 
combination In Johannesburg, 
otherwise South Africa is entirely 
bare of variety acts and theatrical 
shows. African Consolidated Thea- 
tres says the public fail to sup- 
port variety and stage shows. 



U. S. TOPS GERMANY IN 
PRODUCT FOR HUNGARY 



Budapest, Feb. 16. 

The Film Censor's OfHce has Just 
published figures which show the 
movement of the picture trade In 
Hungary In 1932. 

A total of 666 sound and 120 silent 
pictures were passed by the censors 
unconditionally, 60 sound and 3 si- 
lent pictures were permitted to be 
shown to grown-ups over 16. The 
rest were vetoed, but severed of these 
were passed on the second or third 
time of petitioning. Only 27 sound 
and 1 silent picture were banned def- 
initely and without appeal. 

Export permits were given for 10 
sound and 6 silent pictures made 
here. Most of these were shorts, the 
aggregate length of the 16 pic- 
tures being 7,614 metres. 

Pictures censored came from the 

following countries: 

Bound, silent. Total. Metres. 

ITnlted Slates.... 20S 24 822 848,003 

aermany 2n 18 244 828,6TB 

Hungary 12(1 42 108 65.408 

Pranc* 18 42 60 B0.148 

lUly 6 1 0 2.950 

Great Britain 1 1 2,738 

Austria 6 2 7 7.606 

Scandinavia .... 8 0 0 IS.OSS 

Thus America still retains suprem- 
acy over German product, although 
Germany comes a close second. 
Home product is beginning to take 
quite a considerable place on pro- 
grams, though newsreels and edu- 
cationals figure largely among the 
number of Hungarian mades. 

British production will probably 
claim a larger share In the future, 
since several Hungarian producers, 
directors and actors are now engaged 
in British film production. Moat im- 
portant among these are Lajos Biro 
and Alexander Korda. 



PETDER STMITS '1940' 

Paris, Feb. IT. 

Jaqued Feydor arrived here today 
from Hollywood and the Metro lot 
and starts work Immediately on a 
new picture for Pathe-Natan. Pic- 
ture it '1940/ scenario for which he 
wrote himself 

Francoise Rosay, Feyder's wife, 
will play the lead. 



Gould UA Mox Chief 
Walter Oould, UA branch mana- 
ger at 'i:>tobal, has been ap- 
pointed general manager of Mexica 
He icceeds George Kallman, re- 
signed. The Cristobal office wlU be 
In charge of Harold Sugannaa. 



Paris Ex-Editor Goes 

Into Making of Films 

Paris, Feb. 17. 

Leon Bailby, former editor of the 
'Intranslgaant', has finished his 
quiet building-up of an organization 
and is understood now to be ready 
to break into film production. 

Bailby, aa editor of the 'Intran', 
one of Paris' biggest dailies, was 
deeply Interested in pictures with 
that understood to be the cause of 
his downfall. He had part of his 
newspaper building remade into the 
'Miracles' theatre showing first run 
films and added a weekly film fan 
mag 'Pour Vous'. 

Bankers stepped in about six 
months ago and forced his resigna- 
tion from th«^ paper's staff and 
board. 



Honduras Legislates 
Against Dabbed Fibn 



Honduras, Feb. 27. 
Government hero has passed a 
law prohibiting the screening of 
Spanish dubbed films of any sort, 
whether made within the country 
or out. Spanish direct shots are 
okay, or films in their original lan- 
guage. 

It's the first of the Spanish lan- 
guage territories to rebel against 
dubbing, a strictly Eutopean pas- 
time up to now. 



German-Made Film of 

Czech Opera Barred 

Prague, Feb. 16. 

The film produced in Germany of 
'The Bartered Bride', by the great 
Czech composer, Smetana, with 
Jaromlla Novotny, noted Czech 
opera singer living in Berlin, in 
chief role (Smctana's opera now 
running in German at Metropolitan 
opera), has been prohibited entry 
into Czechoslovakia on the ostensible 
ground that Czech works should be 
produced in Czechoslovakia to en- 
courage the domestic film industry. 

The real reason for the embargo 
is the dissatisfaction of Czech musi- 
cal and theatrical authorities with 
the reproduction of Czech folklore 
scenes and costumes made in Ger- 
many. 



Butcher Gets Travel Pic 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Independently made travel drama, 
'The Sea Killer,' will be released In 
England by Butcher Films. 

Feature was made by Television 
Pictures, which releases in this 
country through state right ex- 
changes. 



<UABIE' STABS SOUGHT 

Berlin, Feb. — . 

Metropol Film Verleih, who have 
just released 'Marie', Is negotiating, 
on the basis of this success, with 
liOthar Stark film production. 

They plan to make a picture with 
Paul Fejos, director of 'Marie,' and 
Annabella, in a German and fVench 
version. 



GEBMAir U EXPANDS 

Btorlln, Feb. 16. 

Max Friedland, German Univer- 
sal's general manager, deep In sche- 
dule of the new season's production. 
Franziska Oaal, a success In 'Papri- 
ka' and contracted for two years, 
starts this week in a new picture 
with Paul Hoerblger opposite. Di- 
rector is Karl Boese. 

German Universal's release list 
and exploitation system has been 
greatly enlarged in the last six 
months. From Frledland's state- 
ments it Is assumed that the 1933- 
34 production will at least equal 
that of 1932-33. 



WB Second German 

Berlin, Feb. 16. 
Warner Bros, who will soon re- 
lease here their second German con- 
tract picture 'Salon Dora Green', 
with Mady Christians and Paul Hart- 
man. 

Warners were successful with 
their first contract picture 'Herren 
vom Maxim'. 



'End of World' Twice Daily 

Edward T. RIccl has bought the 
American rights to 'Fin du Monde' 
('End of the World') French talkep 
made by Abel Gance. 

Picture will be given first New 
York showing in about six weeks, 



Annabella and Bergner 
In Rival *Kareninas' 

Paris, Feb. 18. 

Pathe-Natan Is preparing scripts 
on a film version of 'Anna Kare- 
nina.' Annabella, France's most 
popular femme star, will probably 
handle the title role In the Tolstoy 
epic, and P-N hopes to get started 
In screening within a few weeks. 

Means there will be two 'Kare- 
nlnas' being filmed In Europe at 
about the same time. Cine-AIlianz, 
in Berlin, has had It on the produc- 
tion schedule for some months, with 
work to start in May and Elisabeth 
Bergner In the lead. Miss Bergner 
Is Germany's best, meaning both 
films will be heavily star-studded. 



VIENNA STUDIO 
RENTAI^ BOOM 



Vienna, Feb. 17. 
Sacha la putting extensive re- 
pairs into the Vita- Studio on the 
Kosenhuegel, near here, with a view 
to put it to immediate use. Sacha 
acquired the studio several months 
ago on the realization that Its own 
s^tudios in Slevering have been con- 
tinuously occupied for the psust 
year 

Sacha doesn't make many pic- 
tures on its own any more, but has 
had exceptional luck renting out 
space to foreign producers and now 
figures there's a lot of money to 
be made on this sort of thing. Low 
rentals and film costs even lower 
than those In Germany are the at- 
traction from a foreign standpoint, 
foreigners being thus permitted to 
iniport companies of film actors, 
make their pictures locally and 
move on, still to the good, and with 
authentic backgrounds. 

Sacha is planning to spend about 
$70,000 on the reparations and fig- 
ures things ought to be ready by 
about June. That figure, of course, 
does not Include expenditures on 
new sound equipment. 



FRENCH, BRITISH DRIFT 
IN CANADA HURTS U. & 



Ottawa, Feb. 27. 

The domestle problem of the 
moving picture business in Canada 
is not a shortage of Alms, but an 
over-supply, according to trade 
economists. 

Canda Is importing CO features 
from France yearly to satisfy the 
demands of the French- Canadians 
for French talkies, while the supply 
of British films during 1988 wlU 
probably be double that of last year. 
British pictures will account for 
10% of total Canadian bookings this 
year while the French films will cut 
off another 2%% ot bookings for 
distributors 01 pictures from the 
United States. 

Another factor Is that there are 
13% fewer customers for the ex- 
changes because of the closing of 
theatres, representing another 6% 
of total bookings. Canadian theatre 
attendance fell off 12% In 1932, as 
indicated by lower amusement tax 
returns, and this decline has grown 
so far this year, Judging from cur- 
rent theatre grosses. Still another 
angle to the sltnatlon Is reduced ad- 
mission prices. 

It Is estimated that the reduced 
revenue for U.S. film distributors In 
Canada Is lapproxlmately 30%. If the 
American supply of films continues 
normal, then the average gross per 
picture will be reduced 30%. The 
contention Is that Imports of Amer- 
ican pictures should be reduced to 
raise the average gross and net i>er 
picture and, likewise, reduce the op- 
erating expenses of the U. 8. film 
exchanges In the Dominion. The 
Canadian government is watchfully 
waiting the outcome of discussions 
within the film trade as any united 
move to reduce film Imports will 
affect the government tariff and ex- 
cise revenue. 



Nebenzahl for U. 8. 

Berlin, Feb. 14. 

Seymour Nebenzahl, producer of 
•M,' now producing "Dr. Mabuse's 
Laat Will,' which Is to come out 
shortly, soon will go to the States 
to sell this picture there. 

He has Jut acquired the film 
right of a beat seller novel "Aben- 
teuer eines Jungen Herrn aus Polen' 
('Adventures of a Toung Man from 
Poland'), and U looking for a film 
director* 



Three British Pictures on B'way, 
Hkfh Mark for That Coimfay Here 



New Paris Newsreelers 
Sponsored by Journals 

Paris, Feb. 17. 

Two new newsreel house? opened 
here last night, the 'Cinepresse' and 
the "Paris- Solr*. LAtter Is the same 
name as a Paris dally and run by 
that paper. 

There are six other such houses 
in Paris now, and almost all doing 
well. Shows generally last about 
60 minutes and average entrance 
fee is 20 cents. Mostly the program 
Is only half newsreels the other half 
being travelog and magazine items. 

Generally newspaper influence 
back ot each of the houses, with 
the paper figuring to cash in on the 
publicity and advertising Itself gen- 
erously throughout. 



Clive Brook to london 
For One Pic for Korda 



Liondon Films (/lexander Korda) 
has concluded a contract with Clive 
Brook for one picture to be made 
by Brook In Liondon this summer. 
Korda wants Brook for a new O. B. 
Shaw story and will star him op- 
posite Elisabeth Bergner, German 
star. 

Korda's picture company also has 
Charles Laughton for one film to 
be made this summer in London. 



Allianz Doing Three 

More with Kiepura 

Berlin, Feb. 16. 

Cine-Alllanz signed the singer, 
Jan Klepui-a, for three pictures 
within two years. 

This company also bought the 
picture rights of the stage success 
'Ball im Savoy*. Martha Bggerth Is 
cast for "Ball Im Savoy* and two 
others. 

Jenny Jugo, lead for Kiepura In 
the picture now In production, will 
be In a second picture, with option 
for two others. 

Tolstoi's 'Anna Karenlna* will 
also be produced by this company, 
under Anatol Lltwak's direction 
this year, In German and French 
version, possibly with Annabella In 
the lead. 



irs3&B 



Universal Is talking money to 
Gaumont-Brltish again on an Eng- 
lish version ot a German picture. 
Film Is 1 By Day and You By Night' 
with Lillian Harvey. If deal goes 
through It will give U a chance to 
chance to cash In on Fox's build- 
up ot the blonde German star. 

n already has two G-B's, Home 
Express' and 'Tell Me Tonight' 



Garbo Guest of Peeress? 

Hamilton, Bermuda, Feb. 28. 

Inquiry among the crew of 61 on 
Lady Tule's twin-screw schooner, 
finest private yacht sailing the Brit- 
ish flag, reveals expectations that 
Greta Garbo, close friend of her 
ladyship, will Join the cruise In Swe- 
den In June. 

Lady Yule arrived here (19) with 
a party ot three. Including a sister 
ot Prince ot Wales* secretary. Ad- 
miral Sir Lionel Halsey, and stay- 
ing 10 days. To Charleston and 
Miami and back here March 16 tor 
another week, then to the Riviera. 
Norway and Sweden some time In 
June, where maybe Garbo tank she 
yoin yacht, named 'Nahlln.' 

Room for only six guests on 'Nah- 
lln.' Boat Is a miniature Itixury 
liner, flxin's Including a large gym- 
nasium, too. La Garbo's photograph 
featured on baby grand in drawing 
room. 



Guzman Home, To Meg 

Mexico City, Feb, 23. 
Roberto Guzman, Mexican actor 
who has directed some Spanish ver- 
sions for various Hollywood com- 
panies, among them Paramount and 
Warner Bros., has returned. He in- 
timates he will soon begin meg work 
on a native talker for Eco Films of 
Mexico, a new national producer. 



Ufa Signs Star, Director 

Berlin, Feb. J15. 
Ufa signed Brigitte Helm for three 
pictures, nim director Erich Engel 
also signed by Ufa. 



Best showing British films have 
ever had on Broadway currently, 
with three British mades within the 
Times Square sector. Both Roxy 
theatres have British films and at 
the Rlvoli Is 'Perfect Understand- 
ing,' made by Gloria Swanson in 
London. 

'Rome Express' at the RKO Roxy 
was made by Gaumont-Brltish 
though distributed by Universal in 
the United States and the old Roxy 
has 'The Man Who Won', a BIP 
distributed by Pat Powers, Last 
week this house had another Brit 
film, "Ghost Train,' a Q-B- picture 
released by that company's New 
York offlce. 

Another Impending G-B film for 
Broadway Is 'Song of the Night,' 
with Jan Kiepura, which Universal 
has bought and Is hoping to spot 
In one of the Radio City houses, al» 
though It may go Into the Palace, 
with a likely date within two weeks. 



FOX FORHGNS UNDE 
NEW WURTZEL SETUP 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Fox foreign department will go 
under Sol Wurtzel's wing when he 
transfers his unit production ac- 
tivities to the old Western avenue 
studio this week. Seven ot the for« 
elgns will be produced In addition 
to Wurtzel's 20 domestics. 

John Stone, formerly In charge of 
the forelgns, Joins Wurtzel to su" 
pervlse the seven. He. will also be 
an associate on production ot sev- 
eral of the domestic features. Rob« 
ert Yost returns to Fox as business 
manager ot the Wurtzel scenario 
department. 

Of the seven direct shot Spanish 
pictures to be made, four will be 
musicals, three comedy-dramas; 



Screen Bnjids Mojka 
To World Concert Tour 



Jose Mojica, Mexican picture play- 
er and singer who Is Just completing 
his ninth Spanish picture for Ftnc in 
Hollywood, sails from New Torlc on 
the 6, a. Dresden March f tor a 10 
week concert tour embracing the 
Norse and Teutonic as well aa the 
Latin countries. The distribution 
of his Spanish pictures even In the 
Svenska territory, plus his Victor 
recordings, created a surprising de* 
mand for his concert bookings. WolfC 
& Sachs ot Berlin are routing him. 

Ed Perkins, Hollywood exploiteer, 
sails a tew days ahead ot MoJIca te 
pave the publicity route, going over 
on the Paris (March 4.) MoJlca 
opens in the Bachsaal, Berlin, Marcli 
24. Troy Sanders, composer-arranger 
on the Fox lot, is going over with 
the Mexican singer as piano accom- 
panist. MoJIea's last tor Fox, now 
being completed. Is titled *EV>rbidden 
Melody*. 



Canada Used Only 35 

British Fihns in '32 

Washington, Feb. 27. 

According to Assistant Trade 
Commissioner A. F. Peterson ot 
Toronto, reporting to the U. S. Com- 
merce Dept, S6 British film subjects 
were admitted by the Ontario Board 
ot Motion Picture Censors in tiie 
fiscal year ending October 81, ac- 
cording to the annual report on 
that body. In the previous year, 
26 British subjects were admitted. 
However, despite this increase In 
British motion pictures, the bulk ot 
features shown In Ontario were 
from the United States. 

Advertising media in motion plo- 
tures are also subject to censor In 
Ontario. Of a total ot 21,638 speci- 
mens of cuts, posters and slides, 
20,687 were approved, 482 required 
alteration and 469 were rejected. 



Russ Megger to Turks 

Moscow, Feb. 28. 
Russian government has loaned 
Sergei Yutkevltch, Russ film direc- 
tor, to Turkey for a film to be made 
there. Turkish government wlU 
finance the picture, which will be 
on the subject of Turkish libera- 
tion. 

Russia may help Turkey dis- 
tribute the film when finished, but 
lent them the director tree aa m 

gesture. 



14 



VARIETY 



FILM REVIEWS 



Tuesday, February 20, JO.J.T 



Talking Shorts 



WALTER WINCHELL 

*l Know Everybody and Every- 
body's Racket' 

Paul Whiteman, Ruth Etting, Ar- 
thur Tracy, Art Jarret, Irene Tay- 
lor, Jack Fulton 

18 Mins. 

RKO Roxy, N. Y. 

Universal 

One of the Monte Brice-Bill Row- 
land series and right on the nose. 
The rest will have to be better, be- 
cause they'll not have the novelty 
appeal, but this one ought to be 
«asy. 

Mark Helllnger wrote the story 
for his fellow-columnist, and what 
makes it nice Is that there Is some 
sort of continuity to the thing. 
Pokes fun at Winchell, too, which Is 
a good idea. If he can take It, and 
seemingly he can. 

Winchell is shown at first having 
a tough time getting material for 
his column and bored with the 
bright life. Along comes a good- 
looking gal who claims she's a 
small -town newspaper woman look- 
ing for news and thrills. "Winchell 
tells her that he'll show her around 
because he knows 'everybody and 
everybody's racket.' That allows 
for glimpsing the notables, who do 
nothing but bow, and Paul WTjlte- 
man gets himself and his Hotel Bilt- 
more a plug by waving the baton 
and allowing Irene Taylor and Jack 
Fulton to sing a couple of pop num- 
bers. 

For a finish Winchell Introduces 
the girl to some gangsters and she's 
thrilled. Off she goes, after again 
thanking thei lad who 'knows every- 
body and everybody's racket.' Then 
the gangsters come back and an- 
nounce the girl has robbed them of 
all their dough, and even Walter's 
watch is gone. They chase her out 
and the colored doorman tells Wal- 
ter the Elrl was really Lancaster 
Sal. Walter says, 'How do you 
know?' and the colored boy answers 
♦I know everybody and everbody'B 
racket.' 

It's a little obvious, but above 
normal for this sort of thing and a 
nice filler. Kauf. 



JACK DEMPSEY 
Sports Novelty 
18 Mins. 

Strand, New York 

Vitaphone Nos. 1503-4 

When it comes to horning in on 
side rackets, the sports writers arc 
the champ chiselers of the world. 
Half a dozen or more are given cast 
credits on this one-reeler. Sam 
Taub's in as the fight broadcaster. 
Taub's radio rep as a fight an- 
nouncer should add customer inter- 
est, but the real selling strength In 
the film comes by way of Jack 
Dempsey, per se. 

Two fight scenes and an incidental 
Broadway show racket make up the 
plot. First fight scene, obviously a 
snap of Madison Square Garden, 
has Dempsey losing the champion- 
ship. Second is his comeback to 
earn funds with which to continue 
the financing of a musical show for 
the daughter of the fighter's sup- 
posedly former manager, and inci- 
dentally the champ's heart Interest. 

That Dempsey personality is all 
there in the film. It's even notice- 
able that the surrounding company 
did more watching of the modern 
nonpareil than anything else. It's 
curious, but shows how strong that 
Dempsey magnetism may be on 
folks generally. 

All the acting a,ttempted In the 
picture Is incidental to this and the 
fight scenes, which clinches the 
screen value of this short. It's the 
second fight scene mostly. When 
Dempsey clips his opponent for a 
k. o., it looks natural. 

Chatter is okay but doesn't really 
matter alongside of those punch 
shots. Shan. 



ROSCOE 'FATTY' ARBUCKLE 
'Buzzin' Around' 
Comedy 
20 Mins. 

Winter Garden, N. Y. 

Vita. No. 7209 

This is the second Warner two- 
reeler made by Roscoe 'Fatty' Ar- 
buckle. After a look at the first one 
made, Arbuckle was signed by WB 
for six more. Contract is Justified 
after 'Buzzin' Around,' but wasn't as 
a result of initial two-reeler. In 



release Is salable 
will please the 



'SPORT THRILLS' 
With Ted Husing 
Novelty 
9 Mins. 

Winter Garden, N. Y. 

Vita. No. 6305 

Big game hunting In the north- 
west and a rough Irish game which 
combines principles of hockey and 
head-smashing form the subject 
matter of 'Sport Thrills,' Issue No. 
4 in series supplanting 'Sports 
Slants/ which also had Ted' Husing 
as narrator. Passable filler. 

Hunters will enjoy the shooting 
of deer, elk and moose, but the 
softer-hearted ladies who like their 
animals won't like to see It all In 
the raw perhaps. Some of the ladies 
In audience' here thought shooting 
those nice animals Just too bad. 
Some of the hunting looks 'fixed,' 
particularly when the elk is downed. 
Animal Is photographed at short 
range and then shot, but it looks 
as though he was plugged first and 
then photographed. 

The Irish game brings many 
laughs, finally getting very comical 
as the players strike each other on 
the head with short hockey-like 
sticks made of wood. Boys get 
knocked out In groups and are 
given immediate medical attention 

Husing's narrative not a harsh ir- 
ritant, but not as lively as )n most 
of his shorts. Char. 



FRED WARING and PENNSYL- 

VANIANS 
Orchestra Skit 
9 Mins. 

Winter Garden, N. Y. 

Vita. No. 7010 

One of the best band shorts yet 
made, largely due to the production 
attention and novelty. Also Waring 
and his boys do more singing than 
playing. If band is known or not 
locally short will add to any pro- 
gram. 

At the opening Waring and musi- 
cians are in a schoolroom giving a 
freshman the works. Film cuts 
from there, to a football game, with 
the baTidsmen singing a college 
cheer number superimposed on the 
grid shots and very effective. A 
band number in the usual setting, 
but also with vocal chorus work 
leaned to strongly comes in here, 
along with a girl who does a 
rhythm dance. 

For a finish the Waring boys are 
lined up at a table in what might 
be a banquet scene at a fraternity 
house. They do the drinking song 
from their stage routine. Final se 
quence of the short is extremely 
well photographed. 
Recording excellent. Char. 



every way this 
material which 
masses. 

Arbuckle himself is In fine fettle 
and seemingly more certain of his 
every move. He may have been a 
little afraid of the first attempt, but 
after Jumping In then, like the boy 
going in for a swim, feels more at 
home in the water 9galn. And he 
was out of it plenty long, which 
may have explained part of the dis- 
appointment accruing out of that 
first WB-Vlta short, 'Hey, Pop,' 
which was weak In material, be- 
sides. Arbuckle In 'Hey. Pop,' was 
90% as against 10% on material, but 
here he hits a percentage closep-to 
perfect than that, while In material 
the second short isn't far behind. 

Slapstick is an important ingre- 
dient in 'Buzzin' Around,' as in first 
release, but In one ' sequence that 
has distinct originality and 'necomes 
very funny, the slight trverlndul- 
gence in slapstick Is counteracted. 
Strong laugh sequence occurs when 
Arbuckle, a farm boy going to town 
with a non-breakable chinaware In- 
vention, swallows a bee. When he 
opens his mouth,^ sound of a buzzing 
bee comes out. This business Is 
carried forward to a showmanly 
point and then dropped. 

A freakish model T Ford figures 
for laughs, with a free-for-all In a 
class china shop for the big finish. 
In plot the two-reeler carries more 
originality than the average shoi-t 
of Its kind. 

Al St. John supports Arbuckle. 
He worked with Fatty many years 
ago in the pie-tossing days, and In 
'Buzzin' Around' Is of considerable 
laugh value. 

Photography and technical lob ex- 
cellent. Char. 



HOLLAND MOSAICS 

Travelog 

9 Mins. 

Projection Room, N. Y. 

RKO-Van Beuren 

Nice assembly of clips about Hoi 
land. Most of the material has 
been seen before but It's cleverly 
assembled and ought to fit. 

Russell Spaulding did the assem- 
bling and wrote the lecture, which 
Alois Havrilla spiels. Havrllla. is 
from NBC and has a pleasant voice, 
but the real point is that Spauld- 
ing has written an exceptionally 
line lecture. It's intelligent, factu- 
ally correct (often not so in shorts), 
and yet down to earth enough for 
common au.dience consumption. 

Kauf. 

'6A68Y CATS' 
'Scrappy' Cartoon 
7 Mins. 
Palace, N. Y. 

Columbia 

Good average cartoon stuff which 
eets busy after too long a hold tQ 
the first set of drawings, a cat on a 
prbmenaide ot the fences, repeated 
eev^n or eight times! Cat finally 
arrives ' at the home . ot the girl 
tdetid'.&Dd calls her out. Another 
torn' appears, a jiuel with claWs, and 
then ahptit' 100 cdts Blip Into the 
llbtite'iajad '0V((rirun the plkts, with 
WO^B ■B<>o^ i^eBLg developed het-e. 

0«ts ft xeaaonahle. average, of 
litiffbd ' and earns iuob|; of them, I 



DONALD NOVIS 
Mother's Pride and Joy' 
Comedy 
17 Mins. 
Rivoli, N. Y. 

Sennett- Paramount 

Comedy sketch plot Is used to 
background the radio singer here, 
raising the question why a gag ve 
hide for a personable young tenor? 
Except for the incongruity of that 
combination, the subject is nicely 
done, and makes acceptable pro 
gram filler. 

Opens with Novis doing straight 
broadcasting In studio. Comedy 
stenog in film casting office Is listen- 
ing in and through her suggestion 
the comedy film producers send for 
him. 

Harry Gribbon does a tempera 
mental baritone who is slated for 
the picture, and the comedy blow- 
off is a sort of contest between 
Novis and him to get the Job. Low 
comedy is further supplied by char- 
acter of Novis' mother, who butts in 
during the rival audition and intro- 
duction of Gribbon's vamp e;Irl 
friend, who switches from the baron 
to the tenor when it becomes ap 
parent that the latter is going to 
get the Job. 

Vince Barnett does some of bis 
clowning as one of the picture pro 
ducers, this angle being handled in 
the 'Once in a Lifetime' manner. 

Rush. 



'THE FLOORWALKER' 
Chaplin Revival 
19 Mins. 
Mayfatr, N. Y. 

RKO-Van Beuren 
This Is another of the old Charlie 
Chaplin comedies under the Lone 
Star Corp. copyright (made around 
1918), which Van Beuren-RKO has 
sound-synchronized. Unlike one or 
two previous releases, the sound 
isn't of much help, nor a hindrance 
for that hiatter, although 'Floor- 
walker's panto might perhaps have 
been a bit more effective even today 
sana the sound effects. 

, , _ . 'Floorwalker' happens to he Jlke- 

whicli Jg BOSadtidng tot a, cartoon wise a bit below par for the Chaplin 
1» do» y Vhic., . i reissues. Aod, 



SO THIS IS HARRIS' 
Sketch with Songs 
19 Mins. 
Palace, N. Y. 

Radio 

Ambitious effort to put over Phil 
Harris, orch leader at the Cocoanut 
Grove In the Ambassador hotel, 
Hollsrwood. Hampered by a trite 
story and too much plugging for the 
star, but helped by productlonal 
values Into something a little better 
than the ordinary short. Modern- 
istic opening with flashes of various 
bits of Hollywood and Los, then 
into the Cocoanut Grove, where 
Harris is leading his band and sing- 
ing a song with the refrain, 'It hap- 
pened to me. It might happen to 
you.' Various bits of business to 
duplicate what happened to him. 

Breaks to the home of Walter 
Catlett. with home brewing dragged 
in for a laugh or two while he es- 
tablishes the fact that he Is sore at 
Harris and his wife is crazy about 
the leader. To a country club, 
where Harris comes to' play golf. 
Meets Catlett on the course and 
they become pally. When the singer 
is told a woman is waiting for him, 
he lets Catlett take his name. Cat 
lett finds the caller has a friend and 
gets Harris to take the latter, not 
knowing it's his own wife until the 
fadeout, with the usual stock exult- 
ing over the trick that is being 
played on the husband until the cll 
max gives the snap away. 

In addition to the sight stuff in 
the cafe there is a sequence of girls 
in the green bit, all in gauze skirts 
Later a line of them are shown in 
the showers for pictorial effect 
Both help. 

Being played up as a sub- feature 
at the Palace and, in spite of the 
triteness of the plot. It can be given 
a little extra attention on the aver- 
age bill. Chic. 



'NOTHING EVER HAPPENS' 
Comedy, Music 
19 Mins. 

Strand, New York 

Vitaphone Nos. 1523-4 

One-reel burlesque on 'Grand 
Hotel,' with songs and dances. It's 
a flashy piece of comedy. Okay ex- 
cept for the blackout finish. This 
leaves the thing hanging. What has 
gone before is euOlcient entertain- 
ment to rate the subject as okay 
secondary screen material for al- 
most any screeh. Particularly 
where 'Hotel' Is remembered by 
customers. 

Fact that the cast was picked 
with a view to each member re- 
sembling certain leading players in 
the original picture aids immensely. 
The lad who does, the John Barry- 
more profile and {^nother who does 
a takeoff on Wallace Beery excite 
comparison^ with the original on 
physiognomy characteristics. The 
Joan Crawford double Is very at- 
tractive. 

Songs and music are woven in ap- 
propriately and not overdone. Danc- 
ing Is by a line of girls who alter- 
nately appear as page glrle and 
kitchen, maids. , 

Biggest. «nf|...ot .the comedy comes 
by way of the' Oarbo takeoff. Infer- 



Miniature Rem 



'Perfect Understanding' (Glo- 
ria Swanson-U. A.) Dull and 
talky picture dealing with a do- 
mestic triangle in British high 
society. Done In the uninspiring 
British style and unlikely for 
American fans. 

'Rome Express' (U). Looks 
like the best British film yet. 
Intrigue, romance and murder 
on a train. Exceptionally well 
acted and ought to do all right 
in most theatres. 

'Ladies They Talk About' 
(WB). Barbara Stanwyck and 
good cast, plus direction and 
writing Job. lift a banal story 
to a chance of getting average 
business. Can use . strong cam- 
paign and ads that are baity. 

'Blondie Johnson' (WB). 
Doesn't look able to stand it 
alone and will need support. 
Curious story of ' a girl who 
turns criminal but not 'im- 
moral'. She only Incites four 
murders or something and 
winds up with six-year sen- 
tence. Chester Morris and Jq^ 
Blondell head the cast. 

'Sailor Be Good' (Radio). An- 
other 'fleet's In' story with the 
customary plot Pleasantly 
played by a good cast, but still 
the same old formula. Better 
for nabes and for the country 
trade, but can get over probably 
In the lower first runs If forced. 

'The Man Who Won' (BIP). 
British Made. Double feature 
stuff. Cast includes Heather 
Angel recently Imported by Fox 
but girl is still too new to mean 
anything. Story lacks appeal 
aiid action is mostly nil. 

'Men of America' (Radio). 
Not enough merit on names In 
other than the lesser subse- 
quents. 

'Dangerously Yours' (Fox). 
Gent crook and lady detective 
who must meet for the finale 
clinch. Warner Baxter and 
Miriam Jordan for the marquee, 
but none too potent. 

'Secrets of Wu Sin' (Chester- 
field) 'Frisco Chinatown story 
with a promising title but un- 
derdeveloped. Fair class B. 

'Outlaw Justice' (Majestic). 
Jack Hoxle western with plenty 
of movement and a deflnite 
plot. Good in its class. 



ence is even made as to the over- 
size length of the actress' feet. 
Maybe that's stretching a point, but 
it evokes laughter. As does a song 
put over by a chef character who 
looks like George Givot called 'The 
Zup in Our Kitchen Is Nobody's 
Business but Our Own.' Photog- 
raphy and recording okay. Shan, 



HARRY SWEET 
'Making Loopee' 
Comedy 
17 Mins. 

R. C. Music Hall 

Radio 

Bright rewrite of the old standby 
chase and mistaken Identity theme, 
with an army aviation field as loca- 
tion. The sap private gets into a 
colonel's uniform, as usual, and the 
customary hardboiled sergeant Is on 
his tail, but the fiying field setting 
and some stunt flying bring it up 
to date. 

Harry Sweet, former actor and 
lately a director, turns actor again 
as the sap private. What he has 
learned through directing others 
hasn't hurt apparently, for Sweet 
now emerges anew as a promising 
screen comic. He's deadpan, looks 
funny and knows the tricks. 

Yarn Involves a stunt fiylny ex- 
hibition by Sweet as a result of 
being taken for the colonel, but 
he's never been up in an airplane. 
It makes for an easily playable two- 
reeler, fast moving and funny all 
the way. Bige. 



'SINGAPORE' 
Vagabond Adventure 
0 Mins. 
Palace, N. Y. 

Van Beuren-Radio 

Just another travelog of Singa- 
pore, Including a fair lecture, with 
the talker straining after comedy. 
Some of the Jokes are pretty weak. 

In general It seems to realize that 
the town had been done before and 
It seeks out new spots, which Is the 
redeeming feature. No effort made 
to dramatize any part, as with the 
old series, so It's Just another of 
those. Chic. 



'THE MASKED RAIDER' 

Novelty 

21 Mins. 

Roxy, New York 

Principal 

Silent action with offscreen lec- 
ture Bluff which has been done in 
other ways In other screen subjects. 
Concerns a dog and his young mas- 
ter mistaking a skunk for a raccoon. 
Only hero the makers advanced to 
show the actual spraying. 

Crude stuff that may make cus- 
tomora frown, and overlong. Bha». 



Perfect Understanding 

Qlorla SwanRon British Tiroilucdon for 
United Artlsta releaso. Gloria .SwiinsDn 
starred. Directed by Cyril Qardncr. .story 
by Miles Malleson. FOiotography, C\irt 
Courant. Incidental muslo, Henry Sulll- 
van. At the RlvoU, N, Y,, Fob. 22, for 
grind run. Running time, 81 mins. 

Judy Gloria Swo 

Nlonoias Lnuroncc Olivier 

Ronnson John Hnlliiluy 

Lord Portlelffti Sir NIeel riaytnlr 

George • MIchaol rnrmor 

Kitty Gonovlovo Tnbin 

Stephanie Nora (Swinburne 

Sir John Charles Ciillum 

Butler Peter Cnwlhorne 

Cook Rosallnde Puller 

Maid Evelyn noetock 

Dr. Graham O. n. Clnrcncn 

Mrs, Grohnm Mary Jerrold 

Gloria Swanson's British -made 
picture is an all-around disappoint- 
ment, on story, on entertainment 
and on most other counts. Gist of 
the situation Is that it is ultra- 
British in idea and in execution and 
will prove dull to American fans to 
the extent that their loyalty to a 
former film idol will not make up. 

Play Is in the stolidest style and, 
to make it still worse. It's all done 
with a pretentious- seriousness that 
couldn't have happened except in 
the case of an American conspicu- 
ously making a picture that might 
please the British. 

Result is a story that with a thin 
veneer of elegance and poise repro- 
duces the sort of thing that used to 
be done for the family story papers, 
except that this production hasn't 
even the naive charm of the old 
yellow-backs. . Story pattern is 
hackneyed beyond all description. 
It has long passages of the gay— 
the hard-working gaiety is some- 
thing to marvel at — doings at a 
house party with all the old puppets 
marshalled with almost military 
precision. They number the lead- 
ing couple as lovers, the philander- 
ing wife who refuses to end an old 
'affair' with the hero; impeccable 
group of servants and a miscellany 
of card-playing old gentlemen. This 
being a woman star's picture, there 
aren't any comedy dowagers around, 
but otherwise the stencil is com- 
plete. 

Scene shifts to the Riviera, where 
everybody is yet more laboriously 
gay. The high-powered gaiety 
makes a new high here. Bursts oC 
mad merriment probably are an ex- 
plosion from the leashing of Ameri- 
can enthusiasms checked at other 
times by -the restraints of self-im- 
posed British repose. Anyhow, the 
philandering wife turns up just in 
time to seize upon the bridegroom, 
on the honeymoon, but for the mo- 
ment separated from his bride, and 
tempt him beyond his powers. 

Nothing will do for the bride- 
groom but to confess the lapse from 
grace to the wife of his bosom at 
the first opportunity, and out of 
that implausible incident grows a 
long succession of entirely fictitious 
consequences. 

True to its design, about all the 
action is conveyed in terms of dia- 
log. Outside of a mad race In out- 
board motors at Cannes — done in a 
whoopla comedy spirit — nothing 
happens but talk and more talk. 
People get themselves In awkward 
situations and then talk themselves 
deeper into trouble. The young wife 
goes to -an older man, who Is se- 
cretly in love with her, with the 
problems of her marriage. Of 
course, the husband learns of the 
visit and puts the wrong construc- 
tion on it. It all leads to a divorce 
court scone where the complications 
are beautifully smoothed out in a 
tenderly comic sequence of furtive 
love scenes between husband and 
wife, carried on in a court-house 
corridor nook. 

Miss Swanson never once rises 
above the mediocre material with 
which she has supplied herself. 
Never does she suggest the vigor 
and comedy fiair of her 'Mme. Sans 
Gene.' Instead, there Is the impres- 
sion of a stock actress struggling 
with the futilities of an old-fash- 
ioned society drama. 

Production Is no better than the 
story it works upon. John Halll- 
day, as good an actor as ever had 
a dull part wished upon him, gets 
nowhere with a tepid role that has 
no special reason for being In the 
play except that the author needed a 
conservative, mooning old sap upon 
whom the unjust suspicion of doing 
virrong by our Nell could be fas- 
tened where needed to keep the aim- 
less story going. 

Laurence Olivier looks like a ro- 
mantic lead and plays a stilted part 
with all the grace and aplomb that 
seems to be the special gift of young 
English actors. But when they 
bring him out into the sunlight of 
Cannes in a bathing suit minus the 
shirt, he shrinks sadly in romantic 
suggestion and never quite recovers 
his glamor. 

Michael Farmer, Miss Swanson's 
husband, who 'presents' the picture, 
has a minor part in it, appearing as 
a vague sort of person and acting 
that quality wltb a good deal of elo- 
quence. Genevieve Tobln Is inci- 
dental to the story and thoroughly 
Incidental in her playing of unim- 
portant scenes. 

Physical production is first rate, 
and some of the scenic backgrounds 
are smashing photography. Rush. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



FILM REVIEWS 



VARIETY 



15 



OUR BETTERS 

KKOrRadlo producUon ond release. Stars 
Constance Bennettj featurea Anita Ijoutae, 
Gilbert Roland, Charles Starrett. Directed 
by Qeorire Cukor. Adapted by Jane Murfln 
and Henry Wasstatl Orlbble trom W, Som- 
er^et Maugbam's play. At Radio City 
Music Hall, weeK Feb. 23. Running time, 
80 mlns. 

liady Poarl Orayston.... Constance Bennett 

Pet>l d'Costa Gilbert Roland 

Ilemlng Harvey Charles Starrett 

Bessie Anita tioulse 

Thornlon 01ay....« ....Grant Mitchell 

Z<ord Bleane Hugh Sinclair 

Liord George Grayston Alan Moxvbray 

Arthur Fenwlclc Minor Watson 

The Duchees Violet Kemble-Cooper 

They will really have to go for 
Constance Bennet to go for this pic- 
ture. The lukewarmers amoner the 
fan following may not give her the 
support they rendered In the past. 
While it gives Miss Bennett more 
scope and a new opportunity, in 
departing frooi the customary Ben- 
nett lady-and-a-baby scenario, it 
seems lacking in the appeal the 
others possessed. 'Our Betters' ap- 
pears limited to those who go for 
anything with the Bennett name on 
It. Spreading the word that it is 
naughty in a subtle way is its best 
chance for general business. 

Miss Bennett is again the simple, 
tinsophistlcated maiden who be- 
comes disillusioned in the first reel. 
jSut no baby this time. And Instead 
of Just turning, the worm on this 
trip does flip-flops. 

It's all very English and so so- 
phisticated. Qhock full bf cheaters 
and their lascivious affairs, with 
surprisingly little moralizing to 
square things with the folks whose 
Ideas on married life may . differ. 
Miss Bennett goes wicked early and 
stays that way to the flnlsh. That 
she shows no sign of repenting or 
changing her ways will be difficult 
to Justify with ojiany of her best 
customers. 

The star plays an American hard- 
ware heiress who marries an Eng- 
lish lord and flnds him making, ar- 
rangements for road company on 
their wedding day. It makes a hard- 
boiled and daring lady of Lady 
Graystone, who proceeds to startle 
London society with her eccentric 
escapades and becomes the leader 
. of the radical wing of the social 
Bwlm. 

. It's at Lady Graystone's house. 
Bays the dialog, that one will meet 
everyone of importance in England 
at one time or another. But the 
only ones on view in the picture are 
playing stock at her house. Troupe 
comprises two other similarly dis- 
appointed ex-American heiresses, 
one a duchess and the other only a 
princess; the duchess' gigolo and a 
male scandalmonger. Others pres- 
/ «nt are Lady Graystone's young sis- 
ter, who comes over to follow Into 
royalty, but goes home with her 
wholesome Yankee boy friend after 
seeing the kind of a gal sis turned 
out to be. 

Lady Graystone acquires her rep 
through astonishing the world by 
wearing black when presented at 
court while all the other knee- 
benders are in white, and other 
fluch antics. Her scamp of a noble- 
man . husband, who is only seen 
twice, burns up her bankroll, and 
she has to turn to an outside money 
papa for suppT>rt. At a weekend 
party In her own home she goes to 
the teahouse with the duchess' 
gigolo, and not for tea. This is the 
hot spot of an extra warm script. 

George Cukor's smart direction all 
the way, particularly his handling 
of the teahouse sequence, which 
suggests everything and shows 
nothing, rates at the top of the 
credit list with Miss Bennett's and 
Violet Kemble- Cooper's respective 
performances. Balance of cast is 
uniformly good. 

At the flnlsh they ring in a pansy 
dancing teacher, pjftiyed by Tyrell 
Davis with rouged lips and all. It's 
the most broadly painted character 
of the kind yet attempted on the 
screen. 

Dialog is conflned mainly to what 
is supposed to be typical English 
drawing room banter. Whether or 
not It's the McCoy few will khow. 
Production first rate throughout 
and clothes galore for the women. 

Bige. 



GRAND SLAM 

Wurtier Bpis. production and release. 
■ Pnul Luk.is and l.oretta Young fealurod. 
Dlrecleil by William Dlelerlc. Arthur 
Grcnvllle Oollln.o. dlalnc director. Adapted 
by Davlrl Hoehm and^Emrat Gelsoy from 
B. Russell Herts' novel. Sid Hilckox, pho- 
log. At Winter Garden. New York, start- 
Inir Feb. 21, RunnInK time, 03 mlns. 

Peter Paul Lukaa 

Marcla Loretta Youn? 

Philip Frank McHujrh 

Blondle Glenda Forrell 

L.ola Helen Vinson 

Barney Walter Byron 

Van Dorn Ferdinand Gottarhalk 

Satire on bridge that will be as 
comlc.ll to those who don't play 
the game as those who do. The 
lead ia played for all its worth by 
Paul Lukas, and If not for some 
rather slipshod production, which Is 
most evident during the closing mo- 
ments, 'Grand Slam' would live up 
to its titip as entertainment. As is, 
It iufl about makes three spades 
doubled, which Isn't bad when 
you're xiiliiorable, and that should 
be enou^rh to show a profit. . ■ 

By resirnlning from wa.sting Its 
time with the technic.iUtles of the 
game .tiuI just, brushing over the 
actual ir.,-\y with a satirlc.-xl pen the 
story Cf'nt.'iln.f interest for all .lurtl- 
ences. It isn't necessary to know 



bridge to understand the comedy 
strain in this bridge expert, who 
as a waiter is called in as a fourth 
reaches fame by bidding seven 
spades and making it. 

The plot and the characters com- 
bine in taking some delicious 
whacks at the bridge experts and 
their experting. Lukas as Peter 
Stanislavsky, a Russian waiter who 
would rather write serious books, 
stumbles Into the bridge thing with 
his seven-spade declaration and 
make against the great Van Dorn 
(Ferdinand Gottschalk). Lukas' p.a. 
teams Peter and his wife and makes 
them 'The Bridge Sweethearts of 
America.' The Idea Is- that under 
the Stanislavsky system husbands 
and wives play bridge with each 
other without battling. The reason 
is that under the Stanislavsky sys- 
tenii there are no rules, no argu- 
ments. 

Van Dorn Is revealed as a phony 
who formerly did a Cherokee Indian 
in a medicine show. He and Stanis- 
lavsky stage a bridge contest a la 
Culbortson-Lenz, and Peter is los- 
ing until his wife steps in as his 
partner, and then the Stanislavsky 
system triumphs. Previously Peter 
and the wife had battled and sepa- 
rated over a bridge argument, which 
blasted the 'sweethearts' billing. 

The contest climax has its share 
of suspense until the wife steps In, 
and also some laughs. The boys are 
ready to start when soniebody dis- 
covers they forgot to buy cards, and 
then nobody will take a chance in- 
vesting the buck for two decks. 
Peter stuggles along the losing end 
with various partners. Among them 
is another waiter-dlalectlclan whose 
erame la pinochle and who thinks 
bridge is strictly for sissies. 

But the contest sequence looks 
like a rush order, as does most of 
the picture, with Warners perhaps 
intending to get this one out ahead 
of the forthcoming flock of serious 
bridge expert pictures. 

Lukas does a swell Job In one of 
his rare opportunities at light com- 
edy. Loretta Young okay opposite. 
Frank McHugh as the promoting 
p.a. and Gottschalk are others who 
deliver. 

The logical selling angle is that 
this is an expose, for that's pre- 
cisely what it is. Bige. 

ROME EXPRESS 

(BRITISH-MADE) 

Oaumont-Brltlsh production. TTnlversal 
release In U. 3. Featurea Esther Ralston 
and Conrad Veldt. Directed by Walter 
Forde; story, Clifford Grey; scenario, Sid- 
ney Gllllat: dIaloiT, Frank Vosper, Ralph 
Stock, SIdley Gllllat; camera, Gunther 
Kranipf. At the RKO Roxy, New York, 
week Feb. 24. Running time, 85 mlns. 

Asta Marvelle Esther Ralston 

Zurat Conrad Veldt 

Tony Hugh Williams 

Poole. Donald Calthorp 

Mrs. Maxted .■ Joan Barry 

Grant.. Harold Huth 

Tom Bishop Gordon Harker 

Mils.. Eliot Makeham 

Allstair McBane Cedrlc Hardwlck 

Mona. Jollf Frank Vosper 

Spinster Muriel Aked 



KING OF THE JUNGLE 

Paramount production and releaae. Bus- 
ter Crabbe and Frances Dee featured. Dl- 
reoted by H. Bruce Cumbetaton and Max 
Marcin; scenario, Philip Wylle and Fred 
Nlblo, Jr., from story by C. T. Stoneham: 
Eirnest Haller," photog. At Paramount, 
N. T., week Feb. M, Running time, 73 
mlns. 

Kaspa Buster Crabbe 

Anne Rogers Prances Dee 

Ed Peters Douglas Dumbrllle 

John C. Knolls Robert Adair 

Mrs. Knolls, ..Florence Brltton 

Kospa, aged three Ronnie Cosby 

Joe Nolan Robert Barret 

Gwana Sam Baker 

Kitty Patricia Farley 

Forbes Sidney Toler 

Sue Nydia Westman 

Corey Irving Plchel 

Gus Warner Richmond 



Probably the best British fllm 
shown over here to date and will 
get easy booking In the U. S. It 
should draw considerable critical 
attention and a certain amount of 
word-of-mouth. Won't roll up Im- 
portant grosses, but it should dO' 
nicely. 

The acting and casting call atten- 
tion to 'Rome Express.' Rather a 
combination of 'Grand Hotel' and 
'Shanghai Express,' nevertheless It 
Is original in conception and execu- 
tion. Casting Is superb and the 
players all excellent. 

Esther Ralston, Conrad Veidt, 
Cedrlc Hardwlck, Frank Vosper, 
Donald Calthrop, Gordon Harker 
and Joan Barry are exceptionally 
well spotted and each turns In an 
outstanding performance. Miss 
Ralston's name may help sell the 
film In America, although she has 
the smallest assignment of the lot. 

Veidt does an unusually good Job 
as Zurta. criminal, and Vosper 
makes a human being of Jollf, the 
head of the French surete. Hard- 
wick, In another excellent character 
portrayal, may mean something on 
a marquee in spots because of his 
title portrayal In 'Dreyfus' last year. 

Story is laid entirely on a train 
which travels out of Paris. Veldt 
and Williams are adventurers chas- 
ing Donald Calthrop, who double- 
crossed them after stealing a fa- 
mous painting. Also on the train 
are Joan Barry and Harold Huth, 
married but not traveling with their 
legal mates; Esther Ralston, a fllm 
star, and her American manager, 
Flnlay Currle, as also Cedrlc Hard- 
wick, a philanthropist, and his sec- 
retary, Eliot Makeham, and Mons. 
Jolif, head of the French police. 
Search for the picture leads to mur- 
der, with all those above named In- 
volved. Theft, murder and explana- 
tion unravel before the train ends 
Its run. 

Walter Forde haa done an excep- 
tionally good Job of dlrCQtiPg. He 
has kept the Interest well keyed 
throughout, although he does let It 
roam a bit. From a European 
.standpoint it's the best example of 
tempo and action that's been ac- 
complished. From an American 
view It is in the Hollywood vein 
but need."? about 10 minutes* trim- 
ming. 

The playing particularly .stands 
out, and if anyone gets special hon- 
or.*! thev should go to Gordon Har- 
ker. Kauf, 



Good example of highly imaglna- 
natlve picture-making. Childish 
story carried along to general ap- 
peal by production and handling. 
Studio seems to have missed a 
chance to make 'King of the Jungle' 
a standout grosser by failing to in- 
clude a single drawing name in the 
cast. Minus any help from the 
marquee It will have to attract on 
merit alone, and on merit It rates 
fair business. 

Probable expectation was that 
Buster Crabbe, another ex-Olymplc 
swim champ, would duplicate 
Johnny Welssmuller's one-picture 
stardom feat. Crabbe might have 
done so had he arrived flrst, but 
Welssmuller has dulled the edge 
for Crabbe. Latter la going to have 
a struggle to amount to anything 
In pictures unless changing his style 
completely, because the similarity 
to Johnny now makes him Just an 
imitator. They'll all compare him 
to Welssmuller, and Crabbe may not 
emerge on top. 

As Kaspa, the lion man, Crabbe 
is a combination of Tarzan and the 
white girl of 'Trader Horn.' What 
happens to him is hard to believe, 
but not unpleasant to watch. As a 
child he's at the mercy of the Jun- 
gle when his parents are devoured 
while hunting big game. He grows 
up with a tribe of lions as their 
leader, doing such things as open- 
ing barn doors for them on cattle 
raids and cutting bullets out of 
their hide. 

But Kaspa Is captured, along 
with his Hons, and sold to an Amerr 
lean circus agent. For the rest of 
the way Kaspa is with the circus, 
doing a cat act that makes Clyde 
Beatty's look like Mme. Olsrmpla's 
Pets. On the side he learns Eng- 
lish, falls In love with his instruc- 
tress and then returns to the Jun- 
gle with his lions and his girl friend 
after rescuing the animals in an ex- 
citing circus flre. 

That which saves the Impossible 
story from appearing ridiculous is 
the semi-comic style of direction. 
Since the story couldn't be taken 
seriously by any audience the best 
method was to regard it in the 
same light, and this has been done 
In excellent fashion. Treatment is 
chiefly responsible for the good re- 
sults. 

Upon his arrival In America 
Kaspa, listed on the passenger list 
as a 'What Is It,' escapes from his 
cage. Jumps overboard and swims 
to shore with an Australian crawl 
that was never learned In a Jungle. 
As Kaspa has only a loin cloth be- 
tween himself and a Minsky strip- 
per's flnal encore bla chase through 
the parks and streets of the city 
ahead of police gives the fllm a 
midway laugh Interlude which lasts 
about IS minutes and never slows 
down. 

Opening Jungle stuff is well done, 
and there is exceptional workman- 
ship with the lions, some of them 



even acting. But the excitement 
arrives with the circus fire. Tlie 
menagerie breaks loose and goes to 
town. Elephants turn over bu.'ts, 
autos, break through windows, otr. 
There's also a scriip between .a lion 
and a tiger, and the clawing o£ a 
woman by a striped cat. In the 
Jungle section there's a tiff be- 
tween a lion and a bull. Scene is 
similar to one around newsroels 
and travelogs recently, but not the 
same. 

Crabbe Is heavily made up, even 
to a marcel wave giving him more 
curls than the Duncan sisters. 
There'll be Interest in his undraped 
physique, which isn't bad for the 
femmes, but Crabbe Is doubtful 
when It comes to facial impression. 
When he wears clothes, as he does 
at the flnlsh of the picture, there's 
a big difference. 

Frances Dee is nice as the girl. 
Robert Barret and Nydia Westman 
handle the comedy okay, with a 
fair share of laughs between 'em. 
But nothing for the lights anywhere 
In the cast. Bige. 



FRIEDERIKE 

(GERMAN MADE) 

(With Songs) 

Pascal production. KInematrade release 
In the U. 8. Features Mady Christians and 
Hans Heinz BoUmann. Direction and man- 
uscript. Fritz Friedmann-Frederlch; music 
and rr t leal direction, Franz Lehar; cam- 
era, Werner Brandes. At the Europa, N. Y., 
on grind. Running time, 00 minutes. 

Frlederlke Mady Christians 

Goethe Hans Heinz BoUmann 

Duke of Weimar Velt Harlan 

Major Knebel Bduard Von Wlntersteln 

Counselor Goethe Ferdinand Bonn 

HIa Wife » . Erika Wagner 

Parson Brlon Paul Hoerblger 

Magdalena Ida Wuest 

Salomea Else Elster 

Wagner Otto Wallburg 

Lenz ICarl Melxncr 

Madame Schoell Adcle Sandrock 

Hortcnse Else Von Hartmann 

Madame Hahn .....Maria Fein 



Franz Lehar's flrst film and a gem 
from photographic and musical 
standpoints, but destined to have a 
tough b. o. flght on this side of the 
ocean. It's too slow and meaning- 
less for non-Teutonic taste. 

Frlederlke Is the name of Goethe's 
first love and the fllm Is the story of 
that love. Goethe, Germany's great- 
est contribution to literature. Is here 
depicted In his student days at 
Strassburg, which allows for jnuch 
lovely scenic effect, the Alsace-Lor- 
raine locale being used for Its full- 
est possible effect that way. Fact 
that a couple months ago Goethe's 
centenary anniversary was celebrat- 
ed all over Germany ought to help 
the picture considerably at home. 
There's nothing much to the story. 
Goethe meets a young girl, Frlede- 
rlke, and falls Immediately In love 
with her. He's Invited to go to live 
at Weimar under the protectorate of 
the Duke Karl August. It's a good 
chance for the young poet and stu- 
dent, but he won't go because of his 
love. Frlederlke hears of It, makes 
believe she loves someone else and 
send him oft. 

That ends the story, and it's 
dragged through an hour and a half. 
But it's beautifully and tenderly 
handled and has exceptionally meri- 
torious music. Lehar wrote the en- 
tire score especially for the fllm, so 
'tis said. 

Mady Christians, in the title role, 
la more beautiful than ever — ^whlch 
is quite some — and Hans Heinz BoU- 
mann has an exceptionally flne bari- 
tone voice. Rest of the cast is extra 
carefully chosen and contains sev-. 
eral names which will help draw^ 

But, despite Its simplicity and the 
fact that it's easy to follow, the 
picture's sole chance of business will 
remain In the Teuton nabes. Kauf. 



The Woman Angle 



'Grand 81am' (WB). Kidding the card game makes lively entertain- 
ment for women with bridge in their life. 



'Perfect Understanding' (UA). Gloria Swanson again suffers a mari- 
tal misunderstanding against a glittering background. No new twists 
in the attenuated telling to revive Interest In the old story. Depends <.n 
the loyalty of the old guard. 

'Dangerously Yours' (Fox). Caveman stuff wedt^ed In the middle of 
this slow, arid comedy romance. Rewards the gats but moderately for 
their patience. 



'Our Betters' (Radio). A Constance Bennett feast for femme eyes. 
Presents the foibles of the fabulously rich, but stays on the audience's 
side by ridiculing them, thereby making this comedy a dish for the com- 
mon class. 



'Sailor Be Good' (Radio). Jack Oakie, the boxing gob, wins the match, 
the girl and his own private battle with the demon rum, and still the 
femme fans won't care. They want entertainment with some thought 
behind It, not half-baked repetition. 



'King of the Jungle' (Par). An appealing animal picture for the 
youngsters. Love story soft-pedaled to their tastes. The flaps can com- 
pare Buster Crabbe with Welsmuller, however. 



'Ladles They Talk About' (WB). The |irls won't get excited about a 
priggish reformer-revivalist as Barbara Stanwyck's secret pash. They 
may admire her assurance In a gunmoll Jailbird role. 



'Rome ExpreM' (U). Interesting entertainment for women content 
with smoothly constructed, expertly acted melodrama minus names. 



'Blondle Johnson' (FN). Another racketeer story, .slow and ambling. 
Not enough laughs or good nature in the writing to make Joan Blondell 
as a lady mob leader acceptable to the femmes. 



Ladies They Talk About 

Wiirn<T Bros. pn»1notlon and rolnase. 
l-lrecli><l l)y Hoannl Urelhorton arnl Wil- 
liam Kflghlry. llafCil on play by Dorothy 
Maok:iye anil Carlton Miles; adai>tation for 
s<Ti en liy .'^Mncy Hullicrl.inil and Ilrown 
lIi>lnios. .^l.Tr.s niibara St inwyck. Film 
pilltor. llrtsil WranuK'. I'Mixograiihy by 
.Ttilin Si<li.7,. At Ca|)liol, N. Y.s week Feb. 
■Jl. Running time, U7 mlns." 

Nnn .Carbar.i Stanwyck 

n.ivlil Slaile Preston !<. Foster 

Hon r,yl? Talbot 

Susie U..>rotliy UurgosB 

I.lnda Lillian Hoth 

Aunt MaKKle Maude Kliurno 

I.i'fty Ho roll! Huber 

Noonan Ruth Donnelly 

The AViinliMi Robert Warwick 

Miss Johnson Helen Ware 

Tracy Ui'Witt Jennings 

District Attorney Hnliort Mi-Wade 

Mrs. Arlington Cecil (."unnlnKham 

Klondle I-Iolen Mann 

Marie Grace Cunard 

Mustard Mme. Sul-te-Wan 

Dutrh ..Harold Healy 

Dunk Guard Harry Grlbt>on 



Barbara Stanwyck and a good 
supporting cast, plus careful direc- 
tion and snappy dialog, saves a poor 
and undistinguished story from 
being ridiculed off tlie screen. At- 
tention given the story, with what 
little It afforded the producers as 
film material, has resulted in a 
chance that 'Ladles They Talk 
About' will get average business If 
sold to the hilt on the more or less 
prominent Stanwyck name and the 
bait value of the title. 

Dorothy Mackaye Is co-author 
with Carlton Miles of the play on 
which this screen adaptation la 
based. Play was produced in Los 
Angeles with Miss Mackaye in the 
title role. 

In the adaptation Sidney Suther- 
land and Brown Holmes have tried 
to overcome basic plot weaicnesses 
through comedy, and much of which 
Is excellent. But writers or director 
have erred in the picture of prison 
life palntec^ and also in other ways. 
Locale of most of the story Is San 
Quentin, mentioned by name, but 
audiences may think Boston Is Just 
south of this coast prison. 

It's the scenes In the women's 
ward of the Institution where the 
picture becomes good entertain- 
ment, largely through laughs, and 
the use in these sequences of 
Maude Eburne and Lillian Roth. In 
'Ladles They Talk About,' San Quen- 
tin Is a great retreat, the sort of a 
place where a lot of gals might like 
to spend a vacation until something 
or other blew over. 

They roam about as they please, 
play bridge, listen to the radio and 
have their cells flxed up like hotel 
rooms. Warners made prison life 
for men not half bad in '20,000 Tears 
In Sing Sing.' They've given the 
girls an even better break here. 

Miss Stanwyck Is among one ot 
the lucky prisoners, sent up as a re- 
sult of believing a mlldlsh Rev. 
Davidson wouldn't give away her 
secret, let alone aid the prosecution. 
Girl bank bandit. Anally overlookinf; 
this, later believes the amateur 
Davidson mugg is responsible for 
tipping off a Jallbreak attempt in 
which she flgures. 

She comes to him In the last reel 
aa he's holding one of his revival 
meetings to uplift bad boys and 
girls, shooting him In the arm 
through poor aim. He really loves 
her, as she qhlckly understands, and 
aa the picture fades some sympa- 
thetic Interest hajs been suddenljr 
found for both, notably Miss Stan- 
wyck. All along the star has been 
doing the wrong thing from the 
audience point of view. 

The Jallbreak plot, poorly worked 
out and inconceivably implausible, 
has the effect of tearing down any 
left-handed sympathetic inte-l:3t 
Miss Stanwyck has built for her- 
self. In its attempted execution the 
Jail delivery seems absurd. 

Miss Stanwyck's support Includes 
Preston S. Foster aa the reformer, 
who eventually wins her over. A 
fine type for the assignment. Miss 
Roth does a song number, a pop 
oldie which fits the situation effec- 
tively as she stares longingly at tk 
newspaper picture of Joe Brown. 

Char. 



BLONDIE JOHNSON 

Warner Brothers production and release. 
.Starring Chester Morris and Joan Blondell. 
Directed by Ray Enrlght. Screen play by 
Earl Baldwin. Photographer, Tony Gaudlo. 
At the Strand, N. Y., week beginning Feb. 
25. Running time, 6.) mlns. 

Blondle Joan Blondell 

Curley Chester Morris 

Louie Allen Jenkins 

.Scannel Earle Foxa 

Mae Mne Rusch 

Max Wagner Arthur Vinton 

Lulu Toshia Mori 



This is the story of a blonde who 
suffered. She was a good girl once. 
Then her mother died. That em- 
bittered her. Besides she had no 
job, and her .slater was wronged by 
a blackguard who deserted her. 
That aggravated the situation for 
the blonde. She goes to the streets 
of a big city. She was a good girl, 
but Just embittered, and If she 
wallced the street.s it was only to 
gyp likely suckers for $10 cab fares. 
After she Incites four shootings, the 
blonde gets six years. As she .de- 
parts for the pen, she lets the pub- 
lic in on the fact that crime doesn't 
priv. Neither will the picture. 

The title Is a tlpoll that the fllm 
must have support. This Is one oC 
tho.se films that attempts the sly 
wink on the public. It's, a dragged- 
out gnng.ster film with a gun-girl 
(Continued on page 39) 



16 



VARIETY 



HLNI HOUSE REVIEWS 



Tnegday, Febniaiy 28, 1933 



ROXY, N. Y. 

New York, Feb. 24. 
Show style of this house Is cur- 
rently being copied In part 'at the 
newer RKO Roxy In Radio City, 
where standard vaude acts are sur- 
rounded with atmosphere In what 
the R. C. people are prone to con- 
sider a new technique in vaudeville. 
That's the best compliment that can 
be paid tlie old Roxy. 

At the Seventh avenue Roxy the 
shows are under the direction of 
Fanchon & Marco, with Jack Par- 
tington supervising directly. From 
the public's standtKtint the curronl 
bill, with Uncle Don, WOR kid fea- 
ture, headlining, and Long Tack 
Sam with his troupe flnaling, is 
worthy fare and assuredly value at 
the p'.'ice scale. 

All of which gathers to Indicate 
the secret of how the Roxy under 
Its now management has had three 
paying weeks out of the last four 
and aggregately has netted some- 
thing like $18,000 profit in that four- 
week period. It's the most the 
house has seen in over a year. It 
tops R. C. takings, although the 
R. C. grosses are bigger. 

It is the intention of the man- 
agement apparently to load value 
onto the stage as against poor pic- 
ture material, which is admittedly 
on tap at the Roxy. Most of this 
is owing to the b.o. scale In force, 
and against which the chains are 
objecting and forcing their distrib- 
utor affiliates to refrain from sell- 
ing product to this feature. The 
scare also has been put on the In- 
die? by the same chain with the 
threat, that if the Indies sell to the 
Roxy these indie ejrhibs will not be 
able to sell the chains. 

Consequently the Roxy Is pushing 
for foreign product. Thus the Brit- 
Ish-mades similar to that which the 
house is currently showing get a 
chance to be screened and probably 
at booking rates which they 
wouldn't get otherwise. These 
British-mades have little attraction 
for Broadway audiences, so that the 
Roxy setup must, credit the stage 
end with most of the success which 
the spot Is attaining. 

Tleups and radio hooklns have 
also figured. 'The Roxy has resorted 
to giveaways to boost business. Jo 
Cur, a femme product, which was 
used for admissions last week, 
didn't prove strong; however, but 
Washington's Birthday intervening 
helped, besides some broadcasting 
plugs which the house is using ex- 
tensively with or without giveaway 
tleups. 

Currently there Is no tleup with 
Uncle Don. He's mainly used to at- 
tract kids. He's okasr from that 
angle and should prove okay In 
the neighbs^ The Broadway Influ- 
ence is against him here. That's 
because of his kid appeal and the 
type of entertainment i^hlch he pro-, 
vldes. Here he's on about the mid- 
dle of the stage program and fares 
fair enough. As an added Induce- 
ment for kids Uncle Don greets 
them between shows In the rotunda 
of the house. Most of the kid trade 
should come on the weekend. Does 
his regular radio act supposedly, 
but gets atmosphere from Dave 
Schooler's band and the dancing 
girls 

Looked a bit overtime when 
caught, running 14 minutes, but un 
derstood that this has been cut to 
10 minutes. Uncle Don probably 
shows better on the lesser running 
time and by keyboarding only one 
song rather than two. When 
caught the kids down front helloed 
Don from their seats 

The punch of the show and most 
of the comedy twists are provided 
by Long Tack Sam and his troupe 
of 13 people in finale. It has been 
stated before, and can bear repeat- 
ing, that Sam and his troupe pro 
vide the highest development point 
In Chinese trouping. On for around 
27 minutes, and every minute ol:ay, 
fast and entertaining. From Jug 
gUng plates to ma^?iclan stuff, smg 
ing dancing, the troupe spells en 
tertalnmcnt. 

Fi-ank Dukea, boy tenor, who wa 
on early in tlio show with a yodel 
ing number, is now understood to 
have dropped out. That.ajso should 
speed up the performance, which 
when caught ran 72 minutes, mean 
ing it was p'.onty overtime 

Schooler attempts comedy cur 
rently, which he shouldn't, and be 
sides Pansy, the human horse act 
the show runs to another specialty 
In Wilbur Hall and his comedy in 
Btrumental stuff. That twln-trum 
pet piece Hall does is n.g. for a big 
house like the Ro::y. 

Schooler and his band specialize 
also, and the oITatage mike an- 
nouncements come this week on the 
Uncle Don .act only. Schooler's at- 
tempted comedy moments hese 
could be eliminated for better reac- 
tion. Utilizes Yiddish stuff that's 
not even funny in Yiddish. 

Openlne: fs with the girls, who 
Appeal* before: tix^ travelers in ha.\t- 
and-half i$<iE!tlfAt6s,- one elde of 
which;ls aptuigUiflii^ad the other half 
■taaAetn. fed ■ Uotixtdr'. with approprl- 
iKt0 iiT*dtecent 'lighting Effects. Idea 
htm ithtf glrJa appearing alternately 
..fit 6tepB to Ganges niusic and then 



the Unole Don number the line does 
a waltz in blue doll outfits. 

New girls currently, and looks like 
that's the F.&.M angle all the way, 
namely, to shift the troupes weekly, 
all of which doesn't allow for any 
particular precision stuff to stand 
out. That's because of the little 
time left for training and rehearsal. 
House besides Is up against adver- 
tising expenditures, which practi- 
cally malces each show open cold 
except for one day's advertising 
that's not over large. Shorts and 
newsreel round out a three-hour 
bilL Shan. 



CAPITOL. N. Y. 

('Show Boat'— Tab) 

New York, Feb. 24. 
'Show Boat* is again anchored In 
New York, this time In the shape 
of a condensation for picture house 
purposes. It's been on Broadway 
three times before, twice as Zieg- 
feld's original production and once 
as a picture produced by Universal. 

In its reduced form for the Capi- 
tol will prove pleasing and accept- 
able rather than stunning entertain- 
ment. If for no other reason It's 
'A' diversion through presence of 
Helen Morgan and Jules Bledsoe of 
original company and Jerome 
Kerns' ear-getting music. 

Show was on the road following 
Its recent revival In New York 
at the Casino. On winding up 
dates It was shrunk for the Chi- 
cago, Chicago, a. B.&.K. booking, 
and also played for RKO In Cleve- 
land before getting Into the Cap, Its 
third engagement. After a week's 
layoff 'Boat' tab goes to Brooklyn, 
either Into the Metropolitan or Al- 
bee. 

As clocked at Cap running time 
is an even 90 minutes. Boiling- 
down process has cut some of the 
strings which hold the plot to- 
gether, as well as some of the com- 
edy, but has pretty completely re- 
tained the music. Considering the 
limitations of a picture house and 
running time into which the Zleg- 
feld production Is crowded, the de- 
pressing of the show represents n 
workmanlike Job, and it never 
seems that material is being 
: amnaed. 

On the contrary, there are points 
In the condensation where It would 
appear further cutting could be ef- 
fected without Injury to the unit. 
One such point is the rehearsal 
scene in the show boat auditorium, 
where Hejen Morgan and her hus- 
band make their departure. An- 
other Is the scene at the sideshow, 
where a cooch dancer gets the big 
chance to roll her own and the 
chorus backs up song-and-dance 
numbers. 

Miss Morgan Is almost Incidental 
In the tab version, while Bledsoe 
enjoys major attention. La Mer- 
man does 'Can't Help Lovln' That 
Man' in tlie second scene and de 
parts in the next, not showing up 
again until much farther down. 
She's In one, with action now 
shifted to Chicago, singing 'Just My 
Bill* from the top of the piano. It's 
her big number, but singing it to a 
five-acre auditorium like the Capitol 
much of its appeal and that of the 
Morgan voice Is lost. 

It's one number that almost yells 
for the Public Address system. How 
importantly Its functions are needed 
this week is also evident In some 
ojC the parts of the tab where dia- 
log figures. Sam Hearn, whose ef- 
fective performance as Captain 
Andy gives him attention, finds It 
difficult to get his words distinctly 
to listening ears half-way back in 
the cavernous Capitol. From the 
front row of the loges much Is lost 
that's important to get for full ap- 
preciation. 

Bertha Belmore does the captain's 
sourish wife. Harland Dixon and 
Peggy Cornell as a team share com- 
edy a.ssignment with Hearn . and 
Miss Belmore, but aside from the 
exterior ticket-window scene eai-ly 
in tlie pioceedlngs haven't been left 
with much material on which to 
hook laugh.s. 

Mai'garet Adams a.q Magnolia 
gives an impressive performance. 
Her voice com«js closer to filling 
the faraway corners of the Cap 
.luditorium ih.-xn that of anyone olse. 
Paul ICeast is Gaylord Ravenol, 
river gambler, who carries song 
doubles with Miss Adams in an ef- 
fective manner. 

Whctlicr Cap audiences ever saw 
'Show Boat' as a Ziegfeld prodiic 
tlon or not, It will prove generally 
pleasing in Its preoc-nt version, and 
as boxofnce should prove of more 
than tlie usual value on this en 
gagement. House is paying $12,500 
for \he show, and Friday night at 
the 9 o'clock deluxe pei'foiTnance 
was doing pretty good business 
down.stairs and up 

Picture is 'Ladles They Talk 
About' (WB), with Barbara Stan 
wyck as bait. While not more than 
passable as entertainment its draft 
ought to be sufficient along with 
that of 'Show Boat' to keep Cap In 
the right color this week 

Due to length of stage tab show 
Is an even three ho.urs In length, 
with everything else cut except 
lisUal Issue of Hearst-Metrotone 



PARAMOUNT, N. Y. 

New York, Feb. 24. 
Earl Carroll's 1981 'Vanities,' or 
what's left of It, here as a tab after 
one-nlting on the road, will look 
pretty skimpy to those who expect 
a Broadway revue. Instead of 'Van- 
ities' lt'8 billed as 'Earl Carroll's 
Revue of 1933,' but the Implication 
Is there and more will be looked for 
than the one redeeming feature, the 
usual sock specialty by Mitchell and 
Durant. 

Outside of the team and Lucille 
Pape, one of the other four princi- 
pals Is recognizable as from the 
original troupe. With them are 24 
girls. As dancers the girls can't 
compete with the well-trained pony 
lines that play this and other pic- 
ture houses regularly, while as look- 
ers there's no telling whether they're 
lookers or not. After the first few 
rows everybody Is a Lillian Russell 
at the Paramount.. 

Retained besides the scenery from 
the edition of 'Vanities' which 
opened the modernistic Carroll the- 
atre are some blackouts and produc- 
tion numbers, besides the M. & D. 
and Lucille Page specialties. Latter 
does her acrobatics with added nov- 
elty in the prop dinosaur, which also 
holds over from the original version. 

The 'Bolero* which closed the 
show's first act, and the speakeasy 
bar scene which served as the finale, 
are both Included In the tab. con- 
siderably reduced scenlcally and as 
to costumes and number of people 
on the stage. They're not so ef- 
fective as now done, while this 
'Bolero' can't go up against the cur- 
rent interpretation at the Radio City 
Music Hall; although this show's 
'Bolero' was the first one over here. 

Mitchell and Durant work 
throughout the performance In the 
several skits and then wind It up 
with their knockabout stuff in the 
picture producer's office. Other 
specialties are two by Miss Page 
and one each from Ray Sax, who 
blends eccentric dancing with in- 
strumental tricks to rate as a good 
novelty single, and Betty Veronica, 
dancer. Harry Stockwell and Emily 
Van Losen In singing are the others 
on the billing. Chorus, as usual, 
comprises 'The Most Beautiful Girls 
in the World.' 

Stage performance ran 68 min- 
utes, all 'Vanities' but for a brief 
on-and-oit by Buster Crabbe, who's 
here this week In the picture, 'King 
of the Jungle' (Par). 

For a show that dates back two 
years, this 'Vanities' offers a clean - 
looking wardrobe, but not so clean 
in the scenery department. Its own 
director, Ray Kavanaugh, Is In the 
pit. No overture this week, with 
bill confined to stage show and fea- 
ture, besides the newsreel. Busi- 
ness pretty good Friday night. 

Bige. 



STATE, WASH. 




EMBASSY 

Highlight In newsreel history Is 
the consent of the Pope to break a 
traditional silence and not only pose 
but also talk before the sound cam- 
eras. . Paramount got the most In- 
teresting character study, a real 
cloae-up during the greater part of 
the Roman Catholic head's conver- 
sation. This, however, was not used 
at either of the theatres, Luxer sat- 
isfying Itself with brief but tWbr- 
ough coverage by Pathe, while the 
Embassy permitted the. statement, 
which was in Italian, to run in full. 

More details on the dry repeal oc- 
cupied lesser positions on both pro- 
grams. Both houses went Into their 
llbrai'lcs for clips on new cabinet 
members, dressing same up with 
current silent titles or piking re- 
porter dialog. 

Embassy scooped cleanly Satur- 
day with views of the German gas 
explosion. The stricken area looked 
like a war-time village. 

Rain sent In a good attendance to 
both houses during the Saturday 
mats. At such times the physical 
comforts of the Luxer and hard- 
ships of the Embassy are In marked 
contrast. No matter where one sits 
in the Fox-Hearst house during ero 
periods, there Is constant Jostling, 
elbowing, and fans who simulate a 
polite attitude are weary from set- 
ting up exercises when the perform- 
ance Is over. There Is nothing sub- 
way-rush-hour about the Luxer. 
Those leather chairs are rowed suf- 
ficiently far apart to enable a cus- 
tomer to remain seated and almost 
cbllvlous to the exodus. 

Embassy overloads the current 
urogram with winter sports, F-H 
boys seemingly fearing abrupt end 
of winter and a lot of snow stuff In 
the library bag. Basketball games 
project on the newsreel screen 
slower than any other sport. 

Embassy also observed passing of 
James J. Corbett by showing a clip 



TRANSLUX 

Audiences still like tricks. Anym 
thing to do with oddities of eleo^ 
triclty are favorites. Some of theso 
are the blg£r6St laugh-getters; for 
Instance, the current one about 
fruits recording sounds according 
to volume of acidity. When the 
cheese Is tested there is a genuine 
Bronx cheer and a spontaneous au« 
dicnce roar. 

Luxer was the only house show** 
Ing the commitment of Zangara< 
Paramount did an excellent Jolv 
getting close enough to the stand to 
shQW the would-be assassin's ex« 
presslon as well as to record hla 
statement that he had no regrets. 

Pathe got some exceptional stu^ 
dies of navy alrplaiies In Hawaliatf 
clouds. Embassy forgot the clouds 
and centered on a study of a crater. 

While Universal did a silent on 
the Campbell time run, It had bet- 
ter and clearer views of the car 
whizzing along at four miles per. 

Par and Pathe both touched on 
the debt situation by showing Lind- 
sey and then Claudel leaving th«i 
Roosevelt home. No statements, 
however. Hitler campaigning la 
Berlin is covered by both theatres. 

Other clips, In addition to the 
regular Luxer shorts program, In- 
elude Lelchtensteln nobility In New 
York, trick motorcycle rider, Eaton! 
students In cross-country run, 
Parisian puppets, Florida ducks, 
Scotch curling match, Japanese new 
year, and Tucson rodeo. Waly. 



made a year ago when the lata 
fighter was making a plea for the 
Actors' Fund. 

Indiana's Governor explains the 
meaning of a state dictatorship In a 
clear-cut analytical manner. F-H 
got the edge over the others In 
showing Jim Molllson completing 
his Africa-Brazil fiight. Waly. 



modem Bwlnett. Xater nmd during ' news and trailers. Char, 



(New) 

Washington, Pa., Feb. 21. 
Warners In this district gave the 
latest addition to Its chain a real 
hot-cha opening, with all of the 
Hollywood trimmings, save, of 
course, the presence of a star or 
tv/o. State Is an old site but a new 
house. Destroyed by fire last Au- 
gust, with nothing but the walls re- 
maining, property had to be rebuilt 
completely and bears little or no 
resemblance to the old stand. 

State represents a first-rate ex- 
ample of the new school of theatre 
construction. A 1,300-seater, it has 
intimacy, warmth and a noticeable 
cla.-ss. Narrow auditorium gives it 
a comfortable aspect to the eye 
upon first view, and small balcony 
is likewise compact and attractive- 
looking. There's no ginger-bread or 
u-seless fol-de-rols about the State, 
but a quiet refinement that should 
fit well Into the rather homey sur- 
roundings of this small Pennsylva- 
nia, college town, where Washington 
and Jefferson University is located. 

Color scheme Is carried out in a 
subdued pink, and house's neatest 
feature Is Its system of Indirect 
llorhtlng. Not a bulb In sight and 
illumination Is all diverted through 
a aeries of thickly-glassed shades. 

Opener was more or less of an in- 
vitation affair, with most of the 
town dignltarjes turning out to 
make It a typical civic event. Louis 
Little, prominent Pittsburgh attor- 
ney, introduced as guest speakers 
Mayor Robert E. Grlffltlis of Wa.sh- 
Ington, who gave the salutatory ad- 
dress, and Hon. J. Boyd Krumrlno, 
Judge of the Orphans court in 
Washington County, who dedicated 
the house. Both of them, fjave the 
new, venture swell ssnd-offH. 

Pittsburgh showmen, headed by 
the film row bunch, went down to 
Wafjhington, 25 miles distant, en 
ma.'ssp, while home office wa.s roprc- 
ocnted by Mort Blumenstock. WB'b 
general theatre ad director, and 
Lou Brager, Held representative who 
spent a month or two in Wanhlng- 
ton prior to. the opening. 

Special dedlcatoi7 trailer started 
the film entertainment, followed by 
a newsreel, a technicolor musical 
short called 'Pleasure Inland,' and 
the feature^ 'King's Vacation' (WB). 

Cohen. 



CHICAGO 

Chicago, Feb. 24. 
Joe E. Brown headlines a stage 
show minus ^horus and production 
and played entirely In front of the 
house orchestra, brought onto the 
stage for the week. Brown made 

them laugh with a heartiness rare 
in the Chicago, which, because of Its 
bigness, has scarcely the most re- 
sponsive audience In town. His 
methods are direct, simple, infec- 
tious. 

Ann Greenway with Ed Lowry 
kibbitzlng sang herself across on 
that superb diction that sent every 
syllable slapping against the back 
wall. Other act on the bill was the 
Bobbins Family, now full-grown 
and machine-like in speed. They 
somersaulted and allezooped to 
smart results. 

Meagre production efforts of the 
week probably due to high expecta- 
tions for '•12d Street' (WB), which 
is on the screen. There was little to 
the show except the three turns 
mentioned, a few blackouts by way 
of an encore from Joe Brown, and 
some orchestral spoofing , guided by 
Lowry. Latter closed the presenta- 
tion with a 'Parade of the Presi- 
dents,' a lyrical roll call of the hls- 
tory-bdok names. That climaxed 
with a picture of Franklin D. Roose- 
velt painted on a canvas drop. Ex- 
penditure for scenery this week 
must be about $4.95. Land. 



RKO ROXY 



nary dance team, go through a tango 
that's much too posey. And the 
Roxyettes come on for a Cuban 
strut that Is a Cuban strut. Those 
gals are all there from every pos- 
sible standpoint, and It's due to 
them, and them alone, that the first 
part Is passable. 

Newsreel and then the second half 
of the show, which comes under the 
title of 'Sailor's Paradise.' Suppose^ 
to be a sailor's den and nicely set. 
John Uppman, baritone, wanders 
weekly through 'Mandalay.' Frank 
Bernard, clever dancer, does an ex- 
ceptionally fine drunk bit. Nina 
Tarasova, chanteuse, reaches the 
heights with a couple numbers. 
First Is 'Parlez Moi d' Amour,' about 
the best of the French pieces, and 
second a Russian bit. She's cleveri, 
Roxyettes come baqjc in cute sailor 
uniforms for a tap routine that !■ 
better than average. Three Sailors, 
knockabout comics, close the show* 
They're In the mood of the thing, 
but might have been used one step 
before, with the lovely dancing chlN 
drcn allowed to close the show. 
Would have made for a more 
rounded effect, but okay as Is. 

A Walter WInchell two-reeler and 
'Rome Express' (U) are the screen 
fare. Kutif. 



Just for a change the RKO Roxy 
has a zippy, Interesting show this 
week. Just to show It can be done, 
maybe. 

Stage entertainment here still has 
.several failings resulting from the 
fact that they're built around old- 
faHhloned principals. But LeonidofC 
cuiTently has whipped together a 
fa»t combination of routines that 
makes things move. Most annoy- 
ing, Btin, is that unexplainable, il- 
logical business of cutting the stage 
show In half with a newsreel. It 
makCH two half fitago units of the 
.show and slows up the whole thing. 
Fortun.itely botli parts have some 
merit. 

Show gets started with an orches- 
tral rendition of 'Rhapsody In Blue.' 
Josepli Llttau is conductor and not 
as caliHtiicntic as his prodece.ssor, 
but Htill without command of the 
men. Maybe that will come, but for 
the time being the Roxy manages 
to have the best congregation of In- 
dlvlduallHtfl in any orchestra. 

'f'uban Love Song* Is the title of 
the first part of the show. 'Estrel- 
llta' Is the first nupibcr, sung by 
Natalie Bodansky, soprano, with 
.some choral Iiullrting in tho back- 
eround. 'Manon' is fairly cleverly, 
though not logically, wound into 
'EntrclUto,' but it works out all 
right. Tlnova and Baikoff, an ordi- 



MUSIC HALL 

New York, Feb. 33. 
The trend here under the Influ- 
ence of Roxy and Leonldoff has 
been toward the old Roxy's style 
of stage shows, and this week the 
transformation Is complete. The 
music hall Idea of variety enter- 
tainment was quickly converted 
into something that gradually but 
more closely approached the old 
Roxy's policy, yet not exactly that 
policy. But this week it's back to 
the old reliable for fair, even to re- 
peating one of the old Roxy's pet 
numbers. 

Repeater Is Clark Robinson's 
'Bolero,' a reusing, exciting, color- 
ful piece of staging that plays up 
to a high pitch on lights and mass 
staging, and then reaches Us cre- 
scendo in the beating of 60 drums 
along the sides of the auditorium. 
By actual count there were 110 
men and women in action at one 
time, including the ballet, Roxy- 
ettes, vocal chorus and a dance 
team.'Myrio and Serine. 

Perhaps the most striking pro- 
duction number yet attempted In a 
picture house, the Roxy's and now 
the Music Hall's interpretation of 
Ravel's composition was worthy of 
revival. Here it's the third and last 
number of a three-part stage show. 
Other two sequences are good ex- 
Hmples of the Roxy-Leonldoft typo 
of staging, In which scenic novelty 
and color Is of chief Importance. 
When the spotting of acts doesn't 
have to be contended with, this 
(Continued on page 6B) 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



VARIBTT 



IT 



THE BIG SHOW 





YouVe heard about the sensational 
box office records of "Sign of the 
Cross" and "She Done Him Wrong",.. 

You're still wondering how to equal 
the gross receipts of "Horse Feathers" 
and "Big Broadcast" 



No wonder Variety rates Paramount 
FIRST in box office attractions ... 

No wonder The Motion Picture 
Academy of Awards gave Paramount 
FIVE first trophies... 

The same PARAMOUNT which 
scored these great stabilizing tri- 
umphs is moving ahead ... moving 
ahead to greater successes with this 
new group of releases... 




1} 



18 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 




hungry for love . . . 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



VARIETY 



19 



Charsing Hell of Wild 
Beasts Loosed Upon 
a Helpless City! 




1 

w 

' j 



20 



VARIETY 



TWfsd«j» FebniMj .28, 1933 




WILLIAM OARGAN 
WILLIAM COLLIEIU 
..^JRyiNO PICHEL 
^^^SIRfiOYSTANDINO 

2)(>«efedf»y $ni>HEN ROBERTS' ^ 



// 



A Lov« Story Under- 
standable to Every 
Woman...Thi$ Girl..« 
Frail ... Troubled • 
Whether to Give 
Herself to Save Her 
Soul, or Give Her 
Soul to Save Herself 
PulsingWithAllthe 
Emotional Power of 
A Farewell to Anm/' 




Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



VARIETY 



21 



Anpf her Bigger ^'Big Broadcmt: 
Nome^l • Namesl... NamesL*. 
the Glamor of Joyceo*tho Com- 
edy of Fields • • . the Popularity 
and Melodies of Vallee. • • the 
Laughter and Box Office Draw 
of Burns and Allen and Stoop- 
nagle and Budd • • .the Beauty 
of Maritza. New Celebrities 
Bglng Added Every Day. 




W.C. FIELDS 
RUDY VALUE 
BURNS w ALLEN 
COLONEL STOOPNAOLE 
4 BUDD 

SARI MARITZA 

and other big" screen 
and radio stars . . . 

(2 Qaramount (picture 



22 VARIETY Tuesday, February 26, 1933 




Mi 




Hill 



mmmm^mmm 



iii 




1; ?^ 



>«5 -V 



MURDERS 
IN THE 700 



CHARLIE RUOGLES 
LIONEL ATWILL 

KATHLEEN W^Uilhe fantherWoman) 
RANDOLPH SCOTT • JOHN LODGE 
GAIL PATRICK 

0 Qimiinnunt (jHcluiv 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



VARfETT 



23 





UCVALK^ 



IN 






Qmm 4V4kaT houton 

ADW4NN4AM4S w BABY UHOY 

6^ NORMAN TAU P.OC 

a (j^aramomt (J>ijdart ^ 



"None of YOUR 
lip. I'm notmarHed 
and you shouldn't 
look so much like 
me. At least park 
that lower lip until 
after the wedding 
bells/'. . * ^ » 




24 



YAMIETY 



Tiiesdaif, Febraary 28, 193S 




PRESOLD TO THE PUBLIC BY 
NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE 
PUBLICITY FROM COAST TO COASTt 

SONG OF SONGS-MARLENE DIETRICH: 
Storm^center of new style vogue! Pictures of 
Dietrich in men's clothing « « « « quoted « « • ♦ 
praised « « • • talked about! 

A BEDTIME STORY - MAURICE CHR 
VALIER and the baby with the Chevalier lip: 
Has had 2,21 7 pictorial "breaks*^ up to Feb. 7* 

SHAME OF TEMPLE DRAKE: From a 
sensational noveL 

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE: Do you re^ 
member "Big Broadcast**? ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Here's another 
one with Peggy Hopkins Joyce, space^grabber 
de luxe, and Rudy Vallee, Bums & Allen, and 
Colonel Stoopnagle &. Budd* 

Watch for smash campaigns on "The Lion 
Mail** in KING OF THE JUNGLE and 
on MURDERS IN THE ZOO* 



::. A" 




mmm. 

'ass 



Tuesday^ Febniany 28« 193S 



PICTIIIIES 



VARIETY 



25 



EXPLOITATION 



By Epes W. Sargent 



Almost Childisli 

simple trick which sounds almost 
foolish was used by a small town 
man to set attention for a picture. 
Feature opened Monday and the 
etunt was worked Saturday in the 
downtown section. 

Bally stood on the sidewalk In 
front of a six sheet, displayed from 
a second -story window of a busi- 
ness buildlngr, showed a tennis ball, 
announced that he was golngr to 
toss it into the air and that who- 
ever caueht It would be given a 
ticket to the picture. Holding: the 
ball where all could see, he pat- 
tered ofC a line of chatter . about 
the virtue of the picture, with fre- 
quent references to the ball. When 
he saw the crowd was getting rest- 
less, he would toss the ball in the 
air. But it didn't come down. It 
apparently defied the laws of gravi- 
tation and stayed in the air. Bally 
'vtrould remark that it was a pity 
no one had caught it, but they 
really ought to see the picture any- 
way. Then he would go inside the 
building until the crowd had dis- 
persed and come out to try it all 
over again. 

Gag was that a man on the roof 
of the six-story building let down 
« strong thread with a bit of shoe- 
makers' wax on the end. When 
the bally took out the ball he stuck 
It to the wax and when he tossed 
It in the air the man on the root 
pulled in as much slack as he could, 
which was sufficient to keep the 
ball well out of reach. 



the stunt was deep in the lobby 
most persona who turned away 
passed- out of the lobby. If the 
stunt waa closer to the sidewalk 
line, there was a better chance of 
landlnjg the coin. 

Manager has it figured oiit that if 
they once start toward the street 
they keep on going — right past the 
box office. If the box office is be- 
tween the prospect and the entrance 
door, he Is more apt to head up to 
the shelf. Now most of the stuff is 
planned to work closQ to the pave- 
ment to capitalize the idetu 



Ankling In 

House which foimd the best re- 
action to odd stunts announced that 
on a certain oft evening all women 
would pay according to their ankles. 
Mo further explanation given until 
the evening of the stunt 

Patrons found a small platform 
about four feet high near the curb 
line, with a flight of steps. Oirla 
who wished stepped on the stand 
and a girl slipped a tape measure 
about the ankle. Tape was one 
ending in a flat wire loop, through 
which the other end of the tape 
could be drawn. Tape was marked 
off by quarter inches with a zero 
at the five-inch mark. It the ankle 
was five inches or under she got 
In free, but she paid one cent for 
each additional mark, being given 
a slip on which the price was 
marked, and which she presented to 
the cashier. 

It not only got but it held the 
' crowd and the stunt had to be called 
o«r at half past seven to clear the 
street Meantime it had served Its 
purpose and when the crowd went 
In the gag was started again. 

Bemembered Tich 

Digging deep for a new street 
(Btunt, an old-timer remembered the 
music hall hit of Lrlttle Tich, cur- 
rent a quarter of a century ago, 
and he got a stunt which had the 
email town talking and incidentally 
got some small boys spankings. 

Tich used to work in shoes some 
80 inches long, the soles permitting 
him to bend forward at Impossible 
angles. Manager cut down a pair 
of cheap skla, 'riveted them to a pair 
of Iilgh laced boots and sent a small 
man out with a back sign. Pram 
got attention merely for the size 
of the foet but when he could get 
a crowd he would lean forward at 
an angle and people gaped. More 
attention for the man than his sign, 
tout that got notice, too. 

Spankings came to the Mds who 
nailed their own shoes to barrel 
staves, but that was a by-product 

Hooks Anyhow 

Warners '42d St.' Special .does not 
come anywhere close to Hamilton, 
N. Y., but George A. Miller has the 
picture booked and he figures on 
making the trip work for him, too. 

He has put a large map of the en- 
tire country in the lobby, dressed 
with pictures of the stars and stills 
of the train itself, and he has been 
marking progress of the train with 
colored head pins and a ribbon, 
with wires supposed to be direct 
from the train reporting its prog- 
ress. 

Figures that he has a million dol- 
lar stunt to work with and that it's 
worthwhile to get what he cj.n out 
of It for the Smalley chain house he 
manages. The map has aroused 
plenty of interest and the daily edi- 
tions keep that Intoresst up. It's 
intellierent work. 

Direction 

Manager of a theatre which de- 
" pends very largely on transient 
trade for Its afternoon business has 
• been making some tabulations. 
House has a fairly deep lobby, with 
. plenty of display room, but some 
of the displays did not seem to bring 
" In much business, in spite of their 
evident attraction. Other and small- 
er .stunts seemed to do better. 

Varying the stunts and keeping 
tabs, the manager found that If 



Beveising the Order 

Recently the Navarre theatre, 
Brooklyn, had a fire which has put 
it out of business for a time. Man- 
agers .were worried about their. Buck 
Jones Ranger club, which had been 
nicely established and which threat- 
ented to go to pieces. 

Arrangements were made with St. 
Brendan's Catholic church to use 
the hall of the parochial school, two 
blocks away, for the meeting until 
the theatre was ready to reopen. 

There have been countless in- 
stances of theatres being loaned for 
church services, but this is the first 
record of a reverse case, with the 
church taking' part in any of the 
activities of a theatre. 



Uystery Wedding 

London, Can. 
Loew's theatre here put a new 
kink in the stage wedding Idea when 
it staged a public hitch but kept 
secret the names of the contracting 
parties until announced by the offi- 
ciating minister from the stage. 

Pulled a crowd of some 2,000, but 
perhaps not as much of a profit as 
the figure might indicate, since 
plenty of women came early and 
brought their suppers, sitting 
through two and three shows in or- 
der to maintain their right to a 
choice seat. Some of them came as 
early at 4 p. m., with the wedding 
announced for five hours later. 

Chief value of the stunt was the 
attention it got for the house which 
might be capitalized later. Crowd 
packed the street, and police were 
unable to keep a traffic lane open 
at time. 



cutout. May be too cold outdoors 
for the idea, but it could be shoved 
into a window, if one is obtainable, 
with chifCon flames on the usual 
plan. At the Mayfalr they add some 
steam, which helps along the display 
day times when the fabric fire is not 
as convincing as when lighted up at 
night. Something of this sort will 
help materially to get them in for a 
new star. 



Bense of Idea 

In Its press book for 'The Crime 
of the Century* Paramount refers 
managers to stunts suggested for 
'Guilty as Hell.' '70,000 Witnesses' 
and ^Undercover Man,' naming cer- 
tain ideas but suggesting that all 
of the gags are along similar lines 
and are ^ood if they have not been 
used before. 

Probably not many exhibitors re- 
tain a press book following the 
showing of the picture, but a file of 
old press books is almost invalu- 
able to the man looking for ideas 
for few of the stunts are limited 
definitely to a single picture. 

Some forehanded managers paste 
into a scrap book all of the good 
ideas they have found and have not 
used. They are the ones who are 
never stumped for a b. o. prod. If 
you never tried it, buy a cheap in- 
voice book and start In now. Do 
hot attempt to classify the gags. 
Paste them as they come and turn 
over the pages until you hit some- 
thing when you are planning a 
campaign. 

Criticism Cards 

EL M. Howe sends in some cards 
they were using for the 'Frisco run 
of Frank Fay . and Barbara Stan- 
wyck la 'Tattle Tales.' Cards are 
slightly longer than the usual pri- 
vate mailing card. The extra space 
Is given to a tab which can be torn 
ofC and which reads: 'iPlease ad- 
dress card to a friend giving your 
criticism of 'Tattle Tales.' Man- 
agement will stamp and mall.' / 

Idea In itself is not new, but the 
tab gives it novelty. Other side is 
a caricature of the stars done in 
black with a very little brick red 
for the hair. Sightly enough to 
leave the patron willing to send it 
along and most persons are vain 
enough to react to the idea that 
their opinions are important 



Anst^en's Bedhead 

In spite of the general uproar that 
attended a recent want ad for a girl 
to do a Lady Godlva, Ernie Austgen, 
of Loew's Akron, had a want ad for 
a girl 18-25, preferably with red 
hair, to sit in a Roman milk bath 
in the lobby of the theatre during 
'The Sign of the Cross.' 

Austgen probably felt it would be 
a safe bid, the temperature being 
what it was at the time, so he got a 
laugh Instead of an indignant howL 

For 'Madame Blanche' he took the 
personal guarantee Idea, getting out 
two different throwaways in the 
same copy but In different sizes, and 
reminded the readers he had called 
the turn on 'The Sin of Madelon 
Claudet' about a year ago. It worked 
again. 

Tabbing Up 

Avoiding postage waste on mailed 
programs brought some drastic but 
probably effective copy from the 
Academy of Music, N. T. House 
drops the usual front page make-up 
to give a large 'important' with 'see 
last page' In .slightly smaller type. 
That was all. 

Back page starts off, 'This Is the 
last time,' in large type, with a 
smaller, 'We are going to send you 
a program,' with three lines of 10 
point and a large 'unless' with a 
return to lighter face for. The cou- 
pon below is mailed immediately.' 

Remainder of the copy tells that 
the mailing list is being revi-sed, 
with copies going only to those who 
are sufficiently interested to fill out 
the coupon space and bring or send 
it to the theatre. Copy is not per- 
emptory, but it is designed to get 
quick action. With all costs close 
trimmed and pach piece coating the 
extra half cent, gaod editing of the 
mailing list is important. 



Barter Gag 

Manager who was willing to 2- 
for-1 if be was not caught at it 
hooked a large department store to 
the idea from a new angle. Store 
advertises that patrons may ask for 
two seats for the theatre Instead of 
a quarter in change made after a 
purchase, but seats may not be 
bought without making some other 
purchase. 

Store turns over the entire quar 
ter to the theatre and also pays the 
costs of advertising the gag, both in 
its space and all over the store. 
House gets the usual price for the 
cut rates, while the store feels that 
it is more than repaid In the trade 
it draws. 

To be effective, only one store 
should be given the privilege. Apt 
to go dead if a second store makes 
a deal with another house, but good 
for a time,, at any rate. 



Bailroad Helps 

Philadelphia. 
Pennsylvania railroad has been 
running excursions to 'Cavalcade,' 
at the Locust Single ticket covers 
round trip fare within 60 miles, cab 
ride to the theatre and admission 
with reserved seat Station ticket 
offices within the area handle the 
seat sales. Most of the cut is made 
by the railroad, which wants busi- 
ness. 

Postal Telegraph baa a similar 
tieup for ticket sales without cab or 
train transportation angle. Any 
Postal office will reserve seats and 
have them held at the theatre or 
will deliver to the patron if time 
permits. 



Price Card 

Three scales of prices for varying 
hours sometimes confuse patrons. 
One theatre has solved the matter 
with a double clock face, one for 
afternoons and the other for eve- 
ning shows. 

Rim around the matinee dial 
shows the price from 10-1 from 1 
to 6:30. The other face shows 6:30 
to 10 and the midnite mat mark- 
down. Saturdays and Sundays a 
new rim is slipped in to conform to 
the slightly higher prices. Rims are 
translucent and there's a light be- 
hind the section in force at the mo- 
ment. Manager finds it less con- 
fusing than a table, with the dials 
over the b.o. window. 



Beer Compromise 

Washington. 

Loew stunt of, using near-beer 
bars in lobbies on 'What! No Beer?' 
underwent slight alteration at Fox. 

Carter Barron was bit leery about 
setting up an old-fashioned bar, as 
used elsewhere, right under nose of 
Congress. So he evolved idea of 
making It a beer garden. Gag was 
to make it what new bar would be 
like rather than hailing it as return 
to saloon. 

Beach, chairs, awnings and plenty 
of color used. Even sweet old ladles 
of W. C. T. U. stopped and looked at 
it from balcony. 



Sells Many Tigs 

Denver. 

Al Goldberg, manager of the ac- 
cessories department of the RKO 
exchange, has sold close to 7,000 of 
the 'King Kong* Jig-saw puzzle. He 
sent in an order for 3,000 more. 
These were all sold before they were 
received, and he wired In an addi- 
tional 6,000 requisitions. Some ex- 
hibitors are selling them at 16 cents 
each, and some ore giving them with 
every adult admission while their 
supply lasts. 



Bom the Gal 

For 'Nagana' the Mayfalr, N. T., 
Is using a cutout of the girl lashed 
to a tree and with the flames about 
her feet. Done in heroic size, it 
makes a good showing for the cor- 
ner of the building, where It can be 
seen from B'way. 

For places where a picture needs 
to be put over in a big way it would 
be a good idea to repeat this stunt 
for the marquee, but to arrange it 
so that at selling times an actual 
woman can be substituted tor the 



It Fitted 

Wewoka, Okla. 
An example of live-wire show- 
manship and a sock at the depres 
sion goes out to the trade when L. A. 
(Lew) Chatham, of the Key theatre, 
put on a public wedding in conneo 
tion with the showing of 'They Just 
Had to Get Married,' a Universal 
fllm. 

Merchants of Wewoka co-operated 
In presenting the couple with gifts 
of all sorts. Chatham's gift was 
packed house. He took In more 
money than he wants the exchanges 
to know about. 



Show '£m the Face 

In 'The Face in the Sky' Marian 
Nlxon spots Tracy in a telescope, 
which seems to suggest it's time to 
bring on the tried and true stove- 
pipe telescope, which has not been 
used in some time. 

This is merely a 10 or 12 foot 
length of stovepipe, either gilded 
or in black, mounted oi\ a make- 
shift tripod. Eyepiece Is a short 
length of pasteboard mailing tube 
set into a block of wood cut to fit 
the pipe, with the eyepiece about 
five feet from the sidewalk. In the 
tube Is a transparency of Tracy pur- 
rounded by sales message. This can 
either be done on a glass plate by 
the photographer or printed in 
tracing or sign paper by the printer, 
cut to fit the tube and placed inside 
the pipe with a lamp to light it up. 
Wire for the lamp should be con- 
cealed as well as possible. 

People squint into the tube and 
see. the face in the sky. If a real 
telescope can be borrowed, train it 
on a three-sheet on some building 
across the street 



Shown to Solons 

Ben Serkowltch, who's handling 
the war film, 'The Big Drive,' put 
over a nifty in Washington Satur- 
day when the film was shown to 
members of congress in the caucus 
room of the house of representa- 
tives. 

Invitations were sent on official 
letterheads asking all to come, with 
the ostensible object of getting 
wised up on war. 



Blimp Bide Gratis ' 

Los Angeles. 
First house in this vicinity to 
make a tieup with the Goodyear 
blimp, which has been making dally 
flights over Los Angeles for the past 
year, is the F-WC Boulevard. Free 
flights are offered to patrons who 
draw a lucky number. 



With a Tony' 

United Artists has turned out a 
nicely printed booklet for its Span- 
ish exchanges on current releases. 
To increase Its usefulness a com- 
plete translation has been mimeo- 
graphed for the use of offices where 
that language is not spoken. 



BEHIND ihe KEYS 



Dayton. 

Ed Yarborough has been appointed 
manager of the RKO Colonial. This 
is additional to his duties as press 
agent for the spot as well as for the 
RKO Palace locally. 



Cedar Rapids, la. 
Four houses of Iowa-Nebraska 
(Blank) circuit are now with Rockey 
T. Newton as manager, coming here 
from Davenport. He will operate 
State, Iowa, Palace and Paramount. 



Los Angeles. 
Earl Peterson and L. Moore have 
taken over the Colonial (naborhood) 
from W. D. Fisher. Peterson was 
for several years with RKO. 



Hollywood. 
George Pantagcs, nephew of. Alex- 
ander Pantages, who has been man- 
'aging the Mirror, here, transferred 
fto^ t^a Orange, Orange, Calif. 

Seattle. 

Kent Thomson new manager of 
MPtropolitan, Edward Cooke trans- 
"orrpd to booking attractions for the 
I house. 



San Francisco. 

California, Palo Alto, sold by W. 
C. Bremmcr to W. J. Clark, 

Roxle, Carson City, Nov., sold to 
George L. Sanford by Pat Steven- 
son. Rename house the Carson 
City. 

With National Theatre Syndicate 
now under operating wing of Red- 
wood Theatres, latter will call Its 
new acquisition Midland Theatres, 
Inc. 

Bill Crosby new manager of Re- 
gent, Frlaco. 



Newark. 

In Warner houses James L. Nash 
leaves as manager of Hollywood, 
lia.st Orange, succeeded by lOlllot 
Kadi.son of Stanley, Newark. Wal- 
ter Jacobs goes from Goodwin to 
Stanley. New manager of Goodwin 
not appointed yet. 



Glens Falls, N. Y. 
With the local Empire turned 
back to the Kmpire Real Estate & 
Theatre Co. by I'eter T. Dana, lea- 
fifie of house, a plan Is belnn workorl 
out to shoitly rooi)en with vaude 
and pictures. 



Got Bhythm 

Valentine theatre, Toledo, played 
strong on the rhythmic dialog .for 
the Jolson picture, breaking Into the 
papers for extra space on thd al- 
leged .novelty of the . Idea* though 
burlesque shows of 40 years, a^o 
were written In the same rhymed 
style, though 6f Inferior literary 
quality. 

Not many will remember that far 
back, so it's a novelty again, and 
can be played up for a contest 
where a novelty angle Is desired, the 
dialog to be either on a given topic 
or of the contestant's own' selection. 
About the best bet would seem to 
be an offer of titfkets or small cash 
prizes for the best rhymed reviews 
of not mdre than 60 lines. 

From another slant here's a 
chance to revive the old Chaplin im- 
personators' parade with the kids 
in tramp makeups. That matches 
well with the comedy Idea and will 
afford a good bally. 



. Treats the Kids 

Manager out west Is trying ont a 
new form of family ticket Not the 
usual brlng-all-the-famlly for a set 
price, but a definite limit. Tickets 
are in strlps,^ with tW9 adult admis- 
sions and one child, tare^ adults and 
two children and four adults and 
three children. 

Tickets are sold for the price of 
the adult admissions, with the chil- 
dren getting in free. 

The two-admission tickets are 
working so well that the mankger Is 
planning a new ticket whidi will 
admit two adults and three children 
for the price of three adult admis- 
sions. Kid tickets may be used 
when they come with their parents 
or presented for any matinee per- 
formance. 



Posted Widely 

Montgomery. 

L. R. Townes, mgr. of the Par- 
amount, put over in a big way 'The 
Sign of the Cross' when he went 
out and staged a big blllpostlng 
campaign. Every town within a 
radius of 100 miles of this city was 
posted with paper. The theatre 
managers In the small towns kicked, 
but Townes got the biz. 

In the downtown section of this 
city, in every shop window, vacant 
buildings and on the street cars, 
there was placards announcing the 
show. When the opening for tho 
first show arrived police were called 
to help maintain order. 



Anticipating 

Birmingham, Ala. 
The day after Congress approved 
of repealment of the eighteenth 
amendment a truck load of An- 
heuser-Busch beer paraded up and 
down the streets downtown. On 
each side of the truck there was a 
streamer announcing the picture, 
'What! No Beer?', the Buster Ke«; 
ton picture by MG. The beer com- 
pany furnished the truck, etc., 
solely for the advertising value. 
This stunt might well be stored 
back in the files for future use In 
case prohibition Is repealed. It had 
a lot of kick In Birmingham because 
near-beer has been legal only a few 
months. 



Practical 'Chute 

Now that tho Palace, N. Y., has 
gone all film again the posters are 
being Improved. A decidedly good 
parachute Idea for one of the corner 
boards last week for 'Lucky Devils.' 
Heavy cardboard used to make a 
half chute, with cords running from 
the sharply pointed scallops across 
tlie board to a figure In the lower 
corner. Cords serve to carry the 
eye from the attractor along the 
copy. Can be used on other pic- 
tures, including 'Parachute Jumper.' 

Other corner board carries a built- 
on auto with rapidly turning wheels. 
Owing to the curve of tho board a 
.small , moior l.s used for each wheel 
jn.-Ur,'Hl of hooking them up, but the 
effect is good. ' 



26 



VARIETY 



PICT U RES 



TneBdaf, February 28, 1933 



literati s Quaint Ideas on How 
To Combat Censors Discloses a 
Naivete Unbecoming to Authors 



Bright playwrights are no brighter 
than bright actors If an almost total 
Ignorance of the picture Industry, 
especially its politics, as registered 
by a handful of some fairly well 
known names at a session of the 
National Council on Freedom from 
Censorship, Is any criterion. 

Yet this council would take up the 
picture industry's cudgels against 
censorship in some of the most 
freakish ways ever heard. 

A few of higher literati's Ideas 
about combating picture censors in- 
clude: 

Show up censor boards which pass 
certain pictures by suing the pro- 
ducers. Then if the court finds the 
features contain obscenities, as 
charged, it will be a great victory 
for the Council and sufficient re- 
buke for the censors to make them 
red -faced; possibly removed from 
office in certain states. 

Still another would have some of 
the cleverer writing minds concen- 
trate their brilliance in an effort to 
personally humiliate censors. In 
other words, let one of the coun- 
cil's mental giants get a censor in 
a corner and psyche him untU he 
is all but willing to renounce his 
shears. 

Again, agitate for a law in censor 
states, where repeal is out of the 
question, that will comnel cei^sors 
to give a written explanation for 
every elimination made from a pic- 
ture. Then take these eliminations 
and ezplantlons and glvd them wide 
publicity until the public will be- 
come censor-conscious and look 
upon scissors as tools only for paper 
doll cutters. 



At the session, which was at- 
tended by at least one Pulitzer prize 
winner, the film industry was de- 
scribed in several ways. One charge 
was that it lacked militancy. An- 
other was that picture producers 
are selfish and Interested in their 
own coin — that they have none of 
that patriotic fervor which spells 
for freedom, etc. 

Then doubts were expressed about 
Will Hays. And some of the writers 
thought it would be better to inform 
the major companies of the serious- 
ness and evils of film censorship. 

One of the writers, a leader in the 
agitation, finally confided to a trade 
paper reporter that he knew little 
about the industry. When informed 
that Hays and the major companies 
are one, and that Hays has his own 
method of combating the censors, 
he admitted that it was doubtful 
whether the council could look to 
the Industry for support. 

When Haysltes heard of what had 
happened at the meeting there was 
Immediate sympathy for the coun- 
cil and a desire expressed to be as 
co-operative as possible — even to 
send some picture man to the coun- 
cil and inform them of how censors 
are being handled and why elimi- 
nations are fewer as the years roll 
by. 

Among the Hayslan condolences 
was an expression that writers 
should still strive for literary 
prizes, but that when it came to 
politics they should either stay at 
home, take a course on economics, 
or just confine their activities to 
prattling, peculiar to the Uterateur, 
to a carefully sealed atmosphere — 
and nothing more. 



Local 306*8 First Meeting: 
Under New Prez, Sherman 

At a meeting of the New York 
Operators' Ijocal No. 806 tomorrow 
night (Wednesday) a resolution 
will be offered to reduce the num- 
ber of business agents of union 
from four to two. It is sponsored 
by Horry Sherman, newly-installed 
president, aucceedlng Sam Kaplan. 

Fending action on such a resolu- 
tion to amend the by-laws, which 
will have to go through the process 
of three different meetings of the 
union, Sherman has taken the in- 
itiative of appointing only two biz 
agents. They are Harry Levine, 
over the New York district, and 
Bertram Popkln, over Brooklyn. 

Should membership of 306 refuse 
to vote the change in the by-laws, 
Sherman will be forced t<> add on 
two agents which the union is oper- 
ating without in Sherman's desire 
to effect certain economies. 

His own resolution would also 
take out of the hands of the new 
president his power to hand out two 
extra Jobs to which his predecessor, 
Kaplan, was entitled, though having 
biz agents in future elected rather 
than appointed. 

Tomorrow's meeting is the first of 
306 since the I.A.T.S.B. deposed 
Kaplin and his rule. 



Publix Hieatres Corp. Rcvrship. 
Unlikely; Op. Org. Deemed Solvent 



Ailmclde's Six 



After four weeks of KKO vaude 
which started in New Orleans Sat- 
urday (26), Roscoe Arbuckle will 
come Into New York to turn out 
six more shorts for Warner Bros. 

The Vitaphone studio, Brooklyn, 
will then reopen to fill current pro- 
duction schedule. 



Managers, Ads 
Must Be Cut 50% 
Or Else-Recvrs. 



Special PubKcity in 




Under a Special Plan 



"Variety's" Special Publicity Plan has been functioning for 
some years. It has been employed by many of the newly- 
made stars in Pictures, Vaudeville and Radio, while the 
standard players and attractions have long since discovered 
its value in the advancement of stage position and salary. 

The campaign is designed to keep a professional name con- 
tinuously before the show business, all over the world, every 
week for 52 weeks in a year. This publicity may be used 
in displayed type or pictorially, but does not include reading 
matter, other than a limited caption under cuts. 



Exhibs Protest 
Phifly Censors 
Garbling of Fix 



Philadelphia, Feb. 27. 

A new censor protest campaign 
has been launched, by film men here. 
At a meeting of the M.T.O.A. of 
Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern 
New Jersey and Delaware held on 
Thursday, a platform of protest was 
drawn up for delivery to the Penn- 
sylvania State Board of Censors, 
and a meeting between exhibitors 
and Samuel Schwartz, censor head, 
was an;anged for early this week, 

The M.P.T.O.A. group alleges 
that eliminations made in this state 
exceed those In all other states by 
an average of five to one in most 
cases, and in some instances, twen 
ty to one. The sentiment of the ex 
hfbltors was that It is better 
to condemn a picture entirely than 
to release it in a totally garbled 
form due to cuts. The committee 
which will confer with Schwartz Is 
composed of Jay Emanuel (chair- 
man), David Barrlst, George P 
Aarons, LiCwen Plzor and Edward A, 
Jeffries. 

A resolution of condemnation was 
adopted against certain companies 
which allocate some of their fea- 
tures at higher than normal rates 
and then deliver these high per- 
centage films while holding off the 
balance of their program output. 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer was specific- 
ally mentioned as having delivered 
its seven 35% film. Its seven 30% 
films, but being short seven of Its 
regular 25% films. 



Receivers over theatre groups are 
instituting cuts in salary for man- 
agers to as high as 60% of present 
salary. Reductions of that amount 
have been enforced in some spots 
regardless of the present scale of 
salary and without concessions to 
sueh managers who it may be felt 
are being underpaid. 

Dictum of receivers in such cases 
is a 60% cut or replacement. 

Cuts are also applying to adver- 
tising, publicity and other per- 
sonnel cost of which receivers be- 
lieve must be brought down. 



Mussolini Film at Palace 
Indef., $1.50 Premiere 

A $1.60 premiere for 'Mussolini 
Speaks' will open the Columbia pic- 
ture at the Palace, N. Y., March 8. 
Picture, built around life and ac- 
tivities of the Italian dictator, with 
offscreen narrative in English by 
Lowell Thomas, is aimed at the 
Palace indefinitely. 

Columbia had been dickering with 
Publix for the Rialto prior to mak- 
ing a deal to play the Palace. 

RKO has not as yet booked 'Mus- 
solini Speaks' for its other houses. 
Buying it will be dependent on the 
Palace engagement. 



'Variety's" 



Publicity Plan is made sufficiently flexible in 
cost to meet almost any condition. 



A copy of the plan with other information as may be desired 
can be obtained at any "Variety" office. 



NEW YORK— 154 West 4eth St. 
CHICAGO— Woods Theatre BIdg. 
HOLLYWOOD— Taft Building 
LONDON— S St. Martin's PI., Trafalgar Sq. 



KBS in Second Action 

After Auto Overtuni 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Second suit filed against Irving 
Starr and KBS Productions as the 
result of an auto accident while on 
l6catlon was started in Superior 
court by Jackson Rose, cameraman, 
who is asking $35,000 damages for 
bruises and a broken thumb, suffer- 
ed when the car, owned by KBS and 
driven by Starr, supervisor of the 
picture, overturned. 

Previously, Phil Rosen, director of 
the production, sued for $50,000 
damages. 



Wallace's Vacash 

within 10 days or so Richard 
Wallace will sail for Europe on a 
short vacation with Mrs. Wallace. 
They arrived in New York last week 
from the coast via the Canal. 



It's Selznick, Inc. 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

David O. Selznlck has formed his 
own production company, David O. 
Selznlck Productions, Inc. No par 
value set on the 1,000 shares Issued. 

Directors are Selznlck, his wife, 
Irene Mayer Selznlck, and Lloyd 
Wright, his attorney. 



Wife's niness Forces Leave 

Hollywood, Feb, 27. 

Fulton Oursler has taken an In- 
defllte leave of absence from Metro, 
because of illness of his authoress- 
wife, Grace Perkins. 

Writer left Saturday (25) for 
New York. He has a contract with 
Metro, which will be resumed when 
he returns. 



Although Publix Theatres Corp. 
as signatory to film deals with dls- 
tributore, owes considerable in back 
rentals, it Is said within Paramount- 
Publlx that this subsidiary will not 
be placed under a separate receiv- 
ership from expectations. Whller 
Publix, strictly an operating and 
servicing organization, has llabilltiea 
running to a high figure, It at the 
same time has accounts receivable 
which save it from being an insol- 
vent organization. It is creditor 
for numerous subsld groups now in 
receivership. 

In respect to back rental owed 
distributors, these sums are actually 
paid by theatres through medium of 
Publix Theatres Corp., an operating 
subsid which itself does not control 
a sin ' theatre or a single lease. 

Film rental owed is declared to 
be under $600,000, Including rental 
to Paramount as well as all other 
distributors. Warner Bros, and 
Metro, large customers of Publix 
accounts, are the largest of distrib 
creditors. 

Film Rental Concern 

Some concern exists among dis- 
tributors as to collection of film 
rental which had accrued up to the 
time of the P-P and Publix Enter- 
prise receiverships. Since that time, 
regardless of whether contracts and 
franchises permit it or not, distrlbs 
have been protecting themselves by 
C.O.D.'ing Publix theatres or nar* 
rowing film credit with xeceivers. 

No contracts of distrlbs have been 
repudiated. Contention among dis- 
trlbs ls~-that since their contracts 
are signed by Publix Theatre Corp., 
these contracts cannot be repudiated 
until that corporation Itself goes 
into receivership. All executive con- 
tracts, such as unsettled Sam Katz 
agreement, also carries signature ot 
the operating-servicing organiza- 
tion without guarantee of fulfillment 
by any theatre or theatres. 

Legal question of whether con- 
tracts of Publix are endangered 
through Publix being a subsidiary 
of P-P has not as yet been settled, 
but in outside quarters it is main- 
tained that if this were true con", 
cerning the Publix operating com- 
pany, it would also hold true for 
any contracts of other subslds such 
as distributing, studio and foreign 
divisions not directly in receiver- 
ship. 

Despite the back rental owed dis- 
trlbs serving Publix, they are going 
along, according' to contracts and 
franchises as existing, in supplying 
film to Publix theatres. Right to 
CCD., despite restriction by con- 
tracts, is given distributors, they 
believe, as a result of Publlx's fail- 
ure to live up to terms of contracts 
with regard to credit. 



F&H TAKING OVER 
L A. PARAMOUNT 



LOYAI TO C. B. 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Lenore Coffee, after two years on 
the Metro writing staff, resigned, to 
rejoin C. B. DeMllle at Paramount. 
She's working on the script, 'Four 
Frightened People.' 



M-G's Internat'l Script Buy 

Rights to a German story and its 
English translation, latter done by 
Patrick Klrwan and published by 
Horace Llveright, in 1929, have been 
purchased by Metro. Story in Eng- 
lish is known as 'Bitter Waters.' 

It was published originally In 
Liepzig as 'Erockwasser' and later 
in Paris. 



11 Picture Possibilities | 



'Alien Corn' — Favorable 

'ALIEN CORN' (Drama, Kathcrlne Cornell, Belasco). 
With a Katharine Cornell, Sidney Howard, Guthrie McClintic hook-up, 
show figures to be a stage success and ultimately will reach the screen. 

Jbee, 



'American Dream' — Unfavorable 

'AMERICAN DREAM' (Theatre Guild— Drama— Guild), 
ically heavy and radical for cinematic recommendation. 



Too dramat- 
Aleh 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Fanchon & Marco, in association 
with Harry C. Arthur and Jack 
Partington, have taken a lease on 
the Paramount here and will reopen 
the house next Thursday (2). Par- 
Publix operation terminated last 
Friday nlghtv with the house cur- 
rently dark. 

F&M, operating for Parmar cor- 
poration, win Inaugurate a combo 
policy of their stage units and Para- 
mount first run pix. House will be 
scaled at 25c and 35c, similar to the 
old Roxy in New York. 

Producers, who last week acquired 
the 50% interest held by Fox West 
Coast in the Manchester and Balboa, 
naborhood houses here, have turned 
both over to Milt Arthur, brother 
of Harry, for operation. Arthur 
presently operates the F-WC houses 
in Santa Ana, FuUerton and Ana- 
heim, as well as having the State 
and Capitol, Long Beach, for in- 
dividual operation. 



Like's Second for Freuler 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
'Find the Clock,' mystery melo- 
drama, second feature on his pic- 
ture-to-picture producing arr.anpc- 
mont with Freuler Films will be 
at: t ?d in two weeks by Ralph Like 
at International studio. He has 
Just completed the first, 'Easy Mil- 
lions.' 

Jack Jevne is preparing the 
'Clock' continuity. 



Tuesday, February 28,1938 



r ICTU V ES 



rARlETY 



27 



Hay$|te$ See End of AnthTrust 
Suits in Quittner Case INsmissal 



Throw-out of the Quittner action 
eEralnst the major Industry la .re- 
garded In the Hays office aa provid- 
ing precedent for which it has 
boped. That this cade, called the 
best prepared ever brought by an 
tahlbltor against major Interests, 
was dismissed after 12 weeks In the 
Federal court, will have the effect of 
discouraging wholesale litigation In 
the Industry framed around con- 
spiracy and restraint of trade 
charges. 

Fully $200,000 is estimated to have 
been expended In this actioh. The 
time element, alone of heads of 
;. companies and executives who were 
oalled to testify, is figured to run 
Jnto a}]{irge sum. 

Whot-fpart of the cost is the plain- 
tiff's is another matter, since 
months of preparation as well as 
the siege In court are to be cal- 
culated. 

No legal test to date, according 
to producer representatives, had 
been so thorough as that brought 
by Quittner. 
. Tlie opinion that evidence In the 
Quittner action tended to show that 
picture companies or some of them 
liava violated the antt-trust laws, 
was expressed by Judge Caitey In 
Federal Court In his dismissal Fri- 
day (24) of the cast. 

Judge CafCey by his decision Is 
held by the plaintiff (Quittner) side 
to have strengthened the possibili- 
ties under bii appeal, which Graham 
Sc Reynolds, Quittner's attorneys, 
' Bay they propose filing. 

The court said 'the plaintiff could 
not recover under the treble-dam- 
age section of the statute upon the 
ground that I have stated. They 
may resort to other remedies, but 
not under the Federal damage sec- 
tion.' 



Fihn on F. G. Bonf fls 



A story based on the life of the 
fote F. G. Bonflls, "Denver Post' pub- 
lisher, was contracted for by Ma- 
oauley nearly a month ago prior to 
last week's reported Intention of 
Metro to do a picture on Bonflls. 
As a result, Metro may look into 
the novel Macauley will publish 
March 15. 

Lou Goldberg, picture advertising 
luan recently with Warner Bros., 
apent many years In Denver and 
knew Bonflls. He Is the author of 
^r. FUm Flammer,' the story Ma- 
cauley Is to publish and has In- 
formed Louis B. Mayer of the yarn. 
Meanwhile, Paramount and Warners 
ore reported Interested also. 

Mayor, according to coast reports, 
(Slscussed a story on Bonflls' life 
with Gene Fowler, who would go to 
Denver to prepare material. 



WB Finishes First Three 
Bobby Jones Golf Shorts 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Trick stuff being made at War- 
ners for the Bobby Jones series of 
Efolf shorts consists In breaking 
down the champ's swings before a 
black drape with the unessential 
parts of Jones' anatomy draped In 
blaclc to plve further prominence to 
the arm or leg being demonstrated. 

First three of the sextet of two- 
feelers have been finished. They 
are "Hands and Grip,' 'Position and 
Backswing' and 'More Backswlng.' 
Joe E. Brown, Vic Herman and 
Andy Bcnnlson, latter authoring the 
series, appeared In the first Guy 
. Klbbee and Glenda Farrell are In 
the second and W. C. Fields, War- 
ner Olfind and William B. Davidson 
In the third. 



Scripting Mae West 

Paramount Is reading 'Cora 
Potts,' novel by Ward Greene, for 
Mae West's next. Author la editor 
of Kins Features Syndicate. 

Miss West, at the Brooklyn Para- 
mount this week, holds over for a 
eecond week there and thon goes to 
the Chicago, Chicago. After that 
•he's diie on the Coast. 



Not a Bit Bashful 



Hollywood, Feb. 2T. 

Warner publicity stkff had a 
tough time with the crowd of 
crashers trying to muscle in 
on the press showing of the 
M2nd Street' train at the Santa 
Fe depot Finally one of the 
staff, assigned to question all 
the unfamiliar faces he saw in 
the party, asked a former 
lowalan: 'Who are you with?' 

Proudly the crasher indicate 
ed the frail clinging to his 
arm. 'I'm with my girl,' he 
said. 



Casey, Elliot in Move 
To Inchide UA, Col, 
Roach in Basic Pact 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

With arrival here Saturday (26) 
of William C. lailot, president of the 
lATSE, a movement gets under way 
to bring United Artists, Columbia 
and Hal Roach Iiito the basic agree 
ment existing between major studios 
and unions. 

As a concession, it is believed the 
studios will then include several 
minor crafts In the agreement not 
permitted to join when the orlginfil 
document was signed. Elliot will 
work out this and other union Is 
sues with Pat Casey, Producers' 
representative. 

If UA Col and Roach become a 
part of the agreement, although not 
signing it previously, different wage 
scales in effect on those lots will be 
adjusted to conform "with those of 
the companies now Included in the 
pact. 

Elliot and Casey will also confer 
on recent cuts at Fox, Universal and 
Radio as they affect union workers. 



Fib's $7.70 BaOy 



Warners' '42d Street' Is slated for 
the Strand, New York, opening 
March 9. On the night previous 
the film will have a special preview 
showing at $7.70 top for the benefit 
of the women's national repeal com- 
mittee, of which Mrs. Charles H. 
Sabin Is the leader. 



'Miracle' Interests Par 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Paramount Is considering 'Mlra- 
Cto at Vprdun' as possible film 
fodder. 

This is the Theatre Guild pro- 
duction about the awakening of the 
iroldler dead. 



Film Sons: Suit Decided 
In Tiffany Prods. Favor 

Suit which was brought In the 
Federal Court by Myrtle Bell Woos 
ter against Tiffany Productions, Inc., 
and the Star Production Co., was 
decided Wednesday (15) In favor of 
Tiffany by Judge Coleman. Miss 
Wooster's claim was that the song, 
'I Don't Want to Go on a Gondola,' 
from her musical play, 'Bamblna,' 
was lifted and Incorporated In a 
short subject released by defend- 
ants. 

Tiffany's defense was that Miss 
Wooster gave her oral consent to 
the use of the material in considera- 
tion of the publicity she was to 
have derived as a result of the 
short. 

Bertram Mayers of the law firm oft 
Fitelson & Mayers represented the 
defendants. Plaintiff's counsel was 
Arthur Drlscoll, of O'Brien, Drlscoll 
& Raftery. 



Gus Kahn Gagging at MG 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Gus Kahn, lyric writer brought 
out by Metro, is writing gags and 
shorts In addition to songs. 

Studio Is considering an original 
he has scribbled, 'The Die Maestro.' 
Yarn was originally intended for 
Ben Bernle, but may be switched 
around for Jack Pearl who is signed 
to Metro. 



Faded k R. Holds Up 
Dick Talmadge Films 

Hollywood. Feb. 3f, 
With expected financial backing 
still unobtalned, tbo Richard Tal- 
madge company ha« moved off the 
Universal lot and im taking office 
space at the Larry Darmour studio. 
Talmadge baa been ldl« since last 
October. 

Actor haa contracts for several 
action pictures with ezhlbs, but has 
been unable to dellyer because of no 
bank roll. 



16MM. TALKER 
BOOM ALL SET 



with three new 16mm sound-on- 
fllm projection machines set to be 
marketed within the next two 
weeks, the tiny picture field is ex- 
pected to take on -new life. That 
there are only about 200 sound 
machines In U. S. homes today is 
blamed by 16mm executives not so 
much to any lack of product as to 
the fact that the right kind of ma- 
chines with the right price have 
not been available. . 

That there are 400,000 silent 
16mm machines, most of them ad- 
mitted obsolete. In homes and in- 
stitutions now Is sufficient en- 
couragement to manufacturers and 
producers that what ' silence has 
done sound can more than repeat. 

Eastman interests last week made 
the prediction that within the next 
two years thd little field will be 
larger than the 36mm demands. 

Laboratories and film libraries 
that heretofore have soft pedalled 
small film activities now are geared 
to meet a substantial demand. One 
of the oldest libraries presided over 
by Major Tom Evans claims It can 
supply 16mm film with sound at the 
rate of over 60,000 feet daily. 

RCA is taking the lead, toward 
Important electric price reductions 
In the home field. Where a year 
ago It figured a good home set could 
not be retailed for less than f400 
tbo new equipment which it is set 
to market will cost homes around 
$160. 

Major company resistance to per-' 
mlttlng their professional product 
to be reduced is also lessening. 
Educational, Columbia, Pathe and 
Universal are okaying the reduc- 
tion. From Indications two more of 
the majors will add their consent 
by the time the new equipment is 
released. 



Latest Selling Season Ever 
Because of Rcvrships. and New 
Operators; 6,500 'Good' Accounts 



Stepping Up 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Two weeks ago all names 
were taken off the office doors 
in Paramount's writing de- 
partment. 

This week all members of 
the studio publicity depart- 
ment had their names lettered 
on the publicity department 
doors. 



Fox Defers 3 



Hollywood, Feb. 2T. 

Three pictures set to go Into pro- 
duction today (27) were called off 
for the time being by Fox on Sat- 
urday night. 

They are Jesse Lasky's produc- 
tion, 'The Power and the Glory,' to 
be directed by William BL Howard, 
which is set back until March 20 
'Husbands Cost Money,' which 
David Butler was assigned to direct, 
is also a March 20th assignment. 
'My Dear,' Harry Lachmann direct 
Ing, la set back until April 3. No 
explanation given for sudden 
switching. 



Most Coast Producers 
Put on C.O.D. Basis 
By Supply Houses 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

With the generally unsettled con- 
dition of the picture business, sup- 
ply houses, furnishing producing 
companies with equipment, film and 
other supplies, are attempting to 
establish their business with the 
majority of studios on a strictly 
C. O. D. basis. At the present time 
there are only two major produc 
tlon companies said to be meeting 
their bills on a monthly basis, 
Others are lagging behind, and In 
some cases owe local supply houses 
for merchandise purchased six 
months ago. 

In an attempt to collect, mer- 
chants are met with the argument 
that returns are not coming in from 
the distribution companies. Some of 
the sales organizations ^dealing with 
the. studios have taken paper In 
payment for supplies, 'but hiave beeih 
unable to discount it. 

Since Publlx went Into receiver- 
ship, Paramount Productions has 
been paying off current bills weekly. 
Studio feared that through its Pub- 
llx connection its credit would be- 
come Impaired, and Instituted the 
weekly payment to eliminate any 
embarrassment. 



Cantor's Next Pk 



Bobby Connolly will stage the 
dances in the next Eddie Cantor 
picture. Sam Goldwyn is confer- 
ring this week with Eddie Cantor 
on the story, production to start 
May 1. 



Alternating Film-Stage 
Combo Idea Up Again 

Hollywood. Feb. 37. 

Revival of the old type of combo 
company which acted a story part- 
ially on the screen and partially on 
the stage will be tried by Cliff 
Broughton, former producer for 
George Weeks. 

Broughton is assembling a cast 
and will start filming In two weeks 
at International studio on the pic- 
ture portions. One night stands and 
small communities without regular 
film entertainment will be booked. 

Last show of this type was tried 
about 10 years ago by the late George 
Beban with 'Sign of the Rose.' 



lOTH OLTMFIAS IN 14 SEELS 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Firm here is supplying the entire 
L. A. Olympic Games, on 16mm for 
$70. 

Athletic events are in 14 reels, of 
100 feet each, quoted at $5 a reol. 
The 14 chapters are virtually a his- 
tory of every minute of the 10th 
OljTnplad. 



Medbury's Col Shorts 

John P. Medbury, in the east In- 
dcflnitcly, is giving up his syndi- 
cate work, but will continue on 
short subjects for Columbia As 
m. c. of the Old Gold radio program, 
the humorist has a 13-weeks' con- 
tract with options. Col is already 
releasing two shorts series by Med- 
bury, 'Curiosities' and TravplaughP. 

Mrs. Medbury got in Thursday 
(23) from the coast by car to join 
her husband. 



Coast Technicians for 

Kennedy's Fla. Unit 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Set to leave here this week to 
Join Aubrey Kennedy's production 
company at St. Petersburg, Fla,, 
are Frank Drdllk, listed as direc- 
tor; Mack Stengler, cameraman, and 
William Stevens, assistant megger. 
Drdlik has done some art work, but 
has no record as a director here. 

Oral Cloaky, who represents Ken- 
nedy's backers here, has approached 
Lane Chandler, Roberta Gale, Jules 
Cowles and Martha Mattox to go 
to Florida for the proposed picture, 
a remake of 'Bar Sinister.' Players 
were offered their regular salaries 
for three weeks,, plus transportation. 
No contracts signed yet. 



Crabbe's Personals 

Bill Pine from the Paramount 
Coast studio left New York Friday 
night (24) for Boston with Buster 
Crabbe of 'King of the Jungle', who 
made a personal appearance there, 
following one in New York. He will 
also appear in Buffalo,' Detroit, Mil- 
waukee, Chicago and Denver, Pine 
accompanying. 

Following the Denver, appearance 
Crabbe will fly to Washington to 
attend the Inaugural Saturday (4), 
Pine going on to Coast. 



Swede's Magyar Script 

Hollywood, Fob. 27. 
Nils Asther will be featured by 
^^0U•() in 'Rhapsody,' newly acrjuircd 
Hungarian play by Alexander llim- 
yadl. wlileh has received good no- 
tices in stagn production in central 
Europ'-. 

Lucicn Hubbard will supervise. 



Latest selling season in the his- 
tory of the business impends, dis- 
tributors openly admitting that it is 
futile to sign contracts with the av- 
erage present-day box office until 
Its permanent ownerslilp status is 
established. 

July Is now figured as the earliest 
when house ownership for the re- 
mainder of '33 -'34 can be deemed 
settled. By that time distrlbs are 
counting on receiverships either 
being made permanent, and with 
sufilclent tenure of ofiQce assured to 
make contracts with them worth- 
while. The sales heads also are con- 
fident that by then the bullc'of new 
owners of Individual houses and 
small circuits will be in possession. 
6,600 'Good' Accounts 

Where in the average year 7,500 
theatres accounts are considered by 
major companies as 'good', this year^ 
it is generally calculated the ordin- 
ary total is shortened at least by 
1,000. Of the existing 8,500 current 
good accounts, at least one third are 
estimated to be in receivership. 

The actual number of theatres In 
process of change of ownership is 
not known and cannot be calculated 
until present flurries have abated. 

Were film contracts made with th» 
theatres, there, would be no occasion 
^or. delay in selling and distribution 
apprehension. But legally, It is held 
that even though a present owner 
tries to force his contractual obliga- 
tions on bis successor, the new own- 
er *can technically ignore them. Be- 
cause of this, distriba feel they 
wrould be Iosln|r more money by 
hastening > sales than by letting tho 
sales season slip from spring Into 
the sumi^er aiid faU. , 



SOUTHERN CHAIN WINS 
50 RC COT BY UNIONS 



New York advices Indicate that 
Charles Koemer, heading operation 
on the former Interstate housea 
ownisd by' Carl Hoblltzelle, has ne- 
gotlatell a reduction of around 60% 
in tintqn costs over the circuit. 

Concerns stagehands and oper- 
ators, with reports reaching New 
York that the unionq stand ready to 
co-operate In every way with Koer- 
ner to keep tho southern housea 
open. 



Houston, Feb. 28. 

Union motion picture projection- 
ists of Houston, Dallas and Fort 
Worth have reached satisfactory 
terms with two erroups of theatres 
In these cities, ratifying agreements 
which will permit ainicable oper- 
ation under the new setups which 
follow their present states of re- 
ceiverships and bankruptcy. 

Involved are the trustee in bank- 
ruptcy for RKO-Southem Corpor- 
ation and the receivers for Southern 
Enterprises, Inc., of Texas, formerly 
Publlx. 

Projectionists took a cut under 
the 170 scale and reduced the re- 
quired number of operators from 
four to two men per booth. Union 
Itself will provide for a swing man. 
One stage hand provided for each 
house, at a substantial salary cut. 
Union situation Is thus cleared up 
until September, 1934. 



Providence Showmen 

Checkmate Picketingr 

Providence, Feb. 27. 
Three theatres here, beset with 
labor troubles, got temporary relief 
last week when the Superior court 
granted three petitions restraining 
members of allied theatrical unions 
from picketing the new Metropol- 
itan, Olympia and Royal theatres. 
The Met is in the downtown sector, 
the other two In the OlneyviUe sec- 
tion of Providence. 

The Met was the first to go into 
court a.sUing relief from picketing. 
The other two houses followed, 
spurred by the success of the Met. 
All petitions were temporary and 
will be heard later. 

The three stands, however, an- 
ticipate success eventually as Su- 
preme court has already ruled fa- ■ 
vorahly on petition of Samuel 
nomes, operator of two theatres 
here. 



28 



VARIETY 



nC TUBES 



Tuesday, Februarj; 28, 1933 



Sam Katz s Theatre Plans 



Surveying Theatres Along 1933 Budget 
Stiandards— Will Follow His Prod. Setup 



Sam Katz bas plans for a nation* 
•1 tbcatre chain as soon as his film 
production is set. Harry Katz, his 
brother, Milton Fold and Dave Chat- 
kin are Vith Katz in New York 
going over the theatre situation, All 
operated theatres under Katz in the 
old Publix organization. 

While several prospective groups 
of houses around the country are 
being looked over, negotiations are 
nothing more than feelers right now. 

Any number of circuits are men- 
tioned as possibilities for a Katz 
chain. Among those which it is said 
Katz would like are Fox Midwesco, 
Pox Midland, Poll New Kngland 
chain, Publlx-Fltzpatrick-McElroy I 7' 
and sbme Publlx and Fox West' 
Coast groups which might be avail- 
able. 

Katz's idea on deal is on a basis 
of 1933 business possibilities and '33 
leasing or operating an-angements. 



CAPITOL'S 2-WEEKERS 



B'way Deluxer Optimistic on 'Live' 
and 'Sister' 



Capitol, N. T., does rot expect to 
have to go outside for any more 
product for the spring at least. 
Schedule on bouse is up to and in- 
cluding week of April 7, with Metro 
product only, but calls for two- 
week stays for two pictures, 'Today 
We Live' and "White Sister.' 

Bookings set are 'Clear All Wires,' 
Friday (iS); 'Today We Live,* March 
10 and 17; 'White Sister,' March 24 
and 31 and 'Men Must Fight,' 



PENNSY'S 5% TOANCE 
TAX' ON niMS AGAIN? 



Shiller & Levine Take 
Up Halted Eagle Corp., 
WOE Deliver Program I 



Philadelphia, Feb. 27. 
From unofficial, but reliable, 
sources it is believed here that the 
movement for the establishment of 
"nuisance taxes," which would in- 
clude a' 5% tajt on film admissions, 
has not been abandoned and is like- 
ly to crop up again in the near 
future. 

It is understood' that the State 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Re-organization of thi old! Eagle 
Productions, which became Inactive Uegis'iature~'wiil ' refuse to permit 
six months ago. has been under- ^j^^ Philadelphia City Council to in 
taken by Morris Shiller and M. Leon urease the bonded indebtedness of 
Levine of New York, who are fur- Uhe city. Right now the city gov- 
nlshing the money to continue with ^rnment has the privilege of addl 
the old program. New company, in- ^^j^^^j borrowing, above regular is 
corporated in New York, is known ^^^^ emergency loans of 10% of 
as Eagle pictures Corp. ' the city budget. It is seeking to 

Only one picture. 'Exposed, was ^.^,3^ tj,,g amount to 15%, but al- 
made by the former company. Dls- | ^^^dy a motion to this effect has 



tribirtion contracts for the remain 
Ing sold at that time have been as 
sumed by Shiller and Levine, who 
plan completion of the schedule 



been defeated in the House at Har- 
rlsburg. 

Without the right to go ahead 
with this extra borrowing, it Is bO' 



Stadio Phcenients 



BIancb« Frldertcl, 'Adorable,' Pox. 
Philip . Mwivftle. Henrietta Cros- 
man, Victor Jbry, 'My Lips Betray,' 

Tom Rlcketts, Robert Courey, 
Lorimer Johnson, Gertrude Astpr, 
Torben Meyer, John Davidson, Lu- 
dan PrlvaJ, 'Reunion in Vienna, 
Metro. _ „ , 

C. Henry Qordon, Eugene Pal- 
lette, John Miljan, Ivan Lebedeff, 
'Made on Broadway.' Metro. 

William Qargan, TBrnergenoy Call,' 
Radio. 

John CromweU, director, 'Ann 
Vickers,' Radio. 

E. H. Grifflth, director, 'Morning 
Glory,' Radio. 

Harry Langdon, Nell O'Day, Lita 
Chevret, Matthew Betz, Eddie 
Baker, Billy Engle, 'Night Duty,' 
Educational. 

Preston FoBt•r^ 'Husbands Cost 
Money,' Pox. 

Gertrude Messenger, 'Bondage/ 
Fox. 

Bradley Page, 'Love Is Like That,' 
Chesterfield. 

Mary Brian, 'Beer Barrel,' Rog- 
ers-Par. 

Charles Ruggles, "Don't Call Me 
Madame.' Par. 

Lew Cody, Thomas Jackson, Nat 
Pendleton, Dorothy Burgess, Susan 
Fleming, "I Love That Man,', Rog- 
eris-Par. 

Robert Barrett, 'Lilly Turner,' 
WArner. 

Tammany Young, 'Gold Diggers 
of 1933,' Warner. 

Aline McMahon, "Bread Line,' 
Warner. 

Richard Carle, In the Red,' Radio. 
Hans Von Twardowski, 'Ador- 
able,' Fox. 

Julie Haydon. George Meeker. 
Helen Perry, Bert Sprotti, 'Beer 
Baron,' Par. 

Donald' Dilloway. George E, 
Stone, Joyce Compton, Walter Mc- 
Grall, Blanche- Prederlci, Arthur 
Hoyt, Pat O'Malley, Edgar Norton, 
'Sing You Sinners,' Phil Goldstone 
Majestic. 

Jack Mulhall, Frances X. Bush 
man, Jr., 14'oah Berry, Jr., Hooper 
Atchley, Raymond Hatton, Robert 
Fr&zer, Gordon Do Maine, William 
Desmond, 'Three Musketeers,' Mas 
cot serial. 

Jack O'Donnell, dialog 'Kid 
Gloves,' U. 

Mae Clarke, Vince Barnett, 'Pub- 
lic Relations,' Metro. 



Adolph Pollack, with the original jj^^g^ Inevitable that the "nuisance 
group, is again handling distribu- taxes" will start, probably this 
tion in the present set-up, and Al- gprmg. When the measure was last 
bert Herman, a partner in the form- ^,^,^^0 Council, prompt action on 
er corp., is in charge of production. pari of the local picture inter 

Shiller. who returns to New York ests resulted in its being tabled, 
the latter part- of this week, was 
former president of Realcraft and-of 

Shiller Productions in ' New York. I Clf AriflP PlncPil Pii1ar<» 
Company started a., picture Thurs- I Oncrni l^lOSeO raiace, 



Incorporations 



day (23) titled 'The Big Chance,' | 
with My ma Kennedy and John Dar- 
row in the leads. All filming will- be { 
done at Monogram studio. 



M'waukee, but Reopened 

Milwaukee, Feb.' 27. 
The Palace, one of the Fox Mid- 



wesco chain, recently turned back 
. ■mmr 1 , -rmr i • the Saxes, reopened the next 

Unions Week-tO-Weeking day. House was closed by 
T A iu T» T> 4- Sheriff Joseph Shlnners Thursday 

In AlDany Jrenaing rSXl \ night on an eviction order Issued by. 

Civil Judge Heddlng over an alleged 



Albany, Feb. 27 
Stage hands and operators are 
now working on week to week basis 
pending settlement of wage dispute 
with theatre operators. The dead- 
line was Saturday night two weeks 
ago. Notice was posted in all the- 
atres with the exception of capltol 
legit house, giving men two weeks' 
notice without explanation. 

Under terms of contract, which 
was to have expired last September, 
owners and managers have asked a 
10-15% cut. 



$27,698.09 said to be due to the own 
ers. the Uihleln Realty Co.. for back 
rent and taxes. 

Palace was originally an Orpheum 
theatre. Pictures announced for 
this week were switched to the 
Strand, pending a settlement of af- 
fairs. Pal continues straight plx. 



Banifits Encore 



Shelved Yarn Brings Suit 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
For the second time in six 
months, bandits entered the home 
of Spencer Lee, manager of the 
Fox Ritz theatre on Wilshire boule- 
vard, made him go to the theatre, 
open safe and then looted it of 



Los Angeles, Feb, 27 
Universal Is the target of an $825 
suit filed In Municipal court by A 
W. Diesman, assignee of Leo E. , ... „„. ^, 

Kuter. who was engaged by the | week-end receipts, 

studio as art director on 'Men With 
out Fear.' bull-fight film which was 
not made. 

Kutor claims to have been en- 
gaged at $1,000 for the picture and 

admits she was paid $375. Suing I "T 

tAoc tonn with Madeline Woods to handle 'The 

$625 and $200 . ai™ *„- 



'Big Drive' in N. W. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Jimmy O'Neal has closed a deal 



for the remainder, 
damages. 



COLLIER LEAVES F-WC 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Bob Collier is out as F-WC. press 
agent, with Troy Orr taking tM 
place. 

Collier was formerly in charge or 
the entire publicity and ad set-up. 



Big Drive,' war film, for the Pa 
clflc northwest territory. He leaves 
here today with prints for that sec 
tion. 



Up- State Changes Hand 

Troy, Feb. 27. 
The Rivoll, Troy, has been pur- 
chased by the Majestic Amusement 
Co. 

The Majestic company, controlled 
by Jacob C. Rosenthal and Al C. 
Bothner, operated the Rose Theatre 
and owns the seldom used Majestic. 
The Rivoll was formerly part of a 
chain of low- prices theatres oper- 
ated by the Battaglla Brothers. 



CHANGED MUn) ABOUT $1.50 

San Francisco. Feb. 27. 
Metro's 'Rasputin* is due for a 
March 5 opening at Erlanger's Col- 
umbia at $1.50 top, roadshow policy. 
Columbia is same house that turned 
down Par's 'Sign of Cross' last 
month .claiming $1.50 too much 
dough. 



Judgments 



Huhuuiora Amiueinent Co.; C. Mar- 
tin, by guardian: 1842. 

Bobby Connollyi Gntea & Morange, 
Inc.; $3,644, 

Stanley Distributinv Corp.; Wld's 
Film and Film Folk, Inc.; |343. 



Mew York 

Albanr, Feb, 27. 

Tango Oordena, Inc., Manhattan; the 
atrlcal: $20,000. 

D. IV. B. Film Productions, Inc., Man- 
hattan; pictures: .1100.000. 

Elisabeth BIMbary, Inc., New Tork 
theatrical; 100 shares no par. 

Snnset Amnsement Corp., Kings; the 
atrlcal; 200 shares no par. 

Hercnle* Theatre Corp., New Tork 
theatrical business; 11,000. 

Conan Productions, Inc., Manhattan 
theatrical; $10,000; 100 preferred $100 
and 100 common $1. 

Airmen Broadcasting Corp,; general 
broadcasting; $1,000. 

The Super Radio Corp., Manhattan 
radio; $250,000, 

H. Im Balls, Inc., New Tork; radio 
$50,000. 

Statement and Beslgnotlon 

The Popular Pictures Corp., New 
Haven, Conn.; motion picture business. 
New Tork office, 630 Ninth avenue, New 
York City; Jerry Dlstaslo, secretary 
$100,000. 

California 

Sacramento, Feb. 27, 

David O. Selznlcb Productions, Inc. 
Capital stock, 1,000 shares, none sub' 
scribed. David O. Selznlck, Irene M. 
Selznlch, Loyd Wright. 

li. -OB. V. Productions. Inc. Capital 
stock, 1,000 shares, none subscribed 
Herschel B. Green, Richard M, Gold 
water, 9. Earl Wright, 

Certified copies of corporations located 
In Dover, Delaware: 

Fox California Theatres Corp. 

Fox Arrowhead Theatres Corp. 

Fox Orange Belt Theatres Corp, 

Fox Riverside Theatre Corp, 

Fox Mission Theatres Corp. 

Fox 8nn Polo Theatres Corp. 

Fox Paradise Theatres Corp. 

Fox AVestwood Theatre Corp. 

Fox Wilshire Theatre Corp. 

Fox Ia Bren Theatoe Corp. 

Fox Bits Theatre Corp. 

Fox Bakersfleld Theatre Corp. 

Fox Calexico Theatre Corp. 

Fox Valley Tlieotre C4H1>. 

Fox Egyptian Theatre Corp. 

Fox Rlolto Theatre Corp. 

Fox I<ong Beairh Theatre Corp. 

Fox Warfleld Theatre Corp. 

Fox San Bernardino Theatre Corp, 

Fox Senator Tlientre Corp. 

Fox Vallejo Theatre Corp. 

Fox Cabrlllo Theatre Corp. 

Fox Strand Tlientre Corp. 

Fox Fairmont Theatre Corp. 

Fox North Park Theatre Corp. 

Fox San Diego Theatre Corp. 

Fox De lAxe Theatres, Inc. 

Permits to sell stock issued to: 

David O. Selznlck Productions. Inc. To 
Issue BOO of 1,000 shares, no par. 

Brown-Spencer & Associates, Inc. 
Audition .icrvlces for motion pictures 
To Issue 240 of 260 shares, par $100. 

Galveston, Feb. 27 

Theatre Safety Service Co,, Dallas 
merchandise; capital, $1,000; Incorpntora 
J, S. Groves, Donald Scott, John H 
Kirby. 

So<ithem Opera Co., Houston; amune 
mont; Incorporators, Mrs. Mary Daily, 
Uriel Nespoli, Mrs. Morle Vescova. 

Theatre Safety Device Co.. Hou.iton; 
manufacturing; capital. $1,000: Incor- 
porators, Cecil E. Hall, John H. Kirby, 
II, J. A. Phillips, 

Empire Theatre of Son Antonio. Inc.; 
capital, 200 shares non-par; Texas 
agents, F. F, Bokern. M, L, Relfe, Dallas. 



Doris Maloy Moves Over and Up 

Hollywood. Feb, 27. 
Doris Maloy, former head reader 
for Fox is now at Paramount work- 
ing on the script, 'Milce' a radio story 
to star Claudette Colbert. 



Stock Market 



(Continued from page p 
gaining much of their recenli losses. 

Response of the share list was in- 
stant; commodities also displayed 
ability to rebound. Friday's .olosing 
prices were the best in 10 days or 
so. 

Saturday's morning newspapers 
printed the details of an ugly situa- 
tion in Maryland, where the Gov- 
ernor had declared a three-day mor- 
atorium to check widespread runs 
on banks. Resultant break In the 
stock mfirket carried security prices 
down through the pecember bottom, 
which has been four times defended, 
and established the averages in 
practically all classes of securities 
at a new low since October or 
longer. 

How much the revelations in the 
Congressional investigation into 
the stock market ajid banks had to 
do with the runs on banks outside 
the Michigan area is difficult to fig- 
ure, but it probably had a lot. 

Spell of Nerves 

In any event the combination of 
all the circumetahcea shook Wall 
Street's nerves badly, aind there was 
a general disposition to get out of 
^ocks. The half-day session piled 
up the largest volume of trading 
since early in October, close to 1,- 
000,000 shares changing hands, and 
the selling had all the earmarks of 
hasty liquidation. A noticeable fea 
ture was the dealings in large 
blocks, a characteristic of the whole 
week. Trading was kept in orderly 
shape and there was no wide-open 
break; but neither was there any 
concerted support, as revealed by 
the absence of anythihg like a mo- 
mentary raMy. The tape was two 
minutes late at one time toward the 
close Saturday and the greatest ur 
gency to sell was apparent in the 
last 16 minutes. All of which set 
the stage for further retreat yester 
day. Accumulation of selling orders 
over the week-end made for an es- 
pecially weak opening. Recessions 
yesterday were sharpest in the first 
half hour. Thereafter prices steadied 
somewhat, but there was no rebound 
to suggest that the worst of the im- 
mediate selling was over. 

Repetition of the banking trouble 
in Maryland suggested to security 
owners the possibility of troubles 
elsewhere, which mttkes for a public 
sentiment subject to spasms of 
nerves. There had been no intima 
tion to the trading community of a 
delicate situation in Maryland, and 
the fear has been planted that other 
such developments may develop 
suddenly and unexpectedly. 

The amusement group, in the na 
ture of the case, were less violently 
affected than pivotal issue's; first 
because they have already discount 
ed pretty much anything that can 
happen; and. secondly, because 
there is but little of speculative long 
holdings or vulnerable investment 
holdings, either, for that matter, 

Loew's was the only theatre stock 
to give way materially. That new 
leader of the group retreated on but 
moderate dealings to the exact level 
of its all-time low of 13%. estab- 
lished during the slump of last July. 
At that point it made a stand and 
closed fractionally higher at 13\i. 
The preferred came out in only one 
trade at 48. a low on the movement, 
but 9 points above its bottom for 
1932 at 39. 

Pretty much all the other active 
amusements had already broken 
their last summer's bottoms or re- 
peated them, and the market- dis- 
turbance did not affect them ad- 
versely in price. Fox slipped an 
eighth and Warners appeared on the 
tape at 1 for the first time this win- 
ter. Paramount continued along at 

Summary for week ending Saturday, Fob. 24: 

STOCK EXCHANGE 



'tnat price allowing byjb si^aU 
margin for a decline. 

Columbia Pictures among ithe 
lebseij stocks sU4 Into n4w low 
ground since sumnaer at 7%,> break- 
ing sharply through its former de- 
fensiai line at 9, but dealings here 
were small, suggesting that the 
break came through withdrawal of 
bids rather than from pressure of 
offerings. With the retreat of 
Loew, Metro-Ooldwyn preferred 
backed down to 14, repeating its 
iQwest previous quotation since list- 
ing. 

]E!astman Kodak put up about as 
good a defense as any trading issue 
in the list, giving way only by frac- 
tions and holding above 60 to the 
final bell, when it stood at 60 
Dealings here also were limited, 
volume on the week reaching less 
than 10.000 shares, Smallness of 
volume throughout the group was 
conspicuous, Lioew's downward 
drift was accompanied by a total of 
only 19.000 shares, an inconsiderable 
volume for that issue. 

Cliques operating on the bull side 
withdrew precipitately, making good 
ihost of their strategical retreat 
earlier in the week. There were 
evidences that the pool working in 
Consolidated Film industries, pre- 
ferred, had gotten away before the 
Maryland news came out. Stock 
declined from around 10 to 7% by 
Thursday by which time the re- 
puted clique had lightened their 
lines, improving their position so 
that when the Jam came on Satur- 
day, they . were in shape to give 
their favorite support. Despite 
melting prices all around at the end 
of the week, the senior Consolidated 
had recovered nearly two points 
from its earlier bottom and main- 
tained Its improvement. Volume 
here reached the respisctable total 
of T,600 shares on the week. 

Radio Corp. of America, had the 
l{u-gest turnover in the group, ag- 
gregating 143,000; shares in Ave days 
(market was closed Wednesday), 
and the bulk of the dealings were 
done at 3 which is only a fraction 
away from the 1932 bottom and a 
new low on this movement. RKO 
showed some resistance. By one of 
those market freaks the old Keith 
preferred picked out the moment of 
Saturday's severest pressure te 
make one of its rare appearances 
on the tape, coming out at 12, up 
4 from the last trade more than a 
month ago, since which time th« 
company has gone Into a receiver^ 
ship. Orpheum circuit preferred, 
which is a bankrupt stock, held lt< 
own at 2^. 

Par Bonds Off, Other* Hold 



Theatre company bonds did fairly 
well for the most part In the facd 
of drooping values in every part of 
that department, especially In the 
case of U.S. government loans* 
which showed the effects of bank 
emergency liquidation. Only bond 
to display special weakness wa^ the 
old Paramount-Famous 6's, which 
sank to a new all-time low at 7 with 
a net loss of 2 points. The Para'' 
mount-t»ublix 6%'s lost less than 
a point and increased its premiunl 
over the old liens to more than i 
points, the relation being 7 for the 
old and 9% for the new. 

Elsewhere among the film bondil 
the price movements were scat- 
tered, Warner Bros debentures lost 
nearly 2 points to 15% while the 
RKO debentures crept up a frac- 
tion. Loew's 6's held their own as 
did the Keith liens, while, for no 
apparent reason the Pathe 7'b 
jumped nearly 4 points in a single 
transaction. If anything ever comes 
of a DuPont-Eastman (association* 
which was rumored some time ago* 
the Pathe obligations stand to bene-: 
fit . handsomely through an interest 
In the DuPont raw film entorprlse. 



HlRh. 

m 
0% 

14% 

11% 

87% 

C% 
20% 
30 
37% 
80 

4% 
22% 
15 

1% 

6% 
13% 

7% 
SO 

4% 
20 
43% 



in 

1% 
2% 
4% 

3% 



7% 

on 

00 
8(1 
00% 

.^.-> 

10 

0 

40 



Bid. 



-1032.'3a — 



Low. 
% 

1 

4'i 

2% 
.15% 
1 

8'^ 

13% 
30 

1% 
14 
1% 
% 
% 
1% 
2'/j 
1% 
10% 
<<. 

4 

15% 



4% 

'.4 
% 
% 
% 



1 
24 
(M 
40 

7 

C% 
8% 
% 



A'ked, 
1 



Sales. Issue ami rate. 

American Seat 

00* Consol. Film .' '3% 

SCO Columbia P. vtc 9 

7.000 Consol, Film pfd 914 

Eastman Kodalt (8) 64 

3,1)00 Fox, Class A 1% 

92.200 Gen. Elec, (40c.) 12% 

100 Keith pfd 12 

10,300 Loow (3) 14% 

200 Do pref, (0%) 48 

800 Madliion Sq, Garden l« 

900 Met-G-M pref. (1.89) 14% 

100 Orpheum pfd 2% 

10,500 Paramount % 

700 Pathe Exchange. ... , U 

50O Pntho, Class A 2% 

142,100 Radio Corp 4 

3,000 

Universal pref ,, 

10.300 U'nrner Bros 

Do pfd 

30,200 WcRtlnghouHc 24% 



High. Low. 



3 

7% 

7% 
50% 

1% 
10% 
12 
13% 
48 

1% 
14 

2% 
% 
% 

a 

8 

1% 



Net eYkgi 
Lnst for wfij 
1% bid 
3 - H 

7%- 
0 



50% 
1% 

11% 

12 

13% 

48 
1% 

14 
2% 
% 
% 



-1 

-4 

=ltl 

+4 
-1 



1% 

■i% 



i«% 



8% 
1% - 
10% last 
1% 

2f»% 



- H 



CURB 



Columbia Picts. 



Oen. Thea. E. pfd. 



A 


A 


A 


z% 


'2% 


'•2% 


1% 


1% 


1% 



BONDS 

$0,000 Gen. Thea. Ed. '40 1% 1% 1% 

14.000 Keith C'e, '40 83 32% .1:4% 

01.000 Loow O b, '41 60 05% CV^, 

8,000 Pathe 7's, '87 56 03 .'>0 

31.000 Par-Fam-LoHky O's, "47 8% 7 7 

30,000 Par-Pub Cli's, 'CO 10% 0 9% 

3,000 IIKO debs O s 11 10% 10% 

1.000 Rhubert fl's u \(. k, 

12,000 Warner Bros. O's, '30 lOvj 1B% ' 15% 



- A 



- H 

o 

+ % 
-t% 



Over the Counter, N. Y. 



r.oiiy. 



Oen, Theatre Bqulp, sold $1,000 «t 3. «i> 



Taesdajr* Febraarj 26, 193S 



VARIETY 



HERE IT 
CO 





WARNER 

liAXTER 




THE SHOW THAT SHOWS THE WAY TO BETTER DAYS! 



NEARLY 2 HOURS OF BREATHLESS ENTERTAINMENT! 



2 GREAT SHOWS IN 1, WITH A STAR IN EVERY ROLE! 







VARIETY 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 





★ ★ ★ ★ 

44TAR AWARD FROM 

"UBERTY" MAGAZINE GU- 
MAXES TUMULTUOUS AD- 

VANGEPRAISEFROM KINGS 
AND QUEENS OF RADIO! 



**k crawl showP' 

— MTt SMITH 



''A pleture to rave about!" 

—JACK PEARL 



^'Somethiiig original at last!" 

— BINQ CROSBY 



"A real^ great miisical!" 

—PAUL W63ITEMAN 



"The best show Tve ever seen!'' 

—MORTON DOWNEY 

VJTAORAPH. INC OlSTRIBUTOftS 









Tuesday, Februarj 2B, 1983' 





STARS - 14 OF WARNERS' BIGGEST NAMES 



1 



SONGS -THE 4 HIT NUMBERS OF THE HOUR 



I 



STORY INTEREST IN EVERY MINUTE OF THE SHOW 



WARNER BROS 

start a cycle ^ and end your troubles! 




32 



VARIETY 



VARIETY 




fi 




ORPHEUM MANAGER CALLS IT "GREATEST PIC 
I ^ TURE SINCE GOLD DIGGERS "AS ''42ND STREET 
* DOUDLES DUSINESS IN DENVER OPENING! 



EMPIRE, SAN ANTONIO TAKES 2 DAYS' 
RECEIPTS IN SINGLE MIDNIGHT PREMIERE! 

TOPS DIGGEST ATTRACTIONS IN YEARS 
IN KANSAS CITY, ST. LOUIS, CHICAGO! 

AND NOW AMERICA'S GREATEST 





^ CITIES STRIKE 



RAND 



Tri«fr&]r, Febrnarj 28, 1933 



1^ 




BLAZES COAST TO-COAST TRAIL 
FOR MIGHTY KEY OPENINCS IH 



• • • 



• • • 



Washington 
Baltimore 
Pittsburgli 
^ Detroit 
^^ Buffalo 

Philadelphia 
Cleveland 
f . Portland, Ore. . 

N ^ New York • 

Indianapolis r*^; 



• • . Earle 
Stanley 
Stanley 

Michigan 
Buffalo 
Stanley 

• • Lake 
Elsinore 
. Strand 
Indiana 



Milwaukee ♦ . Warner 
Nashville . Knickerbocker 
Akron .... Strand 
Youngstown Warner 
Tulsa . . .jg^' , Ritz 
New Orleans v Saenger 
Miami , . » , , Olympia 
Albany r^;.. Strand 
Dallas • 7] 7 r. Palace 
Houston 5^ jr, Metro 



^WARNER 

/ ^ Just Gettim Ut 




r 



On to Wathingtoii, March 4th I 



ROS 




^ Just Getting Up Steam for 1933! * 



Tuesday, February 28, 193S 



VARIETY 



RUBY KEELER 



AS 



ii 



PEGGY 



IN 



42 



ND 



ST. 




I^^M wiMsf read 

STREET 

l>u BRADFORD ROPES 



Cfhe semiiional book ftom 
^Imh Warner Bros, have made 
their successful picture^ 

Also TMKE CTHER lASCIMTIMC STORIES ^ 

^Amxmiio iwMS'' "^TiiESKN or THE cross;' 
only 

AvaihMe wherever books are sciiL 

New York • CftOSSET & DUNLAP • Chicago 



GORDON HOLLINGSHEAD 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 



ON 



"42"" ST. 



f f 



The Most Scintillating Score 
It Has Ever Been Our Privilege to Puhlishl 

FROM WARNER BROS,' SENSATIONAL PICTURE 



42 



ND 



ST. 



YOU'RE GETTING TO BE A 
HABIT WITH ME 

YOUNG ANO HEALTHY 

SHUFFLE OFF TO BUFFALO 

FORTY SECONO STREET 



ALL LYRICS BY AL DUBIN ALL MUSIC BY HARRY WARREN 

FOX-TROTS ALL 

M. WITIVEARK & SONS 

1657 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N. Y. 



S<nii<i I 




r CO, 

OANTA Fe 



SEE IT ALL 

You will be amazed how much you can see 
in so short a time for so little money — THIS 
SUMMER. 



• World's Fair-ch icagc 

• California 

• Colorado Rockies 



• Grand Canyon Ei;r'r" 

Santa Fo Pullmans to the rim 



i-detours 

by motor in New Mexico 

Parks 



New Santa Fo Vacation Fares CUT THE COST 

AII-Exp«nBe Tears on certain duyi tliis Hummer. 
— — ■"■ clip and paste this on a post card — — ~ 



E. F. Burnett, Gen. Agt. Pass. Dept., Santa Fe Ry. 
506 Fifth Avenue 
NEW YORK, N. Y. 



Send pictuio fuUhrs and NEW VACATION 



Name . 
Address 



34 



VARIETY 



PICT 



E S 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



studios: Pathe Studios, 

Culver City, Cal. 



Allied 



Offices: 729 Seventh Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Chesterfield 



Cowboy Counsellor, The. Hoot Gibson poses as a lawyer. Dir. George Mel- 
ford. 65 mlns. Rel. Oct. 15. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Eleventh Commandment, The. From tlie play by Brandon Fleming. Marian 
Marsh, Theo. Von Eltz, Alan Hale. Dir. Geo. Belfovd. »i4 mins. Rel. 
Feb. 20. 

Intruder, The. Monte Blue, Llla Lee. Dir. Albert Ray. 62 mina. Rel. Jan. 25. 

Iron Master, The. Success and romance In a steel mill. Reeln.ild Denny, Llla 
Lee, J. Farrell MacDonald. Virffinla Sale. Dir. Chester M. Franklin, 66 
mln. Rel. Nov. 15. Rev. Feb. 7. 

Officer 13. Motorcycle officer exposes racKeieers. Monte Blue, Llla Lee, Seena 
Owen. Mickey McGulre, Jackie Searle. Dir. George Molford. 63 mlns. 
Rel. Dec. 15. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Parisian Romance, A. Famous stage play. Lew Cody. Marian Shilling, Gil- 
bert Roland. Dir. Chester M. Franklin. 76 mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. 
Oct. 18. 

Offices: 1540 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y. 

Forflotten, Original. Story of a forgotten man. June Clyde. Wm. ColHer, 
Jr., Natalie Moorhead. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mlns. Bel. Feb. 16. 

King Murder, The. From the novel. Conway Tearlc, Natalie Moorehead, Robt. 
Frazer. Dorothy Revler. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 
25. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Slightly Married. Comedy drama. Evalyn Knapp, Walter Byron. Marie Pre- 
vost. Dir. Richard Thorpe. Time, 65 mins. Rel. Nov. 15. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Strange People. Mystery melodrama. John Darrow, Gloria Shea, Hale 
Hamilton. Dir. Rich. Thorpe. 65 mins. Rel. Jan. 15. 

Women Won't Tell. Romantic drama. Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan. Dir. 
Rich. Thorpe. Time. 67 mina. Rel. Dec. 1. 

Studio: Qower at Sunset, r'AliimkiA Offlcea: 729 Seventh Ave., 
Hollywood, Cal. \^OIUinDlB New York, N. Y. 

Air Hostess. Thrilling story of the adventure and romance of a 1933 girl who 
fearlessly files across the continent in passenger ships. Evalyn Knapp, 
James Murray. Dir. Al Rogell. Rel. Jan. 15. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Bitter Tea of General Yen. Romance and adventures of an American girl 
caught In the maelstrom of Shanghai. Barbara Stanwyck. Nils Asther, 
Walter Connolly. Dir. Frank Capra. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Child of Manhattan. Stage play by Preston Sturges. Romance of the dlme- 

a-dance. Nancy Carroll, John Boles. Dir. Eddie Buzzell. 73 mlns. 

Rel. Feb. 4. Rev. Feb. 14. 
Deception. Story of the wrestling game and Its frameups. Leo Corrillo, 

Thelma Todd, Dickie Moore. Dir. Lew. Seller. 67 mlns. Rel. Nov. 4. 

Rev. Jan. 17. 

End of the Trail. The. A U. S. cavalry officer, who Is court martialed, and 
redeems himself. Tim McCoy. Luana Walters. Dir. D. Ross Lederman. 
68 mlns. Rel. Dec. 9. 

La«t Man, The. Drama of outlawry on the high seas. Chas. BIckford, Con- 
stance Cummingfi. Dir. Howard HIgglns. Time, 65 mlns. Rel. Aug. 31. 
Rev. Sept. 20. 

Man Against Woman. Man's strength against woman's wiles. Jack Holt, 
Lillian Miles. Dir. Irving Cummings. Time, 68 mins. Rel. Nov. 15. 
Rev. Dec. 20. 

Man of Action. Original outdoor drama. Tim McCoy. Dir. Geo. Melford. 

67 mlns. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Mark It Paid. Original story of motorboat racing. Wm. Collier, Jr., Joan 

March. Dir. D. Ross Lederman. 69 mins. Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Jan. 24. 
No More Orchids. A millionairess who Is regenerated by the new American 

spirit. Carole Lombard. Lyle Talbot, Walter Connedy, Louise Closser 

Hale. Dir. Walter Lang. 70 Hilns. Kel. Nov. 25. Rev. Jan. 8. 
Obey the Law. Original of an easy mark who turned firebrand. Leo Carillo, 

Lois Wilson. Dir. BenJ. Stoloff. 69 mine. Rel. Jan. 20. 
Silent Men. Tim McCoy western original. Florence Brltton. Dir. D. Ross 

Lederman. Rel. Mar. 8. 
So This Is Africa. Original. Wheeler and Wolsey go to Africa with some 

tame lions. Racquel Torres. Dir. Eddie Kline. 67 mlns. Rel. Feb. 24. 
State Trooper. Original. Story of a war between two gas companies. Regid^ 

Toomey, Evalyn ICnapp, Barbara Weeks, Ray Hatton. Dir. J>, Ross 

Lederman. 68 mlns. Rel. Feb. 10. 

That's My Boy. Football story oft the usual lines. Rich. Cromwell, Dorothy 
Jordan, Mae Marsh. Dir. R. W. Nlel. Time, 71 mins. Rel. Oct. 6. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

This Sporting Age. Revenge on the polo field. Jack Holt, Evalyn Knapp. 
Dir. A. W. Bennison. Time, 71 mins. ReL Sept. 15. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Treason. Original. Kansas after the civil war. Buck Jones, Shirley Grey. 
Dir. Geo. B. Seltz. 62 mlns. Rel. Feb. 10. 

Vanity Street. Girl breaks a window to get into Jail, but lands in the "Fol- 
lies.' Helen Chandler, Chas. BIckford. Dir. Nick Grinde. Time, 67 
mina. Rel. Oot. 16. Rev. Oct. 11. 

Virtue. A street walker who goes straight. Carole Lombard, Pat O'Brien. 
Dir. Edw. Buzzell. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Oct. 26. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Washington Merry-Go-Round. Political satire. Lee Tracy, Constance Cum- 
miiigs. Dir. Jas. Cruze. Time, 76 mins. Rel. Oct. 15. Rev. Oct. 26. 

Western Code, The. Tim McCoy western. Dir. J. P. McCarthy. 58 mlns. 
Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Feb. 21. 

White Eagle. Buck Jones as an Indian pony express rider. Jones, Barbara 
Weeks. Dir. Lambert Hlllyear. Time, 65 mlns. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. 
Sept. 27. 

Studios: Burbank, 

Calif. 

Cabin In the Cstton. A social study of the poor whites. Rich. Barthelmess, 
Dorothy Jordan, Bette Davis. Dir. Michael Curtiz. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. 
Oct. 15. Rev. Oct. 4. 

Central Park. Western cowboy hunts bandits In a New York park. Joan 
Blondell. Wallace Ford, Guy Kibbee. Dir. John Adolfl. Time, 55 mins. 
Rel. Dec. 10. 

Crash, The. How one couple reacted to the panic. Ruth Chatterton,. Geo. 

Brent. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 69 mlns. ReL Oct. 8. Rev. Sept. '13. 
Employee's Entrance. Original 'Love in a Dept. Store.' Warren William, 

Loretta Young, Alice White. Dir. Roy Del Ruth. 74 mlns. Rel. Feb. 11. 

Rev. Jan. 24. 

Frisco Jenny. 'Madame X' in San Francisco locale. Ruth Chatterton, Donald 
Cook, Jas. Murray. Dir. Gerard Beaumont. 70 mlns. Rel. Jan. 14. Rev. 
Jan. 10. 

Lift Begins. Tactfully handled maternity story from a stage play. Loretta 
Young, Eric Linden. Dir. Jas. Flood and Elliott Nugent. Time, 72 
mine. Rel. Oct 1. Rev. Aug. 80. 

Match King. Fictitious romance of the Swedish financier. Warren William, 
Llll Damita. Dir. Howard Bretherton-Wm. Kelghley. 79 mlns. Rel. 
k Dec. 31. Rev. Doc. 13. 

m Sliver Dollar. Silver boom days In Col. Edw. G. Robinson. Dir. Alfred E. 
W Green. 84 mlns. Rel. Dec. 24. Rev. Dec. 27. 

f They Call It Sin. Kansas girl breaks Into N. Y. show life. Loretta Young, 
Geo. Brent, David Manners. Dir. Thornton Freeland. Time, 70 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. E. Rev. Oct 25. 

Three on a Match. Three schoolgirls have adventures. Joan Blondell. War- 
ren William. Ann Dvorak, Bette Davis. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time. 63 
mlns. Rel. Oct. 29. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Tifler Shark. Life and tragedy with the tuna fishers. Edw. G. Robinson, 
Zlta Johan, Rich. Arlen. Dir. Howard Hawks. 79 mins. Rel. Sept. 24 
Rev. Sept. 27. 

Vou Said a Mouthful. Joe Brown swims to Catailna. Joe E. Brown, Ginger 
Rogers. Dir. Lloyd Bacon. Time, 70 mins. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Nov. 22. 



First National ^^w VXti'. y. 



studio: Fox Hills, 

Hollywood, Cal. 



Fox 



Offices: 850 Tenth Ave., 
New York, N Y, 



Broadway Bad. Story by Wm. R. Lipman and W. W. Pezet. Modern drama, 
Joan Blondell, Ginger Rogers, Rlcardo Cortcz, Margaret Seddcn. Dlr, 
Sidney Lanfleld. Rel. Feb. 24. 

Call Her Savage. Tiffany Thayer's story of a half breed girl. Clara Bow. 

Monroe Owsley, Gilbert Roland. Dir. John Francis Dillon. Time. 82 

mins. Rel. Nov. 27. Rev. Nov. 29. 
Cavalcade. Noel Coward's pageant of British society. Diana Wynyard, Clivc 

Brook, Herbert Mundin, Ursula Jeans Dir. Frank Lloyd. Roadshow 

length 110 mins. No release date set. Rev, Jan. 10. 
Chandu the Magician. Dramatized radio broadcast. Edmund Lowe, Bela 

Lugosi, Irene Ware. Dir. Marcel Varnel. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 18. 

Rev. Oct i. 

Dangerously Yours. Society thief and girl detective. Warner Baxter, Miriam 
Jordan, Herbert Mundin. Dir. Frank Tuttle. 74 mlns. Rel. Feb. 3. 



These tabulations are compiled 
fron™ information supplied by the 
various production com^>anles and 
checked up as soon js possible after 
release. Listing is given when re- 
lease dates are definitely set. Titles 
are retained foi six months. Man- 
agers who receive service subse- 
quent to that period should pre- 
serve a copy of the calendar for 
reference. 

The runnins time .a given here 
is presumably that of the projection 
room showings and can only approx- 
imate the actual release length In 
those states or communities where 
local or state censorship may result 
in deletions. Running time in the 
reviews as given in 'Variety' carry 
the actual time clocl<eJ in the the- 
atre after passage by the New York 
state censorship, since picturea jre 
reviewed only on actual theatre 
showings. 

While every effort Is made to hold 
this list accurate, the information 
supplied may not always be correct, 
even thougi* official. To obtain the 
fullest degree of exactness 'Variety' 
will appreciate the co-operation of 
all managers who may note discrep- 
anciea. 



HoDywood 



(Continued from page 6) 

eluding several execs aivl writers, 
were laid off last week. Dave Wer- 
ner, casting chief, Is making a trip 
to New York. 



A wUd animal film will be made 
by Television Pictures in Billings, 
Mont. Charles Dlltz will direct and 
Roland Price is. cameraman. 



SponoMi 
Rel. Jan. V, 



It 



Peggy Conkliii Set 

Peggy Conklin has been given a 
contract by Metro and reports for 
work April 1. She goes into a pic- 
ture version of 'Mademoiselle,' in 
\fhlch she appeared In the east. 



'L-lfe of Jimmy Dolan' has been 
renamed 'The Kid's Last Fight' by 
Warners. 



Arthur at Metro 
After being off studio's payroll for 
several years, George K. Arthur re- 
turns to Metro for a part in 'Ser- 
vice.' 



Face In the Sky. Romantic adventures of a billboard simi painter. 
Tracy. Marian Nixon, Stuart Erwin. Dir. Harry Lachman. 
Rev. Feb. 21. 

First Year, The. Domestic drama from a stage play. Janet Gaynor, Chas, 
Farrell. Dir. William K. Howard. Time, .. mlns. Rel. July 81. Rv% 
Aug. 23. 

Handle with Care. Comedy. Jas. Dunn, Boots Mallory, Ei Brendel. Dis, 

David Butler. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Hat Check Girl. Murder and mystery In a nite club. Sally Eilers, Ben Ly«yi 

Ginger Rogers. Dir. Sidney Landlleld. Time. 63 mlns. Rel. Sept 

Rev. Oct. U. 

Hot Pepper. Flagg and Quirt— with Lupe. Edmund Lowe, Vic. McLaglen, 

Lupe Vblez. Dir. John Blystone. 74 mlns. Rel. Jan. 22. Rev. Jan. M. 
Am Guilty of Love. Original. Physician who seeks to save his son from a 

•womon's Inlluence. Boots Mallory, Alex. Klrklnnd, Irene Ware. DlB, 

John Francis Dillon. Rel. Mar. 3. 
Infernal Machine. From the novel by Curl Sloboda. Drama. Genevieve To« 

bin, Chester Morris. Dir. Marcel Varnel. 05 mlns. Rol. Fob. 10. 
Me and My Gal. Comedy arama. Joan Bennett, Spencer Tracy. Dir. Raoul 

Walsh. Time, 78 mins. Rel. Dec. 4 
Rackety Rax. Football satire. Victor McLaglen, Greta Nlsscn. Dir. Alfred 

Werker. Time, 66 mlns. Rel. Oct 23. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Robbers' Roost. Rustler discovers that love interferes with cattle stealing; 

George O'Brien. Dir. Louis King. 63 ihlns, Rel. Jan. 8 
Sailor's Luck. Original. Romance of a U. S. Navy gob. Jas. Dunn, SaUy 

Ellers, Victor Jory. Dir. Raoul Walsh. Rol. Mar. 10. 

Second Hand Wife. Banker's secretary steps from his ofnce Into his heart. 
Sally Eilers, Ralph Bellamy. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 64 mine. Rel. 
Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Sherlock Holmes. The Conan Doyle story with a new gangster twist. Clive 

Brook, Miriam Jordan, Ernest Tonence. Dir. W. K. Howard. Time. 

68 mlns. Rel. Nov. 6. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Six Hours to Live. Murdered diplomat Is revived to avenge his murdei^ 

Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan. Dir. Wm. Dieterle. Time, 78 nrtni^ 

Rel. Oct. 16. Rev. Oct. 26. 
Smoke Lightning. From Zane Gray's 'Canyon WsUfl.' Geo. O'Brien, NeO 

O'Day. Dir. David Howard. Rel. Feb. 17. 

State Fair. From the novel by Phil Strog. Love and triumph at the state 
fair. Janet Gaynor, Lew Ayres, Will Rogers, Louise Dresser. Dbf» 
Henry King. 98 mlns. Rel. Feb. Rev. Jan. 81. 

Tesa of the Storm Country. Talk version of an old allent. Janet Gaynor* 
Chas. Farrell. Dir. Al, Santell. Time, 76 mina. Rel, Nov. 20. Revb 

Nov. 22. 

Too Busy to Work. Talking version of 'Jubllo.' Will Rogers, Marian Nizon^ 
Dir. Jas. Blystone. Time, 76 mlns. Rel. Nov. U. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Freuler Associate* ^NVrYoTk, nf^ 

Deadwood Pass. Original. Western. Hidden treasure and government agenta. 
Tom Tyler, Alice Dahl, Wally Wales. Dir. J. P. MoOowan. Rel. Mar. 16« 

Fighting Gentleman. The. A fighter who goes to the top and back agaliv 
Wm. Collier, Jr., Josephine Dunn, Pat O'Malley. -Dir. Burton King. 
Time. 69 mine. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. Nov. 15. 

Forty-Nlners. The overland trek In pioneer daya. Tom Tyler. Dir. J. IV 

McCarthy, 49 mins. Rel. Oct. 28. Rev. Dec SO. 
Gamblino 8e^, The. Racing story with a society slant Ruth Hall, Grant 
Withers. Dir. Fred Newmeyer. Time, M mina. Rel. Nov. 2i. Rev* 
Dec 27. 

Kiss of Araby. Original. Sahara story of British army and Riff, with Iov« 
Interest. Marie Alba, Walter Byron, Claire VITIndBor. Dir. Phil Rosen* 
Rel. Feb. 23. 

Penal Code. Story of a boy's regeneration surmounting complications. RegUt 
Toomey, Helen Cohan, Robert Ellis. Dir. Oeorge Melford. 62 mina. 
Rel. Jan. 16. 

Rochell* 

^ . . Dir. Harry U, 

Fraser. Rel. Deo. CT. 

When a Man Rides Alone. Robin Hood of the West and some daring stagai 
coach holdups and fast riding. Tom Tyler, Adele Laoey, Duke Lee. 
Dir. J. P. McGowan. ReL Jan. 29. 



TTniversal's The Man Who Re- 
claimed His Head,' which may fea- 
ture Boris Karloff, Is being adapted 
by John Huston. William Wyler 
win direct. 

Edward Everett Horton Is on his 
way to England to do a picture for 
British Gaumont. 



James Gleason will make one pic- 
ture for British Gaumont, sailing 
from New York for London March 1. 



Conroy for Retakes 

Frank Conroy arrives from New 
York this week to appear In re- 
takes of Metro's 'Possessed.' Wil- 
liam Courtney, who accompanied 
him, will make tests at several 
studios. 



Swickard Returns 

Joeef Swickard returns to pictures 
after an absence of two and a half 
years. He is on the Warner lot. 



'King Kong* goes into the Chinese 
March 10 at |1 top and 60c. mats. 
It's the first Radio pic to play a 
Grauman deluxer. 



Savao* Girl, The. Big game hunters find a white Jungle beauty. 
Hudson, Walter ^ron, Harry Myers. Adolph Mllar. ~' 



Majestic 



Offieee: 1619 Broadway, 

New York City 

Crusader, The. Drama of a crusading district attorney. Evelyn Bren., H. H* 
Warner, Ned Sparks, Lew Cody, Walter Byron, Marcellne Day. DtB, 
Frank Strayer. 72 mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. Rev. Oct 11. 

Gold. Western drama. Jack Hozle, Alice Day, Matthew Betz, Dynamiter 
horse. Dir. Otto Brower. Time, 66 mine. ReL Sept 16. Rev. Oct lU 

Gun Law. Western. Jack Hoxle, Betty Boyd. BeL Uar. 1. 

Hearts of Humanity. Drama of New York's East Side. Jean Hersholt, JackHl 
Searl, J. Farrell MacDonald, Claudia Dell. Charles Delancy. Dir. Christy 
Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Sept 1. Rev. Sept. 27. 

Law and Lawless. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Hilda Moreno, Yakima Canp 
utt, Wally Wales, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, A 
mins. Rel. Nov. 80. 

Outlaw Justice. Western drama. Jack Hoxle, Dorothy Gulliver. Donald 
Keith, Dynamite-Horse. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. Time, Gl mlns. Rel. 
Oct 1. 

Phantom Express, The. Railroad melodramatlo mystery. J. KarrcU Mao* 
Donald, William Collier, Jr., Sally Blane, Hobart Boswortli. Eddie PhlL* 
Hps. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Sept. 15. I'.ev. Sept. iln 

Public Be Darned, The. Story behind present-day conditions. Kvclyn Brent^ 
Pat O'Brien. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Rel. Mar. 1. 

Sing, You Sinner. Dramatic life of a torch-singer. From the |il:i.v by VVIlsoa 
Collison. Liella Hyams, Paul Lucas. Rel. Mar. 1. 

Unwritten Law. The. A drama of betrayal and vengeance. Greia NIssen. 
Skeets Gallagher, Mary Brian. Lew Cody, Louise Fazenda, Hedda Hop* 
per. Dir. Christy Cabanne. Time, 70 mina. ReL Nov. 16. Rev. Dec. 20l 

Vampire Bat, The. A thriller. Lionel Atwlll, Fay Wray, Melvyn Douglas 
George E. Stone, Maude Eburne. Dir. Frank Strayor. Url. Jan. 2Ia 
Rev. Jan. 24. 

Via Pony Express. Jack Hoxle western. Marcellne Day. iJir. T.rw Collin. 
Rel. Feb. 8. 



Studies: 4376 Sunset Drive, 

Hollywood, Cal. 



Mayfair 



Offices: 1C00 Broadway, 

Now York, N. V» 



Three After One 

Three studios are after Leo Mc- 
Carey to make a musical. Negotia- 
tions started after the success of 
'Kid from Spain,' which he megged. 



Warner Error 

Warners is now Id days behind 
schedule on 'Mayor of Hell' as a re- 
sult of using Inexperienced child 
extras at $18 a week. Kids couldn't 
remember lines. 



Unlversal's remake of the serial, 
'Perils of Pauline,' gets under way 
In April. 



English Speaking Union ban- 
quetted the cast and production 
staff of 'Cavalcade' at the Blltmore. 



Metro hopes to produce 'Tarzan 
and His Mate,' and has placed Leon 
Gordon on the script to whip It in 
shape. Several writers have been 
on the job. 



Government Help 

Metro has obtained the co-opera- 
lion of the government In the pro- 
duction of 'Test Pilot.' much of 
which will be made at Wright Field, 
Dayton. 



B. P. Schulberg lia.s given a 
termer to Jacqueline Wells, formerly 
with U. 



Heart Punch. Murder story with a prize ring angle. Lloyd llu;;!ica, Marlon 
Shilling. Dir. Breezy Eason. Time, 64 mlns. ReL Oct. lo. Rev. Dec. 18, 

Her Mad Night. Mother assumes guilt for a daughter's crime. Irene Rich, 
Conway Tearle. Dir. E. Mason Hopper. Time. 67 mlns. Hcl. Oct. I. 
Rev. Nov. 29. 

Malay Nights. Original. Mother love in the tropics. Johnny :Mack Brown, 
Dorothy Burgess. Dlri E. Mason Hopper. 69 mins. R< !, *)ct. 1. ReV. 
Feb. 7. 

No Living Witness. Novelty crime siory. Gilbert Roland, Noah Beery, Bar* 
bara Kent. Dir. R Mason Hopper. Time. 72 mlns. Rcl. Sept. 16. Rer. 
Oct. 11. 

Tangled Destinies. Mystery In a deserted desert home. Lloyd Wtaltlock, 
Doris Hill, Glen Tryon, Vera Reynolds. Dir. Frank Stravcr. Time. M 
mlns. Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Oct. 2E>. 



Studios: Culver City, 

Calif. 



Metro 



Offices: 1040 Broadway, 

New York, N. V. 



Blondle of the Follies. Self explanaiory title. Marlon Davies, Robt Mont' 
gomery, Billy Dove. Dir. E. Gouldlng. Time, 91 mlns. Uel. Aug. I*. 
Rev. Sept 13. . ' 

Clear All Wires. Plcturlzatlon of the recent Broadway hit nhout a foreign 

correspondent. Lee Tracy, Benlta Hume. Dir. George Hill. Kcl. Feb. 17, 
Divorce In the Family. Jackie Cooper saves the family happi nes9. Jackie 

Cooper, Conrad Nagel. Lewis Stonje, Lois Wilson. Dir. Ch:is. I'"". Riesner. 

Time, 78 inlns Rel. Aug. 27. llev. Nov. 1. 
Fast Life. Typical Haines story with a thrilling speed boat race. William 

Haines, Cliff Edwards, Conrad Nagel, Madge Evans. Dir. Harry Pollard. 

82 mlns. Hel. Dec. 16. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Flesh. Wallace Beery as a wrestler. Karen Morley, Rlccanlo Cortez, Jean 

Hersholt. Dir. John Ford. 96 mins. ReL Deo. 9. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Faithless. Rich girl learns the lesson of the depression. Tallnla'i Uankhead, 

Uobt. Montgomery. Dir. B.irry Hcaumont Time, 75 mlim llcl. Oct 16. 

Rev. Nov. 22. 

Hell Below. The submarine heroes of the World War. Rohcit .Montgomery, 
Jimmy Durante, Madge Kvan.«, Walter Huston. Kir. .l.i"k Conway. 
Ilel. March 17 

Kongo. Remake of the silent of tlu. s.iine title. Sorcery in rfinr.nl Africa. 

Walter Hu.iton, Lupe Velez, Conrad Nagel, Virginia Bnice. Dir. Wm. 

Cowcn. Time. 86 mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. Rov. Nov. 22. 
Lady Deceived, The. Based on the Broadivay stage hit by Martin Brown, 

Irene Dunne. Philips Holmes. Dir. Charles Brabin. Rel. Jan. 13. 



Tuesday, Febniaky 28, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 



S5 



ft^*^ f^Tj'**?1S**'i' plotter seeks the sword of GhengU Kaha. 

BoTlB Karloff. Lewis Stone. Karen Mortey. Dir. Chas. BrabTn. TlraS 
es mlns. Rel. Nov. 5. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Outtlder, The. An unlicensed surgreon performs seeming miracles. Harold 
Huth, Jo\n Barry, Frank Lawton. !>0 nlno. Rel. Jan. 20, 

rMk Up Your Troublet. I-aurel and Hardy full length military comedy. DIr 
Geo. Ma shall and Raymond Carey. Time. 70 mlns. Rel. Sept. 17. Rev 
Oct. 4. 

Payment Def. rred. Murder story from the play of that title with Chas. 
Laughto.t n his orlghial role, Maureen aSulUvan, Dorothy Peters^ 
Dir. I^otl 9r Mendez. Time, 80 mlns. Rel. Oct 8. feev. Nov' if. 

Prosperity. P iBt depression comedy with Marie Dressier and Polly Moran. 
Dir. San Wood. Time, 87 mlns. Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Racputin and the Empresa. The Russian overthrow and Its cause. John. 
Ethel ant Lionel Barrymore. Dir. Rich. Bolestavsky. Roadshow time 
13$ mlns No release set. Rev. Dec. 27. uonuw ume, 

R«d Dust. Jot n Harlow and Clark Gable as a new team In a story of Indo- 

Chlna. ) 'Ir. Victor Fleming. Time, 83 mlns. Rel. Oct 22. Rev. Nov" 8. 
Rivets. John Gilbert as a skyscraper worker, Robert Armstrong. Mae Clarke 

Muriel Klrkland. Dir. Tod Browning. Rel. March 24. 
Sacret of Madame Blanche, The. Based on Martin Brown's play 'The Lady ' 

Irene Dunne, Phillips Holmes. Dir. Chas. Brabln. 83 mlns. Rel. Feb 3 

Rev. Feb. 7. 

Smilln' Throuc,^. Remake of the Norma Talmadge silent and Jane Cowl play. 
Norma 6 nearer, Leslie Howard, Frederic March, O. P. Heggle. Dlr Sid- 
ney Frai Win. Time, 96 mlns. Rel. Sept 18. Rev. Oct. 18. 

Son- Daughter, The. From the play by David Belasco. Helen Hayes, Ramon 
Novarro, Lewis Stone, Warner Oland. Dir. Clarence Brown. 81 mlns. 
Bel. Dec 23. Rev. Jan. |3. 

Strange Interlude. The famous O'Neill play. Norma Shearer, Clark Gable 

Dir. Robert Z. Leonard, Time, 110 mlns. Dec. 80. Rev. Sept. 6. 
Today Wa Live. An Bngllab girl ambulance-drlver during the war. Joan 

Crawford, Gary Cooper. Dir. Howard Hawks. Rel. March 3. 
Whati No Beer? Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante In the beer racket. 

Phyllis Barry, Roscoe Atos, John Mlljan. Dir. Bdward Sedgwick. Rel. 

Feb. 10. Rev. Feb. 14, 

What Women Give. PIcturlzatlon of the Broadway play, 'Men Must Fight' 
The war problem In 1940. Diana Wynyard, Phillips Holmes, Lewis 
Stone. Dir. Edgar Selwyn. Rel. March 10. 

White Slater The. Based on the famous F. Marlon Crawford novel. Helen 
Hayes, Clark Gable. Dir. Victor Fleming. Rel. Feb. fk 

Whiatllna In the Dark. Adapted from the Broadway stage succ<iss. In which 
a famous mystery writer is kidnapped and forced to plan a murder 
himself. Ernest Traez, Una Merkel, Jean Hersholt Dir. Elliot Nugent. 
Rel, Jan. 27. Rev. Jan. 81. 

•tudio: 6048 Sunset Blvd., Mrkmnoram Otnce: 7^3 Seventh Ave., 
Hollywood, Cal. WlOnOgram New York, N. Y. 

Diamond Trail. Western. Rex Bell. Dir. liarry Fraser. Rel. Dec. 30. 
Fighting Champ, Tha. Western. Bob Steele, Arietta Duncan. Dir. J, P. 
McCarthy. Time, 84 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. 

Qlrl from Cialgary, The. Olrl cowboy comes east to stage triumphs. FIfl 
D'Orsay, Paul Kellr. Dir. Phil whitman. Time, 64 mrns, Rel, Sept. 24. 
Rev.,. Nov. 22- 

OuHty or iMot GulKyT Batty Compson, Claudia Den. Dir. Albert Hay. 67 mine. 
Ret Nov. 16. 

Klondlka. Physician who falls In a major operation makes a comeback. Frank 
Hawks, Thelma Todd, H. B. Walthai. Dir. Lyle Talbot I'lme, 65 mina. 
Rel. Aug. 30. R«T. Sept 27. 

Lawky Larrigan. Wostem. Rex Bell, Helen Foster. Dir. J, P. McCarthy, 
Rel. Dec. 10. 

My Mother. From Peti9r B. Kyne'a 'The Just Judge,' Western story of a 
woman who runs a gambling resort Pauline Frederick, Claire Wind- 
sor, Theo. Von Eltz. Dir. Phil. Rosen. 67 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev, 
Feb. 21. (Originally Utled 'Self Defense'). 

Strange Adventure. Regia Toomey, June Clyde. Dir. Phil Whitman and 
Hampton Del Ruth. 60 mlns. ReL Feb. 14. Rev. Feb. 14. ' 

Thirteenth Guest, The. Mystery play by author of 'Scarfaee.' (linger Rogers, 

Lyle Talbot, J. Farrell McDonald. Dir. Alfred Ray. Time, 65 mlns, 

Rel. Aug. 26. Rev. Sept 6. (Chadwick.) 
Western Limited, The. Mystery aboard a transcontinental train. Estelle 

Taylor, Edmund Burns, Gertrude Astor, Crauford Kent Dlr, Christy 

Cnbanne. Time, mlns. Rel. Aug, 10, Rev. Oct 19, 

Young Blood. Western. Bob Steele, Story by Wellyn Totman. Dir. Phil 
Ror^en. Time, 62 mlns. Rel. Vov. 6. Rev. Jan. 24. 



Studios: 5851 Maratnon St., 
Hollywood, Calif. 



Paramount 



Offices: 1601 Broadway, 
New York, N. Y, 



Mg Broadcast, The. Broadcasting story with many air stars. Stuart E^rwln, 
King Crosby. Leila Hyams Dir. Frank Tuttle. Time, 80 mlns. Rel. 
Oct. Ucv. Oct. 18. 

Billion Dollar Scandal. Based on the Teapot Dome investigation. Robt. Arm- 
strong. Constance Cummlngs, Olga Baclanova. Dir. Harry Joe Brown. 
76 mlns. Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 10. 

Blenda Venus. Story of a stage woman's efforts to retain her child. Marlene 

Dietrich Herbert Marshall, J>lckey Moore. Dir. Jos. Von Sternberg. 
. Time, 86 mlns. Rel. Sept 16. Rev. Sept, 27. 
Srfma of the Century, The. From the European stage play of same title. 

Jean Hersholt, Frances Dee, Wynne Gibson, David Landau. Dir. Wm. 

Beaudlnc. Rel. Feb. 24. Rev. Feb. 21. 
Dead Reckoning. Original sea story by Robt. Presnell of a Flying Dutchman 

of today. Sliirley Gray, Chas. Ruggles, John HalUday, Verreu Teasdale. 

Dir. Paul Sloane. Rel. Mar. 24 
Davll la Driving, The. Wynne Gibson, Edmund Lowe, Dickie Moore, Dlr, 

Stoloff. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 20. 
■voninga for Sale. Viennese nobleman becomes a gigolo. Herbert Marshall, 

Sari Maritza. Chas. Ruggles. Dir. Stusrt Walker. Time, 61 mlns. Rel. 

Nov. 11. Rev. Nov. 16. 
Farawell tc Arms. Hemmingway's novel of war on the Italian front. Helen 

Hayes, Gary Cooper, Adolphe Menjou. Dir. Frank Borzage. 90 mlns. 

Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Dec. 13. 
From Hell to Heaven. Romance story based on play by Lawrence Hazard, 

With a race-track slant. Not a racing drama. Carole Lombard, Jack 

Oakle. Dir. Frio Kenton. Rel Feb. 24. 
Ho Learned About Women. Comedy drama. Stuart Erwln, Allison Skip- 
worth. l">lr. Lloyd Corrlpan. Time, 67 mlns. Itel. Nov. 4. 
Hollo, Everybody-. Original radio story by Fannie Hurst. Kate Smith, Ran- 

dolf Scoit, .Sally Ltlane. Dir. Seller. Rel. Feb. 17. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Hot Saturday, tioaslp in a small town. Nancy Carroll. Dir. W. Setter. Time, 

71 mlns. ISel. Oct 28. Fev Nov. 8 
If I Had a Million. How various persons would react to an Inheritance. Gary 

Cooper, Geo. Rart, Wynne Gibson, Chas. Laughton, Jack Oakle and many 

others, each in a single sequence. Directional sequences by various di- 
rectors. Time. 85 mlns. Rel. Nov. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Island of Lost Souls. Novelty story. Chas. Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila 

Hyams. Dir. Chas. Kenton. December special. Rev. Jan. 17. 
King of the Jungle. Novelty story. Buster Crabbe, Frances Dee. Dirs. Hum- 

beratone-Marcln. Jan. special release. 
Lady's Profession, A. Story by Nina Wilcox Putnam. Speakeasy prop, mas- 
querading as riding master. Geo. Barbler, Sari Maritza. Dir. Norman 

MacLeod. Rel. Mar. 3. 
Lily Christine. British made. Corlnne Griffith. Colin Cllve. Time. 69 mine. 

Rel. July. Rev. Sept 20. 
Luxury Liner. From the novel by Gina Kaus. Grand Hotel on shipboard. 

Geo. Brent, Zlta Johann, Alice White, Verree Teasdale. Dir. by Lothar 

Mendez under B. P. Schulberg. 70 mlns. Rel. Feb. 3. Rev. Feb. 7. 
Madame Butterfly. From the opera. Sylvia Sidney, Gary Grant, Chas. Ruggles. 

Dir. Gearing. Rel. Dec. 30. Rev. Dec. 27, 
Madison Square. Sporting story. Jack Oakle, Marian Nixon, Thos. Melghan. 

Dir. Harry J. Brown. Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. Oct 18. 
Movie Crazy. Harold Lloyd breaks Into pictures. Constance Cummlngs. Dir. 

Clarence Bruckman. Time, 96 mins. Rel. Sept 23. Rev. Sept 20, 
Murders In the Zoo. Original by Philip Wylie and Seton I. Miller. Drama 

largely held to a zoological garden. Chas. Ruggles, Lionel AtwlU, Gall 

Patrick. Dir. Edw. Sutherland. Rel. Mar. 17. 
Mysterious Rider. Western. Kent Taylor. Dir. Allen, Rel, Jan. 27. 
Night After Night, Humor In the night clubs. Mae West Geo. Raft. Con- 
stance Cummlngs, Allison Sttlpworth. Dir. Archie Mayo. Time, 70 mlns. 

Rel. Oct 14. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Night of June 13, The. The neighbors react to a murder eusplclon, Cllve 

Brook, Llla Lee. Chas, Ruggles. Dir. Stephen Roberts. Time, 76 mlns. 

Rel. Sept. 23. Rev. Sept 20. 
Me Man of Her Own. From the novel No Bed of Her Own.' Clark Gable, 

Carole Lombard, Dorothy Mackalll, Dir. Wesley Ruggles, December 

special. Rev. Jan. 8. 
Phantom President. Political story of a presidential double. George M. Cohan, 

Jimmy Durante. Claudette Colbert Time. 77 mlns. Rel. Oct 7. Rev. 

Oct 4. 

Pick Up. (Schulberg.) A girl of the people and a service station sheik. Sylvia 

Sidney, Geo. Raft. Dir. Marion Oertng. Bet Mar. »L 
TO.OOO Witnesses. Murder on the footbaO Hold- Phmipe Bolnjea, Dorotkr 
Jordan. Ciias. Ruggles, Johnny Mack Brown, Lew Cody. Dir. Ra«n 

Miiriihv. 'Clnie. 69 mlns. ReL Sept 2. Rev. Sept 1. 



She Done Him Wrong. Paraphrase of 'Diamond Lil.' Mae West. Gary Grant 
Noah Beery, Owen Moore. Dir. Lowell Sherman. Rel. Jan. 27. Rev. 
Feb. 14. 

SIga of the Cross, The. Spectacular version of Wilson Barrett's play of 
Roman persecution of the Christians. Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, 
Ellssa Landl, Chas. Laughton. Dir. Cecil B. De Mllle. 99 mlns. Regu- 
lar release Feb. 10. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Strictly Personal. (Rogers.) Original by Wilson Mizner and Robt. T. Shan- 
non on the matrimonial agency racket. Marjorie Ranibeau, Eddie QuU- 
lan, Dorothy Jordan. Dir. Ralph Murphy. Rel. Mar. 19, 

Tonight Is Ours. Noel Coward's 'The Queen Was in the Parlor.' Claudeltc 
Colbert, Frederic March, Allison Sklpworth. Dir. Stuart Walker. Re). 
Jan. 13. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Trouble in Paradise. Cheating cheaters in Paris* and Venice. Miriam Hop- 
kins, Kay Francis, Herbert Marshall. Dir. Ernst Lubltsch. Time. 81 
mlns. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Undercover Man. Secret service bests the gangsters. Geo. Raft, Nancy Car- 
roll. Dir. Jas. Flood. Time, 74 mins. Rel. Dec. 2. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Under the Tonto Rim. From the Zane Grey story. Stuart Erwin, Verna 
Hillle, Ray Hatton. Dir. Henry Hathaway. Rel. Mar. 24. 

Wild Horse Mesa. Zane Grey's story. Rudolph Scott Sally Blane, Fred 
Kohler. Dir. Henry Hathaway. Time, 60 mlns. Kel. Nov. 25. Rev. 
Jan, 17. 

Woman Accused, The. From the story in 'Liberty' by ten well-known authors. 
Girl accused of murder with action chiefly on a pleasure cruise. Nancy 
Carroll, Cary Grant, John Halllday. Dir. Paul Sloan. Rel. Feb. 17. 

PnuTAM Offlces: 723 Seventh Ave., 

rowers ^ew York, N. Y. 

Lucky Girl. Musical comedy farce. Gene Gerrard, Mollv Lamont. Dir. Eu- 
gene O'SuIIivan. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Sept. 1. 

Man Who Won, The. Story of a wastrel who makes good. Henry Kendall, 
Heather Angel. Time, 70 mlns. Dir. Norman Walker. Rel. Sept. 16. 



Principal 



Otnces: T1 West 42d St., 
New York, N. Y. 

Blame the Woman. British made with Adolphe Menjou and Claude Allister 
as a pair of crooks. Dir. Fred Nlblo. Time, 74 mlns. Rel. Oct. 1. 

Devil's Playground, The. George Vanderbllt's expeditionary film, 54 mlns, 
Rel. Jan 1. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Jungle GIgllo. Travel. Humorous treatment of Sumatran customs. 56 mlns. 
Rel. Feb. 16. 

Virgins of Ball. Travelogue of the Island of Bali. Time, 43 rains. Rel. 

Sept 16. Rev. Dec. 13. 
Voodoo. Travel. Voodoo ceremonies In Haiti produced by Sergeant Wirkus, 

'White King of LaGonave.' 4 reels. Rel. Feb. 15. 
With Williamson Beneath the Sea. Underwater exploration. 60 mins. Rel 

Jan. 1. Rev. Nov. 29. 



Rtr Ci PafrkA Office: 1660 Broadway, 
.K.\J. ratne New York, N. Y. 



Studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

Come On, Danger. Western. Tom Keene, J. Hayden, Roscoe Ates. Dir. Robt 
Hill. Time, 64 mine. Rel. Sept. 23. 



R.K.O. Radio ^^w^y^Wy. 



studios: Hollywood, 
Calif. 

^fle of Consent, The. Love and trouble for a co-e*. Dorothy Wilson. nic'_ 
ard Cromwell. Dir. Gregory La Cava. Time, 68 mlns. Ret Aug. 6. 
Rev. Sept. 6. 

Animal Kingdom, The. The man who could not distinguish between his wife 

and mistress. Leslie Howard. Ann Harding, MyroB. Loy, Dir. Edw. H. 

Griffith. 90 mlns. Rel. Dec. 23. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Bill of Divorcement, A. Story of a shell-shocked war vet. BjrClemenco Dane. 

John Barrymore, Billlo Burke, Katherlne Hepburn. Dir. Geo. Cukor. 

Time, 69 mins. Rel. Sept. 30. Rev. Oct 4. 
Bird of Paradise, A. Famous stage play of the South Seas. Dolores Del Rio, 

Joel McCrea. Dir. King VIdor. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. Aug, 12. Rev. 

Sept 13. 

Cheyenne Kid, The. Tom Keene Western. Dir. Robert Hill. 66 mine. Rel. 
Jan. 20. 

Conquerors, The. A story of American depressions and their surmounting. 

Rich. Dix, Ann Harding, Edna May Oliver. Dir. Wm. Wellman. Time. 

84 mlns. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev, Nov. 22. 
Goldle Gets Along. Movie-struck girl who works the beauty contest racket 

LIU Dainlta, Chas. Morton, Sam Hardy. 88 mlns. Rel. Jan. 27, 
Great Jasper, Tlie. Novel by Fulton Oursler. DIx as a motorman whotums 

palmist Rich. Dlx, Wera Engels, Edna May Oliver. Dir. J. Walter 

Ruben. 83 mlns. Rel. Mar. 3. Rev; Feb. 21. 
Half- Naked Truth, The. From Harry Relchenbach's memoirs of a press 

agent. Lee Tracy, Lupe Velez, Eugene Palette. Dir. Gregory Le Cava. 

75 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Hell's Highway. The horrors of a convict camp. Richard Dlx, Tom Brown. 

Dir. Rowland Brown. Time, 62 mins. Bel. Sept 21. Rev. Sept. 27. 
Hold 'Em Jail. Wheeler and Woolsey play football on the convict eleven. 

Dir. Norman Taurog. Time, 66 mins. Rel. Sept 2, Rev. Aug. 23. 
Little Orphan Annie. Based on the cartoon. MItzl Green. Ed. Keennedy. 

Dir. John Robertson. Time, 61 mins. Rel. Nov. 4. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Lucky Devils. Original. Glorifying the picture stunt men. Bill Boyd, Wm. 

Gargan, Dorothy Wilson. Dir. Merlan C. Cooper. 70 mins, Rel, Feb. 

3. Rev. Feb. 21. 

Men Are Such Fools. Leo CarUlo. Dir. Wm. Nigh. Time, 66 mins. Rel. Nov. 18. 
Men of America. Bill Boyd, Dorothy Wilson. Chic Sale. Dir. Ralph Ince, 

Time 67 mins. Rel. Dec. 9. 
Monkey's Paw. The. W. W. Jacobs mystery story of a hoodooed charita. C, 
Aubrey Smith, Ivan Simpson, Louise Carter, Dir. Wesley Ruggles. 66 
mlns. Rel. Jan. 13. 

Meat Dangerous Game, The. Island recluse who hunts human beings for 
sport Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, Leslie Banks. Dir. E. Schoedsack. 
Time, 63 mlns. Rel. Sept. 9. Rev. Nov. 22. 
No Other Woman. Steel worker who rises to affluence and drags his wife Into 
the mire. Irene Dunn, Chas. Blckford. Dir. J. Walter P.uben. 68 mlns 
Rel, Jan. 6. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Past of Mary Holmes, The. Destitute opera singer unwittingly accuses her 
son of murder. Helen MacKcllar, Eric Linden, Skeets Gallagher. Dir. 
Harlan Thompson, Slavo Vorkaplch. Rel. Jan. 20 
Penguin Pool Murder, The. Stuart Palmer's novel; murder mystery. Mae 
Clark, Robt Armstrong, Edna Mae Oliver, James Gleason. Dir. Geo 
Archalnbaud. 69 mlns. Rel. Dec. 9. Rev. Dec. 27. 
Phantom of Crestwood, The. Mystery at a week-end party. Rlcardo Cortez, 
Katherlne Morlcy. Dir. J. W. Ruben. Time, 77 mlns. Rel. Oct 14, 
Rev. Oct. 18. 

Rockabye. Sentimental mother-love story. Constance Bennett, Joel McCrea. 

Dir. Geo. Cukor. Time, 70 mins. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Secrets of the French Police. Foreign mystery. Gwlll Andre, Frank Morgan, 

Gregory Ratoff, Dir. Ed. Sutherland. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. Dec. 2. 

Rev. Dec. 13. 

Sport Parade. Novelty story. Joel McCrea, Marian Marsh. Wm. Gardan. 

Dir. Dudley Murphy. Time. 66 mins. Rcl. Nov. 11. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Strange Justice. Oddities of the criminal code. Mae Marsh, Norman Foster, 

Reginald Denny. Dir. V. C. Schertzinger. Time, 64 mins. Rel. Oct 7. 
Theft of the Mona Lisa, The. Foreign made. Willy Forst, Trude von Molo 

Dlr, G. Von Bolvary. Time. 83 mlns. Rel. Oct 21. Rev. Sept 16. 
Thirteen Women. From Tiffany Thayer's story of the power of suggestion. 

Rlcardo Cortez. Irene Dunne. Dir. O. Archalnbaud. Time, 60 mIna. 

Rel. Sept. 16. Rev. Oct 18. 
Topaze. From the stage play of that title by Marcel Prevost. French story 

of an Innocent who gets wise to the way of municipal graft John Barry- 

more, Myrna Loy, Albert Conti. Dir. Harry D'Arrast. 80 mins. Rel. 

Feb. 17. Rev. Feb. 14. 



Indie Theatre Chest 
To Combat Proposed 
Adverse Legislation 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Faced by the likelihood that 75% 
of their membership will be forced 
out of buslnftss if proposed drastic 
laws are enacted by the California 
state legislature, Southern Califor- 
nia indie exhlbs have paved the 
way to create a small war chest, and 
to use individual and collective 
means to combat what they term 
pernicious legislation. 

Each member will be asked to 
contribute a few dollars towards 
the fund. LM^ewise, each exhlb is 
urged to personally contact the 
legislator from his district and to 
impress upon him the fact that fur- 
ther oppi-esslve legislation against 
picture theatres will bring about 
complete ruin for many of them, 
with consequent loss of employment 
to hundreds of persons. 

Among tlie bills that have been 
dumped Into the hopper, and likely 
to come up shortly after the legis- 
lature resumes (28), Is a measure 
that, strictly Interpreted, would re- 
quire two projectionists In a booth 
at all times, a law that would close 
any number cf the smaller houses. 
Another bit of threatened legisla- 
tion is a 10% tax on all admissions 
over nine cents, which would hit 
virtually every theatre in the state; 
likewise, the proposed one and one- 
half cent per foot on all exposed 
flim. 

Indies point out that with half 
their membership already on the 
border line of closing, and with 
quite a nura'oor losing heavily every 
week they remain open, the added 
oppression would sound the death- 
knell for all excepting the larger In- 
dependent houses, and even these 
would be forced to take on added 
hardships. 



United Artists '""NowTorlc^N!- V. 

Cvnara. Philip Merlvale stage hit Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, Phyllis 
Barry. Dir. King Vldor. Time, 79 mlns. Bet Dec. 28. Rev. Jan. 3. 

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum. Al Jolaon Introduces the new 'rhythmic dialogue.' 

Jolson, Madge Evans, Harry Langdon, Frank Morgan, Chester Conk- 

lin. Dir. Lewis Milestone. 80 mins. ReL Feb. 3. Rev. Feb. 14. 
Kid from Spain, The. Eddie Cantor masquerades as a bull fighter down In 

Mexico. Cantor, Lyda Robertl. Dir. Leo. McCarey. Time (roadshow), 

118 mins. Rel. Jan. 21. Rev. Nov. 22, 
Maalc Night. Viennese operetta. Jack Buchanan. Dir. Herbert Wilcox. 

Time, 79 mlns. Rel. Nov. 2. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Mr. Robinson Crusoe. Adventures In the South Seaa. Douglas Fairbanks, 

Maria Alba. Dir. Edw. Sutherland. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept. 21. Rev. 

Sept. 27. 

Perfect Understanding. Swanson original laid In England. Gloria— Swanoon, 
Laurence Olivier, Genevieve Tobin, Sir Nigel Piayfair, John Halllday. 
Dir. Cyril Gardner. 84 mIna. ReL Feb. 22. 

RalM. Jeanne Eagles' famous stage hit Joan Crawford, Walter Huston. Dir. 
YTm. Gargan. Time, 93 mine. ReL Oct 12. Rev. Oct. 18. 

(Continued on page 41) 



Minn. Deluxe Managers 
Now Operating Grinds 

Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 

Developments in the film Industry 
have wrought queer changes here. 
Edward A, Furnl, long manager of 
the St, Paul Paramount, ace house 
here and second largest and most 
important theatre of the Northwest 
Publlx circuit, and formerly man- 
ager of the Orpheum here, has been 
appointed manager of the Palace, 
local third-run loop grind house 
Just relinquished by Publlx. Benz 
Realty Co. of St Paul, owner of 
the property, is operating the house 
independently and employing Furni. 
The scale Is a dime from opening to 
closing, putting the thetatro in 
heavier opposition to two other 
grind Independent loop houses. Pan- 
tages charging 15c and tha .ScvcnUi 
St. 10c. and 20c. 

Eddie Ruben, former Publlx divi- 
sion director for the Northwest, is 
now lessee and operator of tlip Pan- 
tages, 15c grind third run l-o;> 
house. Pan has been a big mzr. y 
maimer ever since Rujjen roopenod it. 
In fact, along with the World, W. 
A. Steffes' small foreign talkie 
house with its inflnite.simal 'ni|t,' it 
is considered comparatively the 
most profitable theatre operu'^Ioix 
here. 



Wife Sues F-WC Partner 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

After 20 years of married life, 
Stella Sinks filed suit against Eail 
Sinks, partner of Fox-W^est Coast 
in several Hollywood blvd. houses. 
Action, in Superior CTourt, is basod 
on cruelty pounds. 

Property settlement was mad© 
prior to the suit, Ben Cohen repre. 
sented the wife. 



K. C. Ops Yield 8 P.C. 

Kan.fas City, Feb. 27. 

After a series of conferences and 
counter propositions the Kansas 
City projectionists In Loew's Mid- 
land and the Malnstreet theatres, 
have settled their wage differences 
for the ensuing year. 

The operators in the two houses 
have accepted a contract dated Feb, 
1 and running until Sept 1, 1933, 
with approximately an 8% reduction. 

The negotiations were handled by 
Divi.sion Manager W. A. Finney, fop 
Loews, and Mort Singer, repre« 
sented the Mainstreet. 

The Newman, Paramount unit, 
whose coatcact with the operators 
docs not expire until April 1, 1933, 
h&a been given to understand that 
the same scale will be granted. 

It is understood the saving to tb > 
houses i.s about $25,000 a year. 



VARIETY 



Tueedfty, Febnitry 28, 1933 



THE ONLY PICTURE 

BIG ENOUGH to play 




! 



A 

COOPER-SCHOEDSACK 

PRODUCTION 

^>TH FAY WRAY . . ROBERT 
ARMSTRONG . . BRUOE CABOT 

fFROM AN lOiA CONCEIVED BY 
EDGAR WALLACE AND MERIAN C. COOPER 

RKO RADIO PICTURE 



10,000 s 



Tnesdajf February 26, 1933 



VARIETY 





OPENS THURSDAY MAR 



RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL 



RADIO CITY ROXY THEATRE 



EATS ... 10 SHOWS DAILY! 



S6 



VARIETY 



P I € ¥ 



E S 



Tuesdaj, February 28, 1933 



Publix N. W. Readjustments 

Speeding Plans to Rid Circuit of Deadwood 
Houseft— Union Labor Cuts 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 
Publix lierc, with Its principal 
Northwest ci rult In receivership, la 
maklnfi: speeily progress In divorclnp 
Itself from situations which It does 
not desire to retain under any plan 
of reorsanlzation. Houses cast adrift 
have been \n>rrofltable and are not 
regarded as holding a great deal of 
promise under chain operation. 

The Pal-irre. Minneapolis loop 
grind third -run house, was the first 
to be turned back to its owners, tlie 
Benz Realty Co., which is operating 
It at a dime scale. W. A. Steffes 
Is negotiating for the Empress, a 
neighborhood house here, and It Is 
expected that the deal will be closed 
Within a few days. Steffes already 
operates two Minneapolis theatres. 

The Paramount theatre, Bismarck. 
N. D., was tal:en back by Its owner, 
rred Cubber'v of Minneapolis, and 
leased for one year to H. O. Mu- 
grldge and Claude Hanson, local 
Independent distributors and exhib- 
itors. Osc.ir Woempner for the 
Willmar Amu.^ement Co. Is taking 
back from Publl.^c the State and RN 
»lto theatres, WiUmar, Minn. The 
Blalto will remain closed. The 
Grand theatve, Northfleld, Minn., 
has been turned back by Publix to 
Ita owner and former manager, E. 
v. DUly, who will operate It Inde- 
pendently. 

The Capital, Aberdeen, S. D., was 
closed by PuMlx and turned back 
to Its local owner Feb. 17. On the 
following day Publix reopened the 
Qrpheum, Aberdeen, S. D., which It 
also had under lease, Installing the 
Capital policy there and appointing 
Abe Sarnoltsky, formerly at the 
Capital, as manager. 

Sharp Rent Drops 

In seeking readjustment-, of lealses 
for houses which Publix is -willing 
to retain, tiie receivers are offering 
• as little as 8 7o of grosses in place 
of a flat rental now called for. As 
far as can bo learned, the propo- 
filtlon has been indignantly spurned 
in every mstance by the landlords. 
Trouble Is being experienced in re 
adjusting these leases of the more 
desirable properties. 

A landlords' protective committee 
formed here has employed Amos 
Delnare, prominent local attorney, 
as Its counsel and is dealing with 
Publix as a unit. No agreements 
have been reached yet in contro 
versles involving more than a dozen 
theatres. 

Publix also is endeavoring to re- 
adjust wages with its booth operat- 
ors. It claims that It Is operating 
at a weekly loss oC $14,000 In this 



HOW TIMES CHANGE 



Religious Town of Nazareth Makes 
History With Sunday Shows 



Easton, Pa., Feb. 2T. 

Times do change! 

Had the owner of a theatre in 
Nazareth, a Moravian town of about 
5,000 population, six miles from 
Easton, the nerve to open his the- 
atre on a Sunday a few years ago, 
he would probably have been chased 
out of town, for practically every- 
body In the town is a churchgoer 
and a good observer of the Sabbath. 

But the Broad St. theatre, one of 
the two picture houses in the town, 
decided to open its doors Sunday 
(26) for an evening performance, 
which started at 9 p. m. after 
church. There was some opposition 
to the opening by some ministers, 
but not enough to close the doors. 
The theatre will probably remain 
open on Sundays. 



Seatde 



n L* 



lings 



Seattle, Feb. 27. 

Racketeers with stench and other 
bombs busy again, demolishing box- 
office front of State theatre, John 
Danz house, Sunday mornlncr and 
throwing tear and stench bombs at 
Paramount Saturday night, necessi- 
tating refunds and hurting biz. 

Pickets also working at Para- 
mount due to recent booth cuts and 
hiring non-union operators. 



Waving a Flag 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

KBS Is looking for another 
title to hang on Its Sherlock 
Holmes picture, 'A Study in 
Scarlet.* 

Figure the present one Is too 
suggestive to managers with 
houses In the red. 



Rochester's Downtowners 
Cut Rate and Kill Nabes 



2 OELA. mDIES IN BCVSSHIP 

Oklahoma City, Feb. 27. 

The Rex a!id Key theatres, We- 
woka, Okla., cwned and operated by 
the Wewoka Theatre Co., went into 
receivership. Lew Chatman ap- 
pointed receiver. 

The theatres had been taken over 
by the Federal Trust Co. of Tulsa. 



territory. In line with efforts to re- 
establish the circuits on a self-sus- 
taining bas-d, it seeks to allocate 
8% of the $14,000 loss to the operat- 
ors' union. For the local here the 
Publix payroll amounts to $1,700 a 
week. Instead of assuming 8% loss 
and making a reduction equivalent 
to its coverage, the union has of 
fered a 16 to 17% reduction. An 
other hitch is the fact^that Publix 
wishes the readjustm^TKt to be re 
troactlve. 



Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 27. 

Rochester nabes are temporarily 
demoralized by action of two down- 
town houses cutting prices to 25c 
top. Larger nabes have been get- 
ting that and the smaller ones 20c 
for single subsequent run film. The 
RKO Temple usually shows two 
features, one new and one a class 
second run, while the Regent shows 
single first run with occasional 
double features. 

Result is the patrons are passing 
up all but the topnotch shows in 
the neighborhoods and flocking 
downtown instead. 

Exhibitors met and refused to 
cut prices. See higher standard of 
shows as only out. According to 
present plans they will eliminate as 
far as possible ordinary program 
films and go for those that clicked 
In first run downtown. Idea is to 
build idea of 'always a good show' 
against the uncertainty of a first 
run film downtown. Further, they 
don't expect the low rates down- 
town to continue, figuring those 
houses will go back to 36 cents or 
quit. 



Reade to Self-Operate 
Mayfair; W Probably h 



Getting his theatre back through 
RKO's repudiation of the lease, 
Walter Reade will probably operate 
the house himself under a policy 
yet to be determined. Believed 
Reade might book 'M,' the German 
picture Joe Plunkett recently 
bought, into it. 

RKO gives up the Mayfair Thurs- 
day (2), with the entire staff out 
under a two weeks' notice issued 
when closing date was decided. 
Harry Marx, who has been man- 
aging* the house for RKO may Join 
other interests in an Important op- 
erating capacity or go Into business 
himself. He was formerly direc- 
tor of theatre management for the 
entire Publix chain under Sam 
Katz. The Mayfair managerial job 
for Marx has been a filler-Inner. 

Reade says he has not issued any 
Instructions In the way of litiga- 
tion against RKO for breach of 
lease on Mayfair. Any steps in that 
direction would have to follow ef- 
forts to rent the house to another 
tenant. 



Epidemic of Subsequent 
Double Bills in B'ham 

Birmingham, Feb. 27. 

The second run situation in the 
Ham is back again to double fea- 
tures this time, stronger than ever, 
it seems. Every second run house in 
town is now boosting dual bills and 
the highest price is 20c. 

The Rialto last week went back 
to doubles after several weeks of 
red ink with singles. Instead of the 
two-bit price the scale Is 16 and 20. 
Discount tickets are also available. 
Competition is keen among the sec- 
onds and each house is trying to 
outdo the other. Too many second 
run theatres and not enough first 
rund is the result Situation is so 
acute that. the majority think only 
of second runs when they start to a 
show. 

With the first runs reducing their 
prices to 26 and 40, the seconds had 
to bring their prices down the line. 
The result is a decided difference in 
weekly grosses. . 



Indie Theatre Operation 
A Break to Pic Salesmen 

Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 

ThrowinsT numerous theatres . in 
the territory Into independent op- 
peration will spell Increased em- 
ployment for film salesmen, local 
exchanges say. While the changes 
have come too late in the selling 
season to make any Immediate dif- 
ference, plans already are being 
formulated to augment the sales' 
staffs, starting in May when the 
new selling season begins. 

Since the industry's financial 
troubles became acute, sales' staffs 
of film exchanges here have been 
cut to the bone and much of the 
selling has been done through cor- 
respondence. One exchange, which 
normally employs six salesmen, 
trimmed its staff to three. This 
staff may be increased to 10 in the 
late spring. 

Local exchange managers declare 
the new order of things Is putting 
new life into the Industry. 



State Legishtioo 
hterfermg with 
MPTOA Nat'I Plans 



Exhibitor leaders throughout the 
country are so occupied with state 
legislation that national organiza- 
tion activities are being postponed 
until late in the spring. This means 
that the MPTOA will not only not 
hold Its election in March, but that 
Its budget balancing will also be du- 
bious for some time. 

A minimum of (12,000 must be 
raised if the MPTOA is to continue 
to function. This Is the budget 
when the president works without 
compensation. Usually at this time 
of the year the drganlzatlon's pay- 
roll is definitely assured. 

MPTOA organizers are unable to 
pick a successor to M. A. Llghtman 
who insists that his resignation 
must be accepted. It is probable 
that in the event Llghtman steps 
out at the expiration of his term in 
March, M. A. Comerford, first vice- 
president, will fill the vacancy tem- 
porarily. 

Frank Walker is favorably re- 
garded for MPTOA leadership, but 
organizers feel that it is useless to 
put up his name because all of his 
energies are belnjg devoted to the 
reclaiming of the Commerford cir- 
cuit. 



RKO Albany Shifto 

Albany, Feb. 27. 

Lou Golding, divisional supervisor 
of RKO Albany, was made manager 
of the RKO Palace here In place of 
Harry Black, who was returned to 
his former post as manager of the 
RKO Troy, N. T. 

Arnold Rittenberer, former public 
Ity director in Albany and later sent 
to manage the Troy house, is to be 
placed in some other position yet 
undecided. 



Columbia's Intensive 
GOD'ing of RKO in S.F. 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Columbia had Its 'Child of Man- 
hattan' in RKO's Golden Gate last 
week. Exchange was under orders 
from New Tork to pick up dlstrlb's 
share of the take at end of each 
day. 

So promptly at a. m. Sunday 
morning, after the Saturday mid* 
night matinee, one of the exchange 
employes was on deck, irrespective 
of a bankless Sunday ahead, a 
money making house and no place 
to hide the dough. 



Chi Ops. Trial Set 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 

After being relayed from one 
Judge to another the suit of seven 
expelled members of the Motion 
Picture Operators' Union was finally 
set for a full hearing next Thurs- 
day (2) by Judge McCoorty in Su- 
perior court. For political reason! 
case Is a ticklish one. 

In setting trial day Judge Mc- 
Coorty denied the motion for an 
injunction restraining Tom Maloy 
and other officials of the union and 
also denied a petition for receiver- 
ship. 





MERIAN C. COOPER 



AND 



ERNEST B. SCHOEDSACK 



PRODUCTION 



Tuesda^t February 28, 1933 



FILM 



E V ■ E W S 



VARIETY 



39 



BLONDIE JOHNSON 

(Continued from pag« 16) 

flnlsh. Tbe action Is mostly shooting 
frays planted with no natural fol- 
low-ups, and the situations are 
forced all the way. 

Starts ofC like one of those un- 
employment themes. Then It wan- 
ders Into the racket line. The girl 
hooks a racketeer after she begins 
walking the streets and h« falls for 
i,er~She hooks up with him and 
gets him to quit his boss for a 
racket of his own. 

Maybe so far not so bad, but after 
months of close and Intimate asso- 
ciation, the boy ffiend suddenly 
perks to the blonde: 

'Honey, do you live alone 7* 

The lad pops the question just 
that way after he and she have 
committed almost every sin In the 
calendar, including a couple of at- 
tempted murders. 

The film looks like a conglomera- 
tion of all gangster pictures. Ches- 
ter Morris does a pretty good Job 
•with the material he's given to work 
with. 

There's a crokoed lawyer to spring 
the crooks; there's the stenog type 
as a musical comedy prima; a dumb 
Swede who says, 'Aye tank aye bane 
go home,' and a Chinese girl as the 
sweetheart of one of the muggs. 

The action doesn't give custom- 
ers any cause to believe the Swede 
will speak, which makes his one 
crack a laugh surprise, but not a 
heavy one. liooks like a last-minute 
thought, this Swede chatter part. 

Picking a stenog type for a prima 
donna who's too tall for the part, or 
apparently so, Is misleading. Ar- 
thur Vinton as the racketeer chief 
looks more like anything but. The 
whole story Is Implausible but mild 
entertainment for easily satisfied 
fans, Joan Blondell acts natural, 
which may be why her stuff don't 
take. It's too matter-of-fact, but 
that may be only an opinion. Shan. 



Dangerously Yours 

Fox production and roleaae. co-featuring 
"Wnrner Baxter, Miriam Jordan and Her- 
bert Mundln. IMrected by Frank Tuttle. 
Screen play, Horace Jackson, from story by 
Paul Hervey Fox: camera, John Belts; 
sound, Albert W. Protzman. At the RKO 
Mnyfalr, N. T., week Feb. 22, Running 
time, 74 mlna. 

Anilrew Burke Wamer Baxter 

CInIre Roberta Miriam Jordan 

Grove Herbert Mundln 

Jo 'Horton Florence Bldrldge 

Mrn. Lathem Florence Roberta 

neoree Carr William Davidson 

Dr. Ryder Arthur Hoyt 

Knnslm Mlscha Auer 

JMdy Gregory Nella Walker 

Theodore Brill Tyrell DaVIa 

Tony Edmund Bums 

"WTilte Robert Greig 



For he was the gentleman crook 
and she was the lady detective. 
Seventy-four minutes later only one 
thing must eventuate, according to 
time-honored standards of such 
plot formulae, so write your own 
scenario. There's some attempt at 
novelty. Including a cheating 
cheater angle, a shanghal-ing of the 
heroine, etc., but it proceeds pretty 
jnuch along familiar lines. Certainly 
not for a Broadway first run; more 
for the nabes and fast headed for 
the double bills. 

Herbert Mundln Is cast as the 
eervltor-accomplice of Baxter, the 
gent Raffles; and Miriam Jordan, if 
nothing else. Is a stunning looker, 
It's never made clear how a lady de- 
tective from an Insurance company 
and an adventurer of the Baxter 
genera happen to mix socially In 
thfit sort of company. 

Along with the general Ineptness 
oC I'.ie entire structure Is the sound 
recording, which muffled Miss Jor- 
tlarva voice badly in several se- 
quoiicee. 

'i'he crook-society angle pares this 
down to neighborhood standards 
and certainly not above the 'B' 
stands exceptlQg only for exploita- 
tive or shortage-of -product reasons. 

Abel. 



SAILOR BE GOOD 

Jofferson production nnd Radio release. 
Features Jack Oaklo and Vlvlenne Osborne. 
Directed by Jamoa Cruze. Screen play, 
viola Shore and Btbol Doherty; dialofr. 
Ralph Spence and Mies .Shore; Chas. P. 
Schoonbaum, camera; Lodge Cunningham, 
sound; Viola Lawrence, editor. At the 
Palace, N. T., week Feb. 29. Running 
time 08 mine. 

J onc.iy Jack Oakle 

Red Dale Vlvlenne Osborne 

Murpby George D. Stone 

Slim Lincoln Stedman 

HarllKan Max Hoffman, Jr. 

Kay Whitney Gertrude Michael 

Mr. Wliltney Huntley Gordon 

Prl-flcllla Gertrude Sutton 

Butlc-r Charles Coleman 



and wakes up to find himself mar- 
ried to a society girl who appar- 
ently haunts the hangouts for pick- 
ups and likes this one well enough 
to marry him while he's drunk. 

It breaks Miss Osborne's heart, 
but Oakie doesn't blend Into the- so- 
cial picture, so he 1b tossed out via 
the divorce court, goes back to his 
flrst love and beats up the champ, 
in spite of his condition, when his 
trainers tell him his opponent hurt 
the girl. 

It's the old-fashioned way and 
not improved by its aging. Well di- 
rected and well played, but it takes 
plot to give even the best players a 
chance. It will get by where they 
are not particular, but it's a filler 
even for those spots. 

Oakle Is about as usual, with Miss 
Osborne overacting at times but 
generally looking great, thanks to 
fine lighting and careful make-up. 
George Stone has a chance now and 
then, and once or twice Hoffman 
looks in, but the others just stand 
around. Dialog Is poor, with too 
much rowdy stuff in the opening to 
match the supposed heart interest 
appeal later, and the business Isn't 
too good. Photography is really the 
best point in the picture. Chic. 



MEN OF AMERICA 

RKO-RadIo production and release^ Di- 
rected by Ralph Ince; story by Humphrey 
Pearson and Henry McCarty; adapted by 
Samilol Omitz and Jack Jungmeyer. At 
Loew's New Toric. N. T., one day, Feb. 28. 
Running time, SS mlna. 

Jim Parker Bill Boyd 

Smokey Joe Charles (Chic) Sale 

Annabelle , Dorothy Wilson 

Cicero Ralph Ince 

Tony Garbonl Henry Armetta 

Mrs. Garbonl Inea Palange 

Postmistress Ther?.9a Co»"»ver 

Oley Jensen Alphonse ESthlOT 

Chinese Joe Ling 



Two persons are credited with 
authoring this screen Item. Prob- 
ably one to remember and the other 
to write It down; but there's not 
enough originality to the plot to 
open a one-reel comedy. It may go 
over with the small-town clientele, 
and might please In the rough city 
nabes, but on Broadway it's wear- 
ing a straw hat and a linen duster. 

Opens with 'the fleet's in' stuff. 
Oakle becomes interested in Vlvl- 
enne Osborne, dancehall hostess, 
who tries to glue him to the wagon 
because he has to battle Max Hoff- 
man, Jr., for the championship of 
the fleet. To knit It up, she was 
Hoffman's girl the last time the 
foot was in port. She tries too 
hard with the result that Oakie 
i-~ata It out for n little relaxation 



SECRETS OF WU SIN 

Batcholler production and Chcsterfleld re- 
lease. Features Lois Wilson. Story by 
Basil Dickey, adapted by Wm. McQralh. 
Directed by Rlcbar^ Thorpe. Mcl Shyer, 
asst. dir. ; M. A. Aiu^erson, camera ; Pete 
Clarke, snund. Cast: Lois Wilson, Grant 
withers, Dorothy Revler, Herbert War- 
wick, Toshl Mori, Eddie Boland, Tetfiu 
Komal, Richard Loo, Luke Chan, JImmie. 
Wanir. At Loew's New York theatre, 
N. Y., one day, Feb. 21, on double bill. 
Running time, OS mins. 



Too slow getting under way, with 
most of the action congested at the 
end. 'Men of America' just rates 
the lesser subsequent runs. 

For the first-reel audiences who 
have seen Chic Sale in his chain- 
store feature will figure 'Men of 
America' a repeat under a different 
title. There is the same general 
store, post offlce, and Sale dispens- 
ing jokes. Yards of film project 
tldeously in this store environment. 
All they do Is talk. Then suddenly 
gansters Infest the neighborhood 
with robbery. 

Suspicion rests on Bill Boyd as 
Jim Parker, the hero type familiar 
In every western. Ralph Ince plays 
the gangster chief as well as directs 
and ovecacts to the brim. Which Is 
too bad, as Ince, when curbed. Is a 
prgtty fair performer. 

Appar^atly the censors figured the 
film so aimless during most of its 
footage that a reel of machine guns 
and gansters being popped off 
couldn't do any harm. Waly. 



Story of San Francisco's China- 
town with full use made of the 
colorful backgrounds, but developed 
with Uttlo regard for suspense pos- 
sibilities. With better stress on the 
danger angle this might have 
climbed into the A division, but it 
fails to pass the borderline and is 
safest in the lesser houses, though 
It may be played up in a pinch for 
the Chinese angle, several Chinese 
players being employed. Nicely 
photographed and good sound. Not 
in the big money but should get 
some play if properly sold. 

Plot concerns a young authoress 
saved from suicide by a newspaper 
editor who gives her a position on 
his paper. She is told to make no 
effort to discover the guiding heads 
of a coolie running plot but be- 
comes mildly Involved, though at 
no time is there any great sugges- 
tion of menace. It all runs too 
evenly to pull them over to the 
edge of their seats. 

Much of the action takes place in 
Chinatown, with some unusually 
good views, but It takes more than 
scenery to build up a story.. ■ 

Lois Wilson does well as the girl 
reporter, but gets no particular op 
portunity save in a couple of 
scenes. Grant Withers does nicely 
as the editor and Eddie Boland 
makes as much as he can of an ec 
centric reporter, Dorothy Revler 
gets just a bit as a foil to Miss 
Wilson. Toshl Mori beads the Chi 
nese faction with Tetsu Komai and 
Richard Loo Important members, 
Former is perfunctory and the lat 
ter barely gets by. That's one of 
the handicaps. Possibly the pro 
ducers felt afraid of the cast. 

Chic. 



ture rather than isaving up for the 
flnlsh. Good photography and sound 
and able to hold its own for western 
strongholds. 

This is the stencil in which a 
man is branded as an outlaw to 
permit him to get in touch with 
others in his supposed class. He 
performs the usual prodigies of 
valor and is squared by the local 
sheriff Just before the fadeout so 
he can grab the girl with audience 
approval. Helped here and there 
by the introduction of a polite Mex- 
ican bandit who supplies a real 
comedy relief. This part is nicely 
handled by Chris Pin Martin. 
Charles King makes good on the 
heavy assignment and the others 
all work with vigor to background 
the star. 

Chief advantage is the Judicious 
placement of the riding, which 
keeps the action going. Chic. 



MORGENROT 

(GERMAN MADE) 

Berlin, Feb. 14. 
Ufa picture and release. Guenther Sta- 
penboTst production. Direction Qustav 
Uclcky. Manuscript by Gerhard Meniel, 
after an idea by B. von Spiegel. Photog- 
raphy, Carl Hoffmann, Sound, Herman 
Fritcschlng. Bettlnge, Robert Herlth and 
Walter Roehnlg. Music, Herbert Wlndt. 
Recorded on Klangfllm, Caet: Rudolf 
Forster, Adele Sandrocx, Frits Genachow, 
Camilla Bpira, Paul Westermeler, Gerbart 
Blenert, Friedrloh Gnass, Frana Nlkllsch. 
Hans Leibelt, Blae Knott. Ed. v. Wlnter- 
Bteln. At Utt Palast am Zoo, Berlin. Run- 
ning time, 01 minutes. 

Before the local premiere of this 
nationalist's film of Ufa, it was 
shown for the former Kaiser's 
birthday In Doorn. At the Berlin 
flrst night the new Cabinet, with 
Hitler, Dr. Hugenberg and Papen, 
were present, and gave this picture 
its start. The picture was received 
with tremendous applause at its 
premiere, but it may not prove the 
expected money maker, even in Ger- 
many and Austria. Outside these 
countries the subject is likely only 
to meet with mild interest, due to 
the U-boat background In connec- 
tion with the war. 

No reproach may be directed to- 
ward the director, Gustav Uclcky, 
for he got out of the manuscript of 
Menzcl whatever was possible. The 
plot is a small episode of the world 
war. Three boys in a little place 
near the German sea serve on one 
U-boat. After a short holiday they 
leave the little town, the whole 
population bids them farewell. 

The U-boat goes against an Bng- 
llsh man-of-war transporting Brit- 
ish officers to Russia. The ship Is 
sunk and their task is done. Home 
bound, they meet a U-boat chaser, 
and the U-boat is wrecked, lying 
180 feet deep on the bottom. Ten 
men, including two ofllcere of the 
crew, are still alive in one chamber. 
They have only eight safety devices 
to save their lives. Two men com- 
mit suicide for reasons of their own 
and the remaining eight save them- 
selves. They are taken on board by 
a flsher boat and get home winning 
only a short rest before they again 
aro sent out to flght. 

Rudolf Forster, playing the lead, 
is the U-boat commander, playing 
with fine human feeling. Very im- 
pressive in her sorrows is Adele 
Sandrock as a war mother who has 
lost two sons. She pronounces a 
paclflstic monolog. Others of the 
cast are first rate. 

Photography is good, sound gen- 
erally satisfactory.- Robert Herlth 
and Walter PoelirlR'a 5:*>ttlnc:s*«re 
splonrllfl. 



THE MAN WHO WON 

(BRITISH MADE) 

British International production. Powers 
release. Adapted from novel, Mr. Bill the 
Conqueror, by Dion Tltherldge. Directed by 
Norman Walker. Cast Includes Henry 
Kendall, Heather Angel and Nora Swin- 
burne. At old Roxy, N. T., week beginning 
Feb. 24. Running time, 72 minutes. 

William Norman Henry Kendall 

Rosemary Lannlck Heather Angel 

Diana Trenchard Nora SwdnbUrne 

Dave Lannlck Sam Liveoey 

Deborah Turtle Louis TInsloy 

Tom Turtle Moore Marlott 



MARIE 



(GERMAN MADE) 

Berlin, Feb. IB, 
Otso picture, Metropol Film release. D|- 
ri-i-icil by Paul Fejos. Manusonipt lion* 
Fui'lo;p. Photography, Vevor."!! Mftrley. 
'xttlr.Ks. PImenoff. Annabo-lla bi^irrcd. At 
Muzart-Saal, Berlin, KunnlnE lime, 85 
inliiules. 



KAISERWALZER 

('Emperor's Waltz') 

(GERMAN MADE) 

(With Songs) 

Berlin, Feb. 14. 
Aafa production and Aafa release. Direc- 
tion Friedrloh Zelnlk. Manuscript by Al- 
fred Halm and Frlcdrlch Zelnick. Music 
after motifs by Johann Strauss, Mll- 
loecker, Suppe, by Nlco Dostal. Photog- 
raphy, Reimar Kunt. Settings, Frans 
Schroedter. Lyrics, Robert Gilbert. Re- 
corded on ToblB-Klangnim. Cast: Martha 
Eggerth, Willi Blchbergcr, Hansi NIese, 
fSzoeke Szakall, Paul Hoerblger, Fritz 
Kampera, Oily Gebauer. Running time 83 
minutes. At Prlmus-Palaat, Berlin. FTled- 
rlch Zelnlk's latest picture is a snappy and 
carefully worked musical comedy, which 
doubtless will be a good success within the 
Osntlnent&l countries. 



Perhaps the trade may be Inter- 
ested in this fllm because among Its 
cast is Heather Angel, but the sub- 
ject Itself can't stand alone and 
lacks appeal from an American au- 
dience standpoint. Looks like double 
feature material on this side. This 
fllm apparently is one which Powers 
received under his original BIP deal 
a year or more ago and has been on 
the shelf since, until the inability of 
the old Roxy to get any kind of 
product from the chain distrlbs 
forced it to pick up outside product. 
Same title but different story made 
by Vltagraph In 1919 with Harry 
Morey, Betty Blythe and Maurice 
Costello. Same goes for Fox in 1923 
with Dustin Farnum. 

Miss Heather Is the English ac- 
tress who was Imported recently by 
Fox. Miss Angel presents a pretty 
and sweet flgure of the Janet Gay* 
nor type, but proves nothing out- 
standing In this particular picture. 
She very likely Is more capable than 
this picture would make her seem. 

The film has to do with an un- 
sympathetic drama. A titled Brit- 
isher and wastrel attempts his own 
redemption by turning farmer on 
his own estate. A farm girl (Heather 
Angel) inspires him as against a 
more worldly promise held out to 
him by a rich girl of bis own sta- 
tion. 

The farm girl's father owns the 
adjoining land. When the peer 
turns farmer, be frustrates an am- 
bition on the part of the father to 
gain control of the adjoining land. 
This causes a feud that results In 
the old gentleman setting Are to his 
lordship's crops. A confession fol- 
lows, after a fox hunt, and every- 
thing winds up happily. The hero 
apparently marries the farm girl. 

Fact that whatever little action 
there is in the fllm is photographed 
silently makes It appear that much 
of the subject may have been origi- 
nally made as a silent and the dia- 
\Off added. This treatment doesn't 
help the Aim's reception. 

The photography Is fair enough, 
but some of tj:ie British diction is 
hard to get even for Americans. 

Shan. 



OUTLAW JUSTICE 

Majestlo production and release. .Stars 
Jack Hoxic. Story by tSoott Darling, 
adapted by Oliver Drake. Directed by 
.\rmand Schaefer. Wm. Nobel, camera. 
Cast: Jack Hoxle, Dorothy Gulliver, Don- 
ald Keith, Chas. King, Chris Martin. Jack 
Trent, Walter Shumway, Jack Rockawny. 
Tom London, Kermit Maynard. At Ixiew'B 
New York theatre. N. Y., one day. Feb. 21, 
on double bill. Running time, 57 minn. 



The plot: An old Austrian aristo- 
crat takes a cure in Ischl, He takes 
along a girl whom he intends to 
marry. His son comes for a short 
holiday to dissuade him from that 
course. And he succeeds. Inci- 
dentally he gets to know Mlzzl, the 
girl, who falls in love with him. 
Amusing types are woven into the 
story and farcical mixups occur. 

Big scene is a dance which takes 
place during military maneuvers, 
made Into a capital spectacle. 

Frledrlch Zelnlk has made a big 
musical splurge with this picture. 
Score based on a charming waltz 
'Heut macht die Welt Sonntag fuer 
mich.' It becomes a new kind of 
sound picture, in which the dialog Is 
blended into music and muslo dis- 
solves into dialog. The artistic sing- 
ing of Martha Kggert helps greatly. 

The new leading juvenile, Willi 
Eichberger, does not impress par- 
ticularly. Oily Gebauer, naive sou- 
brette, is a comedy asset. 

Sound excellent. Settings and 
photography satisfactory. 



Letting in the Sunshine 

(BRITISH-MADE) 

London, Feb. 16. 
British International production. Directed 
by Luplno Lane. Cast: Albert Burdon, 
Molly Lament, Renee Oadd, Henry Molli- 
son, Kthel Warwick. Previewed Frince 
Eldward theatre, London, Feb. 15. 



'Marie' was acceptea .ii us flrst 
nlfiht with enthusiasm by the pub- 
lic and press. It may become a 
surp;-ise success, such as "M.-xcdchen 
in Uniform.' The most economical 
use of dialog facilitates interna- 
tlonal understanding. This will cer- 
tainly make release of tinis picture 
easy abroad. 

Annabella, the star of the picture 
is a revelation as the poor Hun- 
garian servant girl who is seduced 
by the sweetheart of her master's 
daughter. When she admits she 
expects a child, she is dismissed. 
She wanders from house to house, 
from the village to the nearby town. 
Here she flnally finds a job as wait- 
ress in a house of ill repute. How 
the arrival of the baby wakens 
motherly feelings among the girls 
in the house are artistic high spots. 

One Sunday Marie takes her child 
back to her village home, to the 
church there, and shows the baby 
child to the statue of the Madonna. 
Through her prayer and her 
faith in the Madonna, Marie get* 
back her trust and belief in herseU. 
When she returns to the town and 
the cafe, which has become her 
home now, the child is taken away 
from her by the authorities to bA 
educated. This breaks her spirit. 

Marie leaves the house, wanders 
again from village to village, an oat- 
cast never finding peace. 

She goes back to the church of 
her own village, and dies in front oiC 
the statue of the Madonna, the same 
Madonna who gave her back her 
belief in life and herself. 

As a relieving end Fejos shows 
scenes which remind very much ol 
Gerhart Hauptmann's play, 'Han> 
nele's Hlmmelfahrt' ('Hannele's As- 
cension'). Marie, who has died, aa>> 
cends to heaven. Here she con- 
tinues the work she did in life as 
servant girl; she sweeps the clouds 
with a golden broom. When after 
16 years she sees her own daughter 
in a summernlght, standing at the 
very place where she stood onc& 
she pours water upon the earth, a 
starts raining, the lover dlsappeara 
her daughter Is saved. 

Paul Fejos has made the oM 
legend Into an artistic masterpiece 
Annabella here proves herself as 
actress of highest artistic quality 
Marley's photography is excellent^ 
also L. Angyal'fi music, underlying 
and intensely backgrounding the ei^ 
tire fllm. 



This story was written by An- 
thony Asquith and adapted for the 
screen by Con West and Herbert 
Sargent. It's audience will finu il. 

A low-comedy window cleaner has 
a musical comedy Ingenue sweet- 
heart who is a serving maid. House 
where the maid Is employed has 
been sublet to a band of crooks 
who plot to steal a necklace from 
the young heiress by turning out the 
lights during a fancy dress ball and 
substituting an imitation string. 
Window cleaner and maid hear the 
plot, but do not notify the police. 
They go to the ball and foil the vil- 
lains. 

It may sound like a lot of tripe, 
and It is. 

Picture has as many knockabout, 
breakaway, vampire, pratfalls, terp- 
slchorean and mechanical stunts as 
can possibly be crowded into this 
much footage. But with a diminu- 
tive, mugging, low comedian pranc- 
ing, cavorting and dancing with an 
extremely pretty and shapely in- 
genue, ably supported by innumer- 
able feeders, there are so many 
laughs they can't be counted. 

The West End may not think this 
one carries enough weight, but for 
provincial and neighbcrhood book- 
ing it has all the earmarks of suc- 
cess. Jolo. 



Eine Nacht Im Paradies 

('A Night in Paradise') 

(GERMAN-MADE) 
(With Songs) 
Lothar Stark-Ondra-Lanoao pvodoctlon. 
Klnematrade release In U. 8. Btara Anny 
Ondra. Directed by Carl LAmac; ecenarlo, 
Hans Bergmann and Joe Wllkina; mnsle, 
Metro Roland; camera, Otto Heller. At 
the IDuropa, N. Y. Running time, SO mine. 

Walldorf Ralph A. Roberts 

Bvelyne Orete KMzler 

Oerd Brenken Herman Thimmiig 

M<»ilka Anny Ondra 

Boehnlcke Oscar Babo 



Another .Tack Hoxle story with 
Dorotliy Gulliver as the girl and tiie 
usual western troupe. Plenty of 
action and including some flst flghts 
which are not altogether convinc- 
ing. Action runs throuRh thf pic- 



Silly and unimportant little Ger- 
man musical that may just about 
get by in strictly German nabes. 
It has nothing to hope for else- 
where. Anny Ondra, its star, has 
never meant anything on this side 
of the ocean. 

One of those complicated Cinder- 
ella yarns, with much back and 
forth intrigue that is stretched en- 
tirely too far, even If it weren't thin 
In the flrst place. Neither acting, 
direction nor production calls for 
favorable comment. 

One rather cntohy song is spoiled 
hy too muoh reprising. Kauf. 



The Man from Toronto 

(BRITISH MADE) 

London, Feb. 16. 
A Oalnsborougb production, released 
through Oatimont BrlUsb. Directed by Sin- 
clair Hill. In cast: Jcmle ?f?»«h'^-vR, Fred 
Kerr, Ian Hunter, Margaret Varde, La«b 
rence Hanray, Kenneth Kove. Length, 0,« 
OOO feet approz. Previewed Tivoli theatre- 
London, Feb. 13. 

'The Man from Toronto' was % 
successful play some years ago. n 
was a comedy with a musical come- 
dy, plot. Just the usual story of a 
young couple who have been left a 
million, provided they marry, and, 
never having seen each other, botb 
refuse. The lawyer brings them to- 
gether, but the girl pretends to be 
her own maid, and the young man 
falls for her as such. 

But that is the least part of ti, 
The way It is done makes for ex- , 
ceptionally good comedy. Many at 
the scenes are bucolic and there is a 
cast of minor characters doing type 
bits with such excellence as char* 
acterlzed Hollywood productions for 
many years. Heretofore, this was 
one of the drawbacks about British 
pictures. It has been the custom 
in England to select a few prlnci> 
pals of merit and then allot the 
minor roles to inferior players. 

Jessie Matthews is starred, but 
does not make the grade. She plays 
the role of the girl neatly enough, 
but without any outstanding talent 
or sex allure. Ian Hunter, as al^ 
ways, is a fine specimen of mascu* 
Unity. But the one person who does 
more to make the picture is Fred 
Kerr as the lawyer. , To see him 
get stewed in a village saloon play- 
ing darts with the countn, bump- 
kins for the drinks is alone worth 
the price of admission to the most 
expensive picture in the world. Pro- 
duction throughout well up to tht 
best standard. 

'The Man From Toronto' is b^ no 
means a super, and probably was 
never intended as such. It can play 
the best houses in ]i:ngland and 
make good, and would lie acceptable 
as a program feature in America. 

Jolo. 



Sullivan's New Venture 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 2T. 

George W. 'Pat* Sullivan, for years 
m.-inager of the Nittany and Cat- 
haum theatres In State College, Pa, 
for Warner Bros., has resigned to 
go In business with Mai>rlco Baum. 
from whom the properties were pur- 
chased by Warners some time aga 

His successor has not yet bees 
named. 



40 



VARIETY 



Tuesday, Febniwy 26, 1933 



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th» whole series ef the 



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^We Repeat: THE BIGGEST ATTENDANCE IN 
19 WEEKS! And fhe RivoU has player! the best! 



UNITED ARTISTS PICTURE 



Toesday, Febniary 28, 1933 



P I CTQ R ES 



VARIETY 



41 



CiOfNDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



etudloi Unlveraal City. 

Calif. 



(Continued from pag« 16) 

Universal 



Offlcea: 730 Fifth Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



Afraid to Talk. Prom the stage jplav 'Merry-Go-Round' about crooked politics. 

Brio IJnden, Sidney Fox. Tully MarahaU. Loula Calhem. Dir. Edw. L> 

Cahn. 74 mine. Rel. Nov. 17. Rev, Deo. 20. 
Mr Mall, The. Commercial flying thrill otory. Pat O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, 

Gloria Stuart, SUm SummervUIe. Dir. John Ford. Time. 86 mlns. Rel 

Nov. 8. Rev. Nov. 8. 

Alt American, The. Football story. Rich. Arlen, Gloria Stuart. Dir. RuBeell 

Mack. Time, 78 mlns; Rel. Oct. IS.* Rev. Oct; 14. 
Destination Unknown. Adventure on a rum runner adrift In the Paclflc. Pat 

O'Brien, Ralph Bellamy, Betty Compson. Dir. Ray Garnett. Rel. Mar. 2. 
Fourth Horaeman, The. Original Btory. Western with the ghost town basis. 

Tom Mix. Margaret Lindsay. Dir. Hamilton McFadden. 67 mins. Rel. 

Sept. 29. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Laughter In Hell. Chain gang story. Pat O'Brien, Merna Kennedy. Dir. 
Edw. Cahn. 72 mins. llel. Jan. 12. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Mumniy, The. Mystery thriller. Boris Karloff. Zlta Johann, David Manners. 
Dir. Karl Freund. Rel. Dec. 22. Rev. Jan. 10. 

Naoana. Tropical drama. Tala Blrell, Melvyn Douglas. Dir. E. Ia, Franlc. 
Rel. Jan. 26. Rev. Feb. 21. 

Okay America. Columnist story. Liow Ayres, Maureen O'SuUivan, Louis Cal- 
hem. Dir. Tay Garnett. Time, 00 mins. Kel. Sept. 8. Rev. Sept. 13. 

Old Dark House. A night of terror In an English country home. Boris Kar. 
loft, Melvyn Douglas, Chas. Laughton, Gloria Stuart. Dir. Jas. Whale. 
Time, 70 mlns. Rel. Oct. 20. Rev. Nov. 1. 

Once In a Lifetime. Hollywood satire from the stage play. Jack Oakle, 

Sidney Fox, Alice MacMahon. Dir. Russell Mack. Time, 90 mins. Rel. 

Sept 22. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Terror Trail. Original. Tom Mix western. Naomi Judge, Arthur Ranldn, 

Ray Hatton. Dir. Armand Schaeffer. 66 mlns. ReL Feb. 2. Rev. 

Feb. 14. 

They Just Had to Get Married. Matrimonial adventures of a newlyrlch 
couple. Slim SummervUIe. Zasu Pitts. Dir. Edw. Ludwig. 71 mlns. 
Rel. Jan. 6. Rev. Feb. 14. 



Studloa: Burbank, 

Calif. 



Warner Brothers ""•^•"'^^^vtl^^N.' 



eio City Bluea. Country boy comes to New Tork for thrilling experiences. 
Joan Blondell, Erlo Linden. Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time, 68 mlns. Rel. 
Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 18. 

Blessed Event. Columnist story. Lee Tracy, Mary J5rian, Allen Jenkins. Dir. 

Roy Del Ruth. Time, 84 mlns. Rel. Sept. 10. Rev. Sept. 6. 
Hard to Handle. Cagney as a high powered promoter. Cagney, Mary Brian. 

Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. 81 mins. Rel. Jan. 28. Rev. Feb. 7. 
Haunted Gold. Search for gold la a haunted mine. John Wayne. Dir. Mack 

Wright 00 mins. Rel. Dec. 17. Rev. Jan. 17. 

I Am a FuQltlve. From the story 'I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang.' Paul 
MunL Glenda FarrelL Dir. Mervyn Le Roy. Time. 93 mins. Rel. Nov. 
19. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Illegal. British made story of a night club. Brltisb cast and director. Time. 
61 mlns. Rel. Aug. 6. Rev. Oct. 4. 

King's Vacation, The. From a story by Ernest Pascal. The king takes time 
out to visit his first wife. Geo. Arllss. Dir. John Adolfl. 62 mlns. Rel 
Feb. 28. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Lawyer Man. Inside story of the profession. William Powell, Joan Blondell. 
Dir. Wm. Dleterle. 68 mins. Rel. Jan. 7. Rev. Jan. 3. 

One Way Passage. Love develops for a prisoner. Kay Francis, William Pow- 
ell. Dir. "ray Garnett. Time, 69 mlns. Rel. Oct. 22. Rev. Oct 18. 

Parachute Jumper, The. Two ex-marlnea and a girl who go aloft. Doug. 
Fairbanks, Jr., Bette Davis. Dir. Alfred E. Green. 72 mins. Rel. 
Jan. 28. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Ride Him, Cowboy. Western cowboy story. John Wayne. Dir. Fred Allen. 

Time, 66 mlna Rel. Aug. 27. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Scarlet Dawn. Russian refugees In Constantinople. Doug Fairbanks, Jr., 

Nancy Carroll, Lllyan Tashman. Dir. Wm. Dleterle. Time, 68 mins. 

Rel. Nov. 12. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Successful Calamity, A. Merchant pretends poverty to check family's ex- 
travagance. George Arllss, Mary Astor, Evalyn Knapp. Dir. John G. 

Adolfl. Time, 72 mlns. Rel. Sept 17. Rev. Sept 27. 
Twenty Thousand Years In 8lng Sing. Visualization of Warden Lawes' book. 

Spencer Tracy. Bette Davis. Dir. Michael Curtlz. 78 mlns. Rel. Jan. 31. 

Rev. Jan. 17. 

Two Against the World. Constance Bennett in a murder Jam. Dir. Archie 

Mayo. Time, 71 mlns. Rel. Sept 8. Rev. Aug. 23. 
Wax Museum, The. Original. (Technicolor.) Mystery and thrills In a wax 

works. Lionel Atwlll, Fay Wray, Glenda Farrell. Dir. Michael Curtlz. 

76 mlns. Rel. Feb. 18. Rev. Feb. 21. 

World Wide ^-^Je^To^CT. Y. 

Auction In Souls. From Eugene O'Neill's play 'Recklessness.' Conrad Nagel, 
Leila Hyams. Dir. Victor Schertzinger. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Between Fighting Men. Conflict between the sheep men and cattle raisers. 
Ken Maynard, Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time, 62 mlns. Rel. 
Oct. 16. Rev. Feb. 14. 

Breach of Promise. The ruin of a man's career. Chester Morris, May Clarke, 
Mary Doran. Dir. Paul Stein. Time, 67 mlns. Rel. Oct 23. Rev. 
Nov. 22. 

Come On, Tarzan. Ranch owner saves his horse from a gang. Ken Maynard, 
Myrna Kennedy. Dir. Alan James. Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Sept. 11. Rev. 
Jan. 17. 

Crooked Circle, The. Mystery story with ample comedy. Ben Lyon, ZaSu 
Pitts, James Gleason, Irene Purcell. Dr. H. Brace Humberstone. Time, 
70 mlns. ReL Sept 36. Rev. Oct 4. 

Death Kiss, The. A murder mystery with a motion picture studio back- 
ground. David Manners, Adrlenne Ames, John Wray, Bela LugosL Dir. 
Edwin L. Marin. Rel. Dec. 26. Rev. Jan. 31. 

Drum Taps. A Boy Scout troup to the rescue of Ken Maynard. Ken May- 
nard, Junior Coughlin, Scout Troop 107 of Hollywood. Dir. J. P. Mc- 
Gowan. 61 mins. Rel. Jan. 29. 

Dynamite Ranch. Ranch manager fails to vanquish the hero. Ken Maynard, 
Ruth Hall. Dir. Forrest Sheldon. Time. 69 mlns. Rel. July 31. Rev. 
Dec. 27. 

False Faces. Doctor makes a racket of his profession. Lowell Sherman, Lila 
Lee, Peggy Shannon. Dir. Sherman. Time, 83 mins. Rel. Oct 13. Rev. 
Nov. 29. 

Pargo Express. Straight-shooting sacriflce in the career of a cow country 
hero. Ken Maynard, Helen Mack. Dir. Alan James. Time, 62 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Hypnotized. Jam following a big sweepstakes win. Moran and Mack. Dir. 
Mack Sennett. Rel. Dec. 25. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Texas Buddies. Cowboy, veteran of the AEF, turns aviator to balk the vil- 
lains. Bob Steele, Nancy DrexeL Dir. R. N. Bradbury. Time, 67 mlns. 
Rel. Aug. 28. Rev. Nov. 16. 

Those We Love. A woman's understanding averts domestic tragedy. Mary 
Astor, Lilyan Tashman, Kenneth McKenna. Dir. Robt Fiorey. Time, 

77 mins. Rel. Sept 11. Rev. Sept 20. 

Tombstone Canyon. Western, in which the hero tries to solve the mystery of 
his birth. Ken Maynard, Cecilia Parker. Dir. Alan James. Rel. Dec. 26. 

Trailing the Killer. Epic of the North Woods. Dir. Herman C. Raymaker. 
Time, 64 mlns. Rel. Dec. 4. Rev. Dec. 6. 

Uptown New York. Married happiness and a past. Jack Oakie, Shirley Grey. 
Dir. Victor Schertzinger. Time. 74 mlns. Rel. Dec 4. Rev. Dec. 18. 

Miscellaneous Releases 

Bachelor Mother, The. (Hollywooa Pro.) Original. A mother borrowed from 
an old ladles' home walks into tragedy. Evalyn Knapp, Jas. Murra, 
Margaret Seddon". Dir. Cha^. Hutchinson. 69 mlns. Rel. Jan. 3. Kev, 
Feb. 21. 

Big Payoff, The. (Capital.) From a Peter B. Kyne story. Barbara Kent, 
J. Farrell MacDonald, Glen Tryon, Matt Moore. 71 mlns. Rel. Jan. 16. 
Rev. Jan. 24; 

Big Town, The. (Invincible.) Vice crusade story. Lester Vail, Frances 
Dade. Dir. Arthur Hoerle. 67 mins. Rev. Dec. 27. 

Face on the Bar Room Floor, The. (Invincible.) Temperance discussion. 
Dulcie Cooper, Br.imwell Fletcher. Dir. Bert Bracken. Time, 65 mlns. 
Rel. Oct Rev. Oct. 18. 

Footsteps In the Night. (Auten.) Mystery drama. Benita- Hume. Dir. Mau- 
rice Elvcry. Time, 69 mine. Rel. Dec. 1. 

Ooona Goona. (First Div.) Love Charms on the Island of Ball. Dir. Andree 
Roosevelt, Armand Denis. Rel. Nov. 26. Rev. Sept. 20. 

Hotel Variety. (Capital.) Grand Hotel In an actors boarding house. Hal 
Skelly, Olive Borden. Dir. Raymond Cannon. 71 mins. Rev. Jan. 10. 



Junglo Killer. (Century.) of wild game hunting in Africa. With lec- 

ture. Rel. Not. U. Rev. Nov. 29. 
Manhattan Tower. (Remington.) Suggestive of 'Skyscraper Souls.' Romance 
in an office building. Mary Brian, Irene Rich, Jas. Hall. Dir. Frank 
Btrayer. 62 mine. BeL Deo. 1. Rev. Dec. 20. 
Raeing Strain, The. (Irving-Maxim.) Original of the auto races with air 

stuff. Wally Held, Jr. Dir. Jerome Storm. 68 mlns. 
Red- Haired Alibi, The. (Tower.) Gangster story. Merna Kennedy, Theo. 
Von Eltz. Dir. Chrletty (^banne. Time, 76 mins. Rel. Oct. 21. Rev. 
Oct. 26. 

Scarlet Week End. (Irving.) Murder at a house party. Dorothy Revier, 
Theo. Von Eltz. Dir. Willis Kent Time. 68 mlns. Rel. Oct Rev. 
Nov. 1. 

Tex Takes ■ Holiday. (Argosy). AU multi-color western of a mysterious 
stranger. Wallace MacDonald, Virginia Brown Falre. Dir. Alvln J. 
Nietz. 69 mlns. Rev. Deo. 13. 

Woman In Chains. (Auten.) Tragedy of a woman tied to an hypochondriao. 
Eng. cast Dir. Basil Dean. Time, 68 mins. Rel. Nov. 18. Rev. Nov. 22. 



Foreign Language Films 



(Note: Because of the slow movement of foreign Alms, this list covers one 

year of releases.) 

(Most of these available with English titles.) 

A Nous la Llberto. (Auten) (French). Comedy drama. Henri Marchand, 

Raymond Cordy. Dir. Rene Clair. 93 mins. Rel. May. 

Alone (Rues.) (Amkino). Dir. Tra.uborg. 68 mlns. Rel. May 24. 

Barberlna, die Taenzerin von Sarisoucl. (Capital) (Germ.in). Rococco musical 
comedy. LIl Dagovcr, Otto Gebuehr. Dir. Carl Froelich. 83 mlns. 
Rel. Nov. 20. 

Brand In der Oper. (Capital) (German). Musical drama. Gustav Froelich. 
Dir. Carl Froelich. Rel. July 19. 

Broken Vow, The. (C!apltal) (Polish). From a novel. Krystyna Ankwicz, 
^, M. Cybulskl. 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 25. 

Cinq Gentleman Maudit (Protex) (French). Mystery drama. Rene Lefevre, 
Harry Baur. Dir. Jullen Duvivler. 78 mins. Rel. Jan. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Clown George (Russ.) (Amkino). A clown saves the nation. Dir. Solovlev. 
58 mina Rel. Aug. 21. Rev. Sept. 13. 

Coiffeur Pour Dames (Paramount) (French). Musical farce. Femand Gravey. 

80 mlns. Rel. July 1. Rev. Nov. 8. 
Das Nachttgall Madel (Capital) (Ger). Love In Hawaii. Dir. Leo Lasky. 

SO mins. Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Das Schoene Abenteuer (German) (Protex). Romantic comedy. Kaethe 

von Nagy. Dir. Reinhold Schunzel. 83 mlns. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Dec 13. 
David Colder (French) (Protex). Drama. Harry Baur. Dir. Jullen Duvivler. 

90 mins. ReL Oct 1. Rev. Oct 26. 
Der Ball (German) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dolly Haas. Dir. Wllhelm 

Thlele. 83 mlns. ReL Oct. 9. 
Der Falsche Ehemann (German) (Protex). Farce. Dir. Johannes Outer. 

86 mlns. Rel. Oct, L Rev. Oct. 23. 

Der Falsche Feldmarschal. (Capital) (German). Military muslcaL Vlasta 
Burian. Dir. Carl Lamac Time, 81 mins. Rel. July 12. 

Der Hauptmann von Kopenlck (A-R) (Ger). Comedy. Max Adalbert Dir. 
Richard Oswald. 96 mlns. Rel. Jan. 15. Rev. Jan. 24. 

Der Herr Burovorsteher. (Capital) (Ger). Felix Bressart. Herman Thimig. 

Dir. Hans Behrendt Time. 86 mlns. ReL June 10. 
Der Schwartze Hussar (Protex) (Ger.). Costume romance. Conrad Veldt 

Dir. Gerhard Lamprecht 90 mins. Rel. Dec. 1. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Diary of a Revolutionist (Russ.) (Amkino). Dir. Urlnov. 80 mins. Rel. June 

8. Rev. Jtme 14. 

Die Blumenfrau von LIndenau (German) (Protex). Comedy. Renate Muel- 
ler, Hansi Nlese. Dir. Georg Jacoby. 70 mlns. Rel. July L. Rev. July 12, 

Die Cslkos Baroness. (Capital) (Ger. Hung). Musical comedy. Gretl Thelmer, 
Paul Vincentl. Dir. Ernst Verebes. Time, 82 mlns. Rel. April 1. 

Die Qrosse Attraktlon (A-R) ((3er). Musical romance. Richard Tauber. 80 
mins. Rel. March 16. 

Die Lustlgen Welber von WIen. fCapltal) (Ger). Willy Forst, Irene Elslnger. 

Dir. Geza von Bolvary. Time, 97 n:<ns. Rel. July 1. 
Dienst Is Dienat (New Era) (Ger). MuslcaL Ralph Roberts, Lucie Eng- 

lische. Dir. Carl Bosse. Time. 84 mlns. Rel. June 8. 
Eine Naeht M Paradies (Klnematrade) (Ger). Musical comedy. Anny Ondra. 

90 mlns. Rel. Feb. 16. 
EIne Tuer (3eht Auf. (Protex) (Oer.). Mystery thriller. Dir. Alfred Zelsler. 

68 mlns. Rel. Feb. L Rev. Feb. 7. 
EIn Prinz Verllebt SIch. (Capital) (Ger). MuslcaL Lien Deyers. Dir. 

Conrad Wlene. 76 mlns. Rel. May. 
El Hombre Que Asesino (Paramount) (Spanish). Rosita Moreno, Ricardo 

Puga. 70 mins. Rel. April 16. 
EIn Walzer von Strauss. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froelich. Dir. 

Conrad Welns. 89 mlns. Rel. March 10. 
False Uniforms (Russ.) (Amkino). Dir. Lopashlnskl. 68 mins. Rel. Nov. 

18. Rev. Nov. 29. 

Friederike (A-R) (Ger). Dramatic operetta based on Goethe's IHe. Mady 
Cnirlstlans. 90 mins. BeL March 15. 

Qltta Entdeckt Ihr Herz. (Capital) (Ger). Musical comedy. Gltta Alpar, 
Gustav Froelich. Dir. Can Froelich. 90 mins. ReL Oct. 4. 

Gloria. (German) (New Bra). Transatlantic aviation drama. Gustav Froeh- 

Ucb, Brigitte Helm. 76 mins. Rel. Nov. Rev. Nov. 1. 
Golden Mountain (Russian) (Amkino). Dir. Tutkevitch. 80 mlns. Rel. April 

9. Rev. April 19. 

Holzapfel Weiss Alles (German) (Capital). Comedy. Felix Bressart. Dir. 

Viktor Janson. 86 mins. ReL Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 
House of Death (Russ.) (Amkino). Based on Dostoievsky's life. Dir. Fed- 

erov. 79 mins. ReL Aug. 12. Rev. Aug. 16. 
Hurrah, Ein Junge. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Max Adalbert, Ida Wuest, Lucie 

English. Dir. Geo. Jacoby. 91 mlns. Rel. June 24. 

Hyppolit a LakaJ (International) (Hungarian). Fast farce. Dir. Szekcly Ist- 

van. 77 mine. ReL Jan. Rev. Jan. 17. 
Ich Will Nioitt WIssen Wer Du Blet (Interworld) (Ger). Musical comedy. 

Dir. Geza von Bolvary. Llano Haid, Gustav Froehlich. 70 mins. Rel. 

Feb. 16. Rey. Feb. 21. 
Ivan. (Amkino) (Russ.). Aviwfbrmatlon of peasants. Dir. Dovzhenko. 83 

mlns. BeL Feb. L 

Kamaradschaft. (Asso. Cinema) (Ger). Sensational drama. Alex Granaob, 
Ernst Buacb. Dir. O. W. Fabst Time, 78 mins. Rel. Nov. 8. 

Koenigin von Preussen. See Xulse*. 

La Ceuturlero de Lunevllle (Far) (French). Musical of woman's love. 

Madeleine Renaud, Pierre Blanchar. 90 mins. Rel. July 1. Rev. Oct. 22. 
Le Bal (French) (Protex). Domestic comedy. Dir. Wllhelm Thlele. 83 mlns. 

ReL Oct 1. Rev. Oct 4. 
Le Rol Des Resqullleurs (French) (Protex). Comedy with musio. MUton. Dir. 
Georges Colombler. 90 mlns. Rel. June 1. Rev. June 14. 

Llebe 1st Llebe (German) (Protex). Musical comedy. Kaethe von Nagy, Hans 

Albers. Dir. Paul Martin. 80 mins. Rel. June 1. Rev. June 7. 
LJubav I Strast (Yugoslav) (Croat). Drama of life among N. Y. Imigrants. 
Rakcl Davldovic. Dir. Frank Melford. 60 mins. Rel. Dec. IS. 

Lulse, Koenigin von Preussen. (Asso. Cinema) (Ger). Historical. Henry 
Porten. Dir. Carl Froellcb. Time, 92 mlns. ReL Oct. 4. 

Maedchen In Uniform (Filmohoice) (German). Poignant drama. Hcrtha 
Thlele, Dorothea Wiecke. Dir. Richard Froehlich. Rel. Jan. 10. Rev. 
Sept 27. 

Man Brauch Kein Geld. (Capital) «3er). Musical farce. Dir. Karl Boese. 
Rel. Nov. 10. 

Mein Leopold. (Capital) (Ger). Musical. Gustav Froelich. Max Adalbert. 

Dir. Hans Syelnoff. Time, 96 mlns. ReL April 1. 
Men and Jobs (Russian) (Amkino). An American engineer looks at Russia 
Dir. A. Macheret 70 mine. Rel. Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Mensch Ohne Namen (German) (Protex). Poignant drama. Werner Krauss. 
Dir. Gustav Ucicky. 96 mlns. Rel. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 16. 

MIche (Paramount) (French). Musical comedy. Suzy Vernon, Robert Burnier, 

Dranero. 80 mins. Rel. July 1. Rev. Dec. 6. 
Mond Uber Morokko (Protex) (Ger). See Clng Gentlemen Maudit 
Morltz Macht Sein Glueck. (German) (Capital). Farce. Siegfried Arno. 86 
mlns. Rel. Dec. 15. Rev. Jan. 17. 

Namenshelrat. (German) (FAF). Drama. Dir. Heinz Paul. 90 mlns. Rel. 
Jan. 1. Rev. Jan. 17. 

1914. (Capital) (Ger.) Prelude to the world war. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time, 

73 mins. Rel. Sept 1. 
Oberst Redl. (Capital) (Ger). Spy thriller. LIl Dagover, Theo. Loos. Dlr 

Kar] Anton. Time. 79 mins. Rel. Aug. 30. 
Parls-Beguln (Protex) (Fr). Musical. Jane Marnac. Dir. Augusta Getilna. 
90 mlns. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 17. 

PIrl Mindent Tud (Arkay) (Hung.). Farce. Dir. Stephen Szckely. 75 mlns. 

Rel. Jan. 16. Rev. Jan. 11. 
Purpur und Waschblau. (Capital) (Ger). Drntnatlc comrdy. Harjsi MIpsc, 

Else Elster. Dir. Max Neufleld. Time, 85 mlns. Kcl. July 30. 
Cuando te Sulcldas (Paramount) (Spanish). Musical. Argentina. 90 mlns. 
ReL March IS. 

(Contlnved on page 46) 



U, S. -Europe 

(Continued from page 3) 

Aim fare to make It forget; 
Fantasy, gayety, light-hearted ro- 
mance blended with music. It 
avoids grirri reality as intensely as 
it refuses pictures in which the 
characters suffer mental torments 
while surrounded with luxury, or 
even enough to live on. 

The European picture public's 
present mood tolerates no wlilmper- 
ing on the screen if the actors in 
the story have a place to slcsp and 
something to eat. Stories that etiU 
entertain America, because it has 
not yet felt the pinch of want as 
Germany knows it, are ridiculous to 
the German. He has sympathy only 
for real sorrow, but on the screen 
he seeks action, adventure, touched 
with fantasy — pictures as remote 
from his own troubles as he can 
find. - 

Minimizes Stars 
With the exception of a few big 
names, Garbo, Dietrich, and per- 
haps soon Lilian Harvey, who were 
first stars in Europe, American stars 
mean as little to the Europeans aa 
European stai-s mean to Americans. 
Stars are Important in Europe, yes, 
says Mr. Pommer, but as star actors, 
not as In America, as star person- 
alities. The star system docs not 
prevail In Europe with the ccstatlo 
fervor it does here. 

Stars are built from publicity, and 
Europe does not take kindly to ex- 
travagant picture star exploitation. 
In Its present mood, Europe resents 
publicity If It's overdone. Europeans 
refuse to lap up details of the pri- 
vate lives of actors with the avidity 
they're devoured in this country. 
They have other sorrows, tlio battle 
of existence to hold their attention. 

Many pictures have been killed by 
overdone publicity in Europe, eays 
Mr. Pommer, because the European 
attitude holds that nothing can be 
that Important. America is advert 
tlsing; Europe has not yet suc- 
cumbed to the might of the printed 
word. The Continent asks only at 
an actor that he be a good actor, 
It cares nothing for his private life. 
With the public Interested so little 
In his off-screen doings, a European 
star actor • is kept in bis proper 
place, that of a favorite, not like In 
America, a national god. 

Story Comes First 
It Is because of the European 
sense of pi-oportion, of the public's 
primary interest In the story and 
secondly the cast, that Europe falls 
to bring Its picture stars to the 
mighty eminence they receive In 
Hollywood. Dietrich, Garbo, were 
stars in. Europe, but never the na- 
tional by-words they've become in 
America. Again the difference In 
the point of view. 

It is comparatively simple to de- 
velop 6tars here; it's a question of 
grooming the personality to the 
nth degree, whereas in Europe ver- 
satility in acting a variety of roles 
supersedes the Individual person- 
ality. The exaggerated, stunningly 
stylized costumes and make-ups 
that are an individual part of a 
woman star here, that are her per- 
sonal trade mark, would not be ac- 
ceptable for a European actress. 
Her audience would feel her ac- 
coutrements distract attention from 
her naturalness, her inner warmth 
and charm. European actresses 
must stick to reality in their looks 
and costume; their clothes must be 
the clothes of real life. They must 
look like women, not posters. 

It is not expected of them, as it is 
In America that they make of 
themselves easy-to-copy models in 
looks and dress for the flaps, for 
in (3ermany youngsters below 18 
yeairs of age may not attend pic- 
tures save under special circum- 
stances. The standard of appeal for 
actors and actresses there are set 
by an adult audience. American 
girls would find German leading 
men most unromantlc, for in Eu- 
rope youth does not prevail. 

These are but a few instances of 
the dissimilarity in European and 
American film tastes, sums up Mr. 
Pommer, differences too marked to 
be blanketed by one product for 
both continents. Better pictured' 
than ever before are needed for 
both markets, and they can cover 
both markets only If they are re- 
made again in the country for 
which they are intended, with a 
cast familiar to that country. Mr. 
Pommer looks forward to German 
pictures for America remade in 
America, and vice versa. Both mar- 
kets mu.st remember that their own 
names must help their draw. There 
can be international names unl- 
vcr.sally surefire only when the 
playcr.s learn to speak three lan- 
guages, or if tho.se who already 
know how. as Garbo and Dietrich 
do, are ti.ierl for the foreign ver- 
sions, too. 



42 



VARIETY 



l^esiflBft V^Tvmj 28, 1933 



SWEAR 




DIDNT 

PULL THIS STUNT! " 



Head'lir^s all over 
America.' 




But what 
could be 
more 
timely 
than 





BUSTER KEATON 
JIMMY DURANTE 

(Frothier than ever) 



Ho'hum! It just happened to 
be released (thanks to those sly 
M-Q'M showmen) simultane' 
ous with the biggest front page 
news smash of our generation! 
We don't care who gets credit 
for it You'll get the cash! 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



PICTURES 



VARIETY 43 



Going Places 

By Cecelia Ager 



Bridge Clothes 

When 'Grand Slam' Is all said and 
done, of course It Is safe for hus- 
bands to play bridge with their 
wives— If the wife is as pretty as 
Lorctta Young. Too, they must 
love one another madly, and be tem- 
porarily separated because their 
love Is so overwhelming It drives 
them to deranged Jealousy. By ful- 
filling these few requirements, hus- 
bands and wives may play bridge 
together In security. They don't 
even have to play a system; their 
love win show them the way* 

This is alL made clear to the au- 
dience and to Mi.18 Young — after she 
runs the gamut from lint check girl 
to wife of a bridge expert, with Its 
corresponding change from neat 
and becoming black frocks with 
flattering white collars to fancy 
draped and beaded costumes over- 
anxious In their frantic designing 
to indicate elegance. Bridge brings 
Miss Young a lot of clothes, but her 
concentration on the game permits 
her no time to choose them either 
wisely or well. Only once, and then 
only after she has not been playing 
bridge for some time, does she ap- 
pear In a costume which does some- 
thing kind for her. It Is wlde- 
strlped crepe, simply cut and molded 
in diagonal lines, with a wide decol- 
letage softly hung with swags of the 
same material broadening Miss 
Young's slim shoulders so that they 
achieve the current smart silhouette. 
Her evenning wraps are long and 
fitted at the waist, but their dis- 
tracted. Indecisive use of fur defeats 
their groping to.vard chic. 

Glenda Farrell doesn't play bridge. 
She's not quite bright enough for It, 
therefore her costumes are simple, 
pictorially stylized, as all good pic- 
ture clothes should be. Helen Vin- 
son, again, Is devoted to bridge and 
bridge players, so her clothes, too, 
are riotous with detail. She's not 
quite as good a player as Miss 
Young, however, so her clothes 
aren't quite as fancy. Just fancy 
enough to be dull. 



The Silver Lining 

Gloria Swanson, in 'Perfect Un- 
derstanding,' is convinced it's a far 
cry, a very far cry indeed, from 
Hollywood to the Riviera. The 
Continental locations wherein her 
new picture was filmed, its English 
cast, its dead serious concern with 
the doings of the 'haute monde,' 
have intimidated her. She's allowed 
herself to be impressed by them, 
whereas picture stars should be Im- 
pressed only by their own grandeur. 

Miss Swanson has long been a 
picture star, and picture stars are 
smart as anything right now. She 
had nothing to fear. She has it all 
over her new environment in last- 
gasp smartness simply because she 
is a picture star, but Miss Swanson 
doubted herself, doubted whether 
Bhe was up to such high falutln' 
surroundings. She wasn't sure she 
could make It. Her quite unneces- 
sary doubt of her own worthiness, 



FOR RENT 

May £air Theatre 

47th ST. A BROADWAY 
FTHLLT EQmrPED 

immediate: possession 



dZEO WALTER READE 

1531 BROADWAY 



her worry over whether .she really 
belongs in such olOKance, when all 
along she has it beaten to a frazzle 
— all comes out in her work. 

In her Hollywood made pictures, 
Miss Swanson could always bo 
counted upon to wear clothes that 
were dramatic, bold, vividly stylized 
for the screen even though they 
were a bit too-too in a drawing 
room. In 'Perfect Understanding,' 
she's grown timid over her instinc- 
tive awareness of what photographs 
unforgettably. I'erhaps that's not 
strictly in good taste after all, she 
feels. So she substitutes costumes 
that doubtless were ever so well 
bred on the set, and turn out ever 
so feeble on the screen. She used 
to wear dresses in materials chosen 
for their adaptability in furthering 
line. Now she wears vague chiffon 
whose Intricate seaming is lost on 
the screen, white coats for airplan- 
ing, hats with brims twisted by deft 
modistes who, however, do not un- 
derstand camera angles. The fashion 
ideas that used to make Swanson 
pictures exciting adventures to the 
ladies have dwindled, in 'Perfect 
Understanding,' to the single sug- 
gestion that accessories should be 
made out of the same fabric that 
adorns the frock. None of her cos- 
tumes, save her princesse black 
evening dress set off around the 
heart-shaped decoUetage with cir- 
cular folds of white organdy, have 
the courageous flair of her good old 
self-confident yore. 

The restraint 'Perfect Under- 
standing's' imposed upon Miss 
Swanson Is not without its good 
points, however. Genevieve Tobin, 
too, feels its spell. It's rubbed some 
of the fervor off her archness. 



but she takes proper care to save 
the full punch for the finish. She 
permits the audience to suspect she 
has a temper right from the be- 
ginning, and then stuns them with 
what she can do when she's really 
mad. 

Ml.ss Stanwyck is a bad, bad girl 
in 'Ladie.s They Talk About' She's 
sent to San Quentin for it and 
meets a lot of other naughty girls 
there, Lillian Roth, Dorothy Burgess, 
Maude Eburne, Cecil Cunningham. 
They're bad all right, but tlioy've 
got mighty strong personalities. 

And San Quentin's not such pun- 
ishment at that, more like a llnish- 
Ing school for young ladies. ICacli 
girl lias her own room which she 
may decorate to suit her individual 
flair. Portable phonographs are 
allowed the pretties, Pekinese dogs 
if they like, plenty of cigarettes and 
cigars, and though they must all 
wear cotton dresses, in the privacy 
of their own rooms they may put 
on black lace chemises and sheer 
mesh stockings -the more pleasantly 
to muse about their sweethearts. 
Ruth Donnelly, the matron, is Just 
like a house mother, only she has 
more sense. Helen Ware is no more 
strict than a Dean. The girls have 
their little feuds, but no worse than 
those at boarding school. Some- 
times the girls have to work in the 
prison laundry, which Is really a 
post office with the letters concealed 
in the clothes they wash instead of 
in post boxes. Yet girls are Just 
girls. Miss Stanwyck doesn't like 
It there somehow. She looks very 
well during the time she spends at 
San Quentin. Her hair is always 
neatly waved and coiffed, her make- 
up never neglected, but she doesn't 
appreciate it. She just sulks and 
pouts and wants to get even all the 
time. 



casual coat and a dark lil,.{Ii-necked 
blouse that smart New York shops 
plan to stun their customers with 
this spring, that's how faslon-wise 
it is. Miss Bennett wears ropes of 
l)lacli pearls with a dark crepe dre.-^s. 
that's how up in really blatant lux- 
ury she is. Every detail is so 
painsakingly indisputable it ."^ets up 
a positive nostalgia for the other 
side of the railroad tracks. 

Violet Kemblc-Cooper is coni- 
l)letely authoritative, continuously 
effective in her richly exa.i,'gerated 
characterization. Plioebe Foster and 
Anita Louise .screen nicely, but in 
a cast with Miss Bennett and Miss 
Ivcmble-rooper, tlieir lacli of. flair is 
loo ai)parent, sets them aside as 
well moaning, but none the less, 
bores. 



Cast to the Lions 

Liucky for Kaspa, the Lion Man, 
that It was Frances Dee's apart- 
ment he crashed in 'King of the 
Jungle.' Poor wild creature, he 
needed so desperately sympathy and 
understanding, the gentle touch of 
a woman's hand, the soothing 
strains of 'Chopsticks' to calm his 
savage heart. Frances Dee was just 
the girl for him, and out of all the 
girls in San Francisco, It was 
straight to her that his instinct 
guided him. 

With wild animals all about, Miss 
Dee's pleasantly sane personality 
tinges the doings with credibility. 
She Is wholesome, kind, unaffected. 
She Is supposed to be a school 
teacher and she could be; a teacher 
sure to have a desk groaning with 
nice red apples and nosegays. 

Nydla Westman, who plays Miss 
Dee's room mate, herself gives cre- 
dence to the strange proceedings 
suddenly surrounding her by her 
quietly droll resourcefulness. She's 
a natural comedienne with a pert 
face which can achieve prettiness 
too by a more careful and skilled 
make-up. 



Plug for San Quentin 

Once in every Barbara Stanwyck 
picture it has become the custom 
for Miss Stanwyck to blow up In a 
shattering emotional scene. 'Ladies 
They Talk About' respects tradition. 

Miss Stanwyck therefore suffers 
a continuous series of treacheries 
from practically everybody In the 
cast, so that when the time comes 
for her to do her stuff, she'll have 
gathered a goodly store of ammu- 
nition. Meanwhile, of course, she 
lets off little sparks along the way. 



INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS 



IT IS A KNOWN FACT 



THAT YOU, Independent Producer, are now credited with 
producing pictures which equal and ofttlmes surpass the 
product of the major studios . . . 



IT IS A KNOWN FACT, TOO, 

That the advertising and publicizing of same to the ex- 
hibitor as well as the selling aids supplied to him are far 
from what your productions merit, and rightfully deserve 
. . . Consequently, you are not getting the maximum re- 
turns. 

LET'S FACE THE FACTS 

Keeping in mind the above situation, I place before you, 
my knowledge, experience and accredited references as 
the positive solution for making your pictures more profit- 
able for yourself as well as the exhibitor. 

Write Box 110, Variety, New York City 



What the W. D. Gun Moll Wears 

'Blondie Johnson' Is further proof, 
if further proof Is needed, of the 
superiority of women In a man's 
world. Before Joan Blondell took 
over the running of the gang. It was 
plain going to pieces. She, with 
her brisk, direct, clear-seeing ways, 
showed those muggs how to garner 
real jack, how to make big business 
out of petty racketeering, how to 
bump guys off with machine guns 
and not get caught, that is, until 
the very end. Miss £<londell does all 
this and yet remain^ very feminine 
and pretty and alluring, so well- 
rounded are women when they de 
cide to take over a man's Job. 

Right from the start Miss Blondell 
knows how to choose clothes for 
herself, nor do her Ill-gotten gains 
check her taste. When she arrives 
In the big city to take on a career 
of crime, the youthful tailored vel- 
veteen dress she's wearing with its 
polo shirt collar and merry little 
bow shows she's going to get ahead. 
Success, and a slim black coat with 
a short cape scarf bound with white 
ermine and thrown raklshly across 
her shoulders. More costly, of 
course, but Just as simple and be- 
coming. She's a pleasantly curved 
blonde, she knows It, and doesn't 
try to look Interesting nor severely 
smart. Her hats sit gayly on the 
back of her head so that her dizzy 
blonde curls can show. Miss Blon 
dell is too wise to Interfere with any 
of the giddy manifestations of her 
type. She's dllTerent than the others 
like her, but only because her brain 
functions. The 'passer-by Is not 
supposed to notice that at first 
glance. 



Too Utterly Uttar 

Constance Bennett flings herself 
Into the hoity-toity snobsy-wobsy 
elegance of 'Our Betters' like the 
prodigal hot-footing It home. Here's 
a role that says of her though once 
she was trusting and dewy with 
good intentions, life has made her 
relentless, clever, unscrupulous, tri- 
umphant. It's an unsympathetic 
part, but Miss Bennett is always a 
little unnatural In sympathetic roles. 
Somebody's got to show the younger 
generation how to get on in the 
world, and Miss Bennett's peerless 
at that. She plays the foreslghted, 
arrogant Pearl with uncanny under- 
standing. She's so sure in her 
characterization, she makes it prac- 
tically an autobiography. 

'Our Betters' is terribly smart, 
violently upper class. Insistently it 
it slirleks tonines.«<, graduation from 
Hollywood aristocracy. Its houses 
have not only drawing rooms and 
boudoirs, they have libraries, with 
books in them, too. Some of Its 
rooms are Empire, some Georgian, 
it even has a Dircctoire foyer. I'os- 
itivoly nothing is modernistic, that's 
how swell it is. Constance Ben- 
nett, Anita Louise, I'hocbe Foster, 
arc presented at court and top any- 
body Their Majesty has seen, that's 
how uttfTly ornamoni.al they arc. 
.Miss Bennett wears a white Schl- 
aporelli suit with a threc-auarte,r 



Cucumberish Miss Jordan 

Since lady detectives should al- 
ways be cool as cucumbers, Miriam 
Jordan's composure runs into judi- 
cious casting in 'Dangerously Yours.' 
Here no one can accuse her of lack 
of warmth; she's only acting that 
way because she has to keep her 
wits about her. She speaks slowly, 
precisely, studiedly — because her 
mind Is on other things. It may 
seem that she is trying to remember 
her lines, and just how to read them, 
but really she is plotting the cap- 
ture of the thief all the while. The 
story says so, and to question any 
one, phase of 'Dangerously Yours' is 
to find the whole thing crashing on 
the fussy old quibbler's head. 

Miss Jordan looks quite as level 
headed as she acts. There is no 
nonsense about her In deed nor 
make-up. Her technically beautiful 
face Is framed In a sensible, stiffly 
waved coiffure. Her hair and her 
emotions alike are held in check. 
She wears dresses neatly fitted 
about her excellent hip line, cos- 
tumes that proclaim themselves 
clearly as 'sport dress,' 'dinner 
dress,' 'dinner dress,' 'travelling cos- 
tume,' as the necessity arises. They 
are righteously designed to fit the 
occasion rather than to unbend a 
little and express Instead her in- 
dividuality. When Miss Jordan Is 
captured and held prisoner on the 
hero-thief's yacht, when a chain 
with an anchor appended is at- 
tached to her ankle to Insure her 
presence there, the unconventlonallty 
of the proceedings find her equipped 
with a white dinner dress, whose 
low V decolletage Is framed with 
the appropriate suggestion of a 
sailor collar. The dress is amusing, 
but so is the situation. Miss Jordan 
keeps everything properly docketed, 
everything In its place. She Is so 
pretty, however, she should really 
permit herself a little confusion, a 
little loosening of her so far In- 
flexible code. Her flawless camera 
face gives her full right. Maybe 
she is too bound, but she ought to 
try. 



Vesuvian Esther 

The cast boards 'Rome Express* 
as ticket-holding passengers. They 
arrive as real people. They get on 
with labels: thoy alight as actors 
who know huw to hreatlie the nu- 
ances of life into roles wliich in less 
sensitive hands would remain stock 
i-harac-terix:itions. 

l-'sther Ualston, tlie .-Vniorican 
amongst tliem, starts as A Picture 
Star, r.efore she's travelled many, 
miles, she roveals herself as some- 
thing more than a hanilson~.e blonde 
with a lithe. ;omc tism-e who happens 
to lit the description. She kindles a 
n.ame of warmth within lierself, she 
develops shading, she comes alive, 
grows into an individual, a likeable, 
human person who is unique, not a 
type at all. She screens attractively, 
a healthy blonde Venus who found 
animation in an English picture stu- 
dio. She didn't find startling clothes, 
but at least slim fitting ones whose 
abundant decorative detail is not too 
clamorous. Joan Barry is so very 
pretty and petite, she photographs 
so well, that if her acting isn't quite 
up to the others, her fresh young 
beauty excuses her. 



Midget 'Show Boat' 

Helen Morgan's in fine form 
again In the Capitol's concentrate 
of 'Show Boat.' She's so good to 
look upon and llisten to In her red 
satin dress with white frills and 
black maline ruffs at her throat and 
wrists, with the skirt drawn close 
about her slim hips and slit up the 
centre to do her excellent legs Jus- 
tice — that It's downright selfish of 
her to be ^n so briefly. The cur- 
rent version of 'Show Boat' — with 
a new cast that only goes through 
the motions of Its Inherent lusty 
melodrama — leaves It all to Miss 
Morgan to suggest Its past glories. 
Margaret Adams plays Magnolia 
conscientiously. Bertha Belmore Is 
agitatedly zealous about her Parthy 
Ann Hawks; only Miss Morgan's 
Julie Is self -composed, effortless, 
and so, alive. 

Some of the chorus costumes are 
new — lovely pale pink satin old 
fashioned dresses whose period line 
Is sacrificed to the necessity of 
short skirts for dancing; some, alas, 
look old, very old — yellow chiffon 
frocks sprinkled with diamants, 
supposedly 1932, but In a full 
skirted silhouette short and gath- 
ered about the hips that, stubborn- 
ly, recalls 1922 instead. Only the 
showgirls are awarded the long I 
slim lines of the current mode; I 
grateful, they do right by them. ; 



'Bolero' a Smash 

'Bolero' Is surging through the 
RKO Music Hall this week, sweep- 
ing all before it with the might of 
its triumphant staging, shattering 
the calm of Its beholders, carrying 
them along electrified to Its brilliant 
climax, an epic experience of mount- 
ing sound, compelling ballet, dra- 
matic lighting. 

From its slow, eerie beginning, 
the elementally impassioned dancing 
of Myrlo and Serine on a black stage 
under a purple spot, to the glitter- 
ing, smashing abandon of its finale, 
no one escapes its spell, its gripping 
conception, Its heroically imagined 
execution. 'Bolero' as done at the 
Music Hall is not a performance to 
watch: It Is an experience to feel. 
It commands response. 

Before their glorious contribution 
to Miss Rogge's share In the bold 
drama of 'Bolero,' the Roxyettes 
pretend to be white horses for 'Jig- 
Saw Puzzle.' They draw the King's 
coach on the stage, spirited young 
animals beautifully drilled and 
groomed, their proud heads nodding 
under white ostrich manes, their 
supple figures covered but not con- 
cealed In nude leotards bound with 
white harness strappings. They 
leave their coach to show how 
splendid they can be In a straight 
line, happy and carefree and thor- 
oughly worthy, the most effective, 
most flattering costumes the Music 
Hall's yet thought up for them. 



T 
I 

N 
O 
V 
A 



N 



B 
A 
I 

K 
O 

F 
F 



Oirc-rlngr Their Latest Sex 
"DANCING IDEA" 

RKO RADIO CITY 

NEW YORK 
This Week (Feb. 24) 



MANAGER— PROJECTIONIST 

Fully experienced and capable of running your theatre at a profit 
to you, would like to get in touch with owner in Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey or Delaware, preferably a small town, where ability must 
count. Age 30 — married — 2 children, moderate salary. 

Write Box 106, Variety, New York City 



44 



VARIETY 







'i'-V--' ' *! 

- ; >- .> V- - 





fRANK 



vicKm 




'Use 
** 




■.:vx::r::::;:¥A¥::<>^^^ 



Tucaday,., February 28, 1933 



■• I C T 



E S 



VABIETY 



4S 



CALENDAR OF CURRENT RELEASES 



(Continued from page 41) 

Duand te Tuea Tu (Paramount) (French). Farce comedy. Drean, Noel- 
Noel, Robert Brunler. 80 inlna. Rel. March 15. 

Reierve Hat Buh, (New Era) (Gerj. Military farce. Fritz Kampera, Luo.Ie 
EngUaohe. Time, 94 mlns. Rel. Aug. 11. 

Rhapaody cif Love. (Capital) (Polish). Hardships of an art career. Agnes 
Petersen, Mosjulcine. Time, 89 mins. Ret. Aug. 23. 

RIchthofeni Red Ace of Germany. (Gould) (Ger). (Synchronized.) Self ex- 
planatory. Dir. Robt. Slezlch. Time, 80 mlns. Rcl. Aug. 20. 

Rnnny (Protex) (Ger). Operetta. Kaethe von Nagy, Willy Frltsch. 
Emerlch Kalman. 85 rtilns. Rel. April 1. Rev. April 19. 

(Ger). Cinderella romance. Dolly Haas. 80 mine. 



Newman Heads New Corp. 
Taking Over Operation 
Of Northwest Theatres 



Dir. 



Scampolo (A-R) (Ger). Cinderella romance. Dolly Haas. 80 mine. Rel. 
March 15. 

Schubert'a Fruehljngstraum. (Capital) (Ger). Musical of Schubert's life. 
Carl Joeken, Siegfried Arno. Dir. Rich. Oswald. Time, 71 mine. Rel. 
June 28. 

Sein Scheldungsgrund (German) (Protex). Comedy drama. Lien Deyere. 

Dir. Alfred Zeislcr. 80 mlns. Rel. March 1. Rev. March 8. 
Siberian Patrol (Ruse.) (Amklno). Dir. Protozanov. 60 mlns. Rel. May 13. 

RiBV. May 31. 

Sniper (Russ.) (Amklno). The war terrors. Dir. TImoshenko. 61 mlns. Rel. 

Aug. 26. Rev. Aug. 30. 
Soil Is Thirsty (Russ.) (Amklno). Dir. Relsman. 63 mlns. Rel. May 6. Rev. 

May 10. 

Storm Over Zakopane. The. (Capital) (Polish). (Synchronized.) Danger in 
the mountains. Time, 89 mins. Rel. Aug. 26. 

Taenzerin von Sansouci. See 'Barberina*. 

Tatra'a Zauber (Protex) (Ger). Mountain story and action. Dir. Adolf Trotz. 
05 mlns. Rel. Feb. 15.. 

Tempest (German) (Protex). Drama. Emil Jannlngs, Anna Sten. Dir. Rob- 
ert Siedmak. 90 mins. Rel. March 1. Rev. March 22. 

Tingle Tangle. (New Era) (Ger). Comedy. Ernest Verebes, Fritz Kampers, 
Elizabeth PinaJeff. Dir. Japp Speyer. Time, 93 mlns. Rel. May 16. 

Trapeze (German) (Protex). Circus drama. Anna Sten. Dir. A. E. Dupont 
80 mins. Rel. May 1. Rev. May 10. 

Trenck (A-R) (Ger). Romantic drama. Dorothea Wlocke. 90 mine. Rel; 
March 16. 

Ulanl, Ulani, Chlopcy MalowanI (Polish) (Zbyszko). Musical comedy. 100 
mlns. ReU Jan. 1. 

Ulica (Capital) (Polish). Life of the newsboys. Dir. Alexander Ford. Time, 

73 mins. Rel, Aug. 25. Rev. Jan. 31. 
Unknown Heroesi (Capital) (Polish). Polish police activity. Mary Bogda. 

Adani Brodzicz. Time, 89 mine. Rel. Aug. 25. 
Victoria und Ihr Hussar (A-R) (Ger.) Viennese operetta. 90 mins. Rel. 

March 16. 

Voice of the Desert, The. (Capital) (Polish). Algerian story In authentic 
locales. Adam Brodzicz, Mary Bogda. Time, 89 mlns. Rel. Aug. 26. 

Weekend In Paradise. (Capital) (Ger). Farce. Otto Wallburg, Julius Falken- 
stein. Elsie Elster, Trude Berliner. Dir. Robt. Land. Time, 81 mins. 
Rel. Nov. 1. 

Vorck (Qerman) (Protex). Historical drama. Werner Krauss, Rudolf Forster. 

Dir. Gustav Uclcky. 90 mine. Rel. Nov. 1. Rev. Nov. 27. 
Zapfenstrelch Am Rheln. (Whitney) (Ger.). Musical farce. Charlotte Susa, 

Siegfried Arno. Dir. Jaap Speyer. 90 mins. Rel. Feb. 1. Rev. Feb. 7. 
ZIrkut Leben. (German) (FAF). Circus drama. Llane Hald. Dir. Heinz 

Paul. 70 mins. Rel. Dec. 16. Rev. Jan. 3. 
Zvral Herzen und EIn Schlag (German) (Protex). Operetta. Lilian Harvey. 

Dir. Wllhelm Thiele. 90 mins. Rel. Sept. 1. Rev. Sept. 13. 



Key to addreae — Amklno. 723 Seventh Ave. 

American-Roumanian Films, 1660 Broadway. 

Associated Cinema, 154 W. 65th St. 

Capital Film Exchange, 630 Ninth Ave. 

Fllmcholce, 33 West 42d St. 

Foreign American Films. Ill W. 67th St. 

Harold Auten, 1560 Broadway. 

International Cinema, 1499 First Ave. 

Interworld Films, 1540 Broadway. 

J. H, Whitney, 3B0 East 72d St. 

KInematrade, 723 Seventh Ave. 

New Era, 630 Ninth Ave. 

Protex Trading, 42 E. 68th St. 

Symon Gould. 251 W. 89th St. 

Tobis Forenlllms, 729 Seventh Ave. 

Zbyszko Film Corp., 274 Madison Ave. 



Seattle, Feb. 27. 
Evergreen Theatres, a new cor- 
poration with Prank L. Newman Sr. 
at the head, has. been formed here to 
take over the operation of the form- 
er Northwest Theatres Inc., a sub- 
sidiary of Fox West Coast with F- 
W^C stepping out of the picture en- 
tirely. 

Al Rosenberg Is vice president o£ 
the new organization, and Al Flnk- 
elstein, secretary-treasurer, Mike 
Rosenberg, head of Principal Thea- 
tres operating out of Los Angeles 
will be associated with his brother 
in the new enterprise. 

Holdings the new company antici- 
pate acquiring are located in Seat- 
tle, Wenatchee, Spokane, Yakima, 
Pendleton, Bremereton, Bellingham 
and Everett, Washington. 

It is expected that the deals with 
11 different bond and fee holders in 
these communities will be closed by 
March 15. 

The passing show enigma here- 
abouts these days is who and what 
of the various theatres, ever since 
PNW and related receiverships. 
Week ago Paramount theatre passed 
directly to F-WC; this week It is 
claimed to be Indle with Frank 
Newman, Jr., behind the gun. This 
situation developed as a climax to 
union operators walking out Mon- 
day (Feb. 20) at 8:16 p. m., turning 
off the lights and leaving the house 
dark. With patrons wondering what 
it was all about, for an hour. Then 
non-union ops went into the booth. 

Two days later the janitors struck 
in sympathy (these days, too) and 
non-union staff sent in there, so 
that picketing was the order for the 
unions. Then came announcement 
of new ownership of theatre. 

Union trouble came when Frank 
Newman, sr., div. mgr. for F-WC, 
ordered budget lor operators to he 
cut from $360 to $176, the union to 
use whatever men It wanted, re- 
gardless of scale. The scale is $80 
per week, with two men In booth 
at same time, required (six day 
week). Two shifts and the extra 
day made this total $360. 

Similar booth scale enunciated 
for Fifth Ave. theatre, where union 
men staying, as that Is under court 
orders, so a different code seems to 
prevail. 



P. S. — He Quit 



A $40-a-week circuit house 
manager In New York was no- 
tified last; wefek that he had 
been transferred to an out-of- 
town theatre. On his $40 per 
he supports a wife and two 
children and In the past year 
the doctor bills have been get- 
ting the gravy. 

The mgr. asked the circuit's 
theatre department for a salary 
advance to cover the expenses 
of moving. He was turned 
down and told that if he didn't 
like it he could quit. 



What's m a Name, Huh? 
Invincible Co. Bniids 
New Bhe Bird Lmk 



Woodslde, L. I., Feb. 27. 

The new pic house, near comple 
tion at Roosevelt avenue and 62d 
street, by Invincible Enterprises of 
Brooklyn, will open March 15. 

House will seat 600 and will be 
operated by Blue Bird Chain. The- 
atre Is located In heart of one of the 
fastest growing home sections on 
Island. House will cost $135,000. 



KATZ CASH ALL 
SET, SEZ MAX 
GORDON 



A Publicist WItli a Record! 

Ten years In the traOe with major motion picture companies and theatre 
circuits as director of adrertlslngr, pubHrlty and exploitation. Personal press 
contact for screen and stage star". Sent to England, France, Germany and 
Holland as special representative. 

In addition to a reputation for orlBlnnllty and distinctive advertising and 
publicity ideas, this applicant offers practical experience In the writing or 
copy and creating layouts for complete advertising and publicity campaigns 
for motion pictures or theatres: editing and writing press books, and sup- 
plying exploitation Ideas; originating sales promotion literature consisting 
of broadsides, folders, sales letters, booklets, and houso organs; writing 
novellzatlons and feature stories for magazines and newspapers. 

READ WHAT THE CRITICS SAY! 

Congratulations on the success of 
your wonderful advertising and pub- 
licity campaigns. 

ROSE PEI.SWICK, 
JACK SMITH, 

New York 'Eve. Journal' 



An exceptional publicity and ad- 
vertising expert. An asset to any or- 
ganization. 

JACK HARROWBR (Phil M. Daly) 
•Film Dally' 



A most energetic and resourceful 
representative of the press. Certain 
hl8 services cannot help but be of 
value. 

RICHARD WATT."?. Jr. 

New York 'Herald Tribune.' 



A FOUR STAR fellow. 

IREfNE THIRER, 

'Dally News' 

An able writer . . . „,„_, 

REGINA CREWE, 

New York 'American* 

Invaluable as a publicity writer and 
contact man between producer, or 
theatre, and the Prcsa. 

WIT^LTAM BOEHNBL, 

'World-Telegram' 



One of the best advertising and 
publicity men In his profession. 

RaBERT COLEMAN, 

■Dolly Mirror' 

NEED MORE BE SAID? 

WUl consider any motion picture, theotHcal or commerdnl offer. 

Bobmit samples of work. Write 

BOX 101, VARIETY, NEW YORK CITY 



Ready to 



For Theatre Men Only 

You Can Do Something About It! 

The recent demobilization of Publix forces has, among other 
things, left a darn good theatre manager without a theatre to 
manage. 

He has always done a better than good job (this can be checked 
and double checked) in all types of theatres. 

A personal interview will acquaint you with further details of 
interest to you. 

Write Box 108, Variety, New York City 



Propose Lkense for 

Non-Pro Operators 



Baltimore, Feb. 27. 
Bill calllne: for the licensing of 
amateur picture machine operators 
was introduced at the Maryland 
State legislature last week. Under 
the terms of the bill, an applicant 
for a non-professional license would 
have to serve six months under a 
licensed operator 'In a theatre or 
place of public amusement which 
is equipped to project moving pic- 
tures.' 

Bill was Introduced by Delegate 
Frank C. Purudm, of Baltimore dis- 
trict, who stated that it was handed 
to him by members of the Board 
of Motion Picture Operators. 

Opposition to the bill has been 
aroused, with Robert W. Test, of 
the local Better Business Bureau, 
particularly heated In his denuncia- 
tion of the proposed statute. Test 
took the stand that the licensing re- 
quirements would injure the com- 
mercial fllm enterprise, and also 
argued that the bill would cripple 
much educational work. 

Business men of the State are 
prepared to oppose the proposal on 
the ground It would be ruin of In- 
dustrial Alms, since the 16mm. fllm 
has become Important in many in- 
dustries In which the small film is 
used by salesmen and demon - 
.•itrators. 



Hollywood Pic Houses 
Mostly Drop to Two Bits 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Subsequent run houses along the 
boulevard have generally dropped to 
a 25c. night gate, to offset the stiff 
competition from the first runs 
which are mostly scaled at 40c. top. 
Warners Hollywood Is the only 
straight sound house now confined 
to single bills. 

Pantages (F-WC) Is double fea- 
turing first run of indie product, 
with the Egyptian, also a circuit 
house, doubling on first Hollywood 
showing after downtown rune. 



Hypo Stuff 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Fox Is producing a two reeler of 
the studio and some insights into 
picture production for the spring 
sales convention. Henry Wales Is 
handling the production. 

Picture will have all the Fox 
names in the cast and will possibly 
get a general release following the 
convention. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Finances for the Sam Katz-Max 
Gordon- Sam H. Harris combination 
are all set and no money is sought 
on the coast for their production 
venture, according to Max Gordon, 
talking for the trio. 

Before the three leave for the east 
in two weeks. It is their plan, ac- 
cording to Gordon, to have several 
deals negotiated with actors, au- 
thors and directors so that produc- 
tion will start, not later than June 1. 

Sam Goldwyn's statement that 
Katz would not be in United Artists 
in no way disturbs the three, Gor- 
don states. 



Conn. Exhibs Mobilize 

Agrainst Legislation 

New Haven, Feb. 27. 
Edward G. Levy, local attorney 
and secretary of Conn. Motion Pic- 
ture Owners' assn., represents that 
organization in battle in state leg- 
islature over a flock of bills relat- 
ing to picture houses in this state. 

Measures Include attempt to ap- 
point a state censor, acting under 
state police supervision, also a bill 
proposing to change Sunday hours 
from 2 to 10:30 p. m. to 7 to 10:30 
p. m. 

About 30 owners throughout state 
appeared in opposition to bills. 



Balto Showmen Cutting 
Ad Space in Rate Row 

Baltimore, Feb. 27. 
The downtown theatres have de- 
cided to force the Issue of adver- 
tising rates of the Baltmore 'Sun- 
papers.' Theatres have been ask- 
ing In vain for a reduction of ad 
rates. Now they're taking the other 
route and have slashed their 'Sun' 
space. 

Four Loew theatres led the pa- 
rade by cutting lineage in the two 
'Sun' dailies from 70 lines to 40, 
which gives their four theatres just 
about directory space and no more. 
Other theatres are holding to a 10 ' 
line space, which takes in the 
Keith's, Hippodrome. 

Theatre rates in the two 'Sun* 
papers are flgured at |1 a line; 
while the rates for Sunday are 36c. 
Sunday space for the theatres have 
not been cut since the showmen 
figure that the 35c line charge Is 
reasonable. Commercial rate In the 
'Sim' papers on week days amounts 
to about one-half of the theatrical 
rate. 

Theatrical rates in the other 
dailies figure at 60c a line for the 
Hearst 'News' and 40c a line In the 
Scrlpps-Howard 'Post,' with a 20% 
discount under a lineage guarantee. 

Meanwhile the 'Sunpapers' have 
taken no apparent notice of the 
space slash, but are continuing to 
give the same reader service. 



WE AGREE WITH "VARIETY" 

"SPOT" US RIGHT 
WE'LL DO THE REST— 



THE 



Four Step-Brothers 

AL— MACEO-^'RED" and "HAPPY" 
RKO ROXY, NEW YORK (Last Week Feb. 17) 



"BIOE" In "VARIETY" Said: 
"Four Step Bros., colored hoofing quartet, In the usual break-a-lee 
and challenge routines are out In 'one' ahead of 'Modiste Shop,' looking 
out of place In the surroundings. As page boys In the ensuing full stage 
sequence they flt, but their abrupt appearance on their own In front of 
the drapes Indicates the Roxy staff Is better versed In scenery than tal- 
ent. UIIEN A GOOD ACT DOES COME AIX>NG THE HOUBE VUKSN'T 
KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH IT." 



Management, MILLS— ROCKWELL OFFICE— PHIL BLOOM 



SOMEWHERE IN SHOW BUSINESS 
THERE MUST BE A JOB THAT 
NEEDS MY KIND OF A MAN! 

-resourceful, courageous, keen, and quick to think 



and act! 

-fifteen years' experience in advertising, exploitation, 
publicity, theatre operations, stage and screen writ- 
ing, productions, and executive management! 

-will lit in any job where capacity for work and sound 
judgment are essential I 

-will do anything; go anywhere. 

Box 109, Variety, New 'York City 



I 



46 



VARIETr 



TuesdRj,; l^ebruarj 29,, 1933 



AIR UNE NEWS 

By Nellie Revell 



This weekend will bring a wldo change In hotel orchestras. Whiteman 
goes on tour; Ted Weema goes to the Lincoln Tavern, Chicago; Anson 
Weeks returns to California; Don Beator goes on tour; Manahan, from 
the Paramount Grill, will go back into vaudeville; Dell Lampe leaves 
the Palais d'Or; Fred MarUn leaves the Park Central; James Hall leaves 
Monte Carlo and Harold Stern leaves the St. Morlta to take Whlteman's 
place at the Blltmore. 

CBS' Femme Angle 

IsabeUe Lelghton is to give the personal touch to Columbia's broad- 
casting of the inaugural ceremonies. This newspaperwoman is an inti- 
mate friend ot the Boosevelts and author of 'My Son Franklin', the col- 
lection of anecdotes about the President-elect told by his tnother. 

Miss Lelghton will take the mike at different times to describe dresses, 
etc., and to chat about Franklin D. and his family. 

N. Y. U.'s Research 

Professors at New York University aie conducting a colloquial survey. 
They've sent questionnaires to broadcasters asking about 180 expressions 
used in every day speech. I note some of my pet phrases among them, 
to wit: 'Aren't I right?', T expect he knows his subject', 'It looks like 
they meant business', 1 suppose that's him', 'Well, that's going some. 

They also question the phrase, 'The stock market left me busted'. Oh, 
yeah? ' 



Mother of 9 

Mrs. Barton, who gives recipes and cooking lessons on the General 
Foods program over WBAF Thursday mornings, is the mother of nine 
children, the oldest of whom is 12. 

Mrs. Barton wrote the sponsor and told them how she fed her brood. 
They were so impressed they decided she was the logical person to tell 
the rest of the world how it's done. 



Benefit Champ 

Jerry Baker, WMCA's 'SmUing Tenor', refuses to play vaudeville. 
However, he averages about Ave benefits a week, and is expecting a big 
break in March. 



Names Offspring 'Sponsor' 

<3owboy Tom (George Martin) of WINS has named his. heir 'Sponsor* 
on the theory that if a sponsor can pay a comedian |B,«00 a broadcast, 
there's more money in being a sponsor than a broadcaster. 

Martin was editor of 'Farm and Fireside' before he went radio. 

Turns Scout 

A man who spent a quarter century locating spots In the house In 
which to hide money from his frau, has asked WOB for an audition. 
rt*He wants to be a Boy Scout and do a good turn to fellow benedicts. 



* See America First 

• Blvla Allman, singer now being given a buUd-up by NBC, Is a North 
Carolina girl who was raised In Texas and has lived the past seven 
years in California. 

Brave Listeners 

Alonzo Deen Cole, creator of mystery originals for WOR, has It all 
figured out why radio thrillers are popular. He says the rocking chair 
clan put out the lights oiid listen .to the proceedings in the dark. In 
this way the noises, screams land stealthy footsteps emanating from the 
loudspeaker assume character and magnitude fascinating to the fans.' 

If listeners do that, they're brave beyond my comprehension and en- 
titled to medals for valor. 



NBC's Inaugural Dozen 

At least 12 mike masters will cover the Roosevelt Inaugural ceremonies 
for NBC. Those so far assigned are Graham McNamee, David Law- 
rence, Floyd Gibbons. Charles Francis Coe, William Hard and his wife, 
Norman Sweetster, Frank Singlser, Charles O'Connor, Herluf Provensen 
and Arthur (Sodfrey. 



Sunday Commercial 

Jergen's and Woodbury's have agreed with WOR on a new commercial 
starting March 5 for every Sunday featuring Jack Arthur, baritone; Al 
and Lee Reiser, piano pair, and Roxanne's orchestra. 



Trumped 

The electronic piano invented by Benjamin F. Miessner, recently dem 
onstrated by NBC, produces the notes of every Instrument in the band. 
The only thing a musician can play that this machine can't, is pinochle 



Marital Program 

At last Veronica Wiggins, WOR contralto, and Bernard Ocko, violinist, 
have acknowledged their secret marriage which took place a few months 
ago. They will be on a new program together beginning next week. 



Leader Doubles 

Graham Harris will have the orchestra on both the Columbia and NBC 
programs for Gulf Reflnlng's sponsoring of Irvin Cobb and Will Rogers 



Moves to CBS 

Carolyn Gray, for the past four years an slcb pianist and accorapatilst 
at NBC, has gone Columbia which made her a better offer. New asso 
elation began Sunday (26). Mme. Lollta Cabrera Gainsborg replaced at 
NBC. 



Short Shots 

Hart Giddings, formerly of the program dept. at NBC, is now playing 
the organ at the Paramount theatre in Middletown, N. T.... Charles 
Schenck, who left Columbia to go to WOR, has left WOR to go into an 
ad agency. . .Walter Wlnchell's boy friend, Adolf Hitler, broadcasts to 
morrow (March .1) from Berlin. Speech will be handled In America by 
Columbia. . .Charles Traymont, NBC announcer. Is visiting his brother in 
Buffalo, who met with an auto accident . . . Charles Carlisle, the Bath Club 
tenor, sings his lyrics from shorthand notes made on a small piece of 
cardboard . , . 'The Tlu-ee California Nuts' (nee 'Three Public Enemies' 
are Ken Browne, Cliff Arkell and Red Corcoran to their friends... No 
,j^uth to the rumors that Freddie Rich is slated for the exit door at 
' Coltunbia. . .King Ross, trombonist with Arnold Johnson's ork, used to 
devise cryptograms for the Chicago 'Dally News'... Dick Man.ifleld, CBS 
band leader, is often mistaken for Rudy Vallee, but says he 'can take 
it'... Jimmy Dorsey, saxophonist with Lennle Hayton, and his brother 
Tommy, trombonist, hall from Shenandoah, Pa„ where their dad was a 
bandmaster. . .'Cosmopolitan' magazine has assigned a writer to do 
yarn on Kate Smith... Al and Lee Reiser, WOR piano pair, are cousins 
of the Hon. David Scholtz, governor of Florida. . .Pete Dixon and Aline 
Berry are now 'Raising Junior' on WOR... Leon Errol thinks if he can 
develop a trick voice to sub for his trick legs he has a future in radio 
Beginning tomorrow (March 1) WINS will be on the air a half hou 
longer, signing oft at 8:15 p. m....Why all the fuss about who'll provide 
the music at the Inaugural Ball? Paul Spccht played at several of these 
olfairs, but what good did it do Paul?... Of course you've heard about 
the announcer In love with his voice who went nerts trying to tune i 
on himself. . .WOR plans an additional iitudio in its Newark headqiiar 
ters...Bert Lytell makes, his appearance as i, radioactor next Sunday 



Ad Agencies' 

Radio Exeos (AsMolated Wtth 
the Show or Performwioo 
End of RsfHo) 
N. W. Ayer A Son, i«o. 

500 Fifth Ave., N. T. €L 
Douglas Coulter. 
Battels Bsrlon, Durstino A 
Osborne» ln« 

883 Madison Are*, N. T. 
Roy Durstlne. 
Arthur Pryor, Jr. 
Bmilie L. Haley. 

Benton A Bowles, ino. 
444 Madison Ave., N. T. 9. 

B. M. Ruffner. 

Blow Co., Ine. 
521 Fifth Ave., N. T. O. 

Milton Blow. 
Blackett- Sample- Hummert, Ine. 

230 Park Ave., N. T, Q, 
Frank HummerL 
George Tormey. 

Blaokmah Co. 
122 B. 42d St, N. T. a 
Douglass Stoerr. 

Campbell- Ewald Co. 
292 Madison Ave., N. T. O, 

C. Halstead Cottlngton. 
(General Motors Bldg., Do- 

trolt). 
George T. E>ffald. 

Cecil, Wariek A Ceoll, Ine. 

230 Park Ave„ N. T. C 
J. H. McKee. 

Erwin, Wasey A Co, Ino. 

420 Lexington Ave., N. T. C 
Charles Gannon. 
William Esty A Co., Ino. 

6 .K 45th St, N. T, C. 
WUUam Bsty. 

Federal Adv. Agenoy 
444 Madison Ave.. N. T. 6. 
Mann Holiner. 

Albert Frank-Quenther Law, 
Ine. 

70 Pine St, N. T. «. 
Albert Frank. 

HanfF-Metzger, Ino. 
Paramount Bldg., N. T. O. 
Louis A. Witten. 
Lambert A Feaeley, Ine. 
400 Madison Ave., N. T. a 
Martin tiorreU. 
Lennen A Mitchell, Ino. 
17 B. 45th St, N. T. a 
Charles A. Schenok. 
Ray Vlrden. 

Lord A Thomas 
247 Park Ave, N. T. O. 

Montague .Hackett 
Jack Nelson. 

' McCann-Erlokson, Ino. 
285 Madison Avou, N. T. 0. 

Dorothy Brlstow. 

Ruthrauff A Ryan, Ino. 

Chrysler Bldg., N. T. a 
Jack Davidson, 
J. Walter Thompson Co. 
420 Lexington Ave., N. T. O. 

John U. Reber. 
Robert ColwelL 
Gordon Thompson. 
Cal KuhL 
A. K. Spencer. 
Herschel Williams. 
Nathan Tufts. 
Edwin Barrett. 

Young A Rubicam 
285 Madison Ave., N. Y. O. 
Hubbell Robinson. 



What S Months on the Air Has Done 
For Pearl: From $3,5i to $8i(IO 



COMMISH HANGS FIRE 

Judge Sykes* Term Up— Only 8 Left 
and All Deoislons Postponed 



Washington, Feb. it. 
Major decisions before the Radio 
Commission are hanging Are now 
till after March 4. Judge Sykes' 
term expired Feb. 23 and only mem- 
bers left are LaFount, Brown and 
Starbuck. Fairly certain the Sen- 
ate will not take action on Sykes' 
reappointment until advent of the 
administration. 

Among cases being held up are 
Navy-Columbia battle over location 
of WJSV and NBC petition to lease 
WMAL. Net was all set to move 
In Feb. 1 and alrea-dy has over 20 
hours weekly on station with blue 
chain sponsors wanting more. 



ED WYNN, $20,000 ACT, 
DOING OEY 27G, B'KLYN 



Bd Wynn will close his lAugh 
Parade' musical, now a picture 
house tab, after the current week at 
the Metropolitan, Brooklyn. He'll 
confine himself to his once-weekly 
radio broadcasts, for which he gets 
$6,000. 

Wynn said he was tired out by 
the flve-a-day for two weeks at the 
Capitol, New York, and after com- 
mencing the current one In Brook- 
lyn. Loew's also declared Itself as 
tired — over the business done by the 
Wynn show despite its record high 
straight salary of $20,000 a week, 
top for any picture house attraction. 

In its holdover week (last week) 
at the Capitol, the $20,000 Wynn re- 
vue drew only $38,000, and in Brook- 
lyn currently at the same salary is 
bitting no better than a $27,000 pace. 

Loew has an option for further 
time, but says it will not play It 
further, discouraged by the grosses 
compared to the salary. There's no 
interest in the other booking offices. 

Wynn has been sending out state- 
ments he'll go off the air soon, a la 
Jolson, to preserve his professional 
value. 



Ostennan Takes Air 



Jack Osterman, on a two weeks 
booking, folfowed Harry Ros6 Into 
th ; m. c. spot on the Sabbath after- 
noon Jo-cur show over CBS Sunday 
(26). It was the first Sunday in 
years that Osterman hadn't slept 
all day. The same thing happens 
next Sunday (5) if he can stand it. 

Besides being Osterman's first 
chance on an air commercial it'll 
have him doubling. Osterman, at 
night, is at the Club Richman. When 
he goes into the old Roxy, week of 
March 3, he'll be tripling. 



Fivo months on radio has done 
more for at least one actor than 15 
years on the stage. The performer 
is Jack Pearl, who opens at the 
Capitol, New York, for $8,600, a day 
ahead, of President Roosevelt's 
Capitol debut. A week there and 
three more for Loew, besides one 
for Warners, all at $8,500 (net), is 
Pearl's route. 

Pearl's last picture house salary, 
also paid by Loew and at the Capi- 
tol, was $3,500 for a week last Sep- 
tember. 

The $6,000 salary boost between 
picture house appearances, with 
only five months Intervening, is pre- 
dicated upon the possible draw the 
ether rep has created for the Pearl 
name; although that draw did not 
show Itself for Pearl's $3.30 legit 
musical, 'Pardon My English,' which 
closed Saturday (25') after running 
but six weeks at the Majestic, New 
York. At the Capitol Pearl will 
do flve-a-day to 76c top audiences. 

Pearl's Capitol engagement last 
September Just preceded the start of 
his regular commercial broadcasts. 
He refused to accept further Loew 
time when the theatre circuit at- 
tempted to cut his salary below 
$3,500 for the same theatres in 
which he'll now play for $8,600. 

Following the Cap. appearance 
Pearl goes to Philadelphia for War- 
ners, then resumes for Loew in Bal- 
timore, thence the Paradise, New 
York, and the Metropolitan, Brook- 
lyn. In Phllly and Balto he'll play 
only six days, pro rata, in order to 
be in New York for his Thursday 
night broadcasts. 

This is the second recent heavy 
salary boost by radio. Bd Wynn 
having received $40,000 for him- 
self and 'Laugh Parade' company 
for two weeks at the Capitol. While 
Wynn's business was good it was 
not sensational, and that radio star 
WM outdrawn by a $5,500 picture 
name, Mae West at ' he Paramount. 

With Pearl on his stage weeks 
will be Cliff Hall, the Dutch comic's 
radio straight man. Louis Shurr 
agented. 

Pearl accepted the Loew dates 
when Metro put in a request, on 
Loew's behalf. Metro has Pearl'un- 
der contract for pictures. RKO had 
made a previous offer to the come- 
dian of $10,000 for a week at the 
Radio City Musio Hall, which Pearl 
turned down for the Loew-WB five 
weeks' guarantee, and because, like 
other talking acts, he didn't want 
to chance the big house. 



Monthly Guest 

John Fogarty becomes a monthly 
guest artist on the Jack Frost 
sugar show over NBC starting next 
Monday (6). 

Tenor's contract carries him 
through the summer. 



(March 5) when he appears on WABC's 'Roses and Drums' program... 
WINS has an Old Almanac Man. ' but he doesn't do what you think. 
Instead of digging up old gags, his Job is to get tlie dope on annivers- 
aries and historical miscellany. . .Arturo Toscanini resumes direction 
Sunday (March 5) ot the New York 'Philharmonic broadcasts. . .He will 
continue for the remaining eight weeks of the season. . .Everett McCooey, 
WOR's baritone heard Saturday afternoons, is the son of John McCooey, 
political leader... The theme of Ida Bailey Allen's broadcast Thursday 
(March 2) on WABC Is 'Cheese — a Great Food*. Certain to tune in is 
Mickey Mouse. . .After one session announcing his own numbers, John 
Mills, basso of the Mills Brothers, has decided to stick to tubaing... 
Paul Ravell, cowboy baritone, will be 'soloist with the Little Symphony 
Orchestra on WOR... A boy at the home of Hal Raynor, NBC's King 
Kill Karc.WINS press department likes to refer to air speakers as 
'radiologists'. . .Jim Blakely, society lad formerly with CBS, has had 
several film tests. . .Marion De Forest, Buffalo newspaperwoman, who 
wrote 'Erstwhile Susan', Is assisting Zona Gaje in adapting the 'Friend- 
ship Village' stories to radio... Jane Froman. new Choaterfield singer, 
sang in opera and stutters when ppoaking. . .U.iole Don, WOR's hero to 
youngsters, told a boy to eat lots of cereal so he'd grow to be a big man. 
In the mall next day came a letter saying 'Df .t Uncle Don: No more 
cereal for me. I'm going to be a Jockey'. . .Oerlrude Nlo.scn has no homo 
town. She was bom on the high soa.s. . .Viola lima, editor of 'Modern 
Youth' mag, had to park her plpp ouf.sido the strriifi wlion air-interviewed 
by Thomas L. Stlx...Mme. Jeritsia relurii.s to Vienna next month and 
will make her first film over there.. .A man In P.rooltlyn aont Fred Allen 
old new.spapcr clippings containing r,C3 varl.iflon.s of the Who-waa-that- 
lady-T-seon-you-wlth-laHt-nlght?' g.ig... 15)11 .Schudt haH 1 ocn trans- 
ferred to WBT, Charlotte, N. C, to manaK« tliat Htatlon slnre the closing 
of Columbia's tolevlslon studio WiXAl',. HIh 'fiolrig to I'rcs.s' will be 
taken over by J. O. Gude, CHH h'-a-h ",iitf,r. . .:\i;irk Warnow's younger 
brother, Harry, Is his piano player. . Wamow 1h fxpfoted to snare that 
food commercial over CBS. 



Indie Grocers, KMTR Line 
Up Theatre Broadcast 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

KMTR is negotiating with Fox- 
West Coast, theatre circuit, for a 
house to play a weekly program 
featuring more or less prominent 
picture names. And It looks as if 
the station will get a theatre de- 
spite an earlier attitude on the part 
of F-WC not to allow any of its 
houses to be utilized for ether pro- 
grams. 

Bill planned for the theatre -air 
broadcast is a revue type using Sam 
Hardy as m.c, "with other plulure 
and vaude names, including Benny 
Rubin, Sammy Cohen and Eddie 
Borden. A line of 12 girls will also 
be used for the sight portion of the 
stage end. 

Program will be commerclaled by 
the Independent Grocers' Associa- 
tion, an organization of 8,000 store- 
keepers. Tickets for the weekly 
stage broadcast will be doled out to 
customers by the various retailers. 



AFTEE STABS— GBAHS 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Hoping that film players will give 
their services gratis for the sake of 
publicity, Mentholatum is seeking a 
disk program with Hollywood names 
for a 52 week broadcast. 

Idea Is for the stava to be Inter- 
viewed. Waxing would be done by 
Hollywood Radio Attractions. 



DROPS 'ATROCITIES' 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

'Atrocities of 1933', new vaude 
hour over the Don Loe CBS^ string, 
Is off after six weeks. 

Hour wa.s dropped in favor of the 
'Cffinfy r!a«' protrram, commerrialed 
by Wilshire Oil Co. 



Taesday* Febrawy 26f '199S 



II AD I 



VARIETY 



47 



RADIO LEADERS CHANGE 



Canada's Chaotic Radio Outlook, 
Lots of Talk but Little Action; 
Figure 5 Sources for Programs 



Toronto, Feb. 27. 
For downright chaos, the Cana- 
dian radio situation Is hard to beat. 
The recently appointed Federal 
Radio Commission has $1,000,000 to 
play with, plus another couple of 
millions In collectible radio license 
fees, plus at least $2,000,000 ov more 
a year from commercial progfram 
revenue. This latter sum can't be 
adequately estimated. Canadian 
manufacturers have become nlg- 
gardly as a whole In their expendi- 
ture on radio programs, and busi- 
ness conditions have principally 
made for drastic curtailment In air 
advertising appropriations. Thou- 
sands of radio owners have never 
paid the $2 license fee, but the 
squawk is that it costs the govern- 
ment SO cents to go out and get this 
Individual account, despite the fact 
It's In $1.70 as soon as it's col- 
lected. 

Everybody is talking, but little Is 
being done about the situation to 
relieve the befuddlement. One sug- 
gestion is to bring back to Canada 
_!those artists''who have left native 
eoll for the States, proponents of 
this Idea forgetting that ether waves 
can't be barred by International 
boundaries. Idea is to bring back 
such air people as Guy Lombardo, 
Jimmy Wallington, Edward John- 
ston, Jeanne Dusseau, etc. But these 
artists might not wr.nt to come 
back, and even if they should the 
million bucks they might bring to 
the government might not be dis- 
tributed among them. Also, what- 
ever their share would be it might 
not surmount or even equal what 
they are making south of the boun- 
dary. 

12-16 Hour Programa 

It is the announced intention of 
the Canadian Radio Commission to 
buy, build or lease a trans-Canada 
network. It is probably not the in- 
tention of the commission to re- 
move from the air well operated and 
efficiently equipped private stations 
which tie up In a natlonal web on 
occasion. It is essential, however, 
that In order to hold Canadian lis- 
teners, or attempt to hold them, 12 
to 15 hour programs must be 
maintained. 

There are, as far as can be as- 
certained, five sources from which 
the commission, in a supervisoi-y 
position, may obtain Its programs. 
One is the commi.ssli.n'a own sus- 
taining programs, paid for with the 
two million dollars available in li- 
cense fees from radio owners; sec- 
ona is the sponsored program, or- 
ganized and paid for by national 
advertisers who will buy time on 
the national network and, by legls- 
lailon, restrict their adverr'slng an- 
nouncements tc three minuies eacn 
hour^or percentage ther eof ; third, 
programs purchased from or ex- 
changed with the United States or 
European stations on the payment 
of line charges, B.B.C. being the 
only one to express a desire for Ca- 
nadian programs; fourth, the pur- 
chase of time by provincial govern- 
ments for educational procvams as 
is the case v ith Ontario and the 
western provinces; fifth, the pur- 
chase of time by private individuals, 
such as political parties, who must 
buy it from the Radio Commission. 

Situation bolls down to the fact 
that, despite equipment, the pro- 
gram Is the thing. Radio In Canada 
needs drastic pruning, showmanship 
and ballyhoo. It lacks practlmlly 
all the requisites at present. 



SCRIPT SHOW SWITCH 

Xorlluvcstcrn Yeast switches witli 
Its Marolx 12 program (NDC) froni 
name bands to a script sliow. 
Period will be titled 'Tlic North- 
western Chronicle,' ii.sinp a .sni.ill 
town newspaper office as Its back- 
ground. 

Renewal of the tlnip contract 
covering this program calls for h2 
woolt.s. i=!und.ny matinee spot, until 
March 12, will continue to be filled 
by the Charlie Agnew orchestra. 



Paley's Hearst OK 



It will be okay for Bill 
Paley's name to appear In the 
N. T. 'Journal', and other pa- 
pers of the Hearst string, any 
time after John Hearst, the 
publisher's son, takes a second 
wife. 

Order giving the blue pencil 
to the CBS prexy's moniker 
went out following Paley's 
marriage last summer to the 
younger Hearst's ex-wlfe. John 
obtained his license for the 
new alliance the other day, 
and word was passed along to 
the editors that the ban affect- 
ing Paley comes off simulta- 
neously with the marriage. 



BOYCOn MDSE. 
IN AIRMEO 
PROTEST? 



Rochester, N. T., Feb. 27. 

Central Council of Parent-Teacher 
associations is making a public pro- 
test against the melodrama type of 
radio program. Declares the crime 
ideas harmful to moral fibre of 
children and the bloodcurdling situ 
atlons tend to excite youngsters in a 
manner to Interfere with their sleep 

Protest was sent to radio stations 
and published here with a request 
that Individuals Join in active oppo 
sitlon. These was even a hint of boy 
cott on goods so advertised. 



SOCIAL GOELEf OPENS 
OWN RADIO STATION 



Peter Goelet, of the '400,' Goelets, 
and scion to those millions, has be- 
come a radio station operator. He 
opened an Independent station, 
WGNY, at Glenmere, Chester, N. T., 
Saturday (25). It's located In the 
former Jessup homestead on the 
Goelet estate in Orange county. 

A series of 10 morning test pro- 
grams start the station off. Gener- 
ally, young Goelet expects to cater 
to the tastes and desires of Orange 
county In arrangement of broad- 
casts and material, but some outside 
broadcasting will be done under a 
tie-up with Publlx. 

A special wire will be run into the 
Paramount theatre, Middletown, N. 
y. Goelet is paying for this himself, 
but the arrangement brings in 
Harry C. Stowell, Publlx manager in 
Middletown, as a member of his 
board of advisors. 

Goelet is said to have Invested 
around $30,000 in his Indie radio 
station. He will give auditions to 
local talent. 



'4 Stars' for S. 0. 



San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Standard Oil auditions at NBC 
continue at regular Intervals, most 
pretentious of the lot being a 'Four 
Star Radio Show' of 90 minute dur- 
ation, featuring Gill and Demling, 
who have been m.c.'infr the Union 
Oil Co.'s 'Merrymakers' Revue' over 
Don Lee network from Los An- 
•;<'les. 

S. O.. if taking the show, will 
change Gill and Demling's names to 
Con and Kid, not wishinj? to use the 
monickers known to livlcn'i'rs of a 
i-ival oil concern. 

Rest of the sliow included a h;ilf 
hour secret service yarn l)y Capt. 
IJon WllUIe, cx-fod agent lately on 
KFI. A half hour western drama 
and :i iiu.nrtet cumijlcied the talent 
roster. 



PEmiL III FilIT, 
miEII MOVES III 



Cantor 2d, Wynn 3d, but 
Lead Trio Not Closely 
Bunched — Allen Only 
Newcomer Among Top 
Dozen in 'Variety's' Sur- 
vey — Comedy Programs 
Best Uked 



FIRST 4 ALL MEN 



Jack Pearl on top by a wido mar- 
gin and Eddie Cantor in the second 
slot without any serious competi- 
tion from Ed Wynn, the third 
favorite. That's the way they shape 
up in 'Variety's' third countrywide 
survey on radio popularity. 

The ascent of Pearl and the clear 
indication that Wynn has suffered a 
sharp decline are two major ob- 
servations of a comparison between 
this checkup and that of last De- 
cember. 'Variety's' compilation is 
attained through its 150 correspond- 
ents in all sections of the country. 

Other national favorites under 
went no radical revision from their 
December standing. Amos 'n' Andy 



12 Leaders 



1. Jack Pearl — (Baroa 

Munchausen-Lucky Sb-lke). 

2. Eddis Cantor — (Chase A 
Sanborn Coffee). 

3. Ed Wynn — (Texaco Eire 
Chief). 

4. Amos 'n' Andy — (Pepso- 
dent). 

& Rudy Vallee Varietie*— 

(Fleischmann Yeast). 

6. Bums and Allen-'Lombar- 
do Orchd — (Robert Bums Cigar). 

7. Myrt and Marge — (Wrig- 
ley's Gum). 

8. Al Jolson — (Chevrolet). 

9. Chesterfield P r o g r a m — ■ 
(Ruth Etting, Bing Crosby, 
Hayton Orch.) 

10. Ben Bemie — (Blue Rib- 
bon Malt). 

11. Fred Allen— (Unit). 

12. Kate Smith — (La Palina 
Cigar). 



remain in fourth place but the 
growing strength of the Fleisch- 
mann Yeast interpretation of a 
variety program has made Itself 
felt and has eased this Rudy Vallee 
stanza above the Burns and Allen- 
Guy Lombardo period, 'Myrt and 
Marge* theme shows an advance 
while the only newcomer among the 
top dozen is Fred Allen. 

Despite the continuous wrangling 
with his commercial which marked 
the warbler- comic's run for Chev- 
rolet, these comparative polls show 
that Jolson favorably Impressed 
outside of show circles, to the ex- 



Runners-Up 



Marx Brothers 
Stoopnagle and Budd 
Paul Whlteman 
Morton Downey 
The Goldbergs 
Mills Brothers 
March of Time. 
Maxwell House Showboat 
Lawrence TIbbett 
N. Y. Philharmonic 
Easy Aces 
Edwin C. Hill 



tent of ranking eighth on the cur- 
rent count after being in the sec- 
ond 12 at the time of the last 
survey. 

Switching of talent on the Ches- 
terfield session didn't affect any- 
thing either way. Program remains 
in the ninth spot. In those Instances 
where correspondents mentioned 
names in connection with this 
Iieriod Ruth Etting, the lone hold- 
over, took a wide lead over Ulng 
Crophy. nut in no instance noted 
(Continued on page 48) 



Broadcasters Form Their Own 
Performing Rights Bureau as 
Rival to ASCAP; Four Purposes 



Columnists Cra^ 



Radio and Broadway column- 
ists, on those New York dailies 
using both these departments, 
are feuding. Lately, with much 
of the news of Broadway tend- 
ing to concern stage stars* 
radio doings, the Broadway re- 
counters have been printing 
some exclusive radio stuff. 

Ether chatterers' unanimous 
squawk to their managing eds 
Is that radio news belongs in 
the radio columns, and the boys 
on the Broadway beat should 
lay off. Broadway columnists 
say they can't help It If Broad- 
way and radio now Interlock — 
and news is news. 



SQUAWKS FORCE 
NBC MOVE FOR 
LESS HORROR 



Instructions have been passed out 
to the program department at NBC 
to maintain a closer scrutiny and 
blue-pencil on script shows with 
crime as their theme. Network took 
the initiative toward putting some 
sort of a curb on the ultra-sensa- 
tlonal trend following receipt in re- 
cent weeks of a mounting mass of 
listener squawks on the subject. 

Complaints received stress the 
likely effect the more sensational of 
the crime dramas are having on the 
Impressionable younger element. 
Communications from mothers have 
bolstered this qualm by citing the 
fact that their children were begin- 
ning to mimic these ether crime 
characters in their play moments 
and to re-enact situations culled 
from loudspeaker dramas. Almost 
Invariably the writers have wound 
up their plaint with a warning that 
the rampant liberties allowed these 
programs in depicting crime boded 
no good when it came to retaining 
the good-will of the family adult 
listener. 

Criticisms have not been directed 
at the mystery show of the Sherlock 
Holmes type, which move along well 
established conservative lines; but 
at a group of newer network ar- 
rivals striving to make the shocks 
more shocking on each broadcast. 



With about $30,000 collected from 
the radio chains and indie station 
operators now available for the 
project, the National Association of 
Broadcasters has proceeded to or- 
ganize its own performing rights 
bureau. Immediate incorporation of 
radio's rival organization to the 
American Society of Composers, 
Authors and Publishers was au- 
thorized at a meeting of the NAB 
board of directors In Washington 
last week. 

Meantime, the ASCAP has re« 
celved no definite action on its offer 
to the broadcasters to tear up the 
present music licensing agreement 
and write a new one. 

Title given their performing 
rights office by the broadcasters is 
the Radio Program Foundation. 
Purposes of the bureau are de- 
scribed as four-fold. Main objec- 
tive will be to serve as the medium 
through which the music of indie 
composers and publishers not affili- 
ated with ASCAP, both domestic 
and foreign, will be cleared for use 
by broadcasting. 

A second objective will be to see 
that the output of indie writers and 
publishers are ^Iven an edge wAte 
it comes to making up affiliated sta- 
tion programs. The NAB claims 
that because of Its position In radio 
It will be able to obtain muslo 
'written primarily for the micro- 
phone rather than for the require- 
ments of stage or dance hall* to 
which, it says, much of ASCAP'a 
music has been limited. 

Fourth purpose will take the 
foundation outside of the musical 
performing rights Held by also mak- 
ing it a registration bureau for con- 
tinuities and 'other literary fea- 
tures' of radio programs. 



Auto Chb on Air After 
30 Adyertisingless Yrs. 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Southern California Automobile 
club. In existence 30 years without 
advertising. Is going on the air with 
a thrice week'y program over KNX. 
Starts March 1. 

Club will stage a membership 
drive In connection with a special 
auto financing scheme calling for 
6%, low hero. 

Program will comprise lectures on 
historical spots In .southern Cali- 
fornia easily accessible by auto. 



Just for Publicity 

San Francisco. Fob. 27. 

Chief of Police mil Quinn g(;Os 
off the air March 10 and NBC .starts 
a new .serir.s of crime yarns with 
George Jarrelt, hend of the .stale 
narcotic buroau. 

Jarrett, with *';iilt(jii Mof.wc writ- 
ing, will tell 'em alKjut tr-aflic, iiro- 
venlion and cures. JAka Chief 
Quinn, .'aD'cii is IjiD.iilc i.-iinK only 
for the publicity he'll gft. 



Washington, Feb. 27. 
Copyright controversy between 
broadcasters and Amercan Society 
of Authors, Composers & Publish- 
ers drew only a two-hour discus- 
sion in the two-day session of NAB 
board of directors last week. Mat- 
ters were left In hands of Oswald 
F. Schuette and Newton D. Baker, 
latter as counsel for the radio in- 
terests. 

Gaker was represented by Joseph 
Hostetler, law partner. Most of dis- 
cussion was devoted to outlining 
of position and steps already taken 
in negotiations with society. 

The 1933 budget for NAB follows 
last year's generally with some cur- 
tailments exclusive of funds being 
raised for special activities. Three- 
point expansion plan was presented 
by Phil Loucks, NAB managing di- 
rector, for development later in year. 
Plan would set up special commer- 
cial, program and engineering de- 
partments within NAB. 

Commercial department would 
make surveys and recommendations 
on station contracts, rates, rate 
cards, sales promotion, discounts 
and coverage. Program unit would 
serve as clearing house for scripts, 
Ideas, talent sources and costs and 
program trends. Engineering unit 
would keep • stations informed of 
technical orders of commission and 
development of equipment. 

Committee was appointed to pick 
delegate to North American Con- 
ference at Mexico City as yet un- 
named. Other business before 
board Involved approval of Loucks' 
arrangement for carrying KFAB 
libel case to Supreme court and arv 
proval with minor changes of 
Standard Order Blank for spot 
broadcasts submitted by American 
Association of Advertlslnf, Agencies. 

Credit biiroau plan was tabled. 
IJeci.sion on time and place of 1933 
f.onvenilon was put off till later 
meeting altho general policy of last 
year's conclave will be followed. 



Funny Boners Off 

Funny Honors get through at 
'■l'..S April 1 when their contract 
with 111'' .Ti'ti.«t h'-ireau will have ex- 
i tilled. 

<'oiiu-dy Ins ln < ii under CBS 
management for 16 months. 



|8 



VARIETY 



TumAaifi F«bnurf . 28, 1933 



I 



lUdk) Directory 



<A« a convenience for rearfor* unfamiliar with who'* who in Radio, 
'Variety' printe below a directory for New Yorl< and Chicago.) 



New York City 

NBC 

(Statione WJZ-WEAF) 

711 Fifth A.v«. 
Plaza 2-1900 

M. H. Aylesworth, Preeldent. 

Richard C. Patterson. Jr., Executive V.-P. 

G. C. McClelland. Ass't to the President. 
John Elwood. V.-P. 

A. L Afhby. V.-P. and Oen. Atty. 
George Envies. V.-P. on Artists' Service. 
John F. Royal, V.-P. on Programs. 
Roy C. Wltmer. V..P. on Sales. 
Frank Mason, V.-P. on Public Relations. 
LoTvls MacConnach, Secretary. 
Mark J. Woods. Secretary. 

H. F. McKeon, Auditor. 
;H. F. Kelly, Asst. Auditor. 

C. W. Horn. . a«n. Engineer. 
Frank Mullen, Agricultural Dir. 

J. deJara Almonte, Evening Operations. 

Ilertha Bralnard, Program Mgr. 

G. W. Pnyne, Operations. 

R. J. Telchern, Asst. to Treas. 

D. 8. TuthlU, Sales Mgr.. Artists' Service. 

Department Heads 

Donald G. Bhaw, Eastern Sales Mgr. 

Thos. H. Bolvlso, Music Library. 

W. D. Bloxham, Purchasing Agent, 

John it. Cnrey, Service Supervisor. 

O. B. Hanson, Mgr., Plant Operation and 
Bnglneering Dept. 

Ruth Keeler, Personnel Supervisor. 

Donald Wlthycomb, Mgr. Sto, Relations. 

Paul F. Peter. Mgr. Statistical Dept. 

O. W. Johnstone, Mgr. Press Relations 
Dept. 

Quinton Adams, Mgr. Electrical Tran- 
acrlptlon Dept. 

E. P. H. James, Sales Promotions Mgr. 

CBS 
(Station WABC) 

485 Madison Ave. 
Wlckersham 2-2000 

William S. Paley, President. 
Edward Klauber. Executive V.-P. 
Sam Plckard. V»-P. 

Hugh Kendall Bolce, V.-P. In Charge of 
•ales. 

Lawrence W. Lowmtu), V.-P. oa Opera- 
tiona and Secretary. 

M, R. RunyoD, Treasurer. 
■ JCarl Knlpe, Sales Mgr. 
.iJ^llllam H. Englan, Asst. Sales Mgr. 

JuHns 3. Seebacb, Program Operations. 

Paul W. White, Publicity. 

Sdwin K. Cohan, Technical Dir. 

Paul W. Realen, Sales Research. 

John J. Karol. Market Research. 
: John S. Carlisle, ' Prodactlon Hgr, 

Frederic P. WIUls, EducaUonal Dir. 

JuUua Mattfeld. Husto Ubrary. 

Hugh Cowan, Commercial Engineer. 

Ferrin Fraser, fidltor, Contlnnltr. 

Uarlon R. Parsonnett, Dramatic Dir. 

Herbert B. Glover, News Broadcaatlnc. 

Ralph J. Wonders. Mgr., Artists' Burean. 

WOR 

Bamberger Broadcajstlng Senrloe, lae^ 
IMO Broadway 
Pennsylvania 0-8383 
Alfred J. McCosker, Station Mgr. 
A. A. Cormier. Sales Mgr. 
Walter J. Neff, Asst. Sales Mgr. / 
Lewis Reld, Program Dir. 
' George Shackley, Musical Dir. 
' Robert I. Wilder, Press. 
' J. Rik Poppele, Chief Engineer. 

WINS 

American Radio Kews Corp. 
114 B. 68th St. 
Eldorado C-6100 
, Bradley Kelly, SUUon Mgr. 
John S. Martin, Sales Mgr. 
John McCormlck. Program Dir. 
Harold Shubert. Production Hgr. 
Bernard Levltow. Musical Dir. 
George WIeda, Press. 

WMCA-WPCH 

Knickerbocker Broadcasting Co. 
Broadway at 63d St. 
Columbus C-6S60 
Donald Flamm, Pres. 
William Wiseman. V. P. 
Sidney Flamm, Sales Mgr. 
Fred W. Dyson, Bus. Mgr. 
Harry Carlson, WMCA Program Director, 
BlU WUllams. WFCH Program Director. 
Capt. Robert 3. Woods. Press. 
Jack Rlcker, Studio Director. 
Elmo Russ, Irving Selzer, Musical DI rec- 
to re. 

Harry Pascoe, Continuity. 
Frank Marx, Chief Engineer. 

WLWL 

Universal Broadcasting Corp. 
410 W. emh St. 
Columbus 6-7030 
H. P. Riley. Dir. 
J. P. Klernan, Business Mgr. 
R. W. BJork, Soles Mgr. 
George O'Brien. Program Dir. 
Rudolph Forst, Musical Dir. 
Joseph Deppe, Chief Engineer. 



Chicago 

NBC 

Merchandise Mart 
Superior &100 

(Station* WENR— WMAQ) 

Ntlcs Trammel. V.-P. In charge. 

P. G. Parker, Asst. Gon. Mgr. 

Fred Weber, SUtlon Relations Mgr. 
^ 'John Whalley, Ofllce Mgr. 
j'^Roy Shield, Chief Musical Dir. 

C. L. Menser, Production Dir. 

A. W. Kaney, Program Mgr. 

Alex Robb, Asst. Program Mgr. 

Sidney Strots. Artists Mgr. 

John Glhon. Continuity Editor. 

Frank Mullen, Dir. of Agriculture. 

Judith Waller, Educational Dir. 

Kenneth Carpenter, Sales Hgr. 

William Hedges. Local Sales Hgr. 

L B. Showermon, Sales Service Mgr. 

E. C. Carlson, Sales Promotion Mgr. 

Howard Luugena. Chief Engineer. 
M. W. Rife, Chief Field Engineer. 
B. R. Donges, Maintenance Mgr. 
Ben Pratt. Public Relations Counsel. 
Al Wnilanuon, Publicity Mgr. 

CBS 

Wrlgley Bldg. 
Whitehall 0000 

(Station WBBM) 

' Leslie Atlass, V.-P. In charge, 
-^onard Erickaon. Western Sales Hyr. 



Walter Preston, Program Dir. 
Bobby Brown, Gen. Production Hgr. 
JeS King, Trafflc and Office Hgr. 
Harold Fair, Asst. Program Dir. 
Howard Neumlller, Musical Dir. 
William Cooper, Continuity Editor. 
Larry Plsk. Chief Engineer. 
Kelly Smith, WBBM Sates Hgr. 
Steve Trumbull. CBS Publicity Hgr. 
Ruth Beta, WBBM Publicity Mgr, 
Harlow Wilcox, Chief Announcer. 
Richard Elpers, Sales Promotion Mgr. 
Arthur Wesner, Community Concert Mgr. 
HcClure Bellows, CBS Concert Mgr. 

KYW 

Strauss Bldg. 

Wabash 4040 
Homer Utfgan, Oen. Mgr. 
Parker Wheatley, Production Mgr; 
Harold E. Bean, Asst. Production Mgr. 
Rex Haupln, Musical Director. 
H. E. Randall, Chief Engineer. 
Uimer Turner, Publicity Dir. 

WCFL 

Furniture Mart 
Delaware 8600 

John Fltzpatrlck, President. 
Edward N. Nockles, Gen. Hgr. 
Franklin Lundqulst, Bus. Mgr. 
Maurice liynch. Treasurer. 
Phillip Frtedbmaer, Production Dir. 
E^ddle Hanson, Musical Dir. 
Howard Keegan. Chief Announcer. 
Maynard Marquardt, Chief Engineer. 
Pat Murphy. Publicity Dir. 

WJJD 

Palmer House 
State 6408 

C. A. Howell, Hgr. 

R. R Kaufman. Commercial Mgr. 
David Capp, Program Dir. 
David Bennett, Huslcal Dir. 
Joe Allobongh, Chief Announoer. 

WL8 

1230 W. Washlnerton 
Haymarket 7600 

Bnrrtdge Butler, President. 
Glenn Snyder, Oen. Ugr. 
George Blggar, Program Hgr. 

D. R. teeDenaM, Adv. Hgr. 
Tom RoWe, ^Chlef Engineer. 
Clementine Iiegg, Artists Hgr. 
Hnl O'Haltoran. Chief Annonneer. 
Hanr Steele, Publicity Dir. 

WGN 

Drake Hotel 
Superior 0100 

W. B. MoBHrland, Gen, Ugr. 
Quin Ryan, Station Hgr. 
George Isaae, Commercial Hgr. 
E^Iward Barry. Production Hgr. 
Deloa Owen, Huslcal Dir. 
Carl Myers, Chief Engineer. 
Ftank Scbrelber, Publicity Dir. 

WIBO 

Hiohlgan-Wacker Bldg. 
Andover G600 

Albert B. Nelson, General Hgr. 
Uoyd G. Harrfan Production Hgr. 
John Cemy, Huslcal Dir. 
Jamea UaePherson, Bales Ugr. 
H. V. FltzCfaarlea. Chief Engineer. 
AUce Tlplady. Publicity Dir. 

WQE8 

128 N. Crawford " " 

Van Buren 8600 

Gene Dyer, Station Hgr. 

Charles Lanphear, Production Ugr. 

Joseph Brubaker, Chief Engineer. 

John Van, Huslcal Dir. 

Don Crosnor, Chief Announcer. 

Advertising ABoneies 

Lord ft Thomas— Henry Selllnger. 
J. Walter Thompson— Tom Luckenblll. 
Erwln-Wasey— William Woddell. 
HcCann-Erlckson— Fred Ibbett. 
N. W. Ayei^W. G. McOutre. 
Crltohfleld— Frank Steel. 
McJunkln— O. H. Morris. 
BBDAO--George May. 
Blackett-Sample— Edwin Ayleshlre. 
Henri Hurst McDonald— Art Decker. 



Los Angeles 



KHJ 

(Columbia Don Lee Broadcasting System) 
1070 West 7th Street 
Vandyke 7111 
Don Lee, President. 
Leo B. Tyson, Gen. Mgr. 
C. Ellsworth Wylle. Gen. Sales Mgr. 
Raymond Paige, Musical and Program 
Dir. 

Paul Riokenbaoher. Production Hgr. 
Kenneth Nlles. Asst. Prod. Mgr. 
Van C. Newklrk, TralBc Mgr. 
Arthur J. Kemp, Asst. Adv. Mgr. (KHJ 
only). 



Kn tm* KEOA 

(NBO gUltoy • 

~MM Se. ^pS^?^ 
Blebaoaa «|U 
a Aathonr. FresUaBt. , 
▲ttkar Balsa, V.-F. aal <!«■. Wtlk 
OlSD OaikMf; Fremm Mr. 
Out Psiwfla. Cbtunerolal rngk 

KFWB 

Waner Bros. Ftctures Ooa* 
Warner Theatre Bia». 

Chester ^I^^Hidorf, Oonmevolel 
Jaok JOr. Progtam Dir. 
JohBole Uenrny. Charge Vaoda 
ECar 'Vaa Blper, Charge " 

KNX 

TTMtwa BroadoasUac 
Paiaaeoimt Studios, Holvweoa 
Hempstiead 4101 
Guy a Karl, Jr., President. „_ 
Naylar Rogers. V.-P. and Om. !■» 
Can B. Nissan. Commercial Itar, 
Kennelk C Ormtoton, Technosl 

visor. „ 

OnuT Ian* Program MgR 
WUbar Hateh, Huslcal Dir. 

KMtR 

KKTB Radio Ce ip. 
an Ke. Formosa, HdopsesC 
Hillside liei . 
Bsed H. CalUster. PresideoC 
L. W. Petsts, <i2a- jME' 
HaroM Horton. Prod. Mgr. 
Salvatore Santaella. Huslcal Dir. 

KGFJ 
14tr So. Flgueroa Barest 
Prospect 7780 
Ben UoOlashon, owner. 
Duke Haneook. Hgr. 

Ffasslde BroadoasUac «». 

KRKD 

Mi South Spring Mcast 
Hadlson 1I7< 
Ftank Dohartr, President. 
V. O. Fretaa; Gen. Mgr. 
Del l4roa. Sales Hgr. 

KTM 

Plafcwiok Bnadcastina <taw 
314 Bo. Vermont 
Eisposltton IMl 

Chaalea Wren. Pres. 
George Uartinsen. Uanagav. 
R. U Bast Sales Hgr. 
(X B. Toneen. Production Mak 

KFAC-KFVD 

be Angeles BroadoasUac Oh 
•4* Hartposa Ava. 
FItsroy 12S1 
B. U Osrd. Frssldent. 
Tpai liiemiemsn Gen. 



San Francitco 

NBC 

(Stettem KQO-KPO-KVAI 

FaelflB Coast DIvlalea 
Ul Sutter Street 
Sutter 1820 
L OUmaa. Y. P. e( MBO aai Fee. 
Coast Dlv. Maoaaer. 
a k UcCarthr. Asst. Gen. Mv. 
Lew FroeL Fiogimm Dir. 
Haitr Anaeraon. Sales Ugr. 
A. fL Saxtoa. -Chief Englneac 
H. J. KaKvaa. Ofllce Mgr. 
Lloyd Toder. PubUclty Di r. 
Kart BhnUlncer. Dir. Artiste 
jenaln)^ FUroe, Chief Anna 
Meredith WVlson. Musical Dir. 
Cedl Oaaerwoed. Prod. Ifg^ 
R«r Frothtaatoaia. Sales 

KYA 

flSa Uarket St. 
PRoapect 840« 

BdwaiA MeOaUum, Station Mar. 
KFRC 

(Dob Lee-Columbia outMt 
1000 Van Ness ArSk 
PRoapect 0100 

Pied Pabot Don Lee Gen. Has. 
Harrison HolUway. Station Ham- 
William Wright, Prog. Dir. 
Walter Kelaer, Musical Dir. 

KJB8 

1880 Bush SL 
ORdway 4148 

Julias Bmaton & Sons, awneas. 
Ralph Bruntoa. Mgr. 
Ralph Smith. Frog. Dir. 



CmC PRIDE 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

Homa town pride has seized NBC. 
Network making free announce- 
menta daily over Its KFO and KGO 
networka plusfflng the city's loca- 
tion, parks, business, etc. 

CaUfomlana. Inc. supplying the 
network with brief slogans and an- 
nouncer reads 'San Francisco's 
Golden Qate park Is the largest 
man-made park In the world,' et aL, 
between time signals. 



Radio Leaders Change 



waa thara anr IdeatUloatloB mada of 
Lennia Hayton with tha stanza, 
though the young leader's style of 
dansapatton has catised consider- 
able comment In radio and musical 
circles. 

Ben Bernla has slipped £rom a 
previous location on the eighth 
level to No. 10, while Kate Smith 
has become a ao-so flller-in round- 
ing oat radio's first dozen. 

Though each region shows that it 
had its own quota of heavy com- 
munity fovorltea, the comics holding 
national leadership in the composite 
summary were to be found, with 
rare exceptions, always antong the 
first six In each district Inference 
noted here Is that comedy and its 
personalities are apparently in the 
ascendency and 'the main popular 
fixture of radio no matter what the 
segment of the coj^ntry. 

In the East 
Latest summaries of *Varlety's' 
correspondents indicate that the 
eastern area is least inclined toward 
giving choice attention to local at- 
tractions. With few exceptions it 
is the chain entertainers who garner 
top favor near the Atlantic Of thei 
non CBS or NBC personalities and 
programs which seem to have 
drummed up a wide following In the 
east is Father Charles J. Coughlln 
with his Sunday homilies on cur- 
rent events. 

Listed among the first 26 leaders 
In Baltimore ate two heart-to- 
heart-talk affairs, Home Town 



(Continued flroia p^ga 4f> 

and Bngllsh Coronets wfaloh hold 
high favor. 

Canada 

Canada adheres closely to the 
likes'of U. S. fans but makes sub- 
stantial reservation fpr local favor- 
ites and retalns.lts i>enohant for clas- 
sical niuslc. Ottawa inclines strong- 
ly toward symphonies listing, in ad- 
dition to the N. T. Philharmonic and 
CBS' Sunday night concert with Er- 



East 



Jack Pearl 
Eddie Cantor 
Ed Wynn 

Rudy Vallee Varieties 
Ben Bemie 
Amos 'n' Andy 
Myrt and Marge 
Al Jolson 
Chestwfleld 

Maxwell House Showboat 
N. T. Philharmonic 
Stoopnagle and Budd 



Philosopher and Lighted "Window, 
while Pittsburgh is now giving spe- 
cial note to the revised Clicquot show 
because Rosey Roswell, its fast 
spieling yam spinner. Is included in 
the bill. 

Middle West 

In the middle west, and particular 
ly the farm districts, the WLS Bam 
Dance, broadcast by the 'Prairie 
Farmer's' Chicago outlet Saturday 
nights, atlii maintains its wide quo 
rum of listeners. Also among the 
perennial faves out that way ay-e 
Qene and Glenn, holding forth out 
of both WLW, Cincy, and WTAM, 
Cleveland. Chicago lists among its 
attention leaders a fiock of kid shows 
such as 'Little Orphan Annie.' 'Sklp- 
py,' Kellogg's 'Singing Lady,' this 
trio regarded nationally as among 
the five top notch Juve shows on the 
chains. Chicago also gives first and 



Midwest 



Jack Pearl 

Ed^le Cantor 

Ed Wynn 

Amos 'n' Andy , 

Myrt and Margfe 

Ben Sernle 

Rudy Vallee Varieties 

Burns and Allen— Lombardo 

Gene and Glenn 

New York Philharmonic 

AI Jolson 

Paul Whlteman ' (Sunday 
concerts) 



nest Hutcheson, the Montreal Sym- 
phony. Out in Wlnnepeg they be- 
guile them with Charlie Herald's 
Round-Up Rangers, Vcm Russell's 
magic stories and "Tito Fandos, a 
tenor of local repute. 

Opinions on the best listening 
hours reveal but minor differences. 
Consensus remains that between 7 
and 10 p. m. is the ace period al- 
though in the farm districts this 
holds true in the winter time but 
not in the summer when the tiller of 
the soil has to catch his early slum- 
ber. This' summer time angl& makes 
listening popular among the farmers 
between the hours of 6 and 7 a. m. 
when the latter return for breakfast 
and around noon when they come in 
for lunch. 



Figures on Pioneer 
Station May Have 
Influenced Can. Govt 



West Coast 



Bureau of Information 



FOR 



Advertising Agencies 



Advertising agencies and others in the field of radio, against 
any problem pertaining to the show business or broadcasting from 
a show angle, are invited to consult 'Variety' for information. This 
service is gratis. Mail communications will be answered promptly. 

Any show angles unfamiliar to the radio program directors of 
advertising agencies, and all others in the radio-show business, will 
be clarified. 

Information particularly may be desired by radio talent buyers on 
the estimation of acts' salary values. These will be forthcoming as 
part of the information, published in 'Variety' in the past as to the 
value of standard attractions for the stage, screen or radio. 

This entire free service is confldentiaL 'Variety' pledges none of 
the requests will be given publicity in print or otherwise. 



Jack Pearl. 
Ed Wynn 
Eddie Cantor 
Amos 'n' Andy 
Happy-Go-Lucky Hour 
Richfield Reporter 
One Man's Family 
Rudy Vallec's Varieties 
Myrt and Marge 
Al Jolson 

Blue Monday Jamboree 
MJB Demi Tasse Revue 



Winnipeg, Feb. 27. 

Provlncially owned government 
station here, CKT, recorded a net 
loss of $15,470 during the year 
which ended Nov. 20, 1932. A reve- 
nue balance over expenditure of 
$2,433 is shown, but Interest and de- 
predation la a big factor in the loss. 

Artists' fees Jumped from $27,839 
in 1931 to $43,259 in 1932. Radio 
department salaries increased from 
$15,203 to $16,641. The revenue from 
advertising and other forms bear- 
ing broadcasting and license fees, 
amounted to $77,226, which amount 
was remitted to the legislature by 
Hon. W. J. Major, K. C, minister 
of telephones. The loss is attributed 
to greater expenditure on entertain- 
ment in line with the radio station's 
Improved program. 

With Canadian radio going alto- 
gether government controlled, the 
troubles of operation of this pioneer 
gov. studio, from which possibly the 
Idea and experiment was copied, are 
deemed significant. Another reason 
Tor the deficit is that business firms 
i iiere do not show a strong outlay 
"or radio advertising. 



second popularity spotting to two of 
Us local originations, Amos 'n' Andy 
and Myrt and Marge, respectively. 

Singled out for special rating In St. 
Paul are its own Whoopee John and 
Tina and Tim, while Ogden, Utah, 
llgures that the Utah Buckaroos and 
the Vico and Pep program, with Al- 
bert Shepherd, violinist, equals about 
the best that the networks have to 
offer. Ogden also holds in high opin- 
ion Dr. John Edw.ird Carver's dally 
inspirational music and talks broad- 
cast locally. 

On the Coact 

Out on the Coast the air picture be- 
comes a highly localized affair after 
giving in on Pearl, Cantor, Wynn, 
Amos 'n' Andy and a few other chain 
luminaries. There the variety type of 
show rides high with such speci- 
mens as KFWB's Hl-Jlnks, Happy- 
Go-Lucky Hour, the Blue Monday 
Jamboree, Merrymakers and the Op- 
timistic Donut Hour. Also around 



Seattle Firm Assumes 
Its 2d Station, KJR 

Seattle, Feb. 27. 

KOMO, operated since 1927 by 
Fisher Flouring Mills, has leased 
KJR with approval of the Federal 
Radio Commission. 

New transmitter to be built for 
KJR and one management to oper- 
ate both stations. Each is an NBC 
affiliation. 



JOEANSENS DIVORCED 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
A divorce last December brought 
by Mrs. Gunnar Johansen against 
the NBC pianist haij Just been re- 
vealed. 

Property settlement effected out 
of court gave Mrs. Johansen $75 
monthly, Johansen also agreed to 
pay 26% of his earnings until she 
remarries, if at all. 



CHI VET OFF 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 
Commonwealth Edison withdraws 
Its sponsorship of 'Air Juniors' over 
WENR this week. Ono of oldest 
local commercials in town, program 
included Irma Glen and Everett 



Mitchell. J 

the southern California area are a I Miss Glen is going to Florida for 
couple of script shows, 'Hon. Archie' a vacation. 



Tueedftf* Febnuury 28,- 1993 



II A»l« 



VARIETY 



49 



CITY DESKS SNUB RADIO 



Pay of Air Taknt in Heatres 
Irb Coast Artists and Stations 



Lioa Angeles, Feb. >T. 
Just bow much of a radto artist's 
salary from theatre appearances 
teloner to the atatlon to a current 
local topic Irking all parties inter- 
ested. 

Situation fafte grown acute with 
the town nuts over air vaude pro- 
grams and resultant personal ap- 
pearances on stages. 

Performers* viewpoint is that any 
outside earnings should be gravy 
for the artist. The station opera- 
tors' attitude is that aa they helped 
to popularise the artist, or the act, 
they should fit Into the cream 
somewhere. 

It was such a controversy that 
brought about the walkout of the 
Columbia-Don Lee artists on the 
Happy-Go-Iiucky hour, and it is 
also worrying other stations where 
an effort Is being made to spot their 
acta in theatres. Viewpoint hero is 
that the question must be settled 
before stage and radio can work In 
harmony. 

Charges Are Aired 

Tom Lee Artists' Bureau, an ad- 
junct of the Lee coast chain, is In 
the thick of the present dispute be- 
tween artists and stations. Plenty 
of oharges are being hurled by ra- 
dio entertainers that the bureau Is 
trying to hog the works. 

Allegations are that the agency 
eharges 20% commission of every 
artist before he can work at any 
of the Lee stations. This is denied 
by the bureau, which points out 
that almost all of the stafC people 
at KHJ here, a Lee station, have 
•igned five-year managerial con- 
tracts with the bureau, but that 
commission la not charged except 
for outside jobs. 

In every case where an artist 
leaves the staff the contracts have 
been torn up. It is stated. Also, It 
is shown that percentage charges 
for artists placed by the bureau 
have been In many cases 10%. 

The Lee stand on theatre dates 
for acts popularized by its stations 
Is that the performers should play 
en a straight guarantee with any 
percentage cut to be at the discre- 
tion of the agency. 

Remedy Sugoested 

Using the argument that the acts 
are needed on the stage because of 
popularity built up via the air, the 
bureau feels that it should be re- 
imbursed for the plugs given the 
stage show on the air progrram. 
Contention is that the station should 
be paid on a scale commensurate 
with the charges made to outside 
advertisers, and that after such de- 
ductions are made from the stage 
profits then the artists should share 
In the profits but not before. 

Under the scheme outlined as a 
working basis for Coast stations 
an act's work on the stage would Je 
handled exclusively by the station 
or its bureau, with a nominal price 
paid the artlut for this outside em- 
ployment. "Whatever percentage ac- 
crues from the house dates would 
then go to the station, which would 
later give the artists an added slice. 



$75 Fee or No Music for 
Chair Warmers, Rules Soc. 

Milwaukee, Feb. 27. 

Hotel lobby chair warmers and 
general loungers will have to do 
their loafing without radio accom- 
paniment from now on following 
action taken by the American So- 
ciety of Composers, Authors & Pub- 
lishers through its local attorney, 
Robert Hess. 

It Is the contention of the society 
that playing of radios In hotel lob- 
bies represents public presentations 
of tune assemblers' products and 
that an annual fee of 176 or more 
must be paid to the society before 
the lobby concerts can be resumed. 

With the present state of hotel 
trade there wfui no delay In remov- 
ing the radios from the lobbies; |75 
la a lot of money. 





1st Organ, 2d Fiddle 



Wilmington, Del., Feb. 27. 
Vic Callle, organist of "WDEL, 
doubled at the console in his 
own wedding at Valley Forge, 
Pa., Wednesday (22). 

Played • his own specially 
written composition (Sonata 
No. 2, opus 9), then rushed 
around to the altar for the 
finale with Dorothy Caulk. 



Nick Kenny, N.Y. Tab's 
RaiEo Colomnist, in 
Fisticuffs with Maestro 



Nick Kenny, New York 'Mirror' 
radio columnist, broke loose with 
hia dukes last week, with Hfu-old 
Stern, 'band leader, at the other end 
of the match. Bout, which was 
staged at the swanky St. Moritz 
hotel, climaxed a series of counter 
burn-ups over what Kenny had 
printed about Stern and what Stern 
had allegedly told the 'Mirror* pub 
Usher. 

What started it was a line run by 
Kenny In his column In which he 
remarked that Stern was going Into 
the Blltmore March 1 as a substitute 
during Paul Whlteman's layoff. 
Stern reproached Kenny for the 
'substitute* description and de- 
manded a correction. Stem has a 
year's contract at the Blltmore. 

When after several days he got 
no action from jkenny. Stern took 
the Issue to A. J. Kobler, the 'Mir- 
ror's' publisher, and the next day 
the correction appeared in Kenny's 
column. 

About a Room~ 

In the exchange of remarks that 
preceded flsticufTs at the hotel Ttl 
day night (24) It developed that 
what touched. Kenny most was 
something the bandman was alleged 
to have said about a room the 
columnist was allowed gratis on a 
permanent basis at the St. Moritz. 
Kenny accused Stem of telling 
Kobler that his columnist was tak- 
ing: up the cudgels for his friend, 
S. Gregory Taylor, manager of the 
hotel, who was sore at Stern's 
quitting on short notice. 

At Kenny's invitation Stern 
walked out of the main dining room 
and with him went off to another 
dining room in the hotel to talk It 
over. Before he had a chance to 
state his side, according to the Stern 
version of what later happened, 
Kenny sailed into him and marred 
him up with a cracked schnozzle 
and a couple of cracked "teeth. Stern 
repaired to a hospital for treatment 
and stayed there over night. 

Execs In the NBC artists bureau 
which booked Stern into the Bllt- 
more yesterday (27) were trying to 
get the bandman to forget about it, 
but Stern said he was determined 
to get a summons for Kenny's ar- 
rest for assault and battery. But 
it still looks like a reconciliation. 



$6 PnX CO. EXPANDS 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 
Wlllard Tablets, possibly the high- 
est retail priced nostrum broadcast- 
ing, will have 12 periods of 15-mln- 
utes each over WEBM and three 
sets of entertainers In an Increased 
schedule. The pills cost $6 a box. 

Gene and Charles Kreltslnger, 
Hugh Astlnwall, and Jack and Judy 
alternate on a staggered set-up for 
the talent. 



APPLICATION DISMISSED 

New Philadelphia, O., Feb. 27. 

Application of the WNPD com- 
pany here for a permit to construct 
a radio static i operating on 850 
kilocycles with 50-watts power dis- 
missed by the Federal Radio Com- 
mission at Washington. 

Commission set March 22 for oral 
arguments on a permit to operate 
on 660 kilocycles with 660-watUi and 
an additional 600 for experimental 
parpoMB. 



f 

OVER IIIIDI9 STimS 



Chicago Dailies' Peculiar In- 
difference to Radio Per- 
•onalitie* When Arrivin^f 
Contrasted with Space 
Given HoUywoodites — 
Few Radio People Get 
Much Attention from City 
Desks, but Radio Colunm- 
ists More Interested 



P. A. HEADACHES 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 
Years of meeting Hollywood trains 
has educated most of the eity desks 
of the Chicago dailies a« to who's 
who among the film stars. But 
every time a radio ater arrivae to 
make a personal appearance, or for 
other reasons, it becomes painfully 
•vident to everybody eitcept the 
radio stars thamselves that tha oity 
deak doesn't know whteh one of 

the Mills Brothers Is Qroucho. 

Not only do newspaper r^^orters 
not Uoten to radio programs, but 
they yawn right in the face of 10,000 
fan letters a week. Their lack of 
respeot !■ disconcerting, especially 
when they arrive late and without a 
photographer because the city desk 
didn't think the arrlvU rated a pic- 
ture. Of course, the radio eolumn- 
Ista are well bred and know bow 
low to bend aocording to the latest 
popularity polls, but they ean't al- 
together square their so-what 
brothers of the city desk. 

Praaa agents opine that the odds 
for landing a picture la the dallies 
of aa Important radio star as 
against a comparative nonentity 
from Hollywood are 4/1 In favor of 
the film unknown. This ean be ac- 
cepted for what It's w<ntli but, per- 
haps, not without a hint of valne. 
Meanwhile, the radio stars who 
carry tape measures to compute 
their fkree space are frequently sar- 
castic about the eompetenoe of the 
press agents. 

They Love Itt 

In general, radio atsrs an hard 
to exploit, though In partial com- 
pensation to the exploiters they are 
usually willing to co-operate. Bspe- 
cially if H means being called upon 
to sing a song at some cafe. Radio- 
Itea working for the most part in 
studios are applause starved. They'll 
stay op all night to be Introduced 
from a table. They also have a 
macabre love of hospitals and en- 
tertaining invalids, a praiseworthy 
practise that it would be oatty to 
suggest has any connection with 
the fact that it frequently makes 
the rotogravure. 

It might be argued that the city 
desks' snubbing of radio stars points 
to a very wide margin which still 
favors the screen as a universal 
entertainment media. Almost any- 
one oould probably name 26 or 30 
picture actors offhand, but how 
many outside of conflnned fans 
could get beyond Amos 'n* Andy, 
Ed Wynn, and three or four others 
In radio? 

Chicago, because of its geograph- 
ical position, comes into contact 
with the stars of Hollywood more 
than any other city except Holly- 
wood and New York. The dallies 
recognize the news value of these 
comings and goings and regularly 
detail Interviewers and photog- 
raphers. But when radio stars, 
supposedly the idols of millions, ar- 
rive In town they're given minimum 
mention and seldom any art. 

No Animus 

Inquiry fails to establish evidence 
to support the theory that adver- 
tising angles are responsible for 
the city desk attitude. Apparently 
no order has ever been issued not 
to mention Kate Smith because L>a 
fDontlnued on paee Ml 



Two BOIs Charging Networks Are 
Monopolies Introduced in Congress 



Technocracy 



San Franclco, Feb. 27. 

Ad agency men don't go to 
shows any more. 

They drop in at NBC There's 
sure to be a Standard Oil au- 
dition going on. 



Benny, at $2 J50, Is 
Jolson's Successor; 
2d Top Radio Salary 

Jack Benny at $2,750 a week (six 
programs) Is Al Jolson's successor 

on the Chevrolet program over NBC. 
Commences next Friday (3). Jol- 
son, with six more weeks to go on 
his contract, finished last Friday. 

While saving $2,260 a week In 
talent costs, the difference between 
Benny's salary and Jolson's $6,000, 
Benny at $2,760 will stUl be getting 
the second highest straight salary 
in radio, topped only by Ed Wynn's 
$^.000 from Texaco. Benny must 
supply the weekly material at no 
extra recompense. Eddie Cantor 
gets $2,600 and $760 extra for ma- 
terial. 

With the comedian on the O. If. 
show will be Mrs. Benny (Mary 
Livingstone). Latter teamed with 
her husband on the former Canada 
Dry program. Benny was set in the 
Jolson spot by Morrison & Winkler. 



Washington, Feb. 27. 

Rumors in oflQclal circles that the 
major chains were on the verge of 
congressional In estlgatlon in the 
House were followed by introduc- 
tion of two bills calling for special 
committees to Investigate monopoly 
charges against NBC and CBS. 

Rep. Louis T. McFadden, Repub- 
lican, Penn., requested cstaJblish- 
mcnt of committee of Ave to de- 
t«:rmine whether NBC Is diverting 
its earnings to meet management 
loiises of RCA. McFadden holds 
that NBC is deriving its income 
from licenses granted by the Fed- 
eral Radio Commission and any 
such income shoull be used in fur- 
ther development of radio service 
in 'public Interest, convenience and 
necessity* as specified in the radio 
act. 

Artist Bureaus, Too 
McFadden further claims that 
nets derive a disporportionate 
share of total earnings of broadcast- 
ing In comparison to their owner- 
ship of or service to total number 
of stations. Preamble to the bill 
claims nets are using radio privi- 
leges to develop artist bureaus 
which are in competition with other 
interests lacking such concessions. 

Other resolution. Introduced BSr" 
Rep. Hampton P. Fuller^ Democrat, 
S. C. is direct accusation that chain 
monopoly Is not giving labor and 
education square deal. Neither bill 
will probably not get on floor this 
session, but will be reintroduced 
next session. 



The Advertising Angle 



{Commentary on the negative aspects of radio merchandising and 
Jtallyhoo for sales. Where the ad end is well Juindled it requires 
no affirmative commendation oT: comment. It's only when advertis- 
ing aspects of commercial broadcasts seem to loch that showmanty 
manner tJiat 'Variety' toitt call it to attention.) 



'Italian Campagna'. This advertiser has two programs, the one 
in Chicago being its Monday night Chinese gooseplmple melo- 
dramer, 'Fu Manchu,' of well-defined popularity, despite Which 
there can hardly be any argument that the sponsor takes greedy 
advantage of ita followers' good nature in the plugs. These run to 
much wordiness, wlndiness, and weariness. Descrlptlona of mani- 
fold virtues of the vanishing cream, stressing of Its cheapness, the 
technique of application (properly a matter for printing on the 
package) Is told In what seems like a few thousand well-chosen 
adjectives, mostly effusive. A second sock at the tall of the pro- 
'gram concerns the so-called "household dispenser,' a gadget for 
bathrooms that Is bard to visualize from the description. It's yours 
for two empty cartons wortli 60c each, or one carton and a dime. 
It Is an amazing commentary on radio that cats In bags can thus 
be sold. Advertising angle throughout this program Is definitely 
a case of taking advantage, to the hilt, of the public's willingness 
to stand for a lot In return for some entertainment. 

'Barbaaol'. Contests, or methods for qualifying in them, are apt 
to be as complicated as a' Rube Ctoldberg mousetrap. Barbasol 
gives away two things. First, a Pontlac automobile, something 
that few people would despise. Second, and Incongruous for a 
shaving cream, a Tefra reflllable toothbrush. To get the tooth- 
brush it is necessary to enclose a second message in your com- 
munication about the automobile which mu3t be a blurb anent 
Barbasol written on the Indianapolis flap of xn empty carton, or a 
facsimile thereof, and sent not later than a certain date to Singing 
Sam in Indianapolis. You've got to want that Pontlac pretty 
badly to figure it out. But America is currently ga-ga over Jigsaw 
puzzles, so maybe it's all really clear. However, some folks will 
find it terribly foggy. 

'Lady Esther* Is a cosmetic devoted to the possibly sound psycho- 
logical dictum that fear is a potent Instrument of advertising copy. 
Fear Is here employed against the other fellow's product. No names 
mentioned of course. But a careful spreading of the Idea that the 
other fellow isn't above poisoning America's complexions by cheap 
or harmful chemicals and that safety alone resides with Lady 
Esther. An advertising approach which depends for Its success 
upon rapping the rival product might seem to leave the door open 
for retaliatory misBlles. Fear campaigns are, of course, not new. 
Body odor, halitosis, and kindred phobias in advertising copy have 
been deliberately fostered for years unto a point where children . 
Joke about them. On the positive side Lady Esther claims an ap- 
plication makes the skin two or three shades llRhter. 

'Three Minute Oats', sponsor of the kid program, 'Secret Three', 
has started to use that unbusinesslike, undlfoilfled, unpardonable, 
hut apparently elTective advertisinp argument, 'our fate Is In your 
hand.s'. Othor advertisers have lately been guilty of this self-pity- 
ing bleat. It's the essence of hokum because the threat Isn't even 
on the level. Does eloquence have to be wasted on the proposition 
that the merits of a product nro not honestly nor Intelligently sold? 
Or by threatening '.o deprive kids of tlielr radio thrills unless the 
kids pester their parents into biiylnfr the product? That Is pre- 
cisely what this advertiser is saying, and regardless of possible 
sales stimulation resulting from such mendicant technique. It's a 
pretty sorry comment In and of Itself. 



,7 



so 



VARIETY 



ADIO REPORTS 



Tuesday, Febniarj 28» 1933 



'CHICKIE' 

With Irene Wicker, Jack Daley, 
Cornelia Osgood, Marie Nelson, 
William Farnum, Vin6ent Cole- 
man, Tom Shirley 
Episodic 
COMMERCIAL 
WBBM, Chicogo 

Sex, as such, has been little ex- 
ploited on the air. Therein radio 
remains the chaste muse with such 
romance as It has presented In 
script programs usually omlttintJ 
anything In the nature of physical 
contacts. This truth becomes clear 
If an attempt is made to recall a 
single kiss upon the radio. Kiss- 
ing, plentiful on the screen and 
stage, Is never heard and almost 
never mentioned over the air. 

'Chlc'.de' proposes to etherize sex 
with a little more frankness and 
realism than has heretofore been 
typical. And therein lies its best . 
chance of hewing a place for itself 
in the radio landscape. 'Chickie,' 
It will be remembered by those who 
know their Hearst papers, was a 
serial dealing with the younger 
genei'ation of petters through the 
eyes of a heroine designed to strike 
a responsive chord in every Wool- 
worth shopgirl's sympathies. 

It is Indeed somewhat remark- 
able that radio hasn't gone into the 
flapper thing before. Its heroines 
have been goody-goody, colorless, 
and prim. 'Chlckle,' of course, Is 
going to get a sugar-coating. It 
was quickly apparent that Fritz 
Block!, the radio adaptor, knows 
what's expected and will temper his 
realism with conventional- sweet- 
ness of motive. 'More sinned 
against than sinning' is obviously 
the keystone of his narrative. 

Marmola, pills to make fat gals 
skinny, Is sponsoring the program 
presently limited to WBBM though 
a network possibility. Marmola 
keeps its announcements brief, 
knowing that the nature of the 
product calls for an exercise of dis- 
cretion and a smart use of words. 

Frankly Intended to skirt the 
danger zone without ever quite be- 
ing irrevocably naughty, the Blocki 
yarn becomes what Is possibly the 
first radio sample in an Elinor 
Olynnish vein which has sold plenty 
^ of pulpwood, serials, novels, and 
I V?' moving pictures. Blocki cooks up 
his tripe with piquant sauces to 
dlseruise its true hature, which in 
any event would probably not be 
detected by the people to whom the 
program will no doubt appeal. 

The dialog rings true enough and 
the whole thing is a plausible pic- 
ture of the younger generation 
struggling with the impulses of 
adolescence. It has been nicely cast 
and presented. A prophecy of suc- 
cess can be made for it without too 
great foolhardiness. Land. 



CRIMINAL COURT 
Dramatic Sketch 
Sustaining 
WMCA, New York 

Announced as based on material 
culled from actual court records, 
these Sunday evening half-hour 
dramatizations make for shoddy 
melodrama. It's crude stuff all the 
way unto script preparation, acting 
and direction. 

Authority cited as responsible for 
digging up the incidents is John B. 
Golden, at one time an assistant on 
the Npw York County district at- 
torney's staff. Those of his cases 
WMCA has 80 far selected for mike 
re-enactment dip into the mangy 
side of human character and con- 
duct. Their bald recital leaves any- 
thing but a pleasant taste. They 
may be authentic cases, but they're 
not good general radio entertain- 
ment. This particularly goes if 
considering the juvenile mind among 
the listeners. 

Seems that radio has reached the 
point of fllling in the void in case 
the growing generation misses out 
on any of the 'facts' of life in its 
tabloid reading. What the network 
crime dramas overlook the indie 
outlets take care of with their own 
versions. Unless they exert some 
marked discretion, the old reaction 
is apt to set in and radio will find 



NEIGHBORS 
With Effio Shannoa 
Serial Skit 
Suataining 
WEAF, New York 

With this Friday evening Instal- 
ment baaed on her 'Friendship Vil- 
lage' stories. Zona Gale makes her 
debut in radio and Judging from the 
initial program (24) NBC has some- 
thing here that should attract a 
strong literary following in addition 
to the regulars who like the homey 
theme in their drama. To a flne 
piece of continuity writing of its 
kind NBC has added a crack cast 
centered around Effle Shannon. 

Retained In the air version, in 
which Marlon DeForeat, who play- 
wrote 'Erstwhile Susan,' contributes 
a dialoging hand, is the Gale Insight 
and observations on the small-town. 
Each character is projected through 
the mike with deft strokes of in- 
dividuality that Impress as close to 
the real thing and make for easy 
identiflcatlon as the situations un- 
roll. ^ Odec. 



'HORSE SENSE PHILOSOPHY' 

Sketch 

Sustaining 

WGY, Schenectady 

A new feature, and one oft the 
beaten tra'ck, is this 16-mlnute Sun- 
day evening item in which Andrew 
Kelly philosophizes on problems of 
the world in general and the eco- 
nomic ones now besetting the U. S. 



•THE MYSTERY CHEF' 

COMMERCIAL 

WGY, Schenectady 

Davis Baking Powder Co. " airs, 
but does not uncloak, the 'Mystery 
Cher for 16 minutes, two mornings 
a week, over NBC's red network. 
Despite claims made, the recipes do 
not sound unusual, but his person- 
ality and style of talking are dif- 
ferent from those of the average 
male cooking expert heard via radio. 
Instead of the hearty, masculine 
manner they affect — probably to 
take the curse off what is consid- 
ered, in this country, a woman's job 
— this chap features a cultured, 
clipped-tone style of talking with a 
dash of personality. 

He may be a 'culinary artist of 
International repute,' as announced, 
and cooking may htL^A been his 
'hobby for 20 years,' jftls he states, 
but he doesn't spealcllke one whose 
livelihood depends. ''upon a knowl- 
edge of what ti> do with biscuit 
dough. Rather he suggests a young 
man who might be a 'class' an- 
nouncer or the graduate of a bet- 
ter-grade university. The Chef 
talks, or reads, rapidly though 
clearly. Voice is easy on the ear 
and he uses the flrst person pronoun 
frequently. Plenty of advertising 
on this program. Jaco. 



'LOG OF THE HELL SHIP' 

With Mrs. Wallace Reid 

Serial 

Sustaining 

KMTR, Hollywood 

Mrs. Wallace Reid makes her air 
debut in this program by Norton S. 
Parker. Period holds promise for the 
serial hounds who currently form a 
big percentage of the dial twisters 
hereabouts. 

Mrs. Reid had previously been 
spotted in one ether sketch, but, de- 
spite a little nervousness in this 
^Swflrst chapter, she is most acceptable 
in her current medium. 

Serial is booked as a sequel to 
*Hell Ship Bronson,' also by Parker, 
which was once lllmed by Columbia 
Pictures. Motif is the blood and 
thunder of Singapore and similar 
points, search for pearl beds, mys 
terious kldnaplngs and double deal 
Ings. 

First installment carries logical 
suspense and the reading is better 
than usual in local dramatic efforts. 
Cast includes Ed Brady, picture 
actor; Louis Merrill, Carl Frederick 
and Baron Von Egerty. Mrs. Reid 
has the femme lead. 

Only competitive drawback as 
regards other local thrillers is that 
this Is a weekly affair. Most of the 
pbpular cliff hangers are daily pro- 
giamg. Stan. 



Radio Protective Material DepL 



Similar to 'Variety's' Protective Material Dept. for vaudeville, 
and for long an institution in the stage show business, 'Vareity' 
again offers its facilities, gratis, for the protection of radio mate- 
rial. 

Radio scripts, Ideas and all material- for broadcasting purposes 
may be registered free with 'Variety' at its main office in New 
Tork. Registration carries no charge or obligation whatsoever. 
Receipt of such material for registration astablishes a means for 
priority claims in the event of future disputes over gags, continui- 
ties, etc. It operated that way for vaudeville and was considered 
by this paper as a free servit;e. Scripts and ideas must be very 
brief and limited to 600 words. Identity of the author must be 
known In the show business or known to members of the "Variety' 
stafd. 

Radio manuscripts, placed in sealed envelopes, are thus regis- 
tered. 'Variety' reserves the right to open any envelopes at any 
time to establish any phase of the legitimacy of the contents, al- 
though it is otherwise not concerned with the contents or outcome 
of any disputes. Likewise, the right, if the sender is not known in 
the show business, to at once open the envelope to ascertain if con- 
tents are sent in good faith or to act as a pseudo claim later on, 
if a duplication should appear on the air or elsewhere. If deciding 
material has not been sent in good faitit, it will not be accepted by 
•Variety* for registration. 

The advantage of this registration of material is to expedite dif- 
ferences and arguments over ideas, gags and material. In the 
vaudeville fleld these arbitrations with the sid of "Variety' meant 
that many cases were kept out of the courts and more speedily 
adjudicated by an intra-trade board. 

Unperformed, like unpublished manuscripts, can't be copyright- 
protected. Thus, this registration affords an author with a num- 
ber of ideas to register these with 'Variety' as a means for the 
establishment of some premise of priority. 



Itself with a censorship problem, too. 

Production of this former assist- 
ant d. a.'s recollections combine 
court procedure with the flashback 
idea. A witness takes the stand 
and his testimony is projected 
through a series of dramatized bits. 
There's g summation by both the 
defendant's counsel, the prosecution 
and the judge's charge to the jury. 
Listeners, as the Jury, are then 
asked to send in their verdict. 

Regularly assigned as the prose- 
cutor In the cast is A. L. Alexander, 
this station's chief announcer. Re- 
sults hint he should stick to an- 
nouncing. Charles Martin la given 
continuity and producer credits. 

Odec 



MJB DEMI-TASSE REVUE 

With Peter B. Kyne, Ted Fio Rito's 

Orch, Tommy Harris, Ernie Smith 
COMMERCIAL 
KGO, San Francisco 

M. J. Brandstein CofCee Co. has 
been experimenting with its Demi- 
Tasse Revue, a Monday night half 
hour over the NBC Coast hookup. 
A new talent lineup went on a 
month ago and wasn't entirely sat- 
isfactory, so the coffee Arm and its 
agency. Lord & Thomas, obtained 
Peter B. Kyne at a reputed price of 
$500 per broadcast. Looks like MJB 
Isn't quite through experimenting 
yet. 

Kyne, who lives and does most of 
his scribbling around these parts, is 
a swell writer, but he's not a radio 
performer. His stint consisted of 
two yarns, running over three min- 
utes each. One concerned a Peru- 
vian national hero, the other a mag- 
nanimous physician. Each packed 
considerable human interest, but 
Kyne's delivery was faltering un- 
certain, and left plenty to be de- 
sired. Same affliction _ troubled 
Ernie Smith, doing the commercial 
announcements. 

Show was all the Flo Rito band 
and Tommy Harris. St. Francis 
hotel dance outflt did a neat job of 
orchestrating, and Muzzy Marcel- 
llno handled the vocals nicely. 

Program builders have wisely 
tossed overboard the imitations 
Tommy Harris was doing when the 
new program flrst went on. Harris 
is now a straight warbler and dis- 
plays salesmanship. Bock 



A. in particular. Kelly, a resident 
of an Adirondack Mountain town, 
plays Dooley, proprietor of a coun- 
try store. He discusses matters 
with Danny, an Impetuous youth 
who drops in for a bit of gabbing 
and enlightenment. 

Occasionally Dooley talks with 
Danny in a lighter vein, on love, 
etc., but most of his discussion is on 
weightier questions such as unem- 
ployment, overproduction, the use 
of credit. Dooley analyzes and ex- 
plains these problems in everyday 
language, making use of homely il- 
lustrations to drive home his points. 

Kelly speaks with a brogue and 
generally makes Dooley a convinc- 
ing character. The chap who does 
Danny is an excellent feeder and 
foil. Scripts are well prepared, al- 
though they occasionally reveal 
minor inconsistencies. Jaco. 



MARLBORO BAND 

Ray Paige's Orch., Sam Coslow, 

Bill Goodwin 
COMMERCIAL 
15 Mins. 

KFRC, San Francisco 

First clggle account to go on a 
western network la Marlboro, 20c 
smoke which is advancing in the 
face of price slashing and extensive 
advertising by the pop priced 
brands. Program comes from KHJ, 
Los Angeles, basic unit of the Don 
Lee chain. 

Ray Paige's band is a 26 -piece 
studio combo directed by the same 
maestro that did a symphojjy at 
Hollywood Bowl last season. Sam 
Coslow, songsmith, handles the 
lyrics. Announcements by Bill 
Goodwin, who has a pleasing, sin- 
cere style. 

Quarter hour is leisurely, steer- 
ing away from hot lyrics, etc., but 
making an evident play for the 
femmes with romantic and heart 
throb ttines. It's on at 9 p.m., Mon- 
days, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 
pretty much without competition. 

Bock. 



Lil Murphy's Auditions 

Worcester, Mass., Feb. 27. 
Lillian Murphy has been audi- 
tioning embryo ether performers 
weekly since the flrst of the year 
over WTAQ. So far two pianists 
and a group of 'mountaineers' have 
made the grado. 



hside Stuff-Radio 



When George Engels stepped in as head of the NBC Artists Service 
he transferred to the network all his concert management contracts ex- 
cept one, and that omission was Paderewflki. It happens that among 
the spare few concert names still drawing is the Polish pianist. But 
NBC nets nothing from Paderewskl's current tour, which has been hold- 
ing up nicely compared to his American itinerary of a year ago. All 
billing matter pertaining to Paderewski advises that he is 'under the di- 
rection of Gteorge Engels' with no reference made to the NBC Artists 
Service. 

Traveling with the pianist at the present time, as his agent. Is L. J, 
Fitzgerald, who was recently succeeded by Sidney Strotz as manager 
of NBS's Artists Service branch in Chicago. Understood that Enjjels 
will find a place for Fitzgerald in the artists' bureau's New York division 
when the Paderewski toui^ concludes. 



Broadcasters' decision to bankroll their own performing rights outfit, 
to be known as the Radio Program Foundation, recalls experiment with 
a similar organization by the motion picture theatre owners about 10 
years ago. Theatre men at the time got Henry Watterson to set up the 
Tax Free Music Bureau, Inc., with the same purpose of building up a 
catalog free from ASCAP control. 

Around $80,000 was appropriated for the purpose and after 10 months 
of operation and an expenditure of |20,000, the project was completely 
abandoned. 



One of the mysteries confronting candidates picked for an audition 
before the NBC program board is who is meant by the 'p. b.' The net- 
work execs and department heads supposed to tune in when an act's 
hearing is designated by the 'program board' are: 

John Royal, v. p. in charge of programs; Phillips Carlin, asst. program 
director; Walter Preston, in charge of the musical end of programs; 
Bertha Bralnard, supervisor of commercial programs; Burke Boyce, con- 
tinuity editor; William S. Rainey, dramatic productions; Harold Kemp, 
artists' service. Also usually Included is some exec or rep from the sales 
department. 

NBC Artists Service now has a permanent arrangement with Standard 
Brands and Its agency, J. Walter Thompson, for the submitting; of acts 
for the Fleischman Thursday night variety show. Auditions for the 
account are held Tuesdays, candidates being picked from those given a 
hearing at the Monday night finals staged weekly for reps of the net- 
work's various departments. 

From the flrst such contingent given an ear by Standard Brands and 
the agency, Llta Grey Chaplin was boolted for a one-time appearance on 
the Flelschmann Thursday night affair. 



Spelling bees, once a popular pastime, are clicking over WBEN in 
Buffalo. They are promoted by the Buffalo 'Evening News,' which owns 
the station. 

Paper rounds up three teams of six persons each, usually reipresenta* 
tlves of societies, clubs, etc., for a Monday evening contest. An edU 
torlal man acts as spell-leader and announcer combined, while promi- 
nent locals do the Judging. In the spell down th-s flrst to inlss gets 18 
points, the next 17, etc. Team with the lowest score wins. This is the 
second year the spelling bees have gotten over in Buffalo. 



Chain time spots which have been filled by a more or less successful 
program over a long stretch are highly regarded at a premium by the 
advertising trade. Networks have little difficulty obtaining successors 
after these honors have been vacated. Case in point is the 10 p. m. EST 
niche on NBC's red (WEAF) network which the Essex and Hudson 
makers grabbed the week after Lucky Strike had withdrawn. 

Trade feels that such programs have built up an established audience 
and that the commercial successor has that advantage at the start. 



Unique angle in Washington, D. C, is the way WOL, lOO-watter, has 
worked up a monopoly on a.m. attention. Outlet runs phonograph 
records exclusively with spot announcements and the correct time every 
five minutes. Housewives, and even business men with sets In their 
offices, tune in to set their clocks or watches. 

NBC and CBS stations admit the one-lunger has the morning audience 
pretty well wrapped up, with network household hints and cooking 
recipe affairs unable to make much of a dent here. 



CBS' unloading of a slew of sustaining shows on current schedules will 
Include the Walter Smith band concert out of Boston Sunday evenings 
and the Arabasque affair, which in recent months has been limited to 
the Dixie link. Also folding is the literary America's Grub Street Speaks 
with Thomas Stix. 

Network's program department has in line the features to replace 
the eliminations but is awaiting the final okay from exec higher-ups. 



Looks as though the air split between George Olsen and Ethel Shutta 
is permanent. Both figure that Miss Shutta can do better going It alone. 
NBC Artists Service is now offering her to commercials on that basis. 

Most that Olsen could get for his wife was $500 additional when work- 
ing with the band. But mostly on the strength of the missus' air popu- 
larity Olsen netted $?,000 both on New Tork and Washington theatre 
dates. 



Despite the heavy pruning given the payroll at CBS last week, broad- 
casting trade expects that network to have little trouble weathering the 
spring and summer season, even if it turns out tough, because of the 
huge cash reserve accrued the past three years. 

Columbia hasn't as yet released its financial report for 1932, awaiting 
the return from vacation of W. C. Runyan, comptroller. 



H. B, Thomas, sales manager of the Centaur Co., makers of Castorla, 
is in Frisco from Varlck, N. T., listening to NBC's broadcast of Cas- 
torla's serial, 'Dr. Dick.' 

Once weekly program, giving away household hints, has been leading 
in Coast network's fan mall for the past month. Account has added all 
of the NBC Coast stations to the hookup. 



A commercialized demonstration was put over by WKT, Oklahoma 
City, in which a four-way remote split was devised. Vocal trio and 
orchestra were used. 

One singer sang from the Oklahoman building, a second was at a 
funeral parlor, and- the third was in the WKT studio. Ted Mack's or- 
chestra, from the Sklrvln hotel, furnished the accompaniment. 

First Coast radio act to have haberdashery named after them is Frank 
Watonabe and the Honorable Arehle, KNIX standbys. 

Exclusive downtown men's store is offering the 'Honorable Archie 
Shirt' and the 'Frank Watanabe Tie,' carrying pen sketches of the pair 
in newspaper ads boosting the goods. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1935 



BAD to 



VARIETY 51 



CBS CUT IS DUE 
TOEXPEaED 
AD DROP 



In anticipation of a flock of com- 
mercial cancellations taking effect 
In March and April 'William S. 
Faley, CBS prez, has put this web's 
Bustainlne artist list and the home 
office personnel through a stiff 
prunlner. Notices were handed to 
some 80 persons in the sales, pro- 
duction, program and publicity de- 
partments. The clipping among the 
artists affected practically every 
one not tied to a commercial pro- 
gram. 

Among the sustaining entertainers 
are Ben Alley, Artell Dixon, the 
Funny Boners and Helen Nugent. 
Outside of Morton Downey, under 
a year's guarantee contract, those 
retained . were Barbara Maurel, 
Charles Carllle and Betty Barthcll. 
Stoopnagle and Budd, and on th^ 
news broadcasting end Edwin C. 
Hill, whose contract on the Socony 
stanza has eight weeks to go. 

Economy axe also took in three 
announcers^ John Mayo, Mark Cas- 
Bidy and Carlyle Stevens. Among 
those afTected in the production de- 
partment was Minnie Blauman, who 
had charge of arranging the pro- 
grama for the sustaining warblers. 
She had been with the network 
■Ince its organization. 

Several of the dropped artists 
were given the alternative of re- 
maining on a non-salary basis, the 
network to slip them in on sustain- 
ing periods when available and to 
continue, submitting them to com- 
aierciala. . 

As to the pruning of staff person- 
ael explanation given by Faley was 
that It either had to be that or a 
general slashing of salaries. Net- 
work put through a coin cut of 15% 
last summer. 



Chi CBS Not Axed 

Chicago, Feb. *7. " 

Axo expected for the past fort- 
night among Columbia employes 
didn't fall here last week. Whether 
the reported epidemic of outs In New 
York is to be' extended to Chicago 
Is not reported. 

One salesman was let out but this 
Was described as & purely local 
matter. 




Morton A. Milman 

circle 7-2525 
-2680 




CHARLES 
ALTHOFF 

Tnrlety, New York 



VINCENT SOREY 

Creator of the 

Gauehos Progvam 

I And Ukny Other Superior ProBrams 
I CBS Snnday 11 P. H. WABC 



"SWEETHEARTS OF THE AIR" 



MAY 8INGHI 



PETER 



I-BREEN axd DE ROSE- 
ENTERING lOTH YEAR OF RADIO [ 
Mgt. NBC Artists' Barean 



IMMERMAN & SON, Inc. 

Its WEST 44th ST.. NEW YORK 
SUPERIOR COLORED TALENT 

For nadio and Stage, Building Acta, Re- 
fuos. Orchostratlng and Arranging, Loasons In 
all typa ot Stago and exhibition Dancing 

Unusual Votca Culture Method 
STUDIO AVAlT.Ani.K BV THE IIOCH 
BRyant 9-9638 



THURSTON 

Sponsored by 
SWIFT A CO. 
On a Renewed Contract 
Thursdays and Frldayt, 8:45 P.M. (EST) 

N'.n.C. Coaat to Coast 



Renewals 



standard Oil of N. J. has, 
besides the Marx Brothers 
stanza, renewed for the Charlie 
Chan series on NBC and the 
concert program on CBS Tues- 
day nights. All contracts are 
for another 13 weeks. 

General Mills has made It an 
additional 62 weeks for the 
Betty Crocker morning stanza 
on NBC. 

F. W. Fitch starts plugging 
its shaving cream March 5 
over a four- station midwest 
CBS hookup with a musical 
show out of the Chicago 
studios. Towns Included In ad- 
dition to Chi are Milwaukee, 
Minneapolis, and Waterloo, la. 

Jo-Cur wave set will do 13 
more weeks on CBS Sunday 
afternoons over 16 stations. 
Same cosmetic combne, Aflflll- 
ated Products, has Albert 
Bartlett's orchestra taking up 
the preceedlng quarter hour on 
CBS to plug Klssproof lipstick. 



Gov't Gives 3-Qiiestion 
Albmrtis a Tough One 
To Answer, Mail Charge 



San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Postal Inspectors this week put 
the onus on Alburtls, radio seer, and 
packed Alburtls and an assistant, 
V. E. Mclntyre, off to Albequerque, 
N. M., on charges of using malls to 
defraud. 

Alburtls, who in private life Is J. 
R. Randolph, was last on KOB in 
the New Mexico city. He promised 
via radio to answer three questions 
on any subject for $1. 

Last year he was on KPWI with 



City Desks Snub Radio 



(Continued from page 49) 

Palina cut its lineage. Indeed, this 
Is pooh-poohed as fantastic, when 
suggested that newspaper prejudice 
against rado would go that far. 
As a matter of fact it is generally 
felt that any newspaper grudge 
against radio isn't very tangible 
in Chicago where all the dallies 
are affiliated with a station. 

Apparently radio personalities get 



the same gag and was responsible 
for that station nearly losing its 
license. 



such meagre news attention be- 
cause the city desks don't know on© 
from the other (speaking broadly) 
and because they haven't yet been 
persuaded that the reading public 
wants radio gossip apart- from the 
regular departmentalized stuff. 

As near as can be ascertained 
most of the mldwestern cities such 
as Milwaukee, Detroit, St. Louis 
and Omaha are correspondingly 
lukewarm toward radio personal!- 
ties as spot news. However, this 
works in reverse ratio as apparent- 
ly the smaller towns are more re- 
ceptive. 



G-M TO BUNCH 
INTO 1-HR. SHOW 



Intention of General Motors is to 
withdraw all air programs specific- 
ally connected with ^s various 
subsidiary firms and substitute a 
weekly one- hour variety show. This 
win have gijest stars, changing on 
each program, with the Paul White- 
man unit the permanent orchestral 
background. 

This G. M. plan means that it will 
not renew with NBC for Bulck 
after March 27, or for Fontlac with 
CBS (Stoopnagle and Budd) which 
winds up its initial 13 weeks March 
23. Motor cumblne previously no- 
tified NBC that Oldsmobile will call 
it quits April 1. 

Commercially the hour program 
O. M. has In mind will be split Into 
four parts. Plug on the first quar- 
ter hour will be of the Institutional 
sort, the remaining blurb Insertions 
being divided among Oldsmobile, 
Bulck and Pontiac. 



YANK WRITER POPULAR 
JAP RADIO FEATURE 



One of the best-known radio 
artists in Japan is Burton Crane, 
American newspaperman on the 
'Japan Advertiser,' English dally In 
Tokyo, and correspondent for 
American newspapers, Including 
•Variety.' Having mastered the 
Japanese language, Crane's record- 
ings in the native tongue are big 
sellers, in addition to which he 
writes songs, some of which will be 
published by the Broadway tlnpan 
alleyltes. 

The novelty of an American hav- 
ing mastered an academic knowl- 
edge of the difficult native lingo In- 
trigues the native population, 
which, of course, recognizes the 
foreign accent in Crane's pronunci- 
ation. 

Crane Is popularly greeted as 
•Sharlle' In Tokyo nlte life, although 
not in the same meaning as Amer- 
ica's 'Vass Tou Dere, Sharlie?' 



Willson's Sec, Office 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

Meredith Wlllson has been named 
musical director of NBC's western 
networks and handed an office and 
secretary on the second floor of One 
Eleven Sutter. 

Maestro retains his numerous 
programs, Including one transconti- 
nental a week. 



KOGEN, AGNEW OFF AIR 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Pennzoil Sunday iccount dropped 
Harry Kogen's band and took (2G) 
Hal Kemp Instead. Kogen had it 53 
weeks. It's Kemp's initial commer- 
cial. Over CBS. 

Another band losing its sponsor 
is Charley Agnew's. Yeastfoam will 
shortly start sponsoring a script en- 
tertainment through NBC. 



Frisco Bread Hour 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

KFRC of the Don Lee network 
has landed a weekly 60-mlnute va- 
riety show for Remar Bread, which 
begins Wednesday (29). 

Arnold Maguire will m.c, balance 
of talent including Consuelo Gon- 
zales, Pedro, Axel Axelson, Noodle- 
bugs, Yeomanettes and Ronald Gra- 
ham. 



OPENING 



At the 

Biltmore Hote 

New York City 

Tomorrow (AAARCH 1) 

(Formal Opening Tuesday March 7) 

After Two and Half Years 

At the 

St. Moritz Hotel 





AND HIS ORCHESTRA 




Management 

ED. SCHEUING 



BROADCASTING NIGHTLY 

Over the NBC 11 
Station WEAF II artists' SERVICE 



NBC 



11:30 to 12:00 P. M. 



52 



VARIETY 



n AD to 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



|^lJllllllllllUllMlHailllllHllllJlLllimjllBllB«ipiiUlli«ll.HlM6>tiaMllHHiBlllll, 



RADIO CHATTER 

;il lU I I»UMMEll!lMlimMMIlHMIlMIIIBi!IIBBMUHIllJlBBaailBHHIlilllllMaMig 



East 



Like William Hall, Vaughn de 
L.eath Is off the CBS air waves dur- 
ing her 10 weeks' vaude tour, but 
not out of CBS. She is being 
booked and managed by the net- 
work for her personal apps. 

Albany, N. Y., considered the old- 
est city In the United States, chosen 
as the subject for a nationwide 
broadcast over Columbia during the 
regular Crosley (WliW) serenade 
hour. 

Kate Smith's date (24) at Rich- 
mond, Va., was on a 50-50 spilt with 
the town's relief fund. Rotary club 
engineered. 

Vaude acts heard on NBC's last 
Monday night auditions included 



PARAMOUNT, NEW YORK 
This Week (Feb. 24) 

Harry 
Stockwell 

Juvenille-Baritone-Lead 

Third Season 

Earl Carroirs "Vanities*' 



Archie Bell (Cleyeload Kews) 

"To Harry Stockwell falls the 
Interestlner prlvUese of introduo- 
ing them hy a song or a few 
words. His voice and style of 
BlDKlnK increase constantly and 
he's acquired a stage certainty. 

"Not since John Steel, has this 
particular mission been more 
capably performed." 



Direction 
LOUIS SHURR— AL MELNICK 



Joe Laurie, Jr.; Harry Savoy, Uta 
Grey Chaplin, Charlie Mosconl and 
McLoughlln and Evans. 

Southern Singers go on the NBC 
blue (WJZ) Monday, Wednesday 
and Thursday nights. 

Craig Kennedy stories is the 
latest detective character adapta- 
tions groomed for the air. 

NBC program board gave the ear 
to an act Gus Edwards has framed 
for radio. 

Rosalyn Green was a leading 
woman with the WGY Players, 
Schenectady, in 1926 while a fresh- 
man at the N. Y. State Teachers 
College. 

Batton, Barton, Durstine & Os- 
borne is having the 'Cowboy Tom' 
programs recorded for Remington- 
Rand, Inc., at the World Broadcast- 
ing studios. 

Maker of Velodo starts a harmony 
trio on a weekly quarter-hour af- 
fair over WEAF this Saturday (4) 
afternoon. 

Morey Davidson, continuity direc- 
tor for WJAY. Cleveland, is the 
writer of the 'Blue Moments' tune. 

Eddie Cantor's extended contract 
with Chase & Sanborn allows him 
the~ summer out for picture making 
on the coast. 

CBS shuts down its experimental 
television station, W2XAB, New 
York, With the explanation that fur- 
ther operation offers little pos- 
sibility of contributing anything 
new to the art 



West 



"THE GREATEST TRIO 
ON THE AIR"| 

Two girls and a boy that slide and 
spai^Ie with red hot music and song 
for the early risers." 

(AIRCA3TER) 



DON-IULLTnO 



COAST TO COAST 
WEAF SUNDAY 10 P.M. 
WJZ 7:30 A.M. Every 
Uon., Tues., Wed., Thnrs., Frl., Sat., 
Mpt M. Gale, 151 W. 4eth St., Naw York 



Los Angeles Broadcasting Co., 
operating KFAC and KFVD, hats In- 
corporated. 

Tom Wallace has left KNX, Hol- 
lywood, for New York. To take a 
whirl at the chains. 

Santa Barbara, Cal., seeking a 
100-watt police license. 

The Guardsmen, male quartet un- 
der contract to KNX, go to KFI on 
loan for three weeks. 

Llndsey Splght of NBC's com- 
mercial department is in Los An- 
geles lining up business for the 
chain. 

Almee McLean goes to KHJ as 
assistant publicist to Leslie Ma- 
whinney. First station on the coast 
to sport two p. a.'s. 

Marian Mansfield, KNX singer, 
doing picture work. 

Formal dedication of KFPY's new 
studios In Spokane was begun last 
week. New equipment recently In- 
stalled makes It one of the most up- 
to-date units In the far west. 

Lucy Robinson, conducting a 
weekly book review over KHQ, 
ranks as dean of local radio person 
alltles. On the air continuously for 
over five and a half years. 



fLEONi 



Mid-West 



Selk M 'Wont* 



Denver, Feb. 27. 

Eugene P. O'Fallon is sell- 
ing his 600-watter, KFEL, to 
advertisers aa TJenver'a worst 
station.' Tells the prospects 
that his la the lowest calibre 
of entertainment in town, but 
if it'a the lower classes that 
the advertiser is after KFEL's 
got them as listeners. O'Fal- 
lon admits he is catering ex- 
clusively to the laboring and 
foreign population of the town, 
which takes In a large colony 
of Mexicans, with the ' pro- 
grams giving special play to 
boxing, wrestling and detailed 
narratives of police news. 

To prove that he's got them 
tuning in O'Fallon got a local 
department store. May's, to 
put on a test plug for its cheap 
dresses, and then follow up 
with an inquiry among custom- 
ers as to the source of their 
info about the garment sales. 
Results got him a contract. 



(sustaining) originating from 
WBBM.over a CBS coast-to-coaster 
moves from Sunday night to Thurs- 
day. 

Vivian M. Gardner writing radio 
news for the Wisconsin 'News.' 

Acme White Lead will keep Ed 
McConnelf on CBS from Cincinnati 
another 18 weeks. 

Charley Hamp will do another of 
his combo selling-entertaining job3, 
starting March 13 for Red Star 
Yeast ovet WBBM, Chicago (local). 



South 



Woodin aa 'Angel' 



(Continued from page I') 

American Car and Foundry Co. prez 
having met through common bib- 
llophlllc interests. Ultimately 
Woodin then became Miller's back- 
er when the music editor left Harms 
to start his own music publishing 
business. Aa a result of Miller's 
ambitions in the production field. 
Harms and Miller's relations be- 
came greatly strained. 

Miller paid sizable sums for the 
publication rights to the last Zieg- 
feld 'Follies,' for example, and nary 
a hit eventuated. Vincent You- 
mans' 'Great Day' cost a $15,000 ad- 
vance royalty, etc. In that wise 
music men estimate Woodin has 
backed Miller for around $100,000 
worth, 

Woodin has had some of his own 
compositions privately recorded by 
Victor, and also has published a 
book of children's songs. His 
'Franklin Delano Roosevelt March' 
will be featured by Eddie Duchln's 
orchestra, one of the four band or- 
ganizations slated for the Inaugural 
Ball at Washington, D. C. 



Films Too 'Wise* 



BEUSCO 



N.B.C. 

Wed. 
9:30, E.S.T. 
Woodbury 
Hour 



Mon., Thurs. 
and 
Saturday 

NIGHTLY 
AMBASSADOR HOTEL, N. Y. 
Sole Direction HERMAN BEBME 
1619 Broadway, New York 



Major Carl Broslus now telling 
the girls how to keep thin via 
WTMJ, Milwaukee 'Journal' station. 

Milwaukee listeners have perked 
up since the Introduction of Gersh- 
win's 'Cousin from Milwaukee' into 
air programs. 

Radio Aces now facing the mike 
over WRJN, Racine, four times 
daily. 

Louis Roen, WTMJ announcer, 
rumored to resume his singinfr. 
With an orchestra — and sponsored. 

WLS Barn Dance caused a Jump 
In attendance at the Alhambra the- 
atre, Milwaukee. 

Aunt Sammy on WKBH, La 
Crosse, is Blanche M. Travis. 

Eleanor Merceln directs air shows 
given over WISN by the WISN 
Players. 

Foreign Legion dramatic program 



Francis Craig has returned his 
band to Nashville, where he is Ail- 
ing an engagement at the Hermi- 
tage hotel and WSM. 

Madge West now director of the 
WSM Players, Nashville. 

Federal Radio Commission has 
granted 60 -day permit t6 double 
power to KTRH, Houston. Station, 
a Columbia link, becomes 1,000 
watts. 

'Vox vopuli' broadcasts from the 
streets is the top attraction over 
KTRH, Houston. 

Press associations conducting sur- 
veys in the southwest to determine 
extent of radio competition In news 
broadcasts. 

Dorothy Copeland, Civic Opera 
soprano, has Joined the 'Polly of 
Hollywood' period over KTRH. 
Feature broadcast by Lecta Rider, 
theatre, critic of the Houston 
'Chronicle.' 

KPRC, the NBC link In Houston, 
excited over possible Eddie Cantor 
broadcast from there. 

'Meet the Staff' feature. In which 
newspaper reporters will make their 
bow as alrcasters, set for KTRH, 
Houston, with Jointly owned news- 
paper, the 'Chronicle.' 

Mexican musical show bankrolled 
by the Gebhardt Chill Powder Co. 
has done its 378th consecutive 
broadcast over WOAI, San Antonio, 
Tex. 

Alvin Masten, musical director of 
WSM, Nashville, was born in the 
house next door and owned by Pres- 
ident McKlnley in Canton, O., some 
40 years ago. 



OFF 'UKFAIE' LIST 

Davenport, Feb. 27. 
woe, unit of the Central Broad- 
casting Co., off the 'unfair' list of 
the musicians' local. National Fed- 
eration of Musicians has sanc- 
tioned settlement plans. 
■ Strike was called Jan. 26, jiim 
being over salary and alleged viola- 
tion of union rulings. 



(Continued from page 1) 

the greatest increase is in the ado- 
lescent sector. 

In normal times fully 75% of pic- 
ture house attendance has come un- 
der the single classification of adult. 
This class is so widely split now, 
however, that it has been divided 
into male and female adults. 

Today, according to this research, 
men In the adult attendance amount 
to only 26%. And those familiar 
with the intricacies of the buying 
public comment that the male at- 
tendance is still steadily on the de- 
cline, so much so that by the end 
of '33 adult male fans will, at the 
present rate, number little more 
;than 20% of the b.o. regulars. 

Femmes 50% 

On the other hand, the bulk per- 
centage of attendances right now 
are women. They number 50% of 
the current admissions at tlie coun- 
try's box office. 

Children, rated as the most habit- 
ual of fans In all classes, have cut 
their attendance In half during the 
past 10 years. Today they comprise 
8% of the consistent buyers. 

Adolescents, ranging in years 
from 16 to 20, have Increased to 
12%, which represents a slight raise 
of 2% over their original b.o. bulk. 

While It would seem that depres- 
sion, at first glance, is responsible 
for audience shrinkage running into 
millions, which represent roughly 
about 40% of the Industry's general 
American audiences of as recent as 
three years ago, attendance ana- 
lysts claim the faults are as much 
within the industry Itself. 

Sophisticated pictures are held 
partially responsible for the drop in 
child and adult male classes. The 
average man dislikes the average 
run of standardized sophistication 
on the screen as much as the child, 
spokesmen for the industry assert. 

Radio, of Course 

Again, radio Is held responsible 
for a good part of the drop In adult 
male class. 

Adolescents, on the other hand, 
go for popular brands of film so- 



phistication. "The hotter the better 
For that matter women generally 
are credited with suf&clent Uklns 
for this kind of screen wisdom to 
replace the ranks vacated by men. 

Men and children are regarded as 
the two biggest assets for the box 
office. Without them higher prlcea 
in the evening suffer because the 
family taste Is divided. Aa the re- 
sult, mother . is finding it better, 
according to the report, to lean to- 
ward individualism in the matine» 
and its cheaper price. 

The survey is directly interpreted 
as meaning that Hollywood must 
produce a greater variety of prod- 
uct; that the exhibitor must pay 
more attention to his program and 
aim consistently — not merely every 
other month or so — at a definite 
variety. 





Management 

WALTER BATCH ELOR 

BATH CLUB REVUE 
WABC — ii- 

Sunday, 9 P. M., E. S. T. 




KATZMAH 

And His UNIT ORCHESTRA 



ABE 

LYMAN 

AND HIS 

CALIFORNIA ORCHESTRA 
Colombia Broadcasting System 
PHILLIP'S DENTAL MAGNESIA 
Tnes., Wed., Thnrt., B:4S to 9 P.M. E.S.T. 

COAST-TO-COAST 

A B C 



FREDDY 
MARTIN 




.'%ND HIS Ml'SIC 

COCOANUT GROVE 
PARK CENTRAL HOTEL 
NEW YORK 

BRO.'IDCASTINO NIGHTLY 




Columbia Phonograph Company, Inc., 



A COMPLETE RADIO-PROGRAM SERVICE 




Directed by E. R. CONNE and AL BOASBERG 

The many friends of E. R. Conne and Al Boasberg will be glad to learn of their 
new tie-up with the Columbia Phonograph Company, Inc. Columbia now of- 
fers, under the able direction of these men, a well-rounded, complete radio service. 



Live-program Creation Artists' Bureau 

Electrical Transcriptions Complete Casting Service 
Electrical Recording from Air to Disc Script Editing 
Program Rehearsing and Staging Campaign Counsel 



RECORDING STUDIOS 

under the supervision of 
Ben Selvin 

Chicago Studios Under Supervision oC B. W. Young 



TIME PLACEMENT 

under the supervision of 
Burt Squire 



.^h»si i/mthmtn will wtlcome tb* 
ifportutii/y to shoulder jiour radi»' 
progrsm pr^lmi. Address, or callt 




Phonograph Company, Inc., ^ TORiTv! 



Tuesday, Febrvarj 28, 1933 



RADIO 



VARIETY 



53 



Parties, Side Trips and Gags 

For Visitii^ Air Time Buyers 



lioa Anseles, Feb. 27. 

It'f the great ouMoor and Indoor 
pafitlme now for ad agency repa, 
aiBO men and sundry radio hangers- 
on to dine, wine and pine over vlelt- 
Ing execs of national ai^vertlslng 
flrms who hit the Coast for pleas- 
ure and huslriess. The mob that 
meets the trains, hoping for a pos- 
dble account, makes the station 
look like U. S. C. returning after 
• South Bend victory. 

The boys work on the theory that 
anyone heading this way must be 
here to play and the competition to 
entertain Is ail along the line of that 
famous trio beginning with wine 
and ending in stfng. 

The following roiitlne of one na- 
tional advertising personage will 
give you an Idea of how the lads 
go about It: 

Arrives In L. A., lunches at a 
studio a,nd shown pictures In the 
making. 

Dined at the Coconut Grove, so 
bc'can get a peep at the fllm celebs. 
Then to the Chinese theatre to see 
•Cavalcade.' 

Next day Callente and remains 
«ver an extra day. Back In L. A. 



THE GREEK 
AMBASSADOR 

of GooJ-Wm 

GEORGE 
GIYOT 

. Sola Direetion 
HERMAN BERNIE 
. 1619 Broadway, New York 



•NOW AT' 



ST. REGIS 



YORK. 




WEEKS 

AND HIS ORCHESTRA 

IN.B.C. NETWORK 
LUCKY STRIKE 
BRUNSWICK RECORDS 

Direction MUSIC CORP. OF AMERICA 



ATTENTION!! I 
SPONSORS!! I 

SIDBARY 



Radio's Versatile Baritone 

This Week, Veb. M, V«wark 

HEADLINING for LOEW 

Bntlre Loew Circuit to Follow 
RKO, Mirty FeitiBi 
U«v, Johany Hyil»— Wm. Moirli Agtaey 




THREE 



Pearl 



JeMde 



SISTERS 



I. 



NBC 

Mon., Wed., Fri., 
WJZ, 6:30 F.M. 



Personal Management ED WOLF 



the following day for a cocktail 
party at Beverly Hllla. 

Practical Jokes 

On way to station arrested by po- 
lice, but It'a all a pre-arranged gag. 

Leaves L. A. for San Francisco to 
find, after train starts moving, that 
In the berth In his stateroom Is a 
pretty Mexican girl who claims she 
was married to the exec In Callente. 

Exec tries to throw the gal out, 
but afraid of the scene he flees the 
compartment. 

Train arrives at Glendale where 
an automobile Is waiting, with the 
glrl'a clothes, and the gag is re- 
vealed. 

Some fun, and a 13-tlme air con- 
tract. 



LEE CHAIN THREATENS 
SUIT OVER lUCKY' TITLE 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

War Is brewing between the Don 
Lee Coast Columbia chain and 
KFI, local NBC outlet, over the 
latter's engaging Hal Pearce and 
other walkouts from the Lee Cir- 
cuit, who are scheduled to begin 
broadcasts today (Monday) over 
KFI as 'Hal Pearce and his Happy- 
Go-Lucky Gang.' 

Lee claims prior right to the 
'Lucky' title, and since the walkout 
of Pearce and other artists from the 
coast CBS program has been con- 
tinuing a dally hour under that title, 
a four year fav over that chain. He 
threatens litigation If the slated 
hour goes on, 

Pearce and the other artists arc 
slated on KFI as a sustainer, with 
an understanding that negotiations 
will be begun for full NBC coverage 
later. 

Going onto the KFI bill with 
Pearce are his brother, Cal, Norman 
Nellson, Murray Amsterdam, Mabel 
Todd, Hazel "Warner and Tony 
Romano. 



Appeal Test Case 



Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 27. 

KFAB's defamatory suit which 
was settled for $500 on acknowl- 
edgement of the station a month 
ago, has been appealed by the sta- 
tion to the state supreme court. 
Growing out of the content of a 
political speech two years ago In 
which one politician libelled another, 
the case has been a test to flx lia- 
bility for such remarks on the sta- 
tion of broadcast. 

At the time of the speech a ruling 
of the Federal Radio commish 
would not allow a station to delete 
the remarks of a customer, hence 
seemingly withholding It from 
blame. The complexion of this test 
case will be fixed by the law group 
shortly. 



LONGFELLOW KNEW 



Ad Agency Men Quote Poet on Air 
Time Argument 



Longfellow certainly knew his 
stuff when he tossed off 'Between 
the Dark and the Daylight.' Sur- 
vey taken by a major ad agency 
has developed that tuning In be- 
tween the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. is 
no easy matter for the average 
adult when kids are in the family. 
This period has become known as 
the Children's Hour and Is monop- 
olized by the youngsters for their 
favorite programs. 

Rather than deprive the children 
or run the risk of crying squalls the 
survey discloses that the average 
parent makes It a practice of stay- 
ing away from the dial during the 
5 to 7 stretch. 



FORMER NEWSPAPERMAN 

CONNECTED FOR 17 YEARS WITH SHOW BUSINESS 

Experienced In publicity, exploitation, advertising and managcrl.nl 
capacities (vaudeville, legitimate, motion picture and radio), de- 
sires a NEW DEAL. 

TWELVE YEARS WITH ONE FIRM 
Prefers a Permanent Motion Picture or Radio Connection 
WILL CONSIDER ANY REASONABLE OFFER 
Past Performances a Matter of RIOCORD 
Address Box 104, Variety, New York City 



— ^And Stay for Tea! 



Chicago, Feb. 20. 

In an era of bargains the 
Rogers Clothing Co. broadcasts 
over WCFL the champ all-time, 
all-lncluslve combination bar- 
gain offer. 

The Rogers firm sells suits 
and overcoats at $14.50 under 
the following conditions:, 

(a) 11 buys a second suit or 
a second overcoat. 

(b) Separate pants $2.39, sec- 
ond pair 10 cents extra. 

(c) A toy for every child. 

(d) Five gallons of gasoline 
and free parking to all motor- 
ists who shop with them. 

(e) Railroad fare paid within 
radius of 100 miles for any cus- 
tomer. 

(f ) Free pressing service once 
a week for one year after sale. 

(g) All clothes guaranteed six 
months. 

(h) Accept municipal or tax 
anticipation warrants In pay- 
ment at 10% over market rate. 

(1) Souvenirs for every cus- 
tomer. 



No Time for Ethical Hair-Spiittiiig 
On Commission, Say Broadcasters 



DEFINITE SWING 
TO Yi HOUR 
PROGRAMS 



string of new accounts, which 
have Joined the networks the past 
nionth. Indicate that the swing Is 
back to the full half -hour periods 
and away from the IB-mlnute Idea, 
unless the program Is of the serial 
script variety. 

Number of commercials have 
signified Intention of converting 
their quarter-hour periods to half- 
hours. This includes Procter & 
Gamble (Mills Brothers) which has 
asked CBS to find it a straight 80- 
mlnute spot to replace the two 
quarter-hour stanzafl now In use. 

Ad agency men say they're re- 
acting to a trend apparent among 
listeners. Dial fans, according to 
the ad lads, have come to take their 
radio entertainment more leisurely 
and are loathe to keep jumping up 
to dial for another program. Wane 
In popularity among the agencies 
for the warbling soloist haa also 
had Its effect. If it's a variety show 
that the advertiser elects in place 
of the singing single, agencies are 
taking the stand that It can't be a 
well-balanced program unless it's 
pegged for at least a half hour. 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Radio stations are accepting spot 
(disc) business from anybody and 
paying 15% commission on It. This 
constitutes a not-too-poUte brush- 
ing aside of the wishes of the Amer- 
ican Ass'n of Advertising Agencies 
which dislikes the 'promoters and 
outsiders' and would like to freeze 
them out of the radio set-up. 

But station men are bluntly de- 
claring that times are too tough 
and revenue too hard to find for 
them to make enemies, small or 
large, by refusing to give commis- 
sion. Four A's would like to make 
an 'ethical' question of who can and 



NOT ESPECIALLY UPSET 
OVER RADIO KID SHOWS 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Chicago 'Daily News' through its 
radio editor, Charles J. Gilchrist, 
has solicited correspondence from 
parents as to their attitude on the 
typical children's programs. Re- 
sponse apparently Is a divided vote 
on the harmful or unwholesome In- 
fluence Inherent in bloodthirsty ad- 
venture yams so numerous between 
6-7 p. m. every evening. 

Matter Is of Interest as a com- 
mentary on the women's club 
angle which to the older entertain- 
ment medium, motion pictures, has 
been a problem for years and gets 
a good deal of thu attention of the 
Win Hays organization. Although 
there have been rumbles for some 
time that the kid sho^s on the air 
were exciting the children to the 
detriment of their digestion and 
slumbers, there has apparently-been 
no organized opposition. Private 
peeves have to date not materialized 
In resolutions of censure. 

Meanwhile, sales seem to bound 
upward in ratio to the amount of 
blood spilled In any given enter- 
tainment for children. 



Take' Reaction 



Ad agencies are alrir. .^ter 
peeve against the netwi . i ;ither 
than the chains' artist reiiresenta- 
tives over the niggardliness of com- 
pensation for Important contact 
men. If the webs paid their talent 
salesmen better, argue the agencies, 
there wouldn't be so much gyp and 
take. It's a throwback to the old 
vaude days, when the bookers were 
underpaid. 

The admen recognize that a net- 
work rep, taking contracts to im- 
portant artists, which call for thou- 
sands weekly In some Instances, and 
ran into tens of thousands as a 
general thing, can't help, but be- 
come susceptible to the take' thing. 

The artists themselves, hungry 
for tiiat mike, have learned that it's 
almost the rule to take care of the 
boys. 



Qoeeos of the Wasbtub 
To Wash, m Grandeur 



Woodin's Phigs 



Ofllcial confirmation of William 
H. ^Voodln, American Car & Foun- 
dry Co. prez, as a cabinet member, 
has suddenly placed the new Secre- 
tary of the Treasury-to-be in great 
prominence as a composer. 

Formerly strumming his guitar as 
a hobby and fashioning ditties on 
the side, the nationwide attention 
focus.sc'd on the industrialist has all 
the ether niaestros scurrying for 
heretofore dust-gathering manu- 
scripts of Woodin compositions. 

Owing to the nature of the situ- 
ation, the NBC's rules again.st lim- 
ited rtpt'titions of the same num- 
ber.s K'J by the boards, as every 
b.ind leader's Inclusion of a Woodin 
compo.sitlon becomes an unofficial 
'mu.st' on any program. 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 
Clara, Lu and Em, who make 
housewives giggle for Supersuds, 
will have a special car when they 
pull out tomorrow (28) on the Penn- 
sylvania railroad for Washington, 
D. C, to attend the Inauguration. 

NBC, Lord and Thomas, and the 
advertiser oiled the way for the 
unique publicity Junket. An Invi- 
tation from Admiral Grayson, In 
charge of the ceremonies, places In 
the reviewing stand, and tickets to 
the Inaugural Ball are deluxe cre- 
dentials for the radio threesome 
whose misinterpretations of the 
goings on Is calculated to provide 
much guffawing over America's 
washtubs. 

Girls will broadcast In the east 
while gone every day except Tues- 
day (28) for which lost period NBC 
will compensate them with an add- 
ed period on March 4 Itself. Or- 
dinarily they don't broadcast Sat- 
urdays. Advertiser is paying the 
girls who In turn are taking Mar- 
garet M. McKay along to guide 
their relations with the press whom 
they expect to meet extensively. 

In their special car (observation) 
girls Will make back platform ap- 
pearances at station stops in Engle- 
wood, Fort Wayne, Crestline and 
Lima, O. Exploitation lle-ups 'with 
local dealers are being arranged. 



cannot get commission from sta- 
tions. Idea is a system of desig- 
nated individuals who the Four A's 
could trust not to solicit advertisers 
direct but always through the 
agency with Its politics, delays, and 
run-around. 

YoM Worryl 

While broadcasters express sym- 
pathy for the agency's phobia anent 
direct solicitation of advertisers, 
they opine that this Is strictly an 
agency problem and not a station 
worry. They have their own. Sta- 
tions decline to accept the burden 
of protecting advertising agencies 
from their continual fear that some- 
body will go over their heads to the 
client If offered 13 spot broad- 
casts by somebody of whom the 
Four A's, or some particular agency, 
disapproves the stations are un- 
hesitatingly accepting It and gladly 
paying 16% commission. 

To make the situation more 
piquant, and the Four A's wishes 
more completely neglected, con- 
spicuous among the stations accept- 
ing spot business from anybody are 
NBC and CBS-owned outlets. Esti- 
mated that hardly 20 station^ ..'in 
the country now defer to the Four 
A's and profess to deny commission 
on business not originating within 
sanctified precincts. 



LEONARD 
HAYTON 

and His 

CHESTERFIELD 

ORCHESTRA 



SIX NIGHTS WEEKLY 
(Except Sunday) 
via 

Entire Colombia Network 
9 P. U. (E.S.T.) 



lodent's Disks 

.San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

lodent (toothpaste) has taken 
time on NBC-KPO for thrice 
weekly broadcasts of 'Black and 
Blue' transcriptions. 

Detective duo formerly came 
through here via KFRC broadcast- 
ing in person from L. A. for Folger 
coffee. 



KIT-CAT 

LONDON 

HOT FOX 

BAND 

B.B.G. Network Deooa Beoords 



1 ^ 



DUMB 
CRACKERS 

ROBERT 
BURNS 
PANETELA 

WABC 

Every 
Wednesday 
EvcBlnff 
at 0:30 P. H. 



BUR»!S»o ALLEN 

IHr.t WM. HORBIS AOENCX 




Boi|t 
o Guilai* 

COLUMBIA 

BROADCASTING 
SYSTEM (9 



i 



THOMU «. lOUWI U 

Mill. RiiikMM.Inc. 

9:1 J P.M Mon-Thuri. 




RUTHETTINa 



GLORIFYING 'Ae POPULAR SONG 
(pLyMBIA-COAST'TO COAST Nfl -M 




MONDAY and TUIBSOAX, B i*. M., B.3.T. 



54 



VARIETY 



V AUDEY1I.LE 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



Stanration Budgets Killing Off 
Vaud's Future Comeback Chances 



Vaudeville's alisht chance to stage 
a come-back, which lately brighten- 
ed through the failure of current av- 
erage pictures to draw by them- 
selves, Is now growing dimmer than 
ever. A low grade of shows through- 
out the country as a result of man- 
ager's timidity about risking im- 
portant money on stage experiments, 
Is believed to be killing vaude's 
come-back chances. 



General opinion Is that instead of 
taking on cheap vaude bills, the 
present vaude-minded but financial- 
ly timid managers would be doing 
vaudo a bigger favor by staying In 
straight pictures. If and when con- 
ditions Improve, vaude could then be 
added without the current fear about 
spending enougli for good shows. 
The current grade of vaude, played 
in the average combination tlieatre 
(Continued on page 62) 



DETECTIVE SUNG RKO 
ON ACT'S LOBBY BALLY 



Marcus Loew 

BOOKINGAiSENCY 

General Sxecutiue Offices 

LOEW BUILDING 

AN N E X 

leO WEST 4e™ST* 

BRyant 9-7800 NEW YORK CITY 

J. H. umm 



OBNBRAI. AIAMAOBB 

MARVIN H. SCHENCK 

BOOKma MANAOKB 



A private detective, Benjamin S. 
Kerln, who works with many the- 
atrical lawyers and, among other 
things, often locates missing wives 
or husbands when so assigned, is 
so burned at RKO and the Palace, 
N, T, over the way Peggy Rich and 
Jack de Ruyter were ballyhooed re- 
cently that he has brought suit for 
libel. 

Kerln, operating as the Kerln De- 
tective Service, Is suing RKO Corp., 
RKO Vaudeville Exchange and the 
Palace Theatre Realty Corp. for 
$100,000, alleging reproductions of 
portions of newspaper stories slam- 
ming him constitute libel. 

Contention Is that reproduction of 
such articles for commercial ex- 
ploitation of the Rlch-de Ruyter 
act has damaged Kerln to the ex- 
tent of 100 grand. 

When Jack de Ruyter and Peggy 
Rich played the Palace, house used 
layouts of newspaper stories and 
pictures bearing on the divorce 
trial of Peggy Rich and Freddie 
Rich for exploitation purposes. In- 
cluded A^as matter of an unfavor- 
able nature about the private de- 
tective as alleged In testimony 
brought out by the defendants 
lawyer. Senator McNaboe, during 
the trial, calling 'all detectives pole- 
cats,' etc. 

While this became a matter of 
public record. Its use for commercial 
exploitation Is the basis of the suit. 
It was Kerln who discovered de 
Ruyter and Mrs. Rich in a hotel 
room In the St. Morltz and testified 
at the divorce trial. 

RKO corporations and Palace has 
been served In the action. Reuben 
Caldln Is Kerln's attorney. 



Qaiz Airman in Fatal 
Phmge of Ivy Young 



Houston, Feb. 27. 

H. M. Edwards, aviator of Reno, 
Nevada, was questioned here In con- 
nection with the death plunge taken 
from the seventh floor of a local 
hotel by Ivy Young, 82-year-old 
forn'.er dancer. 

Miss Young accompanied Edwards 
to Houston after obtaining a divorce 
from Herbert Grlflnhapen of New 
York at Reno. 

She is a sister-in-law of Ai White, 
vaude^Me performer. Body Df Miss 
Young was sent to Gloucester, K. J., 
for burial. 



F&M Vancouver Switch 

Vancouver, Feb. 27. 
Strand, (Famous Players Cana- 
dian) re-opens In Vancouver, B. C. 
with transfer for Fahchon & Marco 
units from Vancouver (RKO) to 
the Strand, original local stand for 
F. & M. 

Pour or five acts weekly will be 
brought from Oakland, with local 
line of girls. 

Ada Broadbent, with F. & M. 
offices, local producer. 



Mills Bros, as One-Act 

Bill Sans Orchestra 

Columbus, Feb. 27. 

Mills Brothers booked Into the 
RKO Palace March 3 has novel fea- 
tures. The boys will do a solo 
without benefit of orchestra or any- 
thing else, in the same manner in 
which Gene and Glenn recently 
played the house to heavy returns. 

Success of the latter radio pair 
here led to the Mills booking. Gen- 
eral understanding is that other 
radio acts will be spot -booked here 
from time to time. 



m STAGE SHOW STARTS 
WVAUIYJN PHOENIX 

' Lbs Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Booking of Fanchon & Marco 
units Into the Fox, Phoenix, Ariz 
started a miniature war between 
house managers, \rith the result that 
over the recent week-end there were 
four stage attractions doing busi- 
ness at the same time there. 

In addition to the F&M show, Or< 
pheum had the HI Brown revue, 22 
colored performers; Wilbur Cush- 
man was at the Strand with a tab 
and the Rlalto had the Arizona 
Wranglers. 

Phoenix, until recently, has been 
without flesh for several years. 



Miner Ordered Away 

George Miner, manager of Loew's 
State, New York, quits this week to 
go to Saranac on doctor's orders. 

AI Rosen transfers from the 
Woodslde to replace Miner 
Broadway. • 



on 



Baum Takes Boesner Spot 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Oscar Baum replaces Walt Roes- 
ner as orchestra leader at the F-WC 
Warfleld March 3. 

House plays F&M units. 



Shapiro Band's Advance 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Henry Shapiro, RKO agent, who 
recently returned to Chicago, has 
gone on the road ahead of the Jean 
Calloway band. 

Opened Saturday at Peoria for 
Billy Diamond. 



DE MUTH'S 4 JEWELS 

This Week, Feb. 2S, Acodemy, N. T. . 
<I1nt Hall) 
Entire Act 
TBAINED. STAGED find PRODUCED 
By HARRY DE MUTH 
New Yorfc't Fortmoit Acr6balU Teuhtr 
Studio lesa Broadway, Now York 
Phone, CIrtle 7*9743 




CHANEYm'FOX 

"Dancing Stars of Two Continents" 
SELECTED to Appear on the 
PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURAL 

PRO(jlRAM 
Fox, Washington, D. C, Ma>ch trd 
Dlreotloa, JOHNNT HTDE 



PAULINE COOKE 



O. L. OZ 



IN ASSOCIATION WITH 



JENI 



ANNOUNCES ThIE CONTINUATION OF THE 




JACOBS 



INTERNATIONAL THEATRICAL EXCHANGE 



Personnel Will Continue as at Present, Assuring the Artists 
and Managers the Same Efficient Service as in the Past 



WM. O'REILLY 
Dramatic Department 



AS30CIATES 

MIKE CONNOLLY 
Pictures 



HENRY WIESE 
Musical 



1674 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY 



COLUMBUS 5—1930-1-2 



REEVES, LAMPORT & SHEREK, Ltd. 
14-16 Regent Street 
London, England 



Representing 



CABLE ADDRESS: "JENIEJAY," NEW YORK 



FRANK ORSATTI 

Hollywo°od 
Motion Pictures 



Tuesdi^T* February 28, 193S 



VA U » E V I E L E 



VARIETY 



55 



Last of Beck's Imported Headaches 
Disposed of for the Time Being 



"Weir Broa. and Grassl, last of the 
Beck-booked foreign acts due to 
come over, have agreed to postpone 
their RKO vaude contracts till next 
season. This temporarily winds up 
the hooking office's Jam with Its 
European deals, which have cost the 
circuit plenty In obligations. 

The Weirs have. 10 weeks at |600 
and Grassl six weeks at $226. An- 
other Importee, Ike Freedman who 
was sent home to Kngland after one 
show over here, will also have to be 
taken care of by the booking office 
next season on a promise from 
Beck. 

A reco of the RKO foreign 
bookings is one of disillusionment 
for numerous European variety acts 
that Beck and Roxy booked on their 
trip abroad last year. Beck gave 
them two-a-day contracts, being the 
only vaude exec In America who 
believed that two-a-day was coming 
back. Even the fact that Beck 
booked them at twice as much 
money as they were getting in their 
own countries, did hot entirely 
make up for the treatment they 
were accorded over here. 

Couldn't Pa»a Buck 

Booked without thought of the 
possibility of policy changes by the 
theatres, the acts In many instances 
laid off ais much as they worked 
before Anally completing their con- 
tracts and going home. The Brou- 
nettes, given eight weeks at $1,000, 
played only five, and RKO had to 
make a cash settlement for the 
other three. Vera Schwartz, a Ger- 
nnan opera singer, set for 10 weeks 
In the Music Hall at $1,000, played 
only two weeks there. RKO tried to 
sell her to ^BC for radio, but didn't 
succeed, and now the RKO vaude 
theatres have to carry the expensive 
■ingle to meet the obligation. 

Other acts that came over and 
have played out their contracts 
after much stalling, were Claudia 
Alba, six weeks, $300; Scarlett's 
Chimpanzees, 10 weeks, $900; Kirk- 
white and Addison, eight weeks, 
$600; Giovanni, six weeks, $600; Do- 
llnofC and Raya Sisters, eight 
weeks, $600; Bood and Bood, six 
weeks, $300; Mady and partner, 10 
weeks, $360; Willie Schenck, 20 
weeks, $600. 

Unable to cover the contract it- 
self RKO had to farm out Mady 
act for part of the time. Gio- 
vanni, pro pickpocket, had a 10- 
week option in addition to his orig- 
inal six, and RKO picked It up, but 
Giovanni hasn't received the 10 
weeks. 



llyda Roberti Salary 
Set, $1,750, Was $250 



Lyda Roberti's picture house sal- 
ary, a la Jack Pearl's, has Jumped 
from $250 to $1,750 in a year and a 
half. At the latter figure Miss Ro- 
berti, through the Morris office, 
opens as a single March 3 at the 
Chicago, Chicago, with the New 
York and Brooklyn Paramounts 
probably following. 

In the year and a half intervening, 
and since playing for $250, which 
was her last picture house salary. 
Miss Roberll has been in pictures. 



ONE CLICK SHOWS WAY 



Milwaukee Alhambra Gets 'Flesh' 
After Barn Dance Sets Mark 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Billy Diamond office here starts 
booking five acts on full we^k policy 
at the Alhambra, Milwaukee, open- 
ing Mar ?! 3. This policy adopted 
following setting of house record 
last week with WLS Barn Dance. 

At 25 and 40 cents admission 
house averaged $1.25 revenue from 
each seat daily. T' clinched the 
case for flesh. 



Radio No Longer 
New Name Source, 
Famine of Stars 



Barnnmesqiie Special Attractions 
Rate Chance as Radio Acts Dim; 
Managers Like Exploitable Turns 



AT LIBERTY 

Twenty years' experience as 

THEATRE MANAGER 
BOOKER 
CITY MANAGER 

for Paramount-Publix, RKO, 
Alex. Pantages. Capable, re- 
liable. Can handle one or more 
theatres and furnish the very 
best of references from all re- 
liable show people. 

Address Box 103, Variety, New 
York City. 



Radio's failure to develop a single 
new name in over a year leaves the 
remaining de luxe variety theatres 
In the toughest spot to date. With 
vaudeville Itself washed up as a tal- 
ent source, legit likewise and pic- 
tures unreliable, the stage show 
houses for a year have been looking 
to radio for the creation of new at- 
tractions. 

That nothing has developed leaves 
the always-hungry de luxers hun- 
grier than ever. As the source of 
most of the best new drawing 
names the year before, radio was 
depended upon to repeat In '32. But 
radio didn't. 

The radio names that once helped 
the de luxers to make up for the 
lack of material from other fields 
are worn out as strong draws. Most 
of them unexpectedly flopped at the 
box offices on repeat engagements. 

Vaude, like radio, also failed to 
uncover anything in the attraction 
line in '32, nor has It since the start 
of '33. Legit ditto. Pictures came 
through with only one exception, 
Mae West. 

Bookers of the de luxers, espe- 
cially Loew and Paramount, with 
their big houses on Broadway, 
where a steady offering of names 
has made names a necessity, are 
confronted with a famine. The best 
they can hope for Its to .grab a West 
or a Wynn, which makes de luxe 
booking a day-to-day proposition, 
nobody knowing what's going to 
happen two weeks ahead. 



St Louis Getting Own 
F&H Producing Unit 
As Localizing Spreads 



Hollywi.od, Feb. 27. 

Lo'sallzed production by Panchon 
& Maroc spreads to St. Louis cur- 
rently, with Muriel Stryker In 
chartre for the pro'lucers. Harry 
Gourfain has been ciTillarly spotted 
to produce for the B iflalo, Buflnlo. 

Gae Foster, transferred Co Nov/ 
York Irom Boston, is replaced by 
Carlos Romero, wltn Miss Foster 
producing for New F-^rk anu Bi'ook- 
lyn, as well as Philadelphia. 

In the F&M buy of the 60% in- 
terest in Fanchon & Marco held by 
Fox West Coast, only coast towns 
where unit contracts remain are San 
Francisco and Oakland. Several of 
the travelling units remain to play 
.those two towns, after which the 
localized production will be put in 
effect there also. 



Lamont in Jail, Wife, 
Babes Hike for Home 

Boston. Feb. 27. 
While Jimmle Lamont, singer and 
banjolst, is being held by police 
on charges of Selina Maxwell, 
dancer, that he held her captive in 
a room, Lament's wife has started 
on a hike for her home in Athens, 
O., carrying an Infant in her arms, 
and with six-year-old son trudging 
at her side. 

At Worcester, Travelers' Aid So- 
ciety took the wife and children in 
charge. 

Banjoist's case set to come up 
in court next month. 



ChiHing an Idea 



One of the lads recently had an 
idea for a vaude roadshow to fea- 
ture Benny Leonard and one-night- 
It around the east. Seeking a name 
to head the talent end of the bill 
the producer approached Helen 
Kane. 

But Miss Kane is said to have 
stated her terms as $2,600 and 10% 
of the weekly gross, which slightly 
dampened the producer's ambitions. 



NOW — PARAMOUNT, NEW YORK CITY — NOW 
THIS WEEK (Feb. 24) 



WITH 

EARL CARROLL'S 



'VANITIES" 



RAY SAX 

MUSICAL DANCING GENIUS 



Fentonal MonuKer - 
UARRY CnAWIX)RD 



Pliiccd by 
AL KNIGHT 




SHOWMAN 

Vastly experienced in the operation of theatres, legitimate shows 
and clubs. With the better known circuits and producers for a 
great many years. Has operated in almost every key city in coun- 
try. Complete publicity, operating, and advertising campaigns a 
specialty. Feel qu-alifled to work anyivherc In country, thru past 
experience. 

Write Box 111, Variety, New York City 



RKO MTCHES COSHOP, 
GODFREY BOOK TOTING 



George Godfrey Is visiting the 
RKO booking floor for an hour or 
so dally to see the agents about 
acts for bis Cosmopolitan, New 
York. RKO no longer has any 
booking Interest In or connection 
with the Cosmo and isn't respon- 
sible for the house. Godfrey Is on 
the floor strictly on his own, with 
Martin Beck's okay. 

The RKO theatre department's 
complaint, which resulted in God- 
frey's dismissal from the office, is 
said to have queered the advertis- 
ing mace gas which Godfrey, had 
been usln^ on acts submitted for 
Cosmo dates. 

Ab the Cosmo booker-on-the- 
lOose, with no desk of his own on 
the RKO floor, Godfrey carries his 
book around In his pocket. 



London Nitery 
Booked Here 
For 6 Months 



Mrs. Ted Lewis Bobbed 
Schnoz for the Better 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Ada L«wls, wife of Ted Lewis, 
had her nose bobbed in New York 
last week. 

Understood that the trimming Is 
very beneficial to her physiognomy. 



Senior Keith Mgr. Out 

Boston, Feb. 27. 
Ray P. Conner, ranking Keith 
executive hereabouts In point of 
length of service, is out as manager 
of Keith Memorial theatre, getting 
notice last night, effective on the 
spot. 

Understood to be economy meas- 
ure to elimin&te his salary 



One-Nighters for Diva 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Mme. Schumann-Heink is current- 
ly playing two weeks of one night- 
ers for Fox West Coast, after which 
she goes into the Fox Wilshire here 
for a week. 

Diva's salary on the one nighters 
is pro rata of her (1,800 weekly 
wage. 



Osterman Doubles Roxy 

When Jack Osterman plays the 
old Roxy, New York, week of March 
3 it will be in company with other 
members of the Club Richman floor \ 
show, which Osterman m.c.'s. Morri- 
son & Winkler agcnted. 

Osterman and Co. will get $2,250 
for the house date. 



A steady stream of American 
names will be supplied to the Cafe 
de Paris, London, according to ar 
rangements completed here last 
week by Mr. Paulsen, director of the 
nitery. Mr. Paulsen sailed back to 
London Saturday (25) after book 
Ing attractions for the next half 
year. 

Nan Blackstone is the flrst to go 
over, her sailing date being In about 
four weeks. Chic Endor and Char 
lie Farrell, Morton Downey and 
Sophie Tucker follow In that order. 
Endor and Farrell have six weeks, 
while Downey and Miss Tucker are 
booked for eight weeks each. 

All those booked have previously 
appeared In London, although never 
before have they been booked defi- 
nitely for periods that long. 



VAUDFUH AT 10-20-30 
SET FOR L A. PALACE 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Palace (downtown), once the 
home of Orpheum vaude here, but 
for the past few years operated 
by Principal Theatres, with F-WC 
owning 50%, la adopting a vaude- 
pic policy, using flve acts and single 
features at ten-twent-thirt. Six 
musicians will be used. 

Added nut, exclusive of acts, will 
run around $660. House will con- 
tinue keeping its balcony closed, 
utilizing only the 1,100 seats on the 
main floor. 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 
Novelty attractions may be due 
tor a revived vogue in this area. 
Some observers lean to that opin- 
ion on the theory that radio acts 
are exhausting their money -getting 
draw and can't be booked on their 
other talents which, in the bulk, 
don't glitter too brightly behind 
footlights. This refers of course to 
radio turns strictly local to this 
area and the only ones who play 
the small town and small neigh- 
borhood houses. 

For the past year or two, radio 
acts have had the right of way on 
the not Inconsiderable number of 
houses through the middle west 
which will spasmodically go 'vaude- 
ville' when a demonstrably box 
office special attraction comes 
along. Although vaudeville has 
been almost extinct in the states of 
Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, 
Indiana, etc., it has remained an 
encouragement that radio acts could 
be booked and booked solid with 
short jumps and good terms. That 
of course was ho solace to vaude- 
villians and standard turns that 
went unbooked. 

Barnumeaque 

Feeling now sprouting here is 
that as the radio acts may tepd to 
be less conspicuous there's an open- 
ing for novelty attractions capable 
of community exploitation and of 
such character as to. provoke con- 
versation In the neighborhood or 
town. It's these kind of acts that 
can be booked, not as a regular 
policy, but as an occasional added 
allurement. What exhibltots seem 
to . like Is clrcusy Barnumesque 
stuff. Age or previous condition of 
servitude is no bar If the theatre 
manager can get some flashy litho- 
graphs and something to yell, about. 

Mentalists. escape artists, hypno- 
tists, daredevils, strong men (pre- 
ferably with a couple of horses in 
the act) and In fact anything cap- 
able of making people wag their 
heads and go 'tsk, tsk stand a 
chance in the present disposition of 
dozens of picture theatres who got 
the flesh habit throu&h radio attrac- 
tions and now find that source less 
dependable. 

Such acts are, however, not easy 
to find. Indeed any kind of vaude- 
ville acts are hard to find around 
Chicago. Bookers have trouble fill- 
ing their bills and have played the 
home guards ad Infinitum. 

Although as yet the trend hasn't 
(Continued on page 71) 



ALWAYS WORKING 

**WHITEY'' 
ROBERTS 

This WeoU (Feb. 24) 
Loew'a Gates and Orpheum 




To All Theatre Circuits! 



Well known Showman and Theatre Manager 
open to any offers from Theatre Circuits, Inde- 
pendents or Chain. Experience covers all phases 
of theatre operation — Vaudeville — Pictures — Pres- 
entation — Production — Publicity and Exploitation, 
during 12 years operating foremost theatres in 
New York, Brooklyn, Chicago, Philadelphia, Balti- 
more, Memphis, Houston and Newarlt. Am fa- 
miliar witli most key cities from Coast to Coast. 
Age 35. 

Write Box 105, Variety, New Yoric City 



Another Week, Anyway 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Vaude. scheduled to be dropped 
(1) by Warners at their Downtown, 
sticks for another week. 

After that It's problematical. 



T h c a t re 
knowledge 



SECRETARY TO THEATRE EXECUTIVE: 

from both theatre and homo office standpoints; complete office de- 
tail and routine; originator of theatre and executive office fo.ms 
and records for efficient centralized control, specializing in con- 
-structlve .stati.stiral data; writing ability along "theatrical meth- 
ods" lines; compctf;nt correspondent; six years' experience In of- 
fices for two large circuits. 

Address Box 102, Variety, New York City 



56 



VARIETY 



VAUDE miaSE REVIEWS 



Tuesdajf Febnuurj 28r t93S 



New Acts 



Charles FORSYTH E and Addi« 

SEAMON (3) 
Comedy, Singing, Dancing 
15 Mine.; Full (Special) 
Academy 



Mlddle-of-the-blU three-people act t^„.„.„ „j„„„f„„^ fm,«4- 

that win have no trouble pleasing 1° " 



Miss McKlnney Is causing a lot of 
controversy and keeping the box o(- 
flce busy, which Is what matters 

most. 

Supporting: are Cole Brothers, who 
In a short space of time have es 
tabllshed themselves here In the 
front rank of colored talent 

RadclifC and Rodgers are now 
working In pullovers and caps in 
stead of swagger evening outfits 
they wore at the Palladium, much 



the average audience. Virtually a 
little of everything has been mixed 
Into - the turn. Majority of the in- 
gredients pass muster without diflfl- 
culty. Did nicely down here Satur- 
day afternoon before a tough audi- 
ence. 

Forsythe leans to baritone solo 
work and talk with Miss Seamon 
and the other woman of the group. 
Miss Seamon, apparently the pia- 
niste, is a Kate Smith type who 
while doing most of her clowning 
near the ivories, at one point steps 
out for a hot pop. She both looks 
and sings like Miss Smith, besides 
being anything but a vest-pocket 
edition of the air star. 

In some respects Miss Seamon 
overdoes the playfulness with that 
bit in which she climbs on the piano 
not being so hot, but generally her 
work pleases. Forsythe engages In 
talk with both, getting medium 
laughs from material act contains. 
It could stand strengrthening. 

Ingenue type girl clicks In a 
couple dance routines, a rhythm 
specialty and a soft shoe fastie with 
a lot of pirouetting. She Is an eye- 
grabber and in her hoofery exhibits 
fine technique and form. 

Turn was spotted third on a flve- 
acter here. Char. 



VENITA GOULD 

Character Impressions 

18 Mins.; One and Two (Special) 

Academy 

As evef-yone knows, Venlta Gould 
isn't new. She might look It, how- 
ever, to the newer recruits of vaude. 
In appearance Miss Oould might be 
suspected of just starting out on 
her career. In her present act she 
. carries many characters which were 
-T&nknown In days when Miss Gould 
contributed Importantly to big time 
vaude. 

Outstanding Is her Impression of 
Jlramy Durante. She closes vrlth 
this one and It stops the show for 
her. One of Greta Garbo, Just 
ahead, Isn't so strong, not because 
Miss Gould doesn't asalmulate the 
appearance and mannerisms of the 
Swede effectively, but due to poor 
diction figuring. 

Other Impressions are of Harry 
Richman, Mae West, Bert Lahr, 
ZaSu Pitts, George Arliss, Marie 
Dressier, Maurice Chevalier and Kd 
Wynn. Standouts are West, Pitts, 
Arliss and Wynn. One that doesn't 
belong because It mlglit need a 
Maude Eburne or someone like that 
to come" close to lifting character. 
Is that of Miss Dressier. And it 
Isn't needed by Miss Gould, Char. 



edy Is now more natural, with the 
laughs more frequent. 

Twelve Jubilee Singers, recruited 
here and led by John Payne, har- 
monize well. Five Black Flashes 
and Eight Black Streaks are other 
teams recruited locally, with noth- 
ing outstading In the way of hoof- 
ology. 

Entire show cost around $3,200, 
with overhead will need $6,500 to 
break even, but gross looks like 
around $8,500 for first week. Show 
is in for fortnight, with white sec- 
tion changed weekly, but likely to 
stay three weeks and maybe a 
fourth. When finished here show 
would do for the bigger provincial 
houses, which are clamoring for 
something different. 



Leicester Sq., London 

London, Feb. 14. 
This house will go down In his- 
tory of English show business as 
having been mainly responsible for 
the loss of a fortune by Sir Walter 
Gibbons, causing him to file his 
bankruptcy petition. 

Some weeks ago Sir Walter called 
In Harry Foster to help operate the 
house with continuous variety. 
Foster took the Job over with the 
sanction of the Ostrer Bros. Since 
then Sir Walter is out of the thea- 
tre, and Foster has be'en made a 
director by the Leicester Square Es- 
tate, Ltd, the lessee. Foster Is lin- 
ing up all available talent, and is 
determined to make the place a 
paying proposition, having already 
succeeded in getting out of the red. 

This week's show la titled "Choc- 
olate and Cream,' being half colored 
and half white. ~ Same idea was 
done at the London Pavilion some 
10 years ago, under the title of 
•Dover Street to Dixie.' In those 
days there was a certain animosity 
towards colored talent, with Coch- 
ran's splitting up of the show as a 
^ consequence. 

This is no Cochran show by a 
long way, but it is quite fair enter- 
tninment and, what is more Impor- 
^■f tant, is pulling 'em in. There is no 
doubt the colored section is respon- 
sible for the business, as most of 
the others have been around so 
often they cannot be the attraction. 
Outstanders among the white sec- 
, tlon are Jack Mayer and Alan Klt- 
. ^flon, a couple of Australians with 
pleasing personalities, with Mayer, 
the singer of the team, in good 
voice; also Clemens Belling Co. 

Earle and Eddie Franklyn, come- 
dy hooferfii,,dC5 everybody's business, 
but do It well. ' Mamie Soutter, af- 
fecting kid makeup, is fair consid- 
ering the mediocrity of the material. 
Edwin- Lawrence, In second week, 
completes the aggregation. 

Colored section Is laid In a planta- 
tion scene on the Mississippi. Idea 
was done In a hurry, and cost only 
about $30. Attraction ts Nina Mae 
McKlnney, the 'Hallelujah' girl, who 
has received so much pre-publlclty 
that she is' apt to be disappointing. 
Girl undoubtedly has best person- 
ality since Florence Mills, but Is a 
long way behind her Iri talent, nl- 
''TJ^tlioujrh she can put over a song. 



ACADEMY, N. Y. 

At first when RKO started book- 
ing vaude for the Skourases down 
here some of the shows were pretty 
bad. One here currently for four 
days Indicates a marked improve- 
ment. Nlcely-blanced show along 
with 'State Fair' (Fox) ought to In- 
sure better business than average. 
People may talk about the vaude- 
ville In the opposite direction for a 
change. 

Venlta Gould (New Acts), a gra- 
cious lady and a seasoned per- 
former, is the headllner. She was 
herself surprised at the manner in 
which the 14th street mob went for 
her character Impressions, now 
ranging from ZaSu Pitts to Jimmy 
Durante. Miss Gould on stopping 
the show said they (probably RKO) 
had told her that If she didn't like 
the Academy after the first show 
she wouldn't have to fill out the en- 
gagement. 

Charlie Aheam and hia stooges, 
an act that runs to another ex- 
treme, also found a packed house 
deciding the vaude question. Like 
Miss Gould. Ahearn has also been 
standard for years. They reached 
that rating through having some- 
thing to sell, so If vaude has gone 
stale with the public it's probably 
because of the booking by others 
as well as RKO of too many acts 
that never belonged. 

All on this bill merit the date. 
No. 3, middle-of-the-blU turn. Is 
Charles Forsythe and Addle Sea- 
mon (New Acts), a three-people 
combination. It isn't going to 
break records on applause returns, 
but Is generally acceptable and a 
good deal better than most of its 
type. Roy Smeck, with his banjo, 
accordion and uke, is second, and 
the Four Jewels the opener. 

Both turns All pequlrements more 
than adequately. Smeck with his 
harmonlca-uke combination num 
ber, closing, got himself very well 
liked, even if the piano on the stage 
with him is only for decorative pur^ 
poses from all appearances. 

The four acrobatic dancing girls 
billing themselves as Four Jewels, 
have a fast and flashy little act. 
Its running time down here only 
eight minutes, but something doing 
all the time, and all of It show 
manly. Registered nicely. Char. 



passable paatomlme, but th* audi 
encs aeema to think It muat be 
tunny and applaud, and that en- 
courages others. Team closes with 
another triple. Net result really 
Isn't much, but they make It look 
like a lot and collect plenty of pats 
for an acer. Might be different In 
houses where they expect more. 

Helen Lynd, a smartly-groomed 
blonde, does imitations and pushes 
them over with sure salesmanship. 
She does not always catch the tim- 
bre of a voice, but she manages to 
get a suggestion of the character, 
and most of her bits were recog- 
nized before she got far enough Into 
the talk to reveal much. Of course, 
Zasu Pitts Is self^labelled. Any Im- 
personator starts to flutter her 
hands, and the audience knows the 
rest. Miss Lynd does the voice here 
very well, but because she is good 
In It is no reason why she should 
stick too long to the one character. 
Her Garbo bit was less certain. 
There were times when it sounded 
more like a reach for Marlene Diet- 
rich, but the 1 guess I go home,' 
used for the exit, made everyone 
certain. Did nicely with a bit from 
Jack Pearl, and put spirit into the 
Impersonation that atoned for the 
light voice. Her accompanist helped 
in this. Other bits bumped over 
without damage. It's as much per- 
sonality as imitatlveness, but It gets 
her three and four bows. 

Leonard repeated from his recent 
Palace date. Without the comedian 
it might be a question, but the com- 
edy carries the rest of the act along 
with it Carlton and Ballew work 
comedy cross-talk for a big chalk 
mark, and Henry Tobias closes with 
his orchestra. 

Tobias is more of a comedian 
than a leader, and his eight men do 
not suggest a smoothly-trained en- 
semble, but they background Tobias, 
who probably would not be funny 
alone, and with a couple of brief 
dancing bits he kills 18 minutes. 
Apparently they know him of old up 
here, and he collected nicely. 

MUt Franklyn has added a sing- 
ing usher to his orchestra for the 
overture, but the lad bit into the 
wrong cake when he tackled 'Old 
Man River,' and Franklyn himself 
did a nosedive with the same bit as 
violin solo. He takes it far too 
fast and plajra without phrasing. 

In addition to the feature, a 
Mickey Mouse and the newsreel add 
the show .up to a few minutes over 
the three-hour mark. Chic. 



Mttsidans Take % Deal From FM 
And May Do It Generally on Coast 



Floor Show Padis 'Em 
h Yandless Columbns 



Columbus, Feb. 27. 

Vaude still draws here even 
though the last vaude house closed 
just a week ago. Draw is the Ara- 
bian Grill, town's only real nltery, 
where a one-hour show twice night- 
ly is pulling to good biz and tum- 
aways on weekends when cover is 
jumped from 40 cents to $1.65. 

Grill was opened last fall as a full 
fledged night club and was given 
but a short life by all concerned. 
It has stuck and Is in the dough 
each week. Cost of operation way 
down with most acts on coffee and 
cakes basis. 



ORPHEUM, N. Y. 

Not so easy to place the credit for 
the draw this week. Film la "Fare 
well to Arms' (Par), which might 
not be expected to rouse the York 
vllle burghers to enthusiasm, but 
the only other draw, on looks. Is 
Benny Leonard, and they didn't 
yip -yip when he came on. How- 
ever, something did it. House 
pretty well filled at 7, and at 10 
they were using the ropes. Tapes 
were not penning many latecomers, 
but it's news when any nabe house 
shunts them Into the corral these 
days. 

This week even numbered acts 
get the piano. Odds have to go to 
work on something else. Bill runs 
a dance flash, Impersonator, Leon- 
ard's mixture of swats and comedy, 
a man-and-woman act (with the 
piano), and a stage band to close. 
Doesn't look particularly good on 
paper, and for blending it doesn't 
look so good on the stage, either, 
yet no act failed to collect hand 
spanks, and bills where all five acts 
give customer satisfaction are not 
often found. 

Sidare, Shields and Lorraine open 
with a threat to sing, but go Into a 
dance after the gesture. Here and 
there singing helps to stretch the 
running time, but it's no help to the 
finish. Other warble Isn't good, 
either. First chirp Is used to In- 
troduce a trio ballroom routine with 
acrobatics. Next Is a little lef^nania 
work from one of the men which of- 
fered some unusually limber kick- 
ing, followed by an acrobatic solo 
by the girl and a drunk dance by the 
other man. Just why jag jiggers 
should be so prevalent is one of the 
mysteries. Not one of them in a 
hundred can do a souse with even 



DOWNTOWN, L. A. 

Lob Angeles, Feb. 23. 
Considerably above the average 
bill for the scheduled final week of 
vaude at this .house. Well-balanced 
show, with the capacity opening 
house having plenty of return for 
their two-bit expenditure (to 1 
p.m.). 

!B11I runs heavily to families, with 
six brothers making up the opening 
act. two slaters in the deuce spot, 
and another pair of sisters farther 
down the line. Opening has the Six 
Candrevas, fast-moving sextet of 
cornetlsts, who deserve a better spot 
with their class offering. Bits of 
comedy add to the turn, which 
started the show oft at a lively 
pace. 

Lucille Sisters, harmony singers, 
warble, through a pop number and 
then do an imitation of Topsy and 
Eva, with one of the sisters doing 
blackface, and both making their 
costume switches in full view. Their 
interpretation of the Duncan Sis- 
ters Is particularly well done, and 
they earned everything they got. 

The Theodores, two men and two 
women, present mostly ballroom 
dancing, with some balladlng by one 
of the femmes Interspersed. Classy 
act, with a hot knlfe-throwIng 
finale that had the pay customers 
squirming In their seats. 

Next-to-shut spot brought Mon- 
roe, Juggler, with the Adams Sisters 
to lend color and help out generally 
Monroe juggles hats, balls and 
hoops, being assisted In the hoop 
stuff by one of the femmes. Other 
Is a hot tap stepper and adds class 
to the act. 

Surefire closing turn Is Chappelle 
and Carlton In sensational hand 
balancing, witli man reclining on 
stage throughout offering, balanc- 
ing femme by one hand, and wind 
ing up with the carry-balance up a 
flight of eight stairs while In the 
prostrate position. It's a wow, and 
sent the curtain down with a bang. 

'Women They Talk About' (WB) 
is screen feature. Shorts Include 
news, cartoon, sports and a comedy. 

VARIETY, PITTS'BG 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 24. 
With a slightly Increased budget 
for acts, due to management's de- 
cision to do away with an m.c. and 
chorus of 12 girls, Mo Glanz stepped 
out and lined up something more 
like it for this site. Booking difll- 
cultles here are numerous, with 
Glanz for the most part forced to 
book 'em on the run between jumps 
and there have been times when the 
layout hasn't been anywhere near 
completion a day before opening. 

That's a strain on everybody con 
cerned, and current show is a neat 
surjtrlse considering the fact that It 



Chorine Safe Deposit 
Foils Backstage Thief 

Worcester, Feb. 27. 
Roger Cavanaugh, flyman at 
Poll's Palace, looking down on the 
backstage area, noticed a man, a 
stranger, entering the dressing 
rooms being used by members of 
Fanchon & Marco's Gus Edwards' 
'School Days' idea, 
' Giving the alarm, he hurried to 
the stage, intercepting the in- 
truder, as he came down a fire es- 
cape. The man wrenched himself 
free of Cavanaugh's grasp and 
started away, pursued by Billy Mo- 
rosco, a member of the co., who 
lost him in a blinding snowstorm. 

Check up revealed only two 
losers, Nellie Thompson and Lou 
Pope. Pormer missed $6 from her 
purse but Miss Pope was out only 
$1.10. Thief apparently had never 
heajrd of grouch bags. Several 
of the men In the troupe had earlier 
given Miss Thompson their en- 
velopes, and she had about $200 on 
her person. 



Fleeson Goes For 2G's 

Neville Fleeson elected the bank- 
ruptcy way out with a petition flied 
in the U. S. Court In New York, 
listing his liabilities at $2,603 and 
assets $15. 

Among the major Items on the 
schedule were $878 due Paul Albert 
and a costume bill of $250 owed to 
Bljrthe & Schneider. 



was assembled under pressure. 
Runs smoothly; has a couple of high 
spots and at times skips beyond the 
small-time category. 

House shouldn't miss the chorus, 
and that . means an additional $300 
for acts. M.c. for the past six 
weeks has been Nat Nazarro, Jr., 
and while a personable chap and 
with a chance of building into a b.o 
personality, vaude type of show 
can't easily be fltted to an m.c.'s 
needs. 

Al and Ann Striker, veteran dou- 
ble act and around here before In 
presentations, open, with girl vocal- 
izing satisfactorily at curtain and 
leading up to partner's entrance 
with his acrobatic contortions atop 
a piano. It's an alright turn for the 
after- overture spot and fared nicely, 
HaufC and Chlqulta followed, but 
only so-so with some stale gags and 
too much artlflclal enthusiasm. 
Femme's hot-cha dancing fair, but 
nothing out of the ordinary. 

Charlie Keating calls his turn 
'Huckleberry Finn,' in which he pre 
sents an overly-sentimental char- 
acter study of a backwoods half 
wit. Sad-eyed stuff seemed to get 
the customers here, with Keating 
closing his lachrymose offering to a 
big hand, which should be a tip-off 
to the management. When you can 
make 'em wipe tears In a vaude 
house like this, you either have 
something or the customers don't. 
It's a 50-50 proposition as far as 
Keating is concerned. 

Next to closing Waller and Lee 
achieved the most legitimate click 
on the bill. Youngsters are of the 
Burns-Allen, Block-Sully school and 
know how to deliver. Girl Is a pert 
redhead, boy a clever hoofer as well 
as a good instrumentalist and, what 
is more, they have a smart line of 
chatter. Lot of possibilities in this 
act. 

Shut spot held by 'Sensations of 
Dance,' Ave- people flash, one man 
and four girls, with one of latter at 
the piano. Talent Is here, with 
everything from taps to adagio ably 
done, but costuming didn't help any. 
Outfits, have white satin overalls 
worn by couple of kids who look 
like sisters, pretty depressing. 

On screen, "Vanity Street' (Col) 
news and comedy short. Cohen. 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
Musicians' union here to. enable 
stage shows to return have made 
agreement with Fanchon & Marco 
under which the musicians will ac- 
cept around $60 weekly and per- 
centage of proflts of theatre, latter 
based on returns for seven-week 
period, with reopening of Para- 
mount here March 20. 

Similar agreement is expected to 
be obtained from stage hands and 
operators. Salary paid is about 
60% of weekly earnings these men 
get in deluxe houses. 

Rube Wolf will conduct the or- 
chestra of 20 nlen. Fanchon will 
stage shows with 16 girls in line and 
specialty acts every week. Ed 
Smith, who was at house during 
Paramount-Publlx regime con- 
tinues as manager. 

Musicians are now submitting 
similar proposition to Warner 
Brothers In effort to have latter 
keep vaudeville In their downtown 
theatre which supposedly will elim- 
inate stage shows March 1. Likely 
that other bouses will fall in on 
similar plan so that craft can flnd 
occupatioji In pits. 



SAYS BUU RING ASS'N 
A MODEL FOR ACTORS 



Sidney Franklin, who has prob- 
ably tossed more bull (of the cud- 
chewing variety) than any other 
American, believes vaude perform- 
ers can learn something from 
Spain's national pastime. To the 
Brooklyn matador actors are poor 
business men. He saw that play- 
ing a break-in week for RKO. 

Over in Spain the bullfighters 
have an organization. It's the As- 
sociation of Matadors and Picadors. 
World wide in jurisdiction it ap- 
proves all contracts before a mata- 
dor or picador can accept an en- 
gagement. 

Even if a local bullfighter wants 
to book a date in Mexico he must 
first submit the contract to Madrid, 
If a member of Spain's AMP. And 
virtually all bullfighters are mem- 
bers paying regular dues. In the 
event a non-organization bullfighter 
accepts a date, the AMP will not 
permit any of Its other members to 
appear in the same show. But 
Franklin has evidently never heard 
of Equity. 

Franklin sails for Europe In a 
week or so to prepare for the new 
bull fighting season which opens 
around Easter. His bookings start 
May 26 at Barcelona. 

Another thing the Yank bull tosser 
figures the average actor In America 
doesn't fully appreciate is the value 
of newspaper contacts. In bullfight- 
ing the matadors financially support 
the newspaper critics of Spain. Al- 
though the salary of the critics 
amounts to only around $6 a month, 
they live In regal style. The papers 
are tough over In Spain, says the 
Brooklyn bull-man. 'If you don't 
favor them properly, they merely 
Insert a brief item to the effect a 
bull flght took place and where,' he 
says. Hemingway we;.t Into this in 
some detail in his 'Death in the af- 
ternoon.' 

After the season Is over. Franklin 
Intends coming back to America. He 
still kinda likes It. 



Albany^s Broadcasting 
Vaude Manager Walks 

Albany, Feb. 27. 

Harry S. Black, manager of RKO 
Palace In Albany, since Its opening 
October, 1930, has resigned. 

The RKO Palace will be operated 
under the direction of Lou Goldlng, 
division manager. 

Part of Black's work as manager 
of the Palace has been his broad- 
casts, 'Backstage With Harry 
Black', In which he presented ovef 
WQY the artists on the vaudeville 
bills. 



LOEW H. 0. BOOKS N. 0. 

Loew will book its State, New Or- 
leans, through its own vaude book- 
ing ofllceTn "New York commencing 
March 9, dropping Fanchon & Marco 
shows after next week. 

House has been playing F. & M. 
units since the start of the season. 
Return to regular vaude adds a full 
week to the Loew book. 



ToesJaj, Febraary 28, 1933 



VARIETY 



57 



Variety Bills 

NEXT WEEK (March 4) 
THIS WEEK (February 25) 

Numemle tn eenneetlon with bills below tnd.cate opening oa** 
ahow. whether full or split week 




:! NEW YORK CITY 
ii Mmlo HaU (28) 

Ivey Kitohell 
}i Patricia Bowman 
» Viola Phllo 
l< Hurray Wood 
V Yvonne Ma^na 
I Helen Hoy 

Myrlo & Serine 

'Our Bottera' 
Actidemy 
■, 1st half (4-7) 

Cbezzla 

Irene Boasley 
Chae Kemper Co 
(Two to fill) 

2d half (4-10) 
(To All) 

. 2d half (1-3) 
Fasquall Broa 
Jean Carr 
Tasty Yeast Jesters 
Carl Shaw Co 
Anthony Trlnl Orch 
DROOJKI'YN 
Albee (4) 
(To All) 

(26) 

KlUuta Japs 
Brltt Woort 
Aarons'n, FayreA Ii 



JERSEY CITY 
I^lton (5 only) 

Roslta & Perca 
Jackson & Jays 
Haunted Violin 
Ned Morworth Co 
I>addlo Iiamont Co 
LYNBROOK 
Keith's (6 only) 
ClirCord & Moron 
(Four to nil) 
(20 only) 
Verna Vernon Co 
Worth & Wyle 
Pllcer & Doufflas 
BeHRer & Balfour 
Dalton fc Bono 
NEWARK 
Vnloce (8) 
Campo Co 
Welst Sc Stanton 
Sylvia Proos 
Sid Paeo 
Dance Aristocrats 
(24) 

Olacn ft Johnson 
NEW ORLEANS 
8tat« (4) 
Betty J Cooper 
Lottlce Howell 
A & F Lake 



AT THE ROXY 
WILBUR HALL 
FRANK DUKE 
AT THE PARADISE 
LES GHEZZIS 

PLACED 

By LEDDY A SMITH 



Bay Bolner 
Gambarelll 

Frospeot 

1st half (4-7) 
'3 Whippets 
(Four to fill) 

2d half (8-10) 
(To nil) 

2d ha4( (1-8) 
4 Vespers 

Kramer Ijamar & R 
Wally Sharpies 
Johnny Tlo 
Ross & Bennett 
Irene Vermillion 
Welch & Hill 
J Woodworth Orch 
ALBANY 

1st half (4-7) 
Xanny Ross 
Kills, Kirk & M 
(Three to All) 

2d half (8-10) 
Nick Lucas 
(Four to nil) 

2d halt (1-8) 
Zelda Bros 
Joe Mellno Co 
Irene Beasley 
Block & Sally 
Donatella Bros & C 
BOSTON 
Keith's (4) 
Irene Vermillion Co 
Aaron son, F & L 
Daphne Pollard 
.Pat Rooney Jr 
Howard Marsh Co 
(26) 

James Qvans Co 

Joe May & Dottle 

Joe B. Howard Co 

Chic Salo 

Earrlfi 2 A L 
CIUCAGO 
Pnloce (4) 

BuBter Shaver Co 

Arnaut Bros 

Madame V Schwarr. 

Leavitt & L'ckwood 

Russ Columbo Or 
(26) 

Ted Lewis Bd 



Bert Walton 
Lew Pollock Co 
(26) 

DeWolf Metc'lf&F 
Bayes & Speck 
Qray & Claire 
RoBcoe Arbuckle 
6 Buccaneers 

OMAHA 
Keith's 

1st halt (4-f) 
Bobbins 3 ' 
Al Abbott 
Bvelyn Brent Co 
Lewis & Ames 
Adier & Bradford 

1st half (26-28) 
H'ward Saddle & B 
Walter Walters 
Bert Walton 
Buddy Rogers Co 

PATERBON 
Keith's 
1st half (4-7) 
Harold Doyd Co 
Carl Shaw 
Paddy Cliff Orch 
(Two to nil) 

2d half (8-10) 
Tyler Mason 
Anthony Trlnl Or 
(Three to All) 

2d half (1-3) 
3 White Flashes 
Flo Lewis 
P' ray the S'am'n & F 
J C Flippen 
Vanesal Co 

PARK I^NE 
Keith's (26 only) 

3 Pauls 

Howard & LInd 
Roxy's Gangr 
Boyle ft Delia 
Bartee Sis 

PROVIDENCHB 
KeUh's (4) 

4 Franks 
Snoozcr Jr 
Vonlta Gould 
Joe May & Dottle 
Walter Powell Or 



OFPICTAL DENTIST TO THE N. V. A. 

DR. JULIAN SIEGEL 

1500 Broadnray 
This Week: Pat Kelly, Herbert Robin 



CINCINNATI 
Albee (4) 
Ted Lewis Bd 
(2D) 

Bornice & Emily 
Ross ft Edwnrda 
Irene Rich Co 
Garner Wolf & 11 
Felovis 

COLVHBCS 
Olilo (4) 

4 Mllla Bros 
DETROIT 
Keith's (4) 

Togo ft Chlyo 
Charlie King Co 
Harry J Conlcy Co 
Garner Wolf ft H 
Stone ft Gibbons 

(26) 
Gilbert Bros 
Bolce ft Marsh 
Kitty Doner Co 
Mcl KIce 
Ingenues 
GRIND RAPIDS 
Keith's 
lat hnlf (4-7) 
Gilbert Bros 
KIrby & Duval 
Hudaon Wonders 
Joe ATarks Co 
Initcnucs 

iRt half (26-28) 
Bntty J Pooper 
Arnnnt Utoa 
f-lmrllo Kinpr Cn 
I'pavitt ft l,'cliw()0<l 
Jack (Jwynne Co 

iiEMrsTn.\i> 

Rivoll 

lat hnlf (-1-7) 
Whlloy KohrrlH 
Pfiiso ft Nolson 
Brltt Wood 
AlOxnndor Santos 
(One to All) 

1st half ( 26-281 
Wlnnlo ft Dolly 
Clrlllo Itroa 
Anaun ft Searle 
Joe Young 
Lee Galls 



(26) 

3 French Misses 
Hayes, Halg ft H 
Pave Harris Co 
Rao Samuels 
Oracle Schenk Co 
TORONTO 
Hippottrome (4) 

Zclda Broa 
Bolre & Marsh 
Neville Pleeaon 
Rosa & Kdwards 
Bnrnlce ft Emily 
(26) 

Harry Small Co 
Clyde Hnger 
RImaca Orch 
Roacofl Ates 
Don Valerlo 

TllENTON 
Capitol 

iBt half (4-7) 
Adelaido Hall 
iThrco to All) 

2d half (8-10) 
Hal Uoyd 
(Three to All) 

2d half (1-3) 
Victoria A Lorcnz 
nernnrrt & Henri 
nilly lIoiiBO Co 
(One (o nil) 
TROY 
Kollh'H 

iHt hnit ('4-7) 
VVIlllc Sol.'ir 
(Frnii- to nil) 

III half (8-10) 
V;.nilP.liilt Hoys 
I.lonol 'Mil;'!' Ames 
(Tlii<'0 In fill) 

:il hnlf (1-3) 
•I KinnkH 
Talonl ft MPi'lt 
Vonila li'iiilil . — 
Ilnr.'lil Hl<\i\ Co 
Dnlton ft Uoao 
WKSTWOOn 
KeiMi'H Vi^ only) 
.1 I'auls 

Howanl A I-Ind 
Roxy"9 (inng 
Boyle & I')ella 
Bartee Sis 




NEW YORK CITY 
Capitol (3) 

Milton Berle 
Jack Pearl 
Street Singer 
Boulevard 

1st half (3-C) 
Fiedler, R ft D 
Clark Morrell 
Reuben Beckwith 
Ray ft Harrison 
Joe Browning 
(One to All) 

2d half (7-9) 
Oliver, Sprague ft A 
M ft A Skelly 
Bob Fisher 
Bl'ndos ft Brunettes 
(One to All) 
Orphoam 

lat half (3-«) 
Janet May 
Eddie O'Rourke Co 
M ft A Skelly 
Floyd Christy Co 
Kitchen Pirates 

(2d half (7-9) 
Arthur LaFleur Co 
Jerome Mann 
Roscoo Ates 
Plncus Sedley & D 
Yvonne ft Victor R 

Paradise (3) 
Desert Song 

State (3) 
Gautier's Toy Shop 
William Hall 
Slim Timblln Co 
Hutchinson Fam 
Ken Murray 
Mosconl Bros 
BROOKLYN 
Gates Ave 

1st half (3-9) 
Joe Bell ft Sis 
Bob Fisher 
James Kirk wood Co 
Plncus Sedley ft D 
12 Aristocrats 

2d half (7-9) 
Myrtle Boland 
Millard ft Marlln 
Senator Murphy 



Kitchen Pirates 
(One to All) 
Metropolitan (8) 
Show Boat 
Helen Morgan 
Jules Bledsoe 

Valencia (3) 
Great Gretonas 
Trade 2 
Nan Halperin 
Rex Weber 
Frledland Rev 

BALTIMORE 

Century (3) 
Ruiz ft Bonlta 
Sheila Barrett 
Medley ft Duprey 
Bill Robinson 
Plcclannl Tr 

CLEVELAND 
State (8) 
Darro ft Costa Rev 
Ingone 

Ann Green way 
Russ Brown 
George Olsen Orch 

JERSEY CITY 
Loew's (8) 
Kltaro Japs 
Krug ft Robles 
Clifford ft Marion 
BIng Crosby 
White ft Manning 

. MONTREAL 
Loew's (3) 
Great Johnson 
Forum Boys 
Hal Sherman Co 
Bob Murphy 
Shuran DeVrles Co 
NEWAIUC 
State (3) 
Olvera Bros 
Andre Renard 
Lowe, Burnoft ft W 
Barry Whltledge 
Henry Tobias Orch 

WASIHNGTON 
Fox (8) 
Chaney ft Fox 
Stuart & lAsb 
Peter HIgglns 
Amos 'n' Andy 



WARNER 



ELIZABETH 
RItB 

1st halt (3-4) 
Al K. Hall & Jr 
(Three to All) 

2d 'halt (7-9) 
V ft B Stanton 
(Three to All) 

lot half (24-27) 
Taketa Bros Co 
Donnelly, M ft K 
4 Frankenbcrgs 
Ruby Norton 
Devlto & Denny 

2d half (28-2) 

Mosconl Bros 
Carlton ft Ballew 
Stewart Sis 
Ray ft Harrison 
Carl Freed Co 



PHILADELPHIA 
Eaile (3) 
Nell Kelly 
Ben Bernie Orch 
(Two to All) 
(27) 

Geo Campos Co 
Goss ft Barrows 
4 Golden Blondes 
Georgle Price 
4 Phantoms 
WASHINGTON 
Eorle (3) 
Merle's Cockatoos 
Roy Smeck 
Jack McLallen 
Vaughn DeLeath 

(27) 
DeCardos 
Nell Kelly 
Edler ft Reed Bros 
Arthur Tracy 



Picture Theatres 



NEW YORK CITY 
PoramoDnt (24) 

'Rev 1933' 
Mitchell ft Dnrant 
Lucille Page 
lleryl Wallace 
'icings of Jungle' 

RKO Rosy (24) 
Nina Terosova 
Tanova ft BalkoS 
John Uppman 
Frank Bernard 
3 Sailors 
Rome Bxpresa^ 
Roxy (24) 
Long Tack Sam Co 
Collptte Lyons 
Pansy 

Frank Dukes 
Dave Schooler 
'Man Who Won' 
BROOKLYN 
Panunoont (24) 
Mae West 
G;orges Metexa 
'Done Him Wrong' 

BALTIMORE 
Hippodrome (24) 
'Rhapsody in Black' 
Ethel Waters 
Pike Davis 

BOSTON 
Metropolitan (24) 
Johnny Perkins Co 
'Kings Vacation' 



Fanchon & Marco 



NEW YORK OITY 
Paradise (3) 

'Desert Song" 
Perry Askam 
Tanzl 

Earl Aakam 
Nanette Vallon 
John Mcrkyl 
Charles Boyle ^ 
Sylvia Shore 
John Wagner 
Rosy (3) 
Club Rlchman S'w 
Jack Ostcrman 

BROOKLYN 
FoT (3) 
Long Tack Sam 
The Human Horse 
Frank Dukes 
Pnn & Chang 
Dave Schooler 
M ft N T-nn(r 
BOSTON 
Boston (3) 
Roy Rogers 
Lnng ft O'Brien 
(Two to nil) 

Metroiiolltan (3) 
'Srhool Days' I 
Milton Douglas 
Mary Price 
Krfdclle Craig Jr 
Ollle Morosco 
Edna Sedgwick 
Charley Myers 
Bobby Bernard 
Muriel Moran 
Arlette Young 
O'Connor Bros 
Buster Kclm 
Dorothy Kclm 
Sue St John 
Mary Dolnn 

BR<I>GEPORT 
Poll (3) 
'Joy BpIIs' I 
Klnff Broa ft C 
Stetson 
Nadlne Gae 
Atldns Co 
Ann Roberts 
Sun l( 1st Tins 

CI.FA'KLAND 
I'lilnre (3) 
Meroedca 
Martin ft Martin 
Keller Sis ft Lynch 
Frank Mellno Co 
lUllv Clnsnn 

HARTFORD 
rupKoI (3) 
•Whoopee' 



Buddy Doyle 
Bobbe Arnst 
Jane Lee 
John Rutherford 
Plet.ro GentlU 
Carter De Haven Jr 
William Dyer 
Eddie Abdo 
Howard Nugent 
Virginia L Bouldin 
Juan Vlllasana 
NEW ORLEANS 
State (3) 
Sandy I.,ang Co 
L>e Paul 

Marecllo A Wms 
4 Fl ushers 
Norman Frescott 
OAKLAND 
Orphenm (24) 
'Movie Circus' 
Monte Blue 
Monroo Bros 
Annette Ames 
4 Normans 
PHIT.,ADEI.PBIA 
Fox (3) 
Peg Leg Botes 
Bellet ft Lamb 
Radio Rubes 
Great Yacopis 
ST. LOUIS 
Fox (3) 
Dave Apollon Co 
SAN FRANCISCO 
Warfleld (24) 
Teddy Joyce 
Walter HIers 
Snub Pollard 
Jcanle 

D ft H Blossom 
Mary Miles 
rathlecn Bessette 
Joyce ft Gary 
TORONTO 

Imperial (3) 
•Big Top' 1 
Jack Sidney 
Adclfl Nelson Co 
Klo .^layo 
Hair:s<)n'fl Circus 
Dcchcc ft Rubyatf- 
Dolly Kramer 

WORrBWTER 
Poll (») 
■Spotlighis' I 
Charlie Mctson 
Irninnc! le 
3 rtiedwlns 
Chalmers Ballet 




DETROIT . 
Fas (24) 
Jay Mills Co 
'Infernal Machine' 

Mlohlgan (24) 
Boswell Sis 
Win Mahoney 
Edwin George 
'B'pl'yees Bntr'nce' 

PHILADELPHIA 
Fays (24) 
Metro Ens 
'Second Hand Wife* 

Fox (24) 
H TImberg & Jr 
Pat Rooney ft Jr 
Audray Parker 
Lee Chalzel 
Oliver Harris 
'Broadway Bad* 
ST. LOUIS 

Ambassador (24) 
George Beatty 
Lane ft Harper 
Uealy ft Garnella 
June Worth 
Frank Melling 
Milton SlOBser 
Al Roth 
'42d St' 

Fox (24) 
Buster Shaver Co 
3 McCann Sis 
Duponts 
StevQ Savage 
Allen ft Louise 
Al Lyons 



Norma Ballard 
Carl Lorraine Orch 

ParaBioont 
Anita LaPlerre 
Mary Nolan 
Peggy Moore 
Genevieve Moore 
Billy c:arr 
Mary Neville 
Syd Lang Orch 

Terrace Oardcns 

Paul Sis 
MayAeld 3 
The Daniels 
Alice Blue 
Al Kvale Orch 
Vanity Fnlr 

Cliff Wlnehlll 
Alexander ft S 



NEW YORK CITY 



Kilt more Hotel 
Paul Whltcman Or 
Jane Vance 
Red MrKenzle 
I'eggy Mealy 
Irene Taylor 



Jack Fulton Jr 
namona 

Central P'U CohIuo 

Morton Downey 
Eddy Ductain Orch 



Club Maytair 
Millard ft Anita 
Oscar Davis 
Margie Landy 
Madlyn Moore 
Beth Cannon 
Lee 

Al Crawford Orch 
t Mayfair Beauties 

Connie's Inn 

Cora Green 
Bobby Evans 
Jazzllps Richardson 
P ft B Meeres 
Emma Smith 
Bessie Dudley 
[>llllan Cowan 
Red ft Struggle 
SImms ft Bowie 
Louise Cook 
Willie Jackson 
Lucky Seven 8 

Cotton Olob 

A Ida Ward 
Henri Wessel 
Swan & Lee 
Anise Boyer 
Roy Atkins 
Brown & McQraw 
Nicholas Bros 
Ueltba Hill 
Elmer Turner 
Carolyn Snowden 
4 Blazers 
NecodemuB 
Alma Smith 
LJttle Bits 
Phil Scott 
Cab Calloway Orch 

Club Rlchman 

Jack Osterman 
RIchmon Rev 
Jerry Freeman Or 
Arthdr Brown 
C ft C Herbert 
Francis Faye 

El Chlco's 

Duran ft Moreno 
Lorenzo Herrera 
El Flamengo 
Al Valencia Orcb 
Bl Flamenclto 
Nina ft Moreno 
Marqulta Flores 
Tgnaclo Rufflno 
Mart a de la Torre 
Accordion Luis 

Bl FaUo 

Beatrice Llllle 
I<''ontana & Coles 
Bndor ft Farrell 
Henry King Or 
Embassy Clab 
Georges Metexa 
D ft D Fltzglbbon 
Loomis 2 
H Rosenthal Ore 
Don Carlos Ore 

Gypsy Trail 

Baroness Erzsl 
T.ouis Hegedusb 
Ethel Pastor 
Kokoach Gypsy Or 
ll'lyw'd B'staorant 
Fowler ft Tamara 
Collette His 
Frank Hazzard 
Blanche Bow 
4 Climas 

Marquerlte ft Leroy 
Theo Phane 
Barbara Blane 
jean Muna 
Ahl 

Vercell ft Slnnott 
Gladys Leslie 
Iris Adrian 
Marian Martin 
Floria Vestoff 
Eddie Ray 
Kris Gerald 
T ft F Hoag 
Byrnes ft Swanson 
Slave Dance 
Isham Jones Orch 

Hotel Lexington 
Don Bestor Orch 
Mnyfair Tacht Clnb 

Rosa ft Sargent 
Meyer Davis Orch 



Hotel Montclair 

Charley Eckels Or 

Monte Carlo 

Val Vestoff 
Vlto ft Pirl 
Donald Burr 
Medlsca ft Mlchaell 
Dorothy Dell 
James Hall 
Ethel Allls 

Nnt Clnb 

Jack White 
Jerry Bergen 
Lulu Bates 
Brooke Adams 
Bill Spencer 
Blanche Latell 
Dorothy Maxine 
Al Parker 
Jimmy Murphy 

3 Blake Sis 
Lew Dolgofl 

Joe HaymcB Orcb 

Paradise 

N T O Rev 
Cantor's Beants 
Abe Lymon Orch 

Poramoant OrfU 

Ted Healy Co 
T Manahan Oro 

Park Central Hotel 

Russ Columbo Orch 
Hannah Williams 

Pork Central 

Freddie Martin Or 
Frances Langford 
Rachel Carles 

4 SIzzlers 
Channel 
Selbys 

Place Plgalle 

Peggy de Albrew 
Veloz & Yolanda 
B Uadragaera Orch 
D Alberto Tangolats 

Hotel Pennsylvania 
Ted Weems Orch 
Boosevelt Hotel 

Guy Lombardo Or 

Boyal Box 
Elizabeth Welch 
Opel Cooper 
John Maclin 
Charles Lewis 
Gordon St. Chad 
Bnsslan Arts 

Joe Morantz Orcb 
Renee & Laura 
NIckolas Hadarlcb 
Barra BIrs 
Mlsha Usanoft 

St. Regis Hotel 

Anson Weeks Orch 
Small's Paradise 

'Black Rhythm' H 
Nyra Johnson 
Meers ft Norton 
3 Speed Demons 
Geo Walker 
Wm Spellman 
3 Palmer Bros 
May Alex 
Mabel Scott 
Roy White 
Dorothy Turner 
Chas Johnson Orch 

Taft OrlU 

Geo Hall Orcb 
The Csarda 
Karoly Bencze 
Zslga Bela 
Mme Ilona deThUry 
ECaroly Nyaray 

Village Bant 

Brook Adams 
Val Vestoff 
Molly MacOovern 
Joe Furst's Orch 

Waldorf-Astoria 

Nina Laughlln 
Jack Denny Orch 



Doris Lenlhan 
Bobble Cook 
Phil Sax Orch 
Via Lago 

Jackie Hamlin 
Todd Sis 
Paula Tymes 
Wlkl Bird 
Al Handler Bd 
Wintergarden 

Buckley ft Bennett 
Miss Lydia 
Lovey 'Xwlna 
Joreska ft Lydia 
Frankle Masters Or 

100 Clnb 

LaMlgnon 
Johanna Nagle 
Jimmy Noone Orch 



CHICAGO 



Blachhawk 

Rose ft Ray Lyte 
Dennc Janis 
llal Kemp Orch 

Bismarck 

Ann Greenway 
Donna ft Darrell 
Jean ft Joan 
Frieda Sullivan 
Art Kassel Orch 

nine Grotto 

Tina Twcedle 
Marjorle Tate 
.Marge ft Marie 
Honey Sis 
.lean Miles 
JacUle Daw Orch 

Cafe DeAlex 

Alfredo ft Dolores 
.Marie de la Vega 
I.enla AcUmnn 
ICnrlco Cl auBl 
Drnhis O'Nutl " 
K Ilorrinan Orch 
Chez Paree 

Collctio Sis 
Hryan MrDonald 
Helen Wherle 
cii.ston LIbhy ft K 
Georgle Taps 



Edith Griffith 
Ben Pollock Orcb 

College Inn 
Fawn & Jordon 
Jackie Heller 
Pat Barnes 
4 Abbolters 
Ben Bernie 

Congress Hotel 

Baron ft Blair 
Katya LIbby ft C 
Robert Royce 
Lopez Orch 

Frolic's 

Tex Oulnan Gang 
li'lorenco Barlow 
Ralph Cook 
Yvonne Douvler 
June Carroll 
Iternle Marahall 
Kanlcr ft Hazelton 
Dick T>ane 
Dick Hock Orch 

Playgroond 

Eddie Clifford 
Vaughn Sis 
Julia I^yons 
Robinson ft Louise 
June Hurley 



B&K Take Over Orphenm, 
h Springfield for RKO 



Springfield, 111., Feb. 27. 
Balaban & Katz and Qreat State 
Theatres take over the operation of 
the RKO Orpheum (3.000) this week 
(27). Orpheum leased the house 
when It was -built about six years 
ago and it Is the premier show- 
shop of Central Illinois. 

Old policy of five or six acts with 
a picture gradually petered out. 
This season, the policy has been 
straight talkers with a four act 
vaudeville bill on Sundays. 

Present acts are indifferent in 
quality. This town is hungry for 
good vaudeville but will not patron- 
ize inferior bills. 

New policy, announced by gen- 
eral manager M. M. Rubens, of 
Great States, will be three or four 
day appearances of radio names, 
Mills Brothers being billed to open 
the house under the new regime 
Ralph W. Lawler, former manager 
of Madison, Peoria, and theatres In 
Bloomington, will be the new mana- 
ger. Top price Is 40 cents. 



Trade Problems StaD 
Annnat Drive of NVA 



Minn. Orphenm &ossmg 
$8,000; Rent H500 Wh. 



Minneapolis, Feb. 27. 
Appointment of the Minnesota 
Loan & Trust Co. of this city as 
trustee for the Orphsum theatre, 
Omaha, reveuls that house, gTosrlng 
only around $8,000 a week wiih a 
vaudfllm policy, was shouldered 
with a weekly rental of $4,500, 
leaving but $3,50*) for opei-atlng 
costs. 

The theatre was built by the 
Omaha Orpheum Co. part owner of 
the fee, and was financed in large 
part by the sale of $1,250,000 build- 
ing bonds to the general public In 
Minneapolis, Omaha, Kansas City 
and St. Louis who are now holding 
the sack. The Minnesota Loan & 
Trust Co. here was one of the un- 
derwriters of the bonds and helped 
to peddle them to the local public. 
Interest on the bonds was defaulted, 
along with principal payment, Dec. 1. 

The Omaha Orpheum Co. leased 
the deluxe showhouse to the Orph- 
eum circuit at the $4,500 per week 
rental, which was supposed to cover 
taxes, insurance, ground rental, bond 
interest of $72,000 a year and other 
incidental carrying chai'ges and to 
afford the owners a 'fair return' on 
their investment. When the Orph- 
eum company ceased paying Its rent 
and the Omaha Orpheum company 
was unable to meet Its bond service 
last December, the receivcrsjiip fol- 
lowed. 

Herbert S. Daniel, the federal re- 
ceiver, is permitting the Omaha Or- 
pheum company to operate the show- 
house under the receivership, with 
the Minnesota Loan & Trust Co. 
here, a subsidiary of one of the city's 
two largest banking Institutions, 
taking charge of all funds as trustee 
for the receiver. It Is hoped sufllcient 
will be realized from present oper- 
ations to net something for the bond 
holders. 



Henry Chesterfleld has been try- 
ing to round up the various man- 
agers for a discussion of the shortly 
due NVA Fund drive, but so far no 
dice. It's a unanimous stall all 
around, with the managers saying 
they'll take the matter up as soon 
as possible, but In the meanwhile 
they have other things to worry 
about, such as receiverships, biz, etc. 

The NVA needs about $200,000 to 
operate in Saranac and New York 
for the fiscal year. Annual drive is 
usually held In April, via plate pass- 
ing in the theatres, but so far no- 
body has decided on a means for 
digging this year. 

Chesterfleld le trying to get the 
NVA Fund manager-members to set 
a date for a meeting. 



Jenie Jacobs' Staff 

Heads Continue Agcj 



■ O. I* Oz, Henry Wlese, Mike Con- 
nally. Bill O'Reilly and Pauline 
Cooke are the department heads in 
the Jenie Jacobs oflnce who remain 
to carry on the agency business. 
They represent the Jacobs acts for 
vaude, legit, pictures and radio. 

Oz continues as the agency's RKO 
floor rep under Miss Jacobs' fran- 
chise. 



MRS. BOYD RKO LETOUT 



After 10 Years — Bookers' Stenogt 
Handle Her Contract Work 



Mrs. Irene Boyd, head of the con- 
tract department In the RKO book- 
ing offlee for 10 years, was let out 
last week. Economy. 

Contracts henceforth will be han- 
dled individually by the hookers' 
own stenogs. 



Blumenfeld Already Out 
Before Danger Took Date 

Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Jack Danger, actor-booker, played 
Powers theatre. Grand Rapids, as 
an act with the full knowledge and 
understanding sf Herman Blumen- 
feld, the former booker, that he was 
negotiating to take over the 'house 
as a booker. At the time Danger 
was booked as an act Blumenfeld 
had already received notice to dis- 
continue booking the house. 

Danger states and Blumenfeld 
concurs that there was no question 
of taking the house away as R. O. 
Taylor, owner of the theatre, had 
already made his decision In that 
regard. It is further stated that 
Danger and Blumenfeld had done 
business together in booking the 
house prior to Danger's assuming 
sole booking of It. 



Inside Stuif-Vaude 



Roxy's reported straight vaudeville Idea at 40-55-75c. for the 3,700- 
seat RKO Roxy in Radio City, is regarded as Impractical by most vaude- 
villians, as the plan has been described to them. In their opinion the 
size of the theatre is the immediate bar to success. 

Consensus is that straight vaude at the RKO Roxy must necessarily 
be without what has always been the backbone of variety — comedy. Also 
talk of any kind except such as can be succefisfully delivered through 
a mike, would be out. 

Size of the theatre would confine the shows to only a few, and not the 
most Important, elements of real variety. Beyond robust or microphone 
singers, dancers, pantomlmists and soundle.<?s noveltlc.q, none of the other 
elements could be included. Unless Roxy has a brand new i'^oa in variety 
up his .sleeve. 

Sight comedy and such talk as could be conveyed through a loud 
speaker, would be the only kind possible. I'or.<>onallty comics, as well as 
personality typts in other llne.g, would be automatically oliniinn ted. The 
sketch and all other stralRht talking turns coiild not be used. 

First line stage comodlans canvassed for opinions on the reported 
Roxy intention, arc unanimous In aaylni? that if the policy goes in, it 
will have to get along without them — unlets Roxy ran show them a 24- 
cai-at sy.stcm for landing in a tlioatre of the RKO Roxy's size. They've 
all been scared away from any Radio City engagements in either theatre. 

Another drawback to .straight vaude, in the general opinion, is the 
proposed- policy of four- shows a day. That ,would_ mean shifting of 
seats by the audience. Vaudo's departure from reserved .seats and two-a- 
day and into the grind has long since driven the quiet talking act out of 
the business. In robbing variety entertainment of much of Its former 
diversity, this as much as anything else has been responsible for the 
sameness that now prevails In bills. 



VARIETY 



BOAT ORM am: 



Tuesday, Febriuary 28, 1933 



Trade Mark RoElstcrecl 
PabllHliod Weekly by VARIETY, In* 

Sid Silverman, Frealdent 
154 West 4Cth Street New York City 



SUBSCRIPTION 








Vol. 109 <i^^^ 


No. 12 



15 YEARS AGO 

(Frowi 'Variety' and 'Clipper') 



Government Irownlng on peace 
songs as possible German propa- 
eranda. 



'Variety' reported that actors in a 
floppo were viewing an extra, who 
went on in the last act, with envy. 
He only sot $7, but that was cash. 
They were taking paper. 



Orpheum circuit discussng the 
feasibility of keeping the houses 
open all summer. Now they're talk- 
ing of keeping them shut all winter. 



Inside Stuff-Pictures 



There's a backyard argument between Jack Warner and Sam Goldwyn 
over the latter's statement in New York papers that picture people in 
Hollywood are incompetent, extravagant and out of step with the times. 
From the way Warner talks, it looks as if the boys will stick their 
tongues out at each other when Warner meets Goldwyn ia New York 
this week. 

Warner says Goldwyn's allegations may be true in some instances but 
he has no right to classify all producers in one blanket indictment when 
he complains of Hollywood's modus operandL Making a personal issue 
out of it, Warner claims that in respect to his own studio Goldwyn Is 
out of step entirely. 

Warner topped off his yell by saying he'll pay the United Artists pro- 
ducer any salary he names to sit in on WB production meetings for one 
week if he can prove his allegations true. 

Who is boss on a picture currently in production has been settled by 
the director, who has megged the femme star before and previously 
harkenlng to her suggestions. With an evening call for 7 recently, the 
star drifted on the lot nearly two hours late. In firont of the waiting 
company the director gave her a dressing down that made history in 
Hollywood. Neither the star, nor her husband, who is also In the pic- 
ture, could say a word since they were in the wrong. 

Trying to smooth things over, the actress ofCered some suggestions 
for the next scene. Director exploded anew» declaring that from then 
on he, and he alone, would say how the picture was to be made. 



Massachusetts court held musical 
union could not stipulate the num- 
ber of players in a theatre. Mana- 
ger wanted an organist. ..Union 
wanted six pit men. Court held de- 
mand to interfere with employers' 
rights. 



American burlesque wheel was 
cleaning up in advance. Promised 
there would be no cooch dancers 
on the wheel in the fall. 



'Friendly Enemies,' with Liouis 
Mann and Sam Bernard, was break- 
ing in in Washington. President 
Wilson sa,w the show and from his 
box approved the - production. Al 
Woods called it his milUon dollar 
show, and it cfime close to qualify- 
ing. Woods had half and the stars 
a quarter each. 



Caruso turned down offers tor 
seven concerts following the opera 
season that would have grossed him 
$66;000. Trouble was the income ta^ 
surtax woUld have taken half of it. 



Essanay pictures bounced a child 
star. Complained that no matter 
how good, the exhiba would not pay 
as much for a child feature as for 
an adult star. Before Jackie Coogan. 



Galli-Curcl ticket gouges Inspired 
a new law against ticket specula- 
tion. No speculators worried. 



Hiram Abrams, then heading 
Paramount, issued a statement that 
the reason Paramount was success' 
ful was that It had 40,000,000 ac' 
cotmts instead of 6,000 exhibs. Con 
sidered the ultimate consumer, he 
said. 



Midwest indie had produced a 10- 
reel film reputed to have cost $100,- 
000 to produce. Depicted the con- 
flict between God and the devil. 
Never got anywhere with It, 



Herbert Brenon went to England 
to assume charge of l^ltlsh army 
picture activities. Given the rank 
of major. Ended more or less In 
disaster. 



Sophie Tucker took a half page 
ad in 'Variety' to announce she was 
not singing patriotic songs. Felt it 
was more patriotic to cheer her 
audiences up. Specially disliked 
comedy war songs. 



50 YEARS AGO 

{From 'Clipper') 



If there are any comedies in the 1933-'34 line-up of independent product 
It will be because what started out to be a meller or society drama just 
went that way. 

Oldest indies are veering far from actual comedy , simply because of 
the cost. Some who have attempted comedy report that the budget for 
deliberate laughs is multiple that of the ordinary drama by four or Ave 
times. 

A compendium of opinion indicates the average small producer wouldn't 
take a comedy star for a gift. When they get into the mathematics of 
cost over-footage, made incalculable by countless retakes, Is staggering. 



There are more bidders for the Embassy than any house on Broadway, 
but Fox executives are discouraging all comers by demanding |15,O00 
per week. This Is four times the rental of the old Roxy. Embassy has 
slightly over 600 seats, while the old Boxy seats 6,200. 

Main attraction to the newsreel theatre is Its location. Some of the 
bidders to sublet are even offering to retain the Foz-Heiurst name In the 
marquee and to continue part of the present program on the screen. 

To consummate such a deal, however, Hearst must be sold as strong 
as Fox and as yet no bidder has gotten far enough In the transaction to 
seek the publisher. 



Self-constituted censors in Ontario, Calif., prevailed upon the F-WC 
management to eliminate one scene from Fox's 'State Fair* for the local 
showing, basing their request on a report sent out by a women's fllm 
reviewing body that the scene in question was objectionable. House 
agreed, and the women who brought about the elimination bragged 
about their powers all over town. When the picture was shown housie 
manager was approached by many patrons and informed that if house 
policy was to be governed by a few narrow-minded local censors they 
would transfer their patronage to Riverside, or other nearby towns. 

Since the producers' agreement has been In force the Academy, has 
kept a record of all hiring aind firing of talent. Records show that in no 
instance has there been any attempt by one company to engage either 
acting or writing talent that was on a Week-to-week salary basis, but 
there has been considerable tampering with employees under contract. 

Peculiarly, the agreement does not consider producer negotiations with 
week-to-week employees of other companies a violation of the pact, but 
It does so in cases of contract personnel. 



Inside Stuff-legit 



Cut in admissions at the downtown deluxers In Los Angeles, with 
most of the subsequent runs in the business section going to 10c on 
double bills during the day, has resulted in a shift of low tariff patron- 
age from Main street to Broadway. For years Malr street has had the 
corner on the jitney and dime trade. Finer houses on Broadway, two 
blocks over, later attractions and dual programs, however, have the 
Main street exhibs scratching their heads over how to hold what remain- 
ing patronage they have. 



Supervisor has been putting several Hollywood agents on the spot at 
his studio by misquoting salaries of players to his boss. Supe says he 
has been able to chisel down the established salary of a certain player, 
quoting the boss a lower figure than asked by the agent. This gets hJm 
a pat on the back from the head man. 

When error is discovered, it's the agent who is blamed, and In order 
to keep the studio's good will he must take it Gag can't be worked 
much longer, as the boss is becoming wise. 



Mayor Porter of Los Angeles was kept fuming for 40 mins. by Jack 
Warner's late arrival at the dedicatory exercises of the WB-GE ballyhoo 
train prior to its departure for the east. Studio exec's son. Jack, Jr., 
finally had to pinch hit as speaker, the high schooH lad introducing the 
celebs to the crowd. 

When Mayor Curley of Boston was a recent guest at the Warner 
studio, he had to wait half an hour in the lunch room until Warner 
showed up. 



Authority branded 99 out of every 
100 wrestling matches crooked. 
Known as 'barneys' in those days. 



Kicks in New Orleans when last 
night of the French opera season 
was hurt by failure of stars to show 
up. Audience got a refund, but still 
sore. 



In San Francisco Leonard Grover's 
'The City' was a frost, but the scene 
painter was given a curtain call for 
his effects. 



Tony Pastor resumed his operatic 
travesties which had been such hits 
In previous seasons. May and Flora 
Irwin and Jacques Kruger were in 
the cast. They had been playing in 
farces for Pastor all season. 



W. H. Vanderbllt signed an option 
on the Madison Sq. Garden for $95-0,- 
000. It had been used as a freight 
station for his fl. Y. Central. 



Wife of Frank Mordaunt became 
Jealous of one of the players in the 



The Shuberts are now operating the Winter Garden on Broadway 
themselves, under a friendly deal with Warner Bros, which assures film 
supply. Percentage of gross to Warners to cover picture product. 

Policy continues indefinitely until Shuberts are ready to place musi- 
cals of the 'Passing Show' type back into house, with concerts on Sun- 



troupe and went around tearinf; 
down her lithographs. Actress, had 
her arrested and the judge told the 
wife Mordaunt was not good looking 
enough to make such a fuss over. 



Stars at a local variety house pre- 
sented a drama 'assisted by mem- 
bers of their company and two bull- 
dogs.' 



Augustin Daly presented for the 
first time '7-20-8.' As usual, 'Clipper' 
did not care much for the play, 
though It long remained In the rep- 
ertory. 



William Stafford closed his sea- 
son abruptly, but he paid the troui)e 
In full to the announced closing date 
In May. Unusual. 



'Squatter SoverelKnty,' Harrigan 
and Hart success which was beinf? 
toured by Mart Hanley, was egged 
in Minneapolis by Irish sympa- 



thizers. Out all season and this was 
the first kick. Gus Hill got It 10 
years later with his 'Hogan's Alley," 
but all over the east. 



Dan Rice, the veteran clown, wlio 
had been in retirement, signed with 
Nathan's circus. Talking clowns 
were on their way out, due to the 
multiple ring Idea, 



Dobson Bros, gave a banjo con- 
cert In Stelnway hall with $50fl 
worth of Instruments offered as 
prizes in a contest for amateurs. 
Chas. Dobson modestly described 
himself as 'the champion of all 
champions, the teacher of all tcacli- 
ers.' 



Inventor was offering a the:itie 
.sprinkler system aiid an 'actors* ex- 
tlngiilsher.' Latter, was sort of bath 
cabinet In which any actor who 
found himself afire could stand und 
be wet down. Situated in the wings. 



A. H. Woods win soon quit hla offl(;e atop the Ettinge, New York, 
which be has occupied for the last 20 years. He baa taken quarters in 
the New Amsterdam theatre building, eastward ,oC his spot on 42nd 
street. Reason for moving is that his lease on the property has expired. 

The Eltlnge ia its hey-day was a first-grade legit stand. Woods in 
his prime as a producer staged one hit ^f ter another and six shows 
played there within a period of seven years. Now the house is used for 
stock burlesque. 

Woods' rise to managerial fame started with 'Within the Law,' which 
ran 18 months at the Eltlnge. He had a third interest in the show and 
doubled that by buying out William A. Brady, who made a quick sale 
after the meller flivved In Chicago prior to Its Broadway debut. Arch 
and Edgar Selwyn owned the remaining Interest. 

The other consecutive run shows that made plenty at the house were: 
'The Yellow Ticket,' "Fair and Warmer,' 'Innocent,' 'Cheating Cheaters' 
and 'Song of Songs.' Then there followed a string of farce successes 
which clicked so consecutively that Woods used the Republic to present 
such shows as 'Parlor, Bedroom and Batti.' 

Woods' ofQces will be turned Into living quarters by Max Rudnick, who 
runs the burly troupe downstairs. Latter has run the house for the last 
two years of the Woods lease. 

As Elsa Brandt in 'Alien Corn,' at the Belasco, New York, Katharine 
Cornell is supposed to be an accomplished pianist. Several times at the 
Instrument so yrell does she simulate playing that Is Is Impossible to dis- 
cern the fact that the music comes from backstage. 

Miss Cornell's lines In German with Siegfried Rumann, who plays 
Elsa's father, are spoken like a cultured resident of Berlin. The star 
was born. In that city of American parents, but was brought up here. 
Last summer, however, she made a lengthy sojourn In Bavaria to brush 
up on her German, having the play In mind. 



Lines at the box office of Erlanger's Biltmore, Los Angeles, daily, and 
sell-out foe the opetilrig Sunday (26), make^ It appear that Sam H. Harris' 
'Of The^ .I Sing" has hit bigger than any other legit that has visited the 
coast In months. Although set In for two weeks. It to probable now 
that at least an additional seven days will be added. - 

On a sellout house can top the musical's nut by (7,750 a week. At SOo. 
to (2.50 mats, and $1 to $3 nights, the Blltmpre can gross |31,000 a 
week, with the 20-piece orchestra, 30 stagehands and troupe of 03 dent- 
ing that sum by around $23,260. 



days. Shuberts have this definitely in mind, but no tentative date or 
formulated plans. 



After working out plans for drastic salary cuts and discharges of per- 
sonnel at a coast studio the comptroller of the orgranlzation Is under- 
stood to have eliminated himself from the group who got a pay knifing 
running from 15 to 40%. 

It is claimed he also saw to It that his hrother-ln-law, employed in 
the camera department, and his own ' secretary, were not put through 
the pruning process. 



Whether Hlllstreet, only remaining RKO house In Southern California, 
remained open or shut Its doors rested on the ability of the manage- 
ment to trim the nut around $1,000 a week. Tlirough the co-operation 
of L. A. merchants with whom the house deals, careful pruning of ad- 
vertising and other expenses, operating expense has been cut to |6,000 
weekly, exclusive of pictures, which are played on percentage. Pruning 
process cut no salaries. 



'Made On Broadway', bought recently by Metro from Courtenay Ter- 
rett, was originally written for Paramount. Latter studio paid the writer 
a salary to concoct the yarn on Its time with an understanding the story 
would be taken when it Jelled. None of the Par producers warmed to 
the story, so Terrett left Paramount and next day sold it to Metro. 



Coast circuit, at the request of the government In its drive against 
aliens, supplied its employees with identification blanks to be filled out. 
No unwillingness to comply was encountered until the operators were 
approached. Latter contended they were working for the union, not 
the circuit, and that any request to such information would have to 
come from their local. 



Carroll S. Trowbridge, Doug Fairbanks' personal representative in 
New York, has assumed the same role for Mary Pickford and will imme- 
diately prepare to center interest upon 'Secrets,' scheduled as next for 
Rivoll, N. Y., opening March 8. After that Trowbridge will tour key 
cities and contact exchanges on 'Secrets.' 



Greatest paint explosion Broadway probably has. ever witnessed now 
smothers the Criterion. Paramount exploiteers got Instructions to bunch 
color in an effort to make the sealed house sell the company's bill across 
the street. Except when the bulbs are lighted the Criterion stands for 
color, but little more to the average passerby. 



Definitely spotting Colleen Moore In the Lasky film 'The Power and 
the Glory', gives the erstwhile star her first tumble In films since 1929, 
and the first break since Metro termed her nine months ago. At various 
times Metro has had her up for certain parts, but plans never material- 
ized, with the result that she was loaned to Fox. 



Boy friend of a former Hollywood star Is out of luck so far as pub- 
licity on a story he sold to a studio Is concerned. Press agent ap- 
proached him regarding the yarn, seeklng_some Information for a press 
release. Boy friend's sarcastic wisecracks weie Just enough for the 
p. a. to forget about the whole matter. 



Nathan Burkan is latest to step Into the Paramount receivership pic- 
ture. The lawyer is representing Erpl. Up to the time of recelvershli), 
Paraniount-Publix owed Erpl around $680,000 In equipment royalties. 
Burkan is reported as chiefly concerned with royalties accruing since 
then. 



In a letter to other producers, Jesse La.slty deplores the craze which 
has gripped Hollywood film femmes, that of wearing male attire. Lasky 
urged his brother producers to unite In an effort to squash the pants 
evil which ho fears will prompt club women to boycott certain stars. 



Deal between bankers and Joe Leo for the latter to take over the Fox 
in "Frisco for William Fox operation. Is all set but for one detail. 

Parties can"t determine who should pay for legal services In drawing 
up the papers. 



Two brothers recently sold themselves as producers to a major stiiiHo 
on the Idea that their fast shooting methods would save money for the 
company. Tlir;:- first picture, in production for five days, Is two dnys 
behind sclicilnle. 



Only kicks Paramount reports so far recolvini; on the Mae W\'::t v'lr- 
turc are when the exhlb sells it .^Iraight as "Diamond Lil" or else trio?; lo 
top press sheet sex exploitation. 



Krimsky and Cochran have sold the Canadian nj,ht3 on 'Maedchcn in 
I Uniform' to Columbia on a percentage distribution deal. 



Tuesday, February 28, 193S 



LEGITIMATE 



VARIETY 59 



Sunday Drama Bill Up in Albany; 
5 Bodies Back It Equity Lone W 



Possibility of Sunday leglt per- 
formances on Broadway has perked 
up considerably In the past week 
despite the opposition expressed by 
Equity. From the present outlook 
it appears that the actors are the 
only persons In show business who 
are against the idea and that Is not 
certain because Squlty officers been 
doing the talking, not Individual 
members. 

A bill to legalize Sundays has 
been introduced at Albany by As- 
semblyman Julius Berg. It has 
beeii endorsed by New York's 
stage hands union, the musicians 
union, the scenic artists union and 
the Dramatists Guild which acted 
yesterday (Monday.) In addition, 
of course, is the managerial body 
the Theatre League. That makes 
five stage bodies In accord, Equity 
being a lone wolf. 

Equity has not acted on the Berg 
measure, but its attitude toward 
petitions In favor of Sundays which 
the League distributed, Indicates it 
Is still adamant. 

None of the petitions are known 
to have been signed by actors. 
-Charge is made that when the pe- 
titions were posted on back stage 
bulletin boards they were ripped 
down. With the stage hands and 
musicians favoring Sundays the 
disappearance of the petitions is 
placed at Equity's door. 



M G-H SOLOING STAGE 
PRODUCTIONS IN FALL 



Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Deciding to remain separate from 
the proposed Hollywood stage 
group which would produce plays 
for all studios, Metro has set a 
policy of having a theatre and has 
also selected six plays as part of 
Its plan to enter the legit field in 
Hollywood. No contracts will be 
made until the studio's stage unit 
is Incorporated, as another organ- 
ization apart from the film produc- 
tion end. 

First stage play will probably not 
be made until fall. 

Offer by Harry Cohn to subscribe 
$10,000 as a starter to secure an 
interest in the leglt company, has 
been refused by Metro. 



Chi Groups Pool for 
Rice's UTe, the People' 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 
'We, the. People', Elmer Rice's 
strong medicine, will have ivS Chi- 
cago presentation through the In- 
stitute Players. Charles Freeman of 
that organization has worked out 
a deal for nominal royalty to Rice 
and hopes to open the play in late 
March. 

Because of the ambitious nature 
of the undertaking for a little the- 
atre it Is likely the production will 
be a Joint effort of all the little 
theatres in Chicago marshalling 
their resources for the occasion. 



Air Team in Play 

Oakland, Cal., Feb. 27. 

Fulton presents Cecil and Sally, 
Coast radio team, now without a 
sponsor, in a stage play for a week's 
run starting Feb. 26. 

John Patrick and Helen Troy, the 
te.am, will have their air roles. Play 
Is the work of Patrick, who does the 
radio sketches, and a stock cast will 
be In support. 

Plans is to tour the sticks. John 
Q. Fee directing. 



Blores Twin Bankrupts 

Eric Blore, leglt actor, residing In 
Douglaston, L. I., discloses liabilities 
of $20,660 and assets of $75 in a 
voluntary bankruptcy petition filed 
last week. 

His wife, .Clara, In a separate 
petition alleges the same amount of 
debts and assets. 



Wallace Play Set for Frisco 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Louis Macloon plans a March 20 
opening for 'Hand In the Fog,' 
Kdgar Wallace play which he will 
bring Into Bclasco & Curran'g 
CSeary. Cast now being set In Los 
Angeles. 

It will be Macloon's first produc- 
tion In a year. 



OPERA'S TWIN LEADS 

Rex Weber and Robt. Chisholm Set, 
Also Femmo Import 



Robert Chisholm and Rex Weber 
will handle the lead male roles In 
'Beggar's Opera', which went Into 
rehearsal yesterday (27) for John 
Krlmsky and GlfCord Cochran. 
Steffi Duna, imported from Europe, 
will probably handle the part of 
Polly, femme lead. 

Piece, based on Kurt Weill's Ger- 
man operetta, will be retltled be- 
fore opening in New York In order 
to avoid confusion with the John 
Gay opera of which it's a modern- 
ization. Francesco von Mendelssohn, 
who staged it originally in Berlin, 
Is here to handle the staging on this 
side. 



BALLETS FLOCK 
IN FROM EUROPE 



Extraordinary return of the ballet 
is predicted for next season. This 
branch of concert entertainment has 
been holding up very well In the 
face of everything, with the Metro- 
politan managers of the opinion that 
the novelty of some recent foreign 
ballet troupes Is the b.o. explana- 
natlon. 

As a result, on the strength of 
Shand-Kar, the Indian dancer's ap- 
peal, and others, the Columbia Con- 
certs Corp. (CBS subsld) is import- 
ing the Serge Lifar ballet from the 
Paris opera; S. Hurok is bringing 
over the Jost ballet, a new school 
of terpsichore, from Germany; the 
Russian ballet from Monte Carlo 
and Sakharoff's Russian ballet. 



AARONS-FREEDLEY PART 
AHER 12 YRS. AS FIRM 



Alex A. Aarons and Vinton Freed- 
ley are splitting a managerial part- 
nership of 12 years standing. Both 
plan to produce individually, stating 
that they part as friends, believing 
their collaborative efforts as produc- 
ers are not ns effective as formerly. 

Freedley, formerly on the stage, 
and Aarons, son of Alfred E. Aarons 
then general manager for A. L. Er- 
ianger, joined as managers and 
clicked with their first show 'Lady 
Be Good.' The duo developed a rep- 
utation for staging smart musical 
comedies and there followed 'Tip 
Toes,' 'Oh Kay' and their outstand- 
ing success 'Hold Everything' which 
made more than $100,000. Other 
successes were 'Girl Crazy,' 'Here's 
How' and 'Funny Face' which scored 
also In London with the Astalres 
who were under the Aarons & Freed- 
ley management for seasons. 

Understood a goodly part of their 
earnings was lost in operating the 
Alvln theatre which they opened as 
lessees and of which they operated 
as owners for a time. 'Treasure Girl' 
was a fumble, one of their few flops. 
Last year they lost the Alvln and, 
save for a short lived dramatic try 
('Adam's Son'), they lapsed for the 
season. 'Pardon My English' was ex- 
pected to be thoir come-back attrac- 
tion, but It closed Saturday at the 
Majestic, New York, far In the red 
after playing about six weeks. They 
are relinquiehing offices In the New 
Amsterdam. 

Aarons & Freedley were counted 
on to present one musical hit per 
season, because of consecutive suc- 
cesses* Same applied to Larry 
Schwab and Frank Mandel who like- 
wise repeatedly scored with musical 
shows. That combination broke up 
last season and Schwab Is now 
teamed with Buddy De Sylva in the 
current Broadway success 'Take a 
Chance.' 



'Only Girl' Set Back 

Los Angeles, Feb. 20. 

Herbert Hlcdeoker's 'The Only 
Girl,' revival of the Victor Herbert 
light opera, has po.^tponrd its San 
Francisco premiere till April 9, giv- 
ing way to 'Of Thee I Sing,' open- 
ing after its L. A. rnga?cmcnt. 

Show will go Into the Cunan. 
with Charlotte Lansing and Glen 
Dale In the top spota. 



B'way's Meanest Man 



Meanest man In town is the 
manager of a New York leglt 
theatre currently housing a 
musical. He's the nephew of 
the owner, which is a reason. 

An usher found a bracelet In 
the house and collected a re- 
ward. The mgr. declared him- 
self in for 60%. That happened 
after he cut the usher's salary 
from $1.25 a day to $1. 

Couple of people in the show 
installed a slot machine back- 
stage. Mgr. made his declara- 
tion on that, too, also for 60% 
and wouldn't let them operate 
until kicking in. 



Shubert Sale Set Back to March 17, 
. Bidder Wifl Need $40,000 Spot Cash 



KALICH IN 'SONATA' 



One 2d Ave. Performance By Yid- 
dish Star Near Blindness 



Barley Renews Lease 
On Eltinge, Blocking 
Clean-Up of 42d St. 

Proposed Improvement of 42nd 
street which was expected to aid 
leglt business. Is off for a* least a 
year and perhaps five years. This 
became apparent with re-leasing of 
the Eltlnge theatre for stock bur- 
lesque. Understood the rental calls 
for the longer term, with provision 
for termination upon notice after 
one year. 

Original 21-year lease on the 
Eltlnge was held by A. H. Woods. 
It expires today (Tues.) Woods 
sub-leased the once noted legit 

house to burlesque Interests more 
than a year ago, when he met with 
financial reverses and his produc 
tlon activities were at least tem 
porarlly abandoned. 

The lease on the adjacent Liberty 
would also have expired on this 
date, but the house was lost through 
foreclosure. It was controlled by the 
Erlanger and Mayer interests who 
refused to pay the taxes. Liberty 
is still regarded as a good legit 
house, but has been virtually dark 
for more than a year. 

The Eltlnge and Liberty are on 
one plot of ground, the combined 
sites being owned by Joseph and 
Nicholas Schenck and David Bern- 
stein. It was proposed to raze the 
buildings along with adjacent prop- 
erties, an ofllce building and picture 
theatre to be built. One of the fea- 
tures mentlohed was a radio broad- 
casting plant, with Columbia re- 
ported Interested. 

Further westward another build- 
ing was planned and the old Amer- 
ican Music Hall was razed. Instead 
a taxpayer was erected. That site 
is owned by the Bethlehem Steel 
Company. 



Bertha Kalich will make one more 
appearance on Second avenue In 
her most famous play, 'Kreutzer 
Sontata'. Tolstoy drama will be put 
on for Miss Kallch's benefit on 
March 3 and for only one perform- 
ance, at the Second Avenue theatre. 

Miss Kalich has been fighting off 
approaching blindness for the past 
five years. She came out of a 10- 
year retirement last spring to ap- 
pear for a few minutes at a benefit 
given her at the Yiddish Art the- 
atre. This will be her first full per- 
formance in years. 



3 TOSHE KALBS; 
ONE IN LONDON 



DUMP PILE FLAMES GET 
OLD B'WAY HIT SCENERY 



Out In Maspeth, Long Island, 
where the Newton Creek winds its 
smelly way among the factories and 
dumps, thousands of pieces of scen- 
ery, which were used in hundreds of 
Broadway plays are being burned at 
the Grand Avenue dumps. The scen- 
ery is some of the finest work done 
by American scenic artists. But the 
Broadway managers have to pay for 
the storage. 

The producers are paying truck- 
ing companies $25 a load to cart the 
scenery out to Maspeth. 

The scenery which goes up in 
fiames Is either carted away from 
the Patsy Cain morgue or from the 
producers' own warehouse. The sets 
are worth thousands, there Is no 
market for their sale. 

The sets, which thousands of New 
Yorkers admired, now have very 
small audiences as they go up in 
flames. A few 'Bos' from the Shanty 
town near the Grand Avenue dumps 
stare dully as the fiames catch the 
paint and send up rolls of nmoke. 



Two road companies are being as- 
sembled of 'YoBhe Kalb,' Yiddish 
drama. It'll mean the first Yiddish 
play ever to be shown by three 
groups simultaneously, except for 
stock propositions. 

Number two company goes to Chi- 
cago where it will show in one of 
the UBO houses while number three 
company will probably move into the 
Second Ave. Theatre, New York, re- 
placing the current company there. 
That group will at that time move 
over to London, where negotiations 
are on to present the show under C. 
B. Cochran auspices. 

A. B. Relkln, manager of the 
Maurice Schwartz enterprise, is ar- 
ranging all the bookings. 



TLYING COLORS' AS TAB 
BERMUDA CRUISE SHOW 



About 16 minor principals and 
chorus members of 'Flying Colors,' 
using the Max Gordon musical's ti- 
tle for billing, sail as entertainers 
on the 'Berlin' of the North German 
Lloyd line FrJc^ay (3) for a 10-day 
cruise to Bermuda and back. 

Tie-up with the Gordon office per- 
mits use of the show's title in the 
boat line's advertising. Trip Is no- 
pay for the troupe, but with all ex- 
penses paid. 

'Colors' finished Its leglt run In 
New York Saturday (26). 



Gillmore^ Turner Feted 

Mexico City, Feb. 24. 
Frank Gillmore, president of the 
Actors' Equity A.ssociation, and Paul 
Turner, director of that organization 
and representative In tho U. .s. of 
Britisli tho.spians, are bpfng fntod 
here by Moxlcan Actors' Union. 
They are making a ploasurc trip to 
Mexico. 

Gillmore made a spccrh before a 
scs.sion of the Actors' Union in 
which ho outlined the aims and ob- 
jects of Equity. Said that the thc-- 
atre has suffered lca.st of all ontrr- 
prises during the depres.slon In the 

u. a. 



Des Moines Princess 
Burns, Cradled Stars 



Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 27. 
Fire destroyed the historic Prin- 
cess theatre on Fourth street night 
of Feb. 18. House was scene of 
some of the best stock production 
for two decades and the cradle of 
Fay Bainter, Conrad Nagel and 
many others widely known. 

The theatre opened in 1909 and 
suffered one fire In 1923 after which 
It was rebuilt. The recent fire halts 
leasing of the house by the Kendall 
Community Players who were con- 
sidering moving their productions 
downtown. 

Elbert & Getchel opened the 
house and managed until 1920-22 
when It was managed by the 
Adams theatre company. Elbert 
and Getchell bought it back again 
together with the Berchel across 
the street, since razed. 

Tho Bankers Life Insurance co. 
of Dog Moines bought the building 
in 1330. 



Geo. M. in Full Stride 

George M. Cohan appearing at the 
Lyceum, New York, In his own 
'I'iRcons and I'copic' has rocovored 
from a leg injury su.staincd during 
a performance scvcr.al wooks ago. 
.Show had dropped Wednesday 
matince.H, but the mid-week after- 
noon.s h.ave again been added. 

Afternoon attendnnoo has been 
stronfcer than at night. One r'a.«on 
for omitting the matinee w^s the 
length of Cohan's per.sonal ajipe.-ir- 
anee, he being on the st.nr'' eonlinu- 
oiisly F.'ive fijr a fi'W niiiuit's late 
la the sliow. 



The sale at auction of 17 theatres 
and other assets of tho Shubert 
Theatre Corporation which has been 
in receivership for the last 15 
months, was postponed from last 
Friday (23) until March 17. The 
three weeks delay is not unusual in 
the disposition of receivership 
esates, and such sales are frequently 
set back several times. 

There was no specific explanation 
for the delay In the notification to 
the creditor committees. The an- 
nouncement stated that an applica- 
tion for adjournment of the sale had 
been made to Earl B. Barnes, spe- 
cial master appointed by the court 
several months ago. The com- 
munication was signed by Robb, 
Clark & Bennltt, newly appointed 
counsel for the reorganization com- 
mittee. 

Time required to determine 
whether the proposed reorganization 
plan will become an actuality is the 
indicated reason for the postpone- 
ment. This plan calls for the ex- 
change of small amounts of com- 
mon stock In the proposed new Shu- 
bert company for the outstanding 
debenture bonds amounting to $6,- 
360,000 and for general claims of 
creditors whose bills amount to $1,- 
171,000. Stock in the new company 
would also take up $300,000 in re- 
ceivers certificates, bought by the 
Shuberts to keep the business going 
early In the winter. 

But there is a difference. For the 
certificates, the Shuberts will get 
a block of preferred stock of $10 
par, also a liberal amount of com- 
mon stock of 10 cents par. 

Financing New Deal 

Another angle In setting back the 
sale is the matter of money. While 
in the final settlement to the special 
master the receivers certificates will 
count as such, in the actual selling 
of the properties, actual cash must 
be paid. Requirement is that 10% 
of the successful bidder's price be 
paid at the time of the auction and 
the baTance must be turned over to 
the special master within five days. 

Presuming that no other bidders 
than the Shuberts and their asso- 
ciates seek the assets, the minimum 
bid will be $400,000 ($300,000 in re- 
ceivers certificates plus fees to the 
receivers and counsel). Therefore 
at least $40,000 in cash must be at 
hand at the time of the sale and the 
balance in cash within the pre- 
scribed limit. 

Parcel Bids a Problem 

There may be other bidders and 
the conduct of the sale may be im- 
portant to the reorganization plan 
— If tho master accepts bids for 
parcels (theatres) Individually 
rather then en block. There is a 
possibility of single bids on certain 
theatres and If they are accepted 
the reorganization committee may 
be embarrassed, for the reason that 
the Shuberts in buying In the 
houses have pledged themselves to 
turn all estate theatres over to the 
new company. But because the pur- 
chase of theatres at this time may 
mean the buying of liabilities rather 
than assets, there is little likelihood 
that any opposition bid for all the 
properties will be made by any one 
person. Assumption Is that the 
special master may recognize that 
Individual bids for single properties 
would not be equitable In light of 
the reorganization plan. 

In the matter of the common stock 
of the proposed new company, those 
who have considered the plan real- 
ize that the creditors and bondhold- 
ers are taking a long chance with 
no alternative. The stock may be 
worth but 10 cents as stated or 
within five or 10 years may be worth 
much more. It Is apparent, how- 
ever, that the man with a $1,000 
bond who exclianges it for seven 
shares of eommon will still be con- 
siderably In the red on his invest- 
ment. That of course goes for the 
creditors, too. 



Put Final Touches on 
New Bankhead Drama 

Tommy Mit'-liell has been called 
In to do fionio la.-j't minute doctor- 
In;; on the .st;ii.'in? of 'i'orsaking All 
Others.' Afrh .SeJuyn's Tallulah 
n.anKliead show. I'iere now srhed- 
iiled to ojien .H the Times Square, 
.N. y., toniorrow (1). 

Il.'irry AVa^i.statf Oribble started 
as .stalker for the piece, but walked 
out to lie replaced by Arthur Bock- 
h.'ii-dt. lie, too, blew up while tho 
iiiec^ \v;i.s on the road last week, 
Willi Mitchell now in. 



VAMnnr 



LECITIMATE 



Tundmj, Fehnmrj 28, 1933 



Pby on Broadway 



ALIEN CORN 

Drama In thrM acta presented br and 
With Katharine Cornell &t the Belasco Fob. 
20; written by Sidney Howard; !>tased by 
authrte McCllnUc. 

Ottokar Brandt Sleefrled Bumann 

A Piano Tuner Ludirtr Stclner 

Mrs. <Skeat9 Jeesle Bnaler 

Btookton B. J. B&IIantlne 

Watkina RIchail Stcrllns 

BlBa Brandt Katharine Cornell 

Fhlpps Charles D. Brown 

Julian Yardman Luther Adler 

Skeats Oiarlea Waldron 

Harry Conway James Rennle 

A Cbauffcur James Vincent 

Muriel Conway Lily Cahtll 

A Policeman Francis Moran 

The best feminine box office draw 
of the day, Katharine Cornell, 
makes her second appearance in 
the house which she took over after 
the death of David Belasco. 'Alien 
Com' is far better theatre than Its 
predecessor, 'Lucrece,' and should 

achieve success, but whether of 
major proportions is doubtful. 

'Allen Corn* Is the story of a 
woman's frustration in the pursuit 
of her artistic ambition. There was 
a similar thread in "The Barretts of 
Wimpole Street,' which was Miss 
Cornell's triumph, but the problem 
of the poetess- was more of the flesh 
than the chain of mental tribulation 
ttirough which Blsa Brandt finally 
breaks. 

The play on its own is nothing to 
shout about nor is the heroine as 
alluring as In most of her other im- 
personations. But the playing of 
Miss Cornell transcends the techni- 
cal weakness. At time she makes 
ESlsa a vibrant person in the midst 
of commonplace surroundings as an 
instructress of music in Conway 
College, a mid-western girls' semi- 
nary, and there is a certain fasci- 
nation in seeing and hearing her. 
That she is on the stage nearly all 
the performance is Important. The 
direction and production in which 
high powered lighting is a feature, 
aid considerably, while the cast, 
mostly male, is of high order. 

Blsa is ensconced in a roomy 
house with her irascible father, 
Ottokar Brandt, a violinist who 
once conceded no peer, not even 
Kreisler, but now incompetent, with 
a crippled arm. There are other 
professors living in the house, in- 
cluding Julian Vardaman, a radical- 
ly minded youhg inan who adores 
Elsa. It appears they had spent an 



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idyllic summer, but now she calmly, 
tells Julian that is put behind her. 

ESlsa feels she is wrongfully tied 
down to routine and longs to go to 
Vienna to complete her musical ed- 
ucation. She wants the right to try 
for musical fame, the heights to 
which her mother and father 
climbed. But a problem Is the 
wherewithal. With the aid of a clear 
thinking journalist and other 
friends there seems to be a way 
out by EUsa giving piano recitals, 
but the first one is a financial fizzle 
and she is forbidden to try again. 

Her problem is made more com- 
plex by the attentions of Harry 
Conway, one of the college's main 
supporters, and she falls in love 
with him. That creates an embar- 
rassment, what with Conway's wife 
stepping Into the picture. But Elsa 
comes to the cross roads when Ju- 
lian commits suicide over his hope- 
less love realizing that she loves 
Conway. But Elsa declares she 
will go abroad, putting aside her 
lover and all else. How the trip Is 
to be financed Is left to the audi- 
ence to figure out. 

Siegfried Rumann as Elsa's father 
seems always on the verge of burst- 
ing out in temperamental declama- 
tions and he does several times. 
There, is a peculiar affection be- 
tween father and daughter, and 
anything she does is right, even the 
Illicit affair with Conway. Bumann's 
acting gives authentic color to the 
role. Luther Adler Is the less vio- 
lent, but Just as positive Julian and 
contributes more good acting. James 
Rennie contrasts the business man 
and the faculty, a neat bit of work. 
Charles D. Brown as the newspaper 
man. Charles Waldron, E. J. Bal- 
lantine and Richard Sterling as 
professors also fitted into the pic- 
ture, while Jessie Busley and Lily 
Cahill had their moments. 

But it is Miss Cornell who must 
carry her play and that she doubt- 
less will do, even though she 
seemed to be meticulous in making 
her Elsa a plain girl, with no at- 
tempt to be physically attractive 
until the last act. /bee. 




AMERICAN DREAM 

' Theatre Guild production <ita third of the 
13th subscription season), ot a trilogy by 
Georse O'Nell. Staged by Ptrillp Moeller: 
settings. Lee Slmonson. Opened Feb. 21 
the Guild theatre. New York, at 43.30 top. 
1050 

Roger PIngree Lee Baker 

Martha Josephine Hull 

Daniel PIngree Douglass Montgomery 

Luke PIngree Wilton Graft 

An> Indian .Frank Verlgu'n 

Lydla Kimball Gale Sondereaard 

Celta Gertrude Flynn 

1049 

Daniel PIngree Stanley RlJges 

Susannah Leona Hogarth 

Abble PIngree Helen Westley 

Ezeklal Bell Claude Rains 

1933 

Daniel PIngree Douglass Montgomery 

Gall PIngree Gale Sonderg.iard 

Henri Sanford Melaner 

Vladimir Manart KIppen 

Beth Harkness Edith Van Cleve 

Richard BIddle Philip Barber 

Eddie Thayer Stanley RIdces 

Sarah Culver Helen Westley 

Mrs. Hamilton Josephine Hull 

Llndley P. Carver Spencer Barnes 

Julius Stern Lester Alden 

Hurdock Ersklne Sanford 

Amarylls Gertrude Flynn 

Tessa Steele Mary Blair 

Lincoln Park Wilton Graft 

Mrs. Harry Tsezhin Mary Jeffery 

Harry Frank Verlgun 

Jake Schwan Samuel Goldenberg 



ley btdgea personates Daniel PIn- 
gree* ths goldruaher. Oale Bonder - 
gaard Is prominent In the cast and 
action as Is Helen Westley, in a 
character part. 

The staging throughout Is admir- 
able, particularly In the 19S8 se- 
quence when possibilities for lapses 
were frequent, but always re- 
strained. Any mounting of bo- 
hemianism is fraught with histrionic 
danger through off-shading and 
coloring, but Moeller has controlled 
that very effectively. Lee Simon- 
son's sets were imaginative in their 
physical transformation through 
the epochs. Ahel. 

HANGMAN'S WHIP 

Drams of the tropica In three acts pre- 
sented by George Kondelt and Merlin Tay- 
lor In association wltb William A. Brady, 
Jr. Written by Norman Rellly Ralne and 
Prank Butler. Staged by Robert Bell. 
Settings by Livingston Piatt. At the St. 
James. New York. Feb. 24. Scaled at *a 
top. 

Prin Montagu IjOvo 

Kurt von ElU Ian Keith 

Judith Helen Flint 

BalUster Barton MacLane 

jakey 'Harold de Becker 

Fenton WllUam Sharpe. Jr. 



AU REIEF ACENCIES 
PUilDlG TOGETHER 



'American Dream,' a trilogy by 
George O'Nell (only one '1,' and no 

relation to Eugene), Is the Guild's 
first production by that author. It 
has another work in readiness, pos- 
sibly destined for the finale produc- 
tion of the current season; if not, 
the next. In producing O Nell, the 
Guild is fostering a v/rlter who is 
seemingly possessed of no small 
potentialities even though this play, 
as boxoffice entry, isn't destined for 
much greater interest beyond the 
usual subscription season. 

Dating from 1650, through 1849 
and into the present, the trilogy 
traces the lineage and heritage of 
Daniel PIngree from bis Uberallza 
tlon from a stern New England 
yoke, through his quest for Call 
fornla gold In mid-19th century, and 
his 1933 reflex from the capitalistic 
system which has made him a not 
able moneyed communist Despite 
his family inheritance of wealth, 
PIngree writes a book on commuU' 
Ism and, much to his disgust. It be 
comes a literary gold mine. 

The last act is by far the most 
appealing for the average audience. 
The same New England house, but 
modernized since its 1650 days. Is 
the setting for a wedding an- 
niversary party to which Mrs. PIn- 
gree invites negro poets, lesbos, 
communists, milder parlor social- 
ists, bankers, economists, a lady 
who's wedded to an Indian reserva- 
tion refugee, dancer, sculptress, 
professor, et al. Before this gather- 
ing PIngree denounces his grand- 
father as a filthy exploiter of men 
and in the later course of events, 
upon discovering his wife extolling 
the appealing virtues of the Jew 
communist, Jake Schwarz, be be- 
rates her as a mental, prostie, along 
with a lot of other things, finishing 
the episode and his life by suicide. 

Douglass Montgomery (Kent 
Douglass of the films) does well as 
the Plngrees in the first and third 
episodes. In the second act Stan- 



The screen with its unlimited re- 
sources has taken tropical stories 
out of the theatre. A stage pres- 
entation with all Its artificialities Is 
pitifully inadequate by comparison. 
For such subjects the stage Is 
washed up. ISven if this one had 
been superlatively well done In the 
writing, the staging and the acting. 
Its fate would be doubtful for this 
reason. 

But it isn't well done in any of 
the three particulars and its for- 
tunes are donbtful indeed. The 
first two acts are talky and action- 
less and it does not rise to any- 
thing like a dramatic crescendo 
until a few minutes before the final 
curtain, and long before that the 
day is lost. A public educated to 
'Red Dust' and its ilk find it dif- 
ficult to become absorbed In this 
utterly theatrical affair, stagey in 
its incidents, in its characters and 
staged and acted without vitality. 

Whole effect of the play hangs 
upon making valid the character of 
the old British trader on a West 
Africa river who has exploited the 
natives and the country with soul- 
less brutality for 30 years, sparing 
no man or woman, white or black 
who stood in the way of his tyran- 
nical ambition to turn the jungle 
into an empire of blood and sweat 
for his own profit Love bellows 
and roars, but his terror of the 
wilds never registers beyond its 
thesplan gestures. 

A theatrical play of this sort has 
to be done with convincing power 
and the- mild performance of the 
present cast never for a moment 
gets a grip upon the imagination. 
From first to last it's Just a smooth, 
well rehearsed play, occasionally 
shot witli a glint of grim humor, 
but never actual In its illusion. One 
suspects that this Is to a large de- 
gree the fault of the players, rather 
than of the playwright, for the final 
sequence, done with a great fru- 
gality of dialog really breaks 
through the pervading dullness and 
registers a parting moment of ef- 
fective theatre. 

The old trader has broken men 
to his purpose for years; his young 
wife has only a smouldering rebel- 
lion left when the natives rise to 
break their chains. The black horde 
is closing around the rotting old 
hulk of a ship that Is his home. His 
wife and his followers have seized 
the opportunity to escape. He and 
one blackguard, but loyal white ad- 
venturer, remain to face certain 
death, spending their last hour 
under flickering candle light over 
a game of stud poker, wagering 
large sums of useless money upon 
their hands. The old trader triumphs 
in the first round just as his op- 
ponent falls dead across the 
Jumbled cards, hit by a poisoned 
dart through the cabin port As 
the hand Is played out so Is the 
dream of empire, as the trader, gun 
In hand, takes up a position in the 
dim cabin to die fighting, uncom 
promising, implacable. 

Title is a quotation from Robert 
Bums, 'The fear o' hell Is a hang 
man's whip!' It's application to the 
play isn't very clear, not that that's 
pertinent to an attractive title. 

Measured by the yairdstick of the 
commercial theatre, the play has 
many elements of weakness, prob 
ably the main one being the build 
ing up of an unsympathetic lead- 
ing role which overshadows the 
romantic characters entirely. The 
secondary character, that ot the 
blackguard soldier of fortune, tops 
the romantic interest, which thus 
Is a bad third. 

Only one woman in the cast a 
role greatly subordinated to other 
elements, and of necessity played 
unobtrusively by Helen Flint Ian 
Keith gets the assignment of a man 
broken by the hardships of the 
country and the domination of the 
brute trader, a character little cal- 
culated to arouse gripping interest 
and played in a half hearted style, 
.IS though the actor realized the 
hopelessness of his acting situation 
Harold de Becker deals generously 
with the semi-comedy role of a 
humble super-cargo. 

Settings, there are only two, are 
.striking In design and novel in 
Idea. One Is the main saloon pf 
the old hulk, with a vista through 
the door of a tropic Jungle; the 
other a glimpse of her deck. 

RUMh, 



Co-ordination ot the administra- 
tion of the Stage Relief Fund has 
reached a point where the various 
professional groups are being con- 
tacted for check-up purposes if not 
material assistance. The organiza- 
tions include the Actors' Fund, 
N.V.A., Actors' Dinner Club, and the 
three theatrical gullda— Catholic, 
Jewish and Episcopal. 

In the case of the Dinner Club 
the Stage Relief makes a weekly 
donation of 9200 and, in addition, 
buys meal tickets up co $140 weekly, 
tickets being distributed to ap- 
plicants. The N.V.A.'s aid to pro- 
fessionals who are 111 also has the 
Fund's help. In some cases where 
the N.V.A. pays the doctors' fees, 
the Fund pays for medicine. 

A $200 donation from the Char- 
lotte Cushman Home, Philadelphia, 
was received last week. The check 
accompanied a letter from Margaret 
Dale, who stated that the gift was 
In recognition of the work being 
done, and that there was no doubt 
that professionals who formerly ap- 
plied to the Cushman memorial 
foundation were being taken care of 
by the Fund. 

Next Sunday there will be a Fund 
benefit performance ot 'The Late 
Christopher Bean' at Henry Miller's. 
Sunday night, March 6 there will be 
benefit shows by 'The Gay Divorce,' 
Shubert and '20th Century,' Broad - 
hurst. Last Saturday night the pro- 
ceeds of a dinner dance at the Al- 
gonquin went to the Fund, which 
will receive a percentage of the re- 
ceipts taken In by Hearn's depart- 
ment store, March 4. 

Contributions up to Feb. 24: 
Previous contributions $22,017 



'Autumn Crocus' benefit. 

Lewis Emery 

'Voice of Experience'... 
Algonquin Supper Club. 
Cornelia Otis Skinner. . . 

Lillian C. Pierre 

J. P. McDonald 

Mrs. C. R. Hartzell 

Albert Steiglltz 

Elisabeth Rlsdon 

Louise Closser Hale.... 

Rlfa Gould 

Charlotte L. Boettgcr... 

Walker Rea 

Other contributions. . ... 



344 

260 
200 
104 
75 
26 
20 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
10 
318 



Total $23,426 



Lincoln Stock Co. Claims 
Work Marathon Record 

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 27. 
Olenray stock here has a back- 
breaking schedule. There is at. 
least one family-night a week 
wherein the whole mob and a cou- 
ple of neighbor's kids can get In 
for 60c. There are amateur nights 
and Saturday mor ning kid -mats 
thrown in. The adm. is never more 
than 36c per and for the one or two 
extra midnight shows each week the 
gate goes for two-bits. 

It is considered about average for 
a performer to be on the stage six 
hours a day not counting rehearsals. 

Ray Weaver is managing the show 
and has been moderately success- 
tuL 



OUT-OF-TOWN REVIEW 



Civie Hisk, Deserted 
By Hi Hats, Holding Oat 
rm top to die PabBc 



With the exception of the music 
loving Italians In San Francisco, 
which has an Italian mayor, and 
the Germans In Cincy, who like- 
wise are hot for music, every other 
key city In the United States is 
facing a deficit in Its local symphony 
orchestra or civc opera. The Metro- 
politan, New York, needs $350,000 
to underwrite next year's season of 
opera. 

The Los Angeles Symph is like- 
wise asking for a popular subscrip- 
tion of 160,000 $1 contributions to 
underwrite the local orchestra. Al- 
ready the L. A. Symph has 
dropped its maestro, Arthur Rod- 
zinsky, who has gone to Cleveland, 
succeeding Eugene Goossens. 

As in every key city, the local 
social and civic leaders guaranteed 
the artistic enterprises, but as in 
the Instance of the snooty Met. 
which lost $400,000 this season, ex- 
isting economic conditions have 
taken away this patronage. 

In almost every instance the 
problems have been put up to the 
public at large, asking their popular 
support if theyv are to retain a 
symphony orchestra or an opera 
troupe in their cities. 



RICE PROTEST PLAY ON 
SOCIALIZED PAYROLL 



Although announced to stop "We 
the People* Is holding over at the 
Empire. Elmer Rice who wrote and 
produced the propaganda melo- 
drama, turned over the full net 
proceeds to the players, foregoing 
royalties, while the house has 
agreed to deduct house expense 
only from the gross. 

There are 44 players and 10 extra 
people in 'People.' Last week the 
takings were $5,100, the company 
share being $2,600. Some small 
parts call for salaries as low as $26 
weekly. Those players received full 
pay, others getting one-half or 
three-quarters of their contracted 
salaries. 

' Show is on a week to week basis. 
Rice has guaranteed house against 
loss. 



DOOMSDAY CIRCUS 

Los Angeles, Feb. 21. 
This 1931 Guggenheim award 
play is being given its first staging 
In this country at Orange Grove 
here, with only a remote likelihood 
that it will again see the light of 
day. 

Play was produced by the Col- 
lective Theatre of Los Angeles, with 
Emjo Basshe, Its author, a member 
of the production board ot the co- 
operative affair. 

Non-pros for the most part com- 
prised the CEist. Performance as a 
result of this and of its staging is 
amateurish in the extreme, the satire 
of the piece based on the economic 
situation today being entirely lost 

Basshe play In many respects, is 
built along the lines of 'Beggars on 
Horseback,' although the theme is 
different dealing as it does with the 
underdog and those who control the 
'circus,' the three-ring trick in 
which the public are the performers. 

'Doomsday' lacks the punch and 
brilliant wit of satirical plays that 
have preceded it and as a result 
becomes monotonous before the 
first-act curtain. 

Program listed 46 principals In 
addition to 32 la the 'treadmill' 
chorus. This outnumbered ' the au- 
dience on the night reviewed. Only 
ones getting any money out of the 
performances are said to be six or 
seven Elquity members, and their 
t^ke is peanuts at besL' 




BETTY 
VERONICA 

PARAMOUNT, NewYork 

This Wtek (Fab. 24) 

Completing Third Season 
with 

Eari Carroll's "Vanrties" 



The Rochester Journal, says: 

"Betty Veronica proved a 
Jack of all trades and master 
of every one. She sang pleas- 
ingly as prima donna, acted 
stunningly as the tough girl 
and wisecracked from numer- 
ous beds. At the finale she re- 
ceived an appreciative ova- 
tion. 

"The girl's a great 
comedienne." 



Direction 
LOUIS SHURR— AL MELNICK 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



LECITIMATE 



VARIETY 



CI 




Irlelody 
$31000 BWs High ; Holiday Helped 



Broadway wa» flooded with thea- 
I'tregoers on Washington's Birthday 
i And a flock of shows went to matl- 
^ nee capacity. Grosses did not quite 
lyeach the previous week's figures in 
most cases because there was no 
i extra matinee, the holiday falling on 
) Wednesday, 

" A new dramatic success arrived 
5*t the Belasco, 'Allen Corn.' There 
] yrsiB dissenting opinion from ob- 
[ servers who journeyed to Baltimore, 
' where the Katharine Cornell show 
bpened, but 'Corn' drew box office 
1 notices In New York, and there 
i is no doubt as to Its feminine ap- 
■ peal. First week grossed around 
^ $20,000, with an extra matinee and 
'; boosted premiere scale. Virtual ca- 
pacity Indicated. 

'Melody,' musical, assumed the 
position of the list's new leader last 
\ week In going to approximately 
j 132,000; 'Design for Living' was 
! again the drama leader and main- 
itained Its $28,000 gait; other toppers 
, are 'Take a Chance' (musical), $24,- 
' 000; 'Music In the Air* (musical), 
? $21,000, and 'Dinner at Eight' (dra- 
i jnatlc), $20,000. 

\ Last week's other entrants were 
' *Amerlcan Dream', at the Guild, 
; grossing $12,000, mostly subscrip- 
\ tioi\s. rating It mild, and 'Hang- 
' man's Whip,* which opened Friday 
(24) at the St. James, with chances 
doubtful. First full week of 'One 
Sunday Afternoon' at the Little was 
better than $6,000, which flgure is 
regarded satisfactory. Show costs 
little to operate and may make a 
atay of it. Some drama commenta- 
tors have given It additional plug- 
ging. 

'Conquest' lasted but one night 
and a week, going off at Plymouth 
Saturday (25), when 'Honeymoon' 
was withdrawn at the Vanderbllt. 
' -was. withdrawn at the "Vanderbllt anr 
rFour o'clock' quit at the Biltmore. 
•When Ladies Meet' leave? the Roy- 
ale this week for the road, same go- 
ing for 'PIccoll,' the Italian marion- 
ettes at the Cohan.- Several engage- 
ments are doubtful, which Is apt to 
be true on any Saturday from now 
•n. 

Next week 'Both Tour Houses' 
comes to the Royale, and 'The 
Cherry Orchard* will be revived at 
the New Amsterdam. Other reviv- 
als scheduled are 'Young Sinners' at 
the Ambassador and 'The Family 
Upstairs,' house to be announced. 
In the offlng is a colored musical 
called 'Humming Sam,' also known 
«s 'Harlem to Dixie.' 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Alice in Wonderland/ New Am- 
sterdam (6th week) (C-l,702-$2.20). 
The Cherry Orchard' to be revived 
next week and alternate with 'Alice': 
business for latter show around 
$14,000, holiday trade counting. 

'Alien Corn/ Belnsco (2d week) 
(D-l,a00-$3.30). Looks real popular 
draw; Initial week excellent; around 
$20,000, which spots It with leaders; 
opened at $5.60 top and had extra 
matinee (Washington's Birthday). 

'American Dream,' Guild (2d 
week) (CD-914-$3.30). Drew mod- 
erate notices, mainly for subscrib- 
ers; first week about $12,000, mostly 
from that source. 

'Autumn Crocus/ Morosco (16th 
week) (CD-893-$3.30). May sur- 
vive other modest gross shows be- 
cause of matinee draw; up some- 
what last week; around $6,500. 

'Before Morning/ Ritz (4th week) 
(D-946-$2.20). Cut-rate deal holds 
nioller In; but small money with the 
gross around $2,500 or less. 

'Biography/ Avon (12th week) (C- 
830-$3.30). Matinee.s sold out last 
week; moved here from Guild; with 
the pace around $12,000, indications 
arp for stay through spring. 

'Conquest/ Plymouth. Taken off 
Saturday; pl.ayed ivcek and night; 
very little coin. 

'Dangerous Corner/ Fulton (19th 
week) (D-913-$3.30). Sticking to 
small money; one set show and low 
cost cast gets by at less than $4,000. 

'Design for Living/ Barrymore 
(6th week) (CD-l,090-$4.40). Living 
Up to expectations with capacity all 
pprformances; gross over $28,000. 

'Dinner at Eight/ Music Box (19th 
week) (C-l,000-$3.85). Again played 
nine porformancos with little differ- 
ence in pare; sUffhtly nffected at 
120,000. 

'East River Romance/ Alansfleld. 
Po.stponed indennltely; b.r. trouble. 

'Forsaking All Others/ Times 
P .uare (1st week) (D-l,057-$3.30). 
Presented by Arch Selwyn; written 
by Edward Robert and Frank Mor- 
gan Cavett; opens Wednesday (1); 
Tallulah Bankhead starred. 

'Four o'clock/ Biltmore. Stopped 
Saturday; under $1,200; two weeks; 
'Champagne Supper' due soon. 

'Gay Divorce/ Shubert (14th 
week) (M-l,395-$3.30). Continues to 
draw good money considering the 
going; rated well over $15,000, which 
is okay for this musical. 

'Goodbye Again/ 'Masque (10th 
week) (C-700-$3.30). Looks set 
well into spring; geared to operate 
at moderate money; quoted over 
$S,000 last week. 

'Hangnian's Whip/ St. James (2nd 
*cek) (D-l,520-$2.20). Opened late 



last week; notices tepid; chances 
dubious. 

'Honeymoon/ Vanderbllt. With- 
drawn last Saturday after playing 
10 weeks to small money; 'The 
Party's Over' slated soon. 

'Late Christopher Bean/ Miller 
(18th week) (C-946-$3.30). Steady 
money maker, although not to big 
grosses; strong at three matinees; 
over $9,000. 

'Louisiana/ 48th Street (1st week) 
(D-969-$3.30). Colored cast drama 
presented independently (George 
Lefty Miller and A. B. Comathiere) ; 
written by J. Augustus Smith; 
opened Monday; first announced for 
Ambassador. 

'Melody/ Casino (3d week) (O- 
2,156-$3.30). Went into big money 
with standees in on holiday (Wash- 
ington's Birthday) and topped the 
list last week at approximately 
$32,000. 

'Mueic in the Air/ Alvin (17th 
week) ■(C-l,387-$3.30). Somewhat 
better at $21,000 and rated one of 
best money makers among musi- 
cals. 

'One Sunday Afternoon/ Little 
(3d week) (D-630-$2.20). Quite fa- 
vorable breaks in follow-up press 
mention; around $5,000 first full 
week; okay for low cost show which 
should stick. 

•Our Wife/ Booth (1st week) (C- 
708-$3.30). Presented independently 
(Thopias J. R. Brotherton and Abe 
H. Halle); written by Lillian Day 
and Lyon Mearson; opens 'Thursday 
(2). 

'Pardon My English/ Majestic. 
Withdrawn Saturday after less than 
six weeks; $15,000 not enough for 
musical. 

'Pigeons and People/ Lyceum (7th 
week) (C-957-$2.20). George M. 
Cohan now playing eight perform- 
ances with Wednesday matinees in- 
serted; around $5,000 breaks even. 

'Run Little Chillun\ Lyric (1st 
week) (D-l,406-$2.20). Another col- 
ored cast drama on week's card; 
presented Independently (Robert 
Rockmore); written by Hall John- 
son; opens Wednesday (1). 

'Saturday Night/ Playhouse (1st 
week) (CD-963-$3.30). Preeented 
by William A. Brady; written by 
Owen Davis; Peggy Wood starred; 
opens tonight. 

'Strike Me Pink/ Due Into Ma- 
jestic Saturday night (4); holds 
over In Newai-k until Thursday (2) ; 
business big there. 

'Take a Chance/ Apollo (14th 
week) (M-l,270-$4.40). Topped 
musical shows until 'Melody' ar- 
rived in much larger Casino; gross 
up somewhat last week at $24,000. 

'Twentieth Century/ Broadhurst 
(10th week) (C-l,U8-$3.30). Drew 
better than $13,000; somewhat un- 
der previous week which had extra 
matinee; among the successes. 

'Walk a Little Faster/ Selwyn 
(10th week) (R-1.067-$3.30). Scale 
slightly up when moved here last 
week because capacity less; mod- 
erate at $12,000. 

•We the People/ Empire (6th 
week) (D-1.099-$3.30). Held over at 
last minute with players sharing in 
takings; around $5,000; not sure 
after this week. 

'When Ladies Meet/ Royale (22d 
week) (C-1.118-$2.20). Final week; 
good run for this season; started 
to great grosses of nearly $20,000; 
about half lately; tours; 'Both Your 
Houses' next week. 

Other Attractions 

Shakespeare theatre (Jolson's) ; 
Shakespearean revivals. , 

Italian Marionettes (Piccoli); 
Cohan; final week. 

'As Husbands Go/ Forrest; re- 
vival. 

'The Monster/ Waldorf; revival. 
'The Show -Off/ Hudson; revival. 
'Black Diamond/ Provincetown; 
strictly for Village. 



Ed Perkins Croing Abroad 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Ed Perkins is in New York, pre- 
paring to sail for Europe where he 
will line up concert attractions for 
next season. 

In addition to p. a.'ing on the 
coast, Perltins bandies concert tours 
for Myra Kinch and Jose Mojica. 
He also conducted a scries of con- 
certs at the municipal Greek thea- 
tre here last season. 



Future Plays 

'Alaskan Spree/ Arctic drama by 
Aben Kandel, is under consideration 
of Chested Erskin. 

'The Gay Nineties/ by Corey 
Ford and Russ5ell Crouse, will be 
brought to the stage this .spring by 
Max Gordon with Joe Cook as the 
star. 



Shows in Rekearsal 



'The Beggars Operft' (Gifford 

Cochran) Beck. 

'The Party's Over' (Gar Pro- 
ductions, Inc.) Vanderbllt. 

'Scandalous Affair* (Fred 
Rath) 48th Street. 

'Lorje Valley' (Sophie Tread- 
well) Fulton. 

'Masks ' and Faces* (Paul 
Martin) Geneva Hall. 

'Far Away Horses' (Harman 
and Ullman) Beck. 

'Throe Cornered Moon' (Rich- 
ard Aldrlch) Elliott. 



AHEAD AND BACK 

Bernard Simon, press-agent for 
'Three Comorcd Moon/ starring 
Ruth Gordon 



COASrS TWO 
SHOWPROHT 



'Sing/ Sole PhiDy Attraction, Looks 
Under $25,000, Only 3 Houses Open 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Profitable business at both L.A.'s 
legit houses last week with 'An- 
other Language' at the Belasco get- 
ting a grand Jess than its first week 
at $5,700 and 'Grounds for Divorce' 
at the El Capltan doing $4,900. 

'Language' packed up Sunday and 
went north to San Francisco, with 
'When Ladies Meet* (Kay Johnson 
and Douglass Montgomery fea- 
tured) opening at the Belasco Mon- 
day to a fair advance. 

'Of Thee I Sing/ Chicago com- 
pany, opened at the Biltmore Sun- 
day to a capacity downstairs. Pic- 
ture colony about filled the orches- 
tra. Piece is In for two weeks fol- 
lowing a week of one-night stands 
in Texas to good business. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Another Language' Belasco (2d 
and final week) (C-l,103-$2.20). 
Second of the two-week engage- 
ment got $5,700, not strong but 
profitable. 'When Ladles Meet' 
opened Monday to a fair advance. 

'Grounds for Divorce' El Capltan 
(2d week) (C-l,571-$1.66). Out of 
the red at $4,900. Mat business 
strong, but evenings weak. Lilyan 
Tashman wardrobe getting the 
femme trade. 



Singer Levies Against 
Franlc on Old Judgment 

Pittsburgh, Feb. 27. 

Proceeds of the performances last 
week-end of the International Grand 
Opera Company at the Syria Mosque 
were attached by Ruth Coleman, 
opera singer of Xew York, to sat- 
isfy a $1,000 Judgment against 
Maurice Frank, New York impre- 
sario, who promoted the three per- 
formances here. 

Counsel for Miss Coleman said 
Frank borrowed that amount from 
his client to help promote an opera 
venture in New York and failed to 
repay it, a judgment being awarded 
Miss Coleman in 1928. 

Three local performances of 
Frank's company played to capac- 
ity at cut-rate inducements for 
school children, clubs, etc., and pro- 
moter says he will return for an- 
other series in April. 



CHI ADDS FOUR 
DOUBLING LIST 



Spokane's Old Landmark 
Becomes a Parking Lot 



Spokane, Feb. 27. 

The Avalon theatre, legit land- 
mark, is being razed to cut down the 
taxes on the property. 

Taxes amount to about $19,000 a 
year on the building, which is 27 
years old. Heavy Insurance rates, 
together with the tax burden de- 
cided Watson & Holt, operators, to 
tear down the five story brick struc- 
ture. The ground property will be 
used as a city center parking lot. 

When built, the structure cost 
more than $100,000. It was erected 
by -Judge George Turner. A mag- 
nificent bar once filled the whole 
side of the building. Sullivan & 
Considine first leased the house. 
Then the Orpheum circuit first was 
introduced to Spokane at the the- 
atre, which formerly was known as 
the Columbia. 

Subsequently, the building housed 
the Maylon Players stock company 
and Ray A. Grombacher operated 
the theatre with Frank Finney's 
musical stock. It became known as 
the Hippodrome and played to west- 
ern vaudeville. The name was then 
changed to the Avalon and it went 
to pictures. 



10-20 and Reserved 

Ottumwa, la., Feb. 27. 
Neil and Caroline Schaffner play- 
ers at Grand indef on a 10 and 20 
policy with two shows Sunday nites, 
seats reserved. 



Chicago, Feb. 27. 

Something remotely resembling 
activity occurs in the stagnant pool 
of Chicago legit this week. Irish 
Abbey Players start a repertory at 
the Harris, the Blackstone relights 
with 'The Bride Retires,' headed by 
Edna Hibbard, always a local fa- 
vorite; the Civic Operetta offers 
'Katinka,' and next Saturday the 
J. J. Shubert Chicago-produced 
operetta, named 'The Red Robin,' 
will be launched. 

Estimates for Last Week 

'Dixie on Parade/ Garrick (R-1,- 
276; $2.20) (5th week). Holding on 
and getting pretty good play. 
Figured around $8,500 for holiday. 

'Family Upstairs/ Cort (C-1,100; 
$2.20) (10th week). This one may 
very easily achieve the season's run 
record. Steady at $4,500. 

'Student Prince/ Grand (0-1,207; 
$2.20) (2nd, final week). Most of 
company rehearsing with new oper- 
etta to open at same theatre. Holi- 
day may have helped get $8,500 or 
so. 



Philadelphia. Feb. 27. 
From now on Philly Is going to 
struggle along with only three legit 
houses, and indications are that 
even these won't be lighted regu- 
larly. The theatres are the Chest- 
nut and Forrest, UBO houses, and 
the Garrick, indie. 

Both Chestnut and Garrick are 
dark this week which means that 
'Of Thee I Sing' (Forrest) Is the 
town's only legit for six days. On 
Monday, the Chestnut relights with 
'A Trip to Pressburg,' American 
premiere. Two weeks scheduled 
under American Theatre Society 
subscription auspices $2 top. Also' 
Monday, the Garrick gets the Barry 
Jones-Maurice Colbourne produc- 
tion of 'The Queen's Husband' tliat 
has been touring Canada and re- 
cently came down to Boston, ^ame 
outfit may do Shaw's 'Too True to 
Be Good' as a follow-up If success- 
ful with the" Sherwood piece. Other- 
wise Garrick has no definite book- 
ings until Easter Monday when 
Mask and Wig show arrives. 

Forrest will probably go dark for 
two weeks, to reopen on March 20 
with 'Another Language,' which 
will play here at a $1.50 top. On 
same date. Chestnut will get 'When 
Ladies Meet' as third subscription 
offering of American Theatre So- 
ciety's second sea.'son. Podrecca's 
Piccoli marionettes will also be on 
the subscription program, opening 
April 17. 'Autumn Crocus' will 
probably be the other one, either on i 
April 3 or May 1, depending on the 
date it leaves New York. 

Last week's trade in the two 
houses open wasn't so forte al- 
though Washington's birthday 
helped. 'Of Thee I Sing' dropped to 
$26,000 In its third week at the For- 
rest and 'Whistling in the Dark' 
got a dismal $2,700 In its third and 
final week at the Broad. Sban-Kar, 
the Hindu dancer, got $760 In two 
matinees at the Garrick. 

Estimates for Last Week 
'Of Thee + Sing* (Forrest, third 
week). Off to $2'J,10«C 'W'lth holiday 
helping hold it that high. Prospects 
not good for fourth and final week. 

'Whistling in the Dark' (Broad, 
third week). Rental of house by 
Wee-Leventhal not successful and 
project ended Saturday night. $2,700 
or less for final week of this thriller. 



Parties Help 'Criminal' 
To $7,500 Frisco Week 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

One success, one brodie In local 
week. Pauline Frederick in 'Crim- 
inal at Large' doing great business 
for Henry Duffy at the Alcazar 
while 'Louder Please' bows out of 
Columbia after one poor stanza. 

Fredericli take has been upped by 
several theatre pai'ties and a Wash- 
ington Birthday opening. Ought to 
get $7,500. 'Louder Please,' a pro- 
duction of Pasadena Playhou.se, hit 
small $5,000. 

Set for Saturday night (25) open- 
ing is Guignol theatre with horror 
plays. Formerly Green Street, 

'When Ladies Meet' out of Geary 
after three good weeks, last pulling 
around $5,000. 



B & C Casting 'Dinner At Eight' 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Hedda Hopper joins the cast of 
'Dinner At Eight,' which Belasco 
& Curran will put into the Belasco 
following 'When Ladles Meet,' 
opening tonight. 

Alice White and Loul.s Calhearn 
are other 'Dinner' cast members 
selected. 



Current Road Shows 



Milwaukee, Show Hungry, 
Welcomes New Stock Co. 



Week Ending Feb. 27 

Abbey Players, Harris, Chicago. 

'Another Language/ Shubert, Bos- 
ton. 

'Broadway Rhapsody/ Wilson, N. 
C, Feb., 27; Greenville, 28; Golds- 
boro, March 1; Washington, 2; New 
Bern, 3; Wilmington, 4; Ft. Bragg, 
6. 

'Caponsacchi' and 'Hamlet/ Shu- 
bert, Cincinnati, 27-28-March 1; Me- 
morial Auditorium, Louisville, 2; 
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, 3; 
Auditorium, Memphis, 4. 

'Cat and the Fiddle/ American, .St. 
Louis. 

'Cavalcade' (film) — 
Majestic, Boston; 
Erlanger, Chicago; 
Erlanger, Atlanta. 
Metropolitan, Seattle; 
- Royal, Alexandria, Toronto. 



'Counsellor-at-Law/' National, 
Washington, D. C. 

Green Pastures/ Playhouse, Wil- 
mington, Del., Feb. 27-28-March 1; 
Jtajah, Reading, Pa., 2-3-4. 

'Louder Please/ Erlanger Colum- 
bia, .San Francisco. 

'Of Thee I Sing/ Biltmore, Lo.s 
Angeles. 

'Of Thee I Sing/ Forrest, Phila- 
delphia. 

'Rasputin' rfilm^ — 
Erlanger,' Isuffalo. 
ICrlangcr, Chicago. 

'Scandals,' Lyric, Allentown, Fob. 
27; ICmha.s.sy, Altoona, Pa., 28; Vir- 
ginia, Wheeling, W. Va., .March 1; 
Park. Young.«town, 2; Colonial, Ak- 
ron, 3; MIzpah Temple, Ft.' Wayne, 
4. 

'Strike Me Pink/ .Shubert, New- 
ark. 

'The Queen's Husband/ Plymoutli, 
Boston. 



Milwaukee, Feb. 27. 

The Milwaukee Civic Repertory 
company reopened the Majestic last 
night (27) with Rachel Crothers' 
comedy, 'Let Us Be Gay.' 

Organization Is sponsored by 
Russell Brlce, Milwaukeean, and 
includes Maxcen Garner, Reos Tay- 
lor, Marguerite Slavin, William 
Pollard, Katl ryn Pierce, Mclva 
Gerard, Richard Disney, Gregpry 
Gordon, Elizabeth Pfeil, Bryant 
Eaton and Kathryn Camer.on. 

Brice will have less competition 
than did Harry Minturn, who re- 
cently closed at the same theatre. 
Stage shows have become almost 
extinct with the exception of occa- 
sional fare at the David.son and 
burlesque at the Gayety. Wisconsin, 
which has long been the headquar- 
ters for Fanchon and Marco pro- 
ductions, is offering all film pro- 
grams, as are other loop houses. 

That theatre fans are hungry for 
stage presentations was well evi- 
denced by the avalanche of cus- 
tomers that descended on the Al- 
hambra the past week when that 
house departed from its all film 
policy to present the WLS Barn 
Dance aggregation. 

Davidson's next show is 'Cat and 
the Fiddle' March 6 week with 
splendid advance. 

Riverside, recently given up liy 
RKO, will most likely resume in 
March. 



New Twin Cities Operation 

St. Paul, Feb. 1'7. 

Shubert Theatre I'layers Co., yt, 
Paul, has taken over the I'al.a( e, 
Minneapolis, 10c downtown hou.se. 

Ed FurnI, up to last week man- 
ager of the Duluth Lyceum, In as 
Palace head. Walter AValker in a«> 
Fiu-nl's aide. 



ENGAGEMENTS 

Robt. .Sha.vnf. John Hutkr, .Icrome 
Cowan, John V. Morrissey, Walter 
Coy, Jcs. Sweeney, Norris Hough- 
ton, Oscar Polk, 'Floth Your Houses.' 

Egon l.Yeeher, Maude Ream Stov- 
er, John fiallidet, May Ediss, Doug- 
Ins (iardcn, C;arrie Wellcr, Edward 
Colebroolc, "Trip to Pressburg.' 

Taylor Holmes, 'Riddle Me This.* 

Harry Jillerbe, Emily Lowry, 
I^oul.s .Soruh. Maude Odell, 'Scan- 
dalous Affair.' 



8 St. Slartln'* Place. Dnfalsar Sqnar« 



FOREICN SHOW NEWS 



TttlephOMt Vnnple Bw 6Mt>S0U ' 



British Equity Ready to Cafl Out 
Cast of 'JoOy Roger' as Move 
Against Geo. Robey, Non-Member 



London, Feb. M. 
After weeks of acrlmonlooB de 
bate, British Equity met today 
(Monday) and decided to call out 
all Its members from the cast of 
VoUy Roger* which is due to open 
at the Savoy on Wednesday 
(March 1). 

Order will be Issued putting the 
decision Into effect, unless George 
Robey, the only non-Eiquity mem- 
ber in the company, changes his 
refusal to join the organization. 
Thus far Robey has obstinately re- 
fused to become a member. 

In the event of a strllce against 
the company Equity proposes to 
stage a benefit matinee with an all- 
star bill, for the purpose of re- 
imbursing Rita John, producer of 
the piece. 

Miss John Is the former actress 
who inherited a fortune of several 
hundred thousand dollars and put a 
large part of It into the producing 
venture. 



Starvation Budgets 



(Continue from page 64) 

la tending to sour the public on 
vaude for all time. 

While the managers are the prin- 
cipal offenders, and this includes 
oircuit as well as indie managers, 
the bookers are equally at fault. 
Acts who accept the starvation sal- 
aries Are not held to blame, since 
they must eat somehow. ' But tjie . 
salaries and the conditlpn*- niufder 
the actora;,..qpM!p:^rltK' half-hearted 
^AR^idsbMf^^formances by ordinarily 
'' good acts the result. 

Counsel's Waiting 

Of the few on-the-level indie 
bookers In New York, at least two 
have been attempting to discourage 
the playing of starvation bills, ad- 
vising managers to wait until union 
adjustments are made and condi- 
tions Improve and they can spend 
some money. But the others continue 
their throat-cutting, under-selling 
each other with no thought to the 
consequences and without knowing 
that they're gradually killing their 
own business. 

One of the exceptions among book- 
ers refused some time ago to book a 
show as requested by an indie man- 
ager, due to a new low in stage bud 
gets. The house obtained another 
booker at its own price and the 
policy died after two weeks. Man 
ager then returned to the first book 
er and agreed to spend more for the 
shows, but it was too late. Two weeks 
of brutal bills had poisoned the town 
House is back in straight pictures, 
with the manager stating he's sorry 
he didn't take the first booker's ad- 
vice. 

Circuits are hardly different from 
the indies nowadays, excepting only 
the few de luxe stage show circuit 
theatres remainrhg. In the lesser 
vaudfllm stands the circuit booking 
offices, especially RKO, are compet 
Ing in the open field against indie 
bookers with indie salaries. In many 
instances the circuits have been 
spending less than the indies. 

Last week one circuit manager, 
desiring to cut down expenses with- 
out risking dropping *iie vaude al 
together, gave his booking office an 
order that the bookers figure will 
take a magician to fill. "We're cut- 
ting the budget, but what wo want 
to avoid is cutting down the quality 
of the shows. In fact, with less to 
spend, we want the booking office to 
eend us better shows than we've been 
getting,' he said. 



Nasty Charges in U. S. 
Film Cashier-s Shooting 

Havana, Feb. 27. 
Film row here all agog over the 
shooting of Clara Westbrook, Amer- 
ican cashier of the local United 
Artists exchange, by her husband, 
Isidore de Castro. 

. Upon leaving her office, Miss 
Westbrook was accosted by her 
estranged husband ahd shot in the 
back while she was trying to run 
away. 

De Castro charged his wife with 
Improper relations with her son, 
19, by a former marriage. The in- 
vestigation brought out that Joe 
Westbrook served sentences in a 
reformatory school in California 
and in San Quentin prison. 

Miss Westbrook's condition has 
improved, but she's still in the 
Municipal HospltaL 



Jeritza, Tanber Leads 
For Uhar's New Opera 



Vienna, Feb. 17. 
Lehar's prospective new operette 
will be along 'Land of Smiles' lines 
inasmuch as it tends towards the 
operatic and will be performed at 
the Vienna State Opera for the first 
time. Title is to be '{C^pldltta,' and 
the setting Italy arid North Africa. 
The-tJOdk has to do with the love 
affair of an Italian offieer quartered 
In Tripolis. 

'Gluditta' ia to be deferred until 
the 1933-34 season. Mme. Jerltza 
and Richard Tauber are to sing the 
principal parts. 



Unpaid Bill Dari^ens 
House, Candles Click 

Mexico (Mty, Feb. SI. 
TlM Nattonal TheatiA largest 

Icgit playhouse in Monterrey, Mex- 
ico's third largest oltr. on th» U. S. 
border, ham gona 4vk. Light and 
Power Co. shut ofC atonrlces when 
house managemeot faUed to pay 
long overdue bills. 

Dousing of the glims failed to 
discourage management. Shows are 
being conducted to the light of 
candles and oil lamps. Just as in ye 
old times, proposition which is nov- 
elty that ha« considerably boosted 
bis. 



TWO U. S. SHOWS 
ARE LONDON 
HITS 



London, Feb. 27. 
Two of the three openings during 
the past week were of American 
origin and both of them seem head- 
ed towards success on the local 
boards. 

Most important of the shows is 
probably 'Once ia a Lifetime'. 
George Kaufman's satire on the 
picture business has been much dis- 
cussed loxMilly and was expected for 
quite some time before actually 
crossing the ocean. It's at the 
Queen's, where, on opening night, it 
was received with acclaim. 

'The One Oirl' at the. Hippodrome 
is actiially an Anglicized version of 
'Smiles', Zlegfeld's la6t muslcaL It 
was well received by the first nlght- 
ers, though there may be some sus- 
picion as regards the amount of 
enthusiasm emanating from the 
gallery. 

'It;s Tou I Want* at Daly's stars 
Seymour Hicks and is the usual 
French infidelity theme. It can look 
for only a limited run, as the play 
possesses no real merit, 



London Show World 



BALDWIN A UaS. 

After many years at the RKO 
Palace, New York, as assistant 
manager and treasurer, formerly 
under Elmer F. Rogers, promotion 
to managership has arrived for 
(Seorge Baldwin. 

He succeeded Fred Cruise Satur 
day (4). 



France Honors Belgian Musician 

Brussels, Feb. 18. 
M. Fr. Vanhavenberghe, chef de 
muslque of the Royal Zoological 
Musical Society, Antwerp, has been 
decorated by the French govern- 
ment with the palms of Officer of 
the Academy. 



London, Feb. 18. 

A member of the syndicate of 
libraries which control the ticket 
speculating business in England, 
analyzing current show business, 
stated it was always off between 
Christmas and March, when In the 
past theatregoers took holidays In 
ahe South of France and returned in 
time for the opera; but this year it 
was 30% to 40% below any record 
the libraries ever had. 

He added they were selling out 
their commitments for 'Mother of 
Pearl' at the Gaiety, and 'Dinner at 
Eight' at the Palace, but that he 
doubted If even these two successes 
were playing to capacity. 

'Richard of Bordeaux' at the New 
theatre, and 'Fresh Fields' at the 
Criterion, he said, were also doing 
well. 



Shaftesbury Farce 

'Between Friends' Is another of 
the series of farces produced at the 
Shaftesbury for the past few years 
with success. It opened Feb. 14 and 
is based upon the oft-repeated 
statement that an Englishman's 
principal occupation Is hitting a 
ball. This refers to football, cricket, 
golf, billiards, etc. The situations 
are exceedingly humorous to- an 
English audience. Admirably played 
and produced, the piece should en 
Joy success here. 



G-B Refinancino 

New Gaumont-British Issue takes 
place In a couple of days (Feb. 21). 
Issue will be 5,000,000 pounds of 
4%% debentures at 98, with under- 
writers' commission 2%%. G-B has 
right to issue further 1,500,000 
pounds debentures on same terms. 
Besides that, Gaumont-British re- 
serve themselves the right to issue 
further debentures, ranking in pri- 
ority as equal with any of the above, 
with no amount specified. 

General costs of issue, including 
cost of fiotation and premium on 
debentures redeemed, is around 
500,000 pounds. But conversion 
will save company about 120,000 
pounds in Interest per annum. 

Incidentally, the profits of Gau- 
mont-British for 1931, including all 
Its subsidiaries, have dropped from 
800,000 to 600,000 pounds. 



Lloyds at Holborn 

Show, week of Feb. 13, at Hol- 
born Empire, a General Theatres 
house, second in .prestige to their 
Palladium, compares favorably with 
anything In the West End. Bill is 
headed by the Lloyd Family, who 
were mainly responsible for the 
good attendance. 
Newcomers are Russell, Marconi 



and Jerry. Russell and Marconi 
were here a couple of years ago, and 
scored splendidly. With addition of 
Jerry, act is now even better. 

Dick Henderson, back after sev- 
eral years' in America, can still 
warble a ballad with the best of 
them. He stopi>ed the show. 

Dave and Joe O'Gtorman, with 
their battalion of stooges, were 
llkedi and Rose Perfect in one of 
her many returns here came as 
happy relief from the bolsterousness 
of the O'Gormans. 

The Slate Brothers, doubling from 
Flnsbury Park Ehnpire, were an- 
other hit. House looks like gross- 
ing some regular dough this week. 



Col. Foreign Sales 

Joe Friedman, European head of 
Columbia, back from Continental 
jaunt, has sold 14 of the company's 
products to Germany, Including four 
to Ufa. In France he has disposed 
of 'By Whose Hand' and 'Divine 
Love' to Raymond S. Hakim, and 
'Forbidden' and 'Blonde Captive' to 
Adolph Osso. 



Count Bernivid here due to open 
at the Palladium Feb. 27, for two 
weeks. Bernivlcl is bringing with 
him Leslie and Rollins, with the rest 
of his outfit to be recruited here. 
He has just decided on Evelyn 
Hardy's Girls band, a local aggre- 
gation, new to London. 



Dreyfus' Mission 

Louis Dreyfus' visit to America 
Is 'merely to see his brother and 
family,' but while in New York he 
will look over all the musical shows, 
and if anything Is found to his lik- 
ing, will bid for the English 
rights. 

Dreyfus Is anxious to get a musi- 
cal for Drury Lane to follow 'Wild 
Violets,' which, although doing fair 
business, looks lilce approaching its 
end. 



Off for Australia 
Clarkson Rose and his wife, Olive 
Fox, with cast of 12 principals, sail 
for Australia, Feb. 24, to produce a 
series of his revues for Williamsons. 
Rose Is guaranteed 18 weeks, with 
a further 20 weeks' option, and Is 
in on a 50-60 split 



Hurt by Doubling 

'Blessed Event,' at the Regal, only 
lasted one week, although fans voted 
It one of the sprlghtUest and fastest 
moving films this theatre has liad 
in quite a while. The Prince of 
Wales, accompanied by Lady Furn- 
ess, was there one night, and en- 
joyed It heartily. Tlie reason it 
was not held over was because of 



Moscow Jazz Spot 'Capitalistic Sin,' 
But Soviet High Fliers Sure Love It 



Old Censor Ban Puts 

Comic in Liesre Jail 

Brussels, Feb. 16. 

Forgetting that two or three years 
ago he had been expelled from Bel 
glum for singing songs of which 
the censor disapproved, M. Charles 
Dalbret, French diseur returned to 
Liege to fulfill an engagement. The 
police, who had not forgotten, 
clapped him into prison where he 
awaits his fate 

He occupies the same cell as that 
in which, 20 years ago, the famous 
French slngor, Dalbret, was forced 
to pass a few days for having 
shocked the censor. Dalbret, how 
ever, secured the indulgence of the 
bench by singing to them some of 
his most popular numbers. 



SUBSIDY OR RUIN FOR 
AUSTRIA'S ROAD STAGES 



Vienna, Feb. 16. 

A deputation consisting of the 
mayors of the most important 
provincial towns in Austria— Oraz, 
Linz, Innsbruck, Salzburg and 
Klagenfurt — called on Dr. Rfntelen, 
minister of education, and told him 
that if the government doesn't sub- 
sidize the municipal theatres, they 
will all go dark. 

The five cities demand 760,000 
schillings to be paid in March bo 
that the theatres will be able to 
make contracts and secure com 
modltes for next season. 

All the minister of education 
could promise was that he would 
apply to Ravag, the Austrian 
broadcasting company, apparently 
the only paying concern in the 
whole amusement machinery of 
Austria. Although nothing has been 
settled yet, the government hopes 
it can induce the Ravag to cover 
the deficit not only of the Vienna 
Bta:te theatres, but also of the 
provincial municipal theatres, out 
of their big profits. 

The five provincial theatres which 
now threaten to go dark used to be 
first-class stages to which the the 
atres in the capital looked for re 
inforcements of authors and es 
peclally of actors. 



the supporting picture, 'The Blind 
Spot,' made by Warner Bros.-Flrst 
National Productions, of England. 
Gentleman crook picture, with an 
idea entirely spoilt by some bad 
casting. Picture was razzed at 
practically every showing. 



Betting on 'Cavalcade' 

Word here is that America has 
gone ga-ga over 'Cavalcade.' Judg 
ing by the way it was received at 
the triEide show at the Tivoli, Feb. 
15, it will be one of the biggest 
successes ever shown in London. 
After the showing, a bet was made 
it would run longer at the TlvoU 
than any picture yet seen there. 
Two other bets were made, one on 
12 weeks and the other on 20. 



Sunday Concert Series 

Arthur Russell, concert agent, has 
leased the Prince of Wales' theatre 
from Charles Clore for a series of 
Sunday concerts, with Clore getting 
a flat rentaL 

These Sunday concerts are 
watched by the London County 
Council, who are against Sunday 
flesh entertainments, and will only 
permit them if no make-up or stage 
costumes are worn. Dancing is 
taboo. Most of these concerts are 
about as entertaining as church 
bazaars, consisting of one piano act 
after another. 



Evading Liquor Law 

Liquor can now be obtained in 
most spots in tlie West End at all 
hours of the day and night, and it 
is done flauntlngly. One club in 
Regent Street, once run by the late 
Mrs. Kate Merrick, will serve any- 
one — member or not — providing he 
nils in a form authorizing the Lon- 
don Buying Agency to buy the stuff 
for the applicant. 

The waltoi then goes round the 
back of the club and unloads from 
the club's supply. West End joint 
owners have dlfecoverod some loop- 
hole in the drinking laws, and this 
Is it. So far trado Is (,'ooa and 
r)ubw-ai '0 unmol ested-. 



World Tour for Act 

Kimber'.ey .ind Pago arc in nogo- 
liatlon with Cecil Davis to to.;r the 
Kast. K. & r. are to line up five 



By EUQENE LYONS 

Moscow, Feb. 10. 
Center of Soviet capital's limited 
night life has definitely shifted to 
the restaurant of the Hotel Metro- 
pole. The Grand Hotel, for years 
headquarters of native and foreign 
steppers-out, has lapsed into neg- 
lect. The National Hotel offers an 
American bar, an assortment of 
pretty barmaids and dance music; 
but for some reason it doesn't take 
with the small publlo interested in 
such bourgeois activities. It is the 
Metropole which draws the crowds 
and the shekels with its fountain, 
its Jazz, its bar, its grandeur on the 
scale of the Grand Central station. 

A sort of formal recognition of its 
ascendancy was involved in the 
transfer to its precincts, from the 
Grand where he formerly operated, 
of Moscow's leading Jazz director, 
young Alexander Sfasman. If only 
Alex's people had decided to migrate 
to America in time, Broadway might 
have had another master of mammy 
songs. Considering the Soviet 
handicaps under which he labors, he 
certainly does marvels. With rarely 
more than gramaphone records to 
sustain him, he keeps his dance 
repertory fairly up to date, does his 
own orchestration and makes his 
band syncopate as epileptically aa 
any American night club crew. 
Capitalietle Sin 
His inauguration recently at the 
Metropole was an occasion of no 
mean dimensions. The news had 
got around and the place was 
jammed with what there is of gilded 
youth. To attend such haunts of 
the bourgeois left-overs requires 
not only a well-padded wallet but, 
for Russians, the daring to indulge 
in capitalistic sinfulness publicly. 
There are enough Russians with the 
requisite cash and courage, how- 
ever, to crowd the hotel on special 
occasions at least. 

Diminutive Sfasman appeared in 
a blare of instruments followed by 
a band of 16 — the largest'to appear 
In any Jazz outfit here. They pa- 
raded around the fountain and fish- 
bowl which is the pride of the Met- 
ropole, hammering out one of the 
latest, Then they were on the ros- 
trum doing their stuff like nobody's 
business. 

At that point came drama in the 
person of first Negro Jazz perform- 
er, a Harlemlte called Henry Scott. 
The crowd nearly burst with enthu- 
siasm and Henry ran sweat but 
liked it. No one who has not lived 
in the Soviet capital can quite get 
the nuances of that drama. Be it 
remembered that aa American Ne- 
gro here is not Just a human being 
with a black skin. He is a symbol 
— of suppressed races, anti-impe- 
rialism and a lot of other things. 
Negro a Symbol 
Moscow only sees a Negro on Its 
platforms once in a while. He al- 
ways represents a Cause— political 
prisoners, anti-slavery, what not. 
He must speak guardedly and live 
up to his role as a revolutionary 
symbol. But Henry Scott was let 
loose without any ideological strings 
or inhibitions. He was hired to be 
himself, and he was. He banjoed and 
sang and moaned and tap-danced 
and in general earned his rubles. 
It was. In fact, the first time since 
the Tzars lost their Job that an 
American Negro took the limelight 
in such a bourgeois capacity. 

The sensation will remain among 
a relatively small group here. The 
Metropole is a sinful capitalistic is- 
land in the seas of Sovietism, slo- 
gans and socialism. Most inhabi- 
tants here would be shocked to .learn 
that such a sink of 'bourgeois de- 
generacy exists within a minute's 
walk of the Kremlin. 

Besides Scott and the jazzlst, the 
Metropole has an American bar 
where cocktails are shaken, insist- 
ent young ladies who force balloons, 
dolls and fiowers on you; there are 
uninvited bottles of champagne on 
the table to make one look like a 
piker if one orders beer; there are 
fishes in the fountain and from 
time to time a Gypsy chorus. Sfas- 
man steps on it, sitting at the piano 
or pumping an accordion. In short, 
all the European effects are pro- 
vided, with Russian dressing. 



acts in England and for a unit, with 
the rcet of th e nets to be picked 
locally. 

Tour will cover Egypt, India, 
Kenya, lOastern Africa, Rhodesia 
and So'Kli Africa. Show also llkoly 
to i)lay Australia. Tour is prac- 
tically a year's work. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



LITER AT I 



VARIETY 



63 



Laatlinc Jigs 

Those numerous readers 'who In- 
variably turn to the last chapter 
first will have their work cut out 
In the new combination novel and 
jig saw Idea in which the explana- 
tion is to bo found in a jig puzzle 
to be assembled after the Volume is 
done. Grosset & Dunlap get oft to 
a quick start with 'The Jigsaw 
Puzzle Murder,' written by Walter F. 
Eberhardt trade press contact man 
for Erpl. 

Eberhardt pulled a natural in 
starting his story at a jigsaw puzzle 
party, which provides the pat title. 
In other woys he has handled 
adroitly the story of a murder com- 
mltted while the room is temporar- 
ily in darkn-iss, skillfully supplying 
motives and opportunities for four 
men to kill their host, with a love 
Interest ncatJ:.- worked in. 

The technique of the new idea 
Imposes limitations in that it is 
requisite that a number of persons 
should be brought under suspicion 
and the motives and movements of 
each be so clearly outlined that 
when the puzzle picture completes 
the solution the matter stand.^ 
clear, for it la Inexpedient to re- 
turn to the printed page for expla- 
nation. The interest ceases with 
the completion of the puzzle. In 
spite of these limitations, Eber- 
hardt has turned out a readable 
novelette of about 80,000 words 
which ends abruptly with the mur- 
der charge. Follows 'Not the end. 
See next page' and on the latter 
the reader is told to assemble the 
puzzle for a picture of the crime. 

Puzzles run about 200 pieces and 
In the present Instance are well cut 
and not too dlfUcult. Idea should 
be a cleaup while it lasts. 

One Issue Sold 

One issue of the Worcester 'Her- 
ald' sold like the proverbial hot 
cakes recently. Sheet ^is of the 
spice variety, patterning after the 
Bridgeport weekly of the same title, 
although few names mentioned. 
Naturally the editor, George Wells, 
is not popular with some people. 

Someone recently sent in a ful- 
some 'ode' to the sheet which Wells 
printed double column. Shortly 
after the sheet was oft the press 
the tip spread that if the initial 
letters were read downward, they 
formed an acrostic that was the re- 
verse of complimentary. 

On a radio period Wells declared 
he was wise all along and merely 
wanted to show he could take it. 
But the betting is that for once he 
got some news out of his own sheet. 
And are they laughing? 

Book and Record 

With American pubs merging 
novels wlthfcthe Jigsaw puzzles, Ger- 
many is working on an idea which 
might develop Into a more perma- 
nent novelty. It's a book with a 
phonograph record. 

Ludwlg Koch, of the Lindstroem 
A. G. has brought out a second vol- 
ume in this series. It's a record of 
an African hunt by Lutz Heck of 
the Berlin zoo. Jungle sounds which 
cannot be indicated by phonetic 
symbols are reproduced on an ac- 
companying disc. Two are sold for 
$1.50 and are not obtainable sep- 
arately. Sale has been 15.000 copies. 

Koch did the same thing with a 
volume on the history of music with 
melodies on the disc. 

College Indie 

That long-threatened national 
students' mag, published apart from 
any institution of learning so as to 
be unfettered by faculties who 
won't take criticism, is now being 
worked out. If present plans ma- 
terialize, the mag will begin pub- 
lication next fall, probably with the 
Btart of the new school term. 

Sponsoring the mag Is the Na- 
tional Student Federation of Amer- 
ica, which las always favored the 
Bide of those student editors of col- 
lege publications who have come up 
against collos-ve heads. A title for 
tile publication has already been 
selected, 'The Natlon.il Student 
Mirror.' 



Best Sellers 



Best Sellers for the week ending Feb. 26, aa raportod by tita 

American News Co., I no. 
Fiction 

•Ann Vickers' ($2.50) By Sinclair liewis 

'Pageant' ($2.50) By G. B. Lancaster 

'Bulplngton of Blup' ($2.60) By H. G. Wells 

•Imitation of Life' ($2.60) By Fannie Hurst 

•Last Adam' ($2.00) By James Gould Cozzens 

'Kennel Murder Case' ($2.00) By S. S. Van Dine 

Non-Fiction 

'Contract Bridge Blue Book of 1933* ($2.00) By Eli Culbertson 

'100,000,000 Guinea Pigs' ($2.00) By Arthur Kallet and F. J. Schlink 

'British Agent' ($2.75) By Bruce LKickhart 

'Life Begins at Forty' ($1.50) By Walter B. Pitkin 

'Flying Carpet' ($3.75) By Richard Halliburton 

'United States in World Affairs In 1932' ($3.00) By Walter Llppman 



COLUMNISTS 

By Abel Green 



tlon taking a dip, the 'Times' also 
has found it neces.sary to guarantee 
a specified veekly sum to news- 
boys in order to get the night edi- 
tion on the street. Especially is 
this true In downtown L. A., at 
Seventh and Broadway, one of the 
three best corners for street sales. 
The returns became so insignificant 
at this spot that no newsboy would 
take a chance on paying his own 
way. 



Easy in Lynchburg 

Even less than a shoestring is 
apparently okay for starting in the 
publishing business In Lynchburg, 
Va. In the last couple of months 
no less than four journals, one of 
them a mag claiming national cir- 
culation among the literati, have 
dropped 'Vol. 1, No. 1' off the press- 
es here. 

The class mag Is 'The Aristocrat,' 
Lynchburg 'Curler,' weekly, 'Town 
Topics,' a tab scandal sheet, and 
'Radio News,' a tab throwaway, are 
the others. 

Latter Is published by radio sta- 
tion WLVA to get Its program be 
fore the public. Appears once a 
week, with stories about WLVA en 
tertalners, etc. and a list of chain 
programs in addition to the week's 
schedule of WLVA. Local air pro- 
grams aren't printed by the town's 
two dailies. 



Only For Unknowns 

Don Moore, of Munsey's^ corrects 
the statement that all material 
checks are held up for three weeks 
to hear from possible plagiarism 
charges. Explains this is done only 
In the case of unknown authors. 
All standard writers and those sub- 
mitting through an agent are paid 
on publication, as usual. 

He adds that it was not J. Allan 
Dunn and H. Bedford-Jones who 
took 'Munsey's' on swiped stories. 
Tales by those authors were sold 
by a Frank Morgan Mercer, who 
submitted the plagiarized stories. 
He was run down by Bedford- 
Jones, who resides in the same 
town. 



Standoff on Title 

Scrap between A. J. Buttita and 
Milton Abernethy, Joint founders of 
the mag, 'Contempo,' which resulted 
in Buttlta's breakaway from the 
partnership, will lead to another 
mag similarly titled. With John 
Vassos, Buttita will get out a the 
'New Contempo.' 

Buttita claims the real right to the 
'Contempo' title. Inasmuch as the 
word was coined by his new asso- 
ciate, Vassos. However, he will 
make no attempt to enjoin Aber- 
nethy from the use of the title, nor 
will Abernethy do anything about 
the 'New Contempo.' 



Chain Sales on Subs 

Conservative Los Angeles 'Times* 
has gone for the chain sales Idea 
to boost circulation. Carried a page 
ad In the S'lr.day edition a week 
ago outlining the procedure up to 
seven stages whereby the salesman 
can garner commission of $364.50. 
First three sales net tlic agent 50c. 
on each subscription. No comml.ih 
forthcoming on subsequent .sales by 
first throe purcha.-scrs, but the build- 
up gct.s goinp -with the original 
s.ilcsm.in'.'^ fourth .subscription, and 
nil subscfiiicnt ones. 'Times' rall.s 
the drive a 'Help Yourself plan, 
and is ba.scil oti the rc.^^ulnr nmnilily 
sub. rate of 90c. 



Called the Turn 

A reprint, In condensed form, of 
'Looking Backward', In which Ekl- 
ward Bellamy, newspaperman, 36 
years ago visioned a new world 
something like that pictured by the 
present day technocrats, is being 
serialized by the Gannett string, 
through an arrangement with the 
publishers, Houghton Miflin Co., 
and the author's widow. 



Big Names 

Princeton Group has extended a 
dinner invitation to thirty of the 
Pulitzer Prize winners, and most of 
the thirty have accepted, at the 
Hotel Plaza on May 4, with Dr. 
Nicholas .Alurray Butler, president 
of Columbia University, guest of 
honor. Among those who will be 
present are the austre names ol 
Willa Gather, .Sidney Howard. 
Oliver LaFarcro, Julia retcrkin.and 
Pearl Buck. It ouplit to be a foast 
for the poul as well. 



by an American author before 
March 1, 1934. Five thousand dol- 
lars constitutes the prize money, 
with the other five as an advance 
royalty. 

Novels must be between 60,000 
and 200,000 words, and never be- 
fore published. Dramatic and all 
other than publication rights re- 
main the property of the author. 



Gilmer Brown's Idea 

Add to the many comments on 
the little theatre movement, the 
brochure by Harriet L. Green on 
'Gilmor Brovm — Portrait of a Man 
and An Idea.' 

Outside of those keenly interested 
In the community playhouse, the 
brochure of '14 pages will have little 
Interest. 



Still That Yen 

Serious talk is going the rounds 
of writers' circles In an effort to 
band together and do their own 
publishing. Mary Roberts Rine- 
hart had the courage to try it and 
the flourishing firm of Farrar & 
RInehart bears testimony to the 
success of her venture. 

Authors complain that there is 
another side to the publishers' 
plaint of being able to pay no more 
than the present 10% royalty. 
Publishers lean to flyers, first novel 
and foibles, thus, since the loss 
must be apportioned out, authors 
have had to carry the loss along 
with their publishers. Six well- 
known ace authors have gone re- 
bellient enough to announce their 
own firms this coming year. 

Edgar Rice Burroughs, known ror 
his Tarzan series, breaks out of the 
ranks on his own with •Apache 
Devil." J. George Frederick has 
made a success of publishing his 
books under the banner of The 
Business Bourse, and a certain 
Doubleday-Doran editor Is going in 
for group production with 9, fistful 
of authors on a co-operative plan. 
Ace authors, watching from the 
side lines, are twiddling their 
thumbs in order to Judge whether 
to bring them up to their noses at 
publishers (in the proverbial man- 
ner) or to keep them hooked in 
the loops of their checked vests 
waiting for better days. 



'Cavalcade' in Covers 

Grosset & Dunlap have made an 
excellent product of the book pres- 
entation of Noel Coward's play 
'Cavalcade,' which Is Illustrated 
with 16 half-tones from the Fox 
picture. Typographically the book 
is tastefully done and does not sug- 
gest the reduced reprints with 
which the firm is chiefly associated. 
It provides those interested with 
the stage text of a play not yet 
done on the American stage. Dou- 
bleday, Doran own the copyright. 



Novel Payoff 

Annual prize novel contest by the 
'Atlantic Montlily,* in as.sociatlon 
with Little, IJrowii it Company, calls 
for the cu.stomary $10,000 prize for 



Pamphleteers 

What may be an Important fac- 
tor in the publishing business this 
year is the pamphlet. A number of 
book publishers have experimented 
with the miniature, paper-bound 
books with no little success, notably 
the John Day Company, and the 
undertaking Is on the Increase. 

Now comes a new publishing 
house, which Is to go in for pam- 
dphlcts exclusively. It's the Robert 
C. Cook Company, w.olch is making 
plans to flood the country with a 
heavy list of pamphlets on every 
conceivable subject. 

Cook miniature books will copy 
the Little Blue Books except that 
they will be in a larger size and 
rontent and will sell at around 25 
cents a copy. The John Day pamph- 
lot.s also sell for a quarter, that be- 
ing the average sales price of tho 
thintrs. 

While the regulation book pub- 
lishers who also go In for pamph- 
Ifts h.ivo Indetormlnate dates of 



The Broadway columnist seems to 
be on the dov.-n-beat. 

This specific species cropped up as 
a new oddity In American Journal- 
ism, with a particular significance 
In the Broadway sector. Away from 
Broadway local newspapers had 
their composite Wlnchell-Skolsky- 
Sulllvan - Sobol - Tawitz - HelUnger 
who wrote about home folks whom 
the neighbors knew more about, 
than the playboys and girls of the 
mazda belt whom the Broadway col- 
umnist publicized. 

That sextet about represents the 
outstanders of the columnists. All 
operate along the same routine, 
print about the same stuff, and read 
alike, with the sole exceptions of 
extremes in wild stuff or dirt. 

All go In for dirt. They exceed 
some of the typographical esca- 
pades which the old 'Broadway 
Brevities' fectured, but, somehow. 
In a more liberalized day and age, 
they get away ,wlth it. The same 
thing years ago meant Jail for the 
'Broadway Brevities' editor. It was 
a weekly mag. 

The dirt Is proving the undoing 
of the columnists. Where formerly 
the Inside stuff was retailed under 
wraps, the boys now act as if 
they're trying to live up to all the 
nasty things which recent cycle of 
columnists' plays, books and pic- 
tures suggested. 

Careless Dirt Diggers 
That cycle. In itself, has been no 
help to the paragraphers. No mat- 
ter the soft-soaping, the suggestion 
has lingered too strongly that the 
dlrt-dlggers are too careless. 

The one exception is the mobs. 
After one columnist was driven to a 
rest cure, the columnists figured 
that's one spot they better watch 
their step. Particularly with the 
mobs In such dominating control of 
the New York nite spots. 

As a general thing their stuff is 
only &0% accurate. They print al- 
most anything they hear and the 
reason there aren't any more 
squawks Is because those who have 
been crossed are very glad to let 
the error die, as It does fast enough 
considering the mass of Inconse- 
quential chatter printed. Denial 
would only lend dignity and call ad- 
ditional attention. 

There are sundry other metro- 
politan columnists apart from the 
above-mentioned. Some are not 
strictly Broadway, but. while osten- 
sibly radio or dramatic, they've 
evolved into the chatter stuff, as 
witness Nick Kenny on the 'Mirror' 
or Robert Garland's 'World-Tele- 
gram' chatter. Latter Is a rewrite 
on almost everybody, with or with- 
out credit, and also given to logroll- 
ing. 

Walter Wlnchell on the 'Mirror,' 
a. m. tab, thinks any reference con- 
cerning a columnist refers to him. 
As the creator of his style, though 
some allege it is but a revival, Wln- 
chell, after several years of tabloid 
chattering. Is the example to all 
newspapermen that maybe the news- 
paper business for the writer may 
eventually mean something. 

Wlnchell has a princely Income, 
as high as $5,000 a week for many 
weeks In the past, but now down to 
an average of $3,000 a week. This 
Includes his newspaper salary of 



will be Issued at the rate of one a 
week. Will carry no date lines, nor 
will they go in for topical subjects. 

Cook Just now looking for a wide 
range of non- fiction material, and 
will buy outright. Low selling price 
of the pamphlets precludes royalty 
payment. 



•Shadowplay' on Stands 

'Shadowplay,' the new 10 cent fan 
magazine published by 'Photoplay,' 
is on the stands as competition to 
the several recent mags selling for 
a dime. 

First issue carries 100 pages, with 
35 pages of advertising. Its photo 
gallery Is In rotogravure. 



Tichenor's 'Spur' 

Frank Tichonor says that giving 
'The .''pur' to John C Schom isn't 
doing right l>y that publication. 
Say.s it's .still hl.s and still going 
.strong for the- times. 



Attacks Reprints 

Auiliur & .Journali.st iiriiitcd n 
|)i-(,tr.st (.■(litf.rial a^'alii.s'-t 'ropiini' 
m.'iKazii)i;.s In tlic I'cbru.ary nunibri'. 
The Clayton company has writ ton 
llu-m that thoy are disi^onlinuinK 
throe of lh(?ir reprint .'•■iK-f t.". 'Jl.'ijii'l 
l-'iro l.)Ptoctivp,' itapid l''iro Wcsu-rn,' 



$1,000, from syndication, and $1,750 
on, the radio, besides magazine ar- 
ticles, etc. 

The Others 

The Wlnchell vogue, really reach- 
ing its peak when the elaborate 
coast-to-coast Lucky Strike net- 
work made him nationally known, 
created similar opportunities for his 
confreres. 

Ed Sullivan went on the air. Sid 
Skolsky wag auditioned and con- 
tracted, but ditched the mike over 
some last-minute hitch just because 
the advertiser objected to both a 
Skolsky and the Howard Brothers 
(his scheduled guest-stars) being 
on the same program, on the ground 
that such a lineup lacked sufTlclent 
'class.' Louis Sobol plnch-hltted for 
Wlnchell at a fancy figure on the 
Lucky Strike hour when Winchell 
went to California on vacation. 

Mark Hellinger beat 'em all onto 
the rostrum with a sketch for 
Loew's at $1,500 a week for himself. 
Paul Yawltz, who Is doing the Sun- 
day 'Mirror' Broadway column and 
was Winchell's ghost during an- 
other enforced siesta, also took the 
blindfold ether test and was champ- 
ing at the mike until something 
happened. 

Money in Shorts 

Besides the ether, the shorts 
helped keep the bread basket filled 
with cake. Wlnchell is slated at 
$3,500 a crack on the new Rowland- 
Brlce series for Universal release. 
Jerry Wald, before leaving Lhe now 
defunct 'Garphic' as radio columnist, 
did a series for Warner Bros, at the 
Flatbush studio. Mark Hellinger 
sold scripts for pictures on a rep he 
had acquired journalistically. For 
that matter, so did Ward Morehouse 
('Sun') and Rlan James (Brooklyn 
'Eagle'). 

The magic of dally printer's ink 
billing of this or that columnist built 
up these chatterers into personal- 
ities with sizeable reps In their im- 
mediate circle, some extending be- 
yond that. But unlike the fresh- 
ness which inspired all columnists 
during their early days, it's all be- 
come humdrum and formula. 

Guest- Pets 

All seem to have certain set news 
sources and tipsters, itineraries or 
routes of nocturnal operation — and 
pets. If It's not a favorite contrib- 
utor, it's some celeb who is always 
certain of a puff. Most of the col- 
umn paragraphers are under obli- 
gations to most of the celebs for 
personal appearances as their 
'guests' on the air. Wlnchell 
started that new kind of grift, Sul- 
livan following. 

The billing thing with the col- 
umnists soon extended beyond their 
newspapers, with the film and play 
p.a.'s particularly inviting these 
chatterers to 'give us a line which 
we can quote In the ads.' These 
excerpts seemed to be preferred 
above the regular play or film re- 
viewer's comment, particularly If 
the theme bore a peculiar Broad- 
way angle. Besides, with the 
promise of extra billing, the 'line* 
was surefire, even though the regu- 
lar critics might feel otherwise. 

Among the columnists there seems 
to exist a certain camaraderies, al- 
though It's factional. Paul Yawltz, 
aa Winchell's plnch-hltter on the 
'Mirror,' is supposed to have been 
promised a good break by Publisher 
Kobler when and If anything ever 
happened to Winchell's 'Mirror' 
contract, concerning which reports 
crop up every now and then. 

Sobol succeeded Winchell on the 
'Graphic' Sobol, having been 
groomed by Emile Gauvreau, who 
so 'modestly' takes credit for this 
and lots of other things in his book, 
'Scandal Monger,' has thus fallen 
Into a palship with Yawitz. Both 
team up on their nocturnal rounds. 

'Micltuy Mouse' Sidney Skolsky, 
who shifted his 'Tin Types' from the 
Monday theatrical page of the 'Sun' 
into New York's very affluent tab- 
loid, the a.m. 'News,' Is Everybody's 
Pal, although Sid lately lias gotten 
to be somolliing of an Old Man Rib- 
bcr, espoclally .since bec-oming a 
p;il)j)y of (.'onKoriila, Jr., a.s ho labels 
the new Ski^Ksky heiress. A .sample 
(if Kkolsky's rib on Winchell was 
111'' ob.'--crvutlon that he road .soiue- 
Ihint,' about ^\■alte^ one morning. 
WinelioU wantod to know whore. 
'In your column," said Kid. 

Tlic fllm thing seems to have 
(Icnlf fl .Skolsky. Ho prints lots of 
It wil'l, and rtiUKh. The Eankhead- 
(luibo .ofiiff l.q a samnlo. fJkolskv, 



64 



VARIETY 



M ■ S I C 



TmMimjt Fekoarj 28, 199S 



Bands and Orchestras 

Week of Feb. 27 

Permanent addreesea of banda or orohoatraa will ba publlahad 
without charaa. 

No charga ia mado for Hating in thia dopartmant. 

For referance guidance, initiala repreaente H— hotel, T-^heatra, 
P — park, C — cafe, D H — dance hall, B — ballroom, R — reataurant. 
Ae far aa poaaible, atreet addraaaea in large citiea are alao included. 



Aaronson. IrvlnR, Ruxton H.. N. T. C. 
Agnew, Cltas., car« Kennaway, Cbloaso. 
Albert. Julea. CBS. 485 MadlioB At*.. 
N. r. C. 

Allon. Wullr. 1014 Bhrd Bait. W. N«w 
Torlt, .V. J. 

Alsdort. U J.. 08 Labartr St., Nawburgb. 

Amldon. A.. 012 E. 8tta St., Flint, MIrh. 

Andrus. Dud, WBSG, Elmlra, N. T. 

Anatol's Cubana, Club Cuba, Alamac H, 
N. Y. C. 

Appel, Uacar, The Caibajr, Battlroora. 

Arand. Henry. 443 Broad St.. Newark. 

Arcadia Syncopatora IC. Ed(artan). 2004 
Addison St.. Pbtla. 

Arlatocrai') (Wm. HuEbes), 404 Blandlna 
St.. Utica. N. Y. 

Arkell. L,e«, KVI, TacOma. Wash. 

Armbrualcr. J. L., B. A. C. BuRalo. 

Arnlvelm. Gua. Beverly Wllshlro H., Bev- 
erly inii.x, c^ir. 

Ash, Paul, 1007 Broadway, N. T. C. 

Alxins, A. P.. 8014 0th Av«.. Oes Molnca. 

Auitln. 8. Davla Is. Co'.intry C. Tnmpa. 

Axt. Dr. Wm.. M-Q-t'. Studio. Culver 
Ctty. Cal. 

B 

Bachman, I.ow. 211 N. Central, Chi. 
Baird, Uaynard, Crystal T., KnoxvlU*. 
Baldwin, P., Frontenac, Quebec, Can. 
Bnlley. Earl. Cavalier Beach C. VlrBlnla 
Beach. Va. 

Ba'.law, Smith, Muehlbaoh H., K. C. 

Bard, J(.s., Golden Pheasant F.., Baito. 

Barnard. B. 8SJ W. Morrell St.. Jackson, 
Ulch. 

Barrlnger. Don, Callico Cat B., Miami. 

Bartlett. O., Book-Cadlllac H.. Detroit. 

Barton, Herbert, 04B Bth Ave., N. T. C 

Baraley, Beenar, Montank Point, Mon- 
tauk, L,. 1. 

Baslle, Jos.. 6B No. 14tb St., Newark, 
M. J. 

Bauer. F. J., 0T Onnond St.. Rochester, 
N. T. 

Baum, Babe. 220 Rose St., Reading. Pa. 

Baxter, Phil. WDAF. K. C 
Beban, Walter, NDC, .3. F. 
Back:ey, T, 102 B. 8tb St., Wllmtnalon, 
Del. 

Belasco, Leon. Ambaseador H., N. 7. 

Benavie, Snm, Fisher T., Detroit. 

Bennett, Dave, Station WJJD. Palmer 
House. ChIrai;o. 

Bentley. Billy. KXO. EI Centre, Calif. 

Barcowltz, Aba, KQW. Portland. Ore. 

Berae.' VV. IS., 67 Grand Ave.. lEnalewood, 
M. J. 

Berger. Jncit, Astor H.. N. T. C. 
Bergcr, W. 1.. 0440 Penn Ave.. Pitta- 
burgh. 

Beiiln. Paul. 42S8 Archer Ave.. Chi. 
Bernle, Ben 1010 Broadway, N. Y. C 
Berrens. Freddie. CBa N.T.C, 
Dentor. Don. Hotel Lexington, N. T. 
Benford, Jack & Jill Tavern. Portland, 
Ore 

Bl.i3ettc-Maclean, Marigold R.. Rochester. 
Black. Ted. 1010 Broadway. N. T. C. 
Blaufusa. Walter. N.B.C.. Chicago. 
B:umanthara Oreh., Sovereign H.. Chl- 
engo. 

Bob'a Sunnysldcri, SO B.~ Haverhjll St., 
Lawrence. Masa. 
Barr. MIscba, Ens., Waldorf-Astoria, 

N. Y. 

BoToe. Ralph, KHQ, Spokane. 
Bowley, nay, 21 Beacon St., Hyde Park. 
Unsa. 

Boyd. To-nmy. Sacramento H.. Sacra- 
mento, Calif. 

Boyle, nilly. Coptey-Plnza H.. Boston. 

Boyle. Marian. KHQ. Spokane, Wash. 

Brandy's Singing Bd.. Palmer's Park. 
Lan.ilng. Mich. 

Brashln, Abe KJR, Seattle. 

Breea'tln. Daniel, Barle T., Washington. 

Brigndp Ace. Merry Garden B. R.. Chi, 

B'way Collegians. Walled Lake B., De- 
troit. 

Drower Ted, Yoeng's R.. B'way and Bist 
Bt. N. Y C. 

Brooks, Korv'cy, Znlti Hut, No. Holly- 
wood Calif. 

Oroudy, Dave. Grant T., Plttaburgh. 

Brownagle, T.. 022 0th St., Horrlaburg, 
Pa. 

Bruslloft, Nat, 10 B. 40tb St., N. T. C. 

Bryant. W. H.. 1B26 S. Otb St.. Terre 
Hnuta. Ind. 

Duckeye Wonders, 04B So. Main St., 
Akron, O 

Buloskwlei Callfa.. Ragle B., Milwaukee, 

Bunchuk. Yosha. Capitol T.. N. T. C 
Burk. Mllo. Brockton, Mass. 
Burke. Chick, Ameabury, Mass. 
Burke'e Canadians. New Oonatant Spring 

n.. ICInfTston. Jnmalra. 

Durt.neU. Earl, Club Ballyhoo. Culver 
City, Calif. 

Bumott, .Tnrdan, Oreenlilll B.R.. Chicago. 

Burns. JImoiy. Lido Venice H.. Sand- 
wich, Ont. 

c 

Calloway, Cab, TOO Tth Ave., N. Y. C. 

Captroon. Fred, 401 B'way. Camden. N. J 

Cappo, Jos.. Lakeside Park. Dayton, O. 

Carlln. Herb, Guyon's B. R.. Chicago. 

Carberry, Duke, Walpole, Mass. 

Carpenter. Earl. 1010 B'way. N. Y. C. 

Carr Bros.. 2137 Oalyot, Oceanalde, Cal. 

Case Loma, 700 Tth ave., N. Y. C. 

Caaa Nora, Greenwich Village, Dayton, O. 

Coaale. M.. 140 Pine St.. Wllllamsport. 
Pa. 

Cassldy. D L.. Vancouver H.. VaneouTer, 
B. C. 

Caason, Pep, Victoria H., N. Y. C. 
Caatro. Manolo, Naclonala H., Havana. 
Causer. Bob. Ithaca H., Ithaca, N. Y. 
Cavallavo. John, Murray's Patio, New 
Haven. Conn. 
Cavato. Ifitft, Flotilla Club. Pittsburgh. 
Cave, Don. Bi Cortex H.. San Diego. 
Cervone, Izzy. 003 filackstone Oldg.. 
Pittsburgh. 
Ctaarlca. Roy. OoMen Pumpkin C, Cbl. 
Chlo-B-Ravaters. SUtlon WJBO. New Or- 
If ana. " 
Cbrlatenaen, Paul. WKY, Oklahoma City. 
Christie, a. J.. 1611 N. Ormaby Ave.. 
Louisville. 

Church, Rom. Backer* liake P., Buek- 
*y* . Ijik*. O. 

Clark*. Bob. 1«40 Rozbury Rd. (B). 0»- 
lumbus. O. 

Clark*. Herb L.. Municipal Band. Long 
B«a''h. Cnl. 
Ciavelandera, Fuller's Oarden, Cincinnati, 



Coakley, Tom, Athens C. Oakland, Calif, 
Col. F., 262 W. Douglas St., Reading. Pa. 
Coleman, Emil, Waldorf-Astoria. N. Y. 
College Club. 4120 Dewey Ave.. Omaha. 
Collegian Serenadera. Far Bast R.. CI*t*. 
land 

Columbo, Russ, Palace T., Chi. 

Cole. King, Solomon's D. H.. L. A. 

Conley. Ralph. 1110 Grand St., Wheel- 
ing. W. Va 

Conrad, II. 1088 Park Ave., N. T. C 

Cook. Arthur. WXYZ. Detroit. 

Cooley. Frits. Maple View. Pittafleld, 
Masa. 

Coon, Dell, La Salle H,. Chi. 

Cooney. Barnard, KWG, Stockton. Calif. 

Comwell. Frank, Mayfatr C. Boston. 

Coyle, L. H.. 210 B. lOtb St.. Baston. Pa. 

Crnlg. Francla. Hermitage H.. Nashville. 

Crescent Orch.. Armory. MIddletown, N.Y. 

Crawford. "BuSB," 2113 Pennsylvania 
Ave., N. W.. Washington. 

Crawford, Jack, Ballyhoo C, Hollywood. 

Crawford, Thomae L.. Wichita, Kaoa. 

Cullen, S. B.. 814 H. «th St., South Bas- 
ton 

Currle. Harry. Seelbach H.. Louisville. 
Oummlngs, Johnnie, Webster H., Canan- 

dnlgua, N. Y. 
Cummins, Bemle. MCA, Chi. 



Dabl, Ted, KPWB, Hollywood. 
DamakI, Henri. KJR, Seatue. 
Oantzig, E. J . 642 Putnam Ave., B'klyn. 
Dantzler, T.. HIrador B, R., Phoenix, 
D'Artrl'a Orch.. Bl 14tb St.. Norwich, 
Conn. 

Daugherty, Emery, Jardln Ltdo, Arling- 
ton H.. Waahlngton, D. C. 
Davidson. J. W.. Norsbor* T., Chicago, 
Davis. C. Indiana. T.. Indianapolis. 
Davis. Meyer. 18 E. 48th St.. N. Y. C 
Davison, Watt. Malnstreat T.. K. C. 
DeForest Don. ITl King St. Portland, 
Ore. 

Delany, Jack, KLX, Oakland, Calif. 
Delbrldge. Del., 404 Madison T. BIdg., 
Detroit. 

Dal Pose, S«nor. 1687 B'way, N. T: C. 

DeLuca, J., 831 St Marks Av*., Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. 

Denny. Claude, Nocturne C, Cht, 

Danny, Jack, Waldorf-Astoria H., M.T.C. 

Detorlch, Roy. Stevens H., Chleac*. 
Dawees. Lowell, 1200 Jackson St.. Sprtng- 
aeld. III. 

Dickenson, Bob, McElroy's B. R., Seattle 

DItmare. Ivan. KOL. Seattle 

Dolan, Bart, Bond Bot*l. Hartford. Osaa. 

Domiiie orch,. 22 4th St., Troy, .N. V 

Donnelly. W. H., 280 Glenwood Ave., B. 
Orange. N. J. 

Domberger, Chaa., Mt. Royal H.. Moat- 
reat. 

Dougherty. Doc. Adelphla H., Phlla. 
Dowell. Boots, Cotton C. SSa Diego. 
Downey, Harry. Ballyhoo C, B'way aad 
lOth St., N. Y. C 
Puprr. Daloh. 11404 Orvtlle Ave.. Clav*. 
Ouchin, Ed., Central Park Casino, N.T.C, 



Eckel, Charlie, Hotel Montclair, N. T. 
BJdmuods. GlenT Blk's C L, A. 
Ellington, Duke, TOO Tth ave., N. Y. C. 
BImwood Band, 872 Van Noatrand Ave., 
Jersey City. 

Bppel, B73« N. Tth St., Philadelphia. 

EpplnolT, Ivan, MCA, Chi. 

Erickson. Harry. Saltatr Beach Co, Ball 
Lake City. 

Esllck, J., 36TT Georgia St., San Diego. 



Falvo, Joe, Pittsburgh. Pa, 

Fay, Bernard, Fay's, Providence. 

Farrcll, F., Inn, 4 Sheridan Sq., M. T. C 

Feeney. J. M., 238 B. 11th St., Oakland. 

Fabello, Phil, Albee. Brooklyn. 

Fagan. Ray. Sagamore H., Rochester. 

Farr, Aaron, Miami Beach Country C. 
Miami Btaeh. 

Feldman. Jo*, 10«8 B. OBtb St., Cleveland. 
Ohio. 

Pelton, Happy, DeWItt CUnton H, N. Y. 
Ferdlnando. Fella. L* Chataan B. R., 
Manchester, N. U. 

Ferko, Jos. A., 500 W. Glenwood Ava., 
Phlla., Pa. 

Ferron, Chas., Poll Palace T„ Bridgeport, 
Conn. 

Feyl, J. W., BT8 River St., Troy. N. T. 
Plo-Rlto. Ted. St. Francis H.. S. P. 
Fischer. Carl. Majestic D. B.. Detroit. 
Fischer. C. L. 014 South Westnedg* St., 
Kalamnsoo. Mich, 

Fisher, Buddy, Hollywood Bam, Holly- 
wood. 

Fisher. Mark. Edgewater Beach H.. Cht. 

FInston, Nat. Par. Studio, Hollywood. 
Fllzpatrlck, Eddie. N.B.C., S, F. 

Foard, Don, 1419 Reed Avt. Kalamazoo, 

Mich. 

Fogg A. H., 1T4 Beacon St., Portland, 
Me. 

Fomlah, Henry, Pleaaant Lake, Jackson, 

Mich. 

ForbBteIn, Ix>ul8, Wamer-FN Studio, 
Durbnnk, Calif. 

Fosdlck, Gene, Rye Bath A Tennis C 
Westchester 

Freed, Carl. 20 8. Orange Av*., N*war-,i. 

Friary, George. Rockland. Mass. 

Friedman, L. F.. St. Louis T.. St. Louis. 

Friedman, Snooks. Paramount H., N.Y.C. 

Frieso, J. F., Strand T., Stamford. Conn. 

Fi'ost, Jack. Station WJAR, Providence. 
R. I. 

Fuller, Barl, Swiss Gardens. Clna. 
Funk, Larry, WEAF. N. Y. C. 
Furst. Jule.s. Village Enrn, N. Y. C. 
Fye, GII, Silver Spray B. R., Long Beach. 
Calif. 

G 

Galvln, J. J., Ploxa T., Worcester, Mass. 

Oalllcchto. Jo, 6200 Sherldaa Rd., Cht, 
Oarber, Jan, Trianon B. R.. Chi, 
Gardner, C. C, 152T N. 24th St., Lin- 
coln, Neb. 

Gates, Hal, KGER, L. A. 
Gates, Manny, Alcasar H., Miami. 
Gaul, Geo., Washington, D, C. 
Qaylord, Chos., La Sohemr, Hollywood. 
Geidt. Al., in a. N. J. Ave.. AlUntIc 
City. 

Oerun, Tom, Bal Taberln C, S. P. 



Glbsoa'a Bin* Pavfls, I. O. O. Fm Ball- 
room, Baltlmora. 

QUI, Bumlt C. Baltlmor*. 

Olll. Joa, Bellywoed C. OaIv«at«a. V*a. 

Glltoa. PVank. I>«trelt Taeht C. Datielt 

Olnsberr. Balpk. Palmer H., Chi. 

Gervln, Hal. 1628 Gotigh St, BL P. 

Golf, Mark, Brlggs R.. Detroit 

Goldberg, Geo.. C«IesUal R.. Bay »h*r* 
Park, Baltlmora. Md. 

Golden. Naal. WOR. N. T. C. 

Qoldkatt*, J*aa. Book T*w*r,. DalMt, 

Ooasala^ a. M.. UO B. dtk Bt, taaU 
Ana, Cal, ^ „ 

Goodwin, Hop, 26 B. Churok 8*4, Wast 
Chester, Pa. . ^ . ^. 

Gorreil, Ray, 404 HadUoa Y. Bl^.. D*- 
Uolt, _ 

Graham. PaaL Jeakllaaea Pav^ Pt. 
Pleasant N. 1. 

Qcasa, Ch*t. 3040 a. Careaa. D*av*r. 

Grayson, Hal, Roosevelt H„ Hollywood. 

Green. Jlmmj, Beaeh Vlaw GardMi* C, 
Chicago. 

Greenougb, Frank, BUtmora H,. Saata 
Barbara, Calif. _ _ . . _ 

Gross. Prentls. McElroy B., Portland, Or*. 

Greer, Billy. 1002 Main Bt.. Davenport. Is. 

Orler, Jimmy, Adolphaa H.. Dallaa, 

Giosso, Paul, Arllagton H„ Colorado 
Sorings, Col. 

Ouaastt*, Lea. 16 8t Aag*!* Bt. Qaehaa. 

Gumlck, Bd., iS Reyaolda At*.. Prevl- 
dene*. 

Outtaraon, M., VaUnela T., Balthaor*. 
H 

Haas. Alazandcr. 264 W. 76th Bt, N.T.C. 

Haines. "WUtey," Tavarn Ian. 188 N. 
Bend St, Pawtticket R- I. 

Hall. George, Taft H.. N. T. C 

Hall. Sleepy. MCA, Chicago. 

Hamilton, Oeo., Airport Gardens. X.. 

Hammond, Jean. Sky Room, Milwaukee. 

Hamond, Cheatine, KIT, Taklma, Wash. 

Hamp, Johnny, Mark Hopkins H., S. F. 

Hancock, Hogan, Jefteraoa H.. Blrmlng- 
horn. 

Handler, Al, Tla Lago. Cbl. 

Harmon, M.. Club Mlrador. Washlngtoa. 

Harris, Phil, Ambaesador U„ L. A. 

Harrison, J., Rendesvous, Toronto. 

Hart Ronnie. British Columbia Pk., Tan- 
couver, B. C 

Harkness, Bddl*. 2030 Franklin St.. 8. P. 

Hatch. Nelson, Old Mill Tea Garden, To- 
ronto, Can. 

Hatch, Wilbur, KNX Hollywood. 

Haney, At 26 CapiUI St.. Pawtuekat, 
R. I. 

Haucke, Curt Rainbow Gardens. L. A. 
Haymea, Joe, Village Nut Club. N. T. C. 
Hays, Bill. Cathay Tea Garden, Phlla. 
Helbergar, Emil, Bond H., Hartford. 
Heldt Horace. R. K. O. Golden Qate. 
Frisco. 

HeadsrsoB, P., SSS W. ISOth St.. N. T. C. 
Henkel, Tad, Capitol T., Sydnay, Aua. 
Henry, Joe, Astoria, N. T. 
Henry. Tal.. c-o NBC, 711 Bth At*.. 

N. T. C. 

HIraUak, A.. 113i Ooottman St. Pltta- 
burgh. 

Hobba, Ptaak, Bt Cathmrlna H., Catalloa 

la 

Hoffman, Earl. Casa de Alex, Chi. 
Hoffman, Lk O.. 78 Brest St., Baffala. 
Hogan, Bill, MCA, L. A. 
Hogan, Tw**t Chanel Lak*. XIL 
Hogland. Everett, Rendezveas B. R.. Bal- 
boa. CaUt 

HollowsU. B., SIraad D. H.. Wllmlaatan. 

Del. 

Hollywood CoUaalaas, K. of C. C. N.C.T. 

Holmaa, Bob, Caf* de Faroe, tt. A. 

Holmes, Wright Martinlqu* H.. N. T. C. 

Hopkins, Claud*. Rossland B, B'way aad 
60th St.. M. T. C. 

Hornick, ' Jo*. NBC. & F. 

Houston, Chaa., Monmouth Beaak C. 
N. J. 

Hnestea. BUIy. 1688 B'way. N. T. C 
Hultberg. Henry. Inglaterra B. R.. Cbl. 
Hyd*. Alex., c^ Wm. Morris, Uayfalr T. 
BIdg.. N. T. a 

I 

Innls. Bd, Taattr Pair B., Hantlnctoa, 

W. Va. 

Irving, ■„ I<ye*um T.. New Britain, 

Conn. 

Isemlnglr, Bill, Hagerstown, Md. 

laltt Doug, ButU. Mont 

lula. Fellc*, Rtvoll T.. Baltlmor*. 

lula. Rntnno, City Park Bd., Baltlmor*. 



Jackson's Jaaa, 16 Chestnut Bt„ aiovers- 

vllle, N. T. 

Jaffy. Gilbert, X<eighton's Arcade, L. A. 

Janls, Fred, Turkish VllUge C. Chicago. 

Janover, A. L., 1203 Grant Ave., N. Y. C. 

Jansen, Edward, KVI, Tacoma, Wash. 

Joxon, 'HoU Pint' WJJD, Cht 

Jedel, H., 4TS Hawthorn* Av*., N*waTk, 
N. J. 

Jehle, John. 7S Orlggs Ave.. Brooklyn. 

Jenkins, Polly, and Her Flayhoys. WCAU, 
Phlla. 

Jockeia. Al, 161* B'way. N. T. C 
Johnson, C. Small's Paradla*. N. T. C 
Johnson, Dwlght Empress H., Portland, 
Or* 

Johnson. Gladys, KTM. L. A. 
Johnston, Marie, JBl W. 4etta St. N.T.C. 
Johnston. O. W.. 48 Grove Ave.. Ottawa. 
Jolly Joyce's Byn.. OIS-IT Walnut Bt, 

PhlladelphUb 

Jordan, Art «S41 Norwood St., Phlla. 

Jones, Rogan, KVOB. Bellinghara. Wash. 

Jones. Isbam. Hollywood R.. N. T. C. 

Jorgensen, Ruth, 13SB Sheldon St., Jack- 
son, Mich. 

Joy. JImmIe, Variety, Hollywood. 

Joy. Jack, KFWB, Hollywood, 



Kahn, Harry, 6210 Gelnor Road, Phlla.. 
Pa. 

Kahn. Herman, Oapltol T., Newaik, N. J. 
Kahn. Roger W.. 1607 B'way, N. T. C 
Kails, H., LIda Vamie* C, Boston. 
Kamaa, Al, Swane* B. R.. Washington. 

Kardoa, Gena, Roseland B. R., N. Y. C. 
Kasael. Art Blrmnrck H.. Chicago. 
Katzman, Loula, 1780 B'way, N. T. C. 

Kaufman. W.. S8 N. 10th St.. Lebanon. 
Pa. 

Kay. Herble, MCA, Chicago. 
Kayser, Kay. NIzon R., Pitta. 
Keegan, Ross B., 22 Gold St., Presporl, 
L. I. 

Klefer, Bert 447 R. R. Ave.. Pen Argyle, 
Pa. 

Keller, Wm. R.. 4116 Cist St.. Woodalde. 
L. 1.. N T. 

Kelly, Paul, La Granduja, S. F. 

Kelsey, Walter. KFRC. 3. F. 

Kemp, Hal, Blackhawk C, Chi, 

Kennedy. Clem, KTAB. a. F. 

Krnneta, Larry. 601 Keenan BIdg., Pitts- 
burgh. 

Keiitnsr, H., Ben]., Franklin H., Phlla. . 

Kerr. Chas, Adelphla H., Phlla. 

Rod Kibbler. K<!creatlon Pier, Long 
Bpnch. Col. 

Koestner, Jos., N. B. C, Merchandise 
Mart. 223 North Bank Dr. Chleagau 

Keystone Seranaders, Gd. Riviera T., De- 
troit. 



Xing. Dan. aad bla Radio Seaadala, Vsor 
Towers. Cedar Grov*. .N.^T. 

Klara lf*Mr. 66 ilu*n*r St. Blaffkaan 
ten. T. ' 

King, Waya*. Aragoa B. B., Cht^^ 

KlalB, Fred, Kingawar H.. Hot BprlaBa. 
Ark. 

Klla*. M.. MBa Bprac* PhOadrtpWa. 
Knatsri, B., Blltmqr* H.. Atlaata. 
Knutson. BrUng, PresldeBtH., K. O. 
KoiaU. Jim. Btatlea WUPU Chloag*. 
KrauskrlU. Walt, HT Ctaramaat BMb.. 

krneger. Art W19M. Mllwaok*^ 
ICrumhela. Q.. P. O. B«i «(M. Mav Bed- 
ford, Mass. 
X^e, Baaar, Btatloa WJB. Oatralt, 



La Perara, Vinton,. 1821 Grant Ave., B. P. 
LaBaa**, P.. 6M Marrlmaa au LawalL 
Mass. 

taitsky, Bea. KaJ*stls T. Bid*.. I*. 

Lamp*, Del, Palala D'Or, N. T. 
Lampham, Clayton, Luna Park, Coney 
Is., N. T. 

Lanfleld, II., BBS's CelUr. Hollywood. 

Lang. Hanr, Bakar H.. Dallas. 

Lang*, J. y., tT Ad>bett Bt. X.ow*ll. Mass. 

Lanin. Sam. */o CBS, 48B Madison At*., 
N. T. C 

Lanln. Howard. CBS. N.T.a 

LAwSk Berala, Pattis C, Des Molnaa, ta. 

Mickey Lasarus, McFadden B. R.. San 
Francisco. 

I^fcourt Hairy. S7-10 Nawtowa Aa*.. 
Astoria, U L 

Lefkowlts, Hany, Caslsy H., Beiantoa, 
Pa. 

Leftwiota. Jolly, Oeaaale B., WrIghUTlIte 

Beach, N. C. 

Levant, Phil. UCA, Chicago. 

Levin, Al, 476 Wtalley Ava.. New Baven. 

LcTltow, Barnard, Commodore H., N.T.C. 

Lido Orch.. Butt* 66 Le*w BIdg.. Wash- 
ington, D. C 

Light, Enoch, Plantation Gardens, Phila- 
delphia, Pa. 

Lisbln, Hank. Adolphus H., Dallas. 

Lofner, Carol. Casino Gardens B. R„ 
Ocean Park, CatU. 

Lombardo, Guy, Roosevelt H.. N. T. 

I^opec. Vincent, Congress H.. Chi. 

Lowd, Howard O,. 4106 8rd St., N. W.. 
Wash., D. C. 

Lowe, Bemle, Nanking Cafe, Des Moine*. 

Lowe, Sol, Manchester T.. L. 

Laury, Paul, Schuler's Groevenor B. R., 
Mansfield, O. 

Ludeke, Frank, Davenport H., Spokane. 
Waah, 

Lund, O. M., Coliseum B, R., Tacoma. 
Lus*, Harlay, Wllsoa's B. R., It. A. 
Luster, Mayo, Oriental Gardens, Chi, 
Lyman, Abe, Paradise R.. N. T. C. 
Lynn, Corray, Bin* Orotta C. Chleage. 
Lynn. Sammy, 3006 Wichita Bt, OaUaa. 

M 

Hacdonald, Raa, Coliseum, Bt. Peteia- 

burg. 

Mace. Art Rendezvous B. R., Santa 
Monica, Cal. 
Mack, I>ave, Parts Inn, !•. A. 
Mack, Ted. Blaekstona U., Fort Worth. 

Madrogueia, Enrlc, Place FIgalle, N.T.C. 

Mahon, Margl*. KMO, Seatti*. 

Ma]or, P. J., BOOT Sd 8t„ Oeeaa ParOt 

Cal. 

Maklns, Bddis. LeCiaIr* C. Chicago. 
Moloney, R. B„ 606 Elinor Bt., KnoxTilU, 
Teon. 

Manth*, AL. 801 R. Ptaada, Uadlsoo 
Wis. 

Marbitfger, H.. Roseland B. R., N. T. 

Marengo, Joe^ Italian ViUag*. L. A. 

Marsh. Chas., Ft Pitt H. Plttsburgli. 

Marsball. Bed. Venice B., Venic*, Cal. 

Marinara John. Baauz A*ts C. 80 W. 
40th St.. N. T. C. 

Martin, Frad, Faric Central H.. N. T. C 

MasUm. Sam, Seneca H.. Rochester. 

Mason, Bobbie (Miss), N*w China R.. 
Yonngstown, Ohio. 

Masteia. Prankle, Morrison H.. ChL 

Maltasch. Slav*. Oarden B., SMittl*. 

Maupln, Rez, KYW. Cbl. 

Maurice, Jack, K6FJ. L. A. 

Mayfalr. Berale, TO So. DItIsIob, Bat- 
tle Creek. Mich. 

HcCiond, Mac, care Paul Cohan, M West 
Randolph, Chi, 

McCoy, Clyde. Drake H., Chicago. 

McDowell, Adrian. Town A Country C. 
Milwaukee. 

McEnelly. B. J., 60 Sylvan St., Sprlng- 
fleld, Mass. 

McOay, J., Detroit Country Club, Detroit. 

McGowan. Loos, c/o R. W. Kahn, 1607 
B'way, N. T. C. 

Mclntyre, Jamas. Chatean lAurler, Ot- 
tawa. 

Mclntlr*. Lani. KMTR. Hollywood. 

McVeas. L a., 1321 E. 83d St., !<, A. 

Mella, Wm.. 91 Edwin St, RIdgefleld 
Park, N. J. 

MemphlaoBlans. 03 S. Main St,. Memphis. 

Messenger, Al. Roseland, Taunton, Mass. 

Meroff. Ben, Variety, N. Y. 

Meyer. M. P.. 920 Broadway. Brooklyn, 
N. Y. 

Meyer Osoar, 4630 Camao St.. Phila- 
delphia. 

Meyerlnch, Herb. States Hofbrati. S. P. 
Meyers, At 6300 Oltard Ave., Phlla. 
Meyers, Loula Zenda B., L, A. 
Meyers, Vie Trianon B. R. SaatUa. 
Miles. Duaty, The Roof, Kenosha, Wis. 
Miles, Jack, Granada C, Chicago. 
Mllholland, H. I.. KG A. Spokana. 
Miller, J. Frani, Sutler H., Detroit 
Miner, Gladys, KOMO. Seattle. 
Miller Jack, Press Clob. Montreal. 
Millar, N.. 131 Williams St, Chels*a, 
Mass. 

Miller, Vie, Loew'a State, Syracuse. 
Milan, Bert, Eastwood Park, Datrolt 
Mills, Floyd. 780 FayatU St., Cumber- 
land, Md. 

Milne, Del, 8T6 B. Wetshtngton St., Port- 
land, Orp. 

MIner-Doyle. 1103 Mlddlsaez St. LowelL 
Mass. 

Mtnleh. Bd.. 1161 Prospect At*.. Beran- 

ton. Pa. 

Mishcloff, Sol, Commodore H. N. T. C. 
Mitchell, Al, 4 Reed St., So. Norwalk, 

Conn. 

Mohrman. Mable, KJR, Seattle. 

Morton, Fran.. Italian Gardens, Spoksine. 

Wash. 

Mollno. Carlos, Beverb'-Wllshlre H., Bev- 
erly Hills. Calif. 

Moore. Carl, care Kennaway, Chi. 

Moore's, Dlnly, Washington Arms, Ma- 
nn roneck. N. Y. 

Moore, Pryor, Schaber's C, L. A. 

Moor*. TV>m, Cinderella B., Long Beaeh. 
Col. 

Moray, Al. Worth T., Ft. Worth. 
Morris. Qlan, Sliver Slipper, Baltimore. 
Moss, Joe. 18 E. 48th St.. N. T. C. 
Moslier. v., 81ST 10th Ave. B., Minneap- 
olis. 

Hurlal, Fred, Oriental T., Detroit. 
Monna H., Walklkl Beach. Honolulu, Ha- 
waii. 



N 

Nappl. Bill, TutwIUer H.. Birmingham. 
Ala. 

Nash. Len. Lea Nash's Bam, Compton. 
Cal. 

Naslinld. Dudley. Nasbold's B. R„ San 

DIcgo. 

Naylor, Oliver, Walton H.. Phlla. 
Neff, Art, 6338 Spruce St„ Philadelphia. 



Msglar. Uarlla, Poa T.* Bpakaaa, Wash. 
Nslmaa. Bddla. gra nd Te waoa. Cht 
Neamltiar. Hearaad. -TPBBK, ChL 
MewloiTMlek. BIN Mtb It. Aatarta. 

Nelaoa, Oaat^ Hotel K*W Torkar, N.T.a 
Nelsoa. TomTRooaeTaH V. X. C 
New Orleans Owla, H, Beoaaaelc M. O. 
Ncwmaa, Alfred, U. A. Stadia. HoIly» 
weed. , 
Niehola, Red, Goldka Pbeosaat Cleva. Ol 
Nolaa. Boh, Plahar T.. Datrett. 
Nooaa, Jlmay. dab DIala, CMcaaa. 
Nonnaa. Jeaa. ITTOOreea BL. & P. 



O'Brlea, Teaa, laraaaa Lake R., aaiaaaa 

Lake, N. T. 

O'Ceaaell. Hark. tU W »B St. N. T. G. 

Oetavet Ore., iS Ooflleld Bt, Brookiya, 
N. T. 

O'Hare, Husk, La Salle H.. Chicago. 

O'Rsara, Trar*, LaClalr R., RoUaa, III, 

Clsen, G corse, NBO, N. T. C. 

Olten, any. Eagles Aad,. Seattle. Wash. 

Olsea, Ole, Obmmodoia C, Vancouvev. 
B. C 

Oppenhelm, W.. B*a]. Pranklln H,. Phlla, 
Original Georgia t, Dancsland, Jamaica. 

L. I. 

Orlgtaal TaUow Jaek*t% BamaMrland 
Beach, Buekay* Lak*. O. 

Orlando, Ntok, Flasa H., N. T. C 
Osborne. Will, c/o Variety, N. T. 
Owen. Delos, WGN. Chi, 
Owens, Harry, Westward Bo H., Phoenix. 
P 

Patga, Rar. StaUoa KHJ. U A. 
Palmquist Brale, Ea«le B. R., Mllwaukae. 
Parisian Red Heads, » W. North St« 
Indianapolia, 

Parkar, Dud, 330 Hart 8t„ B'klyn, N. T. 
Pameil, Chas,, Hartford B, R., San Ber- 
nardino, Cal. 

Paso. Ooorse C„ RosevlUe. O. 

Pearl, Rorey. 368 Hunting Ave., Boston. 

Peek. Jack, 801 K**naa BIdg., Pittsburgh. 

Pedro, Don, Morrison H., ChL 
P**rl*sa Oreh.. Uonmenth St, Newport; 
Ky. 

Pendan'ls, Paul, Jonathan C„ L. A. 
Psral, Don, Saenger T., New Orlaaas, La. 
Ponr, Prank, Plaalsr H., Pallsborn 

N. T. 

Pstersoa, Art, Troat-daI*-la-tn*-Pms^ 
Evsrgresa, Colo. 
Pettis. Jack. Wm. Penn R., Pittsburgh. 

Peyton. Doc, Syracuse H., Syracuse^ 
N. Y. 

Peterson, B., TlvoU T.. Miohlgaa Otf, 

Ind. 

Pfeiffer's Orch.. U«3 Palmetto Av*., T*> 

ledo. 

Phllbrlck'a Orch., Toanker'e Dept atotm. 
Das Moin*s, la. 

Phillips, Phil.. Club Bagdad. Dallas. 

Plcclno, A.. 860 N. Bth St, Reading. Pa. 

Plsrce, Chaa.. Midway Oardans. Csdar 
Lake, Ind. 

PIpp'a Orch.. BolUTaa'a, Bdmoaton. Can. 
Pontrelli. Nick, Palace B. B., Oceaa 

Park. Cal. 

PontrelU, Pep, Rainbow Oardene B. R.. 
L. A. 

Powell, Walter & Rudy Bundy, care 
Leddy ft Smith. 226 W. 4Tth St, N. T. O. 

Prado, Fred. AmMlean Heosa, Boatoa. 

Price, Larry, 8118 N. New Jersey St. 
Indianapolis. 

Pullea, R. B,. 1866 Belleta St.. Fraakfsrit 
Phlla. 



Quaw, Gene, Arlingtoo H, Rot SprlngSk 
Ark. 



RalatoB, Jaefc, Btatloa WOL, Washlagte% 

D. C 

Radin. Oscar. R.<l-M Stadia, Onlfer Cllr. 

Cal, 

Rodriguez. Jos., KPL U A. 

Rapes. Erno. Radio City -Music Hall, 

N. T. C 

Rasmussea, P., 148 Graham ATa^ CoaaeB 

Biuffls. Ia. 

Rar. AIWbo. NBC. & P. 

Read, Kemp, B3B Ashley Blvd., New Bed* 

ford, Hess. 

Red DomlnoB, care of B. E. Nadel, 110 
W. 47th St., N. T. C 

Redman. Don. 799 Tth At*.. N.T.C. 
Redmond, Oeorge, Cotton C, Calver 
City. Cat i 

Reese, Gardner, 161P Broadway. N. T. 

Reiaman. L«a, 180 W. BTth Bt. N. T, «l 

Relyea, Al 'Buddy,' New Harmony H., 
Cohoas, N. T. 

Rendleman. Dunk, Del Monte, Birming* 
ham. Ala. 

Reynolds, Lou, 600 Central At*., Ala- 
meda, Cal. 

Rich. Fred. CBS, N. T. C 

Richards, Barney. Uptown Village, Cht 

RIckltU. J. C. Kosciusko. MlBL 

Rlnes, Jos.. Biks H.. Boston. 

RiUenband. J.. D. ArttsU T., Dstrolt 

RIzzo, Vincent Sylvanla H^ Phita. 

Roanes' Ponn, Coirnnodore B., LowelV 
Mass. 

Robblns, Sammy, McAlpIn H, N. T. 
Roberts, Miles, B Sheldon St. Prov., R. I. 
Robinson, Johnny, Olympic H., Seattle. 
Roky. Leon. Syracuse H.. Syracoso. 
Rolf*. B. A.. Ill W. STtb St.. N. T. C 
RomanellL L. King Edward R., Toronte. 
Rose, Irr- Jefferson H., St L. 
Harry BMenthal. 1050 Broadway. N. Y. C 
Rossman, Harold, Bagdad C. Miami. 
Rothachlld, Leo, 806 W. 14tfa at, N.T,C 
Ruht Wamsy. Mlchlgaa Teoh.. Rough* 
ton. Mich. 

Russell, B., King Cottoa H.. Greens bora. 
S 

Sampletro, Joa. KOIN, Portland. Ore. 
Sanders. Joe. MCA. ChL 
Seas, P.. SU aidgswood Ave., B'klya. 
Santaelta. Salvadore, KMTR, Hollywood. 
Sehara, C. P., 634 B'way, Buffalo, N. T. 
ScUU, J.. Arcadia B. R.. N. T. C. 
Schubert Ed.. M Arthur St. Lawr*as«k 
Masa. 

SchumlskI, Joa, Station WCFL, Chloago. 
Schwarts, U. J., 010 Court St., Fremont, 

Ohio. 

Scoggin, Cnic, Pla-Mor B. R„ Kansas 
City. Mo. 

Scott, L. W.. 000 Dllhcrt Ave., Spring- 
field, O. 

Scott, Frank, 294 President St, Bfclyn,. 

N, Y. 

Cal. 

ScottI, Bill, Pierre H., N, T. C. 
Seidenman, Sid, Mayflowsr H., Wash. 
Selger, Rudy, Fairmont H., B. P. 
Selvtn. Bait, e/o Col. Recording. 6B 6lh 
Ave. 

Setaro, A., Paramount Studio, Holly. 
Sevcrt Glno, KHJ. L. A. 
Shcffcrs, n. C, Wilbur's Taunton. Rase. 
Shepard, Chas.. ICFI. L. A. 
Sheridan, Phil, Moasula. Mont 
Sherman. Maurle. Oolloge Inn C. Chi. 
Shield, LeRoy, NBC, Cbl. 
SIdell, Curtis, Hollywood A. C, -Holly- 
wood. 

Sleff, Solly. PaUcp R., S. F. 
Silverman, D.. Missouri T.. St. Loula. 
Slmmonds, Arlte, Ployland Park, South 
Bend, Ind. 

(Continued on page 71) 



Tuesday* February 28, 1933 



MH S I C 



VARIETY 



6S 



woe RATED UNFAIR'; 
ONION FINES MUSICERS 



Davenport, Feb. 27. 
Trl-clty musicians' union has 
slapped fines upon members who ap- 
peared in broadcasts from WOC, 
Central Broadcasting Co. station, 
which has been placed on the 'un- 
fair* list. 

- Herb Heuer and Fred Hackett 
bands. OrvlUe Foster, pianist and 
organist, and Miss Liucla Thompson, 
pianist and accompanist, were sum- 
moned before the board relative to 
charges that they had accepted con- 
tracts under the union scale. 

Meanwhile, the 'unfair* listing 
Against the station stands, several 
conferences having fa41ed to bring 
a settlement. 



Composer's Top 3 

For the first time in at least five 
years there has come about an in- 
stance of the same composer being 
responsible for three of the six 
numbers on the current list of best 
sheet sellers. 

Of the lineup for the week ending 
Feb. 24 Harry Woods' name is on 
•Echo of the Valley,' 'Little Street 
Where Old Friends Meet' and 'Try 
A Little Tehdemeas.' First and 
last were written for and placed 
originally with the BngUsh firm of 
Campbell - Connelly. 

HALLETT RETURNS 

Resumes Woric Next Month— Band 
Will Tour New England 



Mai Hallett, fully recovered In 
health, returns to New York from 
Arizona around the middle of March 
to organize a dance unit. Charles 
Shribman resumes as his manager. 
Hallett plans a tour of New BJng- 
land. 

Following a bone Injury suffered 
In an accident, Hallett's health 
broke down a couple of years ago 
and he was forced into retirement. 
At the time, Hallett was rated 
among the ace touring combos in 
the east. 



Gives an Idea 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Some Idea of how bad the dance 
spot business can get out here was 
indicated recently at the Roosevelt 
hotel. 

At 11 p. m., when the Hal Grayson 
band went on the air, not a paying 
patron was in the place. - 

J — ■ 

BEWICAB GOES BOATUTa 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 
Alfred Newman and his wife, Beth 
JMeekins, sailed for New York on 
the 'Callfomia* yesterday (26) to 
remain five days before returning to 
Hollywood, again by boat. 

On his return, Newman, musical 
director at United Artists, is slated 
to go to Metro on loan to handle the 
scoring of 1 Married an Angel,' the 
Rodgers and Hart tunefllm. 

KALKAB-BUBT KSb KAHN 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Kalmar and Ruby and Gus Kahn 
have written 'I'm Thru Saying I'm 
Thru', which Robblns will publish. 
This is the first collaboration by K- 
R & K and Kalmar-Ruby's first 
song to be published since their con- 
tract with Harms was completed. 

Trio will work together on addi- 
tional songs for Robbins. 

i 

jriTEBY'S FEMME U. C. 

•Monte Carlo Casino, Broadway 
niterie, is now trying it with a 
fiemme m.c. 

Beth Challis Is the candidate, 
starting on her assignment tomor- 
row (1). 



Bert Sheet Sellers 



six best sheet music sellers 
for the week ending Feb. 24, 
as reported by the Jobbers and 
syndicates In the east, were: 

•Echo of the Valley* (Rob- 
bins). 

'LtttU Street Where Old 
Friends Meet' (Morris). 

'Moon Song' (Famous). 

'Night And Day* (Harms). 

'My Darling' (Harms). 

Try A Little Tenderness' 
(Robblns). 



Literati 



(Continued from page 63) 

'Western Adventure' and 'Cowboy 
Stories.' 

A. & J. Intimates the matter of 
the reprint magazines, not so la- 
beled, could be properly taken up by 
the Federal Trade Commission, 
whose function is to check unfair 
competition, misleading advertising, 
etc. A. & J. Insisted the first move 
should come from the publishers. 
The condition came about when 
many publishers bought 'all rights' 
to fiction, giving them the oppor 
turnity to publish the reprints. 

Fed Commission ruled years ago 
that film reissues must be so des 
ignated In all billing. 



Temporaiy Receiven 
For Vermoiit Organ Co. 

Brattleboro, Vt, Feb. 27. 
Temporary receivers have been 
appointed for the Estey Organ Com- 
pany, which has supplied theatres 
for many years. Appointments were 
made on a petition of the Vermont- 
People's National Bank as a creditor 
to the extent of about |60,000 and to 
other creditors about $100,000. 

Attorneys both for the bank and 
Estey Co. say the firm is in no 
sense bankrupt, but that current 
conditions make it Impossible to ob- 
tain needed working capitaL Sales 
fo^erly ran normally $600,000 an- 
nually, but last year dropped to 
about $200,000. Plans are being 
made to reorganize the company. 



Long Long Distance 

For the first time a London news 
paper called a party in Denver to 
get first-hand information. The oc 
caslon was ihe kidnaping of Charles 
Boettcher II, of Denver financial 
a.M social fame, and the holding of 
him for $60,000 ransom. The London 
'Daily Mirror* called his wife and 
talked for several minutes, the 
charge being $13 a minute plus fed- 
eral tax. 



Ides is the 16th 

Julian Shapiro, 28 years young, a 
former member of the New York 
Bar, has given up active practice 
to devote himself to hunting up the 
alphabet on the typewriter. 'The 
Water Wheel,' his first book, pub- 
lished by Duflleld Green, will be out 
with the ides of March. 



Chatter 



Ramon Romero is doing a series 
of articles for 'Modern Screen'. First 
is titled 'Hunted Men of Hollywood', 
and has to do with recent experi- 
ences of Duncan Renaldo'and John 
Farrow. Romero was until recently 
contributing to 'New Movie' mag. 

H. V. Marrott, who did John 
Galsworthy's first biog, will do an 
ofilclal one of the late novelist. 

Covici, Frlede has an anonymously 
authored novel, too. It's 'This 
Bright Summer.' 

Chio Sale has another book due 
soon. 

John Dos Passes seconding every- 
thing Mike (Sold has to say about 
the American noveL 

Writers' CHub and Authors' Club 
on an unusually friendly basis, and 
may lead to a combine of the two. 

Longmans, Green has Eva Le 
Gallienne's memoirs. 

Dora Russell, author of 'Children, 
Why Do We Have Them' Is Bert- 
rand Russell's wife. 

The Norrises, Charles and Kath- 
leen, have gone back to the coast. 

Gustav Eckstein has delivered his 
first novel to Harper. 

Elvira Leftler is trying to cut 60,- 
000 words from that novel. 

Percival C. Wren the only one 
still writing about the French For- 
eign Legion. 

Thorne Smith writing a new book 
between assignments from the MOM 
story department. 

The Albert Payson Terhunes in 
New York without the dogs. 

Eugene Saxton, the Harper edi- 
torial chief, back from Europe. 

Doubleday, Doran are releasing 
four of Noel Coward's earlier plays 
in book form. Such are the laurel 
Iraves of fame. 

William Patterson White ha.s fin- 
ished 'Adobe AValls,' his first novel 
in five years. 

Romance of the building of the 
Erie Canal has been recaptured by 
Walter D. Edmonds in 'Erie Water." 

William A. Brady sending out 
personal letters to a private mail- 
ing listing with invitation (you 
pay, of coufse), to the performance 
of Peggy Wood in the Owen Davis 
play 'A Saturday Night.' At the 
PliTylioiioC oh the' 2fflh. 

'Congo Jake,' by Collodon, a com- 
bination of 'Green Hell' and 'Trader 
Horn' with an Introduction by Ed- 
win C. Hill Is a recent Claude Ken- 
dall acquisition. 



ELECTRICS' com CLEARED 



Lewis Co. Gets Its Share, Closing 
Final Dispute 



Litigation started ^y the Lewis 
Music Co. over distribution of the 
ERPI settlement money has been 
withdrawn. Firm's share has been 
turned over to it. With this Item 
out of the way the situaton. Involv- 
ing both ERPI and RCA coin, has 
been cleared up all around. 

The Lewis outfit had appealed to 
the court to force an immediate 
distribution of the money so thifit it 
could get the $800 allotted to it. 
Action was dismissed after John 
Paine, trustee for the MPPA, ex- 
plained that the division was then 
in progress and that the Lewis 
check was about to be mailed. 



Inside Stuff— Musk 



Bobby Crawford, prez of DeSylva, Brown & Henderson, Inc., has taken 
an apartment in Miami with his wife and more or less hiding away and 
taking it easy. Business problems decided him to scram from Tin Pan 
Alley and rest, leaving Phil Kornheiser, his new g.m.. In charge. 

Crawford's financial reversals, after being In the big money for some 
time, date from the first market break which wiped out a sizeable per- 
sonal fortune and placed him $400,000 or so in debt to Max Dreyfus of 
Harms, to cover margin. This, combined with the reversal of general 
business, particularly in the music field, caused a reorganization of DcS., 
B. & H., Inc. It Included Crawford's buying out of the three songwriters; 
this, made more or less vital by Buddy DeSylva and Brown & Henderson 
splitting factionally. It also meant Danny Winkler's leaving the firm as 
gen. mgr. Winkler was reported drawing around $360 weekly. It meant 
other radical economic revisions. 

An element of pique also figured in Crawford's mental stress when 
Elar Co., the DeSylva, Brown & Henderson subsid, failed to publish the 
'Strike Me Pink' score by Lew Brown and Ray Henderson. Elar is a 
coined corporate billing of B&H's first names, the writers passing up 
their own-controlled subsid firm to place the score with Harms. De- 
Sylva and Larry Schwab's hit, 'Take a Chance', before that also became 
a Harms publication. 

Crawford still has plana of reuniting the trio for a Fox musical, al- 
though DeSylva Is spoken of as going to Fox on his own, to head his own 
unit for production. It's felt In the Industry that such a move to reunite 
the trio would also reunite the general fortunes of all, but Crawford, 
meantime, has been gauging his overhead commensurate with the times. 



VERMONT BANS BILL 

Montpeller, Vt, Feb. 27. 

A bill now before the state legls 
lature provides for the licensing of 
bands and orchestras entering the 
state for the purpose of furnishing 
music for a dance or for hire. 

According to the measure the li- 
cense fee shall graduate from: 
Bands of five members or less, $10 
for each engagement; bands of six 
and not over 10, $26, and for combos 
over 10 members a fee of $3 for 
each man above the 10 limit. Pen- 
alty of $60 is provided for each 
offense. 



BUBIN, WABBEN EAST 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

With the five n umbe rs for 'Gold 
Diggers of 19'33' (WB) completed, 
Al Dubin and Harry Warren leave 
for New York this week. 

Dubin will wind up bis eastern 
affairs so that he can return here 
in a week to make bis California 
residence permanent. 



HERE AND THERE 

Eddie Janis, Coast rep for Fa- 
mous Music, on a world tour since 
Nov. 27, hit New York and Is re- 
turning west to resume for that 
music pub firm. 



EKcIc Fiddler orchestra has suc- 
ceeded Eknerson GUI at the Lotus 
Garden, Cleveland, and is broad- 
casting over NBC from WHAT. 



Newest of the fern song pluggers 
In Frisco is Bertha Bloom, handling 
Shaplro-Bemsteln catalog there. 
She Is ex-wlfe of Abe Bloom. 



Jese Kirkpatrick'e combo moves 
from the Garden room to the more 
intimate Music room at the Bilt- 
more hotel, Los Angeles, March 6. 

Jack Crawford's band will be re- 
placed by the Earl Burtnett outfit 
at Club Ballyhoo March 1. 



Ted Dahl is through at the Bev- 
erly Hills, Cal., hotel, which "lapses 
back to Saturday night dancing 
only. 



Johnny Johnson's ork has ' re- 
turned to the New Kenmore hotel, 
Albany, after playing vaude and 
college dance dates. 



Joe Santly has called off his man- 
agerial arrangement with the newly 
organized Isham Jones publishing 
firm. 



Lamp Lighters Club, salesmen for 
lamp manufacturers, has been tied 
In on Shaplrc -Bernstein's plugging 
of 'When It's Lamp Llghtin' Time 
In the Valley.' 



Paul Tremaine has offered to play 
one-night a week exclusively the 
songs of unknown writers over the 
CBS Wire out of the Bohemia, 
£roadway dine and daoce spot. 



In line with radio's eating up song material so fast that even the lesser 
known production airs are getting a plug, that's how Xover* is com- 
mencing to happen although Jeanette MacDonald only sang about eight 
bars of it as a brief snatch in 'Love Me Tonight*. The principal plug 
songs in the Chevalier- MacDonald picture were the title number, and 
'Isn't It Romantic?*, but the publishers knew that "Lover*, In manuscript 
form, was likely, and held it bade. 

Any film or production these days will find that its lesser known num- 
hers are often singled out for plugging by the air leaders who, like the 
public, are tired of the established hits and thus hop onto the relatively 
minor stuff. Practice has unearthed a number of 'surprise* hits although 
unfortunately the 'hits' don't sell In sufliclent quantities to mean any- 
thing economically to the publishers. 



Toll taken by the letout sweep among CBS sustaining arltsts last week 
had its effect upon the contacteers in the music publishing ranks. Scores 
of previously placed plugs became suddenly nulliflcd, and with the net- 
work making no announcement of Incoming talent the boys found them- 
selves unable to do anything about It. 

Regulation method of contacting the artists by telephone was quickly 
abandoned and a concerted move was made on the CBS studio ante- 
rooms, where the publishing reps settled down to wait and find out what 
replacement sustaining talent had been booked. 



Outside of the technical copyright copies Famous Music Co., the Par 
music publishing subsid, Isn't publishing any of Ralph Rainger's songs 
from Paramount's Mae West fiicker, 'She Done Him Wrong*. Miss West, 
however, has recorded them and Famous will collect the usual disk 
record royalties from Brunswick. 

One of the songs, 'Haven't Got No Peace of Mind*, never did get Into 
the release print. 'I Like a Man That Takes His Time' is one of Raing- 
er's originals for Miss West. Rainger is the Par studio staff composer. 
'Easy Rider' and 'Frankle and Johnny' are doggei-els and non-copyrlghtai. 



Manager of a New York band booking office, while touring the south 
with his ace attraction, left a trail of bouncing paper. Efforts to get him 
to make good proved hopeless until creditors communicated with the 
band leader himself and threatened to report the derelictions to the com- 
mercial supporting him on the air. 

This move had Its Immediate effect. All the n.g. draft holders were 
suddenly notified that the money was In the bank waiting for them. 



Joe Morris says he settled his confiict with the ASCAP board of direo 
tors when they advanced his firm from Class C to Class B. With the 
promotion, declares Morris, he agreed to withdraw any and all litigation 
tigalnst the society and to consider all claims for back royalty share* 
settled. 



MUSIC HALL 

(Continued from page 16) 

school of picture house stage pro- 
ducing is In Its own element. 

•Rhythm In Wedgewood* is the 
opening item, immediately follow- 
ing the overture. Latter this week 
is 'Tannhauser,' described by an 
offstage mike voice as commemora- 
ting the 60th anniversary of the 
death of Richard Wagner. 

'Wedgwood' Is a delicate study in 
pale blue and white, with the bal- 
let girls and Pat Bowman coming 
to life after opening as figures In 
crockery. No Roxy-Leonldoff show 
Is complete without somebody com- 
ing to life, and it isn't always the 
audience. Miss Bowman is off her 
toes currently In a dance that In- 
volves body-waving and handwork. 
At five-a-day and off the toes this 
week, it must be a pleasure. Viola 
Philo provides the vocal back- 
ground. 

'Jigsaw Puzzle' is billed in the 
program as having been inspired by 
a Soglow cartoon. A pair of mixed 
midgets, who look like children in 
this huge house and who will be 
regarded as such, according to com- 
ment from the $1.65 customers on 
the first shelf, open it up with a 
song and dance in 'one.' They're 
cute. Another midget is underneath 
a false face as Soglow's comedy 
king. The Hoxyettes in bright cos- 
tumes give out a prancing horse 
routine In porfect unison. 

New.sreel breaks up the second 
and. third stage items, 'Bolero' lead- 
ing into the screen feature, Hadio's 
'Our l^etters' (Constance Ij^nnett). 
Erno Ilapee conducted the Tliurs- 
day night overture. Business fair 
at the .supper show, but house filled 
up gradually and had standees 
downstairs by the time the liist per- 
formance got under way. Bige. 



Biltmor*e trio have left the Los 
Angeles hotel of the same name. 



30 Pieces Assembled by 
Henderson-Weber for Air 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Gordon Henderson and Gus Weber 
have completed .organization of & 
30-plece orchestra to specialize In 
pop numbers for radio. Weber, who 
formerly conducted a string ensem- 
ble over KFI, and who was with 
Ernie Rappe In New York, will con- 
duct. Henderson recently concluded 
five months with his orchestra for 
the Union Oil Co. over KFI. 

Fred NIblo and Clarence Muse ore 
associated with the new organiza- 
tion. Deals are on with national 
advertisers for air tieups. 



HOTEL STEPS IN 



Paramount, N. Y., Will Operate He 
Grille — New Floor Show 



Operation of the Paramount Grille 
has been taken over by the Para- 
mount hotel management. This 
takes Nat Harris and Tony Shane, 
who had the spot on a profit shar- 
ing basis, entirely out of the picture. 

A band under Charles Barnett 
replaces Tommy Monahan's musi- 
cal unit with the previous floor show 
policy of vaude and musical comedy 
names, plus a line of girls, also 
ollmlnatrd. 



HENDEBSON BANEBUPT 

Fletcher Henderson has taken the 
bankruptcy route. Schedule filed 
with the Federal Court in New York 
gives his liabilities as $23,12d and 
assets at $500. 

As chief creditors the band leader 
lists the Orchestra Corporation of 
America, $6,000; Lou Irwin, 
$6,000, and the Bennett Cartera 
chesba, $1,0M. 




66 



VARIETY 



TIMES SH 



ARE 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



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News From the Dailies 

This department contaim rewritten theatrical neivs items as published during Ae week >» 
daily papers of Nel» York, Chicago, San Francisco, Holl}fli>ood and London, Varietjt lake* no 
credit for these news items; each has bten rewritten from a daily paper. 



1 1 I hni 11 ni i-i N^n PI I't Kt [Ml nq-n'im'f7-nT iT.]TV-i"»FrTTa|i I i.i i,i m lu i-i i^t.i-n i i 1 1 1 1 i m 1 1 i 



East 



"Far Away Horses' spotted Into 
the Beck for Mar. 15. 



George White's 'Scandals' takes 
to the road again. Resumed In 
Scranton last Sat. (25). 



Dr. Andrews of Union Theological 
seminary tells Church Drama 
League that Hays Is there to block 
efforts of others to clean up the 
screen. Qualified his remarks to ex- 
plain ho meant some time ago. 

Nan O'Reilly and Rupert Driscoll 
file their reply to the libel suit en- 
tered by former Magistrate Jean 
Norris, who contends that she is 
misrepresented by the woman Judge 
in 'Four O'Clock.' Authors deny 
any intent to be speciflc and claim 
Seabury report, on which the play 
is based, is in the public domain. 



to Gen. Theatres Equipment Co. 
back in 1930. 



Frederick Manthorp, English ac- 
tor, indicted on charges of using 
malls to extort money under threat 
of violence. Law passed after the 
Lindbergh kidnaping. He sought 
to shalce down Mrs. John Sloane, 
wife of the furniture man, it is 
alleged. Named In the indictment 
as alias Fred Jordon, Fred Cordon, 
Fred George and King George. In 
$10,000 ball. 



Aaron Goldberg, taken off the 
Leviathan when that liner arrived 
at quarantine Thursday. Suffering 
from influenza and removed to the 
Marine hospital. 



Cosmo Hamilton, British play- 
Wright, going out to talk in those 
towns where the newly formed 
Union Theatre league seeks to make 
subscription contacts. 



Legal Inquli'y into the death of 
the late Freddy Schaaf is a complete 
exoneration for the state boxing 
commission, Camera and all others 
concerned. Found that the death 
was due to weakened condition and 
inflamatlon of the brain following 
an attack of the flu. 



Pola Negri did not sail on the 
Manhattan last Wed. Had to stick 
around and debate a matter of an 
income tax of around $75,000 on her 
last year's earnings. 



Winchell Smith, dramatist, ' ai'- 
rived last week on the Conte de 
Savoia. The body of his wife, who 
died abroad last October, was on 
the same boat. Taken to Farming- 
ton, Ct. for interment. 



CBS abandons W2ABX its tele- 
vision experimental station which it 
has been operating the past 18 
months. 



Fifth Av. Ass'n. getting finical 
about flash store posters. Wants to 
toss them and their users off the 
street before it becomes another 
B'way. 



Frederick A. Manthrop, said to 
be an English actor, in the police 
grip charged with sending threat- 
ening letters to Mrs. John Sloan, 
social registerlte. Police say he told 
them he also. tried to get cash from 
Noel Coward. 



Appraisal of the estate of the late 
Jack Donahue, shows gross $533, 
441 and net $441,346. Chief asset is 
the property 239-246 E. 56th st. His 
estate got $120,000 life Insurance but 
more went directly to his wife. 



Maurice Schwartz, Yiddish star, 
dined when 'Yoshe Kalb' goes to 
200 performances. Record run show 
in town now that 'Another Lan- 
guage' has gone out. 



Arturo Toscanlnl back to conduct 
remainder of Philharmonic concerts 



Lucrezla Borl made an appeal for 
opera funds during the Washington 
Birthday broadcast of 'Tannhauser.' 
First response was from Mrs. 
Franklin D. Roosevelt, who sent in 
a contribution. 



Herbert J. Blberman will use the 
Westchester County Center as his 
Summer tryout spot. Will do eight 
plays. 



Harold Lloyds back home from 
their European Jaunt and the come 
dlan reveals that he went to only 
five picture shows. 



Thieves toss a brick through the 
window of Wurlltzer's on 42d st, 
and take only two violins. Loot 
about $2,000. 



Adolph Zukor and Charles D, 
Hllle^s to tell Federal Judge William 
Bondy why they should not Join 
the stockholders (being receivers in 
equity for Paramount- Publix) in a 
move to retrieve from Film Produc 
tlon Co. the 23 features pledged to 
the banks for a loan. Hearing to 
day (Tuesday), on plea of Relmar 
Holding Co. and Max Nathan, an 
individual bondholder. 



that It was his own deed, but three 
investigations have been ordered at 
request of relatives. 

Mae Seiden, of Club Rlchman, and 
Gordon Merrick, also a dancer, are 
to split. Engaged seven years and 
married 16 days. Found they- were 
temperamentally unsulted, she says 

Thos. Kllpatrick considering a 
season of revivals at the Ambassa- 
dor. First is Toung Sinners,' due In 
Monday (6). 

Joe Cook In The Oay Nineties' 
may go Into the RKO Roxy under 
management of Max Gordon. 



Columnists 



(Continued from page 63) 



Rudy Vallee, appointed a Colonel 
by Gov. Brann, of Maine, has com- 
mission changed to Lt. Commander 
of the naval reserve. Vallee was 
in the Navy at one time. 



Gaiety theatre, Brooklyn, burley 
house, robbed Sunday (26). Men 
got $600. 



Elmer Rice decides to continue 
We the Peope,' at Empire. Will get 
no coin, players dividing the b. o. 
after expenses. 

Chas. Hopkins takes Lou Raphel- 
son's play, 'The Magnificent Heel.' 
Due this spring. 



Even Tony's In 52d st. has to take 
it. Supposed to be immune, but 
Feds got round to it Friday night. 



Hilda Moreno, Cuban dancer, 
whose name has frequently been 
connected \frlth that of Jas. Still- 
man, gets a divorce. Timed to break 
as she opens in a N. Y. supper club. 

Seymour Woolner, who married 
Fannie Todd Mitchell after her di- 
vorce from Leon Leonidoff and who 
sued the ballet master for $600,000 
alienation when she left him, now 
brings an additional suit for 'crimi- 
nal conversation.' Says they are 
living together. 



Peggy Fears reported to be work- 
ing on an intimate revue for this 
summer. Courtley Burr is also play- 
ing with the idea of another mu- 
sical. 



Katherln Hepburn submits to a 
minor operation in a Hartford hos- 
pital, where she has her home. 



Clyde Beatty, animal trainer, 
clawed by a lioness In Cleveland. 
Second attack in two days« but he 
makes light of it. 



Coast 



Rex Lease, actor, filed voluntary 
bankruptcy petition In L. A. Federal 
court. He's allowed 10 days to file 
a schedule of assets and liabilities. 



Daisy DeBoe, former secretary to 
Clara Bow, actress, now <>(>rving 18 
months In the L. A. county Jail for 
grand theft, has entered a plea for 
release, asserting that she served 
eight months before her final com- 
mitment was ordered. 



Laura Hope Crews, actress, does 
not have to pay E. W. Grieve, hus- 
band of Jetta Goudal, $1,120 for 
services rendered to the Miss Crews 
following her purchase of $9,000 
worth of furniture from (Srieve, In 
a decision rendered in L. A. munlc-. 
ipal court. Miss Crews testified 
that she considered Grleve's time 
had been given 'because of such a 
large sale. 



Clark and McCullough celebrated 
their 27th year as a team after per- 
formance of 'Walk a Little Faster' 
Sat. (26). 



Arthur Tracy and his wife sued In 
Washington court for $100,000 by 
Mrs. Betty Tracy. She's the singer's 
sister-in-law and charges Tracy and 
his wife alienated her husband. 



Qultner suit against the producers 
for alleged conspiracy to force him 
from business dismissed by U. S. 
district court here. 



Wee & Levehthal drop 'Family 
Upstairs' when ownership is con 
tested. Will do 'The Best People' 
instead. 



Jack Dempsey Sued by a Brooklyn 
contractor for carpenter work done 
some years ago. Case is for $378. 
To be decided on depositions, as 
Dempsey can't come east Just now 



Talk of a new municipal park on 
the old Dreamland site at Coney 
Island dropped when it's leased for 
two years to Irving Rossoff for a 
parking space. He will pay $23,150 
a year, and city needs the coin. 



'Cherry Orchard' will alternate 
with 'Alice In Wonderland' at the 
New Amsterdam, starting March 6. 
Eva Le Galllenne sees a chance for 
it. Nazimova to play. 



Wee & Leventhal may revive 
'Darling of the Gods,' which Belasco 
did with Blanche Bates. 



Reported that English, German 
and Swedish managers want 
Cohan's 'Pigeons and People.' 



Jos. Spurln-Callela, of 'Honey- 
moon' has done his first play. Titled 
'Sad Words and Gay Music' 



Wee & Leventhal bought the 
rights to 'Riddle Me This.' For re- 
vival this season. 



A. C. Blumenthal gets a legal de- 
cision for $160,000 against A. M. 
Greenfield, Philadelphia realty man. 
His share of the comm^s^fon^ p^4 ' 



Albany considering a 5% tax on 
radio stations. 



Actors' Dinner Club to add a 
weekly dance at European Village 
Club. Near its new quarters in the 
Great Northern. 



Sophie Tucker makes known her 
intention to seek a Chicago divorce 
from Al Lackey. Nothing wrong, 
she says, except that tired feeling. 



Ken Maynard, actor, paid $36 to 
release his airplane, which had been 
attached by David Pasada, Holly- 
wood bootmaker, because actor's al- 
leged failure to pay a shoe bilL 



Premier Theatre, Los Gates, 
Calif., damaged by a dynamite 
bomb. Labor troubles. 



Cross complaint has been filed In 
Los Angeles by Mrs. Max Hart in 
answer to the suit Instituted by 
Hart to establish his ownership of 
$2,700 in the defunct Bank of Holly- 
wood. Money was under Mrs. 
Hart's name. 

In the cross complaint. Hart's 
ex-wife contends the money is 
her's, and that Hart, in addition, 
owes her $1,200 which she claims 
she loaned to him. Zagon & Aaron 
representing Hart. 



E. Hunt filed suit for $20,000 in 
L. A. Municipal court against Peggy 
Hopkins Joyce, actress, allegin^^ that 
she borrowed that sum of money in 
1926 and failed to repay it. 



Zita Johann, actress, in the Holly- 
wood Receiving hospital following 
automobile accident. 



Thieves, posing as prospective 
producers of a play, entered the 
Theatre Mart, Hollywood, and robbed 
Thomas A. Miller, manager, of two 
rings, valued at $425. 



E. D. Horkheimer, former film 
producer, has announced his candi- 
dacy for the L. A. city council. 



City of Los Angeles awarded 
much of the Playa del Ray, beach 
Ixnd on which stands almost all the 
home of Mae Murray, actress. City 
has sued Miss Murray to acquire 
title to the property on grounds that 
the area was an artificial growth to 
land which she had purchased as 
sand accumulated there because of 
currents in the water due to a pier 
which had been constructed by sub- 
dlvlders. 



Capt. Jack Cohen, formerly with 
the New York fire dep Atment, is at 
Fox Movietone city to reorganize 
the studio's fire departnlent. 



Martha Enderton Fell, former 
showgirl, in the news when her hus- 
band, John R. Fell, was found in a 
Java hotel with a knife in his 



Greenfield for selling Fox theatres breast. His dying declaration was 



Charles Albright, who alleged that 
he was Illegally ousted as part own- 
er of the Culver City, Cal., Kennel 
Club, filed suit against the club to 
recover parts of the profits. Affi- 
davits presented by Albright showed 
the club's net profits were $203,764 
during "ffb rating ehtertftelS to' 1932 



like Winchell, depends upon unre- 
liable Hollywood trade newspaper 
men for Hollywood dirt. 

Seemingly Skolsky got the Win- 
chell idea that It's safer to talk 
about biff names. The bigger the 
celeb, the better. They may not 
know about the less prominent 
blueblood lineage that play around 
Broadway but the fans know their 
screen satellites. That was Wln- 
chell's wisdom when chattering on 
the air. He knew that the hinter- 
land wouldn't know who some of 
the Broadway-famous rococo per- 
sonalities are, but any gossip about 
the Big Names of the Front Pages 
or the Cinema was sure-flre. 

Sullivan Local 

That angle seems to be Ed Sul- 
livan's prime weakness. He talks 
about strictly Broadway and 47th 
street and theatrical trade news. 

Lately Sullivan has awakened to 
the Holywood thing and has a film 
colony tipster wiring or alr-malllng 
stuff back to him. If Ed doesn't 
know It, It's stuff copped out of the 
Hollywood chatter columns and 
trade dallies, Including the 'Variety' 
Hollywood Bulletin. The fact that 
'Variety's' Bulletin carries stuff 
which is wired out to the Coast 
from the New York office, it's a 
6,000-mile, trek for any bit of last 
week's "Variety' news by the time it 
comes back to Sullivan for his Mon- 
day chatter column. 

Yawltz In his Sunday stuff tries 
hard. He misses. Lots of It is 
wild. He seems to go in for the 
Winchell scheme of strong opening 
and closing paragraphs with blah- 
blah in between. 

The switch by Skolsky from Tin 
Types' to a chatter column hsis oft 
created parallel duplications with 
his 'News' confrere, Sullivan, who 
talks about Men and Maids of 
Broadway. This again makes one 
wonder about the copy readers on 
the 'News.' Either they don't care 
or don't bother. It's a cinch that 
on some of the dirt stuff, the Inno- 
cent copy readers probably don't 
get it. That's really so, because 
the implicated dirt is strictly in the 
Broadway understanding. 

The 'News,' aside from Skolsky- 
Sullivan, has a third columnist in 
John Chapman, whose 'About Man- 
hattan' stuff is Inclined more to 
cleaner fun, than the ultra sophis- 
tication of the others. 

Winchell-James Feud 

Winchell never liked Rian James 
(nee Jake Rothschild) on the Brook- 
lyn 'Eagle.' He always accused 
James of copping from everybody, 
including "Variety.' 'Variety' gave 
up bothering about that copping 
thing long ago. But Winchell no 
llkee James' style. James, being In 
Brooklyn on a B'klyn rag, although 
a good one — the 'Eagle' — paid little 
attention but proliflcally set about 
to establish himself as Importantly 
in his community as some of his 
Manhattan scribbling associates. 

The 'Eagle's' standing made James 
important enough to m.c. the sun- 
dry nabe dinners and civic func- 
tions ,and also to possibly knock off 
a week or two, per year, making a 
personal appearance at the Brook- 
lyn theatres. James also figured it 
out that he'd top 'em all and do 
what lots of newspapermen are al- 
leged to always want to do — write 
a book. He wrote six in a row. A 
couple were anthologies on the 
town's epicurean restaurants. He 
also wrote a columnist novel, a 
story about a leading crooner, and 
finally another columnist's novel, 
'Loudmouth,' this latter said to be 
about a particular columnist. 

Wlnchell's grouch didn't bother 
James, who sold a couple of his 
books for screen rights and James 
ultimately landed on the Coast. He 
went for a limited time, got a smell 
of the easy Hollywood coin, and 
resigned from the 'Eagle.' Mean- 
while, out there he has been giv- 
ing his exclusive opinion of Win- 
chell. 

Winchell-Sullivan 

More recently SulUvan and Win- 
chell have been feudin' suh! Both 
have been ribbing each other, with 
Sullivan chiefly the ribbor. Sulli- 
van's 'expose' of how Winchell al- 
legedly 'pipes' Items fetched an alibi 
from Winchell, which is more than 
some of the other rlbbers have done. 
Usually they've been satisfied, 
whenever any of the columnists 
comment on them, to forget all 
about it, but seemingly the column- 
ists can't take it themselves. 
Wlnchell's serial ribbing of a Jour- 
nalistic trade paper editor called toi 



mass attention wliat might other- 
wise have been a lay secret as the 
general public knew naught about 
this newspaper periodical's editor's 
razoo on Winchell. 

Plugging 

Rawness of some of the plugging 
indulged in by certain of the col- 
umnists brings up anew the wonder 
whether or not the copy readers 
handling their stuff understand 
what they are editing. 

It's gotten to be so that the liber- 
ality of the offside stuff has created 
the thought that possibly the col- 
umnists are receiving a considera- 
tion for such exploitation, whether 
in favors or more material compen- 
sation. While the columnists' re- 
muneration, OS a class, should lift 
them above that temptation — what 
with everything being on the cuff, 
as it Is— it begins to look as if most 
of the chatter columnists are vol- 
untary chumps for t^lmost anybody 
who gives 'em a kind word or some 
special attention. 

The social thing may have some- 
thing to do with it. The yen to mix 
in with the 'right people' has been 
the unnerving of more than one nite 
life reporter who forgets that he is 
being tolerated In many places prin- 
cipally because of the medium he 
represents. 

If the payroll thing doesn't figure, 
they are being used at not only 
their own expense but that of their 
papers, with the columnists' copy 
editors even more to blame for per- 
mitting everything to get by. 

Hence, the suspicion that the 
sheets themselves don't get the gen- 
eral idea sometimes. The placing 
of certain promotional sharps In 
Juxtaposition* with representative 
names is one example of how the 
columnists are being used; and so 
fiagrantly that It makes a chump 
out of them, as a class, under any 
circumstances. 

The recent folding of the 'Tatler 
and American Sketch' by John C. 
Schemm, who assigned for the 
benefit of his creditors should be 
ominous to the scandal or double- 
meaning chatter purveyors. This 
publication folows the 66-yoar old 
'Town Topics' Into oblivion after a 
hard career of breaking the hearts 
of debutantes and social leaders 
through anonymous and not too 
subtle commentaries on their social 
doings, ratings, etc., unless they 
happened to be generous subscribers 
to the stock Issues of the publica* 
tlons. 

The Gimmes 

Of all the columnists, the radio 
chatterers are the most amenable. 
There are sundry allegations about 
their 'gimmes' but these may be ex- 
aggerated. Rather it is that their 
desire for importance and personal 
aggrandizement which makes 'em a 
pushover for a kind word or a smile 
at the right moment. 

There are sporadic columnists 
and commentators of things theatri- 
cal. Jack Lait. has an elaborate 
Saturday 'Journal' magazine piece 
on Broadway. It's most pretentious 
in its getup. Lait also m.c.'s the 
WINS Jack Lait Gaieties, a variety 
Interlude, once a week over the 
Hearst-controlled station WINS. 
Nick Kenny does a similar stunt 
on and for the 'Mirror.' Kenny's 
other yen is writing verses and song 
lyrics. Art Arthur is James' suc- 
cessor on the Brooklyn 'Eagle.' He 
was recommended to Managing 
Editor Crist of the 'Eagle' by Win- 
chell, to whom Arthur had been 
contributing gags, etc. 

Hellinger's Tour 

HelUnger, with his dally sob yarn, 
has been laboring under an O. Henry 
billing somebody once gave him. 
He bids fair to make himself more 
Interesting with his 10 months' 
world tour wherein he will write 
about The Broadways of the World. 
Helllnger is another of the Uni- 
versal shorts' seriallsts, having a 
camera crew along with him for the 
travelog stuff. 

A current observation anent Hel- 
llnger is the extreme case of nos- 
talgia with which he is suffering. 
One turns to his tourist stuff Just 
to see what country Mark hates to- 
day.. Seemingly, among his pet 
voids on his globe-glrdllng trek are 
Dlnty Moore's food, Wlnchell's col- 
umn and 'Variety.' 

Each succeeding columnist seems 
to evidence that all are alike and it's 
no great knack to apply one's self 
to the successful digging up of sun- 
dry bits of dirt and data. It's Just 
a formula. First to stay up all 
night in the Joints, find out who's 
who, make a few friends, build up a 
tipping staff, and then keep out of 
trouble. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



TINES SQUARE -SPORTS 



VARIETY 



67 



Deat-'Em^f-flie-Ami 
Boys Say They Want to 
Be Respectable Again 



Can It a paradox or a what-not. 
Come of the oldest and best^known 
toartendera on the stem are rejoicing 
over repeal. 

End of the speak can't come too 
0oon for these under-cover beer 
passers. They're sold on repeal on 
this one angle return of their pro- 
fession to time-honored respect- 
ability. 

Now that it's nearly all over these 
bar boys are admitting for the flrst 
time a soft side that few imbibers 
of illicit brew ever suspected. 
They've been secretly ashamed of 
the bolted door occupation all along. 
They've turned their faces away 
from kids in the neighborhood and 
been ill at ease when friends came 
to their own homes and started talk- 
ing about, occupations. 

There's a financial side as well. 
Speak tending doesn't pay what it 
did even a yetw ago. The av^raga 
barman doesn't draw over $36 a 
week today, and he's the first to 
take the rap in the event of a raid. 



Mex Air Lottery JaU 

Sentence Is Affirmed 

Houston, Feb. 27. 
The year and a day prison sen 
tence for Will Horwitz, Houston in-, 
dependent theatre operator, for con- 
spiracy to use the United States 
mails in furtherance of a lottery, 
has been afflrmed by the United 
States Circuit Court of Appeals, 
at New Orleans. _^ 

Charges against Horwitz, his 
wife and associates, grew out of the 
advertising over radio station XED 
at Reynosa, Mexico, of the Liottery 
of Tamaullpas, Mexico, and the 
subsequent sending of lottery tick 
ets to -subscribers through the U. 9. 
malls. Attorneys for Horwitz main- 
tained that the lottei'y was legal In 
Mexico and that the advertising of 
It over the station, was not in vio- 
lation of any federal laws. 



LICENSE TIME IN DIXIE 



Mississippi Tough on Fees for Show 
Groups Moving in Busses 



Jackson, Miss., Feb. ST. 

Bands and other show groups 
traveling in large busses should 
mak. an Investigation before enter- 
ing Mississippi as to whether a spe- 
cial license to travel through the 
Btate will be necessary. 

The state has one of the strictest 
laws in the union regarding busses 
and trucks. 

Last week Celestin's Original 
Tuxedoed Orchestra of New Orleans 
was detained at Picayune by the 
sheriff because a permit had not 
been obtained. After paying for the 
tag the band continued. 



Anti Expose Bill 



Harrisburg, Feb. 27. 

A bill that would make the 
Camel cigaret ads, which give 
away the inside of magicians' 
tricks, illegal has been intro- 
duced in the Pennsylvania 
Legislature. 

Representative Edward 
Nothnagle, Delaware County, 
introduced the measure which 
provides a fine for the exposing 
of the secrets by which magi- 
cians earn a Uvllhood or the 
methods of any professional 
performer or entertainer. Pen- 
alty for each violation would 
be $10. 



MAKER OF JIG SAWS BY 
MILLION, NEVER DID ONE 

St. Paul. Feb. 27. 

Seven million jig saw puzzles is one 
month's output of a St. Paul firm 
which before the gadgets' invention 
was running heavily in the red, is 
now comfortably in the black. 

From a brutal slump to unpreced 
ented prosperity wave within 30 
days in this company's story. 

The Louis F. Dow Co. is now run- 
ning 24 hours a day, employing 426 
workers in addition to its usual 400 
So busy are they with the brain- 
teasers that since Feb. 1 they have 
been forced to reject $600,000 worth 
of their usual business (art calen 
dars, printing, etc.) 

*The first week this jig saw puzzle 
business began in earnest,' says Mr, 
Dow. 'we went 87% over the best 
previous week in the company's 36 
year history.' 

Queried on his best solving time 
on his most dlfQcult puzzle product, 
Mr. Dow stood non plussed. I've 
never worked one,' he apologized; 
Tm too busy making 'em.' 



Belle Hi Phoenix 



Phoenix, Feb. 27. 
Belle Livingston has plans for the 
opening of a salon on the desert near 
here. She came here from San Fran 
Cisco. 

With comparatively heavy guest 
lists at two hotels and innumerable 
dude ranches In and near this city, 
Belle thinks she can put it over. 



Risko, tiK Rubber Man, 
Gi?es Kingfisb the Hook 

By JACK PULASKI 



Leftwich in Car Suit 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Samuel O. Shine, studio trans- 
portation trucker, has filed' suit In 
Municipal court against Alex and 
Florence Leftwich for Injuries sus- 
tained by one of his trucks in an 
accident involving the Leftwich car. 

He is asking for $269, of which $S4 
is for patching and the remainder 
for the time lost while the truck was 
in the shop. 



NEW YORK THEATRES 




After a week's lapse due to the 
tragic ending of the Carnera- 
Schaaf scrap, boxing resumed at 
the Garden Friday (24) with the 
rubber man from Cleveland, Johnny 
Rlsko, trimming King Levlnsky. 
Attendance was not big but much 
better than expected. There was 
considerable Interest In several pre- 
liminaries because of recent knock- 
out performances. 

Main event figured to have color 
though nobody who has seen either 
man expected a boxing exhibition. 
Both are wild swinging heavies. 
The Kingflsh has a harder wallop 
but less ring experience. That is 
why the betting odds with Levlnsky 
favorite at 8 to 6 looked to be out 
of line. 

Johnny used his long left arm to 
advantage, jabbing to body and face 
and 4ulckly piled up a point lead. 
Either or both men showed anger 
during every round and at the bell 
continued slugging to the glee of 
the fans. They were fialHng both 
arms wildly after the final gong, 
even after their 'seconds climbed 
through the ropes. 

— Lena's Brother 

Leaping Lena's brother showed 
something In the fifth round with a 
succession of right socks to Rlsko's 
kisser. Then In the eighth the 
Kingflsh, whose Jtandlers have 
crowns on the backs of their jer 
seys, delivered the best wallop of 
the evening — a hard right to the 
chin. The punch sort of exploled In 
Johnny's face. Levlnsky stepped 
away amazed that the rubber boy 
didn't drop. There was a wild 
melee In the ninth with the bouse 
plenty merry about It all. No doqbt 
about the result and as It Is the 
third time that Rlsko has taken the 
clownish Cfalcagoan, It would seem 
he should be convinced. But they 
will probably be matched again In 
some other city. 

The repeat fight between Abe 
Feldman, of the East Side, and 
Johnny Russeau, of Montreal, was 
something to watch. Last time they 
n^t Abie got the win, the lion:;e 
putting up a terrific squawk. There 
was no doubt this time and Rus- 
seau just managed to stay the six 
rounds. 

Bike Grind Next 

In another preliminary Al White, 
of Brooklyn, had no easy time of It 
with Sam Portney, of New York. 
True, Al dropped SamJn the second 
round, but In the third It looked 
like Whltey was In trouble, al- 
though he finally won the match, 
then kissed his opponent. White 
scored a one-round kayo in the 
Garden several weeks ago. Semi- 
final between Charley Massera, of 
Pittsburgh, and Tony Cancela, of 
Tampa, was a sluggish affair. It 
went on last and most of the house 
walked. 

Six-day bike race holds the Gar- 
den this week and no boxing show. 
Next week (Friday, 10), Adolph 
Heuser, the German, meets Maxle 
Rosenblum for the light heavy- 
weight title In a IS-rounder. 



ALWAYi A 
BETTER SHOWo^RKO ! 



NBW POUCY 
' C^oature Pictures Ezdaslvelyl 

JACK OAKIE 

"SAILOR BE GOOD" 
with Vivienne Osborne 

m086tkSl 

Wed. to Fri., March 1 t« 8 
TWO FEATCBES 

"MAEOCHEN IN 
UNIFORM" 
niMl 

"8KCRET OF WO SIN" 



ON 
BROADWAY 



Wod. <o I rl., M.iv< h 1 to 3 

"MAEDCHEN 
UNIFORM" 




On th« 8t4ge 
HEIiEN HOBOAN (la PersoB) 
In Zlccfeld's famous staee icDuUon 
InlWM. "SHOW BOAT" 

iBwAl wltb JtriM BMbm and att MO 

*> ^ ' On 6ere«n 

iRIfcrB ^ BARBARA STANWYCK 
IJ* I^K- IB "UdiM They , 

Talk Ab«yt" 
Llllhui RMh 




MARRIAGES 

Marylou Spencer to Ted Braun 
at San Diego, -Cal., l-eb. 17.' Bride, 
from Chicago, non-pro. Gtoom is 
general manager of the Thomas 
Lee artists' bureau of the Don Lec 
chain. 

Rose Des Roslers to Geo. F. Llllls, 
New York, Feb. 26. Bride was for- 
merly with San Carlos Opera. 

June O'Dea to Vernon Gomez, 
New Tork, Feb. 26. Bride is the 
actress and groom 'Lefty* Gomez 
\^ tlu) ^la^U jsaTKfrh , ' . J . . . ■ • ./»•.: 



Tm Telling You 

By Jack Osterman 



Impropriety Pays! 



Boston, Feb. 18. 

Poster up in a Back Bay 
dance place reads: 

'The management reserves 
the right to expel any lady or 
gent he thinks proper.' 



COAST FAST ONE COSTLY 
TO nCHT PROMOTERS 



San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Handling of the Washington Day 
Corbett-Flelds fight created the 
worst mess In local boxing history. 

Fight drew $64,000 and would 
have hit $70,000 if promoters George 
Putnam and Ancil Hoffman hadn't 
tried to pull a fast one on cus- 
tomers. Just before fight started 
promoters closed the $1.15 section, 
announced all seats were gone, and 
tried to force a waiting mob into 
$3.45 chairs. Result was a mob 
scene that crashed 600 In without 
paying, and caused plenty ill feel- 
ing. 

Before the battle papers threw all 
possible support to putting over 
the enterprise, hoping to see a rec- 
ord gate that might Induce future 
scraps of nationwide interest to be 
staged here. But as a result of the 
judgment there was much editorial 
spanking. 



COAST BAmS MOVE 

Hollywood, Feb. 27. 

Barl Burtnett's orchestra will re- 
place the George Redmond combo at 
the Cotton olub, Culver City, 
March 1. 

Hal Wayne's orchestra has 
switched from the Club New Yorker 
to the La Boheme. 



Philly Boom 



(Continued from page 1) 

dough, but intake has been steadily 
increasing and of late the dip into 
the red has only been a matter of 
$100 or less. Last week manage- 
ment claimed profit and from now 
on outfit is floured as having a 
chance to establish itself as a per- 
manent theatre. There'? an out- 
door theatre in the rear which may 
be used this summer. 

Roof garden Is flgnred as a natural 
if beer comes in. House and res- 
taurant are comfortable and at- 
tractive. Auditorium is low but 
stage equipment is okay. Arthur 
Behrens has been directing and 
Joseph V. Breen has been managing 
director with Tommy Labrum 
handling the press work. Company 
has been augmented by Virginia 
Curley, playing feminine leads. 
Others are Cledge Roberts, Eileen 
Coyne, Bert Grlscof, J. Barney 
iSJierry.^n^ ^ayy I^qqcaji^ SloTyart, , 



N. Y. Go?. Not Opposed 
To Betting MacUnes 



Albany, N. T., Feb. 27. 

Gov; Lehman has come out openly 
as not opposed to the move for a 
state constitutional amendment to 
legalize pari-mutuel betting on New 
York race tracks. It requires three 
years to amend the constitution and 
the Governor Is said to feel that the 
state should havo some revenue 
from the sport In the meantime. 

A bill legalizing such betting, 
which would add from $6,000,000 to 
$6,000,000 to the state's revenue by 
taking 2% of the total amount bet 
has been introduced by William 
Breitenbach, Brooklyn Democrat, 
After a conference with Gov. Leh- 
man, the assemblyman said he was 
preparing another bill taxing each 
race $1,000, which would give the 
state a revenue of $800,000 a year 
pending repeal of the section of the 
constitution forbidding race track 
betting. 



HOLD THOSE PRfilSSES . » » 
HERE I COME. 



The New Answer 

Everybody keeps asking me how 
the baby is, which Is very thought- 
ful. However, for the past week 
this columnist hasn't been feeling 
too forte so when Jack Paeternack 
asked last night how the kid was, 
I told him, 'The baby's okay, It's 
me I'm worried about.' 



Cute 

Belle Baker tells the story of Sol- 
omon's fur store and a saleslady 
waiting on a customer. 'Have you a 
Russian skunk here?' asked the pa- 
tron. The saleslady replied, 'Mr. 
Solomon will be out In a minute.' 



Novelty 

We heard and saw a band yester- 
day that hasn't announced it would 
play the Inaugural Ball. 



Thought for the Week 

Harry Engel wonders what sort of 
a guy would be the mugg that took 
an office on the 17th fioor of the 
Radio City building and had his 
windows lettered. 



Wall Street's Dope 



(Continued from page 5) 

materialize Is something else again. 

It also means that RCA may thus 
get a chance to ease out of its fllm- 
dom activities more or less grace- 
fully. All of which Is a new kind of 
downtown slant on the Sarnoff affil- 
iations. The latter is stated to have 
moved In more or less as counsel- 
lor on film matters to Wlnthrop W. 
Aldrlch, head of the Chase Bank 
and controlling factor In Fox film 
affairs. 

Which may explain how come the 
recent potpourri of reports about a 
possible Fox-RKO merger. 

In talking reorganization Wall 
Street refers mostly to possible re- 
ceiverships which the downtown end 
has come to consider as the one 
means to effect this reorganization 
thing. The financial mentors speak 
frankly as to what they expect this 
way which also means that fllmdom 
Internally can't cover up either. 

The more recent merger talk 
that's been about has been official 
Inside and curiously enough it's 
stated that Paramount is the vortex 
of all such merger stuff. Proposi- 
tions that have been discussed 
concern Par either uniting with 
Fox or with Warners. But for the 
immediate present. Wall Street fig- 
ures mergers at tho present time 
won't benefit any of, the companies. 

Most up-to-date report of the 
numerous stories around has the 
Rockefeller Interests advancing 
towards a buy-In on Par or War- 
ners or both. But downtown, this 
report is kayoed as mo.st unlikely. 
The Rookefellcr.s have fir.st got to 
figure out juBt how muc h their .stock 
interests in RCA and RKO may be 
worth, before advan<~ing under cur- 
f<;nt ^(^ndUlonfl.. . ^ , i 



Hollywoodenheads 

They tell the story of two film 
execs walking up and down the lot 
for an hour, arguing frantically. Fi- 
nally one of the actors working for 
the flrin sneaked up dose enough to 
hear one say to the other, 'And you 
must never make an open bid with 
less than two and a half tricks.' 



Revival 

Zangara getting 80 years reminds 
of the story of the old man who re- 
ceived the same sentence and told 
the judge he didn't think he'd live 
long enough to serve It, and Judge 
told blm to do the best he could. 



Follow the Leader 

They report that It actually hap- 
pened In a broadcasting studio last 
week. During rehearsal the control 
man told the leader that his sax 
player was hitting blue notes, so the 
leader told him to come closer to 
the mike. 



Thanks 

Hy Goldstein went to Miami. So 
as not to burn you up he took a 
flock of Empire State building post 
cards along with him, which be 
mailed bax:k to his northern slaves. 
At least It didn't look warm. 



Heavy Bettors 

They say that Harry Rose and 
Bobby Clark were shooting pool the 
other day and Bobby suggested 
playing for something to make It 
Interesting. Rose said, 'Okay, 111 
play you for McCuUough,' and 
Clark answered, 'I want odds.' 



Ostermania 

George White Is the only producer 
to have two consecutive shows in 
the Casino. .. .Looks like the banks 
and RKO theatres are having a con- 
test to see how many can close.... 
Jack Pearl, or rather Baron Munch- 
asen. Is reported getting $8,600 at 
the Capitol.... Is that on the level 
or just In keeping with the char- 
acter he portrays?. . . .We open with 
our Club Richman Revue next Fri- 
day at the old Roxy. .. .Thursday 
we're going to take a long walk and 
get enough fresh air to last us a 
week.... But what the heck, any- 
thing for the baby.... ARE YOU 
READING? 



BSIABCIIEF CLOSES 

Yonkers, N. Y., Feb. 27. 

Brlarcliff Lodge, at Brlarcllff, for 
30 years the ace hotel of West- 
chester, finally closed. Economio 
stress and prohibition given as rea- 
son by Henry H. Law, president o£ 
the operating company. 

Law says place may open again 
if and when conditions change. 



BIRTHS 

Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Perkins, son, 
Feb. 22 in New York. Father is the 
.<3tage comedian. 

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Martin, In 
New York, Keb. 23, daughter, their 
fourth child. Father Is treasurer of 
the .St. James theatre, New York. 

Mr. and Mr.s. Harry Delf, son, 
l''ol). 26 at Women's hospital. New 
Yoik. Father is the stage comedian 
and writer. 

•Mr. and Mrs. Ray Jones, daugh- 
ter, at Queen of Angels hospital, 
Lon Angeles. Father is a still cam- 
eramat^ at, Fo*. • ' .• : 



68 



VARIETY 



TIMES SllliARJE 



Tuesdaj> February 28, 1933 



Broadway 



June Wlnchell has returned from 
Florida. 

pill Klson in and out of town on 
tiie run. 

Sam Dembow got himself a nice 
new car, 

Ez Keough back to Chi to look 
things over in the Loop. 

Grace Hayes has a new dog that 
Is awfully hard to train. 

Sinclair Lewis due back from 
England in a couple weeks. 

Sam Kopp staging minstrels lor 
clubs and societies in Jersey. 

Jack Pearl goes Into the Capitol 
the same day Roosevelt does. 

A'ery few free matches with clg- 
gies because of cut-price war. 

Marie and Mario opened their 
own Blue Room in the Village. 

Paramount publicity feted Buster 
Crabbe on arrival In New York. 

AI Woods saw .the Mae West flim 
twice Rates it his number one pic 

Joe Rli'kin ajid Jack Cohn drove 
to Atlantic City over the weekend 

Aiuit Ella is taking a course In 
cooking. And Emma is taking piano 
lessons. 

Harry Katz among the many 
' spring fever victims of recent nice 
weather. 

Hotel.s emulating exploitive idea 
of jigsaw puzzle giveaways for self- 
ballyhpo. 

Jeanette MacDonald is slipping 
her girl friends a giggle all the way 
from Paris. 

Mrs. Jack Norton recouping at 
Mather hospital, Port Jefferson, L. 
I., from op. 

An important show business exec 
seems to be acting as a tipster for 
a coluiniilst. 

Arthur Hornblow and Martin 
Beck dining together In the snooty 
east forties. 

Al Lee, the 'Melody' manager, 
calls one Broadway eatery the 
Racket Club. 

Sam Goldwyn w$nt for one of 
the biggest apartments the Wal- 
dorf can supply. 

Lou Goldberg saya the trouble 
with the country Is that it's on the 
Goldberg standard. 

Mrs. Sid Plermont, wife of the 
Loew booker, back from a rest in 
Saranac and okay again. 

Danny Ahearn in from Hollywood 
by plane because of father's death. 
Speeded back same way. 

Benny Leonard guest-starred on 
Jack (J, Brooks) Pulaski's fight 
broadcast Friday on WOR. 

Ralph Kravette, auditor for 
Aarons 8c Freedley for a dozen 
years out with balance of staff. 

Jimmy Durante Indignantly de- 
nies second childhood. Claims he's 
getting some hair by massaging the 
dome. 

Mae W^est got a fan letter from 
a bride-to-be wanting to know if she 
couldn't sp.are one of those dia- 
monds. 

Marvin Schenck, Mrs. Schenck, 
In'ing Tlshman, Sammy Lewis and 
Patti Moore left en masse for Hot 
Springs. 

Now that vaude Is down to a 
last half and a nipup, the Harry 
Angers (Anger and Fair) are mak- 
ing it a trio. 

Bill Seeman will be aboard the 
Aqultanla Wednesday night (1). A 
business quickie, no waits, no de- 
lays and back. 

Walter Kberhardt elated that a 
Square cutrato bookstore sold 40 
copies of his 'Jigsaw Murder Mys- 
tery' the first forenoon. 

Nick and Daisy Holde to Havana 
Thursday. He returns next week 
but she remains to recuperate from 
inflammatory rheumatism. 

Roxy takes off for his Texas va- 
cation this Wednesday (1). Fish- 
ing and golf with the main idea a 
Radio City return in a month. 

Doc Bender Is being entertained 
around the late spots by a wealthy 
Washingtonlan who may turn the 
"Doc" into a producer this summer 
Another Broadway treasurer, 
Charles Bowman, formerly at the 
New Amsterdam, has joined the 
ticket staff at Madison Square Gar- 
den. 

Virginia Smith and her sister are 
taking the English course at Colum- 
bia. Trying to parse a pronoun into 
an adverb. The agony will bo over 
In May. 

A musical two-reeler is to be 
made by Warner Bros, with Queenie 
Smith at the Vita Brooklyn studio. 
Miss Smith is now at the Mayfair 
Yacht club. 

Joseph B. Glick and Arthur Levy 
will park at the County Center 
playhouse. White Plains, next sum- 
mer. Herbert J. Biberman will do 
eight new plays there. 

Rube Goldberg Just returned from 
Florida, plus five pounds, in time 
to see his first jig-saw puzzles is 
sued. If you think you're good, try 
and piece one of Rube's crazy car 
toons together. 

Jimmy Shaughnessy, president of 
the Westchester operators' union, 
and Bill Lang, organizer, on vaca 
tion In Bermuda and Havana for 
two weeks. Lang's going out to 
California later. 

The Joe Kelts In telling about 
their Miami vacash trip this week, 
are Incidentally plugging that 
they're 'On Their Second Honey- 
moon,' a current Keit-Erigel tune. 
With Roy Knorr ds" tlie ' secbnd 




Kentucky colonel in his organiza- 
tion. Will Hays has found titles for 
everyone in his office except Mau- 
rice Mackenzie, Frank Wilstach, 
Dave Palfryman and Arthur De Bra. 

Ed Perkins' sailing on the Paris 
March 3 is his 20th and also the 
20th annl of his p.a. career, having 
started in 1913 under tho late A. 
Toxen Worm handling the Gaby 
Deslys-Sam Bernard show, 'Belle of 
Bond St.' 

George TerwiUiger back on B'way. 
When the old-timer failed in health 
he went to Cuba, where the family 
has citrus plantations. Introduced 
the California packing house idea 
and revolutionized the 'business. 
Lately the hurricane hit the old 
home amidships and he's back In 
the States until the oranges grow 
again. Hurricanes' havoc on B'way 
worsi? than in Cuba, he says. 



Berlin 



Joe Pollack back from Nurem- 
berg. 

Johnny Soyka for a few days to 
London. 

Friedrlch Zelnilc for a few days at 
Reichenhall. 

Rod La Roque playing the lead in 
'S. O. S. Iceberg' (Universal), 

Josef von Sternberg, back from 
Vienna, for a short stay In Berlin. 

Maria Paudler, well-known ac- 
tress, signing contract for Electrola 
records. 

Nyutta Rabinowitsch, daughter of 
well-known producer, for vacation 
in Vienna. 

Teddy Ehrenthal, Gaymont's ar- 
tistic chief, Paris, booking and sell- 
ing new acts In Berlin, 

Magret Terna-Pasternak, Ameri- 
can girl, wife of Joe Pasternak, per- 
forming In Nelson's revue, 

Harold Lloyd when here took a 
great Interest " In Nuremberg's spe- 
cialty, tiny little fried sausages. 

Mme. SpinelU in Berlin for the 
French version of Ufa picture, 
'Salson in Kalro' ('Season at Cairo'). 

Henry W. Kahn, Fox, In London 
for negotiations with Clayton P. 
Sheeham, on opening of 'Cavalcade.' 

T. A. Garnett, Bob Fellows and 
Eddie Knopf with the whole cast off 
to Switzerland for locations for 
'S. O. S. Iceberg,' 

Sam Spiegel back from Vienna. 
His company making a picture 
there, *Oel ins Feuer' ('Oil Into 
Fire'), under Catscher's direction, In 
German and French versions. 

Lawrence Music, Inc., Is negotiat- 
ing for the musical rights on 'Song 
of the Night.' Universal has the 
film for America. 



London 



Henry 'Hank' Sullivan oft to Ber- 



Havana 

By Rene Canizares 



Season is complete flop. 
Gar Wood in town with a party. 
Lillian Roth honeymooning around. 
Dolores m.c'ing at the Eden Con- 
cert. 

Cynthia White a guest at El 
Mundo. 

Roberto Soto and his Mex musical 
revue gone. 

Slboney orchestra bax:k from its 
tour of Europe. 

Warner Baxter and wife in for 
vacation. Sang over CMC. 

Richard Wallace, the megger, 
spent a day here on way to N. Y. 

Sidney Landfleld and Frank Bor- 
zage, pix directors, In town, Mrs 
Borzage along. 

Helen Costello and Del Barrio, the 
newlyweds, making the rounds of 
the night spots. 

George Gershwin and Andy Good 
man judges at dance contest at 
Presldente hotel. 

City Council voted another extra 
tax of $200 annually for each radio 
station regardless of power or busi- 
ness. 

CMK, Hotel Plaza broadcaster, 
had its license revoked for 10 days 
by radio commlsh. Seems they 
talked too much against the milk 
trust. 



Bermuda 



Bob Blackman, mgr. Bermudiana 
back (20) a/ter biz trip. 

Shawni Lanl doubling at the Bel 
mont Manor & G. C, strumming the 
uke at cocktail hour and doing the 
hula in the RriU at night. 

N. Y. A. C. golf party arrives (20) 
led by W. F. Spillane, pres. Amerl 
can News Co. and champ of the 
Wlngfoot Golf Club, and Baseball 
Coach McC.'.rthy of N. Y. U. 

Arrivals (20> were Peter Flnley 
Dunne, Mrs. Edgar C. Melledge, 
nresldent Theatre Assembly; Je 
\ ne Beatty, W. K. Schwinn, asso- 
ciate editor Hartford 'Couranf; 
Judge and Mrs. Sam Seabury, and 
Bob Ela'.te, grn. mgr. Cunai^i Line: 



lln. 

Count Bernlvlcl apartment hunt- 
ing. 

Paul Murray latest on the sick 
list. 

Giovanni due back here early in 
March. 

Clifford Whitley off to Berlin on 
business. 

Jack Haskell In hospital, but 
nothing serious. 

De Blere entertaining at the Duke 
of Portland's party. 

Marie Burke now under Jack 
Waller manajgement. 

Teddy-bear coats no longer sign 
of American citizenship. 

Sammy Burns, manager of Lei- 
cester Square theatre, out. 

Over 20 million people went to 
greyhound races last year. 

George Black may do next show 
at the London Hippodrome. 

Eric Hakim engaged to marry 
Nina Vanna, Russian film star. 

Sir Alfred Butt buying two pros- 
pective Grand National winners. 

Stanley S. Neal back again, after 
four crossings In last five months. 

WInads, Ltd., first English trailer 
oreranlzatlon to trade show trailers. 

Blnnie Barnes Just fixed new con- 
tract with London Film Corporation. 

Ivor Browning's early morning 
dance practice outside his apart- 
ment. 

WInna WInfrld signed with War- 
ner Bfothers (London) for five 
years. 

Mrs. Jack Hylton and band 
around the Paramount - Astoria 
houses. 

Dick Henderson giving Joe Gil- 
bert a special plug at the Holborn 
Empire. 

Charles Cochran sending Nina 
Mae McKInney flowers on her Lon- 
don debut f 

Sir Oliver Lodge declined offer 
from Hollywood to appear in film 
on spiritualism. 

Dog racing definitely on the de- 
cline, with abolition of Totilisator 
partly to blame. v> 

J. L. Sachs has eight weeks' 
guarantee for his 'The One Girl' at 
the Hippodrome. 

Plenty of trouble at the Film 
Guild Club, with Sir Michael Bruce 
telling 'em plenty. 

Irving Asher sending for Flossie 
Freedman to tutor some of his con- 
tinental film finds. 

Universal bas bought five films 
made in Australia to comply with 
English quota regulation. 

'Honey Dew,' Cafe's latest, in 
Leicester Square, competing with 
all surrounding nighterles. 

Jeffrey Bernerd and his wife sit- 
ting It through at the Leicester 
Square theatre, and enjoying it. 

Hyams Bros.' new talkie theatre 
in east side, first mentioned in 
'Variety,' will be called The Troxy. 

Green is the sartorial shade for 
males in the coming seeison, with 
new curly brimmed hats threatened. 

Insiders predict 'Cavalcade* is 
good for 20 weeks' run at the Tlvoli, 
but others predict 12 weeks as most. 

Gaumont-Britlsh has exercised 
option on Roy Fox and band, and he 
now stays at the Kit Cat for one 
year, 

Duke of Marlborough wanting to 
know what Lollta Benevente will 
charge for 16 minutes' dancing at a 
party, 

Nan Blackstone asked $1,000 per 
week to come back, which Is three 
times as much as she got on her 
last trip, 

Teddy Brown operated four times 
in one week at Victoria Palace be- 
tween shows. Carbuncles and boils 
the trouble. 

Molly Lament holding up traffic 
outside the Elephant and Castle 
picture theatre on her personal ap- 
pearance there. 

Cecil O'Henry no longer with 
Henry Regal Company. He was the 
Englishman who has been with the 
act for 10 years, 

'Half a Million' having flopped at 
the Vaudeville Theatre Balieff's 
'Chauve Sourls" opens there March 
1, for short season. 

Dilly Caryll latest to refuse to 
be knifed by General Theatres, with 
the next Palladium's 'Crazy Season' 
likely to be his last. 

Gaumont-Brltish has guaranteed 
the Personal Service League $20,000 
for the 'Good Companions' charity 
function at the New Victoria. 

The Hltchlngs are expecting the 
stork any minute, (Hitching Is 
vaudeville export of the 'Evening 
Standard,' under the name of 
•Domino.') 

Harry W. CruU looked upon an 
father confessor by American acts. 

Sole topic among American acts 
over here Is to change their agents, 
and then regret iU 

Building.' of new boxing stadium, 



on Madison. Sqi^are Garden's style,, 
being considered here. Jeff Dlokson 
promoting' Idea, and Albany street,. 
Regent's -Park, likely location. 

Peter Maurice, head of music 
company bearing his name, comes 
to his office with Rolls Royce, liv- 
eried footman and chauffeur. Mau- 
rice in private life is Belgian Count. 

Patrick Hamilton, author of 
'Rope,' awarded $2^,000 damages for 
injuries sustained when knocked 
down by car. Claims can't concen- 
trate and Is unable to write fol- 
lowing accident. 

Trouble ahead over the new 'Jolly 
Roger' show starring George Robey, 
Equity threatening unless Robey. 
Joins them will prevent play open-, 
ing in West End. Production al- 
ready opened In Mandiesteri and. 
so far Geojcee is adamant. 

E. S. Williams, dramatic critic of 
'Daily Express,' Manchester edition, 
only critic giving scathing criticism 
of J. L. Sachs* 'The One Girl,' with 
the Palace theatre (Manchester) 
management complaining to higher 
authorities at having received raw 
deal. 



Miami 

By Ben Prouf 



Frank Carnevale opens 'Club Mon 
Cherle' at Beach. 

The Yacht' Club Boys open at 
Embassy; business picks up. 

Palm Island club closes. There's 
no money in such a high-class 
place. 

Jeanette Hackett, Mrs. John Steel 
to you, Joins the floor cast at the 
Ronejr Plaza hotel. 

Frolics is making plenty Jack with 
two-bits policy. Sally Rand, stripped, 
tickles the popular fancy. 

Gilda Gray sings a couple of 
songs at a Saturday night show at 
Saltzman's Floridian hotel. 

'Cavalcade* opens at Wometco*B 
Mayfair for indefinite road show en- 
gagement at $1 top evenings. House 
only seats 400. 

Bert Lahr drops in Just in time 
to catch a Jobless benefit engage- 
ment right on the nose. He does it 
Just the same. 

Chester Alexander at last gets his 
divorce. He sued because of his 
wife's passion for dogs and cats. 
Chester didn't like the fleas, he told 
the court. 

Most of acts in Eddie Cantor's 
route show pile back to Miami for 
limited engagements. Eddie him- 
self returns to Hollywood Beach 
hotel for short stay. 

Etta Reed walks out of Frolics, 
right back In again. Didn't like to 
see Sally Rand's name over hers; 
decided she'd like to have it any- 
where on the billing. 

Ann Pennington starts things at 
the Mlami-Blltmore; Stone and 
Vernon keep them moving; Caper- 
ton and Biddle are proving one of 
the most popular dance teams in 
town. 



Long Island 

By Joe Wagner 

There is talk again about a sports 
arena in Jamaica. 

Nabe pi<: houses are selling thrift 
books at a big discount. 

Gene Buck thinks that America Is 
coming out of this mess. 

Army boys at Fort Totten have 
their own dramatic club. 

D. A. office in Nassau Is warring 
against those obscene mags. 

Bill Meeder, organist at RKO 
Richmond Hill, is a proud pop. 

Bill Slocum, Jr., of Great Neck, is 
with his dad on the 'American.' 

Frank Lee Donoghue Is feeling 
better now and is doing publicity in 
Manhattan. 

Lawson Payntcr, the Island's 
newest columnist, still has that Co- 
lumbia 'Jester' influence. 

Cops are nabbing plenty of boot- 
leg song peddlers in Queens, espe- 
cially around the high schools. 



Rochester 

By Don Record 



Jimmie Lunceford band audition- 
ing for NBC. 

Miss Ruth Hanson of WHAM is 
bride of George Benedict. 

Helene M. Faltus, dancer, ^eds 
John R. Mason in Now York. 

Leonard Campbell elected presi- 
dent of musicians' union for fourth 
term. 

Regent got the Schaaf fight films 
just in time to capitalize on the ex- 
tra publicity. 

Walter Hampton scores high 
amu.semont tax as important factor 
in keeping patrons away from legit. 

Catholic Actors' Guild to offer 
Hcries of 10 plays at tho Columbus 
Auditorium three days a week for 
10 weeks beginning March 8. 

Hadle Mostler, 7, broke sitting 
records with eight-hour stretch at 
the Lake theatre. Frantic parents 
found her at 0 .p. m., her face tear 
stained after viewing aad feature 
for third tlm«. 



The Hagne 

By M. W. Eetty.LMi 

Bart Kreeift, retirisd comedian, Ik 
hlo day Holland's most popular hu« 
morlst, celebrated hl^ 79th birthdaak' 
On Feb. 10 It was Just 26 yeara 
since the famous Culllnan diamond 
was f!ut at Messrs. Asschor, the re« 
powned Amsterdam firm. 

On hef way by air back to Nor* 
way, celebrated girl champion Bkat» 
acrobat, Sonja Heine, made short 
stop at Amsterdam Aerodrome of 
Schlphol. 

Town of Utrecht getting a new- 
cabaret, which hopes It will get good 
Influx In forthcoming days of In- 
dustries Fair, to be held ther»' 
shortly. 

At Kleykamp Art galleries in Th» 
Hague several collections of paint-' 
ings exhibited by native talent, ons 
of the schemes in these days to help 
artists In distress. 

Foreign talent In concert halls 
still strdng: Gerihan violinist, Ku. 
lenkampff; pianist, Bobjey; Polish 
claveclnlst, Wanda Landowska, and 
the Prague Quartet from Czecho 
Slowakia. Dajos Bela and his band, 
who played in Carlton hotel, Am- 
sterdam, and for Dutch broadcaster 
AVRO, leaving Holland after one 
performance in Westend Cinema, 
The Hague's latest movie palace. 
In Carlton they are replaced by 
Babia Egans and her Hollywood 
Redheads, dozen of American mu- 
sical ladies, their flrst performance 
In Holland. 

Cold spell, which affected box of- 
flee, flnlshed, but followed by an 
epidemic of flu, with same effect. 
Not only audiences diminished, but 
several actors got it. and Miss Fie 
Carelsen, who recently came to the 
fore in her silver Jubilee in 'Mata 
H^ri,' got a bad relapse. Hofstad- 
tooneel, however, kept date of pre- 
miere for patriotic play, 'Father of 
the Fatherland,* glorifying Prince 
William of Orange,' who freed Neth- 
erlands from Spanish yoke in ICtli 
century. Play by Veterman; in title 
role. Cor van der Lugt-Melsert, 
actor-manager. 



Loop 



Ed Levin doctoring abscess. 
Helen Strife, former dancer, sing- 
ing over WIBO, 

Margaret McKay handling Mead- 
Bok lecture bureau. 

Aaron Sapersteln re-elected presi- 
dent of Allied Exhibitors: 

Molly Kreuger, formerly of 'Va- 
riety,' an expectant mother. 

Bill Pine will Join his B&K fra- 
ternlty brothers next week for a 
three-day visit: 

Walter Hawley, NVA rep here, 
left Emergency Relief Fund employ 
after 18 months. 

Jack Lavln, Paul Whiteman's 
mgr., at Edgewater hotel conferring 
with Boss Dewey on possible con- 
tract. 

Harry Potter was taken care of at 
the State when the Granada closed. 
A. C. BInnenfeld now manging the 
Vogue for Essaness. 

When a toe dancer supposed to ba 
part of an artistic willow tree fell, 
Ed Lowry ad libbed: 'It myst have 
been a slippery elm.' 

Mary Garden while here said 
opera In Chicago belongs In the 
Auditorium, and she described Sam- 
uel Insull sarcastically as 'the great 
financier.' 

Editor Midas of the 'Chronicle,' 
political sheet, will give a 'gridiron 
dinner' in March kidding local 
Democrats. Invitations will read, 
'Don't come if you haven't a sense 
of humor.' Sketches being written. 



Minneapolis 

By Lea Rees 

C. W. Eckhardt, Fox district man- 
ager, a visitor. 

Carl Leserman, Warner 5ros. dis- 
trict manager. In town. 

Harald Kreutzberg, dancer, played 
one-night stand at Metropolitan, 

Twenty-two theatres In territory 
closed and 10 reopened In January. 

Guy Bradford from Kansas City 
addfd to United Artists* local sales 
force. 

'State Fair,' at State, strong oi>- 
position for 'Kid from Spain' at Or- 
pheum, 

'All screen entertainment — no 
stage show,' read signs in front of 
Ornheum now. 

Harry Gold, representative for Al 
Llchtman, visited local United Ar- 
tists' exchange. 

Eddie Cantor-George Jessel road 
show booked by Orpheum for one- 
day stand, March 21. 

Harold Johnson, former Educa- 
tional exchange manager, now on 
Warner Bros.' sales staff. 

Booth operators continuing to 
May 1 10% cut from regular scale, 
supposed to terminate Jan. 1. 

Max Stahl, new manager of local 
United Artists' exchange, succeed- 
ing M, C. Sinlft, transferred to 
Kansas City. 

'Greater Amusements,' local re- 
gional movie trade publication, now 
published semi-monthly, instead of 
weekly. Depression, 

'UncU Moses? first Yiddish film 
ever to be presented In local loop, 

{Continued on page 70) 



TmMitij* Vtbnmrj 28, ms 



TIMES SQUARE 



VARIETY 



69 



Qy Happy Bsnway 

;| If. T. A. eympoBlam held at the 
' ! lode« l>y ^ear Uayer, and the 
ci pobUelty slvaa the V. A. lodgahy 
;\ the TlaltliiK medlooa and specialist 

V ithticeB the N. V. A. eanatorlum at 
E. the top of the liat ea the irorld'e 

leading tnbetcniar aanatorlam. 
'■'i Amonff ihi6 leadiwa who attended 

the symposium were Dr. I). W. Cut- 
H ler. Fhlppis Institute, FhUadelphla. 
1^' Pa.; Dr. Radolph Ctottlleb, Royal 

Victoria hospital, Montreal, Can.; 
; Dr. Horton Casparls, Vanderbllt 
1; : University, Nashville, Tenn.; Dr. 
Tvi liouls H.'Clerr, Jefteraon Medical 
j College, Philadelphia, Pa.; Dr. C. 1«. 
t Jackson, Temple TTnlverslty, Phlla- 

delphla, Pa.; Dr. E. Q. Murray, Mc- 
I I Gill University, Montreal; Dr. 
:v.> Frank Huntoon. N. V. A. Sanato- 
>i rtum; Dr. Harry C. Ballon, Waah- 
' - Ington University, St. Louis, Mo.; 
I Dr. Pol. N. Caryllos, Cornell Unl- 

verstty; Dr. Frank Hartmaii, Unl- 
[-'■■ verslty of Buffalo; Dr. Cjrrus Stur- 
i : gls, Thomas Henry Simpson Instl- 
I tute, Ann Arbor; Dr. Edward D. 
i i Archibald. McGill University, Mont- 
[j real. 

|.; A special entertainment was ten- 
!' dered at the lodge to an attending 

> a-.tdience of over 300. A talk by 
i ""o:iry Chesterfield about show busl- 
1 iioss In general was the opening 

Phot, followed by Happy Benway. 
who introduced Phyllss Mllford as 
; . the m.o. of the evening. 

Show opened with Jack Nlcoll and 
< ' his Ravenhall Hot Shots, Jazz band 
and vocalists. They clicked solid. 

> Leonard Cowley followed in songs 
>' ; that hit the spf t spots. Danny Mur- 

i^y and Ala Montague came next 
,'. with a skit that received plenty of 
laughs. Al Jocker knocked them 
cold with a violin solo. Rita Nolan 
stopped the proceedings with an 
audience number. Ed, Fred and 
Chet, a hillbilly trio, had things 
their own way. Joe Asselta, vocals 
' ist, did great, followed by Danny 
; Murphy and Tommy Vlcks in The 
. Doctor Shop,' the wow laugh~gettcr 
of the evening. The medicos ate 
'.' this act up to a fare-thee-well. 
Phyllss Mllford got over nicely, and 
a Wet and Dry skit by Murphy and 
. Montague closed. Lawrence Mc- 
Carthy pianoed the show. Bill was 
arranged by Happy Benway and 
Eddie Voss. William Lee and 
Henry Chesterfield were aroong the 
- laughers of the evening. 

Joseph and Romeo Donatella, 
* brothers, late of the Donatella Car- 
; nival in Venice act, are new arrivals 
at the lodge. Joseph did the ozone 
!} trick here about three years ago; 

V claims that he is only playing a 
short return date. Let's hope that 

;^ also applies to Romeo. 

^ Jimmy Can*, deluxe band leader 
of the air, now located at 24 Frank- 
r: lin avenue, doing wonders with that 
' comeback thing:. Jimmy wants to 
thank everyone who wrote him 
wishing him well. 

Cecilia Hafermann. who Is now 
' much under the weather at the R. S. 
sanatorium, Rutland, Mass., shoots 
the good news that the medicos say 
that all win be well in the very near 
future, and that Tom 'Cy* Lenihsui, 
who is resting at 907 North Third 
avenue, Tucson, Ariz., now can 
move those legs a little and expects 
that walk thing soon. Tom has 
been doing that •no-can-walk' thing 
for three years now. 

Elliot Norton, that happy-go- 
lucky mugg of the Boston 'Post,' 
spends about half of his time 
spreading good cheer among the 
showfolk who are sick, especially 
Saranacers. 

H. L. Pech (Teddy Lorraine to 
you), who saw plenty of footllght 
service, war service and bed service, 
is having a battling time of it all. 
Harrison J. Carter, known In the 
theatrical field as Harry O'Connor, 
Is also ozoning at the U. S. Vets' 
hospital, Sunmount, N. Y. 

SARANAC ON PARADE: Nice 
Saranac weather, 74 degrees dlfter- 
ence In 24 hours. . .ICatherlne Low- 
enberg, a newcomer here, is sitting 
pretty via the comeback route. . . 
Betty Blair on her second month of 
strictly the bed diet... After three 
months of that bed thing Dan As- 
tella up for one meal and may try 
to work the l4b...Rita Nolan tried 
ihe pneumb-thorax thing but 
couldn't taJte It, so... Edith Cohen 
Is showing up to a 75% collapse via 
the same route... A joy ball game 
was donated by Jerry Vogel for the 
library. Patients are getting a big 

kick playlnf same Jig-saw craze 

has hit the lodge. . .Mae Delany still 
adding weight; due for the get-up 
period soon... Ben SchaJIer sez this 
35 -below- zero weather does not 
bother him as ho played Eskimo for 
years... Lee LaMarr now orches- 
tralng at Lake Placid between 
hockey game periods. . .Bill Canton 
showing up 100% to pneumo-thorax 
...Joe Lang Is here visiting. . .Kuss 
Kelly will do an end with the Elks 
minstrels. . .Amateur nights, local 
hand, pla-cating contests and what 
have you now tlie features at the 
local Pontine theatre. . .I'Yank Gar- 
field now Alpine lamping for his 
cloBs; he is .sliowinif up on the okc 
side. . . M.Ti-lon Grccno baclt tiara- 
nac-inR at the Ala Vista loOgc... 
Lillian Zpl,Tlor returned to the lodge 
after six weeks of home vacash... 
CharlQg BIoomHcId annexed the go- i 




home okay; leaves here to resume 
work as an arrested case... Fred 
Buck has licked that setback; he is 
now Bitting up... Larry Kelly, that 
pl^o player. Is now connected with 
a taxi firm... Sign in a speak, 'Has 
your doctor given you this much 
exercise?*.. .Jack Hirsch, who Is 
carried around by George Harmon 
for laugh.8, shot In two nice gifts {or 
our house fund. . .Joe Reilly, I. A. T. 
S. E. boy, getting over a red set- 
back... Bert FOrd anticipates a re- 
turn to mess of curing. ..Alice Car- 
man Is downtowning at her best... 
Chris Hagedom was bedslded by his 
family; Chris is holding up nicely 
...Johnny Laycock, that newcomer, 
taking to the rest cure 100%; how 
that boy loves the cold weather!... 
John Monttdese has licked a set- 
back; up soon. ..John Louden once 
more allowed an up meal and down- 
town talkers after two months of 
the bed thing.. .Gladys Palmer, who 
is strictly a bed patient, showing up 
to fairly good results. . .Tonl Tem- 
ple leaves an absolute arrested case 
...Jack Flaum gets the go-to-work 
okay, leaving for the Big Street to 
try it out. . .Danny Murphy and 
Tommy Vlcks are nursing that lit- 
tle thing that keeps you in bed, a 
cold... Ben Schaffer juet received a 
wonderful report; will be up soon, 
and is everybody happy! .. .Jack 
Nicoll going to book vaudeville in 
this Adlcpndack country; first show 
opena at the Palace, Lake Placid, 
N. Y... Larry Kelly is married. j. 
Chop suey cafe here delivers eats to 
showfolks minus a 20% cut... An- 
gela Papulis, who is so-so, has been 
mothered and brothered fey her bed- 
side... Taxi war over; now we can 
pay for our rides. . .Are you writing 
to those that you know that are sick 
in Saranac and elsewhere? Try it. 



Wiimipeg 

By Matt Corbett 



'Sign of the Cross' doing fine 
business. 

Whizz Bang crowd road show 
petered out, and the players are 
back. 

Mike Goodman m. e.'s for Harry 
Zimmerman's vaude show at Play- 
house. 

Maurice Colbourne and Barry 
Jones road show of Shaw's 'Too 
True' went under the auspices of 
the Junior League. Did well. 

Art Strauss and his band, which 
have been the talk of the town, 
though signed up for 6 weeks, have 
been signed for S weeks more. 

John Flddes opens a Seth Parker 
idea, both on the stage (Dominion) 
and over CJRW, on Sunday nites. 
Known as 'Uncle John and His Old- 
Home Choristers.' 

All the actors are producing 
church plays. Dernard Lathom has 
'The Curse of Kashmir.' And Jerry 
Bourke and Jimmy Coghill are go- 
ing Irish in 'Colleen Bawn.' 



Toronto 



Spokane 

By Ray Budwin 

Majestic (second run plx) has or- 
ganized a Buck Jones club of kids 
with membership of 100. 

Spokane 'Press* tied up with a 
circulation builder with Fox theatre 
in staging a harmonica contest. 

Al Panzer has taken over the pub- 
licity and exploitation of the Post 
Street theatre, replacing C. (Buck) 
Gonyea. 

Ray A. Grombacher, operator and 
manager of the Post Street theatre, 
has filed as one of 132 candidates 
for city commissioner to fill one of 
three vacancies to occur in March. 

Fox, State and Orpheum theatres 
here are to go on the block f^b. 20 
with the other Pacific Northwest 
Theatres, Inc., bankrupt houses In 
Seattle. Understood Chas. Skouras 
will sit In on the court sale of the 
properties formerly under his direc- 
tion. 

Ray A. Grombaoher announced 
booking of Walter Hampden In 
'Hamlet' and 'Caponsacchl,' George 
White's 'Scandals,' cmd 'Of Thee I 
Sing* this spring at the Post Street 
theatre. House now showing vaude 
and plx. 

James Brown, colored, proprietor 
of the Pirates' Den, late dinner 
Joint, has been .released from the 
county Jail after serving 16 days to 
work out bis |25 fine and costs for 
permitting cock fighting in his road- 
house. PJnch was made by Humane 
Society officers at Xmas time. 



Pittsburgh 

By Hal Cohen 



•Of Thee I Sing,' Nixon, March 13. 

Lou Starr, the hoofer, handing out 
cigars. A boy. 

Warner club tossing its first an- 
nual ball in fortnight. 

Art Levy banged up his new car 
returning from the State opening in 
Washington. 

Harry Long, district manager for 
Loew's here, and the Mrs. taking 
the Winer sun In Miami. 

Han-y Kalmlne recalling the days 
when he used to be George M. 
Cohan's company manager. 

Sid Dlckler's music put Metro's 
Leo, the lion, to sleep the other night 
at a department store employees' 
ball. 

Mike Cullen sent Jimmy Durante 
a caricature of the Schnozzola a 
local admirer made from an egg- 
plant. 

That new Saturday night supper 
club at the Schenley hotel, town's 
only strictly formal spot, opened to 
capacity. 

Variety had to mal^e a quick sub- 
stitution the other day for a juggler 
who had engaged too freely in 
exfra-ciirrirular activities longpide 
a brass rail. 

Local staffs of Warners and Gen- 
eral Electric have been getting In 
each others' hair over that '42d 
.street special.' 



Sally Seals torch singing at the 
Savarin. 

Maurice ('ArgosT) Charney and 
Lillian Miller will merge In March. 

Emmett Lewis and Ross Millard 
wUl produce Rudolph Uren's 'Sal- 
vage.' 

The father of Margaret Anglin 
has resigned as Chief Justice of 
Canada. 

Llta Grey Chaplin moaning be 
cause her maid missed the train at 
Chicago. 

Canadian customs bans Roswell 
William's 'Damned Lover* and Ann 
Lawrence's 'Sin Wife.' 

Raymond Card will have his 'Gen 
cral Montcalm' produced by the 
Canadian Drama league. 

A bow to Roly Young, stage and 
screen scribe for the 'Star Weekly,' 
who becomes assistant to the editor. 

SIgrld Onegin secretly rehearsing 
here for 'Jenufa,' which opens in 
Berlin In April under Toscannini's 
baton. 

Any Canadian amateur group can 
have the rights to Arthur Stringer's 
'Bruised Lady' and there will be no 
royalty. 

Fluttering sheafs of the boxer's 
telegrams, Flfl Dorsay admits she's 
In love with Dempsey» but he wants 
her to keep quiet about It. 

Bobby ( 'Whoopee') Arnst admit 
ting that she never thought Johnny 
Weismuller was 'much In a bathing 
suit' until she saw him play *Tar- 
zan.' 



Montreal 



Ted Harris bon mot-lng. 
Allan Irwin to West Indies. 
Mimi Parks making good on air. 
Charlie Dornberger talking to ser- 
vice clubs. 

Win Philip getting three-a-week 
on Canadian National network. 

Cuth Knowlton and orchestra 
booked for Kingston for summer. 

When Ed Wynn goes on at 9:80, 
and the local symphony runs be- 
tween 9 and 10 it means only half 
an hour for the symphony. 

Local rags bowling at inferiority 
of local air programs despite efforts 
of Canadian Radio conunlsslon. 
Comparison with U. S. over week- 
end hits Canucks hard. 

Undercurrent anti-Semitic agita- 
tion in this city and provinces, go- 
ing on past year, scotched by bill 
before Quebec legislature, making 
covert racial attacks criminal of- 
ense. Bill certain to become law. 

Failure to amend or repeal Chil- 
dren's Act, barring mlpors under 16, 
accompanied or not, from plx, has 
had one good result in bringing at- 
tention of provincial government to 
wholesale showing of movies to 
children in church and parish base- 
ment halls. Bill before local legis- 
lature will enforce collection of 
amusement tax at such shows. 
Movie exhlbs asking suppression of 
these pix and may get at least 
better enforcement of regulations. 



100 watts and may get It, say sta- 
tion executives. 

Old Grand, still grinding for 16 
cents top, with . dramatio stock, 
vaude and pictures, reported doing 
best business In two years. 

Ted Lewis and his troupe of 20 
entertainers do record business for 
H. W. Perry at New Land o' Dance 
here, on his first visit to Canton in 
many years. 

Jack Miles, after several weeks In 
Chicago night clubs, doing one 
nighters. until early March, when 
he succeeds Kay Kyser at Cleve- 
land's Golden Pheasant. Due at 
Moonlight ballroom here soon. 

Buffalo 

By Sidney Burton 



Canton 

By Rex McConnell 



Only one theatre dark here now. 
'Honey' Bauman, Canton's fat boy. 
seeking scrip for new vaude turn, 
soon to go into rehearsal. 

Bert Stock, former Canton band 
maestro, doing nice Job of an- 
nouncing for WKBM, Youngstown. 

TJnlon stage hands still picketing 
Pal.ice, which has been using Ini- 
port'^d operators for several months. 

Vincent Lopez slated for ono- 
nifihi appearance at H. W. Perry's 
Xcw Land o' Dance, Thursday 
nlKht. March 2. 

WHBC, Canton, seeking permi.'!- | 
sion to increase power from 10 to i 



The Gulseppe Russo Italian play- 
ers current at Keith's for a two-r 
month engagement. 

Leonard Bergman In town attend- 
ing the funeral of bis brother-in- 
law, Ben Freedman. 

Studio Players reviving "Hay 
Fever* for two days this week at 
Playhouse (Gayety). Also set fOr 
Nia!gara Falls next month. 

Dave Miller back from Chicago as 
manager of local U exchange. Jerry 
Spandau. local U salesman, becomes 
manager of Omaha (Neb.) U ex- 
change. 

Bert Ryde, secretary and business 
agent of the Picture Operators* 
union, tendered testimonial ban- 
quet Wednesday. Five-day week for 
operators announced. 

Two new picture exchanges open 
ing — American Flm Exchange, to be 
operated by Tom Brady, and Inde- 
pendent Films by Howard Brink, 
formerly of Educational. 

Word received here Is that Ehie, 
Pa., authorities are offering an or- 
dinance to ban marathon dances 
following attempts of Buffalo pro 
meters to operate at Erie. 



Seattle 

By Dave Trepp 



Old Logo cabaret reopens as Plaza 
Grill with Danny Kenn mgr. 

Al LIchtman, gen. sales mgr., 
U. A., here last week from N. Y. 

Sunday night dancing at Butler 
cabaret flop. Due to di^ontinue. 

Charles Skouras here last week. 
Also Mike Rosenberg. Back to L. A. 

Joe Danz scooped with Camera- 
Schaff fight, getting good attention 
past week. 

Bill against all rodeo exhibitions 
in state introduced at Olympla, but 
doubtless due to get skids. 

Pom Pom club at Tenth and Yes- 
ler, Geo. Moore, mgr., getting nice 
play. Colored band for mooslc. 

Ten per cent gross state tax on 
theatre admissions proposed with 
petitions against it being liberally 
signed by showgoers. 

National Screen Service opens 
Settle exchange, first on coast ex- 
cept L. A. Jack Flannery, mgr., 
and Billy Green, salesman, to cover 
Oregon. 

Nick Allermand at State now 
changing two vaude acts twice 
weekly, with six-gal line and band 
working. House to 15 cents and 
getting nice biz. 

•Doo* Hamilton In Walla Walla, to 
stay a year, on 'common gambler* 
charge. "Doc's* resort In Seattle 
well-known darktown cabaret for 
years. Now locked up tight. 



Omaha 

By Archie J. Baley 



Stan Brown now managing World, 
Paul Ives assisting. 

Tackman's Minstrels giving Moon 
a fling at flesh again. 

Publlx Auditor Dave Dwey trans- 
ferred to Des Moines. 

As reported. Receive^ A. H. Blank 
is after cut in Publix. 

Joe Malec back at Peony park, 
which he made smart spot. 

Herb Daniel, Omaha's foremost 
receiver, doctoring sick Orpheum. 

Jimmy Garrlgan's MCA band fol- 
lows Fred Ebener Into Fontenelle. 

Tivoll opens after dapiage from 
Are and explosion New Year's day. 

Pyramid or chain-sales gags ope- 
rating in Omaha, unrestricted so far. 

State doing roadshow with 'Cav- 
alcade' and following with stage- 
ehow experiment. 

Benefit performance for stage 
people who lost possessions at Mil- 
lard hotel fire planned. 

Sam and Louis lOpstcln had inter- 
est in Millard hotel, fire in which 
coat seven firemen their lives, worst 
in Omaha history. 

Hannah Williams and Rus.s Co- 
lunribo did lonp-partcd sweethearts 
act at r. r. station when she went 
through while he was playing Or- 
pheum. 

Moyoi's-Hodek hand again doing 
AIv-,Sar-I3on den show; also Carter 
Lake club, Omah.-i Altheltlc club, 
f-'pecial Chamber of Commerce series 
on KFAB and WOW special pro- 
grame. 



Holiywood 



May Boley looking fine. 

Lou Ostrow got a Siamese eat 
for his birthday. 

George Bancroft returned last 
week from Miami, Fla. 

Spec O'Donnell now on KHJ*s 
Happy-Go-Lucky hour. 

Oscar Levant here, but won't be 
tempted into writing songs. 

Slfn on a Sunset Blvd. chop sew- 
ery: 'Stop at here when open.' 

Armand Kalis back in town after 
a legit tour with 'Cat and the 
Fiddle.' 

The two Als, Goodhart and Hoff- 
man, here and eyein^r the studios 
speculatively. 

Carol Young has stepped up from 
secretary to writer on the Radio 
publicity staff. 

James Stanman, former Boston 
vaude agent, has Joined the O'Reilly 
and Mann agency here. 

Edward Kay. . composer and ar« 
ranger of the niusic for 'After the 
Ball,' English picture, is here. 

Jack White has taken an office at 
Metropolitan studio and intends 
producing a feature for independent 
release. 

On arriving here from New Yorl^ 
Al Jolson to Palm Springs for four 
weeks' stay to recover from effects 
of the flu. 

Divorce feud of the Louis Welt- 
zenkorns about over, Irma Weltzen- 
kom, ex- wife of the writer. Is open- 
ing a florist shop. 

Fulton Oursler has asked Est«dl« 
Taylor to write a 1,600-word article 
on Hollywood's reaction to th« 
wearing of men's clothes by women. 

Several Paramount people were 
all hopped up about havlncr lunoh 
with Durant. Disappointed when 
they found It was Will and not 
Jlmmle. 

With a rush of productions, Mon* 
ogram has temporarily enlarged Its 
publicity dept. with Bill Henry an4 
Carol Warren assisting Llndsley 
Parsons. 

Latest guttle and gavotte organic 
zatlon to sprlncr up Is the Music Box 
Supper . olub, which will have Its 
first semi-monthly meeting In the 
Blue room of the Bilimore March 11. 

Topping the sign over the Para- 
mount studio mnsto depfurtment. 
which reads, 'School and nursery,* 
is the one on the building housing 
the songwriters at Metro. It sayi^ 
'Foreign department.' 



SLPaul 

By Walt Ratchick 



Dr. Raymond I*. Ditmars In fTom 
Gotham for a brief stay. 

The Lou ^reeses are expecting 
their blessed event almost any day 
now. 

Lou Breese and band now doing 
five programs a week over KSTP 
for Hexln, headache banlsher. 

'She Done Him Wrong* banned aa 
being tocThdl for Minneapolis, bookeS 
at Paramount, St. Paul, week oC 
March 10. 

Bert Nix resigns as Cameo man- 
ager, and Anton Jensen, former 
Palace, Minneapolis, manager, goes 
In at this Publlx 15-26c downtowner. 

Paul Specht and his bdnd leave 
Radisson hotel Flame Room, Min- 
neapolis, for Washington and F. R.'8 
Inaugural. Larry Funk, recently at 
St Paul Lowry, In at the Radlsson 
spot. 

Grand cafe at the St. Paul hotel 
opens with Stan Stanley and 1^- 
piece orchestra Saturday (26) night, 
advertising 'free beverages every 
night.' Prices $1 week nights, $1.60 
Saturday nights. 

Ernie Logan switches from the 
Capitol to the Uptown as manager 
of latter nabe, while Abe Sunberg 
eases In the hospltaL Tom Fischer, 
Logan's Capitol aide, in at the helm 
during Eh-nle's pinch-bitting. 



Albany 

By Henry Retonda 



Eugene Lowe, salesman with Edu- 
cational, resigns. 

Bill Raynor, formerly with Edu- 
cational local office, later going to 
Fox after the merger of exchanges, 
has resigned. 

Patrons of RKO Palace, Albany, 
entering before the 8:30 show, will 
be permitted to see two features on 
the change day, current and incom- 
ing pic. 

John Flynn, William Rogers and 
Samuel Cummlngs of MGM were in 
Albany looking over the grounds 
with Ralph Plelow, local branch 
manager. 

Benjamin Kraft, former news- 
paper man and merchant, is taking 
over the Arbor theatre, neighbor- 
hod house, with double second run, 
this week. 

Jules Michael, head of the M. P. 
T. O. A. at Buffalo, was in Albany 
for several days fighting bills before 
the legislature regarding amusement 
tax and admis.slon of children. 

The Regent, a new picture house 
in echoes, opened last Wednesday, 
with double feature at 20c top. 
Twenty percent of the /irst day's re- 
ceipts, amounting to $50, wa.s turned 
over to Cohoes for the unemploy- 
ment relief fund. 



70 



VARIETY 




OBITUARY 



JENIE JAC0B8 

Jenie Jacobs, 56; who narrowly 
missed being one of the great Inter- 
national theatrical agents through 
worshiping the fetich of the Keith 
booking office, died Feb. 21 of can- 
cer In her home In New York. 

While narrowly missing the high- 
est honors In her branch, she had 
made the Jenlo Jacobs Agency 
known all over show business by 
crossing the seven seas. Her agency 
interests extended Into all branches, 
Including Radio. 

At the time of her death. Miss 
Jacobs had the various depart- 
ments so well organized, each with 
Its guiding head, that the probabill- 



and as such she stands unique in 
this theatrical generation. 

In spite of the large profits made 
by her, she was' generous In the 
extreme, and It Is probable that It 
will be found she left no Important 
estate. Miss Jacobs frequently 
loaned money to the artists she rep- 
resented and is said to have thou 
sands of dollars outstanding from 
these loans through the years. 



ADOLPH MARKS 

Senator Adolph Marks, 67, prom- 
inent in Illinois politics died Feb. 21 
at his home in the Palmer House, 
Chicago, of heart disease. 

In his earlier legal career Marks 



mmm morris 



ties are ilio agency will long con- 
tinue through tlie momentum of her 
firmly established trade name. 

Miss Jacobs came from a Roches- 
ter, N. Y. orphanage when In her 
early 'teens. She learned stenog- 
rapliy and gained her education at 
night, advancing to the study of 
law. She was assisted In her law 
studies by Helen Gould and obtained 
her degree, but found stenography 
more Immediately profitable than 
the legal end. 

For a number of years. Miss 
Jacobs was private secretary to 
John Isham, whose Isham's Octo- 
roons' was long a standard legit en- 
tertainment In time she became 
the virtual head of that office. It 
was here that she got her first taste 
of the agency business. 

Isham's star was Belle Davis, 
Negro singer of individual style. 
John J. Murdock wanted Miss Davis 
for his Masonic Temple roof garden 
In Chicago for a summer engage- 
ment but was unable to locate her. 
He told his desire to a newspaper 
friend who also was a friend of 
Miss Jacobs, and they booked her 
in for several weeks. Later Miss 
Jacobs took over her management, 
working chiefly with the ■William 
Morris agency. 

When Isham's health -prevented 



was a pioneer tlioatrical lawyer, rep- 
resenting at various times Rlngling 
Brothers, John Golden, Chai-les 
Frohman, Eva Tanguay, Sells-Floto 
Circus and hosts of others. In 1901 
he published a text book on theatri- 
cal law that has remained a stand- 
ard reference work on the subject. 
He was elected to the Illinois senate 
in 1921. 

Senator Marks at the height of 
his theatrical practice on several oc- 
casions was called as far as London 
and Hollywood to draw up contracts 
involving large sums. Warner Bro-- 
thers consulted him on the legal as- 
pects Just before they launched VI- 
taphone. At that time Senator Marks 
and his law partner and nephew, 
Harry Smitz, at present a Master in 
Chancery, spent a month In Holly- 
wood. Marks also represented Harry 
K. Thaw for years and Frederick 
Bonflls, recently deceased publisher 
of the Denver 'Post'. 

Survived by the widow, a brother, 
sister, and other relatlves.-BurlaI In 
RosehiU cemetery, Chicago. 



DAVID HORSLEY 

David Horsley, 60, pioneer motion 
picture producer, died at his home 
in Sunland, near Hollywood Feb. 23, 
following a lingering Illness. With 
Ills brother, William, Horsley found- 



3mt 3dcob$ 



his further interest In the show 
business, she turned to the agency 
Idea in a serious way and shortly 
was favorably known to both stars 
and managers. She was always 
strong for the artists under her 
management, but like so many 
others she had to take dictation 
from the Keith booking office under 
E. F. Albee, to the detriment of her 
own best interests. She advanced 
in spite of this serious handicap, 
but never to the point which she 
would have attained, had she been 
more independent at that time. 
Once or twice the Jacobs agency 
was barred from Keith's, but re- 
turned and la now booking on the 
KKO-Kcith floor, represented in 
thnt dept. by O. L. Oz. 

Among her clients, many of whom 
she virtually developed, were Louise 
Dresser, Ruth Chatterton, Claire 
Luce, Robert Chisholm, Madge 
Evans, CJracle Fields, Eric Linden, 
Nora Hayes, IJcalrice I,illle, Nazim,- 
ova, I''ranclii)t Tone, William Gar- 
gan, Pctrova, lOdwin Siyles, Jack 
Benny, Molly Picon, ValcsUa Sur 
ratt, Cl.ilborne Foster, Jeanne 
Eagles, Blanche Ring and hundreds 
of others including innumerable 
vaude artlsf.s. 

Even her largo agency interest 
did not keep licr fully occupied 
With her llfo-long friend, Pauline 
Cook, of the former vaude sharp- 
shooting team of Cook and Clinton, 
she opened a series of apartment 
liouses for professionals. Miss 
Jacobs never married. She and Miss 
Cook shared apartments for many 
years. Miss Cook Is now interested 
in the Jacobs agency. The agency 
was also a play agent doing a large 
business in Engl.md and on the Eu- 
ropean continent as well -as in the 
United States. 

Jenie Jacobs was about the only 
woman agent to make good solely 
upon her own initiative and effort 



ed the Centaur Film Co. at Bayonne 
N. J, In 1907. He came west In 1911 
and established the first studio In 
Hollywood. In 1914 his Bostock Cir- 
cus which lie brought to Los Angeles 
from London, failed. Since that time 
he has been inactive in pictures. 

Surviving Horsley is his wife, 
Mary Frances Horsley; three broth- 
ers, William, Harry and James; two 
sons. Stanley and John and a daugh- 
ter, Mary Frances. 



gagements \,ere for Cohan & Har- 
ris and Fred Stone. 

He la survived by bla widow, 
Louise. Interment in Kenslco. 



WALTER HIERS 

Walter HIers, 40, picture actor, 
died In Loa Angeles Feb. 27 after a 
four-day Illness from pneumonia. 
He was native of Cordele, Ga. 

After stage experience, he started 
with Blograph 18 years ago as an 
extra with D. W. Griffith pictures. 
Including 'Ghost Breaker,' 'Jimmy,' 
'Bought and Paid For,' 'Lummox,' 
'Seventeen,' 'Beware of Widows,' 
'Hold That Lion,' 'Raising Romeo' 
and Christie Comedies. He recent- 
ly returned from Fanchon & Marco 
tour, on which he was starred with 
Ben Turpln. 



FRANK S. AITKEN 

Frank Spottiswoode Altken, 64, 
one of oldest picture actors In serv- 
ice of the screen, died Feb. 26 In 
Los Angeles after a lingering ill- 
ness. He started In the Industry 
during Its Inception. He was a fea- 
tured player for many years, ap- 
pearing in 'Birth of a Nation,' quit- 
ting the screen three years ago on 
account of his health. Prior to that 
he had been a stage actor, starting 
his career In Shakespearian roles at 
age of 13. Three children survive. 



JULIETTE V. NINER 

Juliette V. Niner, 58, wife of 
Frank P. Musselman, known In 
vaudeville as Eddie Niner, died In 
Rochester, N. T., last week. They 
were former members of the Au- 
gustin Daly stock and for many 
years played In vaudeville as Niner 
and Niner. They retired 12 years 
ago. 

Survived by her husband and by 
a sister, Mrs. Bertha Nicholas, of 
Arlington, N. J. 



AUGUSTA Dl FATTA (DALY) 

Augustus Dl Fatta, 68, known In 
the theatre of yesterday as Gus 
Daly, died at his home, Summer- 
ville, Mass., Feb. 19. 

He had played with Tom, Bill, 
Dan and Bob Daly, and' with the 
Daly sisters. He also spent several 
seasons In the companies of John L. 
Sullivan. 

Survived by hia widow, the former 
Frankle Clark. 



MAE ROSE BAWNS 

Mrs. Mae Rose Bawns, 54>, died 
in Ramsgate, England, Feb. 23. She 
was the first to develop buck and 
wing and sand dancing in England 
and for years was a pet of the music 
halls as 'My Fancy.' She recalled 
having played with Stan Laurel, 
now Laurel and Hardy, back In 1907 
when he was also playing English 
vaudeville. 



HARRY W. BARTLETT 

Harry W. Cartlett, 71, died in the 
French hospital. New York, Feb. 14, 
after a brief illness. He was con- 
nected with the stage for more than 
50 years, and at one time was a 
partner of Gus Hill. His chief ap- 
pearances were in the vaudeville 
acts of Burk and Bartlett, Bartlett 
and Fi.shcr, Bnrtlott and Lorraine. 



In Lovinp, Tender Memory 

ROI COOPER MEGRUE 



February 27, 1927 



Bartlett and May and Barlelt and 
Collins. 

Survived by liis widow, Mrs. Lothc 
Collins Uurtlelt; a d.iughtcr, Vivian, 
wife of Eddie Scanlon, of tlio .Shu- 
hort foiTcs. and an apod sisf^i-. 



ED. BEQLEY 

]'"id\vard I!ogU-y died in Xcw York 
I''el). ]'). lie was one of the best 
known rh.aiacler (.•oniedians of his 
generation and hnd scored hits in 
vaudeville, niln.slrelsy, muslcnl com- 
edy and the' dramatic stage, lie 
was early ,a member of the Cor- 
rinne opera co., and a member of 
the 'Two Johns' company, current 
in the early 'SHs. ,Mf)ro rccr-nt cn- 



DOROTHY TOPLEY 

Dorothy Topley, dance Instructor 
in the Flnnegan Studio of Music, St. 
Paul, died in Miller hospital after a 
four months' illness. She had been 
secretary of the Twin Cities Dane 
ing Masters and the Chicago asso 
elation. Connected with the school 
since 1927. 

Survived by her parents and a 
brother. 



JOSEPH KESSLER 

Joseph Kessler, 51, Jewish trage 
dian, died in the Bronx Feb. 22. He 
had played 'Hamlet' in Newark Sun 
day night and was preparing to go 
abroad for a foreign tour. He has 
been on the Jewish stage here for 
31 years, but has toured Australia, 
South Africa and Europe. Survived 
by a sister, in whose home he died. 



S. A. HAMILTON 

S. A. Hamilton, veteran film man 
died last week at the home of t 
relative in Okmulgee following t 
lingering illness. 

lie w.ns at one time booker for 
the Independent Film Co., Kansas 
City. 



WILFORD WATERS 

AVilford Waters, 70, formf-r m'-m- 
Ikt of the faculty of the N. Y. Con 
.sfrvatory of .Mu.sic, died In Il.ivaii.'i 
Im.I). 21. Hf) had llvfrl In fifli;i Dip 
past oiKht yoars. 

His widow nnd dau^lilf-r .•■•iji'v I vf' 



Daisy Canfleld Morono, wifr; of 
.\ntoiilo Moreno, a'-lor, dl'-'l T'l li. 23 
fi'llowinc; nn fjutornoliil" :i<<-I'lfiit 
.She Is stii-vlv(-il by li»;r IiM .li-i ml : 
son ;inil !i i]n\n;)iU'r. 




(Continued from page 68) 

current attraction at World theatre, 
foreign talkie house. 

Gladys George remaining over for 
two more weeks as guest leading 
lady with the Balnbrldge dramatic 
stock company at the Shubert. 

Newly organized Twin City Civic 
Opera association seeking 'volun- 
teer' performers and technicians for 
opening production, 'Rlgoletto.' 

Melrose, Mass., fan wrote Merle 
Potter, 'Journal', drama editor, re- 
garding latter's 10 worst picture se- 
lections, stating he saw same In 
'Variety.' 



San Francisco 

, By Harold Bock 

Charlie Skouras In. 
Herman Cohen to Hollywood. 
Ted FloRIto has Lief Erlckson as 
new singer. 

Herbert Rosener handling foreign 
film bookings on Coast. 

George Mooser up In advance of 
'Rasputin' at Columbia. 

Local appearance of trainload of 
WB's '42nd Street' stars off. 

The George Manns taking bows 
on the recently arrived baby. 

Bill Crosby managing naborhood 
Regent; doubling between his print 
shop. 

Jack Tripp, T&D theatre mana- 
ger, and John Aasen, circus giant, 
passed away here last week. 

Phil Harris spent a mailman's 
holiday up here by singing with 
Gcrun's and FloRIto's bands. 

Clare Foley, ex-secretary Film 
Board of Trade, and now Mrs. H. 
Stanley Sullivan, a proud mother. 

George Mann and Morgan Walsh 
have moved their Redwood theatre 
offices from Warfleld to Golden 
Gate building. 

Famous White Angel kitchen, 
haven for unemployed hungry, 
moved to Sacramento valley ranch, 
depriving city of a most picturesque 
spot. 

Labor commission has Jailed 
Douglas Hertz promoter of recent 
horse marathon at Dreamland au- 
ditorium on non payment of wage 
charges. 



Boston 

By Len Libbey 



Thomas Leo born to the Leo Gaflf- 
neys. 

Schaaf- Camera film helped biz 
for two houses past week. 

Eddie Zorn, . of Publlx, nervous 
breakdown due to overwork. 

Nary a dance hall dared defy 
Mayor Curley's ban on taxi dancing. 

Bob Berger off to Baltimore to be 
at bedside of wife In Johns-Hopkins 
hospital. 

Bozo Snyder and Gertrude Hayes 
did so well for Waldrbn's Casino 
that they were held for a third 
week. 

Al Somerby stages Bowdoln's 41st 
anniversary, and proudly boasting 
the house has played vaude straight 
through past 25 years without a 
break. 

Theatre men watching the fate of 
General Alfred Foote with keen In- 
terest. As head of the state censor 
bureau he has always lent open ear 
to movie and stage interests. 



Montgomery 

By Tom Hall 



Leon Copeland always on the Job. 
Milton Newsome making good at 
Par. 

Little Theatre players give good 
show. 

Lloyd Townes makes trip to 
Selma. 

Stage shows make good at Para- 
mount. 

Ike Katz announces bookings for 
March. 

Some talk of Empire theatre 
opening. 

Strand reduces matinee prices to 
15 cents. 

I-Ance Davis joins stock company 
at fjrand. 

W.Miier ilaldcne planning for next 
prii'liii-iion. 

I I's and Alton popular with 
i.iili'i f.in.s h'Tp. 



Mrs. A. E. Stoncbrokc, rnoil.i j of 

Kollin K. SI onebrcjkc, iri:i ii;i,;-'c of 
the Alabama (hcatrr-, .r,li )rilti:;l.-i(ri 
(lied in Marnpton, Ta., l'"<'li. IH. 



Hartford 

By M. H. Haprimor 

.Sliiiiii- ('ijiiis at Hlatc Aririory 
; d'>i :( I I fi: l)ii;':liii ..s no );ood . . . 
I ll.'iii foi il (;ci.M rolliT |iii!o lor first 
i liro'! Ill nrii'i-ri y.-ii'M. . . I.oiil.s ,"-!cli:ie- 
I f'-r ;:<ii-'\ on a J iiini lo Nr.w Haven 
...'''illin l)riri;M rnalc-H a i-liccrriil 
l.iili- < -II fill r-iiiiii| rii'W over the 
, Wll<: on;:iri ... .Joo I IciincrHfy 
; li;i-.jji col ;i. hill in Ihc world... 

I'.ol.li,- ll.'iii 1,1, -.v ;i|i|iri i |,il(.!t llic. tux 
111' i,',-ij'.|.i 'odK. i(ioiii|i4 m;o...Al 



Bernard and his minstrels to ap- 
pear at the ritzy Horace C'ushell 
Memorial on Feb. 26... Earl c. 
BrannlfC conducts M. P. Topics col-' 
umn on the 'Times'. . .'State Fali' 
does smart business at top prices 
at Palace. . .Some talk of Conn. 
State Fair going back Into Charter 
Oak Park. 



Cincinnati 

By Joe Kolling 



Strand to grind through summer. 
The L. B. Wilsons holidaying la, 
Miami. 

Lou Klar, in from Milwaukee, 
around film row. 

Jack Horgan signed for another 
two-yoar stretch as mgr. of Sinton. 

Bill Williams, booker for local 
M-G branch in recent years, trans- 
ferred to Albany, N. Y., as office 
manager. 

Talk In trade of Chester Martin 
taking back Orpheum from RKO; 
hilltop house has been Idle for sev- 
eral months under rental policy. 

Bijou and a West 5th street smal- 
lle lively to adopt six-a-day 15o 
vaude policy such as has been 
booming at Star for a. fortnight. 

Henry Theis back as maestro at 
Sinton, where supper club has re- 
vived under name of Mayfair with 
convert of $1.60 on Saturday and |1 
other nights. 

Ascher Mayer, barrister for Hart- 
Scrlbner-Hynlcka Interests, made 
flying trip here from New York to 
straighten legal tape on Star the- 
atre, now In grind tab-vaude. 

Walter Hampden repertoire, cur- 
rent, with 'The Counsellor-at-Law' 
for week of March 12, and possible 
repeat of 'Of Thee I Sing' to be 
about all of remaining season for 
legit at Shubert. 



Milwaukee 

By Frank J. Miller 



Ball team holdouts not worrying 
Lou Nahin this season. It will be a 
case of sign at Lou's figures or stay 
out of baseball. 

Herman Enders, pal of the late 
Charles K. Harris and at one time 
a vaudeville artist, died here after 
illness of a year. 

Bill Carlsen and his orchestra won 
a musical duel with Dan Russo and 
his musicians at the Futuristlo 
ballroom. Bill gets an 80 week con- 
tract from Jimmy Dcvine as a re* 
suit. Patrons decided the battle. 

-Mildred Boehme, entertainer, de- 
nied admitting 20 drinks when 
brought into district court on 
charge of driving while intoxicated, 
claiming that no woman had that 
capacity. Judge Page made it $100 
and costs Just the same. Mildred 
hit a tree. 



Atlanta 

By Ernie Rogers 



Atlanta 'Journal' celebrated 50th 
anniversary Sunday. 

One WJTL commercial paying 
weekly with bottled mllic. 

Talk of Hearst taking over At- 
lanta 'Constitution' on again. 

Eddy Gilmore, former Loew p. a. 
in Washington, now managing the 
Grand. 

Eddie Cantor $3,000 belter than 
Rudy Vallee In engagements less 
than a week apart. Doth played the 
Fox. 

C. B. Farrar, conducting weekly 
15-minute spot on WSB devoted to 
news of prize contests, among best 
mnll-gctters. 

Georgia legislature has under 
consideration bill to open cities of 
200,000 or more on Sunday. Passage 
extremely doubtful. 



Queens 

By Henry Wlllson 



Charlie Long back In town. 

Cam Shipp is going to be married. 

Itonny MclCvoy is living hero now. 

Lisa I.lson.a, J'^uropoan opor.a star, 
visiting in Forest Hills. 

Tilt for ping-pong orown he.ulns 
this week on I..ong Inland. 

I'Uhol Merman drives to hor ai)art- 
mont in Astoria plus chaiifreur. 

The Hansons, mother and dauTh- 
icr, won I lie K'noU liolol hrirlKe 

.l;i< k Oohren'.s oi clie.si r:i •,'raduiili.'H 
rrorn local parlios to \Vcslfhesl'>r 
I'.iliinoro spot. 

roiiioiiok club nii'ssed np for 10 
•lays prc'parinK I'or Kal;i animal 
.'^lilpwrcck parly. 

Ualpl) Kciiaiiil. pi;in .-^iii'^ odiUn- of 
(he .N. Y. 'J'Jvo. I'osl,' si.ld his two 
ono-iict plays, 'rorroct Mcols llini- 
silf .and 'Cod .Save ilio Kinus.' to 
i''rcin'h I'or liiiinediale puliliraiiou. 



Tuesday, February 28, 1933 



OUTDO O R S —BURLESQUE 



VARIETY 



71 



Depression Vacancies 
dve Coast Pitchmen 
Thm Dime Now V Then 



Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 

Continued spell of mild weather 
•here has the pitchmen out in force 
on downtown Btreets. They range 
In variety from the blindfolded as- 
trologer (femme) to the vacant 
doorway pitch with a few dollars' 
worth of merchandise. 

Most of the stands are on Hill, 
Broadway and Main streets, be- 
tween Sixth and Eighth. Sections 
of parking lots, doorways of vacant 
Btore rooms, and other available 
spaces have been preempted by the 
Itinerant sales people, with their 
wares including cement mixtures, 
hosiery, tie pins, the usual assort- 
ment of kitchen utensils, etc. 

Take varies, with some of the 
pitchmen managing to garner 
enough shekels to take care of the 
room rent and grocerle.s, but with 
others not so fortunate, If a canvass 
of the empty-handed walkaways 
means anything. 

During the last week there has 
been a noticeable Increase in femme 
window demonstrators along 
Broadway and Hill streets, with 
most of the play currently being 
made on furniture displays. 



MAGIC AT FAIR 

Cart«r to Have Concession at Cen- 
tury of Progress 



Carter the Great, magician, has 
closed a deal with the Century of 
Progress for a concession on th& 
grounds just across from the Port 
Dearborn reproduction. 

Theatre is to bo all-steel con- 
struction with a capacity of 700 and 
will do a 13 hour grind dally, open- 
ing at 10 a. m. Contracts have been 
let for the construction, the dimen- 
sions being 60x123 feet, with a 
height of 30 feet. Tax will be 50c 
a head if the crowds come. 



B, and O. Routes 



Deadhead Stockholders 
Pay or There's No Fair 



Rutland, Vt., Feb. 27. 

The South Wallingford fair, one 
of the oldest and smallest in the 
state, faces the prospect of sus- 
pending this year. The fair, 43 years 
old, finds that the surplus laid up in 
better days Is exhausted. 

The first assessment ever made on 
the stockholders will now be neces- 
sary if the fair Is to be continued. 
The stock has never paid any divi- 
dends, the stockholders getting their 
return through free admission to 
the fair grounds. 



Conseryatiye 



San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Salinas Rodeo having lost $22,000 
last year, the '33 affair, opening in 
July, will be cut to three days with 
a short ad budget. 



Barnes' Opening Date 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 
Al O. Barnes' circus comes out 
from winter hibernation March 26, 
opening at Alhambra, Cal., with 
first four days of May set for local 
dates. 

Ben Austin is already here in ad- 
Tance of the show. 

Outfit will feature the Loyal Lu- 
penskls, seven people Italian riding 
act, which wlV be first privately 
owned nags to perform under the 
Barnes banner. 



His Faith 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

Ben Austin, advance man for 
Barnes show, claims that auto 
parking is becoming an all im- 
portant factor in life. 

Emphasizing his point, Austin re- 
lates that he and his wife dropped 
the Episcopalian church in home 
town of San Antonio because they 
couldn't park the family chariot 
nearby and joined the Lutheran 
church where there was plenty of 
auto facilities. 



DOROTHEA ANTEL 

286 W. 72d St.. New York City 
My Now Ansortmcnt of CBEETING 
CARDS Is Now R«afly. 21 nraatlful 
CARDS nnd FOI.DKRS. Roxeil, Vort- 
pnid, for 

One Dollar 




DOOKLBT ON HOW 
• TO MAKB UP • 

S TEIN C 
MAKE UPU 



(Continued from page 64) 

Simons, Seymour. 1304 B'way, Detroit. 

Singing Sherwoods, Topsy's RoobI, South- 
gate, Cullf. 

Slaion, Fred, Ixjtus R.. Waahlngton, D. C. 

Smith, Beasley. Roeemont B.. B'klyn. 

Smelln, B., 180 W. Buchtel Ave., AkroD, 
Ohio. 

Borey. Vincent, CBS. 489 Madlton Art.. 
N. Y. C. 

Soanick, Harry, MCA. Chi. 

South, Eddie, c/o Bell Rotheteln, eiC 
Rush St., Chi. 

Spector. Irving. WCKO. Albany, N. T. 

Spltnlny. PhD. N. B C. N. T. C. 

Spor, Paul, PaxtoD Hotel, Omaha, Nab. 

Springer, tieon, UH Mvlngstun St.. Bklyn 

St. Clair Jeaters, Prince Ed^ird H., 
Wlndaor. Canada. 

St. Qcorge. Geo., 2103 nelmont Ave., N.T. 

St. Loula Ktnga. 18:23 IB l»th St.. B'klyn. 

Stafford, H.. 911 Sumner St.. Lincoln, Neb. 

Stafford, Jesse, c/o Variety. Hollywood. 

Stanflll, John, 820 Broadway. Ban An- 
tonio. Tcz. 

Rteiner, Max. Radio Studio, Hollywood. 

Staed, Hy. Station WMBC. Detroit. 

Stern. Harold, Blltmore, N. Y. 

Stevena, Perley, 298 Huntington Ara. 
Itoiton. 

Stone, Marty. Radtaion H.. Uinneapolia 
Story. Qeo., Wong's C, Liondon, Ont. 
Straub, Herb, Buffalo Broadcaating Corp. 
Duffalo. 

Striasoir. Vandarbtit H.. N. T. C. 
Sweat, At, 28 Qaincy Bt,, Chicago. 



Taylor, Art, Nantucket Tacbt C Nan- 
tucket, Masa. 

TelUer, Ray, Falrmonnt H., B. F. 

Teppaa, J. J., 633 Qlenwood Are., Buffalo. 

Teeven, Roy. Regent T.. Grand Raplda 
Mich. 

Thomas, Howard, o-o M. C. ▲.„ U W. 
Randolph, Chicago. 
Thompson's 'Virginians,' Venter T.. A«» 

lantic City, N. J. 
Thorpe, Sunny Fan Tan R.. t4H Cala 

St.. N. E.. Philadelphia, 
Tiemey Five. Rlttenhouse H., Phila. 
Vlloff, Andre. Surf C. Miami Beaoh, Fla. 

Tobias. Henry. WMCA. N. T. 
Tobler, Den, Roaemont B., Bklyn, 
Tolland, Ray, Detroit Iceland H., Detroit. 
Trace. Al, Hyde Park C, Chi. 
Tremalne, Paul, Bohemia C, N. T. C. 
Treastor, Bob, Blackhowk. Chi. 
Trevor. Frank, KOIN, Portland. Ore. 
Trim. Anthony. Roselond DR.. N. T. C. 
Tucker, Tommy. Hollywood R.. N. Y. C. 
Turcotte, Qeo., 80 Orange St., Manchester, 
N. H. 

u 

Ullrich, Frank, Roney Plasa H., Mlaaai. 
V 

Valentz, Val., LoUesIde Casino, Denver. 

Valentine, Jads, Statler H., Boston. 

Vallee, Rudy, 111 W. 57th St., N. Y. C. 

Van Cleef. Jimmy. 41 Paterson St.. New 
Brunswick, N. J. 

Van Stoeden, Peter, Towers H.. Brook- 
lyn. N. Y. . „ 

Venutl. Joe, Sert R, Waldorf-Astoria H, 
NT. Y. C. 

Vlto, King. Rose Room D. H., L. A. 
VoRCl. Ralph. 2.^02 Coral St.. 1 hlla- 
Voorhees, Don, NBC, N. Y. C. 

w 

Waring'B Penna, c-o J. O'Connor, Ham- 
mersteln T. BIdg,, N. T. C. 

Watters, Lou, 1907 104th Ave.. Oakland. 

Walker, Roy, 201 St. James PI., Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. 

Wayne, Hal, La Doliemo C, Hollywood. 

Webb, Chick, 156 W. 44th St.. N. Y. C 

Weber, Thos., Dreokfast C, L. A. 

Weeks. Anson. St. Regis H.. N. Y. C. 

Weems, Ted, Pennsylvania Hotel, N. Y. 

Weldncr, Art, 44 Wawona St., S. F. 

Welch. Roy. Fulton-Royal, B'klyn. 

Werner, Ed., Mlehlcan T.. Detroit. 

Wesley. Jos.. 817 12th Ave., Milwaukee. 

West, Ray. Paclllc Coast C Long Beach, 
Cal. 

Wetter, Jos., 817 Adams Ave.. Bcranton, 
Pa 

Whldden, Ed, 123 Dlkeman Bt., Brooklyn. 
Whlddon, Jay, Mlramar H., Santa Monl- 

Whlteman, Paul, NBC, N. Y. C. 

Whityre, Everett. New Hartford, N. Y. 

Williamson, Ted. isle of Palms H., 
Charleston. S. C. 

Wilson, Billy. Du Pont H.. Wilmington. 

Wilson, Clare, Madliion Gardens, Toledo. 
• Wilson, Meredith, NBC, S. F. . . „. 

Wlnebfenner. W. S.. 207 Frederick St., 
Hanover, Pa. 

WIttcnbrock, Al., 1808 T St, Sacramento, 
Cal. 

Wittitein, Eddie. New Haven. 
Wolf. Leo. Vanity Fair C. Chicago. 
Wolfe, Rube, c-o Fanchon & Marco. 
Hollywood. 
Wolohan. Johnny. K1 Patio B. R . B. T. 
Wray. Robby, KFOX, Ixjng Beach, Cal. 
Wright, Joe, 410 Mills Bldg.. B, F. 
Wunderllch, F.. 1687 B. l»th St., Bklyn. 
Wylle, Allister. Coronado H., Bt. L. 
Y 

Yaw Ralph, KERN, Dakersneld, Cal. 
Young, Marly. 4800 Pershing Dr„ El 
Paso. 

z 

Zlller. Les, Virginia B. R„ Ix)ng Beach, 
Zoopsr's Arabian KnlgHU, Keego Harbov, 
Caaa Lake, Mich. 



MEX COP nCURES IT'S 
OK, SO JOINS CARNEY 

Los Angeles, Feb. 27. 
.-Dick Waynft Barlow.^ associated 
with the Hildebrand Show Co. (car- 
nival), is here trying to line up 
concessions and shows for a tour 
of the West Coast of Mexlco,_with 
a South Seas cruise and a trip to 
tbe Orient to follow. 

Following a brief stand of a sec- 
tion of the Hildebrand outfit in Tia 
Juana, Just across the Mexican bor- 
der from San Diego, Chief of Po- 
lice Santa Cruz of that town re- 
signed and Joined with Hildebrand 
to act as general agent through 
Mexico. 

Tour for which Barlow is hero 
will be made via ship, touching at 
all Mexican west coast ports where 
carneys, or outside shows of any 
nature, are a distinct novelty, due 
to lack of rail connections. 



Carney's Almost Total Dissolve 

Wilson Outfit Now Making Coast Stand 
- with- Only a- Merry-Go-Round 



INSTITUTION fjj^ INTBBN ATiON ALS 

Shoes for the S^^g^ eJlff^^/ 

^ SHOVTFOLK'S SBOS3aOP-=- 18S2 BROADVATSAil 



Old Howard So Clean, 
Censor's Job in Danger 

Boston, Feb. 24. 

Old Howard made a complete 
about-face in reopening following a 
30-day closing by censors because 
of its strip acts and other objection- 
able (to censors) burlesque fea- 
tures. Girls appeared in crinoline, 
and the Spanish dancers In 'Scram- 
bled Legs' (Empire) wore dresses 
that swept the floor. Chorines like- 
wise armored against complaint and 
gags lukewarm only. 

City Censor Stanton White, who 
had a seat down front at one of the 
shows, and agents of Watch & Ward 
society were among spectators. 
White quizzed by reporters after 
each feature and gave his okay to 
Lillian Dixon and Buster Phillips, 
and at the close said: 

'If all shows were run like this, 
I'd be out of a Job, for there'd be 
nothing for me to do.' 



Toronto Fair Profits 

But Directors Mourn 

Toronto, Feb. 27. 
Despite complaints of bad busi- 
ness by the directors, the Canadian 
National Exhibition has just turned 
Into the city coffers a payment of 
$209,866 for the 1932 two-weeks* 
show as compared with $183,933 for 
1931, according to the annual re- 
port. Directors arc still squawking, 
however, and can't forget the 1929 
figures. 

Point is that 1,657,000 people 
clicked the turnstiles In 1931 and 
1,439,000 at the last exposition, but 
the 1932 profit was $10,933 over the 
previous year despite the lowered 
attendance. 



MAJESTIC, L. A. 

Los Angeles, Feb. 21. 

The Dalton Boys of Main street 
have returned to Broadway, replac- 
ing Goldberg the Butcher as opera- 
tor of burlesque at the Majestic. 
Where Goldie operated the Majestic 
in order to sell his candy, a prize - 
in-every package, Daltons are try- 
ing to give entertainment. At one 
time the Daltons operated three 
burlesque houses- here. With Irons 
& damage, they controlled the bur- 
lesque situation on the coast. I. & 
C. closed their houses in San Fran- 
cisco, leaving the Majestic the re- 
maining theatre offering that type 
of entertainment on the Pacific. 

For Broadway, Daltons have re- 
cruited a new company that Is long 
on visual entertainment, but ex- 
ceedingly short on comedy. Girls 
are all former F. & M. and local 
Paramount line people. Missing are 
the usual chunky dames peculiar 
to burlesk. Comics are the tramp, 
sap and Dutch type, who went out 
when horseless carriages came in. 
Same for the gags and bits. Comics 
all work in one. Full stage is used 
only for the 40 line girls. 

Grover Franke, producing the 
dances, has done some good work 
on the first show. Specializing in 
Tiller routines, he gives the custo- 
mers some good flashes. Opening 
is a bit of nice staging with^ six 
girls in the background minus bras- 
siers. Lung flash is held too long 
and kills the strippers. Boys get a 
load of flesh on the opening and 
Ir.iow they won't see any more. 

Strip numbers are weak with only 
one gal, Albertina Pickings, know- 
ing how to sell the grind. Others 
work In a haphazard manner. Bob- 
by Wilson, tramp; Leon De Voe, 
Dutch, and George Clark, French, 
handle the comedy. Long on filth, 
they get nowhere and kill chances 
of the house getting any strong 
woman patronage. This should be 
a consideration with the entire 
downtown section being without a 
stage show other than the Majestic, 
and Warners Downtown, which goes 
straight sound next week. 

Production is good with most of 
the scenery an eyeful. Costumes 
likewise are much better than any- 
thiner seen in the burlesk line 
locally. 

A line of eight boys trot out some 
good hoofing and add to the produc- 
tion value of the performance. A 
quartet, unbilled. Is also in the line- 
up. 

Girls handling the teasers outside 
ot Ml.ss Pickins, are Mona Martin, 
Hazel Walker and Rita Cumming.s. 
Krnest Larson works straight. 

Cleaned up. Majestic, in the heart 
f)£ the shopping center, has a chanre 
to do sonic business. Prices at ni^ht 
range from two bits to 99c. Mat.s 
sell for 26c. and SOo. 



MICH, FAIRS ASK lEITJP 
IN ANTl BEHING LAWS 



Milwaukee, Feb. 27. 

Delegates to the Wisconsin Asso- 
ciation of Fairs meeting here went 
on record as favoring legalized bet- 
ting on horse races at fairs and 
regular race meets as a means of 
helping Wisconsin fairs out of the 
ted. Delegates considered that rac- 
ing properly supervised by the state 
would bring enough money Into ac- 
tion to help things considerably and 
eliminate present undercover bets. 

Bill now before the legislature 
deals with the matter but the meas- 
ure not to the liking of the asso- 
ciation. It plans to offer a substi- 
tute bill. 

There is still much pro and con 
discussion as to the advisability of 
holding the customary Wisconsin 
State Fair at Milwaukee next Sept. 
It \B Governor Schmedcman's opin- 
ion that present economic conditions 
do not warrant spending the state's 
money for the show. 

Officers re-elected by the associa- 
tion were: Ora P. Taylor, presi- 
dent; Geo. Fiedler, Seymour, vice- 
president; J. F. Malone, Beaver 
Dam, secretary. 



Hollywood, Fob. 27. 
The tale of the Wilson attrac- 
tions, a giUy carnival, is practically 
the story of every coast carney with 
the possible exception of two. Wil- 
son shows are currently spotted on 
a Beverly boulevard lot — that is, 
what remains of the outfit. When 
the season started Wilson had a 
merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel, 
four stores and four grease and 
drink Joints. When Wilson unload- 
ed last week on the Beverly lot, 
fourth time he has played it this 
year, all that ^as left of the show 
was the merry-go-round. 

Ferris wheel was left behind sev- 
eral weeks ago when the motor 
went on the bum. Cost too much 
dough to get it fixed and the wheel 
was grossing about $2 a day, so the 
percentage kept it in the truck. ■ 

Slum stores, figuring everybody 
w,ho thi:ew a dart, played the tie-up, 
spotted the spot and played the 
flasher was a sucker, therefore they 
refused to throw out merchandise. 
Wltli no one winning, chumpies re- 
fused to play the stores. Result was 
that they all folded. Their explana- 
tion was that the suckers didn't 
have any dough. 

Competish Bowls 'Em Over 
Grease and drink Joints found 
that opposition from regular ham- 
burger and orange Juice stands, 
spotted on every street in South- 
ern California, was too tough. When 
real Juice is bought for a nickle a 
glass, It's hard to sell carney syn- 
thetic. So the legit boys of the 
carnival packed their stands and 
left the show. 

Wilson figures that his merry-go- 
round will keep him and the wife In 
food, until things break. A merry- 
go-round, according to Wilson, will 
earn its keep n any >.' y lot. The 
kids will go for them and those 
horses on the gag don't have to eat. 

Anyway, moving the one ride is 
accomplished on a truck and trailer. 
When the outfit started last sum- 
mer, Wilson had eight trucks. He 
feelj great about cuttii.g his over- 
head. 



N. O. Mardi Gras Booms 
Dauphine Stock Burlesk 

New Orleans, Feb. 27. 

Dauphine playing stock burlesque 
is offering four successive midnight 
performances in catering to the 
roistering Mardi Gras visitors. 

Ed Schiller and Tom Connor ar- 
rive for Mardi Gras visit Monday 
and incidentally will go into impor- 
tant conference relative to MGM 
bookings In this territory. 



Special Attractions 

(Continued from page 55) 
crystallzed the logical development 
of the special attraction policy as 
distinct from regular vaudeville of 
a stipulated number of acts on stip- 
ulated dates can lie easily figured. 
If more and more picture theatres, 
especially under decentralization, 
use fliesli on their stages, but only 
when each booking Is made on Its 
Individual box office merits with 
exploitation angles a prime part of 
the booking consideration it may 
very easily create a happy situ- 
ation for novelty turns. It will be 
barnstorming under auspices. 



N. Y. Midway Spills Over 

Carnival midway aspect of 42d 
street has spilled over into Eighth 
avenue. New York. 

New stand in store at 43d and 
Eighth has an elaborate layout of 
skill games, with trading coupons 
paid as prizes and a booth of pre- 
miums for whif^h the paper is ex- 
changeable. 



LETTERS 



Wlien Sending fur Mail to 
VARICTY Address Hail Clerk. 
I'OSTCARnS, ADVERTI.SINO or 
CIKCULAR LETTKRS UII.L NOT 
«tE AnVKRTIflEI) 
I.ETTKRS ADVERTISED IN 
ONE ISSl'K OMY 



^odo Mrs ti R 

r'amlnos Al & C 
Clark W M 
Cross J J 

Driver Jos^-ph 



Fl.-innuan Urn 
l-'cU (.'loonc I''arl 

Il.iX'H V .7 

1 l' r;ji:i n ('••■'•ri^n 

K .; I - i. -r M> rlcl 
^'jwall Boa 



Sock or Flash Demand 
Of Modern Fair Hob 



Albany, Feb. 27. 

What the folks want at county 
fairs, after they've sized up the cat- 
tle, poultry, vegetables and needle- 
work, is a snappy Broadway revue, 
a human cannonball or a motorcycle 
looping the loop. 

This Is the consensus among the 
county fair officials from all over 
the state In Albany last week for 
the annual meeting of the New 
York State Association of County 
Agricultural societies. 

George Hamid, who has been pro- 
viding acts at county fairs for many 
years, one of those on hand, told his 
listeners that the show business has 
undergone a revolution so far as 
county fairs are concerned. 

It was explained at the convention 
that the demand now Is for the mu- 
sical shows with 80 or 90 people 
and elaborate settings. 



CIBCTTS GIANT DIES 

San Francisco, Feb. 27. 

Johan Aasen, circus giant, who 
was removed to the city hospital 
two weeks ago suffering from star- 
vation, died last week. Physicians 
pronounced it deficiency of the pit- 
uary gland after having had Aasen 
under continuous attendance with 
many studying his case. 

Aasen was for a long time with 
Ringling shows and later did a film 
'Why Worry,' with Harold Lloyd, 
His last job was with Foley & Burke 
carny on the Coa.<it. 



Empire Wheel 

Week February 27 

Froll''H — Troradcro, l.'hiladelph l«. 
Jfa-C'lia — Howard, noBton. 
J.izztlinn — .-'tar, IlrooUlyn. 
,'<craniblpd 'I.fjfs — (Jayety, Brooklyn. 
■S|)co<I & .SiJiirklo— Empire, Nowark. 
TcmiJters — Irvlnp I'lace, New York. 



SMART MANAGERS 

fict tlio rrowHfl hy glvlnc 
u hig full llayliy pnrk of 
I cjirwlnd. Kiiin (K(ji>crmlnt 
nn'l all ll.ivorEi Free to' 
Vatfins. Street- Men «nd 
Concosslonsires make 
lt'0% Front wKli (lasli; 
pa''l<ai;c9. Try Gum. 
HELMET GUM SHOPS, CINCINNATI, 0. 




72 VARIETY 




ILLUSIONt 

The Oriental girl reclines on a sheet of 
plate glass supported by two slaves. The 
magician waves a white sheet in front of 
the pretty maiden ... pronounces a few 
magic words . . . Presto ! She has disappeared 
in thin air. 

EXPLANATION: 

"Disappearing" acts are among the most 
popular in the repertory of the magician. 
Dogs, horses, girls, whole rooms disap- 
pear — whisked into wings, dropped 
through trapdoors, hidden by mirrors. But 
this "disappearance" is a bit difiFerent. One 
of the "slaves" is a hoUow dummy. When 
the magician holds up the sheet the lithe 
little lady disappears completely — into the 
convenient figure of the dummy. 



J^i' I'crjsr to b£jFoo££D 
. ..it's more Tcnsr to jKkow 



There is also a tridc of cigarette adver- 
tisingy whereby a few magic words are 
used to create the illusion of "Coolness/' 
EXPLANATION: Goolness is deter- 
mined by the speed of burning. Fresh 
cigarettes^retaining their full moisture, 
bum more slowly ... smoke cooler. 
Parchedjdry cigarettes bum fast.They 
taste hot. This makes the method of 
wrapping very important. Improperly 
wrapped cigarettes begin to dry out as 
soon as packed. 
Camels are cooler because they come 




in the famous Humidor Padc of welded, 
three-ply, MOISTURE-PROOF eel- 
lophane...and because they c(Mitain 
better tobaccos. 

A cigarette that is fresh, full of natu- 
ral moisture, and blended from choice, 
ripe tobaccos tastes cooler than one 
that is harsh and acrid. For coolness, 
choose a fresh cigarette, made from 
costlier tobaccos. 

It is a fact/ well known by 
leaf tobacco export!, that 
Camels are made from finer, 
MORE EXPENSIVE tobaccos than 
any other popular brand. 

Xry Camels . . . give your taste a 
chance to sense the difference. You'll 
appreciate itt 



JVO TRICKS 
J ITS T COSTLIER 
TOBACCOS 

IN A MATCHLESS BLEND 



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